Biological sample collection apparatus
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9103749-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A testing container is described having a vessel with a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. The first end forms an opening into the vessel. The sidewall has one or more protrusions extending inwardly therefrom. The one or more protrusions form a gap having a width in a range between 2-4 mm, and the one or more protrusions have sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure of a swab positioned in the gap relative to the one or more protrusions and to remove a head of the swab.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a testing container having a vessel with a first end forming an opening and a sidewall extending between the first end and a second end. At least two protrusions are positioned directly adjacent to the first end and extend inwardly relative to the sidewall, aligned in a side-by-side relationship and forming a gap with edges in opposed relationship having a width in a range between 2-4 mm.
The protrusions are configured to provide sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap. The configuration breaks the shaft of the swab while leaving a head of the swab attached to a portion of the shaft such that the head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head fall into the vessel. In certain embodiments, the vessel includes an insert vessel positioned in the vessel, where the insert vessel also has a first end forming an opening and sidewall protrusions forming the gap.
The invention also includes cap features for preservation of biological samples. A cap having a first end and a second end secures the opening of the vessel, and the second end has a semi-permeable barrier configured to allow air and moisture circulation between the vessel and a desiccant chamber. In embodiments, a moisture barrier tab extends across the semi-permeable barrier to seal the desiccant chamber and is removably attached to the cap, with a desiccant positioned in the desiccant chamber.
Claims Coverage
The document provides four independent claim sets that cover four inventive features: a testing container with a swab-breaking protrusion gap, a testing container with an insert vessel and desiccant cap, a corresponding insert vessel, and a testing container combining the swab-gap protrusions with desiccant cap features.
Protrusions forming a narrow swab-breaking gap
A testing container comprising a vessel having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end; the first end forming an opening into the vessel; and at least two protrusions positioned directly adjacent to the first end and extending inwardly relative to the sidewall; the at least two protrusions being aligned, in a side-by-side relationship and forming a gap with edges in opposed relationship having a width in a range between 2-4 mm; the at least two protrusions configured to provide sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap in order to break the shaft of the swab while leaving a head of the swab attached to a portion of the shaft such that the head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head falls into the vessel.
Insert vessel with swab-breaking protrusions and desiccant cap
A testing container comprising a vessel having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the first end forming an opening into the vessel, the second end forming a closed end of the vessel opposite the opening; an insert vessel positioned in the vessel, the insert vessel having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall, the first end forming an opening into the insert vessel and the sidewall having at least two protrusions positioned directly adjacent to the first end and extending inwardly relative to the sidewall, the at least two protrusions being aligned, in a side-by-side relationship and forming a gap with edges in opposed relationship having a width in a range between 2-4 mm, the at least two protrusions configured to provide sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap in order to break the shaft of the swab while leaving a head of the swab attached to a portion of the shaft such that the head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head falls into the vessel; a cap having a first end, a second end, and a desiccant chamber, the cap configured to secure the opening of the vessel, the second end of the cap having a semi-permeable barrier configured to allow air and moisture circulation between the vessel and the desiccant chamber, and a moisture barrier tab extending across the semi-permeable barrier to seal the desiccant chamber, the moisture barrier tab being removably attached to the cap; and a desiccant positioned in the desiccant chamber.
Insert vessel configured to be inserted into a testing container
An insert vessel, comprising a vessel configured to be accepted into a testing container, having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the first end forming an opening into the vessel and the sidewall having at least two protrusions positioned directly adjacent to the first end and extending inwardly relative to the sidewall, the at least two protrusions being aligned, in a side-by-side relationship and forming a gap with edges in opposed relationship having a width in a range between 2-4 mm, the at least two protrusions configured to provide sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap in order to break the shaft of the swab while leaving a head of the swab attached to a portion of the shaft such that the head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head falls into the vessel, and wherein the vessel is configured to be inserted into a testing container.
Desiccant cap with moisture barrier tab sealed across semi-permeable barrier
A testing container comprising a vessel having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the first end forming an opening into the vessel, the second end forming a closed end of the vessel, the vessel further comprising at least two protrusions positioned directly adjacent to the first end and extending inwardly relative to the sidewall, the at least two protrusions being aligned, in a side-by-side relationship and forming a gap with edges in opposed relationship having a width in a range between 2-4 mm, the at least two protrusions configured to provide sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap in order to break the shaft of the swab while leaving a head of the swab attached to a portion of the shaft such that the head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head falls into the vessel; a desiccant; a cap having a first end, a second end, and a desiccant chamber, the cap configured to secure the opening of the vessel, the cap supporting the desiccant in the desiccant chamber so as to allow air and moisture circulation between the vessel and the desiccant; and a moisture barrier tab extending across the semi-permeable barrier to seal the desiccant chamber, the moisture barrier tab being removably attached to the cap.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive elements are at least two aligned inward protrusions defining a 2-4 mm gap configured to break a swab shaft while leaving the swab head attached so the head and connected shaft portion fall into the vessel, and cap and desiccant chamber features enabling air and moisture circulation via a semi-permeable barrier sealed by a removably attached moisture barrier tab, with embodiments including an insert vessel positioned in the testing container.
Stated Advantages
Provides sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure applied to a shaft of a swab positioned in the gap to break the shaft while leaving the swab head attached.
Causes the swab head and the portion of the shaft connected to the head to fall into the vessel.
Allows air and moisture circulation between the vessel and the desiccant chamber.
Seals the desiccant chamber using a moisture barrier tab removably attached to the cap.
Documented Applications
Drying/preservation of biological samples using a cap with a desiccant chamber and semi-permeable barrier to allow air/moisture circulation while reducing contamination.
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