Patent ID: 6426048
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: B01F,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for diluting a test sample for analysis in a sample analysis system comprising,(a) an aspiration probe for separately aspirating a first predetermined amount of test sample from a test sample container and a second predetermined amount of diluent from a diluent container, said aspiration probe having an inlet opening and an aspiration path extending from said inlet opening within said aspiration probe along a substantially vertical axis, that is vertical with respect to the ground, said aspiration path having a first diameter, (b) a mixing section joined to said aspiration probe and having a mixing chamber communicable with the aspiration path of said aspiration probe, said mixing chamber having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the aspiration path, said mixing chamber being without any mixing element and inclined approximately 5 to 45 degrees below a horizontal axis, that is horizontal with respect to the ground, and, (c) means for drawing the test sample and diluent from the vertical aspiration path in said aspiration probe to the mixing chamber and alternately exerting suction and pressure forces on the test sample and diluent in the mixing chamber to move the test sample and diluent back and forth in the mixing chamber a first predetermined number of times without agitation of the mixing chamber such that the suction and pressure induced back and forth movement of the test sample and the diluent in the mixing chamber provides substantially turbulent uniform mixing of the test sample and the diluent in the mixing chamber, resulting in a diluted test sample.