Biopsy sample storage container and related sampler

Abstract

A storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, held by a biopsy sample collector, the storage container comprising a container body defining a containment region with an open end, and a container cap removably located at the open end to seal the containment region, the cap including a passage that is closed by a closure that is able to be ruptured to allow a biopsy sample retaining biopsy sample collector to thereat enter the containment region so that the sample can be stored in the containment region and the sample collector can seal the passage.

Claims

1. A storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, said biopsy sample being held by a biopsy sample collector, said storage container comprising: a. a container body defining a containment region with an open end, b. a container cap removably located relative to the container body and threadingly engaged to the container body at the open end to seal the containment region, the container cap including a passage formed by an annular flange extending away from the open end, the passage comprising a closure at one end of the passage adjacent the open end, and an opening at an opposite end of the passage opposite the closure, wherein the closure is configured to be ruptured by the biopsy sample collector to allow the biopsy sample retaining biopsy sample collector to thereafter enter the containment region so that the biopsy sample can be stored in the containment region and wherein said biopsy sample collector can be retained by said container cap and seal the passage, wherein the closure is integrally formed with the cap and fully seals the end of the passage prior to rupture, wherein the container cap presents a sample cutting surface adjacent the passage opening to cooperate with the sample collector in cutting a sample from the organism to be sampled, and the sample cutting surface arranged to allow the sample collector to pass by the sample cutting surface and through the passage opening and into the passage in a shearing action to facilitate in removal of said biopsy sample, wherein the cap is configured to receive the biopsy sample collector and hold said biopsy sample collector after rupturing of said closure and entry of said sample into the containment region, and the storage container comprises a tamper evident indicator configured to indicate if separation of the cap from the container body occurs.

2. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure of the cap is a membrane.

3. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure is able to separate from the cap upon rupturing.

4. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure is able split open upon rupturing yet at least in part be retained to said cap.

5. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap is adapted and configured to prevent the biopsy sample collector from being removed there from after rupturing of said closure and entry of said sample into the containment region.

6. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the passage is shaped and dimensioned to result in a wedging of the biopsy sample collector therein to prevent the removal of the biopsy sample collector from the cap after rupturing of said closure and entry of said sample into the containment region.

7. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tamper evident indicator is a tamper evident ring that is integrally formed with one of the container body and cap and is engaged to the other of said cap or container body in a manner so that upon separation of the cap from the container body, the ring at least in part becomes disconnected from the container body or cap with which it is integrally formed.

8. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the container body and cap includes at least one of an EID and machine readable code (such as a barcode).

9. A storage container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage container is a storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample storage container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1a is an exploded view of one form of collector;

(3) FIG. 1b is a side view of one form of the collector;

(4) FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional side view of the collector taken along line A-A of FIG. 1b;

(5) FIG. 1d is an end view of the collector of FIG. 1b;

(6) FIG. 1e is a perspective view of another form of the collector;

(7) FIG. 1f is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 1e;

(8) FIG. 1g is a view of the collector in a condition where the plunger is actuated;

(9) FIG. 2a is a perspective view of one form of punch for a collector;

(10) FIG. 2b is a side view of the punch of FIG. 2a;

(11) FIG. 2c is an end view showing the pushing end of the punch of FIG. 2a;

(12) FIG. 2d is a side view of the punch taken along line A-A of FIG. 2c;

(13) FIG. 2e is an end view showing the cutting end of the punch of FIG. 2a;

(14) FIG. 3a is a perspective view of one form of storage body according to the invention;

(15) FIG. 3b is a side view of the body of FIG. 3a;

(16) FIG. 3c is a cross-sectional side view of the body taken along line A-A of FIG. 3a;

(17) FIG. 3d is an end view of the closed second end of the body of FIG. 3a;

(18) FIG. 3e is a perspective view of one form of cap for a storage container according to the invention;

(19) FIG. 3f is another perspective view of the cap of FIG. 3e;

(20) FIG. 3g is a side view of the cap of FIG. 3e;

(21) FIG. 3h is a cross-sectional side view of the cap of FIG. 3g;

(22) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of the collector before being inserted into a storage container;

(23) FIG. 5 is a side view of one form of tissue sampler in which a storage container is about to be placed into the tissue sampler;

