Abstract: A contact plate for growing cell cultures, bacteria cultures, and the like, comprising a base and a cover. The base has a bottom wall for holding the culture medium and the like, and a circumferential sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and attached thereto. The base further incorporates a flange extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the sidewall. The cover has a top wall, which has a larger diameter than the base sidewall, and a circumferential sidewall extending downwardly from the top wall and attached thereto. The contact plate has a locking means for securely holding the cover to the base of the contact plate in the locked position, wherein the locking means comprises an inter-engaging rib and groove arrangement.

Abstract: A contact plate for growing cell cultures, bacteria cultures, and the like, comprising a base and a cover. The base has a bottom wall for holding the culture medium and the like, and a circumferential sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and attached thereto. The base further incorporates a flange extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the sidewall. The cover has a top wall, which has a larger diameter than the base sidewall, and a circumferential sidewall extending downwardly from the top wall and attached thereto. The contact plate has a locking means for securely holding the cover to the base of the contact plate in the locked position, wherein the locking means comprises an inter-engaging rib and groove arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a biological specimen collecting container for holding a biological specimen in a long-term sustained and sealed environment. The biological specimen collecting container comprises a container for holding the biological specimen and a sealing closure cap. The container is of circular section and has a generally vertical side wall, the side wall at the top being provided with a first thread on an exterior surface thereof. The sealing closure cap has a peripheral groove to receive the container rim, an outer wall of the closure cap being provided with a second thread complementary to the first thread on the container for engagement therewith. The exterior of the outer wall of the sealing closure cap is provided with an integral indicator.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises: a body section having an opening at a distal end thereof; a sample collection means for obtaining a biopsy sample; and a first actuator to provide relative movement between the sample collection means and the body section wherein the sample collection means is operable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. A related kit, detachable sample collection device and diagnostic method are also described. The biopsy apparatus is particularly useful as a screen for nasopharyngeal cancer in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a biological specimen collecting system for holding a biological specimen in a long term sustained sealed environment. The biological specimen collecting system includes a container for holding the biological specimen and a sealing closure cap. The container is of circular section and has generally vertical sidewalls, the sidewalls at the top terminating in an inwardly sloping sealing surface. The container has a first thread on an exterior surface thereof, the first thread being located below the sealing surface. The sealing closure cap has a peripheral groove to receive the container rim, the peripheral groove being defined by inner and outer walls and a top. The outer wall of the groove is provided with a second thread complementary to the first thread on the container for engagement therewith.

Abstract: A polyethylene cap, for use with containers, particularly polypropylene containers for containing medical specimens in preservative fluid such as formaldehyde, is provided with a 3-face seal, wherein a rim portion of the container is trapped in sealing, contacting relation on three mutually adjoining faces, whereby any tendency of the container rim to "relax" out of sealing engagement with a contacting face portion of the cap is effectively precluded by the fit and the geometry of the cap seal. In the case of polypropylene, which is susceptible to such "relaxation", the subject cap enables the effective sealing of polypropylene containers so that advantage may be taken of the superior properties of polypropylene in non-reactive, secure containment of possibly contaminated medical specimens in liquids such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Abstract: A biological sample collection tube suitable for use in collecting and processing blood samples, is of high strength, transparent plastic. The tube wall is substantially gas impermeable, permitting the retention of samples therein, under conditions of vacuum, for prolonged periods. The selected material is combustible in air, yielding products of combustion that are substantially non-toxic, to facilitate the safe disposal of the tubes, together with the enclosed samples. The tube is made of plastic copolymer or monomer resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide. A preferred material group is amorphous nylon, in particular Nylon 6 (T.M.) such as polyethylenenaphthalate and ethylene vinyl alcohol. The tube may be made from a combination of such materials by mechanical integration in manufacture, through co-extrusion, co-injection, or by a dual material indexed molding process.