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Abstract

An analytical instrument for analyzing fluids. The instrument includes a cartridge carousel assembly which receives analytical cartridges. The analytical cartridges include a centrifugal force-operated sample metering/separation system, a pressure-operated sample transport system, and a test element which provides a detectable analytical property of a fluid sample. The cartridge carousel assembly includes a cartridge rotor plate which has a plurality of cartridge ports which receive the cartridges. A rotary drive mechanism rotates the cartridge rotor plate to provide rotation of the plate which activates the centrifugal force-operated sample metering/separation system of the cartridge. The instrument includes a sample transport actuator which activates the pressure-operated sample transport system of the cartridge. In addition, the instrument includes a detector which measures the detectable analytical property of the fluid sample after the sample metering and transport systems have been activated. The instrument includes tracking and control systems which track and control the rotary drive mechanism and sample transport actuator to provide coordinated operation of the centrifugal force-operated sample metering/separation system and the pressure operated sample transport system wherein the coordinated operation provides delivery of a metered amount of sample to the test element of the test cartridge. Further, the tracking and control unit includes a user-input interface for receiving data input from a user of the instrument, a central processing unit, a real-time processor, and a data output interface which provides output of results of the measurements made by the instrument.

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