The invention relates to a tissue sampler for taking samples of tissue from animal's or plants. The tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage tube in which a tissue sample is to be placed and to hold a magazine comprising one or more collecting devices. Each collecting device comprises a punch for cutting a tissue sampler and a plunger for pushing the tissue sample into the storage tube. The magazine can be moved after each tissue sample is taken so that a fresh collection device is ready to take the next tissue sample. The invention also relates to a magazine comprising a plurality of collecting devices for use with the tissue sampler.

The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.

A device (1) to tag an animal is disclosed. The device comprises a female (20) including a case (21) with a thorough hole (22), a male (40) to be coupled to the female (20) and including a stem (41) with a tip portion (60); the female (20) includes tamperproof fastening means (23) adapted to block the tip portion (60) in the thorough hole (22) and wherein, after coupling the male (40) with the female (20), the hole (22) is closed by the tip (60), the tip becomes part of the female (20) and the stem (41) moves in the case (21).

Improvements in devices for animals, such as animal tag applicators, animal tissue sample extractors, and animal puncture devices, comprising: a first body portion comprising: a first jaw portion configured to engage a first portion of an animal tag; a first handle portion; and a first central portion between the first jaw portion and the first handle portion; a second body portion comprising: a second jaw portion configured to engage a second portion of an animal tag; a second handle portion; and a second central portion between the second jaw portion and the second handle portion; and a clamp bush configured to retain the first central portion and the second central portion together; wherein an outer face of the first central portion comprises a border around an outer edge of the outer face of the first central portion and the outer face of the second central portion comprises a border around an outer edge of the outer face of the first central portion.

A biopsy sampler comprising a penetration zone for receiving a part of an organism, a ram actuated to move along a path between a withdrawn position and an advanced position, a sample collector that cuts a biopsy sample from tissue in the penetration zone, and a container that receives the sample collector, the sample collector and the container being initially located on opposite sides of the penetration zone, a disposable shield initially located between the ram in the withdrawn position and the penetration zone, advance action of the ram to the advanced position bringing together the sample collector and container, and bringing the disposable shield into the penetration zone, withdrawal action of the ram to the withdrawn position withdrawing the disposable shield, leaving the tissue free to leave the penetration zone, such that in use in collecting a sample the shield contacts tissue surfaces and while the ram does not.

The present specification relates to apparatus, methods and kits for applying an identification tag to an animal and removing a tissue sample from the animal. Apparatus of the disclosure cannot be manipulated to transfer an identification tag from one animal to another. An apparatus can comprise a sample container, a flap, a downholder clip and a cutting element that can be placed on a male part of an ear-tag and at least one element/feature that supports movement of the sample container out of the movement path of the male tag toward the female part of the ear-tag.

The present disclosure, according to one embodiment, describes a laboratory vessel for storing and treating a tissue sample comprises a closable opening, and additionally comprises a pipe part which is insertable in the opening of the laboratory vessel, wherein in inserted position, the pipe part seals against the laboratory vessel with its outer circumference and is clampingly displaceable with respect to said laboratory vessel, wherein a pestle is mounted in the laboratory vessel, over which the pipe part can be placed sealingly with its inner circumference. The laboratory vessel also comprises one or more tissue sample treatment agents. The tissue sample and the treatment agents are separated by placing the pipe part over the pestle, which separates a treatment agent region from a sample region.

The invention relates to a storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, held by a biopsy sample collector. The storage container comprises a container body defining a containment region with an open or openable end. The storage container further comprises a container cap located at the open end. The container cap is able to be removed from the container body by displacement in a direction (herein after removal direction) away from said containment region. The cap includes a passage leading to the containment region the passage able to receive a sample retaining sample collector. The storage container additionally comprises a tamper evident sleeve about at least part of the cap and the container body. The sleeve comprises of two parts that are frangibly connected. The frangible connection is in a manner such that upon displacement of the cap in the removal direction, a first part of the sleeve travels with said cap and a second part of the sleeve is prevented from movement with the first part by said container body to thereby separate the first and second parts. The first and second parts may each include information matched to each other.

The invention relates to methods of recording information and associating the information with sample taken from an item. The method may use a sampler that can receive a plurality of sample collecting devices that can remove a sample from the item. Information is recorded about the item and about the sample collecting device used to take a sample from the item. Geolocation information of the sampler at the time of taking a sample and timing information between the time of reading item ID and sample collecting device ID is associated with the sample.

A sampling system that uses a handheld body that can hold a punch and storage container to receive the punch. A sample identification reader and an item ID reader are used to read ID of the item and punch or storage container. The timing between the taking of a sample and the reading of the item ID and the ID of the punch/storage container may be recorded and if the time is too long the sample may be assigned as being invalid or of high tamper risk.