Sampling device and method for the rapid detection of specific molds, allergens, viruses, fungi, bacteria and other protein containing substances

• US 20070231923A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clorox Company, PTG-DE3
• Original Assignee: Clorox Company
• Inventors: El-Sayed, Maha, Shaheen, Elias, Fujii, Alan, Manske, Scott, Cumberland, Brendi
• Granted Patent: US 7,473,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/514
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/00 Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54388 based on lateral flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/97 Test strip or test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/807 Apparatus included in process claim, e.g. physical support structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/70 Nanostructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/773 Nanoparticle, i.e. structure having three dimensions of 100 nm or less
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/788 Of specified organic or carbon-based composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/918 Immunological

Abstract

Provided is sampling and testing device for the detection of specific molds, allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other protein containing substances. Embodiments of the device include a sampling member slideably engaged with a base that contains a lateral flow strip adapted to detect specific analytes of interest. The sampling member defines a solvent reservoir that stores an elution solvent in a fluid-tight manner before the device is used to sample and test environmental surfaces. During slideable withdrawal of the sampling member from the base, the elution solvent stored in the reservoir is automatically released to a wick assembly of the sampling member. The wick assembly includes a wick adapted to receive, distribute, and retain the elution solvent. After a user samples an environmental surface for an analyte of interest with the elution solvent wetted wick, the sampling member is returned to the base where the wick contacts the lateral flow strip contained in the base. The wick transfers at least a portion of analyte and the elution solvent to the lateral flow strip for the calorimetric detection of specific allergens, viruses, bacteria, and other protein containing substances in the sample. The colorimetric results of the test are displayed through a window in the base.

Claims

1. A sampling and testing device for collecting an environmental sample and etecting an analyte of interest suspected of being present in said environmental sample, said sampling and testing device comprising:

a base, said base defining a strip cavity, a wick cavity, and a window;

a lateral flow strip disposed within said strip cavity of said base, said lateral flow strip having a mobile zone and an indicia zone adjacent said mobile zone;

a sampling member having a handle and a wick assembly coupled to said handle, wherein said sampling member defines a solvent reservoir containing an elution solvent;

wherein said wick assembly comprises;

a wick holder having slots therethrough; and

a wick coupled to said wick holder;

wherein said wick assembly is slideably engageable with said wick cavity of said base;

wherein said elution solvent is initially contained within said solvent reservoir in a fluid-tight manner when said sampling member is fully engaged with said base; and

wherein said elution solvent is released from said solvent reservoir into said wick through said slots of said wick holder when said sampling member is withdrawn from said base.

2. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said indicia zone is visible through said window.

3. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein the presence of a specific analyte of interest in a sample is indicated in said indicia zone by calorimetric display.

4. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said elution solvent comprises a buffer solution.

5. The sampling and testing device of claim 4 wherein said buffer solution is selected from the group consisting of phosphate buffers and alcohol based buffers.

6. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said lateral flow strip further comprises an absorption zone downstream of said indicia zone of said lateral flow strip.

7. The sampling and testing device of claim 6 wherein said absorption zone has sufficient size and porosity to receive and retain said elution solvent that permeates beyond said indicia zone during use of said sampling and testing device.

8. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said lateral flow strip is configured as a substantially flat rectangular sheet of capillary material.

9. The sampling and testing device of claim 8 wherein said capillary material comprises nitrocellulose.

10. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said mobile zone contains at least one labeled reagent capable of specific binding with an analyte of interest.

11. The sampling and testing device of claim 10 wherein said analyte of interest is selected from the group:

consisting of allergens, viruses, bacteria, and other protein containing substances.

12. The sampling and testing device of claim 11 wherein said indicia zone contains a permanently immobilized and unlabelled specific binding reagent for said analyte of interest.

13. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said solvent reservoir is configured as a hollow cylinder having a reservoir opening on one end of said solvent reservoir.

14. The sampling and testing device of claim 1 wherein said a wick holder further comprises a reservoir plug coupled to said wick holder and adapted to cooperate with said reservoir in sealing engagement to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween.

15. The sampling and testing device of claim 14 wherein said reservoir plug includes a sealing ring circumscribing said reservoir plug.

16. A sampling and testing device for collecting an environmental sample and detecting an analyte of interest suspected of being present in said environmental sample, said sampling and testing device comprising:

a base;

a lateral flow strip disposed within said base for detecting said analyte of interest;

a sampling member having a wick wherein said sampling member defines a solvent reservoir containing an elution solvent;

wherein said elution solvent is initially contained within said solvent reservoir in a fluid-tight manner when said sampling member is fully engaged with said base; and

wherein said elution solvent is released from said solvent reservoir into said wick when said sampling member is withdrawn from said base.

17. The sampling and testing device of claim 16 further comprising:

a withdrawal indent; and

a withdrawal snap detent wherein said withdrawal snap detent is adapted to cooperate with said withdrawal indent is adapted to cooperate with said withdrawal indent in locking engagement during the slideable withdrawal of said sampling member from said base.

18. The sampling and testing device of claim 16 further comprising:

a catch indent; and

a catch detent wherein said catch detent is adapted to cooperate with said catch etent in locking engagement during the slideable withdrawal of said sampling member from said base.

19. A dispensing device comprising:

a base defining a wick cavity,

a dispensing applicator having a handle and a wick assembly for dispensing a fluid compound coupled to said handle, wherein said dispensing applicator defines a fluid reservoir containing said fluid compound;

wherein said wick assembly is slideably engageable with said wick cavity of said base;

wherein said fluid compound is initially contained within said fluid reservoir in a fluid-tight manner when said dispensing applicator is fully engaged with said base; and

wherein said fluid compound is released from said fluid reservoir into said wick assembly when said dispensing applicator is withdrawn from said base.

20. The dispensing device of claim 19 wherein said fluid compound is selected from the group consisting of fluid cosmetics and externally applied fluid medicines.

21. A method for the rapid detection of specific molds, allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other protein containing substances comprising:

providing a sampling and testing device for collecting a sample and detecting one or more specific protein containing analytes of interest;

removing a wick assembly having a wick from a base of the sampling and testing device;

releasing to said wick one or more fluids stored separately in one or more reservoirs of said sampling and testing device;

collecting a sample on said wick of said wick assembly,

reinserting said wick assembly into said base after obtaining said sample;

optionally releasing to said wick one or more additional fluids stored separately in one or more additional reservoirs, and;

observing colorimetric results displayed on an indicia zone of a lateral flow strip contained within said sampling and testing device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said one or more fluids is an elution solvent.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said one or more fluids is a growth medium for said one or more specific protein containing analytes of interest.