Abstract: A reagent pack includes a first reservoir having a continuous rigid wall defining a constant inner space that opens to the ambient environment. An air-tight second reservoir has a flexible wall that defines a variable inner space with one or more second openings. The second reservoir is arranged within the first reservoir and stores fluid reagent. A closure element completely fills the first opening of the first reservoir and includes a first fluid passage fluidly connecting the inner space of the first reservoir, as the waste reservoir, to receive waste liquid. Second fluid passages fluidly connect the second openings of said second reservoirs with respective reagent inlets to supply fluid reagent to the sample analyzer. The inner space of the first reservoir further includes an air passage to allow gaseous communication with the ambient environment to maintain a controlled pressure within said inner space while receiving waste liquid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an instrument and method of use in which a sample is taken from a sample container with a sampling member (10) and is directly transferred to an inlet of a flow structure that includes a aliquoting chamber for segmenting an aliquot of the sample with high-precision. That is, there is no need to direct the sample over a long passageway in the sampling member (10) before a sample portion could be dispensed by a sampling unit.

Abstract: A reagent pack includes a first reservoir having a continuous rigid wall defining a constant inner space that opens to the ambient environment. An air-tight second reservoir has a flexible wall that defines a variable inner space with one or more second openings. The second reservoir is arranged within the first reservoir and stores fluid reagent. A closure element completely fills the first opening of the first reservoir and includes a first fluid passage fluidly connecting the inner space of the first reservoir, as the waste reservoir, to receive waste liquid. Second fluid passages fluidly connect the second openings of said second reservoirs with respective reagent inlets to supply fluid reagent to the sample analyzer. The inner space of the first reservoir further includes an air passage to allow gaseous communication with the ambient environment to maintain a controlled pressure within said inner space while receiving waste liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in devices for sampling liquids, e.g. various biological liquids, in particular, whole blood, urine, etc. arranged in sample containers. As a consequence of the improvements, the sample taken from a sample container with a sampling member (10) is directly transferred to the inlet of a flow structure comprising the aliquoting chamber for segmenting an aliquot of sample with high-precision. That is, there is no need to direct the sample over a long passageway in the sampling member (10) before a sample portion could be dispensed by a sampling unit.