Single use sampling device

• US 5,709,838 A
• Filed: 08/27/1996
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Safariland LLC
• Original Assignee: NIK Public Safety, Inc.
• Inventors: Geisinger, George H., Porter, V. Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, LYLE
• Application Number:
  US08/705,695
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/61, 422/99, 422/101, 436/808, 436/810, 436/901
• US Class Current: 422/430
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0038 Devices for taking faeces samples; Faecal examination devices anal receptacles A61F5/451
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/18 Spatulas
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/04 in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick

Abstract

A single use sampling and sample delivery device for a test kit includes a strip having a first part and a second part. The first part has a first side and a second side, each side having a surface to serve as a spatula for collecting and placing a sample into a test kit. The second part serves as a handle for manipulating the first part. The first part which contains the sample may be readily separated from the second part, then left in the container. Alternate embodiments of the device include addition of an adhesive coating or a foam and adhesive coating to the first part, both employing a release covering to protect the sample surface from contamination prior to use. The device may be individually packaged or supplied in a pack containing a plurality of strips.

Claims

1. A single use sampling device for test kit comprising:

(a) a unitary, one-piece strip divided into interconnected first and second parts, said first and second parts being defined by a line of weakness provided therebetween, said first part having a first side and a second side, each of said sides having a surface to serve as a spatula to collect and deliver a sample into a test kit, said surfaces being formed such that at least a portion of one of said surfaces having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto to facilitate a sample collection phase and a sample delivery phase into the test kit, said second part serving as a handle for manipulating said first part;

(b) said spatula serving portion and said handle serving portion being separated from each other by grasping and separating along the line of weakness between the two parts after completing the sample collection and delivery phases of the test and prior to a sample assay phase.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means includes any one or any combination of perforations, area of reduced thickness and notches.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said strip is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, chipboard, plastic, metal, glass and wood.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first side of said first part has a lighter color and said second side of first part has a darker color relative to each other.

5. A packaged device comprising the device of claim 1 and an overpackage therefor.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said first part has pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a portion of one of said surfaces to aid said sample collection and placement.

7. The device of claim 6 further including a peelable release cover which covers the adhesive on said surface of said strip and protects said adhesive until said cover is removed.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said strips are joined at a portion of said second part to form a packet, further including means for individually detaching said strips from said packet, said means demarcating said strip and weakening the joining of said strips to said packet, thereby facilitating an individual detachment of said strips from said packet.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said detachment means includes any one or any combination of perforations, area of reduced thickness and notches.

10. A device of claim 1, wherein said first part has a layer of a foamed material bonded on the thereto for collection and placement of an aqueous sample into the test kit.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said foam has a coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive and a peelable release cover protecting said coating until said cover is removed.

13. A packaged packet comprising the packet of claim 1 and a reclosable overpackage therefor.

12. A packet of single use sampling devices for test kit comprising:

a plurality of unitary, one-piece strips divided into interconnected first and second parts, said first and second parts being defined by line of weakness provided therebetween, said first part having a first side and a second side, each of said sides having a surface to serve as a spatula to collect and deliver a sample into a test kit, said surfaces being formed such that at least a portion of one of said surfaces having a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied thereto facilitate a sample collection phase and a sample delivery phase into the test kit, said second part serving as a handle for manipulating said first part;

said spatula serving portion and said handle serving portion being separable from each other by grasping and separating along the line of weakness between the two parts after completion of sample collection and delivery phases of the test prior to a sample assay phase of the test;

said strips being joined at a portion of said second part to form a pack, said strips having a perforation at said juncture for facilitating removal of an individual strip from said pack;

and said strips being formed from an absorbent chipboard having said first side colored a lighter color and said second side colored a darker color relative to each other.