Patent ID: 8585984

Claim:
A proboscis for use with a diagnostic instrument, which comprises: an elongated main body, the main body having a first end portion and a second end portion disposed axially opposite the first end portion, the main body having a lumen extending axially therethrough between the first end portion and the second end portion, the second end portion having at least one orifice formed therein which is in fluid communication with the lumen; and fluid splash guard means for guarding the at least one orifice from contact with fluid in proximity to the second end portion of the elongated main body, the splash guard means being affixed to the main body at the second end portion thereof, the splash guard means being situated in proximity to the at least one orifice and being more distally located than the at least one orifice on the main body; wherein the main body includes a side wall; wherein the at least one orifice is disposed on the side wall; wherein the at least one orifice is in the form of a bore which extends radially through the side wall of the main body the at least one radially disposed bore being in fluid communication with the axially disposed lumen; wherein the side wall of the main body includes a radially recessed portion situated at the second end portion; and wherein the at least one radially disposed bore is situated at the radially recessed portion of the side wall.