Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for quantitating relatively small amounts of a clinically significant compound which had been fluorescently tagged. The apparatus has a transparent cell for holding a prepared liquid sample (which includes fluorescent particles). A light source generates a stable light beam that is focused on the sample in the cell so that the beam causes fluorescent emissions by the particles in the sample. The intensity of the emissions is a function of the intensity of the light beam and the concentration of the fluorescent particles in the sample. A detector in optical communication with the cell receives and senses photons defining the fluorescent emissions. The number of sensed photons is counted and the total count from the sample over a fixed time period is a measure of the number of fluorescent particles in the sample.

Abstract: A sample analyzer for quantitating relatively small amounts of clinically significant compounds in a liquid sample together with a sample mixing device (sampler) is disclosed. The analyzer has a transparent cell for holding the liquid sample. A light source focuses a stable light beam onto the sample so that fluorescent particles in the sample cause fluorescent emissions, the intensity of which is a function of the intensity of the light beam and the concentration of fluorescent particles in the sample. A detector in optical communication with the cell receives and senses photons forming the fluorescent emissions of the particles when excited by the light beam. The sampler holds a multiplicity of vials in an upright position in a row, advances the vials in incremental steps to present them at an aspiration station and includes an aspirator having a downwardly open suction tube that is vertically inserted into and withdrawn from the vials.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for mixing and then withdrawing a sample of a liquid suspension from a multiplicity of upright vials for subsequent processing of the sample in individual batches. A holder supports the vials in a row and advances them in incremental steps so as to present them at an aspiration station. An aspirator at the station includes a downwardly open suction tube that can be vertically inserted into and withdrawn from the vial. While in the vial, the tube is subjected to a vacuum to withdraw the sample from the vial for flowing it to an instrument. The suction tube is surrounded by a rotary mixer which is activated prior to the withdrawal of the sample to uniformly disperse particles in the liquid. The suction tube and the mixer are generally horizontally movable so that they can be inserted in a container holding a rinsing solution after each withdrawal of a sample liquid from a vial to prevent cross-contamination of the samples.