The invention is a cap for a pathogen sample tube, the tube having an open end and the cap being configured to secure the open end of the tube to prevent spillage of any sample stored in the tube. The cap includes a first pierceable protective film section configured to enable an automated pipette or other sample withdrawal system to pierce the protective film section and to aspirate at least some of the sample. The cap also includes a second pierceable protective film section lying underneath the first pierceable protective film section; the film sections are separated by an air gap, that is approximately 2 mm in depth. The film sections are made from a thin aluminium foil that is approximately 25 microns thick, with a thin lacquer coating on its upper side and a co-extrusion coating, such as a polymer coating, on the lower side.

A diagnostic test system, including: a diagnostic test assembly and a diagnostic test apparatus to perform a test on a biological or environmental sample; the diagnostic test assembly includes: a sample preparation reservoir to receive the sample into a sample preparation fluid, such that a swab carrying the sample can be used to stir the preparation fluid and to wash the swab; a sample dispensing mechanism for insertion into the sample preparation reservoir; a closure to seal the sample preparation reservoir; at least one diagnostic test reservoir coupled to the sample preparation reservoir; and at least one seal between the sample preparation reservoir and the diagnostic test reservoir to prevent fluid movement between the respective reservoirs; wherein the sample dispensing mechanism is operable to disrupt the seal to allow sample fluid to enter the diagnostic test reservoir from the sample preparation reservoir, and to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid.

(57) Abstract: The present invention relates to a container (1) for small liquid volumes having at least one inlet chamber (2), at least one outlet chamber (3), an open top end (4) and a bottom end (5), wherein the bottom end (5) comprises at least one access region (7); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) is capable of accommodating a swab stik (16); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) has at least one open top end (11a) and is connectable to at least a first free end (8) of a flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); and wherein the at least one outlet chamber (3) has at least one open top end (11b) and is connectable to at least another free end (10) of the flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); a kit, an interface for fluid handling, and a method for analyzing a sample liquid (18).

A device for performing an assay comprises a tube, a cap, an insert, and a reaction container. The tube includes a lateral flow strip disposed therein. The cap is coupled to the tube and includes a hollow interior defined at least partially therethrough. The insert is configured to be at least partially received within the hollow interior of the cap. The reaction container includes a cavity configured to store one or more fluids therein, and is rotatably coupled to the cap such that rotation of the cap relative to the reaction container causes (i) mixing of the one or more fluids and (ii) at least a portion of the mixed fluids to be delivered from the reaction container to the lateral flow strip via the insert.

There is provided a sample processing cartridge comprising a. a sample entry location; b. a closed sample processing chamber; c. a sample analysis location comprising a sample analysis well; d. a first channel fluidly connecting the sample entry location and the sample processing chamber; e. a second channel connecting the sample analysis location and the sample processing chamber, the second channel comprising a closed or closable second channel valve; wherein the sample processing chamber comprises a second channel port providing fluid connection between the second channel and the sample processing chamber, the second channel port being positioned in a sample accumulating region of the sample processing chamber. There is also provided a sample processing system comprising the cartridge, and methods of use of the cartridge and processing system in a sample processing assay.

The device comprises a nib (12) having a working surface (16) exposed or exposable for acquiring a biological sample and a porous structure to absorb the sample thus acquired. A reservoir (28) provides fluid under pressure to the nib via a valve (29), conveying and dispensing the sample into a reaction chamber (14), where it reconstitutes a dried-down reagent (43) to perform an analytic reaction on the sample, for example, an isothermal amplification of nucleic acid released from the sample by a membrane-disrupting agent pre-functionalised in the porous nib. The nib may be initially mounted (A) in the outlet of the reservoir or (B) in the inlet to the reaction chamber, in either case with its working surface (16) initially exposed to acquire the sample before the components of the device are assembled for performing the analytical procedure.

A sample testing device is disclosed. The sample testing device can include a first compartment that is configured to receive a test sample, a second compartment that is configured to receive the test sample, a separator that is disposed between and separating the first compartment and the second compartment, and a mechanical lock structure that is configured to lock and unlock a movement of the separator. When the mechanical lock is unlocked, the separator opens to transfer the test sample from the first compartment to the second compartment. The sample testing device can include a sensing assembly.

The present invention provides point-of-need diagnostic devices and kits for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Methods of using the point-of-need diagnostic devices or the kits disclosed are also provided.

A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.

Aspects of the invention provide a biological sample collection pad (e.g., for the collection of fecal, liquid or tissue samples). Method of using such pads and analyzing collected samples are also provided.