Patent ID: 6979571

Claim:
A method of performing an analytical determination comprising the steps of: providing a testing apparatus comprising: a shroud portion, said shroud portion comprising a strip track, an optical aperture along said strip track, and at least one stabilizing member extending into said strip track in the vicinity of said optical aperture; and a hood portion immovably attached to said shroud portion over said strip track so as to protectingly overlie said optical aperture, said hood portion comprising at least one camming member descending into said strip track: providing a test strip having a leading edge and a color spot; applying a material containing analyte to said test strip so as to cause an optically measurable change at said color spot; introducing a said test strip into said strip track; advancing said test strip such that said at least one camming member and said at least one stabilizing member guide said test strip into a testing position; and while said test strip is in said testing position, optically accessing said color spot through said optical aperture to make the analytical determination.