Abstract: Sampling systems and methods for non-invasive sampling of inner-colonic microbiome and its potential derivatives are provided. The sampling systems may operate in fluid communication with a large intestine cleansing system and comprise an electromechanical sampling device configured to collect at least a part of large intestine contents drained by the cleansing system. The electromechanical sampling device may comprise a collection unit configured to collect at least one sample from the contents, and an electromechanical robotic unit configured to move the collection unit to and from a sampling position and to manipulate the collection unit into a respective casing, to deposit the sample(s). Sampling methods may comprise optically monitoring drained contents of the large intestine, characterizing the optically-monitored (and possibly spectrally analyzed) drained contents to determine sampling times, and sampling the drained contents according to the characterization.

Abstract: An ear protector device includes an earplug to insert into an ear canal of a user. The earplug includes a plurality of inflatable structures arranged along a longitudinal axis of the earplug. A length of the earplug is extendible to increase a distance between two of the inflatable structures. Each inflatable element is laterally inflatable when inserted into the ear canal so as to substantially fill a cross section of the ear canal.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for use in assaying an analyte in an automated water quality monitoring analyzer comprising: (a) a platform; (b) array of containers for separately containing at least one reagent, a buffer and a so freeze dried preparation of luminescent bacteria, said containers being mounted on said platform; (c) reaction chamber mounted on said platform and configured for being moved between said containers, such that said reagent, said buffer and said freeze dried preparation of luminescent bacteria are conveyed to said reaction chamber in a predetermined sequence such that light detectable by said analyzer is emitted; (d) fluid transferring means for fluid transfer and mixing between said containers, reaction chamber, and analyzer; (e) conveying means for moving said cartridge to predetermined positions within said automated water quality monitoring analyzer for enabling analysis of said analyte.