Device for collecting liquid samples

• US 7,294,502 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Envitec-Wismar GmbH (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Envitec-Wismar GmbH (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Eckermann, Martin, Lindner, Bernd, Ullmann, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BAO THUY L
• Application Number:
  US10/479,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20040171173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 436/518, 436/514, 436/527, 436/808, 436/810, 436/46, 436/165, 435/5, 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/7.2, 435/805, 435/7.92, 435/970, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/287.8, 422/56, 422/58
• US Class Current: 435/287.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/087 Ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/805 Test papers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/97 Test strip or test slide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/112499 with sample on test slide

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for collecting samples of fluids, in particular of body fluids such as saliva, said device comprising an absorbent pad and two housing parts which are connected to the latter in a movable manner and can enclose the absorbent pad. The device permits easy and safe handling when taking a sample and when transferring the sample for testing for an analyte in the sample. The device can also be handled hygienically and safely by persons not trained in taking samples.

Claims

1. A device for collecting samples of fluids, said device comprising:

a) a housing comprising an upper part and a lower part;

b) an absorbent pad secured to a holder;

wherein, the upper and lower parts of the housing are pivotally connected to the holder such that in a first position of the housing, the absorbent pad is exposed to take up the sample fluid, and in a second position of the housing, the upper and lower parts surround the holder and the absorbent pad.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, which device is adapted for collecting body fluids.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, which device is adapted for collecting saliva from the oral cavity.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the lower and upper parts are connected to the holder via at least one hinge.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the absorbent pad comprises pressed cellulose.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the absorbent pad comprises a means for stimulating the flow of saliva.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one test strip for detection of at least one analyte in the sample of fluid.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing parts comprise a squeezing arrangement which, when the lower and upper parts are moved into their position in which they surround the absorbent pad, squeezes the fluid out of the latter.

9. The device as claimed in claim 7, in which the test strip or test strips has/have an application zone for the sample of fluid, and the test strip or test strips is/are arranged in the housing in such a way that, when the lower and upper housing parts are moved into their second position in which they surround the absorbent pad, the squeezing arrangement squeezes the sample of fluid out of the absorbent pad onto the application zone of the test strip(s).

10. The device as claimed in claim 7, in which the test strip or test strips is/are arranged in one of the lower or upper housing parts between the housing wall and a dividing wall.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, in which the dividing wall has an inlet opening through which the sample of fluid can pass to the test strip or test strips.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, in which one of the lower or upper housing parts comprises a storage chamber for a liquid.

13. The device as claimed in claim 7, in which the device comprises at least one viewing window through which the test strip or test strips can be observed.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, in which the viewing window is closed with a transparent material.

15. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a means that indicates reopening of the housing.