Methods and systems to collect a biological sample

Inventors

Johnson, Brandon T. • Christian, Kate E. • Verner, Glenn H. • Morgan, Daniel

Assignees

Nightingale Health Oyj

Abstract

Sample processing methods and systems to collect a biological sample. A device may be configured collect a predetermined volume of a sample in sample chamber and seal the chamber upon activation. The device may be further configured to mix the mix the sample with a predetermined volume of a reagent and/or mix the sample and the reagent in a pre-determined ratio.

Core Innovation

A portable device and method are provided for collecting a biological sample using a housing configurable from a first position to a second position. The housing includes a collection well, a conduit comprising a capillary tube having openings at a first end and a second end, a sample storage chamber, and a mechanical actuator, and the opening at the first end is configured to receive the biological sample from the collection well. The device includes a reagent chamber separated from the collection well and the sample storage chamber.

Upon transitioning the housing from the first position to the second position, the device actuates and moves the biological sample into the sample storage chamber while moving a fluid comprising one or more reagents out of the reagent chamber via a fluid outlet. The biological sample is stored on a membrane within the sample storage chamber, and the reagents are dispensed via the fluid outlet to contact or interact with the sample on the membrane during the housing transition. The biological sample is then tested on a test region of the membrane.

The described device concepts include using capillary tube mechanisms and viewing-based verification features to indicate or confirm when a target sample volume is collected. Example embodiments also include optional filtration for blood cell removal and optional integration with downstream assay devices such as lateral flow strips or cassettes. These concepts collectively enable mechanical, sealed, reagent-dispensing sample handling and subsequent membrane-based testing.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim set includes one independent method claim. It recites a device with a housing transition that mechanically moves a capillary-fed biological sample into a sample storage chamber while dispensing a separated reagent fluid onto a membrane for subsequent membrane testing.

The core inventive coverage is the combination of a capillary tube conduit configured to receive the sample from a collection well, a housing transition driven by a mechanical actuator that transfers the sample into a sample storage chamber while dispensing separated reagents via a fluid outlet, and storing and testing the sample on a membrane.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications