Verification device for optical clinical assay systems

Abstract

A device and method for verifying correct performance of an optical clinical assay system is provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electronically controlled optical reference device useful for the verification of a clinical analytical system having an optical detection apparatus, the reference device comprising: 
 an opaque optical reference;    an optical shutter;    means for controlling the percent exposure of the optical reference to the optical detection apparatus;    optionally, a means to monitor the temperature of a reaction stage of the clinical analytical system; and    an algorithm or method that controls the rate at which the optical reference is selectively revealed to the optical detection apparatus, said algorithm or method being selected as to simulate the reaction rates of one or more levels of clinical analytes reacting with a test reagent.