Abstract: The sample liquid aspirating and dispensing probe includes a tubular plastic inner member and a tubular metallic outer member. One or more sections of the plastic inner member are drawn-down in dies to provide a large diameter section, a small diameter section and an intermediate transition section. The plastic member is inserted in the metal member and annealed to conform the profile of the plastic member transition section with a streamlined transition section of the metal outer member. The dual member probe has an ultra-smooth interior surface, substantially free of eddy-forming imperfections. Thus there is minimal likelihood of turbulent eddies forming when rinse liquid is directed through the probe. The metallic member provides the probe with a conductive capability for capacitive liquid level sensing.

Abstract: The sample liquid aspirating and dispensing probe includes a tubular plastic inner member and a tubular metallic outer member. One or more sections of the plastic inner member are drawn-down in dies to provide a large diameter section, a small diameter section and an intermediate transition section. The plastic member is inserted in the metal member and annealed to conform the profile of the plastic member transition section with a streamlined transition section of the metal outer member. The dual member probe has an ultra-smooth interior surface, substantially free of eddy-forming imperfections. Thus there is minimal likelihood of turbulent eddies forming when rinse liquid is directed through the probe. The metallic member provides the probe with a conductive capability for capacitive liquid level sensing.

Abstract: The metering device for a slide analysis system deposits serum onto a slide that is held in a spotting position by a slide transfer device. The metering device is movable to a sampling position relative to a slide holding module to aspirate serum from a serum source on a slide cartridge in the slide holding module and is also movable to a spotting position to spot serum on the slide held by the slide transfer device. The metering device also has rotational as well as elevational movement and includes a built-in pipette tip ejector for discarding a used pipette tip.

Abstract: The slide analysis system includes a slide holding module spaced from an incubator module. A slide transfer device or pick and place mechanism withdraws slides from the slide holding module and inserts them into the incubator module. A metering device deposits serum onto a slide that is held in a spotting position by the slide transfer device. The metering device is movable to a sampling position in the slide holding module to aspirate serum from a serum source on the slide cartridge in the slide holding module and is also movable to a spotting position to spot serum on the slide held by the slide transfer device. The slide transfer device has rotational as well as transverse movement and includes jaws for gripping onto the sides of slides to withdraw a single slide from a cartridge, transport it to the incubator, insert the slide in the incubator and thereafter remove it from the incubator.

Abstract: A differential feed system in which a main feed bar supports an auxiliary feed bar for rising and falling motion but for independent longitudinal motion and wherein longitudinal motion of the auxiliary feed bar is derived from oscillations imparted to a differential feed shaft from a main feed shaft. A safety mechanism is provided in which a safety bar is pivotably connected to a feed regulator control for the main feed and is fashioned with a lost motion connection to a feed control for the auxiliary feed. Motion of the lever for auxiliary feed control is possible in a limited range determined by the degree of lost motion in the safety bar and motion of this lever beyond the limited range will shift the regulator for the main feed system in the same increasing or decreasing feed direction as the lever for the auxiliary system is being shifted.