Slide analysis system

A slide analysis system adapted to measure a characteristic of a sample fluid deposited on an analysis slide comprising:

• a) slide holding means for holding a plurality of slides to be used in the analysis;
• b) incubator means including a a plurality of slide holders, spaced a predetermined distance from said slide holding means;
• c) depositing means spaced from said slide holding means and said incubator means for depositing a sample fluid on selected ones of the slides to provide spotted slides;
• d) transfer means for withdrawing individual ones of the slides from said slide holding means and for inserting the individually withdrawn slides in said incubator means, said transfer means including:
• i) slide engaging means;
• ii) means for rotating said slide engaging means to a first predetermined rotational position to align said slide engaging means with one of the slides in said slide holding means, and a second predetermined rotational position to align said slide engaging means with one of said slide holders in said incubator means;
• and
• iii) means for displacing said slide engaging means when in said first predetermined rotational position to a first predetermined displaced position at said slide holding means to engage said one of the slides in said slide holding means and for displacing said slide engaging means away from said slide holding means with said one of the slides, and when said slide engaging means is in said second predetermined rotational position to a second predetermined displaced position at said incubator means to insert a slide in said one of said slide holders or remove a slide from said one of said slide holders and for displacing said slide engaging means, with or without a slide, away from said one of said slide holders.