Importance

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Abstract

A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and then to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle. Means is provided for insuring that each test strip is delivered to reading position in registration with the read head of the photometer, and means is also provided for pressing each test strip flat against the reading station platform. The indexing mechanism employs a strip advancing member provided with parallel rows of equally spaced upstanding pegs or fingers, there being guiding and drive means for imparting movement to said member along a vertical orbital path having a generally circular extent and also having a rectilinear extent parallel with the rails, said pegs intersecting the plane of the reagent strips on the rails when said member moves forwardly along said rectilinear extent and being withdrawn from said plane when said member moves rearwardly along said circular extent.

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First Claim