Abstract: A method for the storage of biological samples is disclosed. The method includes the steps of coupling a storage device to a biological sample collection apparatus capable of collecting a biological sample from a subject, introducing a biological sample from the biological sample collection apparatus to the storage device, and drying the biological sample on the storage device. In another embodiment, the storage device used by the method may include a collection medium having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample; and a protective facing substantially impermeable to the biological sample, the protective facing coupled to the top surface of the collection medium and having a size and shape substantially similar to the predetermined size and shape of the collection medium.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fluid to an animal with a drug delivery device without causing contamination to the drug delivery device. The drug delivery device used by the method may comprise a fluid subsystem with a switching device, disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing, and a catheter. In one embodiment, the method allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without contaminating the valves that control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A tube assembly, system and method for biological sample collection. In one embodiment, the tube assembly of the present disclosure includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanism for securing the first and second tubes. The securing mechanism orients the first ends of the first and second tubes in a manner such that the first end of the second tube extends beyond the first end of the first tube to create an interstitial space between the outer diameter of the first tube and the inner diameter of the second tube.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the collection of biological samples. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a device comprises a collection medium having top and bottom surfaces and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample, a protective facing substantially impermeable to the biological sample, the protective facing coupled to the top surface of the collection medium and having a size and shape substantially similar to the predetermined size and shape of the collection medium. The protective facing being sized and shaped to define a first void positioned to allow for the transfer of the biological sample through the protective facing and onto the at least one binding site of the collection medium, and a second void positioned to expose the position marker for alignment of the collection medium.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fluid to an animal with a drug delivery device without causing contamination to the drug delivery device. The drug delivery device used by the method may comprise a fluid subsystem with a switching device, disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing, and a catheter. In one embodiment, the method allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without contaminating the valves that control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fluid to an animal with a drug delivery device without causing contamination to the drug delivery device. The drug delivery device used by the method may comprise a fluid subsystem with a switching device, disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing, and a catheter. In one embodiment, the method allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without contaminating the valves that control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for the collection of biological samples. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a device comprises a collection medium having top and bottom surfaces and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample, a protective facing substantially impermeable to the biological sample, the protective facing coupled to the top surface of the collection medium and having a size and shape substantially similar to the predetermined size and shape of the collection medium. The protective facing being sized and shaped to define a first void positioned to allow for the transfer of the biological sample through the protective facing and onto the at least one binding site of the collection medium, and a second void positioned to expose the position marker for alignment of the collection medium.

Abstract: A tube assembly, system and method for biological sample collection. In one embodiment, the tube assembly of the present disclosure includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanism for securing the first and second tubes.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that utilizes a fluid subsystem with a switching device to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without causing contamination. The fluid subsystem can further comprise disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing and a catheter. In the embodiments that utilize multiple disposable syringes, the drug delivery device allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal through a catheter without contaminating the switching devices that control the flow of fluid. The drug delivery device can further utilize a controller to control the switching devices and a controller and syringe pumps to control the operation of the syringes.

Abstract: A method for delivering a fluid to an animal with a drug delivery device without causing contamination to the drug delivery device. The drug delivery device used by the method may comprise a fluid subsystem with a switching device, disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing, and a catheter. In one embodiment, the method allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without contaminating the valves that control the flow of fluid.

Abstract: An electrocardiography device and method that is able to obtain the electrocardiogram of a freely moving animal. The device and method utilizes at least two catheters to obtain the electrical signals from the heart of the animal being tested. The catheters are filled with an electrically-conductive, physiological solution and are used in combination with at least two test leads that are able to transfer the electrical signals from the animal to an ECG monitoring device. The device and method also allows for fluids to flow through the catheters to other devices such as a blood sampler controller and/or an infusion pump.

Abstract: A portable sampling or testing device for pharmacokinetics and physiology studies and a method for using the device in conducting tests on stationary or moving animals, or human test subjects, is disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for conducting a test on a freely moving subject, or a device which may be moved by a technician to be positioned over an immobile subject, such as a premature infant or unconscious human subject in an intensive care ward. The device is designed and sized to be mobile. In one embodiment, the device comprises a wheeled cart which may be moved by a human test subject operably connected to it. In another embodiment, the device comprises a wheeled carriage positioned above an animal which wears a sling connected to the device. The device may include an uninterruptible power supply. The method provides for sampling bodily fluids or acquiring physiological readings from the test subject.

