| abstract |
A method for use in preparing biological samples comprises the steps of (a) upon the birth of an infant, obtaining at least a portion of a placenta and an associated umbilical cord which extended from the infant to the placenta, (b) extracting a first biological specimen from the portion of the placenta and umbilical cord and (c) extracting a second biological specimen from the umbilical cord/placenta or from a parent of the infant. The first biological specimen is deposited in one chamber of a storage receptacle having a plurality of storage chambers, while the second biological specimen is deposited in another of the chambers. The receptacle is then subjected to storage. The biological specimens are preferably blood fluid or DNA. A vial assembly for use in the method comprises a plurality of modular storage units each connected one to the other by cooperating male and female connectors. Alternatively, the vial assembly comprises a vial with multiple discrete ampules inside the vial or by partition inserts having the same transverse cross-section as the cavity defined by the vial. The vial may be further provided with a separate removable flange. |