Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing vessel assembly for high pressure, microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The vessel assembly includes a cylindrical reaction vessel formed of a material that is substantially transparent to microwave radiation. The vessel has angular walls, one closed end for retaining reactants in the lower portions of the vessel, and one open end that defines a mouth for the vessel. The mouth of the cylinder vessel has a lip that is beveled inwardly from the open end. A microwave-transparent solid floating plug closes the mouth of the reaction vessel; with the plug have a frustum portion for engaging the beveled lip when the plug is placed in the mouth of the vessel. A lid exerts a defined axial force against the plug for sealing the plug in the open end of the cylinder with the frustum engaging the lip.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing, treating, transporting and stabilizing a biological sample includes a container, a cap and a sample holder removably received in the container. The sample holder can be a platform-like device dimensioned to be supported on a ledge formed in the side wall of the container. The sample holder includes a central cavity for receiving the sample and immersing the sample in the stabilizing agent in the container. In another embodiment, the sample holder has a closure member for closing the open top end of the cavity. The container includes a liquid reagent in an amount sufficient to treat the biological sample. The biological sample is retained in a predetermined containment area of the container to maintain the biological sample immersed in the reagent without regard to the orientation of the container.

Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing pressure-maintaining lid for reaction vessels in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The lid includes a rigid perimeter, a rigid center load-bearing portion, and a flexible portion connecting the rigid perimeter to the center load-bearing portion so that the center portion can move when said flexing portion flexes. The lid can be used in conjunction with a vessel assembly. The vessel assembly can include a microwave-transparent, heat expandable reaction vessel having at least two cylindrical portions axially adjacent one another with one of the portions having a diameter larger than the diameter of the other portion, a transition portion between the two cylindrical portions, a vessel mouth in the larger-diameter portion, and a cylindrical retaining sleeve around the vessel.

Abstract: A system for pressurized liquid extraction of solid samples including quick-connect, threadless columns for holding the solid sample is disclosed. A pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) module continuously performs extraction on the solid sample to yield liquid sample. The quick-connect columns include a threadless, cylindrical tube and end cap assemblies, which are structured and arranged to provide a tight interference fit with the inner surface of the annulus of the column portion and with top and bottom cup rings.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: The invention is a combination of a Durham tube and traditional chemistry test tube, with the Durham tube affixed upside down in the interior of a test tube. The Durham tube is secured so it does not move around, by constructing the test tube and Durham tube in one piece, or using a clip to keep it from moving.

Abstract: A semen container fitted with a specialized tip includes a substantially hollow body having a sealable first end adapted for the introduction of biological fluids such as semen and a second end having a nozzle molded thereto. The nozzle terminates in a removable tip that is anchored to the container by way of a tab such that after dispensing the biological liquid from the container the tip and the container may be disposed of simultaneously thereby reducing or eliminating the need to separately collect the removed tips from the ground.

Abstract: A device for dispersing a sample of dry powder onto a surface in a dispersion chamber. The device includes a dispersion chamber situated in an environment, and a pressure source that provides a pressure difference between the environment and an inside of the dispersion chamber. The surface is positioned in the dispersion chamber. The sample of dry powder is introduced into the dispersion chamber through a membrane that is interposed between the environment and the inside of the dispersion chamber and on which the sample is disposed. The membrane is rupturable so as to open into the dispersion chamber when a predetermined pressure difference across the membrane is exceeded. This permits entry of a fluid in the environment through the ruptured membrane, and movement of the dry powder sample in an evenly dispersed manner without producing an ordered movement of powder grains in the dispersion chamber.

