A biological fluid collection device that includes a housing and a cartridge that is removably receivable within a portion of the housing is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure allows for collection of capillary blood from a finger stick and provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample. In one embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure also provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. In another embodiment, a cartridge of the present disclosure provides automatic plasma separation of the blood sample. Advantageously, once the cartridge is filled with a sample aid removed from the housing, the cartridge can be used for a variety of important purposes.

An insert for a holding device for reliably and accurately assessing a small volume of blood in a fluid, such as in a volume of surgical fluid collected during a surgical procedure, is provided. The insert may include a circular shelf having an outside perimeter configured to fit up against an inside perimeter of a holding device. The insert may include a center opening. The insert may include a conically-shaped collection cone disposed in the center opening. The collection cone may include a length, an interior surface comprising a red blood cell flocculant coating, a gradually decreasing perimeter terminating in a bottom apex, and a series of graduated volumetric markings along the length of the collection cone.

In one embodiment, a mixing device includes a sleeve that forms an inner space configured to receive a sample container, a housing associated with the sleeve, a mixing element contained within the housing that is configured to mix liquid contained within the sample container, and an activation element configured to activate the mixing element when the activation element is triggered.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a titration probe that mitigate the occurrences of titration probe clots. A bar such as segment of music wire, is extended across the tip of a titration probe and attached at both ends to the titration probe. The bar is configured to catch clots and prevent the clots from being collected along with a blood sample to be analyzed. The bar effectively reduces the cross sectional area of the titration probe tip.

A biological fluid collection system that receives a sample and provides flow-through blood stabilization technology and a precise sample dispensing function for point-of-care and near patient testing applications is disclosed. A biological fluid collection system of the present disclosure is able to effectuate distributed mixing of a sample stabilizer within a blood sample and dispense the stabilized sample in a controlled manner. In this manner, a biological fluid collection system of the present disclosure enables blood micro-sample management, e.g., passive mixing with a sample stabilizer and controlled dispensing, for point-of-care and near patient testing applications.

A blood collection tube for physically separating the plasma and red blood cell fractions of a centrifuged sample is described. The blood collection tube has an elastomeric sleeve with rigid tube segments at both ends. Following blood collection and centrifugation, the elastomeric sleeve may be twisted to constrict its inner diameter and physically separate the two fractions. The blood collection tube may be secured in this position with a pin and a clamp, and further with an adhesive tape with pH paper. This enables blood samples to be transferred over long distances to a central lab facility without spoiling.

A device (100) having a proximal end (20) and end a distal end (40) for withdrawal of a liquid sample, fractionation, and separation of one or more fractions comprising: a piston assembly (300) comprising a piston (302) dismountably attached at its proximal end (20) to an actuating rod (350); a container (200) having a body (202) disposed with a cylindrical chamber (204) for slidable movement of the piston (302) therein; wherein the cylindrical chamber (204) is provided at the distal end (40) with a resealable septum (410) for co-operation with a puncture needle assembly (600) for withdrawal of the liquid sample, an at the proximal end (20) with a stop member (206), which stop member (206) limits movement of the piston (300) in a proximal direction, wherein the container body (202) is dimensioned to fit inside a centrifuge rotor, and is configured for breakability into two parts at a temperature of 0 deg C. or lower at a breakable zone (210).

Samples, systems for collecting samples, and methods of preserving samples from menstrual fluid are provided.

In accordance with the present disclosure, exposure of a sample to one or more electric pulses via capacitive coupling is described. In certain embodiments, the sample may be a biological sample to be treated or modified using the pulsed electric fields. In certain embodiments, the electric pulses may be delivered to a load using capacitive coupling. In other embodiments, the electric pulses may be bipolar pulses.

There is provided a blood collection container capable of suppressing the contamination of white blood cells into blood plasma. A blood collection container according to the present invention is a blood collection container into which a predetermined amount of blood is collected. The blood collection container includes a blood collection container main body, and a blood plasma separation material, an osmotic pressure regulator, and an anticoagulant contained in the blood collection container main body. The specific gravity of the blood plasma separation material at 25° C. is 1.030 or more and 1.120 or less. When the osmotic pressure regulator and the anticoagulant contained in the blood collection container main body are dissolved in an amount of physiological saline solution equivalent to a predetermined amount of blood collected in the blood collection container to obtain an osmotic pressure measurement solution, the specific gravity of the blood plasma separation material at 25° C. and the osmotic pressure of the osmotic pressure measurement solution satisfy a specific relationship.