Patent ID: 7294312

Claim:
A cartridge holder for facilitating filling of at least one cartridge cell of a test cartridge with a blood sample dispensed from a blood sample dispenser through an upper end opening of a reaction chamber of the cartridge cell for conducting a blood coagulation test, the cartridge cell employing a plunger that is lifted during mixture of the blood sample with a reagent by engagement of a lift mechanism with a plunger upper end that extends from the cartridge cell, the cartridge holder comprising: a cartridge holder frame having a test cartridge receptacle that receives and supports the test cartridge in an upright position so that blood sample can be dispensed into the reaction chamber of the cartridge cell; and a plunger upper end deflector extending from the cartridge holder frame that deflects the plunger upper end toward a side of the upper end opening as the test cartridge is inserted into the test cartridge receptacle to enable the insertion of the blood dispenser through the upper end opening and into the reaction chamber of the cartridge cell, wherein the cartridge holder frame comprises a lower base and a rear frame configured to provide the test cartridge receptacle that receives and supports the test cartridge in the upright position; and the plunger upper end deflector comprises a deflecting arm that extends from the rear frame over the base to engage and deflect the plunger upper end, and wherein the rear frame comprises a light emitter that illuminates the reaction chamber of a cartridge cell disposed in the cartridge receptacle.