Abstract: A pierceable cap 11 may be used for containing sample specimens. The pierceable cap 11 may prevent escape of sample specimens before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 11 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the shell of the pierceable cap 11 may allow passage of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 11. At least one frangible layer 215, 216 may be configured with cross slits 506 in a particular cross slit geometry. The cross slits 506 may contain an openable portion 644 or be covered by a thin membrane 645. The shell 610 and frangible layer(s) 215, 216 may be integrated into a one piece cap 601, or be separate components 634. The membrane on which the cross slits 506 are placed can be flat or contoured to guide the transfer device 43 to the cross slits 506.

Abstract: A power saw system including a workstation having a table top surface, a saw arm coupled to the workstation at a first hinge member, the saw arm being configured to pivot toward and away from the table top surface about the first hinge member, a circular saw coupled to a distal end of the saw arm, and a second hinge member provided to the saw arm between the first hinge member and the circular saw, the second hinge member configured such that circular saw can be selectively rotated about the second hinge member in a direction lateral to an axis of the saw arm.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for testing samples (e.g., biological samples, environmental samples, food samples etc.) for microbial contamination. For example, some embodiments describe an adapter assembly with a means to penetrate a septum of a collection vessel and permit gaseous communication between a headspace of the collection vessel and a sensor. In some embodiments, the gases in the headspace of the collection vessel can exit the collection vessel without contaminating the environment outside the system or allowing sample contamination. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes a membrane configured to prevent liquid in the collection vessel from contacting the sensor. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly can be used to access media inside the collection vessel for subculturing or aliquotting for another diagnostic process such as molecular diagnostics.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays. In some embodiments, a first pipette sheath comprises an aperture pair. The aperture pair includes a first hole and an opposing, second hole. In some embodiments, a first pipette sheath comprises a first pipette tip aperture configured to receive a first pipette tip, and a second pipette sheath comprises a second pipette tip aperture configured to receive a second pipette tip.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for detecting and/or identifying one or more specific microorganisms in a culture sample. Indicator particles, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active nanoparticles, each having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest, can form a complex with specific microorganisms in the culture sample. Further, agitating magnetic capture particles also having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest can be used to capture the microorganism-indicator particle complex and concentrate the complex in a localized area of an assay vessel for subsequent detection and identification. The complex can be dispersed, pelleted, and redispersed so that the culture sample can be retested a number of times during incubation so as to allow for real-time monitoring of the culture sample.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays.

Abstract: A pierceable cap 11 may be used for containing sample specimens. The pierceable cap 11 may prevent escape of sample specimens before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 11 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the shell of the pierceable cap 11 may allow passage of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 11. At least one frangible layer 215, 216 may be configured with cross slits 506 in a particular cross slit geometry. The cross slits 506 may contain an openable portion 644 or be covered by a thin membrane 645. The shell 610 and frangible layer (s) 215, 216 may be integrated into a one piece cap 601, or be separate components 634. The membrane on which the cross slits 506 are placed can be flat or contoured to guide the transfer device 43 to the cross slits 506.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays. A first pipette sheath comprising an aperture pair is disclosed. The aperture pair includes a first cored hole and a second cored hole, wherein the first and second cored holes are located on opposing sides of the first pipette sheath, and wherein the first and second cored holes are positioned along the length of the first pipette sheath at the same distance from a first pipette tip aperture. The first and second cored holes are arranged coaxially about an axis transverse to a first longitudinal axis of the first pipette sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays.

Abstract: A pierceable cap 411 may be used for containing sample specimens during storage and transport. The pierceable cap 411 may prevent unwanted escape of sample specimen before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 411 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the pierceable cap 411 may allow passage of a tip 41 of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 411. Single or multiple frangible layers 415, 416 may be disposed across the access port. Single frangible layers 415, 416 are configured to prevent venting upon initially being pierced by a transfer device 43 but to allow venting as the transfer device 43 is advanced through the frangible layer 415, 416.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for detecting and/or identifying one or more specific microorganisms in a culture sample. Indicator particles, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active nanoparticles, each having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest, can form a complex with specific microorganisms in the culture sample. Further, agitating magnetic capture particles also having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest can be used to capture the microorganism-indicator particle complex and concentrate the complex in a localized area of an assay vessel for subsequent detection and identification. The complex can be dispersed, pelleted, and redispersed so that the culture sample can be retested a number of times during incubation so as to allow for real-time monitoring of the culture sample.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays.

Abstract: A pierceable cap 411 may be used for containing sample specimens during storage and transport. The pierceable cap 411 may prevent unwanted escape of sample specimen before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 411 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the pierceable cap 411 may allow passage of a tip 41 of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 411. Single or multiple frangible layers 415,416 may be disposed across the access port. Single frangible layers 415,416 are configured to prevent venting upon initially being pierced by a transfer device 43 but to allow venting as the transfer device 43 is advanced through the frangible layer 415,416.

Abstract: A pierceable cap 11 may be used for containing sample specimens. The pierceable cap 11 may prevent escape of sample specimens before transfer with a transfer device 43. The pierceable cap 11 may fit over a vessel 21. An access port in the shell of the pierceable cap 11 may allow passage of a transfer device 43 through the pierceable cap 11. At least one frangible layer 215, 216 may be configured with cross slits 506 in a particular cross slit geometry. The cross slits 506 may contain an openable portion 644 or be covered by a thin membrane 645. The shell 610 and frangible layer (s) 215, 216 may be integrated into a one piece cap 601, or be separate components 634. The membrane on which the cross slits 506 are placed can be flat or contoured to guide the transfer device 43 to the cross slits 506.