(24) FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the tissue sampler with a collector magazine about to be placed into the magazine housing of the tissue sampler;

(25) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 5 in which an animal's ear is located in the cutting region;

(26) FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional side view of one form of collector before taking a tissue sample from an animal's ear and placing it into a storage container;

(27) FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a when cutting a tissue sample from the animal's ear;

(28) FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a after a tissue sample has been cut;

(29) FIG. 6d is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a pressing against a membrane in the cap of the storage container;

(30) FIG. 6e is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a after the membrane has been broken;

(31) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which a tissue sample has been cut from the animal's ear;

(32) FIG. 7a is a cross-sectional side view of the collector of FIG. 6a in which it is plugging the first end of the storage container;

(33) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the animal's ear is removed from the cutting region and the collector has plugged the storage container;

(34) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the ram has been retracted through an empty chamber of the collector magazine and is returned to its rest position;

(35) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the tissue sampler of FIG. 6 in which the storage container containing a tissue sample and collector is being removed from the sampler;

(36) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a collector magazine;

(37) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plurality of collectors held within a multi-cell rack;

(38) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the storage container in which the tissue sample has been released from the collector;

(39) FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a plurality of storage containers being decapped simultaneously;

(40) FIG. 15a is a top vies of the decapped storage containers of FIG. 14;

(41) FIG. 15b is a cross sectional side view of the storage containers taken along the line AA of FIG. 15a;

(42) FIG. 15c is a cross sectional side of a single storage container after being decapped;

(43) FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a tamperproof collector and associated storage container;

(44) FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 16 in a collapsed condition;

(45) FIG. 18 is a side cross section of FIG. 17;

(46) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a tamperproof collector and associated storage container with the tamperproof seal broken;

(47) FIG. 20 is another perspective view of FIG. 19;

(48) FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a sampler showing a variation where a disposable shield is utilised to prevent the ram from contacting the tissue surfaces and thereby avoid any cross contamination;

(49) FIG. 22a is an exploded perspective view of part of the sampler and the shield together with the collector and storage container;

(50) FIG. 22b is a partial sectional view of the ram, shield and collector;

(51) FIG. 23 is a view of the collector of FIG. 21 wherein the ram has moved to engage with a shield for the purposes of driving a collector from the magazine;

(52) FIG. 24 shows the ram in a more advanced position having pushed the collector to engage with the storage container, the shield having penetrated into the animal tissue;

(53) FIG. 25 shows a retraction of the ram taking with it the shield for return of the shield to the magazine having left the sample collector associated with the storage container; and

(54) FIG. 26 shows the ram having retracted to its withdrawn position and the shield located back with the magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS OF THE INVENTION

(55) Reference will now be made to a storage container to receive and store biopsy samples and its cooperation with a sample collector. Such samples may be from an organism such as plants or animals particularly, including pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, poultry, and fish. In a preferred form the sample is taken from the ear of an animal. In use, the storage container may be used with a collector that is also herein described and with a sampler to facilitate the taking and storing of a sample. Together the collector and container can collect and store a biopsy sample for later analysis.

(56) The collector that may be used with the container will first be described.

(57) FIGS. 1a to 1g show a preferred form of a collector 250. The collector can be used with the tissue sampler as will herein after be described or with any other suitable tissue sampler.

(58) The collector 250 comprises a punch 251 having a body with a cutter 255 at a cutting end 252a of the punch 251. The punch 251 also has an opposing pushing end 252b. The body of the punch 251 preferably has a slot or bore 253. The bore 253 extends from one end of the punch to the other. It preferably extends along the length of the punch between the cutting end and the pushing end, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2e. Preferably, the punch has an elongate straight body and the bore is centrally located within the body of the punch.

(59) In one form, the outer surface of the body of the punch comprises guides in the form of one or more projections or recesses to help locate the punch within a cap of a storage container as will be described later. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a to 2d, the guides comprise three evenly spaced ribs 254 that project from the pushing end 252b of the punch. A lead-in 254a may also be provided.

