SLIDE CARTRIDGE AND REAGENT TEST SLIDES FOR USE WITH A CHEMICAL ANALYZER, AND CHEMICAL ANALYZER FOR SAME

摘要

A slide cartridge (1) for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring (2) and a lower ring (4) secured together but rotatable with respect to each other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers (6) between them, which receive dry analyte test slides (8). A gear track formed in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear (28) attached to a stepping motor (30) of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering device (68), which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a plurality of spotter ports (66) formed in the upper ring, and above a reflectometer (22), which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted test slides through viewing windows (18) formed in the lower ring of the slide cartridge.