Spectrophotometric apparatus with reagent strip detection

摘要

An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of a reagent strip (14) having a body fluid sample disposed thereon and for inspecting the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) is detected is provided with a detection system adapted to automatically detect the presence of a reagent strip (14) at a reagent strip receiving area (12), a light source (64 or 68) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) after the presence of the reagent strip (14) at the reagent strip receiving area (12) is detected, and a detector (66 or 70) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is being illuminated by the light source. The detection system is provided with a light emitting apparatus (30) adapted to illuminate the reagent strip receiving area (12), a detecting apparatus (32) adapted to receive light from the reagent strip receiving area (12) while the reagent strip receiving area (12) is being illuminated by the light emitting apparatus (30) and to generate a detection signal relating to the amount of light detected from the reagent strip receiving area (12), and a circuit (120 or 144, 148) adapted to automatically determine whether a reagent strip (14) is present at the reagent strip receiving area (12) based on the magnitude of the detection signal.