Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the operating accuracy of an instrument (10) for detecting the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid. The instrument (10) operates by determining the remission of a reacted chemistry contained on a substrate (106) after the chemistry has reacted with the medically significant component of the body fluid. The instrument (10) includes a radiation source (182), a radiation detector (300) and a pathway (164) from the radiation source (182) to the chemistry (106) and from the chemistry (106) to the radiation detector (300) when the substrate (106) is properly inserted into the instrument (10). The remission of the chemistry (106) determines the radiation detected by the radiation detector (300).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining the remission of a chemistry (106) which reacts with a medically significant component of a body fluid. The remission of the chemistry (106) changes as it reacts. The method and apparatus (10) include irradiating the chemistry (106) with a radiation source (182), detecting remissions of radiation from the chemistry (106) with a radiation detector (300), providing a radiation pathway (164) between the source (182) and the chemistry (106), providing a remission pathway (164) between the chemistry (106) and the detector (300), and detecting the rate of change of remission of the chemistry (106) with respect to time.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in combination with an instrument for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biologically fluid. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit carrier and a socket for removably longitudinally receiving the integrated circuit carrier. The socket includes a first set of electrical contacts and the integrated circuit carrier includes a second set of electrical contacts positioned and arranged so as to be electrically contacted by respective contacts of the first set of electrical contacts. One of the integrated circuit carrier and socket includes upstanding first wall portions extending generally along the longitudinal length of one of the integrated circuit carrier and socket and lying generally between adjacent electrical contacts of the first set.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating removal or insertion of spring type snap rings mounted in either an internal or external groove on a member includes a relatively small end section insertable into hard-to-reach locations such as deeply into an internal bore. An elongated pin extending outwardly from the end section is inserted within an eyelet of the snap ring. The tool is rotated about its longitudinal axis with the end section reacting against the member carrying the snap ring. Due to the offset relation of the pin to this axis, the pin is displaced radially to force the end of the snap ring out of its groove to facilitate removal of the snap ring.