Abstract: An apparatus for punching and extracting analytes from a dried biological fluid spot includes a tube and a sorbent bed. The tube includes a proximal tube opening, a distal tube opening, and a distal section. The distal section includes a tube wall having a tapered diameter that reduces down to the distal tube opening. The apparatus may also include a tube extension that includes an extension wall having a tapered diameter that reduces from a proximal extension opening to a distal extension opening. The tube extension is movable between an attached position and a detached position. At the attached position, the tube extension is secured to the tube by frictional contact between the extension wall and the tube at the distal tube opening. At the detached position the tube extension is physically separate from the tube. The sorbent bed is disposed at an axial distance from the distal tube opening and in the tube or the tube extension. The sorbent bed has a composition configured for solid phase extraction.

Abstract: Polyamide sample preparation tubes with a hollow polyamide tube and an extraction medium contained within the tube are utilized in the sample preparation devices. The sample preparation tubes are substantially inert and show little tendency to dissolve or leach contaminants into nonaqueous liquids. The polyamide tubes may be used in preparing samples for analytical procedures such as GC, GC/MS, LC or LC/MS.

Abstract: A dried biological fluid spot punch device includes a tube, a frit, and a filter disposed on the frit. The tube includes a main section and a distal section adjoining the main section. The main section includes a proximal tube end circumscribing a proximal tube opening, and the distal section includes a distal tube end circumscribing a distal tube opening. The distal section further includes a distal tube having a tapered inside diameter that reduces from the main section to the distal tube opening. The frit is disposed in the distal section at a distance from the distal tube opening and fixed in position by frictional contact with the distal tube wall. The punch device may also include a punching tool. The punching tool may include a body engaging the tube at the proximal tube end and an ejection mechanism configured for disengaging the body from the tube.

Abstract: A holding device for a dried biological fluid spotting membrane includes a plastic top face, a plastic bottom face, and a pocket disposed between the top face and the bottom face. The plastic top face includes a window formed therein. The pocket is configured for receiving a dried biological fluid spotting membrane that is accessible through the window by a user during dried biological fluid spot testing. A method for assembling a holding device includes positioning the membrane within a pocket of a plastic membrane housing, and securing the membrane within the pocket. The holding device may be utilized for forming dried biological fluid spots and extracting samples therefrom for analysis.

Abstract: A dried biological fluid spot punch device includes a tube, a frit, and a filter disposed on the frit. The tube includes a main section and a distal section adjoining the main section. The main section includes a proximal tube end circumscribing a proximal tube opening, and the distal section includes a distal tube end circumscribing a distal tube opening. The distal section further includes a distal tube having a tapered inside diameter that reduces from the main section to the distal tube opening. The frit is disposed in the distal section at a distance from the distal tube opening and fixed in position by frictional contact with the distal tube wall. The punch device may also include a punching tool. The punching tool may include a body engaging the tube at the proximal tube end and an ejection mechanism configured for disengaging the body from the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and extracting analytes from a dried biological fluid spot includes a tube and a sorbent bed. The tube includes a proximal tube opening, a distal tube opening, and a distal section. The distal section includes a tube wall having a tapered diameter that reduces down to the distal tube opening. The apparatus may also include a tube extension that includes an extension wall having a tapered diameter that reduces from a proximal extension opening to a distal extension opening. The tube extension is movable between an attached position and a detached position. At the attached position, the tube extension is secured to the tube by frictional contact between the extension wall and the tube at the distal tube opening. At the detached position the tube extension is physically separate from the tube. The sorbent bed is disposed at an axial distance from the distal tube opening and in the tube or the tube extension. The sorbent bed has a composition configured for solid phase extraction.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and devices and methods of forming and using the same are provided, wherein the article comprises a porous inorganic substrate contained in or bounded by a support made from an inorganic material are provided, wherein said porous substrate and support are heated to a temperature effective to shrink the support onto the porous substrate such that liquid tight contact is formed between the porous substrate and the support. In a preferred aspect, the porous inorganic substrate has a porosity of at least 5%, and is a porous monolith formed using a sol-gel method. The articles thus formed provide a confined fluid flow through the porous substrate, providing superior performance in separations, catalysis, filtration, and the like.

Abstract: A fluid collection device has a collection vial with a reservoir chamber for receiving a fluid sample. An elongated expresser is disposed within the collection via, which includes a fluid permeable base enabling passage of fluid sample into the reservoir chamber. A fluid test card is supported by an expresser bottom flange within the collection vial and a plunger is provided for compression of a swab saturated with fluid specimen into the reservoir chamber. A cap is provided for engaging the collection vial in order to seal the compressor, fluid test card, compressed swab, and plunger within the collection vial.

Abstract: Polyamide sample preparation tubes with a hollow polyamide tube and an extraction medium contained within the tube are utilized in the sample preparation devices. The sample preparation tubes are substantially inert and show little tendency to dissolve or leach contaminants into nonaqueous liquids. The polyamide tubes may be used in preparing samples for analytical procedures such as GC, GC/MS, LC or LC/MS.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and devices and methods of forming and using the same are provided, wherein the article comprises a porous inorganic substrate contained in or bounded by a support made from an inorganic material are provided, wherein said porous substrate and support are heated to a temperature effective to shrink the support onto the porous substrate such that liquid tight contact is formed between the porous substrate and the support. In a preferred aspect, the porous inorganic substrate has a porosity of at least 5%, and is a porous monolith formed using a sol-gel method. The articles thus formed provide a confined fluid flow through the porous substrate, providing superior performance in separations, catalysis, filtration, and the like.