APPARATUS FOR SAMPLING BLOOD OR THE LIKE FLUID

An elongate vessel having a blind end and an open end has a plurality of lengths of capillary tubing mounted on its interior in a removable assembly, the lengths being parallel to one another and axially arranged relative to the vessel. One end of each length of tubing is closed off and the other end is open. All of the lengths of tubing are mounted in a header that is disposed adjacent the open end of the vessel, the open ends of the lengths of tubing being in communication with the chamber formed in the vessel between the header and the open end, the open end being provided with a closure that includes a diaphragm capable of being pierced by a cannula without leakage. On assembly and closing of the vessel, at least the end chamber is evacuated thereby also evacuating the interior of each of the lengths of capillary tubing. The interior chamber may also be evacuated to prolong storage life, in which case there is a bleed passageway between the two chambers which preferably is capable of being blocked when the apparatus is ready for use. At that time or subsequently the interior chamber may be connected to atmosphere to enable facile withdrawal of the header with the filled lengths of tubing. A valve arrangement provides for the connecting of the chambers, their being disconnected one from the other and the connecting of the interior chamber with the atmosphere.