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.

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.

An apparatus is provided for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus includes a filament having a first end for carrying the materials and a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament. The filament is movable such that the first end protrudes by a pre-determined length from the head portion to allow transfer of the materials to and from the first end.

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 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.

An analyzer and method of analyzing a sample are provided. The method includes providing a sample on a substrate, and irradiating the sample with at least three incident beams of light. Each of the incident beams contains light of a different frequency, and the sample is substantially transmissive at each of the different frequencies. The method also includes providing a light sensing arrangement to receive light patterns from the incident beams that have passed through the substrate, and analyzing properties of the sample through identifying properties of the light patterns arising from diffraction of the light of the three incident beams by the sample. A difference in frequency between first and second ones of the incident beams is the same as a difference in frequency between second and third ones of the incident beams.

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.

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.

A method for collecting biological specimens using a swab of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fiber with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fiber covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking.

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.