A system for collecting, growing, and analyzing biological specimens that may present a health threat. The system includes separate modules for specimen collection, sample isolation, and sample analysis that can be interconnected to safety process, culture, and analyze and unknown specimen. A decapitation module allows a user to safely collect a swab tip containing an unknown sample and transport the sample to a culture module where the sample can be washed from the swab tip and isolated in a cuvette for growth and analysis. The culture module may be coupled to a base station that can provide mixing, heating and cooling, as well as optical and spectral analysis.

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 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 device for collecting and transferring liquid samples having a detachable sample collecting portion includes an elongated body with a liquid collecting portion disposed at one end and a handling portion disposed at the other end separated by a frangible portion. The sample collecting portion includes an inner surface configured to be wetted by the sample. After collection, the sample is transferred into a separate housing by inserting the sample collecting portion filled with sample into a confining cavity and subsequently breaking the sample transfer device along the frangible portion. The liquid sample is extracted from the collecting portion using known means to drive and control flow in fluidic devices including rotation, capillary pressure or pneumatics. The separate housing may be part of a device capable to process the liquid sample to provide for a system for handling liquid samples.

Devices and methods for sorting cells are provided that use a holder with cells adherent to a material whose adhesive properties are affected by light, a pixelated light-generating array, and a pixelated photosensitive array. Selected cells can be released from the adhesive layer after illumination of the adhesive layer by the light-generating array.

A method of transferring material using a picking pin having a distal tip includes: forming a first coating of organic molecules on at least a portion of the distal tip of the picking pin; dipping at least a portion of the coated distal tip in a first source such that an amount of material is picked up from the first source and attached to the first coating; dipping the coated distal tip attached with the amount of material into a first target so as to release some of the amount of the material to the first target; and removing the first coating from the distal tip. The procedure can be repeated for transferring additional material from the same or different source to the same or different targets.

A system for inoculating and transporting Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or other microbial organisms enables inoculation and transport of a specimen suspected of containing Neisseria gonorrhoeae with an InTray® GC tray. The tray comprises a floor wall having a first depression and a second depression. A Gonococcal medium is disposed in the first depression. A removable inner panel overlays the first and second depressions. A removable outer panel overlays the inner panel. After introducing Neisseria gonorrhoeae or a microbial organism into the Gonococcal medium, the panels reseal the tray. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is introduced into the Gonococcal medium for inoculation thereof. A carbon dioxide member in the second depression releases a CO.sub.2 gas. A carbon dioxide seal covers the second depression. The seal is punctured to release the CO.sub.2 gas that saturates the medium in the first depression. The CO.sub.2 gas inhibits degradation of the Gonococcal medium or other microbes that require CO.sub.2.

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.

Provided herein are methods and kits for collecting and/or detecting biological materials from the skin of subjects. Methods and kits for determining a biological profile of a target skin site of subjects are also provided herein.

A test device and a test method are provided which can prevent a specimen liquid from splattering and leaking and perform an examination simply and safely. The test device includes a culturing unit configured to be capable of culturing a specimen in a sealed state, a test piece configured to be capable of absorbing a specimen liquid in the culturing unit, a separating unit configured to be capable of separating the test piece and the specimen liquid in a non-contact state, an opening unit configured to be capable of opening at least a portion of the separating unit to form a flow path through which the specimen liquid reaches the test piece, and a case configured to integrally seal at least a portion of the test piece on a side closer to the separating unit, at least a portion of the culturing unit, and the separating unit.