Abstract: Fluid delivery devices for delivering therapeutic agents are described. More particularly, this disclosure relates to drug reconstitution devices having a plurality of components movable with respect to one another such that an active agent and a solvent can be reconstituted within the device prior to injection. The fluid delivery devices can include a housing, a cartridge holder, a cartridge disposed within the cartridge holder, a button rod, and a foot. The cartridge stores the active agent and the solvent, which are separated by one or more stoppers. The button rod and foot can provide an axial force upon the stopper(s) in the cartridge to inject the fluid once reconstituted. The foot and the button rod can be separate components, thereby enabling the foot to rotate independently with respect to the button rod as the cartridge holder is rotated to reconstitute the therapeutic and prime the device for injection.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a composition for staining cytological material comprising a cationic dye component, a hygroscopic polyol and optionally a water-soluble solvent, water or water-miscible solvent, methods of use of the compositions. Advantageously, the present compositions do not require the use of a cover slide as is required in known staining fixatives. The compositions are able to retain cell morphology for a period of time such that a cover slide is not required. Further, the compositions do not contain hazardous levels of organic components. Preferably, the compositions consist essentially of Azure C, glycerol and optionally water. In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method of characterizing a cell sample comprising contacting the cell sample with a composition comprising a dye component and a hygroscopic polyol and subjecting the sample to analysis to determine the presence or absence of abnormal cells.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a composition for staining cytological material comprising a cationic dye component, a hygroscopic polyol and optionally a water-soluble solvent, water or water-miscible solvent, methods of use of the compositions. Advantageously, the present compositions do not require the use of a cover slide as is required in known staining fixatives. The compositions are able to retain cell morphology for a period of time such that a cover slide is not required. Further, the compositions do not contain hazardous levels of organic components. Preferably, the compositions consist essentially of Azure C, glycerol and optionally water. In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a method of characterizing a cell sample comprising contacting the cell sample with a composition comprising a dye component and a hygroscopic polyol and subjecting the sample to analysis to determine the presence or absence of abnormal cells.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: A nephelometer that measures turbidity of low volume suspensions using measurements of light transmitted through and/or scattered by the sample. The sample suspension is placed in a tiered cuvette adapted to facilitate measuring the turbidity of low volume samples. The lower portion of the cuvette has smaller dimensions, in horizontal cross section, than the top portion. Both lower and upper portions have angled surfaces. The lower, smaller portion of the cuvette is interrogated by the nephelometer.

Abstract: An efficient manual method for preparing a cytology sample for staining. According to the method, a biological sample is provided, wherein the biological sample is a liquid-based cytology sample. A slide is placed in a holder adapted for receiving the slide. The slide is pre-coated with a composition that will cause cells to adhere to the slide. A settling chamber is placed over said slide and the settling chamber is locked onto the holder. The settling chamber has openings in both proximate and distal ends. The opening in the distal end of the settling chamber is positioned over the slide such that the slide is interposed between the holder and the settling chamber and the slide is in fluid communication with the settling chamber. A density reagent is then dispensed into the settling chamber. The liquid-based cytology sample is then dispensed into the settling chamber over the reagent. The assembly formed by the holder, slide and settling chamber (and its liquid contents) is placed in a centrifuge.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: A sample preparation device and associated method is provided for preparing samples according to an assay protocol. A cell deposition module deposits a sample on each of a plurality of assay devices supported by a support device. An epitope retrieval module deposits a reagent on each of the samples. Each of the samples is brought to a selected temperature. A heating device, corresponding to each of the assay devices, directly interacts with the corresponding assay device and may be used to heat each assay device to the selected temperature, in conjunction with the epitope retrieval module depositing the reagent on each of the samples. A staining module deposits a staining reagent on each of the samples, and removes excess staining reagent. The staining, epitope retrieval, and cell deposition modules cooperate with the support device and heating devices to form a unitary sample preparation device.

