Apparatus and method for drawing liquid samples and dispensing them into a plurality of test tubes

Apparatus for drawing liquid samples, in particular biological samples, and dispensing them into a plurality of test tubes, comprising:

• a single drawing element;
• a plurality of test tubes filled with air or another gas at atmospheric pressure and kept in a substantially vertical position, containing, if necessary, the additives to preserve or prepare the sample for the requested analyses;
• first connecting means, preferably flexible at least partially, linking continuously during the whole draw the drawing element to each test tube;
• suction means;
• second connecting means linking each test tube to the suction means;
• closing means of the test tubes, sealing said test tubes while allowing the access to each test tube, of the terminal parts of the first and second connecting means;
• wherein:
• means are provided for disconnecting the second connecting means, and therefore all parts upstream of said connecting means, in the sense of fluid flow, of the apparatus from all downstream parts including the suction means;
• said upstream parts of the apparatus, comprising the first connecting means and the second connecting means are merely composed of duct means suitable for freely and directly conveying a fluid flow without any interposition of controlled valve means or flow control means which may require handling during the draw;
• said downstream parts including the suction means comprise volume control means apt to preprogramme the volume of air or gas sucked out of each test tube and therefore the amount of sample dispensed to said test tube, and flow control means apt to control the flow of the sample during the draw.