Method and apparatus for the reduction of the volume of a sample

A method for the reduction of the volume of a sample comprising at least one at least partially liquid component and having a volume up to 10 mL using at least one container having an inner space, a first closed end, a second end provided with an opening, which establishes a connection between the inner space and the outside, and at least one side wall, the method comprising:

• an acceleration step, during which a manipulation assembly moves the container containing the sample subjecting the container to an acceleration which has at least one component that is orientated from the second end towards the first closed end and is transverse to said opening, so that a first part of said at least partially liquid component flows out of the container flowing through said opening and a second part of said at least partially liquid component with a substantially defined volume remains in the container, in particular at said first closed end;
• wherein the manipulation assembly comprises a moving device, which, during the acceleration step, rotates the container around a rotation axis so that the centrifugal force causes said first part of said at least partially liquid component to flow out of the container going through said opening;
• and
• wherein, during the acceleration step, the rotation axis extends through the container between the first closed end and the second end.