Abstract: A tube assembly, system and method for biological waste containment for sample collection, and for ultrafiltration collection. In one embodiment, the tube assembly of the present invention includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanism for securing the first and second tubes, and at least one container for operable connection to one or both of the first and second tubes. The securing mechanism orients the first ends of the first and second tubes in a manner such that the first end of the first tube extends beyond the first end of the second tube an interstitial space is created between the outer diameter of the first tube and the inner diameter of the second tube. The tubing mechanism is utilized for retrieval of a biological fluid through the first tube, flushing the first tube and the second tube with a rinse solution, and extraction of waste through the second tube into a waste container.

Abstract: A valve comprising valve members which are biased toward a closed or open position is provided with a flexible cable which is used to reposition the valve members by moving the cable so as to overcome the force generated by the biasing means. The cable may be moved by an appropriate actuator, such as a motor. When desired, the cable is moved to its original position allowing the biasing means to return the valve members to their original position. In one embodiment, the cable is slidably constrained within a flexible, non-compressible sleeve. The valve members according to one embodiment ensure complete closure of a resilient tube passing therethrough without the need to radially align the valve members.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that utilizes a fluid subsystem with a switching device to deliver multiple drugs to an animal without causing contamination. The fluid subsystem can further comprise disposable syringes, fluid reservoirs, disposable tubing and a catheter. In the embodiments that utilize multiple disposable syringes, the drug delivery device allows a user to deliver multiple drugs to an animal through a catheter without contaminating the switching devices that control the flow of fluid. The drug delivery device can further utilize a controller to control the switching devices and a controller and syringe pumps to control the operation of the syringes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrocardiography device that is able to obtain the electrocardiogram of a freely moving animal. The present invention utilizes at least two catheters to obtain the electrical signals from the heart of the animal being tested. The catheters are filled with an electrically-conductive, physiological solution and are used in combination with at least two test leads that are able to transfer the electrical signals from the animal to an ECG monitoring device. The present invention also allows for fluids to flow through the catheters to other devices such as a blood sampler controller and/or an infusion pump.

Abstract: A valve comprising valve members which are biased toward a closed or open position is provided with a flexible cable which is used to reposition the valve members by moving the cable so as to overcome the force generated by the biasing means. The cable may be moved by an appropriate actuator, such as a motor. When desired, the cable is moved to its original position allowing the biasing means to return the valve members to their original position. In one embodiment, the cable is slidably constrained within a flexible, non-compressible sleeve. The valve members according to one embodiment ensure complete closure of a resilient tube passing therethrough without the need to radially align the valve members.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for labeling three-dimensional objects. A sheet comprising at least one tag, each tag consisting of a thin piece of resilient, print-treated polyester, or other material, and a method of attaching the tag to a three-dimensional object, such as a glass or plastic vial, is described. The tag identifies each individual object, and permits transfer of the object throughout a series of analytical processes without losing object identity. The tag is marked by offset printing, laser engraving, or another marking process such that the marking does not become unreadable during handling and testing. Labeling of individual objects is accomplished by inserting an object through an aperture in the tag resulting in the tag being attached to the vial. Removal of the vial from the sheet causes the tag to be separated from the sheet and to remain attached to the vial. Alternatively, a sheet holder, such as a rack, could be used to hold the sheet of tags during the labeling process.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for labeling three-dimensional objects. A sheet comprising at least one tag, each tag consisting of a thin piece of resilient, print-treated polyester, or other material, and a method of attaching the tag to a three-dimensional object, such as a glass or plastic vial, is described. The tag identifies each individual object, and permits transfer of the object throughout a series of analytical processes without losing object identity. The tag is marked by offset printing, laser engraving, or another marking process such that the marking does not become unreadable during handling and testing. Labeling of individual objects is accomplished by inserting an object through an aperture in the tag resulting in the tag being attached to the vial. Removal of the vial from the sheet causes the tag to be separated from the sheet and to remain attached to the vial. Alternatively, a sheet holder, such as a rack, could be used to hold the sheet of tags during the labeling process.

Abstract: A movement-responsive system for conducting tests on freely-moving animals is disclosed. The invention includes a container for housing the animal, a mechanism for rotating the container in response to rotational movement of the animal, and one or more test leads connected to the animal for performance of biomedical tests such as infusion, in vivo ultrafiltration, laser-doppler monitoring of blood flow, electrical stimulation and in vivo microdialysis, and a method for automated micro sampling of body fluids in free-moving animals. Because the cage is rotated in response to the animal's rotational movement, no swivel connectors are needed. A rotational sensor assembly is provided to detect rotational movement of the animal within the container. A vertical sensor assembly is mounted to the counterbalanced arm for monitoring vertical movements of the animal. The outputs of the sensor assemblies are routed to a computer or other device for monitoring and/or analyzing the activity of the animal.