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

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus comprises a filament having a first end for carrying the materials; a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament; wherein 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. The method comprises steps of arranging a first end of a filament to contact the source location to load the material at the first end; arranging the first end to contact the target location to unload at least part of the materials from the first end; cutting a length of the filament from the first end to generate a fresh end of the filament which is free of the material.

An end fitting capable of being fitted to the body of a manual or automated device for sampling a biological substance of microbial origin, including: a) a distal end including a means for sampling the biological substance of microbial origin, b) a proximal free end intended to come into contact with the body of the sampling device and to enable the attachment of the end fitting to said body, the end fitting being characterized in that all or some of the free distal end consists of a fibrous material having a porosity at least equal to 30%.

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.

The present invention relates to a swab for collecting biological specimens 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 invention relates to a device (1) for automated inoculation of a culture medium, the device being of the type comprising: a clamp (2) suitable for gripping the inoculation tool; a clamp-holder (3); a support base (4) carrying the assembly formed by the clamp (2) and the clamp-holder (3); and a support structure (5) for supporting the support base (4) and for enabling the support base (4) to be moved along three axes. The device is characterized in that the assembly formed by the clamp (2) and the clamp-holder (3) is an assembly mounted to move in pivoting in such a manner that it is tiltable relative to the support base (4), in that the clamp (2) is fitted with pivot branches (6) mounted to pivot between two positions, one being an open position and the other being a closed position, pivoting being driven by drive means (7) preferably acting on return means (8), and in that the clamp (2) is a rotary clamp mounted to revolve about an axis (BB) that is transverse and preferably orthogonal to the pivot axis (AA) of the branches (6) of the clamp (2).

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transferring materials such as cells or microbial colonies during sample preparation. The apparatus comprises a filament having a first end for carrying the materials; a head portion adapted to movably receive at least part of the filament; wherein 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. The method comprises steps of arranging a first end of a filament to contact the source location to load the material at the first end; arranging the first end to contact the target location to unload at least part of the materials from the first end; cutting a length of the filament from the first end to generate a fresh end of the filament which is free of the material.

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.