(60) A cutter 255 is provided at the cutting end 252a of the punch to remove a sample from an organism. The cutter may be attached to the punch or it may be integral with the punch so that the cutter and punch are formed as a single part. The cutter 255 may be cylindrical. It may alternatively be of another shape suitable to remove a sample. The sample may for example be taken from the tip of the ear of an animal and the cutter may as a result be U or V shaped or other shape. It need not take a core sample but an edge sample instead. Being of a hollow section such as cylindrical does offer the added benefit of being able to retain the sample, as a plug, by the cutter. The cutter can remove a sample plug that ends up sitting in the cutter.

(61) A free end of the cutter 255 is presented to form a cutting edge 255a. The cutter 255 preferably extends from and surrounds one end of the bore 253 of the punch at the cutting end of the punch body to form a projecting surrounding wall or walls. Preferably, the bore 253 of the punch is cylindrical so that the cutting edge is substantially circular. A sample holding section 256 is formed by the cutter, preferably within the projecting wall(s) of the cutter. In this way, the cutter provides a sample holding section 256 such as a bore. The bore is a blind bore terminated by the end of the plunger 257. It is aligned with the bore formed in the body of the punch. For the sake of simplicity, the bore 253 of the punch, when referred to in this specification, should be interpreted to include the bore formed in the body of the punch and the bore formed in the cutter because the two are preferably contiguous.

(62) A plunger 257 is held at the bore 253 of the punch and forms part of the collector. In one form the plunger protrudes at least partially from the punch. In other forms it is contained entirely within the bore. Being within the bore helps protect it and prevent tampering therewith at least unless an appropriate tool is used.

(63) The plunger preferably includes a machine readable electronic identity (EID) tag such as a radio frequency identity (RFID) tag. The RFID system may be selected according to the anticipated manufacturing and use conditions of the tissue sample collector. For example a typical passive tag, active reader, system operating at low frequency can provide robust identification devices suitable for embedding in molded plastic components at a unit cost that is appropriate. The tag 259 illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1c is typical of the form of RFID tags of this type. However other systems, such as passive tag systems operating in the UH range can provide lower unit costs. Tags of this type are available that are claimed to be sufficiently robust for embedding in molded plastic components.

(64) To work well with these small RFID tags, an RFID reader may be integrated to the tissue sampler, or mounted to the tissue sampler, immediately adjacent the position that a sample occupies at the time of use.

(65) The plunger has a first end 258a and an opposing second end 258b.

(66) The plunger 257 can be seen to extend into the bore 253 of the punch 251. The fit of the plunger in the bore is snug yet allowing for the plunger to slide relative the punch. In the preferred form the plunger outer surface is contiguous the inner surface of the bore. This ensure that a seal is created there between, preventing ingress of contaminants from the pushing end of the punch to the cutting end, through the bore.

(67) The plunger and punch are in a sliding relationship with each other whether it is using a bore and pin like relationship or other. They are in a sliding relationship so that the sample can be pushed off the cutter.

(68) The plunger in the preferred form extends into the bore of the punch and can push a plug of sample tissue from the sample holding section 256. This pushing may be to push the sample into a storage container with which the collector becomes associated after sample taking. It may occur at the time of sampling or well after such as in the laboratory at where the sample will be processed. In the lab the sample may be pushed off the cutter and into a test tube after the container has been removed from the collector retaining cap.

(69) The plunger is able to be positioned in an active position as shown in FIG. 1b and be moved to a plunged position as seen in FIG. 1g.

(70) When the plunger is in an active position, ready for the collector to remove a sample from the cutter, the second end of the plunger may project from the pushing end of the punch and the first end of the plunger is held within the bore of the punch between the sample holding section and the pushing end of the punch. Preferably, at or near the first end 258a the plunger is enlarged or provides some form that creates and interference to the removal of the plunger from the punch in one direction. A similar enlargement (not shown) may be provided at or near the other end of the plunger. The or each enlargement helps prevent the removal of the plunger that may carry the RFID from the collector.

(71) The collector is adapted to cut a sample of tissue from an animal or plant, using the cutter. The sample can temporarily be held by the cutter such as within the sample holding section. To release the sample from the sample holding section, the plunger can be pushed from its active position so that it moves in the direction of the sample. It may be pushed into the bore of the punch more and toward the cutting edge and through the sample holding cavity so that the tissue sample is pushed off the cutter.

