Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling cartridge comprising a sampling cartridge body. The sampling cartridge body includes a storage container holding region, at where a storage container is or is able to be located. It also includes a sample collector holding region at where a sample collector is or is able to be located. In use, the body holds the sample collector and storage container in alignment with each other in a pre-sampling condition spaced apart with a sufficient gap to allow part of an item to be sampled to locate at the gap.

Abstract: A sampling system that uses a handheld body that can hold a punch and storage container to receive the punch. A sample identification reader and an item ID reader are used to read ID of the item and punch or storage container. The timing between the taking of a sample and the reading of the item ID and the ID of the punch/storage container may be recorded and if the time is too long the sample may be assigned as being invalid or of high tamper risk.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of recording information and associating the information with sample taken from an item. The method may use a sampler that can receive a plurality of sample collecting devices that can remove a sample from the item. Information is recorded about the item and about the sample collecting device used to take a sample from the item. Geolocation information of the sampler at the time of taking a sample and timing information between the time of reading item ID and sample collecting device ID is associated with the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick release apparatus configurable to drive a driven member. The driven member comprises a primary driver which provides or carries a driven member, and that is able to drive the driven member in a first direction to an operative position. The driven member further comprises an actuable secondary driver. The primary and secondary drivers are configurable between a first mode, wherein the secondary driver is able to drive the primary driver in the first direction, and in a second mode which allows the primary driver to be moved away from the operative position independent of the position of the secondary driver under the influence of a bias.

Abstract: A sample collector to take and hold a biopsy sample from an organism upon being driven by an actuator into the organism, the collector comprising a punch that includes a cutter with a cutting edge formed at a cutting end of the punch to remove and retain a biopsy sample, and a unique identifier on or in the collector, the identifier being machine or human readable at the time of use of the collector to take the sample.

Abstract: A tissue sample punch to puncture into and through tissue, the punch comprising a tubular body having a tissue puncturing end and a trailing end, the tissue puncturing end being formed to define saddle cut having at least two peaks that define the distal extent of the puncturing end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit of parts comprising a collecting device for collecting a tissue sample and a storage tube for storing the tissue sample therein. The collecting device comprises a punch and a plunger located within a bore of the punch and being adapted to slide within the bore. The storage tube comprises a tube body having an open first end, a closed second end, and a cap located at the first end of the tube body, the cap having a breakable seal that extends across the body of the tube to seal the first end of the tube body. The collecting device is adapted to break the seal of the cap and to fill the resulting opening to close off the storage tube.

Abstract: A storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, held by a biopsy sample collector, the storage container comprising a container body defining a containment region with an open end, and a container cap removably located at the open end to seal the containment region, the cap including a passage that is closed by a closure that is able to be ruptured to allow a biopsy sample retaining biopsy sample collector to thereat enter the containment region so that the sample can be stored in the containment region and the sample collector can seal the passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue sampler for taking samples of tissue from animal's or plants. The tissue sampler is adapted to hold a storage tube in which a tissue sample is to be placed and to hold a magazine comprising one or more collecting devices. Each collecting device comprises a punch for cutting a tissue sampler and a plunger for pushing the tissue sample into the storage tube. The magazine can be moved after each tissue sample is taken so that a fresh collection device is ready to take the next tissue sample. The invention also relates to a magazine comprising a plurality of collecting devices for use with the tissue sampler.

Abstract: A biopsy sampler comprising a penetration zone for receiving a part of an organism, a ram actuated to move along a path between a withdrawn position and an advanced position, a sample collector that cuts a biopsy sample from tissue in the penetration zone, and a container that receives the sample collector, the sample collector and the container being initially located on opposite sides of the penetration zone, a disposable shield initially located between the ram in the withdrawn position and the penetration zone, advance action of the ram to the advanced position bringing together the sample collector and container, and bringing the disposable shield into the penetration zone, withdrawal action of the ram to the withdrawn position withdrawing the disposable shield, leaving the tissue free to leave the penetration zone, such that in use in collecting a sample the shield contacts tissue surfaces and while the ram does not.

Abstract: A sampling system that uses a handheld body that can hold a punch and storage container to receive the punch. A sample identification reader and an item ID reader are used to read ID of the item and punch or storage container. The timing between the taking of a sample and the reading of the item ID and the ID of the punch/storage container may be recorded and if the time is too long the sample may be assigned as being invalid or of high tamper risk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage container to receive and store a biopsy sample of an organism, held by a biopsy sample collector. The storage container comprises a container body defining a containment region with an open or openable end. The storage container further comprises a container cap located at the open end. The container cap is able to be removed from the container body by displacement in a direction (herein after “removal direction”) away from said containment region. The cap includes a passage leading to the containment region the passage able to receive a sample retaining sample collector. The storage container additionally comprises a tamper evident sleeve about at least part of the cap and the container body. The sleeve comprises of two parts that are frangibly connected.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of recording information and associating the information with sample taken from an item. The method may use a sampler that can receive a plurality of sample collecting devices that can remove a sample from the item. Information is recorded about the item and about the sample collecting device used to take a sample from the item. Geolocation information of the sampler at the time of taking a sample and timing information between the time of reading item ID and sample collecting device ID is associated with the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to, as an assembled elongate string, a sample collector and sample collector driver to drive at least the sample collector through an item to be sampled. The sample collector comprises a punch having a bore aligned to the elongate direction. One end of the punch and bore presents a cutter to cut and hold a sample from the item at the bore as the punch passes through the sample. The sample collector further comprises a plunger slideably supported to said punch to be able to move in said bore between a retracted position and an advanced position relative said punch. The movement of the plunger from the retracted position to the advanced position causes, in use, the cutter held sample to be displaced from the cutter. The sample collector driver comprises a body interfaced with said sample collector in a telescopic manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling cartridge comprising a sampling cartridge body. The sampling cartridge body includes a storage container holding region, at where a storage container is or is able to be located. It also includes a sample collector holding region at where a sample collector is or is able to be located. In use the body holds the sample collector and storage container in alignment with each other in a pre-sampling condition spaced apart with a sufficient gap to allow part of an item to be sampled to locate at said gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick release apparatus configurable to drive a driven member. The driven member comprises a primary driver which provides or carries a driven member, and that is able to drive the driven member in a first direction to an operative position. The driven member further comprises an actuable secondary driver. The primary and secondary drivers are configurable between a first mode, wherein the secondary driver is able to drive the primary driver in the first direction, and in a second mode which allows the primary driver to be moved away from the operative position independent of the position of the secondary driver under the influence of a bias.

Abstract: In FIG. 9 a female identification tag is formed by overmolding between mold parts (8, 9) a base section (1) which will include inwardly directed projections or fingers (4) to retain in use the head of a male tag and may include an RFID coil (6). As the mold parts (8,9) separate, the core (10) can start to eject, moving through the flexible opening (13) formed at the top of the soft boss (12) of the tag. Subsequently, a hard insert can close off the opening (13) in providing tamperproofing. The core (10) can be caused to rotate as it moves through the flexible opening (13) in order to break any bond between the plastics material and the core (10).