A sample chamber assembly (17,100) is disclosed which is particularly adapted to the spectrophotometric analysis of blood samples. The instrument of which the sample chamber is a part includes means (10 to 15) for directing a beam of light through the sample fluid and means (19,20,21) for analyzing the light emanating from the fluid. The sample chamber assembly (17,100) comprises a first transparent member (44,111) having a flat surface. A surface of a prism (18,112) is disposed adjacent to the flat surface of the first member (44,111), and a resilient gasket (51,115) located between the prism (18,112) and the first member (44,111) seals off a region which forms the sample chamber (61,117). A spring (58) on a door (54), which closes to a position adjacent to the prism, engages the hypotenuse surface thereof to force the prism against the first member and compress the resilient gasket. First and second holes (62,63) through the prism intersect the first surface thereof at opposite sides of the chamber formed by the gasket to enable the sample fluid to flow through the chamber.
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