Oral fluid collection, transfer and transportation device and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for the collection and testing of oral, or other fluids, comprising a collection device and a test cartridge wherein:
- the collection device comprises(a) absorbing means for absorbing fluid,(b) a collapsible cover within which the absorbing means is housed, and(c) a fluid adequacy indicator in fluid communication with said absorbing means to receive said fluid absorbed by said absorbing means which said indicator detects the fluid absorbed by said absorbing means disposed in said collapsible cover for signaling when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of fluid; and
the test cartridge comprises(a) a collection chamber which allows insertion of the collection device into the test cartridge,(b) a test strip in fluid communication with said collection chamber for testing fluid for the presence of analytes, and(c) a locating structure which locates the collection device at a fixed location relative to the test cartridge within the collection chamber, in which location said collapsible cover is held in a compressed state by said locating structure such that the absorbing means has undergone a controlled degree of compression which transfers a predetermined volume of fluid from the absorbing means to the test strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An oral fluid collection and transfer device comprises a collection device (10) and a test cartridge (100). The collection device includes a frame or chassis (14), and an absorbing pad (12) for absorbing oral fluid and which is secured around part of the frame with part of the frame protruding from the pad. A collapsible cover (16) covers the absorbing means and has apertures (68) for the ingress of oral fluid into contact with the absorbing pad. A cap (18) covers the part of the frame protruding from the absorbing pad. The cap and the cover latch together to surround the frame and the absorbing pad. The device also includes a fluid adequacy indicator (20) in the form of an electrical circuit with an LED (66) which is completed when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of oral fluid.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus for the collection and testing of oral, or other fluids, comprising a collection device and a test cartridge wherein:
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the collection device comprises (a) absorbing means for absorbing fluid, (b) a collapsible cover within which the absorbing means is housed, and (c) a fluid adequacy indicator in fluid communication with said absorbing means to receive said fluid absorbed by said absorbing means which said indicator detects the fluid absorbed by said absorbing means disposed in said collapsible cover for signaling when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of fluid; and the test cartridge comprises (a) a collection chamber which allows insertion of the collection device into the test cartridge, (b) a test strip in fluid communication with said collection chamber for testing fluid for the presence of analytes, and (c) a locating structure which locates the collection device at a fixed location relative to the test cartridge within the collection chamber, in which location said collapsible cover is held in a compressed state by said locating structure such that the absorbing means has undergone a controlled degree of compression which transfers a predetermined volume of fluid from the absorbing means to the test strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Apparatus for the collection and testing of oral, or other fluids, comprising a collection device and a test cartridge which are selectively engagable together wherein:
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the collection device comprises (a) absorbing means for absorbing fluid, (b) a collapsible cover within which the absorbing means is housed and enclosed, and (c) a fluid adequacy indicator in fluid communication with said absorbing means to receive said fluid absorbed by said absorbing means, which said fluid adequacy indicator detects the absorbed fluid absorbed by said absorbing means disposed in said collapsible cover and signals externally of said collection device when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of said absorbed fluid; and the test cartridge comprises (a) a collection chamber to allow insertion of the collection device into the test cartridge, (b) a test strip wherein said test cartridge has said test strip positioned in fluid communication with said collection chamber for receiving said absorbed fluid from said collection device, and for testing said absorbed fluid for the presence of analytes; and (c) a locating structure which locates the collection device at a fixed location relative to the test cartridge within the collection chamber, in which location said collapsible cover is held in a compressed state by said locating structure, in which said compressed state the absorbing means has undergone a controlled degree of compression to a compressed volume, which said compressed volume of said absorbing means expels a predetermined volume of said fluid from the absorbing means to the test strip.
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Specification