Patent ID: 7378270

Claim:
A biochemical analysis instrument for multiple fluid analyses includes: a housing; a sensor for sensing a reaction disposed in said housing; an aperture formed in said housing; a test tape housing area formed in said housing, said sensor being disposed to selectively move within said housing area, said aperture being formed to provide access to said tape housing area; and a cassette configured to be received within said tape housing area; said cassette including a case, a first chamber formed in said case, a second chamber formed in said case, a gap formed in said case, said first chamber and second chamber being disposed at a respective side of said gap, a test tape disposed within said housing extending from said first chamber across said gap to said second chamber, said test tape having a plurality of active zones disposed at predetermined spaced intervals along said tape for testing an analyte; said active zone including a reagent disposed on said test tape at said active zone; said test tape including a support layer; and each active zone including at least a first separating member and a second separating member, said first separating member disposed on said support layer across a gap from a second separating member disposed on said support layer; a reagent disposed within said gap between said first separating member and said second separating member; and said first separating member and said second separating member together are substantially U-shaped; and a venting slit separating said first separating member from said second separating member.