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 blood sampling device is provided having holder with a manipulating end and an absorbent probe on the opposing end. The probe is of hydrophilic polymer sized to directly absorb a predetermined volume of up to about 30 microliters of blood. Ribs on the holder position the probe within a compartment of a container to prevent contact with the container. The ribs also position the probe within extraction wells.

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 blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

Blood samples are maintained in a modified atmosphere sealed environment, where moisture is reduced using a desiccant and oxygen is removed using a deoxygenation compound, thus resulting in the preservation of numerous blood analytes, for delayed (e.g., 14 days from collection) blood testing, such as for enzymatic activity, concentration of protein and measurement of other blood components in human and veterinary blood test applications.

A sample holder for collecting a liquid sample, such as blood. The holder can include a vessel, a conduit having a proximal end extending from the vessel and a distal end positioned in the vessel, and a cap configured to engage with the vessel and create pressure to move a liquid sample in the conduit to move from the proximal end to the distal end. The vessel can include a fluid pathway to vent fluid from the vessel as the liquid sample is moved from the conduit into the vessel, and the cap can seal the fluid pathway closed. A desiccant can be used to support the conduit in the vessel and dry a blood sample during storage.

A reagent preparation assembly includes a body and a reaction chamber adjacent the body, the reaction chamber includes a reagent therein, such as a lyophilized reagent. An access port extends into the reaction chamber, and the access port is configured to receive an instrument. A seal extends across a portion of the reaction chamber and the access port. A reconstitution assembly is movably coupled with the body. The reconstitution assembly includes a plunger, a syringe and a piston. The plunger is movably coupled with the body. The syringe is selectively engaged with the plunger. The syringe includes a solution reservoir containing a solution, and movement of the syringe pierces the seal. The piston is selectively engaged with the plunger, and the piston is movably coupled within the syringe. Movement of the piston pushes the solution into the reaction chamber.

Systems and methods for collecting blood and other liquid samples. A sample holder may include a cap and porous element arranged to receive a blood or other liquid sample. The porous element may be stored in a sealed container, e.g., immediately after blood sample collection, and the sample dried while sealed in the container.

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.

The present disclosure relates to devices, methods and kits for blood sample separation and analysis. More particularly, the disclosure relates to devices, methods and kits that rapidly separate a blood sample into uniform solid and liquid phases in a sealed environment. A specific example includes a device with a door coupled to the housing, a blood sample separation medium, a mesh material and a desiccant. In one example, the blood sample separation medium is disposed between the housing and the mesh material, the desiccant is coupled to the door, the desiccant is distal from the mesh material when the door is in a first open position, and the desiccant is proximal to the mesh material when the door is in a second closed position.