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.

A swab canister (101) is provided which includes a container (103) equipped with a first opening (105) and having a removable sample collector (117) disposed therein. A membrane (111) which is permeable to both moisture and a sanitizing agent such as ethylene oxide is disposed between the sample collector and the first opening. A desiccant (113) disposed between the membrane and the first opening.

Described is a matrix spot processing device comprising a tubular apparatus. An absorbent media is located either separate from, or attached to, the tubular apparatus. A sample is spotted on the absorbent media. A reservoir is in the tubular apparatus. A first region of the reservoir is constructed and arranged to have an extraction solvent. A second region of the reservoir, which may or may not be the same as the first region, is constructed and arranged to receive an extract generated from an interaction between the extraction solvent and the spotted sample at the absorbent media.

A system for collecting and shipping a sample of nucleic acid, the system comprising a receptacle, a removable cap for the receptacle having a breather port and sample connection port, and a filter column removably attached to the inside of the receptacle cap in fluid communication with the sample connection port and containing a substrate for collecting the nucleic acid. A sample collection container interlocks to the sample collection port. A shipping container, closeable by a lid, is configured to detach the filter column from the receptacle cap and contain the column for shipping. Methods for collecting samples using the system preferably include a dehydrating wash step, such as with ethanol, and placement of a dessicant in the shipping container, so that nucleic acid samples can be transported under ambient, non-climate-controlled conditions, with stability for at least up to 4 weeks, ideal for collecting samples from undeveloped regions.

Disclosed is a system for stabilizing analytes in blood samples for use in delayed extraction and tests in human and veterinary applications. The system can include a device for holding a blood sample, a desiccant compound, a deoxygenation compound, and a sealable container for holding there within, a in sealed environment, the device for holding the blood sample, the desiccant compound and the deoxygenation compound.

Freshly obtained blood samples are deposited into a device that contains blood sample carriers, each of the carriers is designed to hold a fixed amount of blood and allow excess blood sample to flow through and be discarded. A desiccant within the blood sample carrier aids with the drying of the blood and the discarding of the excess sample blood. The device is stored/transported within a modified atmosphere package comprised of an impermeable sealable bag and an oxygen scavenger compound for removing oxygen from the bag.

Described is a dried biological fluid spot device that is formed in a cassette-like shape for easy storage and transportation. The spot device includes a top portion having one or more openings passing therethrough and a bottom portion formed to affix with the top portion. Within the spot device is a pad holder that is formed to securely hold and suspend an absorbance pad such that the absorbance pad is positioned proximate the opening. Thus, during use, an operator can deposit a biological fluid through the opening and into the absorbance pad, where it is securely stored for transport and processing.

A desiccant container with moisture-indicating ability includes an inner container body, a container body, a cover member and a plurality of dry discoloration elements. The inner container body is to store a plurality of biological test pieces. The container body includes an accommodation portion to accommodate the inner container body, and a moisture-indicating portion is formed between the inner container body and the container body. The cover member engages exteriorly the container body. The dry discoloration elements, disposed in the moisture-indicating portion, are used to absorb moisture and then discolor. At least one of the inner container body and the container body is formed as a peeping structure made of a transparent material for inspecting coloring of the dry discoloration elements in the moisture-indicating portion.

A system for preserving a blood sample and removing hematocrit includes a casing, the casing having a sample port and a lateral flow strip in the casing, the lateral flow strip receiving a sample through the sample port, and flowing the sample down a length of the lateral flow strip.

Package assemblies for storing diagnostic cartridges or storing wet/dry reagents are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tray member defining a first volume and a second volume, and a cover member coupled to the tray member covering the first volume and the second volume. The tray member includes a central portion that separates the first volume from the second volume. The first volume is configured to receive a desiccant package and a sample container containing a first reagent. The first reagent has a solid form. The second volume is configured to receive a reagent module containing a second reagent. The second reagent has a liquid form. The cover member and the central portion of the tray member are configured to isolate the first volume from the second volume.