Adapter for the aspiration nozzle of an automatic analytical instrument

Claim 1

An adapter for transferring liquid specimens from a collection vessel to an analysis instrument, which comprises; an elongate tube having a first end and a second end, said second end being expanded so that the bore of said tube has the configuration of a funnel with the funnel opening at said second end, the bore of said tube at said first end having a diameter of about 0.050 inches and the outer diameter of said tube at said first end being about 0.085 inches; an endpiece having a first end surface, a second end surface and a straight conduit therethrough communicating between said first and second end surfaces, said conduit at a point proximal to said second end surface being expanded so that it will receive in sealing association and mate with the expanded second end of said elongate tube; a flexible tube mounted over the first end surface and on said endpiece, the end of said flexible tube distal to said endpiece being open and of a dimension adapted to receive the aspiration nozzle of a biochemical analysis instrument; said expanded end of said elongate tube being mounted in the expanded portion of the conduit passing through said endpiece, sealing the second end surface; the bore of said elongate tube, conduit of said endpiece and bore of said flexible tube all being in communication with each other to form a continuous, closed, uninterrputed passage between the first end of said elongate tube and the distal end of said flexible tube, said passage being free of cavities which would retain and trap liquids passing therethrough; and means for grasping said adapter, mounted on said endpiece.