Patent ID: 7337998

Claim:
An apparatus for comminuting biological specimens, comprising: a receiving component provided with a drive source; at least one sample retainer configured for accommodating at least one biological specimen and constructed and arranged for engagement in said receiving component; said at least one sample retainer including a first component configured for receiving a specimen prior to comminution and a second component for receiving the specimen after comminution; said first component of said at least one sample retainer being a cup with at least one first comminution surface, and said at least one sample retainer further including a ram element having at least one second comminution surface opposing said at least one first comminution surface, and said ram element being rotatably engageable with said cup so that relative rotation of said ram and said cup causes comminution of the biological specimens therebetween such that the comminuted specimens are received in said second component; and said at least one sample retainer, including said cup, said ram and said second component being insertable into and removable from said receiving component as a unit.