Inventors:
Michael John Smith - Cardiff, GB
Stevan Paul Tortorella - Wells ME, US
Assignee:
GE HEALTHCARE UK LIMITED - Little Chalfont
International Classification:
G01N 1/42
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention relate to a container holding, and a method of storing, freeze-dried biological samples. In particular, there is provided a container holding a freeze-dried material comprising a biological sample, the container comprising a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion, the chamber comprising a wall and the lower portion being fluidly connected to the upper portion such that, when liquid is received at the upper portion, the received liquid can pass to and accumulate in the lower portion. Further, the freeze-dried material is located in the lower portion, and the container comprises a physical structure in the form of a stop protruding inwards from the wall, the physical structure being for inhibiting the freeze-dried material from moving from the lower portion of the chamber to the upper portion of the chamber. This ensures that the biological sample can be kept in a lower portion of the tube, ensuring that, when the biological sample is subsequently reconstituted by inserting water, substantially all of the biological sample is dissolved.