Automated test strip supplying system

Claim 1

An automated supply instrument for supplying liquid sample treated test strips to an analyzer, said instrument having a receiving section which receives a test strip dipped in liquid sample, a section at which optical characteristics of test pads provided on the test strip are measured, and means for calculating analytical results based on the respective optical characteristics obtained by said measurement, which instrument comprises: horizontal, u-shaped transportation means for passing a plurality of specimen containers containing liquid samples across a test strip dipping position; transfer means including a pick-up bar for picking up and removing a test strip from an opening in one end of a test strip container containing a plurality of test strips by inserting said pick-up bar into said test strip container, conveying the test strip to the test strip dipping position, dipping the test strip in a specimen container containing liquid sample to thereby contact test pads; on the test strip with the liquid sample, drawing the test strip out of said specimen container after dipping, and then transferring the test strip to a receiving section of the analyzer; and means for controlling operation timing between movement of the u-shaped transportation means and movement of the transfer means.