Controlled transfer biological sample collection devices and methods of using such devices

• US 10,150,118 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2014
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare UK Limited (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Tatnell, Peter James, Tortorella, Stevan Paul, Seymour, Geraint, Potts, Cheryl Louise, Pierce, Alan Stuart, Ogden, Samantha Jane, Williams, Neil John
• Primary Examiner(s): Merkling, Sally A
• Application Number:
  US14/894,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20160107156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,672 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/10 in the liquid or fluent state burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising

Abstract

A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Claims

1. A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device, comprising:

a body; and

a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological sample material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of the biological sample material is possible to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected biological sample material to said medium, wherein the body slideably supports the sample collection member, wherein the body or collection member includes a ramp operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body, and wherein the body and the collection member include complementary stop features arranged to stop sliding movement of the collection member when fully extended at the exposed position to prevent the collection member from separating completely from the body when the collection member slides away from the body to assume the exposed position.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collection member includes a slideable portion that is slideable within the housing, and wherein the slideable portion carries the medium.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the collection member further comprises an arm hinged to the slideable portion, wherein the arm carries a resilient pad for sample collection, and wherein the slideable portion and the arm are foldable together to provide a folded-together position, to slide within the body to effect the transfer under the influence of the ramp.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ramp is formed on the body, and the arm includes a slot, and wherein the slot accepts the ramp thereby to separate the medium and the pad following the transfer.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slideable portion and medium are configured to be positioned within the body so as to be substantially enclosed by the body, and when in that position, the arm is not able to adopt said exposed position, and the slideable portion and medium are further configured to be positioned so as to be only partially within the body but able to adopt said folded-together position with the arm, for collective reinsertion into the body and to effect said transfer.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slideable portion comprises some of the complementary stop features, and wherein the extent of movement of the slideable portion is limited by the complementary stop features on the body and on the slideable portion.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the medium is removable from the slideable portion.

9. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slideable portion and medium are configured to be positioned within the body so as to be substantially enclosed by the body, and when in that position, the arm is not able to adopt said exposed position, and the slideable portion and medium are further configured to be positioned so as to be only partially within the body but able to adopt said folded-together position with the arm, for collective reinsertion into the body and to effect said transfer.

10. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slideable portion comprises some of the complementary stop features, and wherein the extent of movement of the slideable portion is limited by the complementary stop features on the body and on the slideable portion.

11. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slideable portion comprises some of the complementary stop features, and wherein the extent of movement of the slideable portion is limited by the complementary stop features on the body and on the slideable portion.

12. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slideable portion comprises some of the complementary stop features, and wherein the extent of movement of the slideable portion is limited by the complementary stop features on the body and on the slideable portion.

13. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the medium is removable from the slideable portion.

14. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the medium is removable from the slideable portion.

15. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the medium is removable from the slideable portion.

16. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the medium is removable from the slideable portion.

8. A method for controlled transfer biological sample material collection, the method comprising:

providing a device, comprising a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological sample material,

exposing the collection member and collecting the biological sample material on the collection member;

moving the collection member from an exposed position wherein collection of the biological sample material is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected biological sample material to said medium, and

sliding the collection member relative to the body to said transfer position, wherein a ramp on the body or the collection member forces the collection member against the medium, and

wherein the body and the collection member include complementary stop features arranged to stop sliding movement of the collected member when fully extended at the exposed position to prevent the collection member from separating completely from the body when the collection member slides away from the body to assume the exposed position.