APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING AN ANALYSIS SLIDE

摘要

Apparatus is provided for use with a chemical analyzer of the type which is adapted to measure a characteristic of a sample fluid deposited on an analysis slide (15). The apparatus comprises an incubator (22) which includes a temperature-controlled chamber (42) having a rotor (44) mounted therein; rotor (44) is adapted to support slides (15) in a plurality of slide-support stations (89). Slides (15) may be plyced in a station (89) at a transfer location (43) and removed therefrom at a transfer location (45). A plurality of covers (102) carried on rotor (44) are adapted to al least partially enclose slides (15) supported in stations (89) to control evaporation from the slides (15). Control means (110) are provided to selectively raise a cover (102) to permit an analysis slide (15) to be loaded into a slide-support station (89) or removed therefrom. A slide conditioner (84) is mounted adjacent transfer location (43) and is adapted to bring slides (15) to a temperature near that of chamber (42) before the slides (15) are loaded onto rotor (44). An electrometer 23, mounted adjacent transfer location (45), is adapted to measure the potential developed in slides (15) after an appropriate incubation period.