Abstract: A spinnable rotor for a high speed centrifuge includes a housing which defines a chamber interiorly thereof for receiving a whole blood sample and for containing a predetermined amount of red blood cell absorbent gel. The housing includes an upper portion and a bottom portion, the upper portion having a port formed through the thickness thereof. The upper portion has at least a portion thereof formed from a light transmissible material. A light pipe is joined to the upper portion and light transmissively communicates with the light transmissive portion of the upper portion. The light pipe extends at least partially into the chamber and has an open, lower free end. When whole blood filling the rotor chamber contacts the lower free end of the light pipe, the red color of the blood is transmissively communicated to the upper portion of the rotor housing where it is viewable by the user of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A collection container and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes at least one stabilizing agent in an amount effective to stabilize and inhibit protein degradation and/or fragmentation. The stabilizing agent is able to stabilize proteases in the biological sample, particularly at the point of collection, by inhibiting protein degradation and/or fragmentation in the sample when the sample is stored. The stabilizing agent includes one or more protease inhibitors.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube assembly includes an elongate tubular receptacle having a capped upper end. The capped upper end includes a single inlet/outlet port formed therethrough for communication with an interior of the tubular receptacle. A flexible aspiration pipe is communicably engaged with the inlet/outlet port for extending longitudinally through the cylindrical receptacle. A sealing diaphragm is attached to a distal end of the pipe. The diaphragm is longitudinally movable within the tubular receptacle and sealably interengages an interior wall of the receptacle. Biological products are introduced into and aspirated from the receptacle below the diaphragm by the fluid conducting pipe.

Abstract: A sample vessel may include a segmented tubule and an interface receiving the tubule. The segmented tubule may include an opening for receiving a sample material and at least one compressible section, the at least one compressible section having a wall constructed at least partially from a material having sufficient flexibility to permit compression of opposed sections of the wall into contact with one another, and at least two segments of the tubule being fluidically isolated from one another by a bonding of a fluid-tight seal between opposed sections of the tubule wall, wherein said fluid-tight seal irreversibly opens upon application of fluid pressure greater than a threshold value to permit selective fluid communication between the opposed sections. The interface may facilitate delivery of a sample material to the tubule through the opening.

Abstract: A multilayer evacuated blood collection tube is provided having a first tube layer, and a second tube layer formed on the first tube layer and a closure, the second tube layer being a nanocomposite barrier layer. Such containers include but are not limited to blood collection tubes, evacuated blood collection tubes, centrifuge tubes, culture bottles, and syringe barrels.

Abstract: A canopy is removably secured to the container body, is respectively fitted with: a base of a water level indicator for detecting a remaining amount of liquid reducing agent; a base of a densitometer for detecting a concentration of a liquid reducing agent; and a heat exchanger which surrounds detection portions respectively suspended from the bases of the water level indicator and the densitometer, and through which is circulated engine coolant, to perform heat exchange with the liquid reducing agent, and a supply port and a return port for the liquid reducing agent are respectively formed in the canopy. The water level indicator, the densitometer, the heat exchanger, and the supply port and the return port for the liquid reducing agent are formed integrally with the canopy, so that the water level indicator and the densitometer can be dismounted together with the canopy at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automated handling of a fluid biological sample in an analytical instrument. Furthermore, the invention provides containers as well as instruments and systems suitable for the automated handling and processing of the fluid biological sample and discloses production methods for the manufacture of the containers.

Abstract: Tube and cap assemblies for retaining an aliquot of fluid suitably for transferring such samples within a laboratory or between laboratories include a tube portion having at least one sidewall defining an open top. A flange extends outwardly from the open top and includes a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one channel is provided in the top surface of the flange, and an internal closed bottom extends from the at least one sidewall. The cap includes at least one peripheral wall, a hub inset from the at least one peripheral wall, and a plurality of ribs extending from the hub to the at least one peripheral wall to strengthen it against forces inward toward the hub. The cap further includes a neck having at least one bubble ring, a rim extending from the neck, and at least one sealing rib extending from the rim.

Abstract: When an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is used, samples must be introduced in a liquid state. Thus, sample decomposition by acids must be performed. Methods for decomposing samples using beakers or microwaves have caused several problems such as loss of volatile elements, excessive use of acids, emission of harmful gases, limitation of sample capacity and amount, and inconvenience of cleaning up. However, the present invention can treat many samples with one acid injection through gas condensation by both heating of a reaction container and air cooling of a collection pipe, wherein the reaction container is made of fluororesin (Teflon) or quartz. Also, if there are many samples, the samples can be treated at once. Furthermore, since the present invention can treat the samples with a conventional heating plate, the invention can be used at inexpensive costs.