Light-blocking system for a diagnostic analyzer

摘要

A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

主权项

1. A method of diagnostically testing a sample comprising:
disposing a reaction vessel into a slot of a linear processing track; supplying a sample and a reagent into the reaction vessel disposed in the slot of the linear processing track; moving the linear processing track while the reaction vessel, containing the sample and the reagent, is disposed in the slot of the linear processing track so that the reaction vessel, disposed in the slot of the linear processing track and containing the sample and the reagent, is disposed adjacent to at least one light-blocking member in a first position disposed apart from the linear processing track allowing the sample to be exposed to light; moving the at least one light-blocking member from the first position to a second position closer to the linear processing track to dispose the reaction vessel held within the slot of the linear processing track simultaneously within at least a portion of the at least one light-blocking member to block the sample contained within the reaction vessel from exposure to the light; and optically testing the sample while the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position with the reaction vessel, holding the sample, disposed in the slot of the linear processing track.