Abstract: An aspiration apparatus primarily including a biohazard-safe aspirating cartridge assembly for use with material which might be hazardous to humans. The cartridge assembly includes a longitudinally expandable and contractible washing chamber, within which a fluid aspirating needle is longitudinally positioned. Opposite ends of the washing chamber are secured to a pair of telescopically slidable mounting members, which are pluggably mountable to an operably associated support. A locking element surrounds one of the mounting members, for preventing accidental/premature telescoping. Intentional release of the locking element enables the pair of slidable members to be telescoped together by the drive means, causing the washing chamber to contract, permitting the tip of the aspirating needle to be extended out of the chamber, for penetration of an operably associated sealed container of material, for example whole blood.

Abstract: Bellows pump and actuating apparatus for automatically aspirating biological sample fluid material into and through an aspirating probe from a source of fluid sample material, into and through a sample segmenting valve for passage through a counting device. A plurality of bellows members, each having an axis of compression and expansion, has one end mounted on a fixed member. Timing and stroke members are provided for actuating movement of the other end of the bellows members, which are free to be moved parallel to their axis. A positioning member positions the timing and stroke members coaxially of the bellows members at preselected times. A drive member moves the timing and stroke members parallel to the axis of compression and expansion of the bellows members. Photo-optical indicating members, cooperating with the positioning member, interrupts the drive to the positioning member when the timing and stroke members are coaxially aligned with the bellows members.