Apparatus for closed tube sampling and open tube sampling for automated clinical analyzers

A centrifuge comprising:

• a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the carousel defining an opening therein to receive a first sample tube;
• a first track and a second track;
• a first drive mechanism attached to the upper portion of the carousel;
• a second drive mechanism attached to the upper portion of the carousel;
• a first movable element mounted to the first drive mechanism, the first movable element to traverse the length of the first drive mechanism when the first drive mechanism is actuated;
• a second movable element mounted to the second drive mechanism;
• a first sample tube-holding assembly comprising a first sample tube holder to receive the first sample tube, the first sample tube-holding assembly coupled to the first movable element;
• a second sample-tube holding assembly comprising a second sample tube holder to receive a second sample tube, the second sample tube-holding assembly coupled to the second movable element,
• wherein the first drive mechanism is slidably coupled to the first track and the second drive mechanism is slidably coupled to the second track,
• wherein the first sample tube holder is to receive the first sample tube when the first sample tube holder is in a first position and to carry the first sample tube along the first track via the first drive mechanism to a second position, and
• wherein the second sample tube holder is to receive a second sample tube when the second sample tube holder is a third position and to carry the second sample tube along the second track via the second drive mechanism to a fourth position, wherein at least one of the first sample tube holder or the second sample tube holder moves between the first position and the second position or the third position and the fourth position, respectively, during rotation of the carousel;
• and
• a balancing element spaced apart from the first sample-tube holding assembly and the second sample-tube holding assembly to stabilize the carousel during rotation of the carousel.