Sample testing device with funnel collector

• US 20050142031A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rapid Medical Diagnostics Corporation (Generex Biotechnology Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Rapid Medical Diagnostics Corporation (Generex Biotechnology Corp.)
• Inventors: Berkman, Stephen, Wickstead, James C., Seritella, Keith A., Agudelo, Luis, Salvo, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/58
• 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: Y10T 436/108331 Preservative, buffer, anticoagulant or diluent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

The present invention provides a funnel collector for use with a sample testing device. The funnel collector collects and holds a fluid sample in order to place the sample in immediate contact with a diagnostic test strip, which reacts with the sample in a known fashion.

Claims

1. A sample testing device comprising:

a buffer container having an interior which receives a buffer fluid therein;

a funnel collector having a securement;

a test strip having an end held by said securement;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said funnel collector, so that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container, the test strip is disposed in said receptacle;

a sample collector for holding a sample therein and which is shaped to receive said buffer container, said sample collector having a channeling member having a lumen, and a piercing member which, when said buffer container is placed in said sample collector, pierces said buffer container so that the buffer fluid in the interior of the buffer chamber contacts the sample and passes through the lumen to said funnel collector;

wherein as the buffer fluid flows through the lumen of the sample collector the buffer fluid that has contacted the sample accumulates in said funnel collector and contacts said end of the test strip.

2. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said test strip is oriented substantially perpendicular to said funnel collector.

3. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said funnel collector has at least one projection and at least one depression for engaging a corresponding structured of said test strip container.

4. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said buffer container has a threaded outer surface and said sample collector has a threaded inner surface, the threaded outer surface engaging the threaded inner surface when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

5. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said buffer container has a projection and said sample collector has a depression, the projection engaging the depression when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

6. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein a top portion of said buffer container is bellowed, and wherein when said top portion is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

7. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein the buffer fluid is sealed within said buffer container.

8. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said buffer container comprises a compressible grip, and wherein when said grip is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

9. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said test strip container has a viewing window through which the test strip is visible.

10. The sample testing device of claim 1, wherein said test strip container comprises a cover and a body, and said cover and said body are joined together.

11. The sample testing device of claim 10, wherein said cover and said body are joined together in fluid-tight fashion.

12. The sample testing device of claim 1, further comprising an anti-splashback disc adapted to be disposed within said funnel collector for controlling movement of said sample as it approaches said funnel collector and for preventing deflection of said sample off of said funnel collector.

13. The anti-splashback disc of claim 12, wherein said anti-splashback disc is comprised of a porous, non-reactive material.

14. A sample testing device comprising:

a buffer container having an interior which receives a buffer fluid therein and a weakened portion;

a funnel collector having a securement;

a test strip having an end held by said securement;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said funnel collector, so that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container, the test strip is disposed in said receptacle,

a sample collector for holding a sample therein and which is shaped to receive said buffer container, said sample collector having a channeling member having a lumen, wherein when the buffer container is squeezed, the weakened portion fails and the buffer fluid in the interior of the buffer chamber contacts the sample and passes through the lumen to said funnel collector;

wherein as the buffer fluid flows through the lumen of the sample collector the buffer fluid that has contacted the sample accumulates in said funnel collector and contacts said end of the test strip.

15. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said test strip is oriented substantially perpendicular to said funnel collector.

16. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said buffer container has a threaded outer surface and said sample collector has a threaded inner surface, the threaded outer surface engaging the threaded inner surface when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

17. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said buffer container has a projection and said sample collector has a depression, the projection engaging the depression when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

18. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein a top portion of said buffer container is bellowed, and wherein when said top portion is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

19. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein the buffer fluid is sealed within said buffer container.

20. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said buffer container comprises a compressible grip, and wherein when said grip is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

21. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said test strip container has a viewing window through which the test strip is visible.

22. The sample testing device of claim 14, wherein said test strip container comprises a cover and a body, and said cover and said body are joined together.

23. The sample testing device of claim 22, wherein said cover and said body are joined together in fluid-tight fashion.

24. A method for testing a sample, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a sample to be tested;

placing the sample in a sample collector;

positioning a buffer container having a buffer fluid therein above the sample collector;

positioning the sample container above a funnel collector, said funnel collector having a test strip secured therewith;

causing the buffer fluid to flow downward from the buffer container over the sample and to the funnel collector with the test strip.

25. A method for testing a sample as in claim 24, wherein said causing step comprises urging the buffer container downward to contact and be pierced by a piercing member.

26. A method for testing a sample as in claim 24, wherein said causing step comprises compressing the buffer container so that a weakened portion of the buffer container ruptures.

27. A sample testing device comprising:

a buffer container having an interior which receives a buffer fluid therein;

a sample collector for holding a sample therein and having a top opening shaped to receive said buffer container, a bottom opening shaped to receive a filter, and a piercing member positioned therein which, when said buffer container is placed in said top opening of said sample collector, pierces said buffer container so that the buffer fluid in the interior of the buffer container contacts the sample;

a funnel collector having both a top and a bottom portion, wherein said top portion of said funnel collector is shaped to fit into said bottom opening of said sample collector, and wherein said bottom portion of said funnel collector engages a test strip;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said funnel collector, so that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container, said test strip is disposed in said receptacle;

wherein as said buffer fluid flows through said sample collector into the funnel collector, the buffer fluid that has contacted the sample passes to the funnel collector and contacts said test strip.

