The present disclosure provides systems, methods, devices, and kits for analysis of vaginal biological samples. A device for the analysis of vaginal biological samples can include a sample collector, an extractor, and an assay cartridge. A method for the analysis of vaginal biological samples can include detecting the presence or absence of a pathology, a disease, an immune disorder, a reproductive disorder of a subject. The method may further comprise preserving, storing, or transporting the vaginal biological samples. A kit for the analysis of vaginal biological samples can include probe, reagents and instructions for detecting a nucleic acid in the vaginal biological samples.

This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for streaking a microbial sample onto a solid carrier, comprising the steps of:

a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with a solid carrier, followed or preceded by providing the particle with at least part of said sample, and

b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle on said surface, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the solid carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out such method in an (semi-)automated fashion.

Disclosed are devices and methods using the devices for collecting biological and other specimens or substances from surfaces being interrogated for such contamination. Particular device aspects comprise a handle, with a frame at one end receptive to insertion and removal of a sampling medium (collecting member) intended for wiping against a surface, with the sampling member being held in place by passive projections from the frame without the need for the use of glue or articulating or moving parts. The Frame and/or the collecting member may also comprise at least one attached or integral scraping member or surface for breaking biofilms and thus making the microbes or other substances more available to being sampled by the collecting member.

The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.

Inoculating systems/devices, methods for inoculating a target, and coating methods are disclosed. An example inoculating system may include an inoculating member having a transfer region and a handle region. A pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms may be disposed on the transfer region. The inoculating member may be configured to transfer the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms to a target during an inoculation operation without having to rehydrate the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms prior to the inoculating operation.

This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for transferring a microbial sample from a first carrier to a second carrier, comprising the steps of: a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with at least part of the sample associated with the first carrier, wherein the particle is a composite bead having a surface roughness (Ra) in the range of 0.1 to 25 m, a diameter between 2 to 88 mm and a density below 7 g/cm.sup.3, and b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle to said second carrier, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the second carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for inoculating petri dishes with the sample according to the method and also inoculating slides and/or tubes with a portion of the sample. A container that receives the magnetic composite bead that carries samples from the container when removed is also described.

A medical device includes a hollow shaft, a hollow housing, and a syringe. The syringe has a housing defining a fluid receiving chamber and a plunger slidably received therein. The shaft extending distally from the plunger and exiting the syringe via a distal opening therein. A proximal portion of the shaft includes a first opening permitting fluid flow from a central lumen of the shaft to an exterior thereof. The first opening is located on the shaft so that the first opening remains within the syringe through an entire range of motion of the plunger. A distal end of the shaft is surrounded by an absorbent material. The hollow housing extends distally from the syringe and surrounding the shaft. The housing is sized so that, when the plunger is withdrawn to a proximal-most position, the distal end is received within the housing and, when the plunger is advanced distally through the syringe, the distal end is extended distally out of a distal opening in the housing.

A test plate processing system for processing multiple test plates, comprising one or more software controlled processing devices, a liquid handler configured to place a predetermined amount of a test substance on the plate when the cover is in the first position, a software controlled test plate storage device having one or more test plate storage modules configured to house a plurality of test plates, and a software controlled test plate transport device configured to move one or more test plates to and from the test plate storage device. Each of the processing devices can have a working surface and a lifting mechanism configured to move a cover of the test plate between a first position and a second position relative to a plating surface of the test plate, wherein the cover is further away from the plating surface in the first position than in the second position.

A test plate processing system for processing multiple test plates, comprising one or more software controlled processing devices, a liquid handler configured to place a predetermined amount of a test substance on the plate when the cover is in the first position, a software controlled test plate storage device having one or more test plate storage modules configured to house a plurality of test plates, and a software controlled test plate transport device configured to move one or more test plates to and from the test plate storage device. Each of the processing devices can have a working surface and a lifting mechanism configured to move a cover of the test plate between a first position and a second position relative to a plating surface of the test plate, wherein the cover is further away from the plating surface in the first position than in the second position.

The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.