The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

An apparatus for individually storing multiple tissue samples separately from each other includes a base, a lid, a lock, and one or more vents. The base defines a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of identification areas. A portion of the base defines an opening corresponding to each reservoir. The lid is configured to secure the multiple tissue samples within a corresponding reservoir by enclosing each corresponding opening in the closed configuration. The lock is configured to selectively lock the lid against the base in the closed configuration. The one or more vents are configured to enable entry of fluid into the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration. The one or more vents are further configured to prevent exit of tissue samples from the reservoirs when the lid is in the closed configuration.

A sensor module includes a sensor configured to detect a specific substance in a sample, a first channel, and a second channel The first channel supplies a first fluid as the sample to the sensor. The second channel supplies a second fluid different from the first fluid to the sensor. The second channel includes a second fluid buffer tank for holding the second fluid for a fixed time interval.

A fully automatic inductive sample-collecting bucket capable of storing sample information includes a bucket, and a bucket cover snap-fitted to an upper end of the bucket. A bucket cover cavity is formed in the bucket cover. A locking mechanism, and a control mechanism for driving the locking mechanism to act are integrated in the bucket cover cavity. An integrated circuit (IC) card inductive control assembly is integrated in the bucket cover. The bucket is provided with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. The IC card inductive control assembly is configured to identify IC card unlocking information of an external grip for cover opening work and to drive the control mechanism to work to control an action of the locking mechanism. The sample-collecting bucket integrates an RFID card capable of carrying sample coding information, and can realize the automatic cover-sealing and cover-opening function under the identification and control of the controller.

A sample processing system and method, and a control system and a cell image analysis device. A smear preparation device prepares a sample smear, the cell image analysis device performs imaging and analysis on the sample smear, and the sample smear is placed in a first smear storage device. After the sample smear is placed in the first smear storage device, the first smear storage device placed with the sample smear is conveyed by a conveyer from the smear preparation device to the cell image analysis device, and the first smear storage device is conveyed by the conveyer from the cell image analysis device to the smear preparation device, so that automatic cycle conveying of the first smear storage device between the smear preparation device and the cell image analysis device is achieved by the conveyer, and unnecessary human-machine interaction operations are reduced, thereby reducing workload of a user.

Devices and methods for inspecting containers for the presence of foreign matter include, in at least one embodiment, at least one sampling head, at least one pressure sensor, and a filter. The at least one sampling head is configured to introduce an amount of a first fluid into a container and to remove an amount of a second fluid from the container for inspection for the presence of foreign matter. The at least one pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of the second fluid upon removal of the second fluid from the container. The filter is arranged in the at least one sampling head and is configured to filter the second fluid.

A gas sampler (30) is provided with a connection portion (C1) connectable to a sample tank (20), a sample loop (PL) for holding a sample gas introduced from the sample tank (20) to the connection portion (C1), pneumatic switching valves (V1 to V6) for switching a flow path connected to the sample loop (PL), a control piping (81) for transmitting a driving pressure to the switching valves (V1 to V6), a pump (31) for suctioning an inside of the sample loop (PL), and a pressure accumulation tank (80) for accumulating the pressure generated by the operation of the pump (31) as a source pressure.

An in vitro intestinal drug disposition device (1) comprises a donor chamber (2) for a donor solution and having a bottom end (18) and a top end (19). The device (1) also comprises a receiver chamber (3) for an absorption solution and an absorption membrane (4) arranged in between and separating the chambers (2, 3). A first side (5) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the donor solution and a second side (6) of the absorption membrane (4) is to be in contact with the absorption solution. A ratio of an internal volume of the donor chamber (2) to an area of the first membrane side (5) is equal to or smaller than 3 ml/cm.sup.2. A cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the bottom end (18) is larger than a cross-sectional area of the donor chamber (2) at the top end (19).

The present invention relates to a method for determining an analyte using surface enhanced RAMAN spectroscopy and to a device which is suitable for this purpose.