A separator separates a first from a second phase of a liquid in a tubular container. The separator has a float made of elastic material having a circumferential sealing edge and at least one ballast fastened to the underside of the float. The density of the ballast is greater than the density of the float and the density of the entire separator lies in a value range between the density of the first phase and the density of the second phase of the liquid. In order to securely prevent penetration of parts of the second phase of the liquid into the region above the separator within the tubular container, when the separator moves into the sealing position and is positioned there, the sealing edge of the float is formed at a predetermined distance greater than zero above the center of gravity of the entire separator.

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.

Described herein are methods, systems and apparatus for separating components of a biological sample; as well as methods of using compositions prepared by same. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for separating components of a biological sample, the method comprising: introducing a biological sample having a plurality of components to a tube comprising: a lumen; a proximal end; a distal end; an interior wall; and an exterior wall; applying a force to said tube for a time sufficient to separate said plurality of components; and agitating said tube at an angle of from about 5° to about 60°.

The disclosure relates to method, system and apparatus for respiratory testing. In one implementation, a method for detecting one or more pathogens causing a respiratory infection includes the steps of: (1) combining a quantity of mucous sample from a patient with a fluidic reagent to form a test reagent, the mucous sample further comprising at least one pathogen; (2) filtering the test reagent through a large volume concentrator to obtain a filtered solution; and (3) introducing the filtered solution onto a disc having a plurality of test site, wherein each of the plurality of test sites further comprises at least one agent to bind with the at least one pathogen to detect presence or absence of an infection caused by the at least one pathogen. The mucus sample may be obtained from nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat regions of the patient.

Method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising: providing an elongate connector comprising an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector; providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube; advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector.

The present invention relates to a blood separation tube used in centrifugation devices and, more specifically, to a blood separation tube comprising a cell activation part configured to generate physical stress through collision with blood being centrifuged, so that blood cells in the blood, such as platelets, white blood cells, and lymphocytes, can be activated. To this end, the present invention comprises: a tube body having a chamber for accommodating blood; and a cell activation part which protrudes from the inner surface or inside of the chamber so as to activate blood cells through physical collision with blood being centrifuged.

A device for extracting plasma from a fluid collection tube comprising: a tubular barrel having sidewall surrounding a lumen which extends between proximal and distal ends thereof, the tubular barrel forming a tip at a distal end; a barrel seal movingly seated within the lumen of the tubular barrel, the barrel seal closing and sealing the proximal end of the tubular barrel; a tube seal having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face, the tube seal having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the fluid collection tube, and an inner diameter sized to sealingly engage with an outer surface of the tip of the tubular barrel, the tube seal mounted on the tubular barrel such that the tip of the tubular barrel extends into the tube seal lumen.

A separator separates a first from a second phase of a liquid in a tubular container. The separator has a float made of elastic material having a circumferential sealing edge and at least one ballast fastened to the underside of the float. The density of the ballast is greater than the density of the float and the density of the entire separator lies in a value range between the density of the first phase and the density of the second phase of the liquid. In order to securely prevent penetration of parts of the second phase of the liquid into the region above the separator within the tubular container, when the separator moves into the sealing position and is positioned there, the sealing edge of the float is formed at a predetermined distance greater than zero above the center of gravity of the entire separator.

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.

This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a plurality of processing vessels and a collector. The collector funnels portions of the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessels. Sequential density fractionation is the division of a sample into fractions or of a fraction of a sample into sub-fractions by a step-wise or sequential process, such that each step or sequence results in the collection or separation of a different fraction or sub-fraction from the preceding and successive steps or sequences. In other words, sequential density fractionation provides individual sub-populations of a population or individual sub-sub-populations of a sub-population of a population through a series of steps.