Reagent card alignment system and method

A reagent card analyzer, comprising:

• an optical signal source attached to a support and configured to transmit an optical signal having a strength;
• an optical signal detector attached to the support and spaced at a distance from the optical signal source so that the optical signal source and the optical signal detector cooperate to define an optical signal path at a first location, the optical signal detector configured to detect the optical signal and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the optical signal;
• a reader configured to read one or more reagent pad of a reagent card positioned at a second location a known distance from the first location;
• a sample dispenser configured to dispense a volume of sample on the one or more reagent pad of the reagent card, the sample dispenser positioned at a third location;
• a card moving mechanism configured to move the reagent card between the optical signal source and the optical signal detector so that the reagent card interferes with the optical signal, and to move the reagent card so as to position the one or more reagent pad substantially at the second and the third location;
• an optical detector interface electrically coupled to the optical signal detector and configured to receive electrical signals from the optical signal detector and to output a pad detect signal indicative of at least one of a leading end and a trailing end of the reagent pad as the reagent card is moved between the optical signal source and the optical signal detector;
• and
• a controller configured to control the reader, the sample dispenser, and the card moving mechanism, the controller electrically coupled with the optical detector interface, wherein the controller is configured to operate the card moving mechanism to move the one or more reagent card so that the one or more reagent pad is positioned substantially at the second location or substantially at the third location based upon the pad detect signal.

A method, comprising:

• passing a reagent card having a sequence of reagent pads including leading and trailing ends through an optical signal path defined by an optical signal source and an optical signal detector spaced at a distance from one another;
• receiving an electrical signal from the optical signal detector by an optical detector interface electrically coupled to the optical signal detector and configured to receive electrical signals from the optical signal detector;
• and
• outputting a sequence of pad detect signals indicative of at least one of the leading end and the trailing end of the sequence of reagent pads as the reagent card is moved through the optical signal path.