The present invention relates to kits and methods based on lateral flow assay devices for detecting the presence or quantity of one or more test analytes within a test sample taken from the skin of a mammal.

Described herein is a device for collecting and drying and protecting oral or nasal swab samples that can then be submitted for antibody and/or molecular testing.

A cartridge for detecting one or more characteristics of a fluid in a diagnostic assay system includes a plurality of chambers. At least one of the plurality of chambers includes a wall. The wall includes an intermediate portion disposed between an exterior surface and an interior surface of the wall. The intermediate portion can include a hygroscopic element configured to extend an active period of detection of a reagent. The intermediate portion can include a dummy material configured to slow a wetting of a reagent by the fluid. The intermediate portion can include an air gap configured to reduce internal stress and/or strain in the cartridge. A reagent can be enclosed by the wall of the at least one of the plurality of chambers. The reagent can be a lyophilized reagent.

We describe assay modules (e.g., assay plates, cartridges, multi-well assay plates, reaction vessels, etc.), processes for their preparation, and method of their use for conducting assays. Reagents may be present in free form or supported on solid phases including the surfaces of compartments (e.g., chambers, channels, flow cells, wells, etc.) in the assay modules or the surface of colloids, beads, or other particulate supports. In particular, dry reagents can be incorporated into the compartments of these assay modules and reconstituted prior to their use in accordance with the assay methods. A desiccant material may be used to maintain and stabilize these reagents in a dry state.

A sample assembly includes a vial, a vial insert, and a sealing arrangement. The vial insert could be any combination of a sample chamber, a matrix, or a swab breaker configured to be positioned within the vial. The sealing arrangement includes a coupling portion and a cap assembly. The coupling portion defines a mounting channel sized to receive a portion of the vial. The coupling portion is configured to slidably couple to the vial. The cap assembly includes a desiccant cap. The desiccant cap is configured to couple to the vial to selectively form a sterile barrier between the sealing arrangement and the vial.

A specimen-preserving implement including, a medium-containing section capable of accommodating a medium holding a specimen, a degradation inhibitor in liquid form that inhibits degradation of a sample to be tested contained in the specimen, an agent holder capable of being impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and a containing section of a desiccant. The degradation inhibitor transfers to the medium by placing the medium in the medium-containing section in a state in which the agent holder is impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and the desiccant is enabled to absorb humidity released from the degradation inhibitor without directly contacting the agent holder in a state in which the medium is accommodated in the medium-containing section.

Products and methods directed to, but not limited to, a sample collection device, a sample collection booklet and a sample collection kit for collection of blood or other bodily fluids, and analytical workflows, protocols, databases and other applications for collecting, sorting, classifying and saving and retrieving information on the subject and characterizations regarding the blood or other bodily fluids of the subject.

There is provided a cool box for use in an automatic analyzer. The cool box has a box body and an air circulator. The box body has a receiving space capable of accommodating therein receptacles for analytes or reagents. The circulator has an intake portion, a fan, and an exhaust portion and operates to circulate air in the receiving space by rotation of the fan. The circulator further includes an inhibitor removing agent retaining portion on which a pouch is set. The pouch contains an analysis inhibitor removing agent for removing components (analysis inhibitor) which adversely affect or inhibit analysis of the analytes.

Methods and systems for capture of CO.sub.2 from a hydrated gaseous stream are described. Systems can be utilized for direct air capture of CO.sub.2 and incorporate a low energy temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) process. A TVSA process can include a multi-step CO.sub.2 capture bed regeneration process that includes depressurization of the bed, heating of the bed, venting and purging of the bed, and cooling of the bed. Multiple beds can be cycled between CO.sub.2 capture and regeneration, during which captured CO.sub.2 is recovered. Off-gas from a CO.sub.2 capture bed can be used in regenerating a parallel bed for increased efficiency.

A reaction carrier (14), a measuring device (12) and a measuring method for measuring a concentration of gaseous/aerosol components of a gas mixture uses reaction material (48) which reacts in an optically detectable manner with at least one component to be measured or with a reaction product of the component to be measured. The reaction carrier includes a flow channel (42) with sections (43) and extends between connecting elements (44). A gas treatment element (47), in each of the sections, changes chemical or physical properties of the gas mixture flowing therethrough or reacts, depending on the chemical or physical properties. The sections are separated from each other in a gas-tight manner by a separating element (49). A coupling element (45) opens the separating element and establishes a connection between the sections when the coupling element is activated. The measuring device includes an activation element (25) to activate the coupling element.