Device for loading reagent cards for clinical analysers
The device comprises a support in the form of a tray or the like, which is at the top and provided inside with first grooves for guiding first cards arranged parallel to each other, forming a single level for the cards and is characterized in that it has sets of grooves interposed between the first grooves, allowing a second level of cards to be placed at a level higher than the first cards.
1. A support device for clinical analyzer reagent cards, comprising: two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, wherein interior surfaces of the opposing side walls comprise:
a) a first set of corresponding vertical grooves, each groove terminating at a first abutment surface having. a first height; and
b) alternating with the first set of grooves, a second set of corresponding vertical grooves, each groove terminating at a second abutment surface having a second height, the second abutment surface extending between adjacent grooves of the first set,
wherein said vertical grooves are configured to accept clinical analyzer reagent cards and wherein a width of each groove of the first set and the second set is substantially the same.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opposing side and end walls form a rectangular structure.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of grooves and the second set of grooves are configured to accept reagent cards in a parallel orientation relative to the end walls.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the second set of cards at a second height rest on a bottom edge of the second abutment surface of the support.
5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the reagent cards in the support are arranged at alternating heights corresponding to said first height and said second height.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the grooves of the second set of grooves are spaced an equal distance from adjacent grooves of the first set of grooves.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the grooves of the second set of grooves are spaced from the grooves of the first set of a grooves a distance less than the maximum width of the reagent cards.
8. A support device for introducing reagent cards to a clinical analyzer, comprising;
reagent cards in a support comprising two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, wherein interior surfaces of the opposing side walls comprise:
a) a first set of corresponding vertical grooves, each groove terminating at a first abutment surface having a first height; and
b) alternating with the first set of grooves, a second set of corresponding vertical grooves, each groove terminating at a second abutment surface having a second height, the second abutment surface extending between adjacent grooves of the first set, and
wherein said vertical grooves are configured to accept the reagent cards,
wherein the sequentially loaded reagent cards in the support are arranged at alternating heights corresponding to said first height and said second height, and
wherein a width of each groove of the first set and the second set is substantially the same.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the reagent cards loaded into the device are oriented parallel to the end walls.