Patent ID: 6468475
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for manipulating a specimen container comprising:a parent instrument comprising a crimped wire having two ends defining an axis therebetween, the crimped wire having at least one point which is displaced from the axis; an autosampler, operatively connected to the parent instrument, comprising: a gripper assembly movable between an open and a closed position; at least one specimen tray positioned about the gripper assembly and having a plurality of recesses therein for receiving at least one specimen container, the specimen tray movable between an upper and a lower position and rotatable about a central axis; and wherein when the gripper assembly is in the closed position it grips the crimped wire about the point at which it is displaced from the axis and stabilizes it while the specimen tray moves so as to attach the specimen container to the crimped wire.