The disclosure relates to a package for an assay kit, comprising an insert that provides for convenient, e.g. one step, scanning of reagent and other assay kit information from assay kit reagent containers that are disposed within the insert. The disclosure also describes methods of preparing such an insert and of assembling the assay kit.

An arrangement includes: a holding device including holding elements; and contain-ers, each of the containers including a container wall which at least partially surrounds a container interior. The container wall has an exterior surface which faces away from the container interior. Each of the containers is detachably held by at least one of the holding elements by contact of the at least one holding element to the exterior surface of the container wall of the respective container. Directly after the arrangement has been subjected to a transport simulation, a number of particles of a particle size of at least 5 μm on the exterior surfaces of the containers does not exceed 2.7 particles per cm.sup.2 of a sum of surface areas of the exterior surfaces of all the containers, the transport simulation consisting of a rotational flat drop test and a random vibration test which are conducted in that order.

A packaging system for medical containers having a main opening, comprising: a vessel having a shoulder; a tray provided with cavities that is intended for receiving a medical container and rests on the shoulder; a plurality of caps that close the main opening; and a lid that seals the vessel. A method for packaging medical containers, comprises the following steps: providing a vessel; arranging a tray on the shoulder of the vessel; arranging medical containers in the cavities; arranging a cap on the medical containers so as to close the main opening thereof; sealing a lid on an upper edge of the peripheral wall of the vessel; and placing the vessel in at least one sealed bag.

An arrangement includes a holding device for primary packaging containers including: a first component including first receptacles and spanning a first component plane; and a second component including second receptacles and spanning a second component plane. The first component and the second component superimpose one another such that each primary packaging container can be detachably accommodated in one of the first receptacles and the second receptacles such that the first component and the second component together restrict movement of the primary packaging container in one of the component planes and in a direction which is perpendicular to one of the component planes. For each of the first receptacles, there is one of the second receptacles which has a minimum distance from the first receptacle and, for each of the first receptacles, the minimum distance is predetermined by the second component, a third component of the holding device, or both.

A diagnostic and prognostic method and system for sequentially analyzing in a biological fluid or tissue extract the presence of an antigenic infectious agent, infectious organism or its toxic product; an antibody response to the antigenic infectious agent, infectious organism or its toxic product; one or more biomarkers formed during infection in response to a communicable disease; and one or more biomarkers to assess the severity of the disease and to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy or vaccination.

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.

A sampling device having a lower portion with a sample container. A cap is moveably attached with the lower portion and includes a cutting edge configured for cutting a leaf. When the cap is attached to the lower portion with a leaf there between, a leaf sample is deposited into the sample container of the lower portion. The cap includes a vent in fluid communication with the sample container such that the leaf sample is dried. A detachable label can extend from the lower portion.

Disclosed herein are cellular cassettes for the storage, collection, and analysis of biological samples. The cellular cassette can enable easy sample collection and sealing of microwell arrays with semi-permeable membrane for stable storage and future processing of single cells. Also disclosed herein are systems and kits comprising one or more described cassettes. The described cassettes, systems, and kits can be used to create barcoded, single-cell sequencing libraries. Further described herein are methods of using the cassettes, systems, and kits.

A device for collecting contaminants from water samples is provided. The device includes a solid sorbent that collects and stores the contaminants from water samples. The solid sorbent is configured to allow for the preservation of the stored contaminants. The concentrations of the contaminants in the water samples are determined via analysis of the solid sorbent or via elution of the stored contaminants from the sorbent and analysis of the eluate solution.

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.