(72) Although in a preferred form the punch is substantially tubular and the plunger is substantially cylindrical, it is envisaged that the punch and plunger may be of any suitable complementary shape. For example, the bore of the punch may have a square cross-section and the plunger may also have a square cross-section of a slightly smaller size so that the plunger can slide within the bore of the punch. It should be appreciated that the cutting edge of the cutter could also be of any suitable shape and size to cut a tissue sample that fits within the storage container for receiving the sample. For example, the cutting tip may be square, oval, star shaped or irregularly shaped.

(73) In the preferred form the collector is held by a tissue sampler as will herein after be described that also holds the storage container at the time of sampling.

(74) In one form, as shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d, the storage container 500 comprises a container body 510 having an open first end 501a and a closed second end 501b, which forms the base of the container body, although it should be appreciated that the container body will not always be oriented so that the base is at the bottom of the container body.

(75) Optionally, the base of the container body is flat and unique indicia 502, such as a bar code, QR code, matrix code, or the like is provided on the base, as shown in FIG. 9d. This machine readable code assists in processing and tracking. Alternatively or additionally, unique indicia is provided along the side of the container body. The unique indicia is used to provide information about the source of the sample that will ultimately be placed within the storage container 500. An RFID may instead or also be attached to the container.

(76) A collector located RFID tag is useful for tracking and tamper prevention purposes. The RFID may be used at the time the sample is taken, it identifies the sample to a collector ID.

(77) Prior, during or immediately after the sample is taken, the sample collector RFID tag can be read and stored along with a unique ID that is derived from a storage container ID and/or derived from an animal associated ID such as from an ear tag carried by the animal tested. This will ensure that at least 2 and preferably three individual identifiers (eg numbers) are locked to a sample taken. One from the collector RFID tag, and one from said animal associated ID and preferably from said container. These linked numbers are stored at sampling time in a database. The aim is to make it tamper resistant and limit the options to substitute samples. The container's (when used and when carrying an ID) and the collector's ID may be read during the lab processing and again checked to the database. The methods to read/transfer information from the container, collectors and ear tags at sampling would be existing technologies of reader and an intended reader within the sampler if possible. The data collected at the laboratory from the RFID devices would be unique identifier with which information derived from sample testing can be associated.

(78) In one form, the container body 510 comprises a tissue sample chamber 503 at its base to receive a tissue sample. A preservative 505 may be provided in the tissue chamber.

(79) Preferably, the outer surface of the container body comprises anti-rotation means 504 located at or near the base of the container body, as shown in FIGS. 3a to 3d. The anti-rotation means comprise one or more recesses and/or projections adapted to prevent the container body from rotating within a cell of a holding rack, as will be described later in this specification.

(80) Optionally, the storage container comprises a cap that attaches to the open first end of the container body to seal the container body. Alternatively, the cap may have an aperture formed therein through which a tissue sample can pass to be placed in the container body. In this form, the cap is attached to the container body, but does not fully seal the container body.

(81) Preferably, the container body comprises a threaded region at or near its first end that meshes with a threaded region of the cap to allow the cap to be screwed onto and off the storage container body. Alternatively, the cap is attached to the open end of the container body with a snug fit. In yet another form, the cap comprises a lip on its inner surface that nests within a channel that surrounds the outer surface of the container body near the open end of the container body. As will be appreciated, the cap may be attached to the container body in any other suitable arrangement and these are just some examples that could be used. A threaded relationship is preferred because it assists in cap removal.

(82) In one form, as shown in FIGS. 6a to 6e, the storage container 500 comprises a cap 550 that is screwed onto a threaded region 506 of the container body 510, as described above. In particular, the cap comprises a threaded shaft 551 that is adapted to engage with a threaded interior region 506 of the storage container 500 so that a first end of the shaft projects toward the base 501b of the body. Alternatively, the shaft may have a threaded bore that is adapted to engage with a threaded exterior region of the container body so that a first end of the shaft projects toward the end of the container body. A collar 552 extends from the opposing second end of the threaded shaft. The collar 552 comprises an outwardly projecting annular flange 553 and a guide wall 554 that extends from the periphery of the flange 553 in a direction away from the shaft 551 to form a substantially cylindrical wall. Preferably, an outer surface of the guide wall is contoured or textured to provide a knurled cap.

