Abstract: An apparatus for storing and monitoring blood culture bottles. The apparatus has a moveable rack configured as a drum having a plurality of receptacles therein for receiving blood culture bottles. The drum is disposed in a housing. The housing includes a heater and a blower for incubating the blood culture bottles at elevated temperatures. Optionally the apparatus has a plurality of drums, each having a plurality of receptacles for receiving blood culture bottles.

Abstract: A pierceable cap may be used for containing sample specimens. The pierceable cap may prevent escape of sample specimens before transfer with a transfer device. The pierceable cap may fit over a vessel. An access port in the shell of the pierceable cap may allow passage of a transfer device through the pierceable cap. The shell receives a septum that has four half dome indentations, each indentation defining a quadrant of the septum interior. The indentations are separated by the septum floor which extends along respective first and second diameters of the septum and intersect at approximately ninety degrees. The half dome indentations guide a transfer device to the partially slitted portion of the septum floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding sample tubes for sample preparation is provided. The apparatus includes a sample tube holder with an opening to accept a sample tube. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly with a hinge plate and a hinge support, wherein the hinge plate is movable relative to the hinge support. In one example, the hinge plate pivots in two rotation directions and slides in two translational directions relative to the hinge support. The hinge plate limits vertical movement of the sample tube within the sample tube holder. In one aspect, a method includes inserting a sample tube into an opening of a sample tube holder and pivoting and sliding a hinge plate relative to a hinge support, wherein the hinge plate limits vertical movement of the sample tube within the sample tube holder.