Abstract: A test instrument for uniformly spreading a collected specimen on a reagent layer has a first opening for collecting the specimen, a specimen spreading layer having an upper surface a portion of which is exposed to the first opening, the reagent layer provided so that an upper surface thereof is in contact with the lower surface of the specimen spreading layer, and a support layer provided on a lower surface of the reagent layer. Even if the specimen does not attached itself in a uniform distribution over the large area of the first opening, it will be evenly distributed at the second opening, the opening area of which is smaller than that of the first opening at which measurement is performed. When an absorbing layer provided in the proximity of the edge portion of the first opening is supplied with an excess amount of the specimen, a direct path to the absorbing layer is blocked by the inner peripheral region of the first opening so that the absorbing layer is soaked via the spreading layer.

Abstract: A syringe comprises a cylinder with a cannula embedded in the tip portion of the cylinder and a protector cap mounted on the tip portion for protecting the cannula. Prior art syringes in which the front end of the cylinder is in close contact with the rear end of the protector are difficult to gas-sterilize because the interior space between the protector and the tip portion is sealed. The cylinder tip portion is provided with at least one first rib or channel and the cylinder front end with at least one second rib or channel that together form a passage for fluid communication between the interior of the protector cap and the outside of the cylinder such that the syringe can be fully gas-sterilized with the protector cap mounted. The second rib(s) or channel(s) also functions to restrict the advance of the protector cap to prevent damage to the cannula.