Temperature regulation in a sample handling system for an optical monitoring system

An arrangement for temperature regulating a fluid sample in a cuvette transported through various stations of an automated system for optically monitoring the sample in the cuvette, comprising:

• a track for guiding the cuvette through the various stations of the optical monitoring system, the sample being in heat exchange relationship with said track through the cuvette, said track including first and second adjacent portions which are temperature controlled;
• drive means for driving the cuvette along said track;
• cooling means for cooling the first portion of said track;
• heating means for heating the second portion of said track;
• and
• heat flow restriction means located between said first and second adjacent portions of the track for restricting heat flow between said first and second adjacent portions of the track.