Chemical analyzer

A chemical analyzer for analyzing reagent test slides onto which a fluid sample is metered, which comprises:

• a rotatable turntable, the rotatable turntable being adapted to hold a plurality of test slides in a circular arrangement, the rotatable turntable including a top surface and a peripheral edge, and having formed in the top surface a plurality of recesses, the recesses being spaced apart from each other circumferentially about the turntable, each recess defining a receiving slot for receiving a test slide;
• means for inserting slides onto the rotatable turntable, the slide insertion means being situated adjacent to the circumferential periphery of the rotatable turntable;
• means for metering out a predetermined volume of fluid sample and for depositing the predetermined sample volume onto each test slide carried by the rotatable turntable, at least a portion of the same metering and depositing means being positioned in alignment with the test slides carried by the rotatable turntable;
• a slide cover, the slide cover being positioned above the rotatable turntable and being at least partially rotatable relative to the turntable to cover and uncover test slides carried by the turntable, the slide cover being mounted on the top surface of the rotatable turntable and concentric therewith, the cover including a plurality of radially extending plate finger members, adjacent plate finger members defining a slot therebetween, each plate finger member including an opening formed through the thickness of said finger member, the slide cover further including a plurality of button members, each button member being at least partially received by a corresponding opening formed in the plate finger members, the slide cover further including means for biasing the button members, the biasing means extending a force on the button members to force the button members into the openings of the plate finger members;
• a reflectometer, the reflectometer having a portion which is situated below the rotatable turntable and positioned in alignment with the test slides carried by the turntable, the reflectometer including at least one source of light of a predetermined wavelength, the light source being positioned with respect to the test slides carried by the turntable so as to direct light onto the test slides, and further including at least one light sensor, the light sensor receiving light reflected by the test slides carried by the turntable;
• and
• means for removing test slides carried by the rotatable turntable, the slide removing means being situated in proximity to the rotatable turntable to engage the slides carried by the turntable and remove the slides.