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Publication Number
US-9138205-B2
Publication Date
2015-09-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a sample recovery and collection device comprising 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. Also disclosed herein is a kit comprising the sample recovery and collection device. Further disclosed herein is a method of collecting a sample from a subject.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sample recovery and collection device and a method of collecting a sample from a subject using a swab. The device includes a tube, a cap removably secured to the tube for sealing the tube, where the cap includes an O-ring, and a tube enclosing a solution for receiving a transferred sample suspension.
The device further includes an insert with a ring adhered to the tube and an opening extending from the ring to the second end, the insert defining a diameter. The insert includes first, second, and third legs coupled to and extending from the ring to the second end, and each leg includes a plurality of concentric protrusions projecting radially from an inside surface of each leg.
In the method, a tip of a swab is contacted against a body portion of the subject to obtain the sample, the swab tip is inserted through the opening of the insert, and the sample is transferred from the swab tip to the solution enclosed within the tube. The described workflow is directed to collecting swab-based samples, including buccal cells, and enabling downstream recovery of sample components.
The partial document describes performance outcomes associated with the device and method, including increased DNA/RNA/protein yields and high transfer efficiency from the swab to the tube solution. It also reports reduced bacterial contamination, sample stability at room temperature up to 360 days, successful downstream PCR using human beta actin, and higher subject compliance compared with other collection methods.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim. It covers a swab-based sample collection method using a sealed tube with an O-ring cap and an insert that defines a diameter and includes multiple legs with concentric radially projecting protrusions, followed by transferring the swab sample into the tube solution.
Sealed tube with O-ring cap and adherent insert
A sample recovery and collection device comprising a tube, a cap including an O-ring removably secured to the tube for sealing the tube, and an insert including a first end having a ring adhered to the tube.
Insert opening defining a diameter
An insert including an opening extending from the ring to the second end, the insert defining a diameter.
Concentric radially projecting protrusions on insert legs
Each of the first, second and third legs includes a plurality of concentric protrusions projecting radially from an inside surface of each of the legs.
Swab contact and insertion through insert opening
Contacting a tip of a swab against a body portion of the subject to obtain the sample, and inserting the swab tip through the opening of the insert.
Transfer of swab sample into tube-enclosed solution
Transferring the sample from the swab tip to a solution enclosed within the tube.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is the combination of a sealed tube system with an O-ring cap and tube-enclosed solution, together with an insert geometry having an opening defining a diameter and legs with concentric radially projecting protrusions, used to transfer a swab-obtained sample into the tube solution.
Stated Advantages
Increased DNA/RNA/protein yields.
High transfer efficiency from the swab to the tube solution.
Compatibility with multiple swab materials.
Reduced bacterial contamination (reported as <~1% total DNA).
Sample stability at room temperature up to 360 days.
Successful downstream PCR (human beta-actin reported).
Higher subject compliance versus other collection methods.
Documented Applications
Collecting swab-based samples from a subject, including buccal cells, using the described sample recovery and collection device and method.
Downstream PCR performance using collected samples (human beta-actin reported).
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