Patent ID: 7182913

Claim:
A sample retention apparatus for use in a device for measuring hemostasis, the device for measuring hemostasis including a sample articulation apparatus including a guide shaft coupled for articulating motion to a drive motor, a sample carrier secured to and axially moveable along the guide shaft between a sample ready position, a sample testing position and a sample ejection position, the sample carrier articulating in unison with the articulating motion of the guide shaft, and a measuring apparatus including a sensing column, the sample retention apparatus comprising: a sample cup defining a volume within which a sample may be disposed and having an outer surface for engaging an aperture formed within the sample carrier, the sample cup including a radially outwardly extending portion forming a sample cup flange adjacent the volume; and a sample pin that is engagable with the sensing column, the sample pin including a tip portion for extending into the sample cup and defining a sample space between an inner wall of the sample cup and an outer surface of the tip portion and a sample tip flange extending radially outwardly from the tip portion, the sample tip flange engaging the sample cup flange for substantially completely enclosing the sample space during measurement of hemostasis while allowing rotational relative movement between the sample pin and the sample cup.