Provided are sealable transport incubators for uniform incubation of sample specimens (e.g., microbial samples) during transport between two locations (e.g., microbial sampling and detection locations, the incubators comprising a multi-slot thermal-transfer divider each in uniform thermal communication with a heat source (e.g., electrical or phase change materials (PCM), and configured to provide for uniform heat transfer and distribution to the sample specimen during transport in the transport incubator. Additionally provided are methods for expediting provision of microbial assay detection results (e.g., using the disclosed sealable transport incubators).

An exothermic composite, comprising: a reactive material (RM) that undergoes an exothermic reaction upon contact with an oxidizer, and a phase-changing thermal storage material (PCM) having a phase change temperature, wherein (1) RM and PCM are intermixed with one another or (2) one of RM and PCM is interpenetrated with the other. Devices, comprising (1) a sample container that defines a sample volume therein or (2) a receptacle configured to accept a sample container defining a sample volume therein, and the device configured such that the sample container is in thermal communication with a composite according to the present disclosure. Also provided are related methods.

An ergonomic vial and tube rack is disclosed for retaining a plurality of vials or tubes containing fluid therein in inclined or vertical upright positions, features of which a mechanism for a variable incline angle; lid/cap receptacles positioned either on a shelf above the vial holders or inside the cover when in an open position; an ice or heat pack compartment or a sealed compartment underneath the vials and/or behind the vials for the limited temperature control; rack to rack pin-to-hole locators for stackability, ease of transportation, and storage; color-coding of vial racks for convenience and work-flow assistance; a transparent front panel or an opening in front of each vial receptacle for additional verification of reagent labels; a rack cover with rows of circular indentations, with or without a disposable lining, for use as shallow reaction dishes for qualitative or quantitative chemical assays, such as pH testing.

A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.

A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Proposed are an all-in-one kit for on-site molecular diagnosis and a molecular diagnosis method using the same. The kit includes a first component including a sample pre-processing part, a nucleic acid adsorption part, and a nucleic acid amplification part, and a second component including a detection part. The sample pre-processing part includes a transfer member for transferring a lysis buffer where a nucleic acid is dissolved and functions to pre-processes a sample. The nucleic acid adsorption part is positioned on the sample pre-processing part and is configured to be slidable onto the nucleic acid amplification part. The nucleic acid amplification part is connected to the sample pre-processing part and functions to elute the nucleic acid from the nucleic acid adsorption part and to amplify the eluted nucleic acid. The detection part functions to transfer the nucleic acid amplified by the nucleic acid amplification part and to detect the nucleic acid.

The present invention relates to the field of high throughput analysis of samples. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device, a System and a method for simultaneous tempering of multiple samples. More particular, the invention relates to the simultaneous thermocycling of multiple samples to perform PCR in a microtiter plate format.

A device for the thermal treatment of test samples is presented. The device comprises a sample holder and one or more thermoelectric elements which are in thermal contact with the sample holder. The sample holder comprises at least two holding positions configured to hold test sample consumables. The sample holder comprises an internal working fluid and a hollow body with an inner bottom surface and an inner top surface connected to each other with a pillar. The pillar extends along a vertical axis perpendicular to the inner bottom surface and substantially in the middle of the distance between the at least two holding positions. A laboratory instrument and a method for the thermal treatment of test samples is also presented.

The present invention relates to the use of warmers, or autonomous heat packs, for heating and maintaining a solution at a suitable temperature, for the period of time required to accomplish a chemical, biochemical or biological reaction, in particular in molecular biology or cell biology applications. Biology kits containing warmers are also part of this invention.