Abstract: A hollow probe cooperates with an ultrasonic transducing device designed with liquid flow-through capability. The probe and transducing device are combined into a probe assembly, which can be integrated into an automated liquid handling workstation. As a functional component of the workstation, the probe can be connected to and manipulated by a robotic arm of the workstation, and thus programmed to move in three-dimensional space to and from various locations of the sampling apparatus. In particular, the probe can be inserted into the individual wells or test tubes of a plate or rack utilized to contain sample substances. The probe can be used to conduct a variety of liquid handling tasks and additionally can be used to ultrasonically excite sample substances contained in the individual wells of the plate, thereby improving dilution of such sample substances and increasing throughput of any given sample preparation procedure. A liquid level detection device can be connected to the probe assembly.