Method and apparatus for sample evaluation
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for collecting and testing a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
- an outer case, a bottom end of the outer case being open;
an extendable carrier adapted within the outer case;
a wick member affixed to a bottom end of the extendable carrier adapted to accept the specimen;
a knob rotatably coupled to a top surface of the outer case, the knob having a screw extending though threads in a top portion of the extendable carrier, whereas rotation of the knob extends and retracts the extendable carrier; and
at least one test membrane affixed to a side surface of the extendable carrier, the at least one test membrane visible through the outer case and the at least one test membrane interfaced with the wick member,whereby the wick member is coupled to the at least one test membrane so as to transfer the specimen from the wick member to the at least one test membrane.
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Abstract
A specimen testing apparatus includes an outer case and an inner case that adjustably extends beyond the bottom end of the outer case. The inner case has a plurality of test strips for biologically testing a specimen, whereby a wick affixed to the bottom end of the inner case draws the specimen into each of the test strips after the inner case is extended and the wick is exposed to the specimen. A cover is provided to protect the apparatus from contamination and to seal the apparatus after exposure to the specimen.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collecting and testing a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
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an outer case, a bottom end of the outer case being open; an extendable carrier adapted within the outer case; a wick member affixed to a bottom end of the extendable carrier adapted to accept the specimen; a knob rotatably coupled to a top surface of the outer case, the knob having a screw extending though threads in a top portion of the extendable carrier, whereas rotation of the knob extends and retracts the extendable carrier; and at least one test membrane affixed to a side surface of the extendable carrier, the at least one test membrane visible through the outer case and the at least one test membrane interfaced with the wick member, whereby the wick member is coupled to the at least one test membrane so as to transfer the specimen from the wick member to the at least one test membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. The method for collecting and testing a specimen, the method comprising:
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providing a test kit, the test kit comprising; an outer case; an extendable carrier adapted within the outer case; a wick member affixed to a bottom end of the extendable carrier for accepting the specimen; at least one test membrane affixed to a side surface of the extendable carrier, the at least one test membrane visible through the outer case and the at least one test membrane interfaced with the wick member and a knob rotatably coupled to a top surface of the outer case, the knob having a screw extending though threads in a top portion of the extendable carrier, whereas rotation of the knob extends and retracts the extendable carrier; rotating the knob in a first direction, thereby extending the wick member beyond a bottom edge of the outer case; exposing the wick member to the specimen; transferring the specimen from the wick member to the at least one test membrane using capillary action; and rotating the knob in an opposite direction, thereby retracting the wick member into the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for collecting and testing a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
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an enclosure means, a bottom end of the enclosure means being open; an extendable carrier means adapted within the enclosure means; a wick means affixed to a bottom end of the extendable carrier means for accepting the specimen; a means for extending and retracting the extendable carrier; and at least one test membrane affixed to a side surface of the carrier means, the at least one test membrane visible through the enclosure means and interfaced with the wick means, whereby the wick means is coupled to the at least one test membrane so as to transfer the specimen from the wick means to the at least one test membrane. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for collecting and testing a specimen, the apparatus comprising:
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an enclosure means having a top surface, a bottom edge and at least three sides; an extendable carrier means adapted within the enclosure means; a wick means affixed to a bottom end of the extendable carrier means for accepting the specimen; a means for extending and retracting the extendable carrier; and a plurality of test membranes, each of the plurality of test membranes affixed to one of the at least three sides and the plurality of test membranes visible through the enclosure means and the plurality of test membranes interfaced with the wick means, whereby the wick means is coupled to the plurality of test membranes so as to transfer the specimen from the wick means to the plurality of test membranes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification