An automated analyzer comprising: first and second storage cartridges that retain a first plurality of analytical test elements and a second plurality of analytical test elements, respectively, in which the first plurality of analytical test elements comprise thin-film slide elements having a sample addition area and the second plurality of analytical test elements comprise lateral flow assay devices (100, 200, 300), each of the lateral flow assay devices comprising a planar support having at least one sample addition area (118, 214, 308), at least one reaction area (120, 216, 312), at least one detection area (124, 218, 318) and a wicking area (130, 230, 324) fluidically interconnected along at least one lateral fluid flow path and in which fluid movement in the lateral flow assay devices occurs under capillary force from the at least one sample addition area to the wicking area, and wherein each of the plurality of lateral flow assay devices has a form factor that enables interchangeability with the thin-film slide element in the automated analyzer; a transfer mechanism that sequentially removes individual analytical test elements from each of the first and second storage cartridges; a metering mechanism that dispenses sample onto a sample addition area of each of the removed analytical test elements from the first and second storage cartridges; at least one incubator assembly having a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of independently rotatable concentric ring members (454, 459) supported for rotation about a center axis and having a plurality of receiving stations individually sized to receive the first plurality and the second plurality of analytical test elements having sample dispensed thereon from the metering mechanism; first and second detection devices disposed and positioned in relation to the at least one incubator assembly to detect test results relative to each of the first plurality and second plurality of analytical test elements; and in which at least one of the at least one incubator assembly interchangeably handles and processes both dry slide analytical test elements and lateral flow assay devices from the first and second storage cartridges. first and second storage cartridges that retain a first plurality of analytical test elements and a second plurality of analytical test elements, respectively, in which the first plurality of analytical test elements comprise thin-film slide elements having a sample addition area and the second plurality of analytical test elements comprise lateral flow assay devices (100, 200, 300), each of the lateral flow assay devices comprising a planar support having at least one sample addition area (118, 214, 308), at least one reaction area (120, 216, 312), at least one detection area (124, 218, 318) and a wicking area (130, 230, 324) fluidically interconnected along at least one lateral fluid flow path and in which fluid movement in the lateral flow assay devices occurs under capillary force from the at least one sample addition area to the wicking area, and wherein each of the plurality of lateral flow assay devices has a form factor that enables interchangeability with the thin-film slide element in the automated analyzer; a transfer mechanism that sequentially removes individual analytical test elements from each of the first and second storage cartridges; a metering mechanism that dispenses sample onto a sample addition area of each of the removed analytical test elements from the first and second storage cartridges; at least one incubator assembly having a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of independently rotatable concentric ring members (454, 459) supported for rotation about a center axis and having a plurality of receiving stations individually sized to receive the first plurality and the second plurality of analytical test elements having sample dispensed thereon from the metering mechanism; first and second detection devices disposed and positioned in relation to the at least one incubator assembly to detect test results relative to each of the first plurality and second plurality of analytical test elements; and in which at least one of the at least one incubator assembly interchangeably handles and processes both dry slide analytical test elements and lateral flow assay devices from the first and second storage cartridges.