Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting an analyte in a fluid sample, comprising a fluid sample collection element, comprising a fluid sample collection element that comprises an absorbing element; a carrier for accommodating a testing element; and a chamber for accommodating a testing element carrier, wherein the testing element carrier is located in the chamber, and the carrier further comprises an extrusion structure that is in contact with the absorbing element and extrudes the absorbing element.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the simultaneous capture and release using micropattern surfaces for tissue and cell microdissection. In one example, a patterned thermoplastic film has a first surface and a plurality of projections attached to and extending outwardly from the first surface. The projections form a pattern on the thermoplastic film.

Abstract: Filter (45) for a pathology assembly (10) comprising a first side (41) that is configured to facilitate the outflow of a fixating, conserving and/or nurturing liquid and/or gas, the first side (41) being configured to withhold at least one specimen, the first side (41) being configured to facilitate recognition and analysis of the specimen, a ridge (46) comprising a filter closing element (26) and a second side (39) opposing the first side (41) comprising a supporting structure (44) and a first member for a first seal (48).

Abstract: Handheld forceps comprising: a body comprising trunk and a first arm and a second arm extending from a base of the trunk coupled at one end and separated from one another at a second end; a rod disposed in the body, the rod comprising a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm and forming an apex in the trunk; a compression spring disposed around the apex of the rod in the trunk; and a button coupled to the apex of the rod and protruding through an opening in the trunk. Also a method of using the handheld forceps.

Abstract: The invention shows and describes a vibration mill for at least two grinding beakers performing vibrations in the horizontal position, with at least one multi-part pendulum drive, wherein the pendulum drive has at least one eccentric shaft mounted to rotate about a vertical eccentric axis, and at least two rockers each mounted so as to be capable of vibrating about a vertical vibration axis and connected by means of couplers to the eccentric shaft, said rockers holding the grinding beakers. The pendulum drive further has a motor unit coupled to the eccentric shaft as a drive for the eccentric shaft and optionally further components, wherein a rotary movement of the eccentric shaft via the couplers can be converted into a vibrating movement of the rockers. According to the invention, the centre of gravity of the pendulum drive in a horizontal centre of gravity plane is substantially equidistant from both vibration axes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) and method (2) for automatically preparing liquid-based cytology (LBC) slides (107) by means of filtration comprising of at least one substrate (101) for holding a vial (103) containing specimen, a filter (105) and a slide (107) wherein said substrate (101) is located at a first station (FS); at least one working station (WS) comprises of a working platform (109) connected to said first station (FS) wherein said first station (FS) includes a vertical rotary conveyor system (121) which is flexible, user friendly and capable of providing uniformity of the cell distribution in the homogenous thin-layer LBC slides (107) as well as increase system throughput.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for producing a sample of subcellular organelles, particularly nuclei, from a tissue. In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a method of processing a tissue sample involves performing enzymatic/chemical disruption of tissue in a chamber to produce disrupted tissue comprising released cells and/or nuclei and debris; separating the released cells and/or nuclei from the debris therein; and moving the released cells and/or nuclei. In some instances, the method comprises mechanical disruption of the tissue sample.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure assist with management of tubes and hoses during surgical procedures. The systems, devices, and methods provide for the proper opening and closing of tubes to facilitate performance of steps in a surgical procedure. Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure control fluid delivery to and from a medical device, including devices for tissue processing and cleaning.

Abstract: A non-invasive measurement of biological tissue reveals information about the function of that tissue. Polarized light is directed onto the tissue, stimulating the emission of fluorescence, due to one or more endogenous fluorophors in the tissue. Fluorescence anisotropy is then calculated. Such measurements of fluorescence anisotropy are then used to assess the functional status of the tissue, and to identify the existence and severity of disease states. Such assessment can be made by comparing a fluorescence anisotropy profile with a known profile of a control.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the efficient disaggregation of tissue samples, separating the tissue into individual intact cells or small aggregates of cells for analysis. A device may include a chamber to receive fluid and a tissue specimen containing more than one cell to be disaggregated. The chamber may include an opening and an agitator in fluid contact with the fluid and the tissue specimen. The agitator may include a micromotor which provides rotational motion to a shaft and an impeller fixed to the shaft such that the impeller and the shaft rotate together upon provision of the rotational motion by the micromotor. The device may include an electrical energy source electrically coupled to the micromotor to rotate the impeller sufficient to disaggregate the one or more individual cells from the tissue specimen and in a manner which does not lyse the one or more individual cells.

