A diagnostic test system, including: a diagnostic test assembly and a diagnostic test apparatus to perform a test on a biological or environmental sample; the diagnostic test assembly includes: a sample preparation reservoir to receive the sample into a sample preparation fluid, such that a swab carrying the sample can be used to stir the preparation fluid and to wash the swab; a sample dispensing mechanism for insertion into the sample preparation reservoir; a closure to seal the sample preparation reservoir; at least one diagnostic test reservoir coupled to the sample preparation reservoir; and at least one seal between the sample preparation reservoir and the diagnostic test reservoir to prevent fluid movement between the respective reservoirs; wherein the sample dispensing mechanism is operable to disrupt the seal to allow sample fluid to enter the diagnostic test reservoir from the sample preparation reservoir, and to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid.

A system for preparing a thrombin serum that can include a containment device, a cage received within the containment device, a cap attachable to the containment device, an inlet port configured to introduce a non-anti-coagulated autologous blood fluid into the containment device, and an outlet port. An activator, such as glass beads, can be present within the containment device.

(57) Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) for small liquid volumes having at least one inlet chamber (2), at least one outlet chamber (3), an open top end (4) and a bottom end (5), wherein the bottom end (5) comprises at least one access region (7); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) is capable of accommodating a swab stik (16); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) has at least one open top end (11a) and is connectable to at least a first free end (8) of a flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); and wherein the at least one outlet chamber (3) has at least one open top end (11b) and is connectable to at least another free end (10) of the flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); a kit, an interface for fluid handling, and a method for analyzing a sample liquid (18).

Specimen delivery device for the delivery of a liquid sample to be analysed comprising: a proximal end, and a distal end. The distal end being longitudinally displaced from the proximal end of the device. The device comprises a base at the proximal end for releasable connection to a magnetic sample holder of a liquid sample analysis device. The device further comprises a longitudinally extending projection having a radial inner portion, the projection extending from the base towards the distal end, the projection being arranged for receiving and holding a sheath. The device comprises at least one fluidic conduit, the fluidic conduit extending at least partially longitudinally within the radial inner portion, the fluidic conduit for the delivery of a liquid sample for analysis.

Disclosed is a device for packaging balls for reaction vessels for an analysis appliance, including: a body including at least one opening and used to house balls, a closing member, that can be moved relative to the body between a closed position in which the closing member closes the opening of the body, and an open position in which the opening of the body is open so as to allow the balls to be dispensed from the body.

A pipetting apparatus having a pipette tube with a first end provided with an opening for aspirating and/or dispensing of a sample fluid and a second end operationally connected to a pressure generating means. The pipetting apparatus has at least one measuring unit adapted to determine at least one measurement value of the sample fluid based on the aspirating and/or dispensing of the sample fluid and to provide a sample fluid measurement signal representative thereof to an output of the measuring unit. The pipetting apparatus also has a control circuit operationally coupled to the output of the measuring unit and the input of the pressure generating means, the control circuit is configured to control said pressure generating device based on the sample fluid measurement signal.

A microfluidic device is useful for modelling drug transmission across the vasculature and vascular barriers. The device includes a frame, a fluid-permeable lumen configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a first direction, a first chamber surrounding the lumen, and a second chamber surrounding the first fluid-permeable chamber. At least one surface of the first chamber is configured for deposition of a first population of endothelial cells. An outer surface of the second chamber is configured for deposition a second population of cells. The second chamber is configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a second direction. The fluid-permeable lumen is configured to allow the fluid to permeate through a wall of the lumen into the first chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber are in fluid communication with each other.

Electroacoustic device (5) for generating at least one acoustic wave (Fv,Vx), the device comprising a piezoelectric substrate (10) and first (15) and second (20) groups of electrodes (60,65,70,75) arranged on the substrate, each electrode of the first and second groups comprising a track (80.sub.a-f,85.sub.a-f,90.sub.a-d,95.sub.a-d), the tracks (90.sub.a-d,95.sub.a-d) of the electrodes of the first group spiralling around a same spiral axis (Z) along a first winding direction (W.sub.1), and the tracks (80.sub.a-f,85.sub.a-f) of the electrodes of the second group spiralling around said spiral axis along a second winding direction (W.sub.2) opposite to the first winding direction.

The device comprises a nib (12) having a working surface (16) exposed or exposable for acquiring a biological sample and a porous structure to absorb the sample thus acquired. A reservoir (28) provides fluid under pressure to the nib via a valve (29), conveying and dispensing the sample into a reaction chamber (14), where it reconstitutes a dried-down reagent (43) to perform an analytic reaction on the sample, for example, an isothermal amplification of nucleic acid released from the sample by a membrane-disrupting agent pre-functionalised in the porous nib. The nib may be initially mounted (A) in the outlet of the reservoir or (B) in the inlet to the reaction chamber, in either case with its working surface (16) initially exposed to acquire the sample before the components of the device are assembled for performing the analytical procedure.

A biopsy container assembly having a container with a lower chamber suitable for containing a buffer liquid, and a cap coupled with the container. The cap being provided with a chamber that contains a biopsy liquid sealed by a membrane, and a crown with a toothing-suitable for tearing off the membrane of the cap. The crown is also suitable for being disposed in the container in an initial position, wherein the toothing is directed downwards in order not to interfere with the membrane of the cap when the cap is closed on the container, and in an operating position, wherein the toothing is directed upwards in order to tear off the membrane of the cap when the cap is closed on the container.