Specimen collection and assay container

• US 8,865,458 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2013
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alere Switzerland GmbH (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Alere Switzerland GmbH (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Ramsey, James T., Hartselle, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Chris L
• Application Number:
  US13/776,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20130287650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• US Class Current: 435/288.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54388 based on lateral flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/558 using diffusion or migration of antigen or antibody immunochromatographic test strips G01N33/54387
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/81 Packaged device or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick

Abstract

The present invention includes but is not limited to a specimen collection device that includes a chamber capable of collecting a specimen, a specimen passage slot, a reservoir, a reservoir seal, and a test device. A sample or specimen added to the chamber flows through the specimen passage slot into the reservoir. Flow into the reservoir may be limited by the reservoir seal. The test device positioned within the reservoir detects the presence or concentration of an analyte within the sample or specimen.

Claims

1. A specimen collection device, comprising:

a) a chamber, wherein said chamber is capable of collecting a specimen;

b) a reservoir;

c) a reservoir seal; and

d) a specimen passage slot;

wherein said chamber and said reservoir are in direct fluid communication, and further wherein said reservoir is capable of receiving a portion of said specimen from said chamber;

whereby, upon addition of the specimen to the chamber, a portion of the specimen enters the reservoir through the specimen passage slot, the portion of the specimen entering the reservoir compresses air or a gas present in the reservoir, the compression of the gas or air limiting the amount of specimen added to the reservoir.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir is configured to receive a test device.

4. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir is substantially transparent.

5. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir is constructed separately from the chamber.

6. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir comprises an opening which is sealed or sealed air tight with said reservoir seal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir seal, in cooperation with said specimen passage slot, controls fluid access to said reservoir, wherein said reservoir seal seals said reservoir and is operable to prevent excess influx of said specimen into said reservoir upon introduction of said specimen into said chamber.

8. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said chamber comprises a chamber seal.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein the test device is sealed inside the reservoir by the reservoir seal.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the test device comprises at least one test strip.

11. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir is designed to be removable from the chamber.

12. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said reservoir seal is non-removable.

13. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said specimen is a liquid specimen.

14. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said specimen is urine, blood, serum or spinal fluid.

2. A specimen collection device, comprising:

a) a chamber, wherein said chamber is capable of collecting a specimen;

b) a reservoir;

c) a specimen passage slot;

wherein said chamber and said reservoir are in direct fluid communication, and further wherein said reservoir is capable of receiving a portion of said specimen from said chamber; and

d) a reservoir seal which, in cooperation with said specimen passage slot, controls fluid access to said reservoir, wherein said reservoir seal seals said reservoir and is operable to prevent excess influx of said specimen into said reservoir upon introduction of said specimen into said chamber.

15. The device of claim 2, wherein, upon addition of the specimen to the chamber, a portion of the specimen enters the reservoir through the specimen passage slot,the portion of the specimen entering the reservoir compresses air or a gas present in the reservoir, the compression of the gas or air limiting the amount of specimen added to the reservoir.