The invention relates to a device for the collection, pre-analytic treatment, transport and grinding of solid samples, comprising a flask (1) having an opening (11) closed by a removable stopper (2), for receiving a solid sample. Said flask contains a pre-analytic medium (4), a plurality of balls (3) consisting of a solid material, and a means for holding the balls in place, that is designed to lose its effect when the flask is mechanically shaken or closed by the stopper, in such a way that, when the flask is mechanically shaken, the impact of the balls causes the grinding of the solid sample and the mixing thereof with the pre-analytic medium.

A modular tailpipe riser kit includes a plurality of conduit modules that are selectively connectable to each other to support flow of exhaust gases through connected conduit modules. The plurality of conduit modules include a tailpipe coupling having a first end receivable and selectively securable to the outer surface of a tailpipe of an automobile, an elbow selectively connectable to the tailpipe coupling, and a riser extension selectively connectable to the elbow. The modular tailpipe riser kit further include a circumferential clamp that is receivable about the tailpipe coupling for selectively securing the tailpipe coupling about the outer surface of the tailpipe. A tailpipe riser that is fully assembled and ready for installation may also be provided.

A medicine container for medicine substances which can be mixed with one another includes a container body, a stopper and a mixing element. The container body has a first end with a stopper opening and a second end with a base having an outlet. The stopper is displaceable between the ends. A a mixing chamber for receiving the medicine substances is delimited by a portion of an inner casing surface of the container body, a side of the stopper and the base. The mixing element can be disposed in the mixing chamber. The medicine container is adapted to discharge the medicine substances from the medicine container by displacement of the stopper in the direction of the outlet. The stopper is adapted to receive the mixing element at least partially by a recess. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a medicine container.

Embodiments of the present technology may include a system for forming an emulsion. The system may include a coiled tube. The coiled tube may have a first end and a second end. The second end may be located at a position higher than the position of the first end. The system may also include a plurality of beads disposed within the coiled tube. The system may further include a first inlet fluidly connected to the coiled tube. The first inlet may be configured to deliver a first fluid to the first end before the second end. In addition, the system may include a second inlet fluidly connected to the coiled tube. The second inlet may be configured to deliver a second fluid to the first end before the second end.

Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses, and methods for grinding of samples. A method includes securing a sample vial in a holder attached to a connecting linkage, the sample vial having a grinding media in the sample vial. The method includes rotating a crank that is operatively coupled to a proximal end of the connecting linkage at a proximal pivot point so that the proximal pivot point undergoes rotational motion. The method includes restricting a distal pivot point of the connecting linkage to a linear path, the distal pivot point near a distal end of the connecting linkage. A result being that the sample vial undergoes a combination of rotational and linear motion.

The disclosure is directed to a sample preparation apparatus for grinding or homogenizing test samples. More specifically, the disclosure relates to grinding samples using rotational and linear motion. Grinding samples can be accomplished with an apparatus with a slider-crank mechanism that is attached to an oscillating connecting linkage. The amplitude of oscillatory motion can be greater than or equal to a length of a sample processing chamber.

Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses, and methods for generating a reciprocating motion for the purpose of grinding or homogenizing samples. An apparatus includes a connecting linkage that extends along a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a sample vial holder attached to the connecting linkage. The apparatus includes a crank operatively connected to the proximal end of the connecting linkage, the crank configured to impart rotational motion to the proximal end of the connecting linkage. The apparatus includes a sliding carriage operatively connected to the distal end of the connecting linkage, the sliding carriage configured to restrict the distal end of the connecting linkage to a linear path. The apparatus includes a motor operatively connected to the crank to rotate the crank such that the sample vial holder, in use, moves with a combination of rotational and linear motion.

The present invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.

The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.

An agitator may include one or more members adjustable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration. When the one or more members are in the expanded configuration, the agitator in a first set of two orthogonal dimensions is larger than an opening having a predetermined size. When the one or more members are in the compressed configuration, the agitator in a second set of two orthogonal dimensions is smaller than the opening having the predetermined size. The one or more members are biased to the expanded configuration in absence of external force applied to the one or more members. In use, the agitator may be inserted into a container through a neck of the container in the compressed configuration. The agitator may expand within the container so that the container does not fit through the neck of the container.