A sample collection kit is described for ensuring positive sample identification. The sample collection kit includes a sample container configured to hold a biological sample. The sample container has a lower end, an upper end, a sidewall that extends from the lower end to the upper end, and an identifier disposed along the sidewall. The identifier includes information encoded therein related to the sample container and the sample. The kit includes a sample container holder. The sample container holder has a bottom end, an open top end, a sidewall, and a window in the sidewall. The window is positioned in the sidewall of the container holder such that when the collection tube is inserted inside the sample container holder, the identifier of the sample container is aligned with window of the sample container holder.

A biological sample containment system that includes a biological specimen collection container for collecting a biological sample and a label for the container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the label includes a first or front side and a second or rear side having a readable information portion. The label is affixable to the container by the second side and with the label affixed to the container, the readable information portion on the second side is readable through a portion of the container. By including readable information on the second or rear side of the label, the amount of readable information that can be included on the label is increased by using the previously unused rear side of the label.

Disclosed is a gripping device for a container intended for a biological analysis, including an annular part of X axis, elastically deformable gripping fins extending radially inwardly from the annular part, the fins being capable of being deformed when a container is introduced into the annular part, the fins being evenly distributed over the circumference. Each fin has a so-called upper surface and an opposite so-called lower surface, the lower surface being intended to come into contact with the container, the lower surface having a concave zone, or vice versa.

An automatic nucleic acid detection system and a method thereof are disclosed. The automatic nucleic acid detection method includes: performing, by an automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid extraction machine platform, a nucleic acid extraction on one or more specimens in a sample tray to generate one or more corresponding nucleic acids in the sample tray; distributing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid distribution machine platform, the nucleic acid in each hole of the sample tray and a first reagent into a plurality of holes of a detection tray, wherein the number of holes of the detection tray is greater than that of the sample tray; and performing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid detection machine platform, a nucleic acid detection on the detection tray.

A method of determining whether one or more forms of a nucleic acid analyte are present in a sample. The method includes dissolving an amplification reagent with a first solvent, where the amplification reagent contains oligonucleotides sufficient to amplify and detect a first region of a first form of the analyte, where the first solvent contains one or more oligonucleotides which, in combination with the oligonucleotides of the amplification reagent, are sufficient to amplify and detect a second region of a second form of the analyte, where the one or more oligonucleotides of the first solvent are insufficient to amplify and detect the first or second form of the analyte, and where the first and second regions each comprise a different nucleotide base sequence. A purified form of the sample is contacted with the dissolved amplification reagent, thereby forming an amplification reaction mixture which is exposed to temperature conditions sufficient for amplifying the first and second regions of the first and second forms of the analyte, respectively. It is then determined whether the first and/or second forms of the analyte are present in the sample.

A user may move a specimen holder from one specimen rack to another specimen rack. A database automatically tracks the movement of the specimen holder from a rack slot of one specimen rack to a rack slot of the other specimen rack. To track movement of the specimen holder, the user places a specimen rack on a specimen reader that determines the location of any specimen holders in slots of the specimen rack. The user removes a particular specimen holder from a particular rack slot of the specimen rack and the database is updated to reflect removal of the particular specimen holder from the specimen rack. The user places another specimen rack on the reader and inserts the newly removed specimen holder in a slot of the another specimen rack. The database is updated to reflect insertion of the specimen holder in a particular slot of the another rack.

The invention generally relates to devices and systems for individually barcoding sample vessels. In certain embodiments, the devices comprise an attachment member and an extension member, where the extension member can accommodate an identifier, such as a barcode. When loaded into a substrate, the barcoded vials are scanned by a barcode reader.

A PCR tube holder comprises an elongated strip body having a first portion and a second portion. One or more holes are defined in the first portion of the elongated strip body, the at least one hole configured to receive a single PCR tube. A writable zone in the second portion of the elongated strip body, the writable zone configured to receive ink thereon. A material of the elongated strip body is adapted to retain the ink through a PCR cycle. The material of the elongated strip body has a minimum flexural rigidity such that the elongated strip is adapted to support a PCR tube without folding.

A model-based method of determining characteristics of a specimen container cap to identify the container cap. The method includes providing a specimen container including a container cap; capturing backlit images of the container cap taken at different exposures lengths and using a plurality of different nominal wavelengths; selecting optimally-exposed pixels from the images at different exposure lengths at each nominal wavelength to generate optimally-exposed image data for each nominal wavelength; classifying the optimally-exposed pixels as at least being one of a tube, a label or a cap; and identifying a shape of the container cap based upon the optimally-exposed pixels classified as being the cap and the image data for each nominal wavelength. Quality check modules and specimen testing apparatus adapted to carry out the method are described, as are numerous other aspects.

This document provides devices and methods for monitoring and maintenance of the temperature of medical reservoirs and boxes in a secure fashion that enables for documentation of a chain of custody and history of temperature while in storage or transit. For example, this document provides devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of blood in phlebotomy tubes or boxes of biological products. In some embodiments of the devices and methods, the temperature of the contents of the medical reservoirs are regulated, modulated, and/or maintained by the devices provided herein.