A fluid sample testing apparatus has a fluid collector tube and a fluid collector in fluid communication with a sample holding container. The fluid collector is inserted into and penetrates the fluid collector tube and pressure is generated to release fluid from the fluid collector into the sample holding container, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the fluid collector tube via a vent path. The vent path is sealed with the fluid collector is fully inserted into the fluid collector tube. Indicator or test strips are optionally included in a stem of the fluid collector.

A method for analyzing particles in an air stream includes concentrating the particles in an interior region of the air stream and deflecting the concentrated particles in the air stream with a generated thermal gradient. Smaller particles in the air stream may be selectively deflected away from the interior region and towards a periphery of the air stream at a different rate than larger particles in the air stream. The generated thermal gradient may be controlled to deflect particles in a selected particle size range onto a surface of a particle detector. An effective mass of the collected particles and an aerosol mass concentration estimate of the particles within the selected particle size range may be generated. Systems for analyzing particles are also disclosed.

A spheroid tissue microarray comprises an array of tissue spheroids embedded within a porous mold. The product may be impregnated with a wax or resin and sectioned, and contains spheroids which are precisely located in a regular geometric grid. A method of manufacturing a spheroid tissue microarray comprises the steps of: forming a mold of porous material from liquid mold material in a casting mold, and allowing the liquid mold material to set; removing the porous mold from the casting mold; topping up the porous mold with further liquid mold material, and allowing recesses to form in the surface of the mold by the drawing-in of liquid mold material through shrinkage as the liquid mold material sets; placing tissue spheroids into the recesses in the surface of the porous mold; and sealing the tissue spheroids within the mold by topping off with liquid mold material and allowing the liquid mold material to set. An alternative method comprises the steps of: forming a mold of porous material from liquid mold material in a casting mold; allowing the liquid mold material to set; removing the porous mold from the casting mold; placing spheroids in recesses at the bases of wells in the mold of porous material; and sealing the spheroids within the porous mold by adding further porous material on top of the spheroids; wherein the recesses at the bases of the wells in the porous material are formed by protrusions of the casting mold carrying further, nipple-shaped, protrusions.

An air quality notification device is disclosed. The air quality notification device includes an actuating and sensing module, a microprocessor, a first communication module and a power source. The actuating and sensing module includes a sensor and an actuating device. The actuating device is disposed near the sensor. The sensor senses air transmitted by the actuating device to generate air quality information. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the actuating and sensing module. The first communication module is electrically connected to the actuating and sensing module to receive and transmit the air quality information. The power source is electrically connected to the microprocessor.

An analysis system includes a stage that supports a sample. The analysis system includes a first supplier configured to provide a hydrophobic material on the sample, and surround an inspection region on the sample with the hydrophobic material. The analysis system includes a second supplier configured to provide an inspection liquid over the inspection region. The analysis system includes a collector configured to collect the inspection liquid. The analysis system includes an analyzer configured to analyze a component contained in the collected inspection liquid.

The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a biological sheet storage device, which includes a holding unit including a first carrier, a second carrier and a fixture. The first carrier is configured to carry a biological sheet, the first carrier is positioned on the second carrier, and the fixture is configured to fix the first carrier onto the second carrier. An enclosure configured to enclose the holding unit that is configured to carry the biological sheet.

The present invention relates to a measuring system for investigating concentrated, larger aerosol particles of an aerosol in the gas phase, having a multi-stage aerosol particle concentrator and also a measuring chamber for analyzing the larger aerosol particles, with at least one measuring device for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of the aerosol particles, in particular in real time. The aerosol particle concentrator separates a larger part of the aerosol with fine particles and concentrate the larger aerosol particles in the smaller part of the aerosol. The aerosol particle concentrator includes an aerosol suction pump generating a negative pressure in the virtual impactor stages and a circulating-flow channel in which a part of the separated aerosol with fine particles is returned in the circulating flow from the aerosol outlet to the aerosol inlet of the aerosol suction pump. The present invention also relates to a method for investigating concentrated, larger aerosol particles of an aerosol.

The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.