Patent ID: 7282182
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A sample carrier for use in holding and centering a plurality of sample tubes for access by a robotic pipetting device, the sample carrier comprising: a top wall having a plurality of spaced-apart openings, each opening being dimensioned to receive one of a plurality of sample tubes therethrough; a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve depending from a bottom surface of the top wall and circumscribing one of the openings, each sleeve having an inner surface dimensioned to receive a vessel component of one of the sample tubes therethrough, and each sleeve having an opening configured and arranged to permit viewing of a label affixed to one of the sample tubes; a base defining a plurality of sample tube holding areas, each sample tube holding area corresponding to one of the openings and having one or more upwardly extending retaining walls opposite the support wall for holding one of the sample tubes in a substantially fixed, vertical orientation below the corresponding opening; a support wall joining the top wall and the base; and a plurality of springs extending outward from the support wall, each spring being associated with one of the sample tube holding areas, wherein the springs are configured and arranged so that each spring biases one of the sample tubes against the one or more retaining walls of the associated sample tube holding area.