Abstract: An analyzer and an elevator therein for moving a slide element from a distributor operating preferably in a single horizontal plane, to one of plural incubators disposed at different vertical levels. A drive mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the elevator, and a pusher is provided, such as a pusher blade within the elevator, to push a slide element from the distributor to a support in the elevator, and then into one of the incubators.

Abstract: A pusher blade and its housing are described, in which the blade has a stiff front end for engaging slide-type test elements, and a flexible body portion and back end. The housing forces the blade to curve through an angle, preferably about 90.degree. C., to minimize the extension in one direction the blade would have if it were entirely rigid.The housing can provide for separate stacks of elements in separate environments to be engaged by the blade, since sealing means are provided for preventing substantial intermixing of the environments when the blade is activated.

Abstract: There are disclosed an ISE slide element and potentiometric measurement of assaying, using a slide element that is positionally insensitive about an axis of symmetry. This is achieved by accessing one of the electrodes in the center of the slide element, and the other in an annular groove centered on the element center, both for liquid contact and electrometer contact. Preferably, electrometer contact occurs at a side of the electrode opposite to the side contacted with liquid.

Abstract: An incubator useful in an analyzer, and a method for locating a slide element properly in the incubator. The incubator and the method are provided with a referencing mechanism and step, respectively, effective to push back on the datum surface or edge of a slide element that has been inserted too far into a station of the incubator, to move the portion of the slide element that produces a detectable signal, back a distance which is predetermined for that station to be the one that gives the most effective reading of the slide element.

Abstract: There are disclosed a shuttle apparatus and method for catching a test element ejected from an incubator, for carrying it to a station outside the incubator, e.g., a wash station, and for returning it to a loading station. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a simplified catcher plate and means for moving the plate in an arcuate path around a portion of the circumference of the incubator. The plate cooperates with stop means disposed above said arcuate path, to capture a washed element upon reloading, so that the washed element can be reloaded by returning it to the original path used to load elements into the incubator in the first instance.

Abstract: An incubator useful in an analyzer, and a method for locating a slide element properly in the incubator. The incubator and the method are provided with a referencing mechanism and step, respectively, effective to push back on the datum surface or edge of a slide element that has been inserted too far into a station of the incubator, to move the portion of the slide element that produces a detectable signal, back a distance which is predetermined for that station to be the one that gives the most effective reading of the slide element.

Abstract: A shuttle apparatus and method for catching a test element ejected from an incubator, for carrying it to a station outside the incubator, e.g., a wash station, and for returning it to a loading station. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a simplified catcher plate and a device for moving the plate in an arcuate path around a portion of the circumference of the incubator. The plate cooperates with a stop disposed above said arcuate path, to capture a washed element upon reloading, so that the washed element can be reloaded by returning it to the original path used to load elements into the incubator in the first instance.

Abstract: There is disclosed a camming apparatus for a work station that provides for relative rotational motion between a cam and a cam follower connected to the work station, e.g., a liquid dispenser. The cam follower is movable on a carrier that frictionally engages the cam, unless the carrier is restricted. The cam is rotated by a gear. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the carrier against inadvertent rotation, and the improvement resides in the locking mechanism comprising a gear segment on the cam follower positioned to engage the gear during a portion of the engagement by the drive gear of the gear segment on the cam.

Abstract: There are disclosed a spring and its combination with an evaporation cover for a test element, and a station of an incubator. The spring comprises two portions bent to form the letter "J". The longer portion includes means for retaining the spring in the incubator station, and the shorter portion includes means for retaining a cover under the spring.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus useful in an analyzer, comprising a first mechanism for moving a stack of elements around at least one generally circular, horizontal track, a second mechanism for temporarily holding a stack on the track, and a third mechanism for altering the second mechanism between two states, one which holds the stack on the track and the other which releases the stack from the track.

Abstract: There is described an analyzer for determining analytes of a body liquid, in which stacks of test elements are stored prior to use. To control the level of humidity in which the stacks are stored, first and second compartments are provided with access openings connecting them to the stack-storage area. A mechanism is provided for selectively closing off and opening up the access openings, and for actively forcing air to flow from either of the compartments into the storage area. One of the compartments has a supply of water, and the other has a desiccant.

Abstract: There is described an incubator comprising a rotor moving above a stationary surface, the rotor comprising stations having a cover member, a lower support for a test element, and a spring biasing the cover member against the lower support. In one aspect of the invention, three reference surfaces are provided in the stationary surface for the lower support of the rotor to slide against. In another aspect, an improved spring is provided for ready, releasible capture by the rotor.

Abstract: There is disclosed an evaporation cover that is useful to cover two types of test elements having different sample wetting locations, namely potentiometric types and colorimetric types. Both are accommodated by constructing enough of the flat sealing portion of the undersurface so as to sealingly cover the wetted area of the colorimetric type, and by providing on the cover, means for camming the cover away from a test element that is being loaded under the cover.

Abstract: There is described a stopper remover for automatically removing a stopper in a container, the remover comprising first mechanism for gripping the container against rotation, second mechanism for gripping the stopper, and a drive for rotating the second mechanism about an axis while the second mechanism grips a stopper. The remover features an engaging assembly for frictionally engaging a stopper while the rotating drive rotates in only one direction, the engaging assembly comprising an annular ring and extending from the inside of the ring, a plurality of spikes terminating in points disposed generally in an annular surface inside of the ring and constructed to engage a stopper, the spikes being mounted on the ring so as to be non-radially aligned. The result is that the spikes positively grip the stopper only if the ring is rotated in the one direction, and slip off the stopper when the rotating drive rotates in a direction opposite to the one direction.

Abstract: There are described the apparatus and a process for using it, wherein a wash station is provided apart from a continuously rotating incubator. Means are provided for moving a test element to the wash station before or in the middle of its incubation, and from the wash station to the incubator after it is washed.

Abstract: A tray-hanging device is disclosed for trays used in an analyzer. It comprises a rotatable platform having a raised annular lip configured to engage a first part of the tray along a first side of the lip, and a depending skirt portion positioned above the platform, configured to receive the weight of a second part of the tray pressing on a side of the skirt portion opposite to the engaged first side of the lip, the lip further including centering notches shaped to cooperate with ribs on the tray to prevent relative respective rotation of tray and device, and to properly locate the tray on the platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for storing and dispensing analysis slides in a chemical analyzer. Slides contained in cartridges are loaded into a rotor in a slide supply, and a positioning means is adapted to locate a selected cartridge such that a slide can be removed from the cartridge by a dispense blade. The blade is adapted to deliver the slide to a slide distributor in the analyzer.