APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LUMINESCENT DETERMINATION OF CONCENTRATION OF AN ANALYTE IN A SAMPLE

Apparatus and method for luminescent determination of concentration of an analyte in a sample The apparatus comprises a movable member which carries a plurality of cuvettes containing material under test. Control means cause the member to be moved to bring the cuvettes successively into register with a photomultiplier, and in that position reagent is automatically added to a cuvette, giving rise to a luminescent reaction. Light from the reaction is detected by the photomultiplier and the resultant signal processed and recorded. The control means is triggered to stop the member, add reagent, record the signal from the luminescent reaction, and restart the member, from a photocell which is illuminated through the member only when a cuvette is in register with the photomultiplier. According to the method, sample material containing the analyte for determination is mixed with a knot amount or concentration of the same analyte labelled with a substance which is capable of taking part in a luminescent reaction. The mixture is then reacted with a known amount of another substance, capable of reacting with the analyte and giving rise to a luminescent reaction with the labelling substance. From quantitative observation of the light from the luminescent reaction the amount or concentration of the analyte in the sample material may be deduced.