The invention relates to a sealed container (1) comprising a flexible film (2) which is arranged to define an internal space (3) and a through-opening, and a sealed connection device (4) which is arranged to allow the flexible film (2) to be connected to a complementary connection device of a sterile enclosure, while ensuring sterile communication between the internal space (3) of the container (1) and that of the enclosure, the connection device (4) comprising a flange to which the flexible film (2) is attached, the flange delimiting the through-opening of the flexible film (2), characterized in that the flange is constituted by two different pieces distinct from each other, respectively forming an external sleeve (5) and an internal sleeve (6) the flexible film (2) being kept gripped between the external sleeve (5) and the internal sleeve (6).

A method and apparatus for controlling and visually, audibly, and tactilely communicating the administration of discrete unit doses of material dispensed from a dropper through use of a modified plunger having a geometric profile corresponding to a unit dose. This profile engages with the dropper interior in a manner that creates audio, visual, and tactile cues as each unit dose is administered. The profile may take the form of peaks and valleys or teeth. Alternatively, the plunger profile may be threaded and may include a channel along the plunger's longitudinal axis.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

In order to aspire to higher sensitivity in an automatic analysis device, it is important to prevent the mixing of dust and the like in a reaction part in which a sample and a reagent react. The present invention presents an automatic analysis device that is provided with a configuration for making the pressure inside a specific block in the device such as a reaction part, or inside the device become positive. By making the pressure become positive and forming an air flow that flows out from the inside of the reaction part or the device, it is possible to limit, to a certain amount or less, the amount of dust penetrating into the reaction part.

A system for collecting, growing, and analyzing biological specimens that may present a health threat. The system includes separate modules for specimen collection, sample isolation, and sample analysis that can be interconnected to safety process, culture, and analyze and unknown specimen. A decapitation module allows a user to safely collect a swab tip containing an unknown sample and transport the sample to a culture module where the sample can be washed from the swab tip and isolated in a cuvette for growth and analysis. The culture module may be coupled to a base station that can provide mixing, heating and cooling, as well as optical and spectral analysis.

The system includes a pipette tip with a proximal end that has a rim. The rim defines a proximal opening adapted to receive a pipetter, and the rim includes a rim conical edge. The system also has a support card with a top surface, a pipette tip receiver opening within the top surface, the opening adapted to receive the pipette tip and having a receiver opening conical edge. The rim conical edge and the receiver opening conical edge are constructed such that when the pipette tip is disposed of in the pipette tip receiver opening, the rim conical edge abuts the receiver opening conical edge, and the top surface is flush with or nearly flush with the rim.

A method for transferring at least one filling needle of a number of filling needles into an isolator which has a transfer lock, the method having the following steps: providing a first needle carrier within the transfer lock, said needle carrier carrying the number of filling needles; providing a second needle carrier in a first position within the isolator; robot-assisted transferring of the at least one filling needle of the number of filling needles from the first needle carrier to the second needle carrier; and robot-assisted placing of the at least one filling needle of the number of filling needles in the second needle carrier, wherein the at least one filling needle of the number of filling needles is held directly during the robot-assisted placing. A transfer system, in which such a method can be conducted, is also disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a vial cap is configured for sealing attachment to a tube set and to a vial having a hollow interior configured for receiving and storing a liquid sample. The vial cap may comprise an axially extending cylindrical wall and a radially extending cap top disposed within the cylindrical wall, wherein the cap top has an upper surface and a lower surface. The vial cap may include at least two exterior tubes extending upwardly from the upper surface of the cap top, wherein each exterior tube defines a passageway configured to communicate with the tube set. The vial cap may further include at least two interior tubular structures extending downwardly from the lower surface of the cap top, wherein the at least two interior tubular structures each define a passageway configured to communicate with one of the exterior tubes and the hollow interior.

A fluid transfer device includes a syringe barrel having a chamber, a first plunger slidably movable inside the chamber, and a second plunger slidably movable inside the chamber. The distal end portion of the first plunger is engageable with the proximal end portion of the second plunger such that when the distal end portion of the first plunger and the proximal end portion of the second plunger are engaged, the second plunger is movable by the first plunger. A check valve may be incorporated into the distal end portion of the second plunger to allow a fluid to pass therethrough in a direction towards the proximal end portion of the second plunger and prevent a fluid to pass therethrough in a reverse direction. A fluid transfer assembly and a sampling method are also described.

The concepts herein relate to a device for collecting, transferring and storing samples of biological and/or chemical material. The device includes a support body extending along a main longitudinal direction between a first and a second end opposite each other and a collecting portion engaged with one of said ends of the support body and suitable for collecting an amount of a sample of biological and/or chemical material. The support body is defined by at least a first sub-body and a second sub-body extending longitudinally and configured to be selectively engaged and separated with and from each other. The support body is configured to operate between an assembled condition, wherein the first and the second sub-body are engaged with each other, and a separated condition, wherein the first and the second sub-body are separated and bear, respectively, a first and a second sub-collecting portion of the collecting portion.