Analyzer featuring a contacting reflectometer
First Claim
1. In an analyzer for measuring an analyte in a liquid by scanning a test element containing the liquid, said analyzer including a reflectometer having a face adapted to contact a test element during scanning and means for biasing the test element and said reflectometer face into contact with each other while the element is being scanned,the improvement comprising removing means for removing a scanned test element from said reflectometer, said removing means including first means for moving said scanned element and said face out of contact with each other, and second means for pushing said element across said face, said first means and said second means being configured and arranged so that said second means is operative only after said first means is operative.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an analyzer of the kind in which a reflectometer contacts a test element during scanning of the element, means are provided for moving test elements to and from the reflectometer in a manner avoiding significant contact wear of the reflectometer.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In an analyzer for measuring an analyte in a liquid by scanning a test element containing the liquid, said analyzer including a reflectometer having a face adapted to contact a test element during scanning and means for biasing the test element and said reflectometer face into contact with each other while the element is being scanned,
the improvement comprising removing means for removing a scanned test element from said reflectometer, said removing means including first means for moving said scanned element and said face out of contact with each other, and second means for pushing said element across said face, said first means and said second means being configured and arranged so that said second means is operative only after said first means is operative.
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11. An analyzer for measuring an analyte in a liquid by scanning a test element containing the liquid, said analyzer including
a reflectometer adapted to contact a test element during scanning, advancing means for moving a test element into scanning position within said reflectometer, means for pressing the test element into contact with said reflectometer while the element is being scanned, and removing means for removing a scanned test element from said reflectometer, said removing means being provided with a camming surface at one end thereof, said camming surface being beveled at an angle sufficient to lift a test element off said scanning head and onto said removing means as said camming surface is advanced toward said scanning head, said advancing means and said removing means being coupled for synchronous movement.
Specification