Abstract: A biological sample holder for holding a solid phase sample, including a handle, and a seal area suitable for being received in an opening of a sample receiving chamber of a cassette, mountable to a sample analysis instrument. The holder further includes a stem connected to the seal and a sample retainer connected to the stem for retaining solids in the retainer, the sample retainer including a perforated wall region for allowing fluids to pass through the wall but preventing the solid phase sample from passing through the wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nucleic acid collection and storage, and in particular to the collection and long-term storage of nuclei. The invention provides a device and method which can be used to capture and store nuclei at ambient temperatures allowing the subsequent isolation of nucleic acids by passive washing with a wash buffer. The present invention also provides a kit including the device of the invention suitable for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 100 is disclosed comprising a body 112 including a biological sample S and/or reagent R receiving slot 122. The sample and reagent are carried on a solid support 10. The device 100 includes two punch assemblies 130 for removing portions of the solid support 10 and delivering them, together with the sample and/or reagent(s), to a receiving chamber 126 for subsequent processing. The device can be used for various assays including those which require just the addition of water in the reaction chamber with no pre-treatment of sample prior delivery into the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device and method for filtering liquids. In conventional devices, a liquid is placed in a vial, and a plunger, having a filter membrane located at one end, is depressed into the vial, causing the liquid to pass through the filter membrane into the interior of the plunger, where it is stored until required for further processing. However, such plungers are typically made of a plastics material. It is undesirable to store the filtered liquid in contact with plastics for extended periods of time, as contaminants may leach from the plastics material into the sample. In embodiments of the present invention, a filtrate receptacle made from a different material to the plunger, such as a glass material, is located in the interior of the plunger and the filtered liquid collected in the filtrate receptacle after passing through the filter membrane.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device comprising: a housing comprising a first opening for connecting to a liquid source, a second opening for connecting with an apparatus for drawing in and expelling liquid, and a valve means comprising a filter carrier and a filter, the filter carrier supporting the filter and being movable within the housing; wherein the valve means permits liquid that is drawn into the housing from the liquid source by the apparatus to enter the apparatus by bypassing the filter but which forces liquid that is subsequently pushed from the apparatus through the second opening into the housing to be filtered through the filter.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which comprises: a body; and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material (not shown), the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position (shown in FIG. 8) where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position (shown in FIG. 9) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The device is characterized in that the body slideably supports the sample collection member, and in that the body or collection member include a ramp-like projection portion (116 FIG. 10) operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device for use in filtration of a liquid, and disclose: a liquid receptacle having an open end and a closed end; a plunger body moveable at least partially within the liquid receptacle along an axis said axis extending between the open and closed ends, said plunger including a filtrate chamber in fluid communication with the liquid receptacle via a fluid filtering path and a filter disposed in the filtering path, and the device further including a slidable seal for inhibiting or preventing fluid flow across the seal during said plunger movement; wherein said seal includes a first skirt depending from the plunger at one end of the first skirt, said first skirt having an outer surface which in use slidably and sealingly abuts the vial, and having, at least in an uncompressed state, a generally annular separation between the skirt and the plunger body, which separation extends generally parallel to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nucleic acid collection and storage, and in particular to the collection and long-term storage of nuclei. The invention provides a device and method which can be used to capture and store nuclei at ambient temperatures allowing the subsequent isolation of nucleic acids by passive washing with a wash buffer. The present invention also provides a kit including the device of the invention suitable for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 100 is disclosed comprising a body112 including a biological sample S and/or reagent R receiving slot 122. The sample and reagent are carried on a solid support 10. The device 100 includes two punch assemblies 130 for removing portions of the solid support 10 and delivering them, together with the sample and/or reagent(s), to a receiving chamber 126 for subsequent processing. The device can be used for various assays including those which require just the addition of water in the reaction chamber with no pre-treatment of sample prior delivery into the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device comprising: a housing comprising a first opening for connecting to a liquid source, a second opening for connecting with an apparatus for drawing in and expelling liquid, and a valve means comprising a filter carrier and a filter, the filter carrier supporting the filter and being movable within the housing; wherein the valve means permits liquid that is drawn into the housing from the liquid source by the apparatus to enter the apparatus by bypassing the filter but which forces liquid that is subsequently pushed from the apparatus through the second opening into the housing to be filtered through the filter.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which comprises: a body; and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material (not shown), the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position (shown in FIG. 8) where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position (shown in FIG. 9) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The device is characterised in that the body slideably supports the sample collection member, and in that the body or collection member include a ramp-like projection portion (116 FIG. 10) operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a reagent supply apparatus comprising: a solid support 12 formed preferably from cellulose fibrous material having a porosity which allows liquid flow through the material; at least one generally dry reagent 16 stored on a surface of the support at a regent location or locations; the support further being suitable for storing biological sample material 17 in a dry state at a sample location or locations, spaced from the reagent location or locations.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed comprising: a body 12 housing a sample storage medium (30 FIG. 2a) for generally dry storage of the biological material, the body including a lid portion 40 operable to provide at least open and closed positions for generally respectively exposing or covering said storage medium; and a sample collection member 20 supported on the body for collecting the biological sample material, the collection member being pivotable from a first exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible (FIG. 1a), to a second transfer position (FIG. 3a) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample onto said medium, the device being characterised in that the lid portion includes a receiver (44 FIG. 6a) for holding the sample collector when said lid is in the closed position.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: A biological sample holder for holding a solid phase sample, including a handle, and a seal area suitable for being received in an opening of a sample receiving chamber of a cassette, mountable to a sample analysis instrument. The holder further includes a stem connected to the seal and a sample retainer connected to the stem for retaining solids in the retainer, the sample retainer including a perforated wall region for allowing fluids to pass through the wall but preventing the solid phase sample from passing through the wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biological sample holder, a container for storing multiple holders, and an automated holder retrieval system. The sample holder may comprise an elongate generally planar support including a handle end and an opposing biological sample storage end, wherein, a substrate for accepting a biological sample is mounted to the holder at said sample storage end. Optionally the substrate is so mounted within a recess in the surface of the support and the recess has a local surface providing a reaction surface for allowing a sub-sample to be removed from the medium by mechanical action, such as cutting or punching. The container may include an array of wells each well being generally square or rectangular in plan and the holders dimensioned so that they are held diagonally in a respective well.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an in-hand operable compressor 200 for compressing syringeless filter devices 100. The compressor 200 includes a base 220 having a receiving well 222 adapted to receive a bottom portion of the uncompressed device 100, and a discrete top 210 having a receiving recess (212 FIG. 4) adapted to receive a top portion of the uncompressed device 100, said base and top being brought together in use by hand compression to cause compression of the device 100 located in the well and recess of the compressor. Surface formations 250 and 252 (FIG. 2) are complementary and inhibit misalignment of said well and recess during the in-hand compression.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device and method for filtering liquids. In conventional devices, a liquid is placed in a vial, and a plunger, having a filter membrane located at one end, is depressed into the vial, causing the liquid to pass through the filter membrane into the interior of the plunger, where it is stored until required for further processing. However, such plungers are typically made of a plastics material. It is undesirable to store the filtered liquid in contact with plastics for extended periods of time, as contaminants may leach from the plastics material into the sample. In embodiments of the present invention, a filtrate receptacle made from a different material to the plunger, such as a glass material, is located in the interior of the plunger and the filtered liquid collected in the filtrate receptacle after passing through the filter membrane.