Optical inspection apparatus with removable inserts

An apparatus adapted to inspect a liquid sample, said apparatus comprising:

• a tray (20) that is adapted to be physically coupled to a first liquid sample carrier (22) and a second liquid sample carrier (40), each of said first and second liquid sample carriers (22, 40) being adapted to hold a liquid sample, said first liquid sample carrier (22) being of a first type of liquid-carrying mechanism and said second liquid sample carrier (40) being of a second type of liquid-carrying mechanism different from said first type;
• a light source (108) adapted to illuminate one of said liquid samples associated with one of said liquid sample carriers (22 or 40) when said one liquid sample carrier (22 or 40) is coupled to said tray (20) at an inspection location;
• and
• a detector (112) adapted to receive light from said one liquid sample when said one liquid sample is being illuminated by said light source (108).

A method of using an optical inspection apparatus (10) having a support tray (20) that supports a liquid sample to be inspected, a light source (108) that illuminates said liquid sample supported by said support tray (20) when said support tray (20) is at an inspection location, and a detector (112) that detects light received from said liquid sample, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing onto said support tray (20) a removable insert (22) of a first type that carries a liquid sample;
• (b) causing said liquid sample of said step (a) to be illuminated by said light source (108);
• (c) causing light received from said liquid sample of said step (a) to be detected by said detector (112);
• (d) taking said removable insert (22) off of said support tray (20) after said step (c);
• (e) placing onto said support tray (20) a removable insert (40) of a second type that carries a liquid sample, said removable insert (40) of said step (e) having a different physical structure from said removable insert (22) of said step (a);
• (f) causing said liquid sample of said step (e) to be illuminated by said light source (108);
• and
• (g) causing light received from said liquid sample of said step (e) to be detected by said detector (112).