Patent ID: 7578978
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. In a carrier for movement of test sample devices through an automated sample testing instrument, said carrier having N receiving structures for receiving N test sample devices and N vessel receiving structures for receiving N vessels containing a fluid test sample, where N is an integer greater than one, each receiving structure for receiving a test sample device, the improvement comprising: providing N optical interrupt positioning features formed in said carrier, each of said positioning features placed in registry with one of said receiving structures, whereby detection of one of said positioning features by a fixed optical interrupt sensor in said sample testing instrument detects a position of a test sample device placed in the receiving structure corresponding to said positioning feature; wherein said carrier is moved through said instrument in a direction along a path of movement having a longitudinal axis, said test sample devices are oriented in said carrier in a direction orthogonal to said longitudinal axis, and wherein said positioning features are arranged on said carrier in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier in said instrument; and wherein said carrier comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and first and second side regions, and wherein said positioning features comprise voids formed in a rib projecting from said lower surface, said rib placed between said first and second side regions, wherein said fixed optical interrupt sensor is positioned in said instrument along the path of movement of said carrier wherein said rib passes over said optical interrupt sensor.