Abstract: A system may include a base assembly having a top and a bottom restable on a surface, with the base assembly comprising at least one trough having an upper opening into a cavity and a trough holder configured to hold the at least one trough. The system may also include a cover assembly mounted on the base assembly and configured to cover the at least one trough in the holder. The cover assembly may comprise a main cover portion including a cover wall extending over the at least one trough, with at least one aperture extending through the main cover portion and being substantially vertically aligned with the cavity of the at least one trough mounted on the base assembly. The cover assembly may also include a disc pressure portion configured to removably insert into the at least one aperture press against a disc positioned at the aperture of the main cover portion to move the disc toward the cavity of the at least one trough.

Abstract: Sample manipulating tools may comprise a handle portion and a tool portion. A sample spreading tool may comprise a head connected to the handle portion by a pivot connection permitting at least pivotal movement of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion. The head may comprise a perimeter section and a bridge section. Another sample spreading tool may comprise a central element and at least two loop segments connected to the central element with each loop segment having a substantially arcuate shape. A sample picking tool may have a loop section forming a reservoir for receiving a liquid sample and a hook portion fixed to the loop section, with a first end fixed to the loop portion and a second end being a free end. A sample scraping tool may comprise a mounting structure to receive a pipette and a scraper structure having a scraping edge.

Abstract: Sample manipulating tools may comprise a handle portion and a tool portion. A sample spreading tool may comprise a head connected to the handle portion by a pivot connection permitting at least pivotal movement of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion. The head may comprise a perimeter section and a bridge section. Another sample spreading tool may comprise a central element and at least two loop segments connected to the central element with each loop segment having a substantially arcuate shape. A sample picking tool may have a loop section forming a reservoir for receiving a liquid sample and a hook portion fixed to the loop section, with a first end fixed to the loop portion and a second end being a free end. A sample scraping tool may comprise a mounting structure to receive a pipette and a scraper structure having a scraping edge.

Abstract: An aspirator adapter may comprise a cap portion configured to removably mount on a collection container, a pipette interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to mount a pipette to the cap portion, and a gun interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to interface with a pipette gun. The pipette interface portion may define a pipette interface passage extending through the cap portion and the gun interface portion defining a gun interface passage extending through the cap portion.

Abstract: Sample manipulating tools may comprise a handle portion and a tool portion. A sample spreading tool may comprise a head connected to the handle portion by a pivot connection permitting at least pivotal movement of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion. The head may comprise a perimeter section and a bridge section. Another sample spreading tool may comprise a central element and at least two loop segments connected to the central element with each loop segment having a substantially arcuate shape. A sample picking tool may have a loop section forming a reservoir for receiving a liquid sample and a hook portion fixed to the loop section, with a first end fixed to the loop portion and a second end being a free end. A sample scraping tool may comprise a mounting structure to receive a pipette and a scraper structure having a scraping edge.

Abstract: Sample manipulating tools may comprise a handle portion and a tool portion. A sample spreading tool may comprise a head connected to the handle portion by a pivot connection permitting at least pivotal movement of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion. The head may comprise a perimeter section and a bridge section. Another sample spreading tool may comprise a central element and at least two loop segments connected to the central element with each loop segment having a substantially arcuate shape. A sample picking tool may have a loop section forming a reservoir for receiving a liquid sample and a hook portion fixed to the loop section, with a first end fixed to the loop portion and a second end being a free end. A sample scraping tool may comprise a mounting structure to receive a pipette and a scraper structure having a scraping edge.

Abstract: A media tray system may include a tray having a base wall and a perimeter wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having an upper edge. The system may also include a cover having a top wall and a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall to extend about the perimeter wall of the tray when the cover is in a closed condition with respect to the tray, with the side wall having a lower edge. The system may further include a cover support structure located at the first end of the tray and the first end of the first end of the cover. The cover support structure may be configured to support the cover in an access condition permitting access to the tray interior of the tray through a gap formed between an upper edge of the tray and the lower edge of the cover.

