초록 ▼

The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time. A solid reference is m

The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time. A solid reference is mounted to an optical shuttle and moved into the optical path to calibrate the fluorescence photodiode detectors.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In a sample testing machine having an incubation station for storing and incubating a sample card having at least one sample well, a sample card transport system for automatically moving said sample card from said incubation station to a fixed optical station for reading said sampl

[ We claim:] [1.] In a sample testing machine having an incubation station for storing and incubating a sample card having at least one sample well, a sample card transport system for automatically moving said sample card from said incubation station to a fixed optical station for reading said sample card, comprising:a means for ejecting said sample card from said incubation station;a drive system receiving cards from said incubation station ejected by said ejecting means and comprising means for moving said card from said incubation station in a linear fashion to said optical station wherein said optical station is operative to read said sample well;said drive system comprising (a) a motor (b), a drive belt operative in a forward direction to move said sample card from said incubation station to said optical station, and in a reverse direction to move said sample card from said optical station back to said incubation station, and (c) a guide member, said test sample card positioned between said belt and said guide member as said test sample card is moved between said optical station and said incubation station;said drive belt moving said sample card without substantial slippage between said drive belt and said card, thereby enabling said card to be moved with substantial precision relative to said optical station for reading of said well.