Sample recovery and collection device

• US 10,595,829 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2015
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mawi DNA Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Mawi DNA Technologies LLC
• Inventors: El-Fahmawi, Bassam
• Primary Examiner(s): Kremer, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US14/840,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20150366543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• 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: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/38 Swabs having a stick-type handle, e.g. cotton tips ear cleaners other than cotton tips A61F11/006; swabs containing a liquid, e.g. in a rupturable reservoir, A61M35/006

Abstract

A sample recovery and collection device comprises a tube, a cap, an insert, and an opening. The cap includes an O-ring and is removably secured to the tube for sealing the tube. The insert includes a first end having a ring that is adhered to the tube and second end opposite the first end. The insert also includes a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, each coupled to and extending from the ring to the second end. The opening extends from the ring to the second end and the insert defines a diameter.

Claims

1. A sample recovery and collection device for use with a swab, the sample recovery and collection device comprising:

a tube with a body defining a chamber therein;

a cap removably secured to the tube for sealing the chamber of the tube; and

an insert defining a longitudinal axis, the insert has a first end and a a second end opposite the first end, and defines a channel therethrough, the insert also includes a ring configured to engage the body of the tube and a plurality of legs, each leg extending axially from the ring toward the second end and at least partially defining the channel, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is separated by an opening, and wherein the channel reduces in diameter as the channel extends axially from the first end to the second end, wherein the legs are configured to apply a squeezing pressure to the swab that increases as the swab moves within the channel from the first end towards the second end, and

wherein each of the plurality of legs includes a plurality of concentric protrusions that project radially inwardly from an inside surface thereof and into the channel, and wherein each concentric protrusion includes a progressively smaller inner diameter the closer the concentric protrusion is positioned to the second end of the insert, and wherein each protrusion is configured to apply an extra sectional squeezing pressure to the swab when the swab moves within the channel between the first end and the second end.

2. The sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, further comprising a solution enclosed within the tube.

3. The sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, further comprising a box holder and box, the box holder configured to receive and secure the tube, cap, and insert within the box.

4. The sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, wherein the tube includes a tapered opening.

5. The sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of concentric protrusions are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.

6. A kit comprising the sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, the kit further comprising the swab[s].

7. The sample recovery and collection device of claim 1, wherein each concentric protrusion is shaped like an annulus sector.

8. A sample recovery and collection device for use collecting biological samples, the sample recovery and collection device comprising:

a swab having a swab tip formed from one of cotton, rayon, and polyester;

a tube with a body defining a chamber therein;

a cap removably secured to the tube for sealing the chamber of the tube; and

an insert defining a longitudinal axis, the insert has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and defines a channel therethrough, the insert also includes a ring configured to engage the body of the tube and a plurality of legs, each leg extending axially from the ring toward the second end and at least partially defining the channel, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is separated by an opening, and wherein the channel reduces in diameter as the channel extends axially from the first end to the second end, and wherein each of the plurality of legs includes a plurality of concentric protrusions that project radially inwardly from an inside surface thereof and into the channel,

wherein the legs are configured to impart a squeezing pressure on the swab tip when the swab tip is positioned within the channel, and wherein the squeezing pressure increases the closer the swab tip is to the second end, and wherein the protrusions are configured to impart a supplemental squeezing pressure on the swab tip when the swab tip is positioned within the channel and in contact therewith.