Automated fluid handling cartridge and fluid processing system

1. An apparatus comprising:

a support body defining a number of aligned tube holders, each tube holder sized to receive a sealed container; and

a cartridge detachably secured to the support body, the cartridge including an array of fluid receptacles, each fluid receptacle including:

i) a reservoir defined by housing structure;

ii) a piercing conduit that provides fluid communication between one corresponding sealed container and the reservoir;

iii) a venting system that vents the corresponding sealed container to exterior surroundings; and

iv) a filling system that draws a sample from the corresponding sealed container into the reservoir;

v) wherein the piercing conduit provides fluid communication between the corresponding sealed container and the reservoir when the venting system vents the sealed container to the exterior surroundings, and wherein the piercing conduit provides fluid communication between the corresponding sealed container and the reservoir when the filling system draws the sample from the sealed container into the reservoir.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the number of fluid receptacles in the array of fluid receptacles corresponds to the number of aligned tube holders.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing structures of each fluid receptacle are integral with one another, the integral housing structures at least partly defining the cartridge.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge defines the housing structures of each of the fluid receptacles.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the venting system is positionable in an open configuration and a closed configuration, the venting system providing the fluid communication between the sealed container and the exterior surroundings when in the open configuration, the venting system preventing fluid communication between the sealed container and the exterior surroundings when in the closed configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the filling system includes a first piston that sealingly engages the housing structure, and a second piston that sealingly engages the first piston, the second piston being configured to move relative to the first piston.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first piston and the housing structure defining a sample chamber, and the second piston and the first piston define a venting chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second piston is positionable in an open position relative to the first piston at which the corresponding sealed container vents to the exterior surroundings, and a closed position relative to the first piston at which the corresponding sealed container is prevented from venting to the exterior surroundings.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sample is drawn from the corresponding sealed container by the filling system only when the second piston is positioned in the closed position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sample is drawn from the sealed container by moving the first piston.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second piston moves in unison with the first piston when the sample is drawn from the sealed container.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a filter located within the fluid receptacle that filters flow between the corresponding sealed container and the exterior surroundings.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the filter retains liquid and solid, and permits gasses to vent to the exterior surroundings.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each fluid receptacle is individually detachable from the cartridge.