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A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers. The piercing station has a structural frame with two vertical guide rods. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the guide rods and is further driven to move up and down along the guide rods. The carriage assembly carries a

A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers. The piercing station has a structural frame with two vertical guide rods. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the guide rods and is further driven to move up and down along the guide rods. The carriage assembly carries a blade holder, which in turn holds a piercing blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a center blade and two cross blades interlocked together, such that the blade assembly has a generally modified "H"-shaped cross section for piercing a cap on the sample container. Lubricant left in or on the sample container cap by the piercing station reduces the force required by the sample probe to penetrate thick stoppers for sample aspiration and level sensing. The "H"-shaped cut helps to equalize the pressure in the sample container during sampling, so that clot detection is more effective.

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A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers. The piercing station has a structural frame with two vertical guide rods. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the guide rods and is further driven to move up and down along the guide rods. The carriage assembly carries a

A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers. The piercing station has a structural frame with two vertical guide rods. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the guide rods and is further driven to move up and down along the guide rods. The carriage assembly carries a blade holder, which in turn holds a piercing blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a center blade and two cross blades interlocked together, such that the blade assembly has a generally modified "H"-shaped cross section for piercing a cap on the sample container. Lubricant left in or on the sample container cap by the piercing station reduces the force required by the sample probe to penetrate thick stoppers for sample aspiration and level sensing. The "H"-shaped cut helps to equalize the pressure in the sample container during sampling, so that clot detection is more effective. ects on Microorganisms and Polymers for Medical Products", Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry, 222:89-22 (1993). Kang et al., "The Radiation Chemistry of Polyethylene IX. Temperature Coefficient of Cross-linking and Other Effects", J. Amer. Chem. Society, 89(9): 1980-1986 (1967). Rose et al., "Radiation Sterilization and the Wear Rate of Polyethylene", J. Orthopaedic Res. Society, 2(4):393-400 (1984). Oonishi, H. et al., "Super Low Wear Cross-Linked UHMWPE by Heavy High-Dose Gamma Radiation", WPOA 2ndCongress of Hip Section, 61 (1996). Jahan et al., "Combined chemical and mechanical effects on free radicals in UHMWPE joints during implantation", J. Biomed. Material Res., 25: 1005-1006 (1991). "Standard Practice for Dosimetry in an Electron Bean Facility for Radiation Processing at Energies Between 300 keV and 25 keV", Am. Soc. for Testing & Materials, Designation: E1649-94, 870-888 (1995). Oonishi, H. et al., "The Low Wear of Cross-Linked Polyethylene Socket in Total Hip Prostheses", Encyclopedia Handbook of Biomaterials & Bioengineering, Vol 2, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1853-1868 (1995). Atkinson, J. et al., "The nature of silane cross-linked HDPE is discussed. Creep and wear tests indicate its potential as a possible replacement for high molecular weight polyethylene in prostheses", Polymers in Medicine and Surgery, Conf. Held by Plastics and Rubber Institute and Biological Engineering Soc., UK. Sep, P4/1-P4/9 (1986). Jones, W. et al., Effect of γ Irradiation on the Friction and Wear of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene, Wear 70: 77-92 (1981). Gent, A. et al., "Elastic Behavior, Birefringence, and Swelling of Amorphous Polyethylene Networks", J. Polymer Sci. 5: 47-60 (1967). Zoepfl, F. et al., "Differential Scanning Calorimetry Studies of Irradiated Polyethylene: I. Melting Temperatures and Fusion Endotherms", J. Polymer Sci. Polym. Chem. Ed., 22: 2017-2032 (1984). Zoepfl, F. et al., "Differential Scanning Calorimetry Studies of Irradiated Polyethylene: II. The Effect of Oxygen", J. Polymer Sci. Polym. Chem. Ed., 22: 2032-2045 (1984). Mandelkern, L. et al., "Fusion of Polymer Networks Formed from Linear Polyethylene: Effect of Intermolecular Order", contribution from the General Electric Research Laboratory and from the Polymer Structure Section, National Bureau of Standards 82: 46-53 (1960). Muratoglu, O.K. et al., "A Comparison of 5 Different Types of Highly Crosslinked UHMWPES: Physical Properties and Wear Behavior", 45thAnnual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, Anaheim, CA, Feb. 1-4, 77 (1999). Muratoglu, O.K. et al., "A Novel Method of Crosslinking UHMWPE to Improve Wear With Little or No Sacrifice on Mechanical Properties", 45thAnnual Meeting, Orthopaedic Research Society, Anaheim, CA, Feb. 1-4, 829 (1999). Muratoglu, O.K. et al., "Electron Beam Cross Linking of UHMWPE At Room Remperature, A Candidate Bearing Mat