Abstract: A fecal collection apparatus includes a main body including an insertion end and a removal end opposite the insertion end, the main body defining a main body cavity between the insertion end and the removal end, a sample collection member positionable within the main body cavity through the insertion end, the sample collection member defining a fecal engagement portion for holding a fecal sample and a handle portion spaced apart from the fecal engagement portion, and a plug provided at a removal end of the main body, the plug positionable from a closed position in which the plug restricts fluid from passing from the main body cavity through the removal end, to an open position.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a blood sample from an animal is disclosed. The method includes: (a) extracting a blood sample from a blood collection device, wherein the blood collection device comprises: (i) a microneedle array and (ii) a blood storage layer, and wherein the microneedle array transports the blood sample from the animal to the blood storage layer, and wherein the microneedle array comprises one or more microneedles; (b) conducting at least one test on the extracted blood sample; and (c) reporting results from the at least one test to a customer.

Abstract: A collection device for examining fecal matter to determine whether or not a patient is afflicted with parasites includes a particle accumulating plug mounted on an end of a collection tube containing a fecal specimen. The particle accumulating plug includes a conically-shaped inner wall that defines an inverted funnel within the plug. A pipetting port is formed through the inner wall at the apex of the inverted funnel to allow the tip of a pipette to enter the port and aspirate the ova or eggs, or other parasite cells, that have separated from the fecal specimen when a flotation solution is added to the tube and the tube is centrifuged. The conical shape of the inner wall of the plug directs the separated parasite ova or eggs towards the pipetting port and to accumulate within the volume of the funnel of the plug so that a desired volume of fluid containing a concentrated quantity of parasite ova or eggs may be aspirated into the pipette tip through the pipetting port of the particle accumulating plug.

Abstract: The present invention predicts Critical Dimension (CD) before processing a wafer lot and alters the etch by adjusting recipe inputs to control the current lots bias to target critical dimensions. Also, the process incorporates the use of etch chamber selection by an automated system, disallowing processing of a lot if critical dimensions are predicted to be out of control. Line caper, the angle of sidewall on the metal line, and oxide loss, the amount of oxide removed by the over etch portion of the process, are also used to monitor current tool performance and make adjustments to recipe inputs.

Abstract: A retaining clip for retaining reagent test slides in a stacked arrangement is formed as a unitary member and has first, second and third plates, each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the first plate pivots towards the inner surface of the second plate, and the inner surface of the third plate also pivots such that the inner surfaces of the first and third plates at least partially face each other upon pivoting. The inner surfaces of the first and third plates are separated by a distance to accommodate the reagent test slides in a stacked arrangement. Alternatively, the third and second plates can be fixed rigidly to each other with only the first plate pivoting to at least partially face the third plate upon pivoting.