Chemical analyzer
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a fluid sample wherein the sample is deposited on a test slide which is analyzed after an appropriate period of incubation, said apparatus comprising:
- slide supply means;
means adapted to receive a slide from said slide supply means at a metering position where a predetermined quantity of sample is deposited onto the slide;
incubator means adapted to receive a slide bearing said quantity of sample;
analysis means adapted to receive a slide from said incubator means;
means for supporting each of said previously recited means relative to each other to define a path on which slides in contact therewith can be slideably moved through the apparatus; and
slide handling means for moving a slide supported on said path through a plurality of locations on the path.
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Abstract
A chemical analyzer is disclosed for performing analysis on selected fluids. The analyzer comprises a plurality of cartridges containing test slides. A slide transfer mechanism is adapted to feed a slide from a selected cartridge, transport the slide to a metering device where a precise amount of fluid is deposited thereon, deliver the slide to conveyor means which moves the element through an incubator, and transport the slide to an analysis means after a predetermined time in the incubator.
79 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a fluid sample wherein the sample is deposited on a test slide which is analyzed after an appropriate period of incubation, said apparatus comprising:
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slide supply means; means adapted to receive a slide from said slide supply means at a metering position where a predetermined quantity of sample is deposited onto the slide; incubator means adapted to receive a slide bearing said quantity of sample; analysis means adapted to receive a slide from said incubator means; means for supporting each of said previously recited means relative to each other to define a path on which slides in contact therewith can be slideably moved through the apparatus; and slide handling means for moving a slide supported on said path through a plurality of locations on the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An analyzer for measuring a characteristic of a fluid sample wherein the sample is deposited on a test slide which is analyzed after an appropriate period of incubation, said analyzer comprising:
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slide supply means; metering means adapted to receive and releasably hold a slide from said slide supply means, said metering means being further adapted to deposit a predetermined quantity of sample onto the slide; incubator means adapted to receive and releasably hold a slide bearing said quantity of sample; analysis means adapted to receive and releasably hold a slide from said incubator means; means for supporting each of the previously recited means relative to each other to provide a generally linear slide path whereby slides can be slideably moved through the analyzer along said path; and slide handling means for sequentially applying a force to a slide supported on said path and in contact therewith to move the slide to a plurality of locations on the path.
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9. Slide handling means for use in a chemical analyzer of the type in which a fluid is metered onto a test slide which is analyzed after an appropriate period of incubation, said slide handling means comprising:
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a power source; a plurality of independently actuatable drive means mounted for reciprocation, said drive means being adapted to engage the slide in a predetermined sequence to advance the slide through said analyzer; and means for selectively engaging each of said drive means with said power source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for chemical analysis of a fluid sample wherein the sample is deposited on a test slide which is analzyed after incubation, including slide supply means, means adapted to receive a slide at a metering position where a predetermined quantity of sample is deposited on the slide, incubator means for receiving a slide bearing said quantity of sample, and analysis means for receiving a slide from the incubator means, the improvement wherein means provides a slide path which extends from said supply means through said metering position and the incubator means to the analysis means, said path being adapted to support a slide in contact therewith, and slide handling means is adapted to slideably move a slide on said path.
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16. Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a fluid sample wherein the sample is deposited on a test slide which is analyzed after an appropriate period of time, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of apparatus elements, said elements being adapted to interact with the slide in a preselected sequence, said elements including metering means for depositing a predetermined quantity of sample on a slide in a metering position and analysis means for sensing a characteristic of the slide after a predetermined period of time; means defining a slide path for movement of slides between said elements, said path being adapted to support slides in contact therewith for slidable movement thereon; and slide handling means for sequentially applying a force to a slide supported on said path to advance the slide past said elements. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification