INSTRUMENT AND PROCESS FOR THE AUTOMATED PROCESSING OF LIQUID SAMPLES

The present invention pertains to an automated instrument for processing samples, comprising: a sampling area for receiving said samples and reaction vessels; an analytical area provided with a first device resource comprising at least one analyzer for analyzing said samples; a reaction area comprising a conveyor provided with a plurality of holders for storing reagent containers for containing reagents and an incubator configured for receiving said reaction vessels for incubating samples contained therein; a second device resource comprising first functional devices selected from at least one first gripper for gripping said reaction vessels and at least one first pipettor for pipetting liquids, said first functional devices being adapted to have access to said sampling area and said incubator so as to transfer reaction vessels from said sampling area to said incubator and/or to pipette samples and/or reagents into said reaction vessels; a third device resource comprising second functional devices selected from at least one second gripper for gripping said reaction vessels and at least one second pipettor for pipetting liquids, said second functional devices being adapted to have access to said incubator and said analytical area so as to transfer said reaction vessels from said incubator to said analytical area and/or to dispense liquids to or withdraw liquids from said reaction vessels. It further relates to an automated process for processing samples.