Patent ID: 7189356

Claim:
A system for testing for the presence of an anomalous substance in a specimen, the system comprising in combination: a test matrix having a specimen placement area having a predetermined width and predetermined length; a housing holding the test matrix and including an opening having a narrowing width profile defined between opposing inwardly angled sidewalls and having a narrow-most width substantially adjacent the specimen placement area; and an applicator for applying a specimen to the specimen placement area, the applicator having a distal tip portion having side edges and a distal tip width defined between the side edges, the width of the distal tip being greater than the narrow-most width of the opening; the system being structured such that when the applicator distal tip is placed into the housing opening with the side edges of the distal tip in contact with the opposing inwardly angled sidewalls of the opening, a clearance is defined between the applicator distal tip and the specimen placement area.