The invention relates to a connection system for connecting an inside environment of a compartment to an environment outside said compartment, said compartment being isolated relative to the outside environment and said connection system, said connection system comprising a blocking device.

A microfluidic platform and method are provided. The microfluidic platform includes a base having an outer surface and a plurality of wells formed in the outer surface thereof for receiving fluid therein. The plurality of wells are in fluid communication with each other. A lid includes a plurality of channels having corresponding inputs and outputs. The lid is moveable between a first position wherein the lid is disengaged from the base and a second position wherein the inputs of each channel communicate with corresponding wells in the base. The fluid in each well is drawn into corresponding channels through the inputs thereof by capillary action.

A fluid connection device is provided for biological analysis apparatuses, intended to simultaneously connect a plurality of fluid conduits and at least one fluidic component including a connecting surface with a plurality of fluid ports, the device having: (i) a holding plate, (ii) removable attachment structure capable of pressing the holding plate against the connecting surface, (iii) connectors suitable for being fixed to the ends of the fluid conduits and provided with a seal suitable for allowing a sealed connection to be made between the connectors and the fluid ports, holding plate including through-openings opposite the fluid ports and being shaped in such a way as to be able to receive the connectors in through-openings and to hold them pressed against the connecting surface. A biological analysis apparatus implementing the device is also provided.

A specimen collection, storage, transport, and testing device can include an outer vessel containing an internal cup having an openable drain having a brim raised above the bottom floor of the cup. Once opened the drain allows a portion of liquid specimen to flow from the cup into a lower chamber of the vessel containing a number of chromatographic assay strips. A lid sealing the vessel can include a downwardly projecting guide tube having first barrier sealing a bottom aperture. An oblong initiator can axially engage the guide tube, break the first barrier and open the drain to initiate the test while retaining a pool of liquid specimen in the cup for subsequent confirmatory testing.

A method for coupling a tubing to a liquid chromatography column comprises: passing an end of the tubing through a coupling apparatus comprising: (i) at least one chamber; (ii) a first spring within the at least one chamber configured to transmit a spring force to the tubing; (iii) a second spring within the at least one chamber; and (iv) a deformable sealing member configured to receive a second force from the second spring; inserting the tubing end into a receptacle of an end fitting of the column; and moving the coupling apparatus towards the chromatography column such that the first spring urges the tubing into the receptacle whereby a pressure of the tubing end against the end fitting exceeds a maximum operating fluid pressure of the column and, further, whereby the second spring causes the deformable sealing member to form a fluid seal between the column and the receptacle.

In one embodiment, a sample probe has a cap and a base, wherein the cap includes a grip portion and a projection portion. The projection portion fits within a hollow portion of a filter such that the filter is disposed on the outside of the projection portion and the filter and the cap form a cap assemblage. The base comprises a base recess that receives a portion of the cap assemblage including the filter. The cap and base include corresponding media transfer regions adjacent and connected to the filter that reduces flow resistance and chances of blockage and/or contamination during dissolution-testing sampling using the sample probe.

A tube segment sampler system (10) for withdrawing a fluid sample from a tube segment (100), the sampler (10) having a first tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a first location and a second tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a second location so as to allow air to be drawn into the tube segment (100) through one of the openings made by one of the piercing members (28) whilst fluid is withdrawn through the other of the openings.

A fluidic connection assembly and methods for quickly connecting or disconnecting a tube to a port by hand and without the use of tools. A body is adapted to receive a tube therethrough, and may have at least two sides which are hinged. Each of the hinged sides has corresponding latching portions or projections located near a lower end of the body. These projections are adapted to fit into a port or other fitting and be securely held in place. The assembly may include a tube extending through a body and through a spring located between the end of the body and the end of the tube, whereby the spring exerts a force directly or indirectly against the end of the tube and against the body, thus holding the tubing securely and sealingly engaged in the port when the assembly is connected. The body may further comprise an additional body or an adapter, and/or a cap and latch. A second spring may be used to push a projecting member into a groove or notch of an adapter when an end of the adapter is inserted into one end of the latch or the body. The fluidic connection assembly is useful in analytical instrument systems, such as for in vitro applications and/or in high pressure applications, among other things, and may be used in methods for connecting, or disconnecting, tubing or a fluidic connection assembly from a port or other fitting or connection.

An apparatus for hermetically sealed storage of liquids for a microfluidic system includes at least one cavity and at least one sealing cone. A connection to the microfluidic system is established via the at least one sealing cone. Additionally, the at least one sealing cone is configured to close the at least one cavity.

The invention generally relates to a connector for fluid chromatography, such as gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, having a female assembly including a receiving member being designed and configured to receive, and releasably interlock with, a male assembly. The connector is particularly suited for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications.