Fluid sample testing system

Abstract

A sample testing vessel may include a flexible plastic tube and a self-sealing injection channel. The flexible plastic tube may have a seal defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the seal comprises a pressure gate providing a fluid-tight seal between first and second compartments and opening upon application of a threshold pressure. The injection channel may be normally substantially free of fluid and capable of fluid communication with the tubule.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A sample testing vessel comprising:
 a flexible plastic tube having a seal defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the seal comprises a pressure gate providing a fluid-tight seal between first and second compartments and opening upon application of a threshold pressure; and   a self-sealing injection channel, the injection channel being normally substantially free of fluid and capable of fluid communication with the tubule.   
     
     
         2 . The sample testing vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold pressure is 2 atmospheres. 
     
     
         3 . The sample testing vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure gate opens reversibly. 
     
     
         4 . A sample testing system, comprising:
 a housing;   a cavity in the housing, so sized and shaped to receive a vessel comprising at least two flexible compartments;   a sealing apparatus to form a lateral seal in the vessel;   a first contact member, so positioned:
 as to be engageable with a first one of the flexible compartments when the vessel is in the cavity; and 
 as to compress the engaged first flexible compartment, thereby driving fluid flow from the engaged first flexible compartment to a second one of the flexible compartments of the vessel; and 
   a second contact member, so positioned:
 as to be engageable with the second flexible compartment when the vessel is in the cavity; and 
 as to compress the engaged second flexible compartment, thereby driving fluid flow from the engaged second flexible compartment to the first flexible compartment. 
   
     
     
         5 . The sample testing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a sensor to sense a condition of a fluid sample in the vessel and to generate an output signal indicative of that condition. 
     
     
         6 . The sample testing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a temperature control device to control a temperature of at least one compartment of the vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The sample testing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a base member positioned such that the vessel is compressed against the base member when engaged by a contact member. 
     
     
         8 . The sample testing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a reagent injector having at least one needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir, the injector positioned to permit injection of a reagent from the reagent reservoir into a vessel compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The sample testing system of  claim 4 , further comprising a computer that controls the first and second contact members to cause the first and second flexible compartments to be alternately compressed by the first and second contact members, respectively, thereby driving fluid flow between the first and second flexible compartments.