Patent ID: 8147777

Claim:
A sample tube holder for receiving and holding a sample tube having a cylindrical shape, a length symmetry axis and an outer diameter lying in a predetermined range, said sample tube holder comprising: a solid body comprising at least one elongated chamber having side walls, a first opening in a top of the solid body, and a length symmetry axis, said chamber being adapted for receiving a longitudinal portion of a sample tube through said opening; a first array of pins extending upwardly from said solid body and a plane formed by said first opening, said first array of pins comprising rigid longitudinal projections of the side walls of said chamber extending away from said first opening; and an elastic element stretched around said first array of pins, wherein when a sample tube is arranged in said chamber there is a gap between the sample tube and the side walls of the chamber, and the elastic element is in direct contact with at least three points of an outer surface of said sample tube, the elastic element thereby holding said sample tube and bringing the length symmetry axis of said sample tube into coincidence with the length symmetry axis of said chamber, wherein said solid body comprises a second opening opposed to said first opening, and a second array of pins which are rigid longitudinal projections of the side walls of said chamber and extend away from said second opening, and wherein a second elastic element is stretched around said second array of pins.