Assay device for swab borne analytes
First Claim
1. A disposable kit for conducting an assay test, said kit comprising:
- a swab comprising an elongated stick and an absorbent tip at one end of the stick for carrying a fluid material containing an analyte or derivative thereof;
a base component;
a contact element mounted on the base component, said element being sensitive to the presence of an analyte or derivative thereof which comes into contact therewith;
a guide member for mounting on the base component over the contact element, said member being removable from the base component so as to permit inspection of the contact element,said guide member having an elongated passageway extending therethorugh, said passageway having a first open end that is positioned adjacent the contact element when the member is mounted on the base component, said passageway having a second open end that is spaced from said first open end, said second open end constructed so as to open outwardly of the kit when the member is mounted on the base component,said passageway including funnel means at said second open end thereof so as to receive the tip of said swab said funnel means further being constructed so as to guide said tip into the passageway as the stick is manually pushed through the passageway and toward said first end thereof; and
squeeze structure located in the passageway adjacent said first end so as to contact the swab tip when said manually pushed swab stick and said tip are being pushed through the passageway and toward the contact element, so as to cause the tip to be squeezed such that fluid material is expressed therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable, pre-packaged device as particularly suitable for conducting diagnostic procedures based on immunological reactions using specimens gathered up in the absorbent tip of a swab. The device is made up of a base component upon which a sample sensitive element is mounted and a guide member that is normally mounted on the base component in covering relationship to the reactive element. The guide member includes structure which defines an elongated passageway extending therethrough. One end of the passageway is positioned in close proximity to the sensitive element when the member is mounted on the base component. The other end of the passageway opens outwardly of the guide member. In using the device, the swab tip is pushed through the passageway and toward the sensitive element using the stick of the swab. A number of ribs are positioned in the passageway adjacent the sensitive element to squeeze the tip and express fluid therefrom as the tip is pushed toward the sensitive element. Thus, the liquid in the swab tip is expressed therefrom and brought into intimate contact with the sensitive element. The results of the test are visually observable by removing the guide member from the base component to uncover the sensitive element.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A disposable kit for conducting an assay test, said kit comprising:
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a swab comprising an elongated stick and an absorbent tip at one end of the stick for carrying a fluid material containing an analyte or derivative thereof; a base component; a contact element mounted on the base component, said element being sensitive to the presence of an analyte or derivative thereof which comes into contact therewith; a guide member for mounting on the base component over the contact element, said member being removable from the base component so as to permit inspection of the contact element, said guide member having an elongated passageway extending therethorugh, said passageway having a first open end that is positioned adjacent the contact element when the member is mounted on the base component, said passageway having a second open end that is spaced from said first open end, said second open end constructed so as to open outwardly of the kit when the member is mounted on the base component, said passageway including funnel means at said second open end thereof so as to receive the tip of said swab said funnel means further being constructed so as to guide said tip into the passageway as the stick is manually pushed through the passageway and toward said first end thereof; and squeeze structure located in the passageway adjacent said first end so as to contact the swab tip when said manually pushed swab stick and said tip are being pushed through the passageway and toward the contact element, so as to cause the tip to be squeezed such that fluid material is expressed therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 27, 31, 32)
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14. A disposable kit for conducting an immunoassay, said kit comprising:
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a swab comprising an elongated stick and an absorbent tip at one end of the stick for carrying a fluid material containing an immunoreactive constituent; a base component having an upper surface and including an internal sidewall and a floor defining a test well that opens upwardly of said upper surface; a contact element disposed on said floor, said element being sensitive to the presence of an immunoreactive constituent with which said element comes into contact therewith; a guide member including a projecting portion having an outer surface, said guide member being shaped so as to communicate with the internal sidewall of the base, said portion being positioned within said well with its outer surface engaging the internal sidewall of the base, and being removable from the base for visual inspection of the contact element, said guide member having an elongated passageway extending through said portion, said passageway having a first open end that is positioned adjacent the contact element so as to open toward the contact element when said portion is positioned in the well, said passageway having a second open end that is spaced from said first end so as to open upwardly of the device when said portion is positioned in the well, said passageway including funnel means located at said second open end thereof so as to receive the tip of said swab, said passageway further being constructed so as to guide said tip into and through the passageway and toward said first open end thereof by manually pushing said stick of said swab, said passageway comprising means for directing the swab tip of said manually pushed stick toward the contact element; and squeeze structure located in the passageway adjacent said first open end thereof so as to contact said swab tip of said manually pushed stick, said squeeze structure being constructed so as to squeeze said tip to express fluid material therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34)
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Specification