A specimen processing apparatus may include: an aspirating tube configured to aspirates a specimen in automatic aspiration and manual aspiration; an aspirating tube moving mechanism configured to move the aspirating tube between a first region in which the automatic aspiration is performed and a second region in which the manual aspiration is performed, the first region covered with a wall, the second region separated from the first region; and a processing unit that processes the specimen aspirated by the aspirating tube.

A specimen processing apparatus may include: an aspirating tube configured to aspirates a specimen in automatic aspiration and manual aspiration; an aspirating tube moving mechanism configured to move the aspirating tube between a first region in which the automatic aspiration is performed and a second region in which the manual aspiration is performed, the first region covered with a wall, the second region separated from the first region; and a processing unit that processes the specimen aspirated by the aspirating tube.

A controlled environment enclosure comprises a robotic arm manipulation system used to protect and unprotect a fluid path within the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be protected against dangerous decontamination vapors and chemicals before the controlled environment enclosure is decontaminated, the method not requiring the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus similarly allows the fluid path to be unprotected for use without the use of gloves, the method not requiring the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure when decontaminated is completed. The apparatus and method allow for the protecting, unprotecting and decontaminating sequences to be automated

A controlled environment enclosure comprises a robotic arm manipulation system used to protect and unprotect a fluid path and a swab within the controlled environment enclosure. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be protected against dangerous decontamination vapors and chemicals before the controlled environment enclosure is decontaminated. The apparatus allows the fluid path to be unprotected without the use of gloves or other means that degrade the integrity of the controlled environment enclosure when decontamination is completed. The apparatus and method allow for the protecting, unprotecting and decontaminating sequences to be automated. In some embodiments the fluid path comprises a fill needle that can removably and aseptically be sealed with a disposable monolithic injection moulded polymeric fill needle sheath. The apparatus and method further allow for the use of a swab disposed in a swab holder that is aseptically and removably sealable to a swab cap to protect the swab against decontamination vapors.

An autosampler for dispensing samples is provided. The autosampler comprises a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed. The sample tray is moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions. The autosampler also comprises a noncontact coupling configured to move the sample tray between the plurality of dispensing positions. An autosampler for dispensing samples is also provided, comprising: a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed, the sample tray being moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions, the sample tray and a body of the autosampler comprising respective contact surfaces that contact each other as the sample tray moves between the plurality of dispensing positions, wherein the contact surface of at least one of the sample tray and the body of the autosampler comprises a self-lubricating material.

Carriers are provided for microbiological laboratory use, as are methods for their use. The carriers may be used to transport patient samples between laboratory stations and can be loaded into automated AST systems. In an aspect, a method of performing AST may include loading a tube comprising a patient sample onto a carrier. An AST panel may be loaded onto the carrier. The carrier may be conveyed to an automated inoculation assembly. The patient sample may be inoculated from the tube into the AST panel. The AST panel may be loaded into an automated AST system.

Disclosed is an integrated biocontainment cell sorter that isolates portions of the cell sorter that can create contamination. Two containment systems are utilized. A main cabinet containment system contains input samples. An aerosol management containment area includes a nozzle chamber with a nozzle and a sort chamber with sort plates and collection media that collect a droplet stream from the nozzle. The main cabinet is maintained at a first low pressure and clean air is recirculated under a positive pressure. The aerosol management containment area is kept at a second low pressure, which is lower than the first pressure, so that contamination does not leak from the aerosol management containment area into the main cabinet containment area. A sliding sash window is located over an access opening in the main cabinet and can be moved to access different portions of the main cabinet without changing the substantially constant first low pressure in the main cabinet.

Magnetic couplers and sample introduction devices including them are described. In certain configurations, a sample introduction device can include a magnetic coupler that can be used to hold down a sampling device to permit introduction of an analyte sample from the sampling device to an instrument or another component. Systems including the magnetic couplers, and methods and devices to produce them are also 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.

Systems and methods for automated cell processing of biological samples, such as cells for use in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Systems for automated processing of batches derived from biological samples comprise: a closed and sterile enclosure; a plurality of reagent containers; at least one reagent dispenser; a quality control module for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch; a harvesting module; a robotic module; and a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one reagent dispenser, the quality control module, the harvesting module and the robotic module for controlling the automatic processing of batches. The automatic processing may be executable without handling by a human operator. The system may be configured to automatically process the plurality of batches without cross-contamination between batches, e.g., under GMP conditions.