Provided herein is a pre-Caesarean method for collecting amniotic fluid from a patient. A needle is inserted into the incision site for the future C-section, which may be under ultrasound guidance, through which the amniotic fluid is drawn under a low level suction and, optionally, gravity to a sterile collection container. The method encompasses filtering and/or irradiating the amniotic fluid to collect biomolecules of interest such as growth factors and/or stem cells. Also provided is the sterile amniotic fluid or filtrates thereof collected by the method described herein.

A device including a probe unit and a driver unit for tissue extraction and sample collection is disclosed. The probe unit includes an injection unit, a driving mechanism, a filtering mechanism and a tissue sample container. The injection unit includes a needle actuated by a prime-mover and the driving mechanism, which drives the needle into the subject for extraction of tissue sample. The tissue extraction is performed by a rotational motion of the needle and pressure. The pressure is provided by a pressure subsystem in the lumen of the needle and the tissue is collected in the tissue sample container. The amount of pressure applied is controlled by a control subsystem based on the organ specific requirement.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

A device for detaching cells or tissue from a cavity in a subject, the device includes: an elongated member arranged to be moved within a lumen of a needle or a catheter; and at least one flexible member arranged at a distal end of the elongated member, wherein the flexible member is configured to be brought between a first, constrained configuration within the lumen of the needle or catheter, and a second, expanded configuration outside said lumen, wherein the flexible member in the second, expanded configuration is configured to conform to an inner geometry of a cavity in which the device is inserted.

A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described, as well as alternative systems for tissue preservation and transport. The cutting device includes an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. A temperature control sleeve may be disposed around the tissue collector to control the temperature of the tissue samples. A preservation system may be supplied that is configured to deliver fluids to tissue samples in the tissue collector. A fluid supply sleeve may be disposed about the outer cannula and is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.

A bone marrow aspiration device may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a cannula, insertable into a tissue, extending from the distal end; a ratcheting mechanism coupled to the housing; a reservoir configured to receive a fluid; an actuator operatively coupled to the ratcheting mechanism and to a distal surface of the bone marrow aspiration device such that user-actuation of the actuator actuates the ratcheting mechanism to draw fluid through the cannula, into the housing, and into the reservoir, and retracts the cannula relative to the distal surface.

Endoscope apparatuses for generating at least one image of a portion of an object are described herein. The endoscope apparatus includes an ultrafine needle adapted for insertion into the object; a fiber probe that is slidably disposed in the ultrafine needle, the fiber probe including a plurality of optical fibers or cores that act as illumination optical fibers and collection optical fibers; an optical assembly that is coupled to the fiber probe, the optical assembly including: at least one transmission optical pathway to provide at least one excitation light signal to the portion of the object to be imaged during use; and at least one return optical pathway that is adapted to transmit reflected light signals from the portion of the object when it is illuminated during use with at least one sensor for generating at least one image via at least one set of optical elements.

A liquid stylet apparatus including a tube with a transparent portion and at least partially filled with a liquid, a powering device in fluid communication with the tube, a catheter located distally of the tube and in fluid communication with the tube, where the catheter is at least partially filled with the liquid, a collection device located distally of the catheter and in fluid communication with the catheter, where the collection device is configured to engage a target area of a patient, and an indicator contacting the liquid and located at least partially within the tube, where the position of the indicator within the tube is visible through the transparent portion.

A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a control module, and a tissue transport tube. The biopsy device includes a probe, a needle, a cutter, and a transport valve. The needle extends distally from the probe. The cutter is movable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The holster is configured to couple to the probe. The transport valve is in communication with the cutter lumen. The control module is in communication with the biopsy device and includes a sample management assembly configured to receive one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter. The transport tube extends between the sample management assembly and the biopsy device. The transport tube is in communication with the transport valve such that the transport tube is configured to receive the one or more tissue samples severed by the cutter.

An endoscope (1) having a suction channel and a suction connector in communication with said suction channel, and a working channel through which a liquid may pass. A valve for diverting the suction through the sampling device through a sample container is provided. The endoscope (1) further includes an actuator (7) for propelling the liquid through said working channel.