Sample handling system

Particle characterisation apparatus having a detector arranged to detect signals dependant upon the characterisations of particles in a test sample, and a volume particle suspension handling system comprising:

• a dispersion unit;
• a transport element;
• a cell;
• said dispersion unit including at least one wall;
• a transducer being mounted upon said at least one wall, externally of said dispersion unit and being arranged, in use, to transfer energy into the suspension;
• and
• said transport element being located within said dispersion unit and being arranged, in use, to recirculate the suspension about a flow path including said dispersion unit and said cell.

A particle suspension handling system comprising:

• a dispersion unit;
• a cell;
• an outlet region;
• the outlet region including first and second valve members, said first and second members being configured, in a first arrangement, wherein said members are spaced apart such that the space between said members is a discharge opening via which a fluid or the suspension exits the system in use;
• the members being configured, in a second arrangement, wherein the members abut and a flow path of substantially constant cross-section is provided about the outlet region.

Particle characterisation apparatus having a detector arranged to detect signals dependant upon the characterisations of particles in a test sample and having a small volume particle suspension handling system comprising:

• a dispersion unit;
• a cell;
• an outlet region;
• the outlet region including first and second valve members, said first and second members being configured in a first arrangement wherein said members are spaced apart such that the space between said members is a discharge opening via which a fluid or the suspension exits the system in use;
• the members being configured in a second arrangement wherein the members abut and a flow path of substantially constant cross-section is provided about the outlet region.

A particle suspension handling system comprising:

• a dispersion unit;
• a transport element;
• a cell;
• said dispersion unit including at least one wall;
• an ultrasonic transducer being mounted upon one wall, externally of said dispersion unit and being arranged, in use, to transfer ultrasonic energy into the suspension;
• said transport element being located within said dispersion unit and being arranged, in use, to recirculate the suspension about a flow path including said dispersion unit and said cell;
• and
• the total volume of the system being 80 ml or less.

A particle suspension handling system comprising:

• a dispersion unit;
• a cell;
• an outlet region;
• the outlet region including first and second valve members, said first and second members being configured, in a first arrangement, wherein said members are spaced apart such that the space between said members is a discharge opening via which a fluid or the suspension exits the system, in use;
• the members being configured, in a second arrangement, wherein the members abut and a flow path of substantially constant cross-section is provided about the outlet region;
• a face of the second member, opposite a face of the first member, is spaced apart from the first member, in the first arrangement, such that a fluid exiting an outlet of the first member flows over substantially all of the face of the second member, in use;
• and
• a gallery in the second member is arranged to place an input opening and an output opening of the first member in said flow path when the members are in their second arrangement.