A collection device for examining fecal matter to determine whether or not a patient is afflicted with parasites includes a particle accumulating plug mounted on an end of a collection tube containing a fecal specimen. The particle accumulating plug includes a conically-shaped inner wall that defines an inverted funnel within the plug. A pipetting port is formed through the inner wall at the apex of the inverted funnel to allow the tip of a pipette to enter the port and aspirate the ova or eggs, or other parasite cells, that have separated from the fecal specimen when a flotation solution is added to the tube and the tube is centrifuged. The conical shape of the inner wall of the plug directs the separated parasite ova or eggs towards the pipetting port and to accumulate within the volume of the funnel of the plug so that a desired volume of fluid containing a concentrated quantity of parasite ova or eggs may be aspirated into the pipette tip through the pipetting port of the particle accumulating plug.

A decanting kit for enabling easy separation and extraction for each component comprises: a centrifugal separation container configured to concentrate and separate a sample placed inside for each component according to a density difference during centrifugal separation using a centrifugal separation; a decanting container connected and mounted on an upper part of the centrifugal separation container and configured to decant components separated from the centrifugal separation container while being inclined at a predetermined slope; a floater provided within the centrifugal separation container, configured to move along the longitudinal direction of the centrifugal separation container, and disposed at a boundary of the centrifugally separated components according to a density difference of the centrifugally separated sample for each component; and an insert cover mounted within the centrifugal separation container and configured to limit a movement distance of the floater moving along the longitudinal direction of the centrifugal separation container.

A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body.

Provided herein are systems and methods for biological sample concentration, purification, and fractionation of biological samples. The systems can comprise one or more containment devices for a biological sample connected to a shaft; a handheld motor source connected to the shaft and configured to modulate spinning the one or more containment devices along an axis of the one or more containment devices.

Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus for separating components of a biological sample; as well as methods of using compositions prepared by same.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A system for buoyant separation includes a separation container. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include an automated instrument, one or more processing components, and/or any other components. A method for buoyant separation can include any or all of: manipulating the separation container; adding materials to the separation container; removing materials form the separation container; otherwise processing the separation container; and/or any other processes.

Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

Stabilized interface systems and compositions for positioning target(s), comprising fluids, associated structural material(s) having a pore that permits passage and positioning of targets and related compositions, and a fluid phase, layer, or interface stabilized with the associated structural material. Miscible interface systems and compositions for positioning target(s) for detection comprising two or more fluid regions with different properties within a phase or layer where the fluid regions are stabilized with respect to each other using a solid or semi-solid structure or material with at least one pore that allows passage of said target(s) wherein stabilization allows mass transport of a fluid constituent via diffusion to prevail over bulk fluid motion.