(83) A centrally located recess 555 is provided within the collar 552 and between the guide wall. The recess may be specially shaped for engagement with a correspondingly shaped cap-release tool to remove the cap from the container body. For example, the recess 555 may have a tool-engageable edge 559 that provides the recess with a cruciform shape, star shape, hex shape, square shape, oval shape, or any other regular or irregular shape that corresponds to the shape of a tool for inserting into the recess and turning the cap to unscrew the cap from the container body. However, it is preferred that the outer surface of the guide wall is shaped to correspond with the shape of a tool, or to at least provide a gripping region, for gripping the outer wall and turning the cap to decap the storage container.

(84) The recess 555 aligns with a passage 556 that is centrally located through the cap. The cap also comprises a breakable seal 557, which may be in the form of a membrane, or the like, that extends laterally across the cap. The seal may be formed integrally with the collar and shaft of the cap so that the entire cap is made as one part. Preferably, the seal is located at or near a first end of the shaft, but in other forms, the seal may be located within the collar of the cap or in any other suitable location. The seal 557 may be of any suitable material, such as polypropylene, rubber, polyethylene, or the like. When the cap 550 is attached to the body of a container body 510 so that the first end of the shaft projects into the body, the seal 557 extends across the body to seal the first end 501a of the container body. Preferably, the cap 550 also comprises a second seal 558, such as an o-ring, that fits over the outside of the threaded shaft 551 and abuts the collar 552 of the cap. In this form, when the cap is attached to the body of a storage container, the second seal is positioned between the first end 501a of the body and the collar 552 of the cap 550 to seal the connection between the cap and the body. In this arrangement, the cap can be screwed onto a sterile body to hermetically seal the containment region in the body. The interior of the body can remain sterile until the seal is broken and a tissue sample is placed in the container body.

(85) In the preferred form the cap and the container body are engaged to each other in a tamper evident manner. This allow for detection of the removal of the cap from the container body. Preferably the tamper evident manner provides some visual evidence of tampering. For example, connecting tabs may be provided between the collar and an attachment ring of the cap that is securely attached to the tube. In this form, if the cap is twisted away from the attachment ring (such as by unscrewing the cap from the body), the connecting tabs break to indicate that the storage container has been tampered with. A shrink wrap over the container cap interface may be used as a tamper evident indicator. A sticker may be used that will pull apart when the cap and container are separated. A frangible ring or the like could be used also.

(86) In a preferred embodiment connecting tabs 701 are secured at one end to a collar 705 on the cap or to the cap itself. The connecting tabs 701 are also secured in a frangible manner at another end to an attachment ring 703. The container 500 comprises complementary engaging features 702 which complement the shape of the connecting tabs 701. In one embodiment a ring of engaging features 702 are spaced about the periphery of the container 500. The connecting tabs 701 are configured to fit between the spaces of the adjacent engaging features 702. The attachment ring 703 is designed to not be able to pass over the top of the engaging features 702. As such when the container 500 is locked on the cap 550 the engaging features 702 and the connecting tabs 701 engage with each other to prevent any twisting motion, whilst the attachment ring 703 prevents any translational movement of the cap from the container 500. The cap 550 is secured to the container 500 during production or manufacture. In one embodiment the attachment ring 703 is allowed to slide overtop of the engaging features 702 in one direction (towards each other), but not in another direction (away from each other).

(87) The cap 550 and the storage container 500 are shown threadingly engaged in FIGS. 17 and 18. To remove the cap 550, the cap must be rotationally turned and the connecting tabs 701 will frangibly disconnect from either the attachment ring 703 or the collar 705. This frangible disconnection is a visual cue that allows a user to identify whether the storage container 500 has been opened. FIGS. 19 and 20 show a perspective view of a frangibly disconnected storage container 500 and cap 550. Once a frangible disconnection has occurred, the cap 500 can be removed from the container.

(88) The storage container, when used, and collector are aligned at the time of sampling as shown in FIG. 4. They are separated prior to sampling so that part of the item from which the sample is to be removed can be located there between.

(89) As will now be described, the collector and the storage container may be so held for sampling purposes by a sampler. The sampler is described in our co-pending international application PCT/NZ2014/000106 which by way of cross reference is hereby incorporated. Pneumatically or electrically operated samplers or other are also envisaged as being adaptable for use with the present invention.

