Patent ID: 7301166

Claim:
A liquid analysis system including a plurality of sample containing units ( 207 a - 207 n ) comprising a multiplexer for electromagnetic radiation, said multiplexer comprising: a first part ( 253 ) provided with a first outward through hole ( 263 ) connectable to a source of electromagnetic radiation ( 203 ) and a first return through hole ( 265 ) connectable to a detector of electromagnetic radiation ( 223 ), wherein said first outward through hole ( 263 ) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) are spaced a distance D apart; a second part ( 255 ) provided with a plurality of second outward though holes ( 273 ( 1 )- 273 ( n )) and a plurality of second return through holes ( 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) wherein said second outward through holes ( 273 ( 1 )- 273 ( n )) and said second return through holes ( 275 ( 1 )- 275 ( n )) are arranged in equidistantly spaced apart pairs ( 273 ( 1 ), 275 ( 1 ); 273 ( 2 ), 275 ( 2 ); . . . 273 ( n ), 275 ( n )) of second outward and return through holes, with each second outward hole ( 273 ( x )) at a distance D from its second return through hole ( 275 ( x )), wherein said first part ( 253 ) is movable relative to said second part ( 255 ) from a first position P 1 in which first outward through hole ( 263 ) is aligned with a second outward through hole ( 273 ( 1 )) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) is aligned with a second return through hole ( 275 ( 1 )), to a second position Px in which first outward through hole ( 263 ) is aligned with another second outward through hole ( 273 ( x )) and said first return through hole ( 265 ) is aligned with another second return through hole ( 275 ( x )).