Provided herein is technology relating to processing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for containing and processing a stool specimen. The technology provides an enclosing holder for securing a sample container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

Apparatus to neutralize static electricity present on the surface of containers (100; 10′) and/or of nests (200; 300) comprising a plurality of seatings (212; 312) according to a positioning matrix (M1) and able to receive, resting on them, an ordered group of said containers (100; 100), wherein the apparatus comprises an extraction member (15) configured to engage at least one part of said ordered group of containers (100; 100′), in order to perform at least one relative lifting movement with respect to the nest (200; 300) so as to at least partly extract the containers (100; 100′) engaged from the respective seatings (212; 312), and at least one ionizing device (19) configured to be relatively mobile with respect to the extracted containers and/or with respect to the nest (200; 300), while said group of containers (100; 100′) extracted is in said raised condition, along a path that develops in the proximity of the containers (100; 100′) extracted and/or in the proximity of said nest (200; 300), so as to ionize the surrounding space and neutralize static electricity present on the surface of the containers (100; 100′) in the raised condition and/or of the nest (200; 300).

A pipette comprises a pipette housing comprising an upper end and a lower end, a nipple configured to contact and retain a pipette tip, a drive apparatus configured to aspirate a liquid specimen into the pipette tip and expel the liquid specimen from the pipette tip, and an ejection apparatus. The ejection apparatus comprises a curved support rotatably mounted within the pipette housing, an ejection rod, a first sensing element positioned on the ejection rod and configured to be guided on a first curve on a perimeter of the curved support, and an operating element coupled to the curved support and configured to rotate relative to the pipette housing. The ejection apparatus is configured to rotate the curved support out of a start position by rotating the operating element. The first curve displaces the first sensing element downward a the ejection rod moves the pipette tip off of the nipple.

A pipette tip made of plastic includes a tubular body having an inner circumference and an outer circumference. The tubular body includes a bottom end defining a bottom opening structured to enable passage of a liquid and a top end defining a top opening that clamps onto a mount of a pipetting device. A seat region for the mount is positioned proximate to the top opening and on the inner circumference of the tubular body. A plurality of flattenings extend in an axial direction on the outer circumference proximate to the top opening. The tubular body defines a contour of an arc polygon in a cross-section through the flattenings on the outer circumference.

A storage assembly for two substances to be mixed prior to use, includes a closable dropper tip (3). A first storage chamber (7) is formed by the closable dropper tip (3) and a first container part (2, 4), the first container part (2, 4) being provided with at least one aperture (43). A second storage chamber (8) is formed by a second container part (5) which includes an open end part (52, 53) that closes off the at least one aperture (43) in a first operational position. The first and second container parts (2, 4; 5, 6) are moveable with respect to each other, and are in fluid communication through the at least one aperture (43) in a second operational position wherein the total flow surface area of the at least one aperture (43) is at least equal to a cross sectional area of the first container part.

A slide tray assembly for an slide input module or an slide output module of an automated treatment apparatus for treating tissue samples disposed on slides, the slide tray assembly comprising: a slide tray; and a slide tray cover adjacent to the slide tray forming one or more voids between the slide tray and the slide tray cover for receiving slides therein, wherein the slide tray cover comprises an indent at one end of the slide tray cover so that a slide handling robot of the automated treatment apparatus and an operator of the automated treatment apparatus can access the slides in the voids via the indent.

A slide output module for an automated treatment apparatus for treating tissue samples disposed on slides, the slide output module comprising: a slide output tray assembly comprising a slide output tray adjacent to a slide output cover forming one or more voids between the slide output tray and the slide output tray cover for receiving slides therein, wherein the slide output tray cover comprises a first side with a fluid inlet in communication one of the voids, and a second side configured to form a hydration chamber with a slide in said one of the voids to maintain hydration of the slide with fluid received from the fluid inlet for a designated time following treatment of the slide by the automated staining apparatus.

A sample collection system can include a sample collection vessel having a sample collection chamber with an opening configured to receive a sample into the sample collection chamber. The sample collection system can additionally include a selectively movable sleeve valve configured to associate with the opening of the sample collection chamber. The sample collection system can include a sealing cap that is configured to associate with the selectively movable sleeve valve and with the sample collection vessel. The sealing cap can include a reagent chamber having reagent(s) stored therein, and when the sealing cap is associated with the sample collection vessel, the selectively movable sleeve valve opens, dispensing the reagent(s) into the sample collection chamber. When the selectively moveable sleeve associates with the sample collection chamber, an outer sleeve slides relative to an inner vessel, opening the sleeve and dispensing reagent into the sample collection chamber.

A method for collecting biological specimens using a swab of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fiber with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fiber covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.

An isolator system including: a box-shaped body case having, in an interior thereof, a work space for operation in a sterile environment and also having, in a front surface thereof, an insertion portion into which a worker's arm is inserted; and an air-conditioning portion configured to supply gas in the work space of the body case or to discharge gas in the work space, a bottom of the work space being configured with a work plate, a discharge path configured to discharge gas in the work space being formed below the work plate, the work plate being configured with first and second work plates obtained by dividing the work plate into right and left parts, a receiving portion being located below the first work plate, the receiving portion being arranged extending towards the second work plate on a side edge of the first work plate, the side edge of the first work plate being in contact with the second work plate, a side edge of the second work plate for being in contact with the first work plate being placed detachably on the receiving portion.