Method and apparatus for collecting saliva

• US 4,580,577 A
• Filed: 08/09/1983
• Issued: 04/08/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph O'Brien, Paul Brown
• Original Assignee: Joseph O'Brien, Paul Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Paul, O'Brien, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hanley, John C.
• Application Number:
  US06/506,443
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/762, 128/769, 128/296, 128/275, 128/749, 128/759, 433/136, 422/101, 422/102, 604/406, 604/358, 604/317, 604/224, 604/226, 73/864.91, 73/864.92
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting saliva from a test subject comprises providing a flavored absorbent mass, such as a sponge, for mastication and charging with saliva and then expressing the saliva from the mass. Apparatus for this method comprises a barrel-piston arrangement in association with a specimen vial for storage until diagnostic testing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting a saliva specimen from a test subject, comprising

(a) a masticatable, mass of saliva-absorptive material in the form of a cellulose sponge means;

(b) collection means having an entrance aperture providing access to the interior thereof;

(c) means for expressing absorbed saliva from said mass into said collection means comprising a tube within which said mass may be disposed, a barrier formed at one end of said tube, said barrier including an exit aperture of small enough dimension to prohibit the passage of said mass therethrough;

(d) a movable plunger fitting within said tube and having a cavity formed therein for storing said sponge means;

(e) said exit aperture being in alignment with said entrance aperture;

(f) first screw threads formed on interior surfaces of said tube;

(g) second screw threads formed on the exterior surfaces of said plunger and engaging said first screw threads; and

(h) a removable cover completely spanning said cavity and resiliently engaging said plunger.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said barrier comprises a removable filter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mass is flavored.

4. A method for collecting a volume of saliva as a specimen from a test subject, comprising the steps of

(a) storing a mass of saliva absorptive material within collection means adapted to express and contain saliva;

(b) removing said mass from said collection means and providing said mass to said subject for mastication and for charging with a volume of saliva;

(c) placing said charged mass within a hollow cylindrical barrel, having two ends, in said collection means;

(d) pressing said charged mass against a filter covering one end of said barrel by inserting a piston telescopically into the other end of said barrel;

(e) expressing said saliva from said charged mass through said filter into a collection area of said collection means adapted to receive said saliva.