A biological sample collection, storage, and transport device includes a collection assembly and a sheath, wherein the collection assembly includes a support shaft, a swab head, and a handle, the swab head mechanically couples to a distal support shaft end, the handle couples to a proximal support shaft end, and the collection assembly slideably couples to the sheath and is configurable in a retracted position with the swab head entirely disposed within the sheath or an extended position with the swab head extending outside of the sheath. A distal sheath end includes an aperture, the aperture having a circumference large enough to allow the swab head to pass through said aperture when the collection assembly is configured in the extended position, and a seal is applied to the distal sheath end after the swab head has collected a biological sample and the collection assembly has been reconfigured into the retracted position.

A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

A container assembly such as a petri dish or a contact plate for use as a sampling device for microorganisms includes a base member, a lid and a locking mechanism that provides a secure locking engagement between the lid and the base member. The locking mechanism is designed such that does not lock except upon application of a specific intentionally applied compressive force, and which may be readily disengaged from locking engagement without the need for a rotational movement or torsional force.

An apparatus that configures a culture plate for precisely assigning coordinates to a selected colony by assigning fiducials to the culture plate using simple mechanical techniques. The fiducials correspond to the plate center and the center of a barcode label applied to the side of the culture plate by the apparatus. The apparatus then deploys mechanisms to apply coordinates to colonies identified by the user relative to the fiducials. One such mechanism is a webcam pointed at the culture plate that allows a technician to mark the colonies on a display using a computer mouse or equivalent cursor. Another mechanism deploys a laser pointer directed at the colony wherein the apparatus assigns coordinates to the location of the colony onto which the laser pointer is directed. In a third mechanism, the user views the surface of the culture plate through a viewfinder and manually registers coordinates when the view finder cross hairs are over a target colony. The selected colonies are assigned precise coordinates with reference to the two fiducials. Software is provided such that pixels in the image of the culture plate correspond to the coordinates of the culture dish relative to the fiducials.

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.

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

A method. The method includes providing a device, the device comprising: a body member comprising a self-supporting, waterproof substrate having upper and lower surfaces; and a layer of adhesive-coated on the upper surface of the substrate, the adhesive being non-inhibitory to the growth of microorganisms; and a cold-water-soluble powder adhered to the adhesive, the powder comprising: guar gum; one or more nutrients for growing microorganisms; and a cover sheet having an inner-facing surface and an outer-facing surface, the cover sheet adhered to at least a portion of the body member; incubating a sample in the device to form a gel; and counting colonies between 24 hours to 72 hours and/or determining if the gel surrounding a colony is degraded.