Abstract: A swab assembly for collecting a specimen from a patient includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a notch between its proximal and distal ends; a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, wherein a portion of the elongated shaft is disposed within the sheath lumen, and the sheath is slidable relative to the elongated shaft; and a collection tip coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft and configured for obtaining the specimen. The sheath is slidable between a first position in which the shaft notch is disposed within the sheath lumen and wherein the sheath protects the elongated shaft from breaking at the notch, and a second position in which the shaft notch is exposed out of the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A biological sample well plate includes a plate member having a top surface and a plurality of wells therein, each well being defined by an opening in the plate member top surface and an inner well surface that slopes downwardly to a well bottom having an upwardly extending projection, such that each well bottom of the plurality of wells defines a circumferential trough.

Abstract: A swab assembly for collecting a specimen from a patient includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a notch between its proximal and distal ends; a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, wherein a portion of the elongated shaft is disposed within the sheath lumen, and the sheath is slidable relative to the elongated shaft; and a collection tip coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft and configured for obtaining the specimen. The sheath is slidable between a first position in which the shaft notch is disposed within the sheath lumen and wherein the sheath protects the elongated shaft from breaking at the notch, and a second position in which the shaft notch is exposed out of the sheath lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bonding block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin are disclosed, including a method comprising placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well; heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.

Abstract: A bubble point of a combination of a filter and a liquid is calibrated by applying an initial back pressure through the filter toward the liquid; taking a first plurality of measurements of the level of the liquid in the container; calculating a first variance of the first plurality of measurements; and comparing the first calculated variance with a known threshold variance. Then a second plurality of measurements of the level of the liquid in the container is taken; a second variance of the second plurality of measurements is calculated; and the second calculated variance is compared with a known threshold variance. The above described steps are repeated at incrementally increased back pressures until the first and second calculated variances are each greater than or equal to the known threshold variance, which is about 0.01. The bubble point is determined to be the back pressure at that point. If the determined bubble point is less than or equal to the known threshold bubble point, which is about 0.

Abstract: A system for collecting a biological sample includes a collection device comprising a cylindrical body having a bore extending there through and a filter membrane disposed at one end thereof; a filter plug having an insert configured for insertion into the bore; a collar concentrically mounted about the exterior surface of the insert and configured for insertion into the bore; and a gasket disposed about the exterior surface of the insert, wherein an outer dimension of the gasket is variable in response to relative movement between the collar and the insert, and wherein the gasket has a cross section with two end portions and a mid portion that is located radially further away from the insert than the two end portions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bonding block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin are disclosed, including a method comprising placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well; heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: A tissue cassette assembly includes a housing having a recess formed therein, and a compressible reservoir disposed partially or wholly inside of, or otherwise attached in fluid communication with, the housing recess, the compressible reservoir containing a tissue embedding material. The tissue cassette further includes a port disposed in the housing, the port in fluid communication with the compressible reservoir at one end and terminating in a sample cavity at another end. During operation, the compressible reservoir is compressed or squeezed to release the tissue embedding material into the sample cavity containing the biological sample.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether one or more slides are loaded properly within a cassette. Each slide includes one or more transparent regions and one or more non-transparent regions. The slides are between a light source and a sensor. The light source generates light that is directed towards the sensor through the slides. If the sensor is able to detect light from the light source, then the slides are properly loaded in the cassette. Slides are not properly loaded if the light is blocked by a non-transparent region before reaching the sensor. The sensor or a separate controller can generate a signal or data to provide an indication to a user or to processing equipment that the slides are or are not properly loaded. For example, a speaker or an indicator light can be used to provide an indication to the user. The signal or data can also be used for other functions, such as displaying a message on a screen indicating whether the slides are properly loaded.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is operated to guide or observe the operation of an invasive medical device (30) in three dimensions. An interventional system (20) is used to operate the invasive medical device (30) and produces spatially-based information relating to the activity of the invasive medical device (30). The spatially-based information from the interventional system (20) is merged into the three dimensional ultrasonic image data to produce a live three dimensional image of the invasive medical device (30) or its activity. In one embodiment the locations where the activity of the invasive medical device (30) is performed is recorded and displayed in the three dimensional ultrasonic image. The three dimensional ultrasonic image may be shown as an anatomical volume rendered image or as a wire frame model (130) of the anatomy. In another embodiment an integrated three dimensional ultrasonic imaging and invasive device system is described.

Abstract: A tissue cassette assembly includes a housing having a recess formed therein, and a compressible reservoir disposed partially or wholly inside of, or otherwise attached in fluid communication with, the housing recess, the compressible reservoir containing a tissue embedding material. The tissue cassette further includes a port disposed in the housing, the port in fluid communication with the compressible reservoir at one end and terminating in a sample cavity at another end. During operation, the compressible reservoir is compressed or squeezed to release the tissue embedding material into the sample cavity containing the biological sample.

Abstract: A tissue cassette assembly includes a housing having a recess formed therein, and a compressible reservoir disposed partially or wholly inside of, or otherwise attached in fluid communication with, the housing recess, the compressible reservoir containing a tissue embedding material. The tissue cassette further includes a port disposed in the housing, the port in fluid communication with the compressible reservoir at one end and terminating in a sample cavity at another end. During operation, the compressible reservoir is compressed or squeezed to release the tissue embedding material into the sample cavity containing the biological sample.

Abstract: A bubble point of a combination of a filter and a liquid is calibrated by applying an initial back pressure through the filter toward the liquid; taking a first plurality of measurements of the level of the liquid in the container; calculating a first variance of the first plurality of measurements; and comparing the first calculated variance with a known threshold variance. Then a second plurality of measurements of the level of the liquid in the container is taken; a second variance of the second plurality of measurements is calculated; and the second calculated variance is compared with a known threshold variance. The above described steps are repeated at incrementally increased back pressures until the first and second calculated variances are each greater than or equal to the known threshold variance, which is about 0.01. The bubble point is determined to be the back pressure at that point. If the determined bubble point is less than or equal to the known threshold bubble point, which is about 0.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for bonding block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin are disclosed, including a method comprising placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well; heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.

Abstract: A system for collecting a biological sample includes a collection device comprising a cylindrical body having a bore extending there through and a filter membrane disposed at one end thereof; a filter plug having an insert configured for insertion into the bore; a collar concentrically mounted about the exterior surface of the insert and configured for insertion into the bore; and a gasket disposed about the exterior surface of the insert, wherein an outer dimension of the gasket is variable in response to relative movement between the collar and the insert, and wherein the gasket has a cross section with two end portions and a mid portion that is located radially further away from the insert than the two end portions.