Patent ID: 7537736
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A sampling and dispensing apparatus comprising: a transport passage which transports a test tube containing a blood specimen while holding the test tube with a top opening thereof being oriented vertically upwardly; an apparatus main body allocated adjacent to the transport passage; a first movable base provided at the apparatus main body around a first rotary shaft; a second movable base turnably provided around a second rotary shaft, the second rotary shaft being spaced from the first rotary shaft in a vertical direction; a pinch mechanism provided on the second movable base to pinch a test tube to be transported on the transport passage and to pull up the test tube vertically upwardly from the transport passage; a sampling and dispensing probe provided on the first movable base to be retractably driven with respect to the test tube pinched by the pinch mechanism and to sample a blood specimen inside of the test tube; a first turnably driving mechanism which, when the blood specimen inside of the test tube is sampled by the sampling and dispensing probe, turns the first movable base and inclines the sampling and dispensing probe and the test tube with respect to the vertical; and a second turnably driving mechanism which, when the first movable base is turned by the first turnably driving mechanism, turns the second movable base, and further inclines the test tube with respect to an axis of the sampling and dispensing probe.