Devices and method for the penetration of a container stopper

In a cassette adaptable to be received by a automated synthesis unit, wherein the cassette comprises an elongate body accommodating components of fluid circuitry, the body further defining at least one chamber for receiving a container having a puncturable cap, the chamber having a base supporting a spike, the spike having an elongate bore, for puncturing the puncturable cap of the container so as to render the interior of the container in fluid communication with at least a part of the fluid circuitry, wherein the chamber is sized to frictionally retain the container spaced from the spike and allows the container to be moved towards the base of the container so that the cap is punctured by the spike, the improvement comprising the at least one spike including a blunt tip which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the spike for penetrating the puncturable cap.