| abstract |
A bubble flushing aspirating and dispensing syringe having precision and volumetricnaccuracy, particularly for use in an automated, continuous and random access analytical system, isndisclosed. The syringe comprises a piston (124) within a bore (128), the bore having seal means at a first endnand a closed end (130) at a second end, wherein the piston forms an annulus (138) with the bore wall and sealnmeans, and is capable of reciprocating therein. Fluid inlet (134) and fluid outlet (136) means are inncommunication with the annulus (138) and bore, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet means being locatednbetween the seal means and the bore closed end. A fluid source is in communication with the inletnmeans and a fluid conduit is in communication with the outlet means and an open-ended release tip.nA drive means is connected to the piston for reciprocating the piston within the bore. As a result,nfluid from the inlet, when connected to a fluid supply, flows through the annulus (138) around the sides ofnthe piston and out through the fluid outlet to the open-ended tip, thereby creating a cross-flownpattern in the annulus (138) around the piston as it reciprocates in the bore to flush bubbles through thenoutlet. |