Biological sample collection device

• US 9,168,029 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2015
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare UK Limited (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Pierce, Alan Stuart, Potts, Cheryl Louise, Stubbs, Simon Laurence John, Treharne, David Gwyn
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US14/671,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20150250458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 214 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: 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: A61B 5/150007 Details

Abstract

Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

Claims

1. A method of collecting a biological sample in a biological sample collection device, comprising:

(a) collecting the biological specimen onto a collection portion carrying a biological sample collection medium; and

(b) transferring the biological specimen to a body portion comprising a storage medium holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium at a holding position, and a sample transfer cover portion,

the collection portion being movably connected to the body portion, whereby the biological sample collection device is capable of being configured according to a first configuration and according to a second, different, configuration, wherein;

in said first configuration, the collection portion is at a first position spatially separated from the body portion for collecting a biological sample on the biological sample collection medium; and

in said second configuration, the collection portion is at a second position at least partly between the sample storage medium holding portion and the sample transfer cover portion, and the sample transfer cover portion is operable to apply a force to the collection portion, whereby said collection portion is compelled towards said holding position so that, when the storage medium holding portion holds a biological sample storage medium, the biological sample collection medium is pushed against said biological sample storage medium;

wherein when the collection portion is at said second position, the collection portion is at least partly enclosed by the sample transfer cover portion and the storage medium holding portion, wherein said sample transfer cover portion is movably connected to said body, between an open position, for facilitating movement of the collection portion from said first position to said second position, and a closed position for enabling operation of the sample transfer cover portion to apply said force.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the collection portion is at said second position, the biological sample collection medium is in a position separated from said holding position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the collection portion is connected to the body portion via an arm portion which is arranged to flex from said second position towards the holding position in response to said force.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample transfer cover portion includes a compressible recess portion, and said operation of the sample transfer cover portion comprises compression of the recess portion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said recess portion has at least one dimension substantially matching a corresponding dimension of the collection portion, so that the collection portion may locate in said recess portion when the device is in the second configuration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection portion is connected to the storage medium holding portion via a swivel joint, which enables the collection portion to move between said first position and said second position.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the storage medium holding portion defines a plane for holding said biological sample storage medium, and the swivel joint enables the collection portion to swivel about an axis substantially within said plane.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the storage medium holding portion defines a plane for holding said biological sample storage medium, and the swivel joint enables the collection portion to swivel about an axis substantially perpendicular to said plane.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a gap is provided between said sample cover portion means and said storage medium holding portion and the swivel joint enables the collection portion to move through said gap.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection portion is connected to the storage medium holding portion via a slide joint, which enables sliding movement of the collection portion between said first position and said second position.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising a lock for locking said sample transfer cover portion in at least one of said closed position and said open position.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising a lock for locking said collection portion in at least one of said first position and said second position.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample collection medium comprises an absorbent material for absorbing a liquid biological sample.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising a biological sample storage medium held in said storage medium holding portion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the biological sample storage medium is removable from said storage medium holding portion.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample storage medium comprises a planar membrane for absorbing liquid biological samples.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the biological sample storage medium is held on a card.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample collection device is made from a plastics material.