In an embodiment, an immunochemistry analysing system includes a source of paramagnetic particles, a source of fluid, a cuvette configured to receive the paramagnetic particles and the fluid, a pipette configured to (i) translate so that at least a portion of the pipette is located within the cuvette and (ii) dispense at least one of the paramagnetic particles and the fluid into the cuvette so that the paramagnetic particles and the fluid can be mixed within the cuvette, a motor configured to move the pipette while located in the cuvette, and a control unit configured to vary a motor drive of the motor to cause the pipette to mix the fluid with the paramagnetic particles within the cuvette.

In a general aspect, a sample is collected using a biological sampling apparatus. The biological sampling apparatus includes a shell having a closed end and an open end. The biological sampling apparatus also includes a harvesting tool comprising a shaft and a head. The shaft terminates in the head. The biological sampling apparatus additionally includes a translator configured to move the harvesting tool through the open end between a retracted position, where the head resides in the shell, and an extended position, where the head and at least a portion of the shaft reside outside the shell. A sealing member resides at the open end. The sealing member is configured to contact a subject surface and to create an enclosed sampling volume when collecting a specimen.

Provided herein are pipette tip rack assemblies in which a plurality of pipette tip racks are contained within a transparent or translucent non-porous container. Also provided are methods for using and manufacturing pipette tip rack assemblies described herein.

Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.

A reaction vessel for a diagnostic analyzer comprising a plurality of processing stations. The reaction vessel comprises at least one sensor configured to measure at least one physical parameter associated with at least one of the processing stations of the diagnostic analyzer when disposed at the at least one of the processing stations, a memory configured to at least temporarily store at least one measurement value indicating the physical parameter provided by the sensor, a processing unit configured to control the sensor and to output measurement data including the measurement value from the memory, an interface configured to provide communication of the processing unit with an external electronic device, a power source configured to supply electric power to the sensor, the processing unit and the memory. The reaction vessel defines an internal volume. The sensor, the processing unit, the memory and the interface are arranged within the internal volume.

An analyzer and sample handling system suitable for retrieving and processing a sample housed within a suitably configured reaction vessel, and then discarding the used reaction vessel by vertically or axially pushing downward on the vessel supported in a suitably configured tray with a pressing member that forms part of an autosampler assembly are disclosed herein.

The present invention relates an indicator system for assessing a reduction state of unconsolidated material that includes a delivery tube defining an interior chamber, and a substrate disposed within the interior chamber and including a reactive coating thereon. The reactive coating is at least partially removable from the substrate upon exposure to a reducing condition of unconsolidated material over a period of time. An indicator device including a reactive coating comprising a manganese oxide is also disclosed.

Vial assemblies comprise a tubular body and a cap, the cap including a first portion configured to abut a lip of an open end of the tubular body, a threaded portion configured to couple to threading on an internal surface of the tubular body, and a second portion protruding from the threaded portion and extending into a cavity of the tubular body. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described.

A PCR vessel (1) is mainly constituted of a vessel body (11) having a reaction chamber (12) storing and reacting a specimen and a reagent at the time of PCR on a bottom portion (14) thereof, a lid body (6) fittable with the vessel body (11), and a reagent cassette (16) stored in a portion between a lower surface (7) of the lid body (5) and the reaction chamber (12) in the vessel body (11). The reagent cassette (16) has at least one reagent storing portion capable of sealing the reagent with sealing means such as paraffin solid before PCR and melted by heating in PCR. When structuring the PCR vessel in this manner, the sealing means is melted by heating in PCR and the reagent storing portion is opened when storing a specimen necessary for PCR in the vessel body and performing PCR in a state previously storing and sealing the reagent in the reagent storing portion. Then, the specimen and the reagent move to the lower reaction chamber.

An embodiment is a sample rack system. The sample rack system comprises a rack having a base, a top opposite the base along a vertical direction, a receptacle that extends from the top toward the base along the vertical direction, and a receiver element proximate the top. The receptacle is sized to receive a sample collection unit. The system also includes a retention clip for holding the sample collection unit in the receptacle. The retention clip includes an engagement head for attachment to the receiver element of the rack. The engagement head defines an outer surface. The retention clip also includes a curved tail that extends from the engagement head and contacts the sample collection unit when the sample collection unit is placed in the receptacle. The outer surface of the retention clip does not project outwardly from the rack when the retention clip is attached to the rack.