Provided herein are portable biocontainment devices for safe and reliable collection of biological samples, including liquid and gas samples. A sample inlet for collecting fluids and/or gases, including oral fluids and expired breath samples, is connected to a container having a climate-controlled container reservoir. One or more sample containers are connected to the sample inlet for collection of samples. The devices are configured for safe transport and handling of samples, while maintaining sample viability, including for relatively long transport periods. Safety components integrated within the device facilitates safe and effective decontamination of contagious samples. In this manner, aborting the sample preservation by decontamination prior to a hazardous release is achieved within the same apparatus.

Provided herein is technology relating to collecting and containing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for collecting and containing a stool specimen. The technology provides a device for collecting and containing a stool specimen, the device comprising ergonomic features optimized for a geriatric user. The technology also provides an enclosing holder for securing the ergonomic stool specimen container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to sample preparation and shipping technologies in a single shippable container. The shipping container contains a single use centrifuge. The centrifuge can be temperature controlled and meets all standards and regulations for the shipping and transport of biological specimens.

In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with Parafilm® or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change.

A container assembly is provided for handling a biological sample that includes a first receptacle (1) and a second receptacle (2), each one configured to receive and contain a fluid; a coupling member (6), adapted to operably couple the first receptacle and the second receptacle, so as to provide a sealed fluid passage between the first and second receptacle; at least one self-sealing dispensing valve (4), operably mounted within said fluid passage of the coupling member, adapted to allow bi-directional fluid flow at a predetermined fluid pressure, and at least one barrier member (9), operably mounted within the fluid passage of the coupling member at an output of the first receptacle, configured to prevent solids of a predetermined size to pass from the first receptacle into the second receptacle.

A lateral flow testing device includes a main body adapted to support an element for collecting a sample. The element is supported at a distal end of the testing device and is in fluid communication with one or more testing components having an analyte detection zone for detecting one or more analytes present in said sample. The testing components produce visual information related to said sample, thereby informing the user of the outcome of a test. The device incorporates a handle reconfigurable with respect to said main body such that in a first handle configuration, the handle hinders sight of the visual information to improve privacy of the test, and in a second handle configuration, the handle facilitates the collection of said sample by increasing a distance between a proximal end of the testing device and the element.

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.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers demonstrating sufficient accuracy and specificity for identifying kidney injuries. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of continuous monitoring for kidney injury.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.