Patent ID: 7431883

Claim:
A system for analyzing samples comprising: a) a portable analysis unit comprising: i) a sample inlet; ii) an analyzer for determining a characteristic of a sample and providing data about the characteristic; iii) a reagent supply reservoir; iv) a collection reservoir for waste comprising used reagent and analyzed sample; v) a reagent inlet for providing reagent to the supply reservoir; vi) a waste outlet for removing waste from the collection reservoir; vii) a supply conduit from the reagent supply reservoir to the analyzer; viii) a waste conduit from the analyzer to the collection reservoir; ix) an analysis unit power source for providing power to the analyzer; x) a data output element for outputting data generated by the analyzer; xi) a pressure source for moving reagent and waste; and b) a base unit adapted for connection to the analyzer unit for providing reagent to the analysis unit and receiving waste from the collection reservoir, the base unit comprising: i) a reagent storage reservoir; ii) a waste storage reservoir; iii) a waste inlet for connection to the waste outlet of the analysis unit for receiving waste from the analysis unit; and iv) a reagent outlet for providing reagent from the reagent storage reservoir to the reagent inlet of the analysis unit; wherein the base unit and the analysis unit are adapted to be disposed in: a disconnected configuration wherein the analysis unit is separate from the base unit or a connected configuration wherein the reagent outlet is connected to the reagent inlet and the waste inlet is connected to the waste outlet; and wherein the analysis unit is capable of analyzing a sample while in the disconnected configuration, and wherein the analysis unit power source comprises a rechargeable battery; and the base unit further comprises a battery charger connectable to the analysis unit power source.