(90) The storage container is dimensioned to fit within the storage container holder 300 of the tissue sampler 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and to receive a collector through the first end of the storage container, as indicated in FIG. 4.

(91) When a tissue sample is to be taken, a storage container 500 is placed in the container holder 300 so that its first end 501 faces toward the cutting region 400, as shown in FIG. 5.

(92) A plurality of collectors 250 may be positioned within a magazine housing 200 loaded into the tissue sampler. The magazine can sequentially present each collector for sampling. This is achieved by aligning the collectors individually with an actuator such as a ram 130 of the sampler 1.

(93) As shown in FIG. 11, the magazine housing 200 is sized to receive a magazine 240 comprising a plurality of chambers 241, each chamber being adapted to hold a collector 250 therein and having open first and second opposing ends 241a, 241b. The magazine, is preferably in the form of a cylinder having a centrally located axle or bore 242 that extends through or into the magazine. The chambers are positioned concentrically around the bore and preferably near the circumference of the magazine. Preferably, at least a portion of the chambers in the magazine 240 is of a transparent material, so that the presence of a collector in any of the chambers can be identified. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the magazine comprises 25 chambers, although the magazine may have any suitable number of chambers. In the preferred form the magazine can rotate to index collectors for actuation. In other forms the magazine may translate instead.

(94) The second end of the collector aligns the ram 130 and the cutting edge 255a of the cutter 255 aligns with a cutting region aperture 211 of the sampler, as shown in FIG. 6.

(95) The storage container holder 300 of the tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage container 500 therein.

(96) As shown in FIG. 5 the cutting region 400 comprises a space in which tissue 450 from a sample specimen can be positioned. In FIG. 6, an animal's ear 450 is schematically shown positioned within the cutting region. The ear, or other item, is kept in the cutting region as a tissue sample is cut from the ear.

(97) A ram 130 is positioned within the ram housing 120 of the sampler. The ram forms part of an actuating means, which also comprises a trigger 150 operably connected to the ram 130. A guiding recess 132 is formed in the first end of the ram and is shaped to correspond with the second end 258b of the plunger, which projects from the punch. The guiding recess 132 is dimensioned so that the projecting portion of the plunger can fit within the recess and so that the first end of the ram 121a can abut the pushing end 252b of the punch.

(98) This prevents the ram actuating the plunger during sampling, only driving the collector through the sample specimen by pushing on the punch.

(99) The ram 130 is adapted to slide back and forth within the ram housing 120 as the trigger 150 is engaged and disengaged.

(100) To cut a tissue sample, a user may use the sampler as herein described. They may insert a storage container 500 into the holder 300 so that a portion of the storage container is pushed into the sampler receiving aperture 321 so that the first end of the storage container projects slightly from the sample receiving aperture 321 and into the cutting region, as shown in FIG. 6. The magazine 240 is orientated so that the cutting edge of a punch 251 of the active collector 250 is aligned with the cutting region aperture 211 and the second end of the plunger 257 is aligned with the ram receiving aperture 221. As will be appreciated, the magazine can be placed into the tissue sampler before or after the storage container is placed in the tissue sampler.

(101) The user then holds the handle of the tissue sampler and positions the sampler so that tissue 450 to be sampled (such as of an animal's ear) is located in the cutting region 400, as shown in FIG. 6. The user squeezes the trigger 150 toward the gripping member 160 to move the trigger from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

(102) The ram moves through the ram receiving aperture and pushes against an active collector. The ram continues pushing to push the collector out of the chamber of the magazine, through the cutting region aperture, into the cutting region, and toward the storage container.

(103) As the ram pushes the collector through the cutting region, the cutting end of the punch pushes the animal's ear (or other tissue) against the first end of the storage cap and the first wall of the cutting region. The cutting edge of the punch is then pushed through the ear or other tissue to cut a sample plug from the tissue. At cutting the punch and cap act as a punch and die. The cap, its passage and/or seal act as a die to cooperate with the punch to facilitate a shear action removal of the sample.

