Automated dispensing and diluting system

A system (10) capable of automatically dispensing and diluting an accurate volume of a sample (11) is provided. The system comprises a removable nozzle tip (12) for collecting a predetermined volume of the sample (11), the nozzle tip (12) being inserted into the sample (11) to collect the sample by suction; a nozzle (14) comprising an inner tube and an outer tube onto which said nozzle tip is removably mounted, said nozzle having a liquid passage (14a) through which a reagent flows and a gas passage (14b) through which a liquid surface-detecting gas flows defined within the nozzle; a sample pump (16) for sucking and discharging the sample and the reagent into and out of the nozzle tip; a first three-way valve (18) being switched to the side of the reagent bottle (34) to communicate said reagent bottle with said sample pump (16) or to the side of the nozzle (14) to communicate said sample pump (16) with said nozzle (14); a plunger pump (20) for sucking and discharging a liquid surface-detecting gas (15) supplied from a gas source; a second three-way valve (22) being switched to the side of said gas source to communicate said gas source with said plunger pump (20) or to the side of said nozzle to communicate said plunger pump (20) with the nozzle (14); a pressure sensor (24) provided between said second three-way valve and said gas passage in said nozzle; and a two-way valve (26) provided between said pressure sensor (24) and said gas passage (14b) of said nozzle (14), and in the vicinity of said nozzle (14). The system may further comprise a controller (32) for controlling the motion of the valves, the pumps, and the nozzle. Also, the system may further comprise an X-Y table (46) on which sample containers (36) containing the samples, the nozzle tips, and the test tubes into which the sample is dispensed are aligned in rows; and a means (48) for traveling the nozzle.