Patent ID: 8273297

Claim:
An apparatus for the detection of agglutination reactions within at least one probe tip, said apparatus comprising at least one holder configured for the placement of at least one probe tip, said at least one probe tip comprising: i. a first port in fluid communication with an internal volume of a probe tip; ii. a sample cavity of said internal volume in fluid communication with said first port; iii. a detection cavity of said internal volume configured for the detection of agglutinated particles within the sample, wherein said detection cavity is in fluid connection with said sample cavity; iv. a transition zone of said internal volume disposed between said sample cavity and said detection cavity, said transition zone being configured for rotational mixing of the sample moving back and forth through said transition zone between said detection cavity and said sample cavity through agitation thereof; v. a second port in fluid connection with said detection cavity, said port being configured to permit reagents and sample from said apparatus to be aspirated into or dispensed from said internal volume of said probe tip, and vi. a third port, said third port being laterally disposed relative to second port and in fluid communication with a displacement cavity of said probe tip and wherein said displacement cavity is sized to receive a piston, said piston being laterally movable within said laterally disposed third port to cause movement of fluids within said probe tip.