Devices and methods for collecting fecal antigen specimens
First Claim
1. A fecal specimen collection apparatus, comprising:
- a tube having a sidewall;
a cap assembly adapted for insertion into the tube, the cap assembly comprising a cap and a straw portion extending downwardly from said cap;
a fecal specimen collection element disposed on a lower end of said straw portion; and
a filter disposed on a lower end of said straw portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fecal antigen specimen tube apparatus preferably consists of a 16×75 mm screw-top specimen tube and a special screw cap assembly. The screw cap has a hollow "straw" with a specimen collection brush on the end. The screw-cap assembly can be removed from the specimen tube so that the brush end may be dipped into a fecal sample and rotated to collect a specimen. The cap assembly with specimen is then screwed back into the specimen tube to seal the container. The straw preferably has a number of openings along its length, which permits fluid to move back and forth through the straw as the specimen tube is agitated. Filters with pore sizes of approximately 100 microns are disposed over the openings to prevent larger pieces of fecal matter from penetrating into the straw. The filter, however, will permit most parasites to pass into the straw. The top of the straw (and cap assembly) is preferably sealed with a heat-seal film. This film seals the specimen tube, preventing spillage and evaporation. The film can be penetrated by a sample probe of an automated instrument for removal of a portion of the liquid during the analytical process. After specimen processing, the tube may be resealed with tape or disposed of. Advantageously, then, the inventive device permits semi-automated specimen processing, which provides for a complete system from specimen collection to introduction on automated immunodiagnostic instruments.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A fecal specimen collection apparatus, comprising:
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a tube having a sidewall; a cap assembly adapted for insertion into the tube, the cap assembly comprising a cap and a straw portion extending downwardly from said cap; a fecal specimen collection element disposed on a lower end of said straw portion; and a filter disposed on a lower end of said straw portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fecal specimen collection apparatus, comprising:
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a tube having a sidewall; a cap assembly adapted for insertion into the tube, the cap assembly comprising a cap hollow and a straw portion comprising a sidewall defining an interior volume, and extending downwardly from said cap, an upper end of the said straw portion extending through said cap; a fecal specimen collection element disposed on a lower end of said straw portion; a top opening disposed on an upper end of the straw portion, at a top end of said cap; and a puncturable film disposed over said top opening. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A fecal specimen collection apparatus, comprising:
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a tube having a sidewall; a cap assembly adapted for insertion into the tube, the cap assembly comprising a cap and a straw portion extending downwardly from said cap, the straw portion comprising a sidewall defining a hollow interior; and a filter disposed on said straw portion sidewall. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for collecting and analyzing a fecal specimen using an apparatus which comprises a tube having a sidewall and a cap assembly removably attachable to said tube, the cap assembly comprising a cap and a straw portion extending through and downwardly from said cap, the straw portion having a sidewall which defines an interior volume, and a specimen collection element disposed on a lower end of the straw portion, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting the cap assembly into a fecal sample so that a fecal specimen is collected by said specimen collection element; inserting the cap assembly into said tube; sealingly securing the cap assembly to said tube, so that liquid contained in said tube and in said straw portion cannot escape from the apparatus; agitating the apparatus so that liquid reagent contained in said tube is mixed with said fecal specimen; and inserting a probe into said straw portion without removing the cap assembly from the tube, for removing a portion of the mixed liquid contained in said straw portion for analysis. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification