A robot system includes a robot including an arm disposed in a first space , an operator that receives an operation on a test instrument in a second space , and a controller that operates the test instrument by controlling the robot in response to the received operation.

Disclosed is a sampling kit for determining respiratory infection, the kit including: a first vessel containing a washing-out solution; and a second vessel containing a transport medium containing a deactivating agent, so that sampling corresponding to a pre-analytical stage in a protocol for determination of the presence or absence of respiratory infection pathogens can be attained easily, safely, and stably, and self-sampling of a respiratory infection pathogen can be attained.

A collection container for biological samples is described. In one embodiment, the collection container includes a receptacle and a lid with a sampling port. The sampling port is coupled to an aspiration tube and allows access to the contents of the receptacle. A needle-free fitting allows a mating device to be coupled to the sampling port. A valve automatically closes to prevent the sample from escaping through the sampling port when a mating device is not coupled.

Described is a tip for a swab for collecting a specimen from a subject, the tip being shaped for insertion into, and collection of the specimen from, a body cavity of the subject such as the nasal cavity. The tip comprises a plurality of curved blades defining an internal reservoir for receiving the specimen, the tip being attached or attachable to a rod. In the preferred embodiment, each of the blade comprises helical turns.

A method of using an electrochemical device includes at least first and second electrodes; a chamber for receiving a fluid sample and defining a volume partially bounded by a first portion of the first electrode and a second portion of the second electrode, the first portion having a first characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the first portion, the second portion having a second characteristic for influencing an electrochemical reaction at the second portion, the first and second characteristics having a predetermined relationship. The method also includes receiving a fluid sample in the chamber; measuring first and second electrical outputs at least one of the first and second electrodes; and determining whether the first and second electrical outputs are related according to the predetermined relationship.

A system for detecting presence of coronavirus in a subject, the system including a first pad for placing a first hand, the pad including a contact to measure conductance of the subject's body, a conductance meter connected to the contact, a second pad for placing a second hand, a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the second pad.

A system for detecting presence of coronavirus in a subject, the system including a chip with a plurality of wires disposed on or in the chip, a conductance meter arranged to measure conductance between the wires, and biological material associated with the coronavirus disposed on or in the chip.

Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Liquid sample collection devices, systems, and methods. In one example, the system includes a liquid collection device, a cap for the liquid collection device, and a sealed reagent liquid container installed in the cap, in which depressing the cap relative to the liquid collection device unseals the reagent liquid container. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the collection chamber holds a reagent in a sealed condition and the liquid collector is actuable to disrupt a sealing membrane associated with the collection chamber. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the liquid collector holds a reagent in a sealed condition and in which the liquid collector is actuable to drain the reagent from the liquid collector into the collection chamber.

An oral sample collection system configured to draw and deliver an oral sample to a first analyte testing device (such as a local dry reagent test), and then allow the same sample to then be retested at a remote laboratory. The system uses a swab holder with a hollow tubular handle, an outer swab mounted at one end of the handle, and an inner swab mounted on a carriage positioned inside the hollow handle. Sample is collected in both swabs, the outer swab sample used for immediate testing, and the inner swab sample retained for later retesting as needed. This device may be used with a collection container configured to accept the swab holder and conduct immediate tests on the outer swab sample. Various applications, including utility for drugs of abuse testing, are also discussed.

In some examples, a diagnostic device includes a reusable part to receive a container of a fluid, the reusable part reusable for a plurality of diagnostic tests. The diagnostic device further includes a disposable part detachably attached to the reusable part and comprising a sample collector to collect a target sample of a living being. The diagnostic device further includes a tester comprising a fluid channel to transport the fluid to combine the fluid and the target sample to form a fluid combination, and to use the fluid combination to diagnose a condition of the target sample.

A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid (26) into a nasal cavity (22) of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid (26) washes biological material into an oropharynx (30) of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity (22), (b) a nasopharynx (32) of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity (22) and the nasopharynx (32). Thereafter, a specimen sample (24) is collected that passed out of an anterior opening (34) of an oral cavity (36) of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx (30) by the nasal wash fluid (26). Other embodiments are also described.