Patent ID: 6180409
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for inspecting a reagent strip (14) having a plurality of reagent pads (26) after said reagent strip (14) has been contacted with a fluid sample, said apparatus comprising:a conveyor system (80) adapted to move said reagent strip (14) from a first reagent strip inspection location to a second reagent strip inspection location;a first readhead (60) associated with said first reagent strip inspection location and being adapted to optically inspect a plurality of said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14), said first readhead (60) having a light source (64) and a light detector (66) associated therewith, said light source (64) being adapted to illuminate at least one of said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14) at said first reagent strip inspection location and said light detector (66) being adapted to detect light from at least one of said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14) when said reagent strip (14) is disposed at said first reagent strip inspection location and when said reagent strip (14) is illuminated by said light source (64);a second readhead (62) associated with said second reagent strip inspection location and being adapted to optically inspect said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14), said second readhead (62) having a light source (68) and a light detector (70) associated therewith, said light source (68) of said second readhead (62) being adapted to illuminate at least one of said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14) at said second reagent strip inspection location and said light detector (70) of said second readhead (62) being adapted to detect light from at least one of said reagent pads (26) of said reagent strip (14) when said reagent strip (14) is disposed at said second reagent strip inspection location and when said reagent strip (14) is illuminated by said light source (68) of said second readhead (62); anda readhead positioning system (52, 54, 56) operatively coupled to at least one of said first and second readheads (60, 62), said readhead positioning system (52, 54, 56) being adapted to selectively position said one readhead (60) so that said one readhead (60) is automatically moved from a first position at which a first reagent pad (26) is inspected to a second position at which a second reagent pad (26) is inspected.