System and apparatus for fluid sample delivery

A system for analysing a fluid, including:

• a sensing element configured to respond to at least one analyte in a sample of fluid;
• a detector configured to sense a response to the analyte by the sensing element;
• a fluid sample delivery apparatus, including:
• a dosage needle configured to deliver the sample of fluid to the sensing element;
• at least one pump configured to control flow of fluid through the dosage needle;
• at least one actuator configured to move the dosage needle relative to the sensing element;
• and
• a wicking feature configured to contact a drop of the same fluid as the sample of fluid suspended from the dosage needle when the dosage needle is in a predetermined position relative to the wicking feature;
• and
• at least one controller configured to:
• control the at least one actuator to position the dosage needle relative to the sensing element such that a gap is provided between at least a portion of an end of the dosage needle from which the sample of fluid is delivered and the sensing element;
• control the at least one pump to deliver a predetermined volume of the sample of fluid to the sensing element through the dosage needle;
• control the at least one pump to control aspiration of at least a portion of the sample of fluid back from the sensing element;
• and
• prepare the sample of fluid in the dosage needle prior to delivery to the sensing element, including positioning the dosage needle proximate to the wicking feature, such that the drop of the same fluid as the sample of fluid is wicked away from the dosage needle by the wicking feature.