Abstract
There is described a method for providing a fluid to an instrument located adjacent a conveyor for transporting receptacles between a plurality of modules, the method comprising the steps of: (a) supporting a sample receptacle in an upright orientation on a first carrier; (b) transporting the first carrier on a conveyor extending adjacent to each of a plurality of modules, at least one of the modules being an analytical instrument; (c) stopping the first carrier at a position adjacent the analytical instrument; (d) after step (c), and while the first carrier remains on the conveyor, removing the sample receptacle from the first carrier and transporting the sample receptacle to a pick-up position of the analytical instrument; (e) transporting the sample receptacle from the pick-up position to a pipetting station located within the analytical instrument; (f) at the pipetting station, aspirating a fluid contained within the sample receptacle and transferring the aspirated fluid to a reaction receptacle supported by the analytical instrument; (g) after aspirating the fluid from the sample receptacle, transporting the sample receptacle from the pipetting station to the pick-up position; (h) removing the sample receptacle from the pick-up position and transporting the sample receptacle to a second carrier located on the conveyor adjacent the analytical instrument, the second carrier supporting the sample receptacle in an upright orientation; (i) in the analytical instrument, performing an assay with the aspirated fluid, thereby determining the presence or absence of an analyte in the aspirated fluid; and (j) transporting the second carrier supporting the sample receptacle on the conveyor to one or more of the plurality of modules other than the analytical instrument.