Patent ID: 6531095
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An analytical instrument for analyzing, fluids, said instrument comprising:A) a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges, wherein each of said cartridges comprises a top side, bottom side, an analytical system which requires centrifugal force to operate and a test element which comprises an optical element which is optically accessible from only the bottom side of said cartridge and wherein said optical element provides an optically detectable analytical property of said fluid, said cartridge carousel assembly comprising: a) a cartridge rotor plate which comprises a center and a plurality of cartridge ports which are located in spaced relation radially outward from said center; and b) a rotary drive mechanism which rotates said cartridge rotor plate about the center thereof, wherein rotation of said cartridge rotor plate provides the centrifugal force required to operate the analytical system of said cartridge; B) an optical detector located below said cartridge rotor plate to optically inspect the bottom side only of said cartridge which measures said detectable analytical property of said fluid sample which is provide by the optical element of said cartridge, said optical detector comprising: a) a stationary radiation source located below said cartridge rotor plate to provide at least one incident beam of radiation which contacts said optical element and only the bottom side of said cartridge and wherein at least one return beam of radiation is emitted from the bottom side of said cartridge by said optical element in response to contact by said incident beam of radiation wherein said radiation source comprises a plurality of radiation emitters which are arranged below said cartridge rotor plate to form an accurate array of radiation emitters which forms a linear arc that matches the arcuate path of said optical element as said cartridge travels in said cartridge rotor plate during rotation of said cartridge rotor plate; and b) a stationary return beam detector which measures said return beam of radiation emitted from the bottom of said cartridge wherein said return beam detector comprises a plurality of radiation detectors which are arranged below said cartridge rotor plate to form an arcuate array of radiation detectors that lies along the same linear arc formed by said arcuate array of radiation emitters, wherein said arcuate array of radiation emitters and said arcuate array of radiation detectors are arranged along the same linear arc to provide incident beams of radiation and return beams of radiation which are adjacent to each other along said linear arc and substantially parallel to each other; and C) a tracking and control unit which tracks and controls said rotary drive mechanism and said detector to provide coordinated operation so that said optical detector can make measurements of said optical element while said cartridge rotor is stationary or rotating, said tracking and control unit comprising a user input interface for receiving data input from a user of the instrument, a central processing unit, a real time processor and a data input interface which provides output of results of the measurements made by said optical detector.