IMPROVED ANALYZER THROUGHPUT FEATURING THROUGH-THE-TIP ANALYSIS

Apparatus and method for detecting patient sample quality, and/or analytes, in the tip used to aspirate the patient sample liquid and then dispense it onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis is done on the liquid while still in the tip, by scanning the tip for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure, using NIR and adjacent visible radiation, and detecting the absorbence spectra of the liquid. Thereafter, or prior thereto, the liquid is dispensed onto a dried slide test element for assaying analytes that are not assayed spectrophotometrically, thus enhancing throughput. Much smaller liquid volumes, and no through-the-label detection, are required, compared to doing the scanning of the liquid in a primary patient collection container.