Patent ID: 7744819

Claim:
An apparatus for filling a sample volume defining device for separating at least one defined volume of a liquid sample from a relatively larger undefined volume of said sample, said device comprising: a) A first body and a second body movable relative to said first body, whereby said first body has at least one cavity in a surface thereof, said at least one cavity having a defined volume, and said second body includes a sealing and scraper means slidable along said surface and over said at least one cavity upon relative movement of said bodies whereby said accurately defined volume is achieved in said at least one cavity; b) A channel formed between said first and second bodies, disposed above and enclosing an area around said cavity on said upper surface of said first body, said channel having dimensions in width and length that facilitate capillary filling; and c) An inlet opening and a further opening to ambient air, both in fluid communication with said channel between said first and second bodies, said inlet opening adapted to fill a liquid sample therethrough into said channel, said cavity located between said inlet opening and said further opening to ambient air, said inlet opening positioned beyond said cavity at an up-flow direction with a distance along said upper surface of said first body from said cavity, and at the same time being in communication with said cavity through an enclosed space within said channel, said further opening to ambient air positioned at a down-flow direction of said cavity Wherein when said liquid sample is filled through said inlet opening into said channel, said liquid sample flows across said distance on said upper surface of said first body within said channel, with a wave front from said up-flow direction to said down-flow direction across said cavity, thereby said liquid sample fills said cavity in a manner than no air bubbles are entrapped in said cavity.