Saliva sampling device and sample adequacy system

• US 5,393,496 A
• Filed: 03/24/1992
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Saliva Diagnostic Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Seymour, Eugene H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Housel, James C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Soderquist, Arlen
• Application Number:
  US07/857,574
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 128/732, 128/760, 128/762, 128/769, 422/58, 422/99-102, 435/294, 435/295
• US Class Current: 422/413
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• 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: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs

Abstract

A saliva sampling device includes a collection container, a saliva collector and a sample container. The sample container is inserted into the collection container and becomes fluidly coupled thereto by inserting the saliva collector into sample container and pressing it therein. This allows a sample of saliva to be collected, separated from the saliva collector and retained within the collection container for testing. The saliva collector includes a piston fitting closely within the sample container and a porous mass which may be compressed by the piston in the sample container to extract the sample of saliva for distribution to the collection container. A buffering solution may be retained within the sample container for mixing with the sample of saliva. The saliva sampling device may include a sample container, a saliva collector and at least one reagent container which may be used with a rotatable cylinder to mix a buffered sample of saliva with at least one reagent solution for conducting a laboratory test on site. The saliva sampling device may also include at least two sample containers and at least two saliva collectors which may be used with a cylinder to mix a buffered sample of saliva with at least one reagent solution for conducting a laboratory test on site. This allows at least two people to be tested with the same saliva sampling device.

Claims

1. A saliva sampling device comprising:

a. a first hollow, cylindrical member having a innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim with a curved notch therein;

b. a second hollow, cylindrical member having a top flat member which has a drain with a seal-breaking member disposed therein, said first hollow, cylindrical member being coupled to said second hollow, cylindrical member whereby said curved notch in said innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim is aligned with said seal-breaking member in said drain;

c. a rotatable cylinder, which has a first bore and a plurality of second bores, disposed in and rotatively coupled to said first hollow, cylindrical member whereby each of said first and second bores may selectively aligned with said curved notch in said innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim;

d. a sample container having an open end and a closed end with a breakable seal being disposed at said closed end, said sample container being inserted into said first bore of said rotatable cylinder;

e. a buffering solution contained in said sample container;

f. a saliva collector which selectively receives a sample of saliva, said saliva collector being inserted into said sample container whereby said buffering solution and the sample of saliva mix together and when said curved notch is aligned with said first bore said sample container is pressed downward so that said seal-breaking member breaks said breakable seal in order for said mixture of said buffering solution and the sample of saliva to flow into said drain in said top flat member of said second hollow, cylindrical member;

g. a plurality of reagent containers each of which has an open end, which is closed by a cap, and a closed end with a breakable seal being disposed at said closed end and each of which contains a pre-selected reagent solution and is inserted into one of said second bores of said rotatable cylinder whereby when said curved notch is selectively aligned with each of said second bores so that one of said reagent containers is selectively pressed downward so that said seal-breaking member breaks said breakable seal thereof in order for said pre-selected reagent solution to flow into said drain in said top flat member of said second hollow, cylindrical member and mix together with said mixture of said buffering solution and the sample of saliva.

2. A saliva sampling device comprising:

a. a first hollow, cylindrical member;

b. a second hollow, cylindrical member having a top flat member which has a plurality of drains each of which has a seal-breaking member disposed therein, said first hollow, cylindrical member being coupled to said second hollow, cylindrical member;

c. a cylinder, which has a plurality of bores, disposed in and coupled to said first hollow, cylindrical member whereby each of said bores is aligned with said seal-breaking member;

d. a plurality of sample containers each of which has an open end and a closed end with a breakable seal being disposed at said closed end, each of said sample containers is inserted into one of said bores of said rotatable cylinder;

e. a collection container disposed in said second hollow, cylindrical member and coupled to each of said drains;

f. a buffering solution contained in said sample container; and

g. a plurality of saliva collectors each of which receives a sample of saliva, each of said saliva collectors being inserted into one of said sample containers whereby said buffering solution and each sample of saliva mix together and when each of said sample containers is pressed downward so that said seal-breaking member breaks said breakable seal in order for said mixture of said buffering solution and the sample of saliva to flow into said collection container through said each of said drains.