Patent ID: 7097070
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for handling fluid samples comprising: a fluid reservoir having a diaphragm separating a liquid portion of the reservoir from a gas portion of the reservoir; a variable pressure supply that includes a servo-controlled regulator to provide a controlled gas pressure in the gas portion of the reservoir; a solenoid valve having an input and an output, the solenoid valve adapted to open and close a passage between the input and the output; a conduit fluidly coupling the liquid portion of the reservoir to the input of the solenoid valve; and a sample handling channel in fluid communication with the output of the solenoid valve; wherein a pressure in the gas portion of the reservoir controls the sample handling channel to aspirate and dispense a fluid sample in response to opening of the passage in the solenoid valve.