Abstract: Cell deposition and staining apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. In particular, the deposition and staining apparatuses disclosed herein provide low-volume, automated bench top systems for depositing and staining cellular samples on a cytological slide. An example deposition and staining apparatus includes a housing having an access door; a substrate processing holder located within the housing configured to hold one or more substrates and/or one or more substrate cartridges, wherein the substrate processing holder is accessible when the access door is in an open configuration; at least one opening located at least partially above at least a portion of the substrate processing holder; a spray nozzle configured to dispense a gaseous substance into the substrate processing area; a user interface configured receive an input from a user, and in response to receiving the input, cause execution of a pre-programmed protocol; and a waste and/or reagent holder element.

Abstract: A tissue embedding cassette has a box defining an inner cavity. A shield has a transparent plate body, the shield for being applied against a surface of the box. Complementary connectors for the shield to be held against the surface of the box. An assembly for a tissue embedding cassette of the type having a box defining an inner cavity may include a lid adapted to be operatively connected to the box, the lid opening and closing access to the inner cavity of the box. A shield has a transparent plate body, the shield configured for being applied against a surface of the box. Complementary connectors on the lid and/or the shield, for the shield to be held against the surface of the box.

Abstract: Vacuum systems for epoxy mounting of material samples are disclosed. In some examples, a vacuum system may be a castable and/or cold mounting vacuum system that facilitates mounting and/or encapsulation of material samples in epoxy resin under low, vacuum, and/or near vacuum pressure. In some examples, the vacuum system may comprise a flow control device configured to control epoxy flow through a dispensing tube that connects to a hollow vacuum chamber. In some examples, the vacuum chamber may have an opening encircled by a rim sandwiched between upper and lower portions of a sealing ring. A movable lid may be configured to press down on the upper portion of the sealing ring when in a closed position, so as to seal the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

Abstract: Tissue sample cassettes for receiving tissue samples include an upper tray including compartments separated by dividers, a lower tray coupled to the upper tray and having a central recess, and an absorbent material located in the recess of the lower tray. Related systems and methods for automated gross processing of tissue samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to opposables including a body having a plurality of cavities disposed therein. Each cavity can be designed to contain one or more reagents, liquids, or fluids which may be applied to a specimen-bearing surface. In some embodiments, the cavities include one or more reagent chambers, the reagent chambers can have one or more seals such that the reagents, liquids, or fluids contained therein may be stored and released to the specimen-bearing surface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and compositions featuring a solid, dissolvable reagent composition for delivering the reagent, such as an antibody, probe, chromogen, etc., to a sample. The present invention also features methods of producing said compositions, and automated systems featuring the use of the solid, dissolvable reagent compositions. The solid, dissolvable reagent composition may comprise a water-soluble polymer film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol film, infused with the reagent, wherein when applied to the sample, the water-soluble polymer film with reagent contacts the sample (e.g., tissue) and dissolves.

Abstract: An electric field stirring apparatus, in which a droplet as a liquid disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode disposed to face each other is vibrated and stirred by an electric field generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second electrode having a groove formed along a first direction on an electrode surface facing the first electrode, includes a movement mechanism that reciprocally moves the first electrode relative to the second electrode in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode face each other during a period in which the electric field is generated.

Abstract: An analytical toilet comprising: a bowl for collecting feces from a user; a comminutor that comminutes at least a portion of the feces; a processing fluid driver that causes a processing fluid to mix with and transport at least a portion of the comminuted feces to an analytical station in the toilet; a separator that separates a sample of the at least a portion of the comminuted feces to be analyzed; and a wash fluid driver that causes a wash fluid to wash the feces out of the bowl.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device has a plurality of types of photometers having different quantitative ranges, and an analysis control unit for quantifying the desired component in specimens based on measurement values of one or more photometers selected from among the plurality of types of photometers. The analysis control unit: sets a switching region in an overlap region of respective quantitative ranges of the plurality of types of photometers, said switching region having a greater width than does the variation in quantitative values of the desired component based on the measurement values of photometers having the same specimen; compares the quantitative value of a quantitative range portion that corresponds to the switching region and the quantitative values of the desired component based on the measurement values of the photometers; and selects a photometer to be used in quantitative output of the desired component from among the plurality of types of photometers.