(104) As shown where the first end of the storage container 500 comprises a cap 550 with a seal 557 as described above, the collector 250 is pushed into the recess 555 formed in the cap. Optionally, the wall of the recess comprises one or more ribs for engaging with the guiding ribs 254 of the punch to guide the body of the punch within the cap. As the collector pushes into the cap, the cutting edge 255a of the punch presses against and then pierces the seal or membrane 557 to form an opening to the storage body. The cutting end of the punch (holding the plunger therein) is then pushed through the opening so that the sample holding region 256, and the sample 460 held within the cavity 256, is located within the body of the storage container 500. The collector fills the opening formed by the broken seal to close off the first end of the container. In particular, the size of the punch is sized to fit snugly and preferably sealingly within the opening formed in the cap so that the cap is able to hold the collector therein. Preferably, the second end of the plunger projects from the pushing end of the punch and the first end of the plunger is located within the bore of the punch between the sample holding cavity and the pushing end of the punch. In this arrangement, the plunger can be depressed and pushed through the sample holding region to release the tissue sample into the storage container. This may occur manually or by tool and may be done at sampling or after.

(105) When the collector closes off the first end of the storage container, the punch and the plunger are held by the cap of the storage container so that the cutter is held within the container body. It remains so during transport to a laboratory. It is therefore not necessary for the user of the sampler to handle the punch with its sharp cutting edge or to otherwise remove and discard the punch from the tissue sampler.

(106) The trigger mechanism of the sampler 1 is such that the action of cutting the tissue sample, placing the sample in the storage container, and releasing the animal's ear is almost instantaneous so that if the animal reacts to having its ear cut and pulls away, there is little chance that the animal can pull the tissue sampler from the user's hand before the ear is released.

(107) With reference to FIGS. 21 to 26 a variation is shown where provision is made to help avoid cross contamination between samples. Such cross contamination is avoided by the provision of a shield 900 that separates the ram from coming into contact with the tissue surfaces. In the preferred form a shield 900 and a collector 250 are associated with each other in a chamber of a magazine. The association is severable and may be such as to be established by way of friction or other contact. The ram 130 is able to engage with the shield 900 and/or the collector 250 to drive the collector through the tissue sample. The shield 900 provides an extension and/or a shroud around the ram to prevent the ram from contacting the tissue that is so cut by the collector. In the preferred from the shield 900 acts as an extension so that the ram does not penetrate through or at least partially into the tissue that is being sampled. Upon being driven by the ram 130 both the shield and the collector 250 advance towards the storage container. The collector 250 is driven into the storage container in a manner as has hereinbefore been described. Once it reaches its engaged condition with the storage container the ram moves back to its withdrawn position and takes with it the shield 900. The shield 900 is retracted back into the chamber of the magazine and by way of a stop is separated from the ram 130 as the ram retracts to its withdrawn position, leaving the shield 900 in the magazine chamber. Whilst in the preferred form the shield and collector is provided located in a magazine of a plurality of shields and collectors it is envisaged that single shot assemblies of a collector and shield may be provided. The advantage of a magazine located collector and shield is that once all of the collectors have been dispensed from the magazine the retracted shields are then retained by the magazine and can be disposed of in an appropriate manner as a single unit. Engagement between the ram and shield may be through a tapered relationship or a barb or other formation such as that shown in FIG. 22b may be provided to facilitate such association and ensure full retraction of the shield back to the chamber of the magazine upon the withdrawal of the ram to its withdrawn position.

(108) The storage container, including the cap holding the collector can then be removed from the holder and an unused replacement storage container can then be fitted into the holder. The collector magazine is rotated incrementally until the next chamber containing an unused collector is aligned with the ram receiving aperture and cutting region aperture, ready for another tissue sample to be taken.

(109) Once all the collectors in the magazine have been used the magazine can be removed from the sampler 1.

(110) Preferably, the storage containers removed from the tissue sampler are placed within respective cells 610 of a multi-cell rack 600, such as a 96 well rack as shown in FIG. 12, before being sent to a laboratory for decapping and future analysis of the samples.

(111) The collector is adapted so that the plunger can be pushed to release the tissue sample from the sample holding region and into the tissue chamber at the bottom of the container. In particular, the second end of the plunger can be depressed toward the pushing end of the punch to cause the first end of the plunger to push a tissue sample out of the sample holding region and into the body of the storage container. To assist with the release of the tissue sample, the first end of the plunger may be enlarged and may comprise an anti-stick surface formed of a non-stick material, such as Teflon. The plunger may be depressed and pushed towards the sample holding region after the container has been removed from a tissue sampler.

