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Abstract

An analyzer for measuring the ionic values of electrolytes in a sample solution having a fluid flow-through air segment detector (300) and a plurality of fluid flow-through ion selective electrodes (97,98) for measuring the ionic values of electrolytes and a fluid flow-through reference membrane assembly (96) connected in series. There is also a reference electrode (95). There is a reservoir (77) containing an internal filling solution. The reference membrane assembly and the reference electrode are located in the reservoir and exposed to the internal filling solution. A tubular fluid sampling probe (70) having a sampling port (63) aspirates air, sample and liquid reagents through the system. The probe cooperates with a slide valve (64) having a passageway (53) through which the probe reciprocates. The passageway contains a plurality of chamber ports (46, 47, 48) each of which is sealed from the other ports by the tube sampling probe when its sampling port is positioned within a chamber port, A reagent pouch having a plurality of chambers communicating with a separate chamber port in the slide valve (20, 21) contains liquid reagents and a wash solution. One chamber in the reagent pouch receives waste and is in fluid communication with the flow-through reference membrane assembly. Means (50) are employed for pumping an electrolyte sample in series through the probe, the air segment detector, the ion selective electrodes, the reference membrane, and then to the waste disposal chamber. There are electronic means for measuring the voltage signal generated between the selective electrode and the reference electrodes for calculating the ionic value of the electrolyte being measured.

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First Claim