Patent ID: 8491501

Claim:
A cassette with a rotatable rotor and sample element for use with a fluid analysis system, the cassette comprising: (i) a housing; (ii) a fluid handling network comprising: a patient end configured to be placed in fluid communication with a bodily fluid of a patient; and one or more fluid passageways configured to transport the bodily fluid from the patient end through the fluid analysis system; (iii) a fluid interface comprising: a first fluid probe movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the first fluid probe is configured for injection and/or removal of fluid; a second fluid probe movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the second fluid probe is configured for injection and/or removal of fluid; a first fluid connector providing fluid communication between the first fluid probe and the one or more fluid passageways; and a second fluid connector providing fluid communication between the second fluid probe and the one or more fluid passageways; and (iv) a rotor configured to rotate with respect to the housing, wherein the rotation of the rotor is about an axis, the rotor comprising: an interface configured to engage a drive system of the fluid analysis system and rotate the rotor at least between a sample loading position and a bypass position; a first port configured to receive the first fluid probe when the rotor is in the sample loading position and when the first fluid probe is in the extended position; a second port configured to receive the second fluid probe when the rotor is in the sample loading position and when the second fluid probe is in the extended position; a sample element configured to rotate with the rotor and configured to hold a sample portion of the bodily fluid, wherein the sample element is configured to receive a sample portion of the bodily fluid from the fluid handling network through the first port and/or the second port; a third port configured to receive the first fluid probe when the rotor is in the bypass position and when the first fluid probe is in the extended position; a fourth port configured to receive the second fluid probe when the rotor is in the bypass position and when the second fluid probe is in the extended position; and a bypass forming a fluid connection between the third port and the fourth port such that fluid can pass between the first fluid probe and the second fluid probe without passing through the sample element.