A flow cell including inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with each other through a flow channel that extends therebetween. The flow channel includes a diffuser region and a field region that is located downstream from the diffuser region. The field region of the flow channel directs fluid along reaction sites where desired reactions occur. The fluid flows through the diffuser region in a first flow direction and through the field region in a second flow direction. The first and second flow directions being substantially perpendicular.

Sampling systems and techniques that increase pickup efficiency and shedding efficiency of an analyst of interest collected from a surface are provided. In one aspect, an absorbent swab collects an analyte of interest, such as a hazardous contaminant, from a test area demarcated by a template. The sampling techniques can include swab speed and force protocols specifying how fast and how hard the user should apply the swab across the surface to improve pickup efficiency. The sampling techniques can include instructions for inverting a container enclosing the swab and collected contaminant to improve shedding efficiency from the swab.

An analyte meter having a test strip ejector. The analyte meter includes a housing body including a front side, a back side, a first side, a second side, an end, and a test strip port at the end configured to receive a test strip; and a strip ejector configured to eject the test strip from the test strip port. The test strip ejector includes a slide member slidable relative to the housing body, an engagement member coupled to the slide member and configured to be contacted by a user, the engagement member located on the back side of the housing body opposite then display screen, and a push member coupled to the slide member and positioned to be engageable with the end of the test strip. Test strip ejectors and methods of ejecting test strips are provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Provided is a safety cabinet that prevents oversights in airtightness tests and HEPA filter penetration ratio tests even if a pathogen or the like leaks from a workspace wall surface in the interior of the safety cabinet. The safety cabinet includes: a work surface at the bottom of a workspace; a front panel at the front of the workspace; a work opening section below the front panel; and a first air purification means that filters exhaust air that is air discharged from within the workspace. The safety cabinet is characterized in that the non-workspace sides of a side wall surface and a back wall surface of the workspace are formed by an outer wall of a device with prescribed airtightness performance.

Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of analytes of interest, including hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection device 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 collection device also includes a test strip, and provides a closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid from the swab to the test strip 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.

A method for detecting viral or bacteriological pathogens is disclosed. The method comprises collecting a potentially pathogenic sample via a collector, binding a first portion of the potentially pathogenic sample to a magnetic particle via a first coating on the magnetic particle, binding a second portion of the potentially pathogenic sample to a fluorescently labeled particle via a coating of a second coating on the fluorescently labeled particle to create aggregates comprising the potentially pathogenic sample, magnetic particle, and the fluorescently labeled particle, separating the aggregates magnetically, detecting a fluorescence of the separated aggregates, and estimating an amount of the pathogen based on the detected fluorescence.

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.

The present invention provides for a fluid transfer device for interconnecting vessels, the fluid transfer device comprising a main body with a first body part providing a first hollow interior merging into a first open end for receiving a fluid obtaining vessel, and a second body part providing a second hollow interior merging into a second open end for receiving a fluid supplying vessel, a connection assembly with a double-ended cannula for connecting the first hollow interior with the second hollow interior, and a first encasing member encasing a first cannula part arranged within the first hollow interior, and an actuating member provided inside the first hollow interior, wherein the actuating member is movably arranged along a longitudinal axis of the first body part, and wherein the actuating member is in contact with the first encasing member for piercing the first encasing member by the cannula during a movement of the actuating member towards the second body part. Furthermore, the present invention provides for the use of such fluid transfer device for venting a fluid supplying vessel and/or interconnecting vessels, as well as for a respective method.

A point of care cassette, comprising: a housing; a lancet carrier for carrying a lancet, the lancet carrier being configured to be retractably urged by a spring from a locked position to a deployed position in response to an actuation of a first trigger, the lancet being entirely within the housing when not in the deployed position; and a test carrier for carrying a testing medium, the test carrier configured to be urged by a second spring from a locked position to a deployed position in response to an actuation of a second trigger, the second trigger being actuated during deployment of the lancet carrier to bring the testing medium proximate a blood sample after retraction of the lancet.

A biological sample collector 500 comprising a solid support 12 having plural discrete areas (22,24,26,28 FIG. 1) for accepting a biological sample, each area being chemically differentiated, for example by having a different chemical treatment sorbed onto the solid support. An envelope 530 encloses the solid support. A cover portion 520 can cover the biological sample after collection to prevent infection. UV light can be applied to the collected sample to reduce the risk of infection.