Abstract: An aspirator adapter may comprise a cap portion configured to removably mount on a collection container, a pipette interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to mount a pipette to the cap portion, and a gun interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to interface with a pipette gun. The pipette interface portion may define a pipette interface passage extending through the cap portion and the gun interface portion defining a gun interface passage extending through the cap portion.

Abstract: A cuvette system may comprise a disposable cuvette element for holding a sample for analysis, with the cuvette element comprising an elongated strip having opposite faces and a well for receiving the sample to be analyzed. The well may be formed on the strip to hold a sample on the strip, and a hole may form at least a portion of the well and may extend through the strip. The well may be configured to hold a defined volume of the sample to be held therein. The system may comprise a reusable holder for removably receiving the cuvette element, with the holder having a substantially hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of the cuvette element. The holder may have a perimeter wall including a front wall and a rear wall of the holder, and a window may be formed in each of the front and rear walls and may be generally positioned in alignment with each other.

Abstract: A cuvette system may comprise a disposable cuvette element for holding a sample for analysis, with the cuvette element comprising an elongated strip having opposite faces and a well for receiving the sample to be analyzed. The well may be formed on the strip to hold a sample on the strip, and a hole may form at least a portion of the well and may extend through the strip. The well may be configured to hold a defined volume of the sample to be held therein. The system may comprise a reusable holder for removably receiving the cuvette element, with the holder having a substantially hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of the cuvette element. The holder may have a perimeter wall including a front wall and a rear wall of the holder, and a window may be formed in each of the front and rear walls and may be generally positioned in alignment with each other.

Abstract: A cuvette system may comprise a disposable cuvette element for holding a sample for analysis, with the cuvette element comprising an elongated strip having opposite faces and a well for receiving the sample to be analyzed. The well may be formed on the strip to hold a sample on the strip, and a hole may form at least a portion of the well and may extend through the strip. The well may be configured to hold a defined volume of the sample to be held therein. The system may comprise a reusable holder for removably receiving the cuvette element, with the holder having a substantially hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of the cuvette element. The holder may have a perimeter wall including a front wall and a rear wall of the holder, and a window may be formed in each of the front and rear walls and may be generally positioned in alignment with each other.

Abstract: Near-infrared molecular assays can be used to detect small quantities of a molecule of interest in vivo or in vitro using laser dyes. A hand-held portable device is provided which can rapidly read small quantities of selected molecular tags in tissues of fish or other animals in the field. The device is composed of four components: (1) a light source, such as a laser diode; (2) a sample holder; (3) an optical system; and (4) a detector.

Abstract: Near infrared molecular assays can be used to detect small quantities of a molecule of interest in vivo or in vitro using laser dyes. A hand-held portable device is provided which can rapidly read small quantities of selected molecular tags in tissues of fish or other animals in the field. The device is composed of four components: (1) a light source, such as a laser diode; (2) a sample holder; (3) an optical system; and (4) a detector.

Abstract: Foreign proteins are placed into the blood of an animal so that they can be recovered at a later time and used for identification. Proteins are administered to the animal from a water bath via the animal's gills (where appropriate), gut and, through the skin. The foreign protein is detectable in small amounts using immune assays which magnify the available signals or tags in an assay.

Abstract: Near infrared molecular assays can be used to detect small quantities of a molecule of interest in vivo or in vitro using laser dyes. A hand-held portable device is provided which can rapidly read small quantities of selected molecular tags in tissues of fish or other animals in the field.

Abstract: Foreign proteins are placed into the blood of an animal so that they can be recovered at a later time and used for identification. Proteins are administered to the animal from a water bath via the animal's gills (where appropriate), gut and, through the skin. The foreign protein is detectable in small amounts using immune assays which magnify the available signal or tags in an assay.

Abstract: Induction of immune response is achieved by implantation of an antigen-impregnated substrate in the peritoneal cavity of a mammal. Immunogenic implants adapted to be implanted in mammals and the preparation thereof are also disclosed.