Patent ID: 8221702

Claim:
A sample dispensing apparatus for dispensing a serum constituent contained in a primary sample wherein the apparatus comprises: an aliquot tube containing a blood clot constituent, a separating agent, and a serum constituent, a disposable nozzle tip; a moving mechanism which vertically moves the nozzle tip; a suction unit which generates a negative pressure for suction at the nozzle tip; a pressure sensor which detects the pressure in the nozzle tip; and an aliquot control unit which controls the moving mechanism and the suction unit based on a value detected by the pressure sensor and is configured to preform suction of the serum constituent in the primary sample while lowering the nozzle tip; said aliquot control unit configured to contain a judgment value wherein said judgment value comprises: a preset pressure change provided when a leading end of the nozzle tip becomes clogged when contacted with the separating agent during sample suction, wherein when the pressure change detected by the pressure detector exceeds the judgment value when contacted with the separating agent, the aliquot control unit raises the nozzle tip to dissolve the clogging at an opening at a leading end of the nozzle tip without discharging the serum constituent previously sucked into the nozzle tip; and said aliquot control unit supervises a residual pressure in the nozzle tip with the pressure sensor to judge clogging of the opening at the leading end of the nozzle tip which is to be dissolved.