Patent ID: 6183694
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus adapted to inspect reagent strips having liquid samples disposed thereon and to reduce contamination of one of said liquid samples with another of said liquid samples, said apparatus comprising:a reagent strip support (22) adapted to support a reagent strip (14) having a plurality of reagent pads (26) disposed in a longitudinal direction along said reagent strip (14), one of said reagent pads (26) having a reagent sensitive to contamination, said one reagent pad (26) being located at a reagent pad area (140) on said reagent strip (14), said reagent pad area (140) being defined by a perimeter of said one reagent pad (26);a reagent strip mover (18 and/or 80) adapted to cause said reagent strip (14) to be moved in a direction generally transverse to said longitudinal direction from an initial reagent strip location to an inspection location (120 or 122);a light emitter (64 or 68) adapted to illuminate said reagent strip (14) when said reagent strip (14) is supported by said reagent strip support (22) at said inspection location (120 or 122); anda detector (66 or 70) adapted to receive light from said reagent strip (14) when said reagent strip (14) is being illuminated by said light emitter (64 or 68),said reagent strip support (22) being adapted to support said reagent strip (14) so that there is no significant physical contact between said reagent strip support (22) and said reagent pad area (140) of said reagent strip (14) when said reagent strip (14) is located at said inspection location (120 or 122) and when said reagent strip (14) is moved between said initial reagent strip location and said inspection location (120 or 122) to reduce the likelihood of carryover of liquid sample from one reagent strip (14) to another.