초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting sample fluid on an analysis slide of the type which is used to perform quantitative analyses. The apparatus comprises means for projecting radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto the slide and means for measuring the intensity of rad

A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting sample fluid on an analysis slide of the type which is used to perform quantitative analyses. The apparatus comprises means for projecting radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto the slide and means for measuring the intensity of radiation received from the slide, both before fluid is metered on the slide and after fluid has been metered thereon. The difference between radiation received from a wet slide and from a dry slide is compared with known values to determine if the slide contains sufficient fluid for a suitable test result.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for detecting a sample fluid containing a substantial portion of water on a test element adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of the sample fluid from a metering device and to produce a response proportional to a selected analyte in the fluid, an element being of a type for the sele

Apparatus for detecting a sample fluid containing a substantial portion of water on a test element adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of the sample fluid from a metering device and to produce a response proportional to a selected analyte in the fluid, an element being of a type for the selected analyte and having certain reflectance characteristics, said apparatus comprising: means for projecting a beam of radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto a surface of a test element; sensor means for detecting the intensity of radiation within the absorption band of water reflected from a surface of a test element and for producing an output proportional to said intensity, said sensor means being adapted to produce a first output from radiation received before fluid is metered onto an element and a second output after fluid is metered thereon; and means for processing said outputs, said processing means including means for receiving an input indicative of the reflectance characteristics of said type of test element and for comparing the difference between said first and second outputs with a predetermined value which corresponds to a sufficient amount of fluid on said type of test element, and means for producing a signal in the event the amount of fluid is not sufficient to produce a proper response. A method for detecting a sample fluid containing a substantial portion of water on an analysis slide, said slide being adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of sample fluid and to produce a response proportional to a selected analyte in the fluid, said slide being selected from more than one type, each type being for a particular analyte and having a defined range of values of reflectivity which varies between a relatively high reflectivity when the slide does not contain any fluid and a relatively low reflectivity after fluid has been deposited on the slide, said method comprising the steps of: (a) projecting radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto a dry slide before the metering of fluid thereon; (b) detecting the intensity of radiation within the absorption band of water reflected from said dry slide; (c) projecting radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto said slide after the metering of fluid thereon; (d) detecting the intensity of radiation within the absorption band of water reflected from said slide after the metering of fluid onto the slide; (e) comparing the difference between the intensity of radiation reflected from said dry slide and from said slide after fluid has been metered thereon with a predetermined value within the reflectivity range of the type of slide suitable for said selected analyte to determine if sufficient fluid has been metered onto the slide to produce a proper response; and (f) producing a signal in the event the amount of fluid is not sufficient for a proper response.