Optical reader and sample card transport stations for biological sample testing machine

In a sample testing machine having an incubation station for storing and incubating a sample card having at least one sample well, a sample card transport system for automatically moving said sample card from said incubation station to a fixed optical station for reading said sample card, comprising:

• a means for ejecting said sample card from said incubation station;
• a drive system receiving cards from said incubation station ejected by said ejecting means and comprising means for moving said card from said incubation station in a linear fashion to said optical station wherein said optical station is operative to read said sample well;
• said drive system comprising a motor and a drive belt operative in a forward direction to move said sample card from said incubation station to said optical station, and in a reverse direction to move said sample card from said optical station back to said incubation station;
• said drive belt moving said sample card without substantial slippage between said drive belt and said card, thereby enabling said card to be moved with substantial precision relative to said optical station;
• wherein said card defines first and second edges, and wherein said drive system further comprises:
• a ledge extending transversely above said optical system and maintaining alignment of said card relative to said optical system, said ledge defining a card slot and a card travel direction, said card slot receiving said first edge of said card;
• said drive belt movable relative to said ledge in a direction parallel to said card travel direction, said drive belt engaging said second edge of said card to move said card relative to said optical system;
• and
• a plurality of rollers supporting said drive belt.

In a sample testing machine having an incubation station for storing and incubating a sample card having at least one sample well, a sample card transport system for automatically moving said sample card from said incubation station to an optical station for reading said sample card, said optical station comprising a single light source and a detector for said sample well, comprising:

• a drive system for moving said card from said incubation station in a linear fashion through said optical station wherein said single light source and detector are operative to read said sample well;
• and
• wherein said drive system is operative to move said card in a plurality of discrete steps while said well is in alignment with said single light source and said detector with said light source and detector operative in a plurality of illumination events at each of said steps so as to enable a plurality of optical measurements to be obtained at a plurality of different locations of said well in said card;
• thereby permitting accurate readings of said well by said optical station.

In a sample testing machine having an incubation station for storing and incubating a sample card having at least one sample well, a sample card transport system for automatically moving said sample card from said incubation station to an optical station for reading said sample card, said optical station comprising a single light source and a detector for said sample well, comprising:

• a drive system for moving said card from said incubation station in a linear fashion through said optical station wherein said single light source and detector are operative to read said sample well;
• and
• wherein said drive system is operative to move said card in a plurality of discrete steps while said well is in alignment with said single light source and said detector with said light source and detector operative in a plurality of illumination events at each of said steps so as to enable a plurality of optical measurements to be obtained at a plurality of different locations of said well in said card;
• and wherein said drive system comprises a motor driving a substantially inelastic and endless belt, and wherein said card is positioned snugly and directly between said belt and a ledge located opposite said endless belt, said belt and motor operative to slide said card relative to said belt without substantial slippage of said card relative to said belt, enabling said card to be moved relative to said optical system with substantial precision.