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.

This invention relates to a sampling device comprising a shaft and a sample collection portion removably connected with the shaft, wherein the connection site between the shaft and the sample collection portion is weakened. The invention relates also to a combination of a sampling device comprising a shaft and a removable sample collection portion and a sample vessel configured to receive sample collection portion from the shaft.

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 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.

A sampling device and a method for taking samples. The sampling device includes a cap having two ends and a collection sponge attached on one end, wherein a collection sponge diameter is greater than a collection sponge height. A lid is removably attached to a first end of the cap to cover the collection sponge; and a bowl is removably attached to a second and opposite end of the cap. The bowl can contain an enrichment broth.

A microbiological culture device including: a part made of absorbent material having an at least substantially planar upper face and incorporating into its thickness a dehydrated culture medium composition, resting on the part made of absorbent material, a sheet of dehydrated polysaccharide hydrogel which can be rehydrated at temperatures of between 5 C. and 40 C.; said sheet of dehydrated hydrogel being affixed directly on the upper face of the part made of absorbent material, or indirectly, through a permeable membrane insert.

A container sample manipulation apparatus utilizing a handle with a terminal portion. The apparatus may be manually operated in an upright position or in a tilted configuration in conjunction with a guide for interaction with the structure of a sample container.

A locating method and system of determining a microorganism concentration of a fluid in a Petri dish is disclosed. The Petri dish includes a culture medium on which a seeding device is rotatable relative to the Petri dish. The seeding device distributes the fluid and includes at least one point of contact with the culture medium. The point of contact is associated with a contact zone.

A device for differentially enumerating colonies of coliform and Escherichia coli microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a water-impermeable first sheet; a water-impermeable second sheet attached to the first sheet; a dry, rehydratable culture medium comprising a lactose-fermentation indicator system, a -D-glucuronidase indicator system that comprises a plurality of compounds that enhance -glucuronidase enzyme activity in E. coli, a redox indicator system and a first cold-water soluble gelling agent adhered to the first sheet, the culture medium disposed in a microbial growth zone; and a second cold-water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the second sheet. The microbial growth zone is disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet. Methods of using the device are also provided.

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.