Self-venting reagent vessel and method of delivering a reagent to an analyzing instrument or other apparatus

摘要

A reagent assembly is provided for supplying a reagent to an analyzing device or other apparatus without contaminating the reagent or exposing the operator to the reagents. The assembly includes a reagent vessel having a piercable or removable tip cap closing one end and a breathable closure member closing the opposite end. The breathable closure is a porous hydrophobic member having a pore size to allow the passage of air to vent the vessel and to prevent the passage of water or other aqueous fluids. The vessel includes a breakable ampoule containing a second reagent that can be a solid or liquid. The ampoule is broken to release the reagent and the vessel is placed in an analyzing instrument or other apparatus. A cannula is provided to pierce the tip cap or the tip cap can be removed and the vessel threaded onto a coupling member for feeding the reagent to the analyzing device or other apparatus by gravity. <IMAGE>