System and method for analyzing a sample liquid
AssigneeRoche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
InventorsUwe Krämer, Hans List
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Abstract
The present invention provides a system for analyzing a sample liquid comprising a test tape having a plurality of test elements, a tape transport device which successively transports the test elements to a sample application site while advancing the tape, and a measuring device which scans the test elements loaded with sample liquid at a measuring site. The measuring site is located at a distance from the sample application site in the direction of tape movement. The tape transport is interrupted in order to exactly position a wetted area of the test elements carrying a sample liquid at the measuring site by means of a positioning device that responds to the presence of sample liquid on the test element.
Claims13
A system for analyzing a sample liquid having an analyte, comprising:
- a test tape having a plurality of test elements;
- a tape transport device which advances the test tape to successively transport the test elements to a sample application site at which the test elements are loaded with sample liquid to form a wetted area whose location on the test elements can vary from measurement to measurement, the tape transport device also advancing the test tape to successively transport the test elements to a measuring site at which the test elements are positioned for the detection of the analyte, the measuring site being spaced from the sample application site in the direction of tape movement;
- a measuring device configured to detect an analyte in the test elements that are loaded with the sample liquid;
- and
- a positioning device associated with the tape transport device and configured to detect the presence of the wetted area on the test elements as the test tape is advanced, the positioning device comprising a control unit, the control unit configured to respond to the detection of the wetted area and configured to interrupt the tape transport when the wetted area of the test elements is determined by the positioned device to be positioned at the measuring site, whereby the location of the test elements relative to the measuring site may vary from measurement to measurement as a function of the location of the wetted area on the test elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.