Abstract: Pipette means having aspirating and expelling means and a substantially cylindrical tube connected to a pipette tip for fluid flow therebetween; the expelling means being arranged to apply pressure to the outer surface of the cylindrical tube, the diameter and wall thickness of which being chosen so that said tube is compressed elastically and substantially uniformly and circumferentially to reduce the internal volume thereof, tending to expel any liquid from the pipette tip; and the aspirating means being arranged to relieve pressure from the outer surface of said tube, allowing the tube to expand substantially circumferentially and uniformly so that liquid may thereby be drawn into the pipette tip.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a movable member (10) which carries a plurality of cuvettes (11) containing material under test. Control means cause the member (10) to be moved to bring the cuvettes (11) successively into register with a photomultiplier (16), and in that position reagent is automatically added to a cuvette, giving rise to a luminescent reaction. Light from the reaction is detected by the photo-multiplier (16) and the resultant signal processed and recorded. The control means is triggered to stop the member (10), add reagent, record the signal from the luminescent reaction, and restart the member, from a photocell (28) which is illuminated through the member (10) only when a cuvette (11) is in register with the photomultiplier (16).According to the method, sample material containing the analyte for determination is mixed with a known amount or concentration of the same analyte labelled with a substance which is capable of taking part in a luminescent reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing at least one liquid sample, by immersion therein of a probe for coaction between said probe and sample, having a reloadable sample carrier for at least one sample container; a reloadable probe carrier for at least one probe; a frame having locating means for relatively locating the sample carrier and the probe carrier laterally in the frame, parallel motion means for guiding the probe longitudinally into the sample container and stop means for locating the probe at a predetermined distance into the sample container, locking means preventing the probe from being withdrawn more than a predetermined distance in the outward direction from the sample container, timing and control means for releasing said locking means after a predetermined time, and self acting withdrawal means for withdrawing the probe and probe carrier to a position clear of the sample container; the said sample carrier and probe carrier being arranged so as to be severally removable away from the said frame.