A holding structure for holding a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic purposes includes a carrier having openings or receptacles for accommodating the containers. Holding devices for holding the containers are provided at the openings or receptacles. The holding devices can selectively assume two different stable positions, namely a first stable position in which the containers can be inserted without friction into the openings or receptacles and a second stable position in which the containers are held in the respective opening or receptacle by frictional engagement or by positive locking. The containers can be reliably inserted into the openings or receptacles without material abrasion. In the open insertion position of the holding devices, a large number of containers can be inserted concurrently into the openings or receptacles without high forces acting on the holding structure.

An article of manufacture for a reusable specimen transport tube rack cap that secures specimen collection swabs inside of transport tubes is disclosed. The reusable specimen transport tube rack cap includes a top surface connecting a plurality of specimen tube caps in a row, a bottom surface having a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall creating a specimen retention ridges defining a cap for each specimen tube, and access hole through each reusable specimen transport tube rack cap between the inner wall and the outer wall for providing access for a pipette into a specimen tube.

A solid reagent containment unit is formed by a support; a frame body fixed to the support and delimiting internally, together with the support, an analysis volume; a reagent-adhesion structure within the analysis volume; and at least one reagent cavity, which extends within the reagent-adhesion structure. The reagent-adhesion structure is of an adhesion material embossable at temperatures lower by 6-8° C. than its own melting point and has a melting point such as not to interfere with the analysis. The reagent cavity forms a retention wall, laterally surrounding the reagent cavity, and houses dried reagents. The adhesion material is chosen among wax, such as paraffin, a polymer, such as polycaprolactone, a solid fat, such as cocoa butter, and a gel, such as hydrogel or organogel.

A liquid discharging device to be used with a liquid dispensing apparatus includes a discharging portion configured to discharge a liquid based on a control signal from the liquid dispensing apparatus on which the liquid discharging device is mounted, and a sheet material having a characteristic configured to be changed by the liquid dispensing apparatus after a discharge of the liquid by the discharging portion.

A container for receiving vessels for use in an automated analyzer is presented. The container comprises a wall assembly including a first wall and a second wall. The wall assembly forms a receptacle for receiving a vessel having one or more covers or lids. At least one of the first and second walls moves to provide a first open configuration for receiving the vessel and a second closed configuration. The container further comprises an actuator configured to translate the vessel from a first position after being received in the container to a second position and the wall assembly in the second closed configuration is positioned so that at least one engaging element attached to the wall assembly engages with the covers or lids of the vessel to open the covers or lids while the vessel is being translated by the actuator from the first position to the second position.

A sample container for use in imaging includes a bottom portion and a wall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The lid overlies the cavity when in the closed position, and a plurality of latches are coupled to the lid and extend substantially orthogonally from the lid. A plurality of recesses are coupled to the wall portion, each recess of the plurality of recesses being adapted and configured to receive one of the plurality of latches. A first alignment structure is within the cavity and is adapted and configured to align a sample lengthwise and widthwise within the cavity such that the sample is aligned relative to an imaging system when the sample container is engaged with the imaging system. A second alignment structure is at least partially within the cavity, and is adapted and configured to align the sample height wise within the cavity.

An assembly for forming a microchamber for an inverted substrate is disclosed. The assembly can include a body having a chamber formed therein. A dispensing cavity can be provided to supply a reagent to the chamber. A slide support structure can be configured to support the slide such that the tissue sample faces the chamber when the slide is mounted to the slide support structure. The chamber and the slide support structure can be dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn to the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent.

Provided herein is a method for isolating high molecular weight (HMW) DNA using beads that are at least 200 μm in diameter that utilizes a device for retaining the beads and where the purified DNA eluant exits the device without shearing the HMW DNA. In some embodiments, the method comprises precipitating the DNA onto the beads, washing the beads in the device, and then eluting the DNA from the beads therein while substantially avoiding shear. Compositions and kits for practicing the method are also provided.

Fluidic systems and reagent carriers suitable for storing reagents in a desirable manner are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reagent carrier stores a liquid film comprising a solid reagent and/or stores different reagents in different locations. In some embodiments, a fluidic system comprises a reagent carrier constrained such that it comprises an elongated axis positioned within 30° of a vertical axis of the fluidic reservoir.

A solid reagent containment unit is formed by a support; a frame body fixed to the support and delimiting internally, together with the support, an analysis volume; a reagent-adhesion structure within the analysis volume; and at least one reagent cavity, which extends within the reagent-adhesion structure. The reagent-adhesion structure is of an adhesion material embossable at temperatures lower by 6-8° C. than its own melting point and has a melting point such as not to interfere with the analysis. The reagent cavity forms a retention wall, laterally surrounding the reagent cavity, and houses dried reagents. The adhesion material is chosen among wax, such as paraffin, a polymer, such as polycaprolactone, a solid fat, such as cocoa butter, and a gel, such as hydrogel or organogel.