Abstract: A nephelometer that measures turbidity of low volume suspensions using measurements of light transmitted through and/or scattered by the sample. The sample suspension is placed in a tiered cuvette adapted to facilitate measuring the turbidity of low volume samples. The lower portion of the cuvette has smaller dimensions, in horizontal cross section, than the top portion. Both lower and upper portions have angled surfaces. The lower, smaller portion of the cuvette is interrogated by the nephelometer.

Abstract: The invention provides a sequential centrifuge for centrifuging discrete samples. Methods of more efficiently centrifuging discrete samples sequentially are also provided. The apparatus and methods for sequentially centrifuging discrete samples provide improved operating efficiencies over conventional batch centrifuges. Such advantages include reducing dwell time, increasing system throughput, reducing sample processing system footprint, and improving precision of the analytical process. The sequential centrifuge further provides the capability of handling critical samples without compromising the operating efficiencies achieved in centrifuging discrete samples in a sequential manner.

Abstract: A sample preparation device and associated method is provided for preparing samples according to an assay protocol. A cell deposition module deposits a sample on each a plurality of assay devices supported by a support device. An epitope retrieval module deposits a reagent on each of the samples. Each of the samples is brought to a selected temperature. A heating device, corresponding to each of the assay devices, directly interacts with the corresponding assay device may be used to heat each assay device to the selected temperature, in conjunction with the epitope retrieval module depositing the reagent on each of the samples. A staining module deposits a staining reagent on each of the samples, and removes excess staining reagent. The staining, epitope retrieval, and cell deposition modules cooperate with the support device and heating devices to form a unitary sample preparation device.

Abstract: A sample tube holder assembly may include a base comprising a base cavity defined therein. The sample tube holder assembly may include at least one first engagement member disposed within the base cavity and a plurality of sample tube holder racks configured to be received within the base cavity, at least one of the sample tube holder racks comprising at least one second engagement member, wherein each of the plurality of sample tube holder racks further comprises at least one sample tube cavity configured to receive a respective sample tube therein. The first and second engagement members may be configured to engage with one another when the plurality of sample tube holder racks are positioned within the base cavity such that the sample tube holder racks are offset at a different depth from one another within the base cavity.

Abstract: A sample preparation device and associated method is provided for preparing samples according to an assay protocol. A cell deposition module deposits a sample on each a plurality of assay devices supported by a support device. An epitope retrieval module deposits a reagent on each of the samples. Each of the samples is brought to a selected temperature. A heating device, corresponding to each of the assay devices, directly interacts with the corresponding assay device may be used to heat each assay device to the selected temperature, in conjunction with the epitope retrieval module depositing the reagent on each of the samples. A staining module deposits a staining reagent on each of the samples, and removes excess staining reagent. The staining, epitope retrieval, and cell deposition modules cooperate with the support device and heating devices to form a unitary sample preparation device.

Abstract: An exhaust collector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The exhaust collector includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a side panel. The side panel includes a circumferential portion, a first contoured portion, and a second contoured portion. The circumferential portion extends about the exhaust collector axis with a constant radius. The first contoured portion and the second contoured portion are each between the circumferential portion and the exhaust outlet and include a plurality of curved sections with alternating concavity. Each of the plurality of curved sections extends from the front panel to the rear panel.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sequential sample preparation system using a sequential centrifuge for preparing samples for analysis. Methods of more efficiently preparing discrete samples sequentially for subsequent analysis are also provided. The apparatus and methods for sequentially preparing discrete samples provide improved operating efficiencies over conventional preparation processes that use batch centrifugation systems. Such advantages include reducing dwell time, increasing system throughput, reducing sample preparation system footprint, and improving precision of the analytical process. The integrated sequential preparation system with the integrated sequential centrifuge further provides the capability of handling critical or STAT samples without compromising the operating efficiencies achieved by preparing discrete samples in a sequential manner.