28. The sample testing device of claim 27, wherein said test strip is oriented substantially perpendicular to said funnel collector.

29. The sample testing device of claim 27, wherein said buffer container has a projection and said sample collector has a depression, the projection engaging the depression when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

30. The sample testing device of claim 27, wherein a top portion of said buffer container is bellowed, and wherein when said top portion is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

31. The sample testing device of claim 27, wherein the buffer fluid is sealed within said buffer container.

32. The sample testing device of claim 27, wherein said test strip container has a viewing window through which the test strip is visible.

33. A sample testing device comprising:

a buffer container having an interior which receives a buffer fluid therein;

a funnel collector;

a test strip;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said funnel collector, so that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container, the test strip engages said funnel collector and is disposed in said receptacle; and

a sample collector for holding a sample therein and having a top opening shaped to receive said buffer container, a bottom opening, a pumping mechanism which draws air toward the pumping mechanism through an air passage, and a piercing member which, when said buffer container is placed in said sample collector, pierces said buffer container so that the buffer fluid in the interior of the buffer chamber contacts the sample and passes through the bottom opening to said funnel collector;

whereby when said pumping mechanism draws air through said air passage, a sample of a fluid is drawn into said sample collector through said bottom opening,

wherein as the buffer fluid flows through the sample collector it contacts the sample and passes to said funnel collector and contacts said test strip.

34. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein said test strip is oriented substantially perpendicular to said funnel collector.

35. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein said buffer container has a projection and said sample collector has a depression, the projection engaging the depression when the buffer container and the sample collector are joined.

36. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein a top portion of said buffer container is bellowed, and wherein when said top portion is compressed, at least a portion of the buffer fluid is expelled from the buffer container.

37. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein the buffer fluid is sealed within said buffer container.

38. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein said test strip container has a viewing window through which the test strip is visible.

39. The sample testing device of claim 33, wherein said air passage is located such that when said buffer container is fully inserted into said sample collector said air passage is blocked by said buffer container.

40. A sample testing device comprising:

a funnel collector;

a buffer container having an interior which accommodates an air diluent for pneumatically forcing a sample onto the funnel collector;

a test strip;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said funnel collector, so that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container, said test strip engages said funnel collector and is disposed in said receptacle; and

a sample collector for holding a sample therein and having a top opening shaped to accommodate said buffer container, so that when said buffer container is accommodated by said sample collector and said air diluent is released from said buffer container, said air diluent of said buffer container contacts said sample and expels said sample from said sample collector into said funnel collector;

wherein as said sample accumulates in the funnel collector, said sample contacts said end of the test strip.

41. A funnel collector for use in a sample testing device, said funnel collector comprising:

a cylindrical body portion for receiving a sample fluid in the sample testing device, wherein the cylindrical body portion has a sample receiving opening and a test strip opening, and wherein the cylindrical body portion has an interior and an exterior, whereby the exterior has a securement for engaging a test strip container of the sample testing device to maintain fluid communication; and

a hollow rectangular body portion in fluid communication with the cylindrical body portion at the test strip opening, wherein the rectangular body portion includes an opening with a rectangular cross-section for receiving and holding a portion of a test strip in the sample testing device.

42. The funnel collector of claim 41, wherein said funnel collector is made from at least one of the following materials:

a polymer, a metal, and a ceramic.

43. The funnel collector of claim 41, wherein said funnel collector has a threaded exterior for engaging a corresponding structure of a test strip container.

44. The funnel collector of claim 41, wherein said funnel collector has at least one projection and at least one depression for engaging a corresponding structure of a test strip container.

45. A sample testing device, comprising:

a buffer container having an interior which receives a buffer fluid therein and a weakened portion;

a funnel collector having a sample receiving opening for receiving a sample therein and a rectangular opening, wherein said funnel collector has an exterior having a securement;

a test strip having an end within said rectangular opening in said funnel collector;

a test strip container having a receptacle dimensioned and disposed to accommodate said securement of said funnel collector, such that when said funnel collector is accommodated by said test strip container the test strip is disposed in said receptacle;

a sample collector for holding the sample therein and which is shaped to receive said buffer container, said sample container having a channeling member having a lumen, wherein when the buffer container is squeezed, the weakened portion fails and the buffer fluid in the interior of the buffer container contacts the sample and passes through the lumen to said sample receiving opening of said funnel collector;

wherein as the buffer fluid flows through the lumen of the sample collector, the buffer fluid that has contacted the sample passes through the funnel collector to the test strip.

46. The funnel collector of claim 45, wherein said funnel collector is made from at least one of the following materials:

a polymer, a metal, and a ceramic.

47. The funnel collector of claim 45, wherein said funnel collector has a threaded exterior for engaging a corresponding structure of a test strip container.

48. The funnel collector of claim 45, wherein said funnel collector has at least one projection and at least one groove for engaging a corresponding structure of a test strip container.