(112) Preferably, the tissue sample is held at the sample holding region when the storage container is removed from the tissue sampler. The storage containers may then be placed within respective cells of a multi-cell rack so that the base of each storage containers is at the bottom of the respective cell and the caps of the storage containers project above the cells, as shown in FIG. 12. The diameter or width of the cells is sized to be commensurate with the diameter or width of the storage containers.

(113) A machine may be used to depress the plungers within the caps of the storage containers automatically, either by depressing the plunger consecutively or by simultaneously depressing the plungers of all in the rack. As each plunger is depressed and pushed deeper into or through the bore of the punch and through the sample holding region toward the base of the storage containers, the sample is pushed from the sample holding region and is deposited into the chamber at the bottom of the storage containers, as shown in FIG. 13. The tool so used in the lab does not contact the sample.

(114) Where the outer surface of the body of each storage containers comprises anti-rotation means, the storage containers are located within the respective cells of the holder so that the anti-rotation means engage with corresponding anti-rotation means provided within the cells. For example, one or more projections formed on a container body will engage with one or more recesses formed in the walls of the respective cell. The anti-rotation means of the storage containers and cells prevent the tubes from rotating within the cells so that the storage containers can be automatically decapped by unscrewing the caps from the body.

(115) To decap the storage containers, a cap engaging tool (not shown) engages with the correspondingly shaped recess of the cap, or to grip onto the outer surface of the guide wall of the cap, and is rotated in the appropriate direction to unscrew the cap from the storage container. Typically, a machine is provided in which multiple cap engaging tools engage with the caps of multiple storage containers in a rack to decap the storage containers of the rack simultaneously, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15a-c.

(116) Decapping will result in the tamper evident indicator breaking or rupturing. This is preferably achieved in the process of de-capping and not by a separate step. For example an unscrewing of the cap from the container body will result in the simultaneous breaking or rupturing of the tamper evident indicator. The tamper evident indicator provides little of no resistance to the separating of the cap from the container.

(117) Decapping the storage containers enables the samples to be accessed. The samples are preferably located in the bottom of the containers or may still be retained by the collector and subsequently dispensed into a test tube by a pushing of the plunger. Laboratory testing of the sample may occur in the storage container itself or alternatively the sample is removed from the container or cutter before testing.

(118) The lab can process the sample in lab tubes that may receive the samples direct from the collector if still retained by the collector after decapping (samples are pushed off the punch by the plunger) or from the storage container bodies. The RFID tag of the collector or ID from the container body can be matched or transferred or recorded relative a lab system number for the lab tube that the sample is deposited in. This can give flexibility if larger processing tubes are required and the sample can then be pushed into any make of tube.

(119) Optionally, the base of each storage container and/or the rack may be adapted to provide a tube lock feature in which the storage container is locked in place within a respective cell. The storage container may locked within the cell in any suitable arrangement. For example, the exterior of the storage container may be threaded to engage with a threaded interior of the cell or the storage container may be adapted to snugly fit or snap-fit into a cell of a rack. Once the storage container is locked within the cell, the storage container is held in place even if the rack is inverted. By using this feature, the rack can be inverted to eject the samples from the storage containers.

(120) Optionally, each cell within the rack comprises an open or transparent bottom for reading unique indicia located on the base of each storage container held within the rack so that the source of each sample can be identified and linked with the data obtained from the sample.

(121) Advantages

(122) After sampling the cap will continue to hold the used collector. It can then be easily disposed together with the cap once the sample has been ejected from the collector.

(123) The storage container can receive and hold the biopsy collector and avoids the need for the user to handle and/or dispose of used punches at the time of sampling. The biopsy collector is held by the storage container after a sample is taken, so it is not necessary for the sampler user to handle and/or dispose of the used punch. The collector and its punch stay connected to the storage container after sampling reducing or eliminating waste at time of sampling. The sample can remain held by the cutter and be deliberately ejected from the cutter such as into a storage container at will. Not just at the time of sampling. The cutter retained sample is protected by the cutter and this will reduce sample drying or contamination. The cutter can retain the sample so that it does not contact the container body.

(124) The tamper evident indication allows visual inspection of tampering with any sample in the container.

(125) Although the invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred in this specification.