Sealer for test sample devices

A sealer for cutting and sealing a conduit connecting a test sample device to a fluid receptacle containing a fluid sample, said sealer installed in an automated sample testing instrument, comprising:

• a moveable cutting element assembly having a home position and a deployed position, said cutting element assembly comprising a cutting wire and a spring-loaded member adapted for engagement with said test sample device when said cutting element assembly is moved to said deployed position, and
• a motor for moving said cutting element assembly from said home position to said deployed position;
• wherein, when said cutting element assembly is moved to said deployed position, the engagement of said spring-loaded member with said test sample device urges said test sample device against a fixed structure in said instrument to thereby hold said test sample device in a fixed position while said cutting wire cuts and seals said conduit.

A sealer for cutting and sealing a conduit connecting a test sample device to a fluid receptacle containing a fluid sample, said sealer installed in an automated sample testing instrument, comprising:

• a moveable cutting element assembly having a home position and a deployed position, said cutting element assembly further comprising a cutting wire cutting and sealing said conduit when said cutting element assembly is moved to said deployed position, and
• a motor for moving said cutting element assembly from said home position to said deployed position;
• wherein said motor is constructed and arranged such that said motor drives said cutting element assembly relative to said enclosure in a direction having both vertical and horizontal components relative to said instrument, whereby adjustment of the operation of said motor results in adjustment of said cutting element assembly relative to said instrument in both horizontal and vertical directions.