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Publication Number
US-10595829-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sample recovery and collection device comprises a tube, a cap, an insert, and an opening. The cap includes an O-ring and is removably secured to the tube for sealing the tube. The insert includes a first end having a ring that is adhered to the tube and second end opposite the first end. The insert also includes a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, each coupled to and extending from the ring to the second end. The opening extends from the ring to the second end and the insert defines a diameter.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a sample recovery and collection device for use with a swab. The device includes a tube with a body defining a chamber therein, a cap removably secured to the tube for sealing the chamber, and an insert defining a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and defining a channel therethrough.
The insert includes a ring configured to engage the body of the tube and a plurality of legs extending axially from the ring toward the second end, where the legs at least partially define the channel. Each leg is separated by an opening, and the channel reduces in diameter as the channel extends axially from the first end to the second end. The legs are configured to apply a squeezing pressure to the swab that increases as the swab moves within the channel from the first end toward the second end.
Each plurality of legs includes a plurality of concentric protrusions that project radially inwardly from an inside surface thereof and into the channel. Each concentric protrusion includes a progressively smaller inner diameter the closer it is positioned to the second end of the insert, and each protrusion is configured to apply an extra sectional squeezing pressure to the swab when the swab moves within the channel between the first end and the second end, including supplemental squeezing pressure when the swab tip is positioned within the channel and in contact therewith.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies two independent claims directed to a swab-based sample recovery and collection device with a tube sealed by a removable cap and an insert that mechanically squeezes a swab inside a reducing-diameter channel using legs, openings, and radially inward concentric protrusions. Across the independent claims, the inventive features are the mechanical geometry of the insert channel and protrusions that create an increasing and supplemental squeezing pressure toward the second end, and the specified swab tip material options and biological sample collection context.
Reducing-diameter channel with increasing squeezing pressure toward second end
A sample recovery and collection device comprising a tube with a chamber, a cap removably secured to seal the chamber, and an insert defining a longitudinal axis with a first end, a second end, and a channel therethrough, wherein a ring engages the tube body and a plurality of legs extending axially from the ring toward the second end at least partially define the channel; each leg is separated by an opening; the channel reduces in diameter as it extends axially from the first end to the second end; and the legs apply a squeezing pressure to the swab that increases as the swab moves within the channel from the first end toward the second end.
Progressively decreasing concentric protrusion inner diameter for extra sectional squeezing pressure
The insert includes a plurality of legs, wherein each leg includes a plurality of concentric protrusions projecting radially inwardly into the channel, and wherein each concentric protrusion includes a progressively smaller inner diameter closer to the second end; each protrusion is configured to apply an extra sectional squeezing pressure to the swab when the swab moves within the channel between the first end and the second end.
Concentric inward protrusions provide supplemental squeezing pressure on swab tip
A sample recovery and collection device for collecting biological samples comprising a swab with a swab tip formed from cotton, rayon, and polyester; a tube with a chamber; a cap removably secured to seal the chamber; and an insert defining a channel and including a ring and a plurality of legs separated by openings, where the channel reduces in diameter as it extends from a first end to a second end, and where each leg includes a plurality of concentric protrusions projecting radially inwardly into the channel; the legs impart squeezing pressure on the swab tip that increases closer the swab tip is to the second end; and the protrusions impart supplemental squeezing pressure when the swab tip is positioned within the channel and in contact therewith.
The independent claims focus on an insert with a reducing-diameter channel defined by legs separated by openings, where squeezing pressure increases as the swab moves toward the second end. The claims further specify radially inward concentric protrusions with progressively smaller inner diameters toward the second end to provide extra sectional and supplemental squeezing pressure when the swab tip contacts the channel.
Stated Advantages
Minimize loss of sample (e.g., minimize loss when driving sample into the solution).
Increased DNA, RNA, and protein yields, including a reported ~5.8-fold DNA yield over a conventional swab-in-suspension approach.
Reduced bacterial contamination (reported as <~1% versus higher contamination for saliva/buccal swabs/mouthwash).
Stability of DNA at room temperature for up to at least 360 days.
Documented Applications
Collection and recovery of biological samples, including buccal cells.
Downstream PCR compatibility and use with DNA/RNA/protein extraction kits (e.g., DNeasy, RNeasy) and quantification approaches described in the partial content.
Subject compliance and storage of DNA at room temperature for up to at least 360 days.
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