BLOOD SAMPLING AND MIXING APPARATUS

摘要

Apparatus for taking a sample of liquid, for example, blood, from each of a plurality of stoppered test-tube like containers (20), comprises removable racks (25) capable of receiving and holding a plurality of said containers (20). A rotatable drum receives and supports the racks (25) and so moves them as to cause the containers (20) held thereon to follow a defined path to a sampling station (100-149) along the path and to be inverted in moving along said path to cause agitation of liquid in the containers (20). Rotation of the drum is controlled by a central control unit and a stepper motor to enable a container to be arrested at the sampling station An actuator (120) actuates a sampling probe (126) to cause it to withdraw a sample from the container (20). In an alternative form of apparatus, the containers are carried on a removable rotatable circular cassette (210).