Specimen test unit
First Claim
1. A specimen test unit for use in collection and analysis of a biological specimen, said test unit comprising:
- an elongated, generally hollow housing member having open opposite ends;
an occluding member having at least one flow orifice formed therein and disposed generally at a first end of said housing member;
a specimen collector having means for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for placement with the specimen into said housing member via a second end of said housing member, said housing member being adapted to receive at least one reagent;
a base member for mounting onto said second end of said housing member subsequent to placement of said specimen collector with the specimen into said housing member, said base member cooperating with said housing member and said occluding member to define a substantially closed specimen chamber having said specimen collector and specimen and reagent therein;
said flow orifice of said occluding member having a sufficiently small size for preventing unforced flow of the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber, said flow orifice permitting pressure forced flow of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber to an exterior of said housing member; and
vacuum drawing means operatively and removably connected to said flow orifice for vacuum drawing a portion of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber through said flow orifice to the exterior of said housing member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of biological specimens and the like. The specimen test unit includes a swab member adapted for collection of a specimen to be tested. The test unit incorporates one or more reagents or other test fluids for delivery into contact with the specimen on the swab member. In accordance with various embodiments, the contacted specimen and fluid are then delivered through one or more porous members for analysis and/or to contact an additional reagent or reagents in the course of performing a selected test. In some forms, one or more of the porous members is preimpregnated with a selected reagent or constituent thereof. Moreover, in some forms, one or more of the porous members is formed from a hydrophobic material to serve as a fluid seal until fluid is forced therethrough, for example, by squeezing a reagent-containing housing member of the test unit. In all embodiments, the test unit is substantially self-contained to perform the desired test, with minimal risk of exposing testing personnel to the collected specimen and/or to the various reagents.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A specimen test unit for use in collection and analysis of a biological specimen, said test unit comprising:
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an elongated, generally hollow housing member having open opposite ends; an occluding member having at least one flow orifice formed therein and disposed generally at a first end of said housing member; a specimen collector having means for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for placement with the specimen into said housing member via a second end of said housing member, said housing member being adapted to receive at least one reagent; a base member for mounting onto said second end of said housing member subsequent to placement of said specimen collector with the specimen into said housing member, said base member cooperating with said housing member and said occluding member to define a substantially closed specimen chamber having said specimen collector and specimen and reagent therein; said flow orifice of said occluding member having a sufficiently small size for preventing unforced flow of the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber, said flow orifice permitting pressure forced flow of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber to an exterior of said housing member; and vacuum drawing means operatively and removably connected to said flow orifice for vacuum drawing a portion of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber through said flow orifice to the exterior of said housing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A specimen test unit for use in collection and analysis of a biological specimen, said test unit comprising:
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an elongated, generally hollow housing member having open opposite ends; an occluding member having at least one flow orifice formed therein and disposed generally at a first end of said housing member; a specimen collector having means for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for placement with the specimen into said housing member via a second end of said housing member, said housing member being adapted to receive at least one reagent; a base member for mounting onto said second end of said housing member subsequent to placement of said specimen collector with the specimen into said housing member, said base member cooperating with said housing member and said occluding member to define a substantially closed specimen chamber having said specimen specimen collector, specimen, and reagent therein; said flow orifice of said occluding member having a sufficiently small size for preventing unforced flow of the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber, said flow orifice permitting pressure forced flow of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber to the exterior of said housing member; and a secondary housing member mounted over and covering said flow orifice in said occluding member, said secondary housing member receiving the specimen and reagent upon flow thereof from said specimen chamber through said flow orifice; and a wick element within said secondary housing. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A specimen test unit for use in collection and analysis of a biological specimen, said test unit comprising:
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an elongated, generally hollow housing member having open opposite ends; an occluding member having at least one flow orifice formed therein and disposed generally at a first end of said housing member; a specimen collector having means for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for placement with the specimen into said housing member via a second end of said housing member, said housing member being adapted to receive at least one reagent; a base member for mounting onto said second end of said housing member subsequent to placement of said specimen collector with the specimen into said housing member, said base member cooperating with said housing member and said occluding member to define a substantially closed specimen chamber having said specimen collector, and specimen, and reagent therein; said flow orifice of said occluding member having a sufficiently small size for preventing unforced flow of the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber, said flow orifice permitting pressure forced flow of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber to an exterior of said housing member; and a wick element having one end mounted within said flow orifice and projecting outwardly therefrom said wick element being positioned to contact the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber for capillary flow thereof through said flow orifice to the exterior of said housing member. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A specimen test unit for use in collection and analysis of a biological specimen, said test unit comprising:
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an elongated, generally hollow housing member having open opposite ends; an occluding member having at least one flow orifice formed therein and disposed generally at a first end of said housing member; a specimen collector having means for collecting a specimen and having a size and shape for placement with the specimen into said housing member via a second end of said housing member, said housing member being adapted to receive at least one reagent; a base member for mounting onto said second end of said housing member subsequent to placement of said specimen collector with the specimen into said housing member, said base member cooperating with said housing member and said occluding member to define a substantially closed specimen chamber having said specimen collector, and specimen, and reagent therein; said flow orifice of said occluding member having a sufficiently small size for preventing unforced flow of the specimen and reagent within said specimen chamber, said flow orifice permitting pressure forced flow of the specimen and reagent from said specimen chamber to an exterior of said housing member; and said housing member further including means defining a mixing chamber, said flow orifice defining a first port leading from said mixing chamber to the exterior of said housing member, and further including means defining a second port communicating between said specimen and mixing chambers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification