Specimen sample collection device and test system

Abstract

A specimen sample collection device and test system includes a handle having a sufficiency indicator, an absorbent pad partially contained within said handle, a pad compression tube insertable over said absorbent pad within said handle and around an end of said handle, and a collection tube having one or more sample chambers, attachable to said pad compression tube, and wherein said compression tube defines one or more chambers, and wherein when said collection tube is attached to said pad compression tube, the chambers are in fluid communication with said pad compression tube. A specimen sample collection device including a sufficiency indicator made up of a light pipe indicator window. A specimen sample collection device including an absorbent pad split and divided into two lengths connected at a base. A specimen sample collection device including a bar code identification. A specimen sample collection device and test system including a locking mechanism. A specimen sample collection device including a handle having one or more analyte test strips therein. A specimen sample collection device and test system including a reader.

1 . A specimen sample collection device and test system, comprising:
 a handle having a sufficiency indicator;   an absorbent pad partially contained within said handle;   a pad compression tube insertable over said absorbent pad and around an end of said handle, said pad compression tube defining one or more pad compression tube chambers; and,   a collection tube having one or more sample chambers, said collection tube attachable to said pad compression tube, and wherein when said collection tube is attached to said pad compression tube each of said one or more chambers of said collection tube is in fluid communication with at least one of said one or more pad compression tube chambers, and further wherein said collection tube is detachable from said pad compression tube and sealable.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator is a light pipe having a first end surface with a marking; a second surface in physical contact with said absorbent pad creating a refractive boundary, wherein said second surface is oriented at an angle of incidence to said first surface such that when the absorbent pad absorbs a sufficient liquid sample the refractive properties of said boundary alter the observability of the mark. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises a window, a sponge and a loaded spring set into said sponge, wherein said sponge is in fluid communication with the absorbent pad, such that when the sponge is softened by absorption of liquid the spring partially or completely disengages from sponge and snaps into view of said window, providing visual and audible indication that sample volume is adequate. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises a clear window and a material which expands when wetted, said material in fluid communication with said absorbent pad, wherein the expandable material will expand to obscure the window when sample volume is adequate. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit comprising:
 a pair of leads composed of galvanically dissimilar conductors connected across said absorbent pad, at a location along the absorbent pad selected to indicate sufficient liquid sample has been absorbed, and   a liquid crystal display connected in series between said pair of leads;   such that, when liquid saturates the absorbent pad up to said location, a galvanic couple is created between said pair of leads, allowing electric current to flow through said liquid crystal display and change the liquid crystal display state, thereby providing visual indication of sample adequacy.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said indicator comprises a window and a paper with a colored dot located on the inward surface of said paper, wherein said paper becomes translucent when saturated with liquid, and further wherein said paper is located in close proximity to said absorbent pad at a location along the length of said absorbent pad, such that when the absorbent pad becomes saturated with liquid at least to said location the absorbent pad expands to contact the paper, thereby transferring liquid to the paper allowing the paper to become saturated and thereby making the dot visible through said window. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a window coated on the inside with a hydrochromic material such that when absorbent pad swells with sample it absorbs, the wet, swollen pad touches the inside of the window, reacting with the coating and causing a color change or graphic symbol to appear. 
   
   
       8 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent pad is split, divided into two parts and connected at a base of said absorbent pad. 
   
   
       9 . The specimen sample collection device and test system of  claim 1 , wherein said pad compression tube is provided with two chambers into which a split absorbent pad can be placed and each chamber has an outlet. 
   
   
       10 . The specimen sample collection device and test system of  claim 9 , wherein said collection tubes mate to outlets on said pad compression tube. 
   
   
       11 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is further provided with a bar code number uniquely identifying said handle. 
   
   
       12 . The specimen sample collection device and test system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electro-optical reader. 
   
   
       13 . The specimen sample collection device and test system of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is further provided with a ridged lock and said pad compression tube is provided with a depressed key to lock the handle into the pad compression tube. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pad is folded over upon itself. 
   
   
       15 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a single analyte test strip in said handle, and   a membrane in said handle;   wherein said absorbent pad is in fluid communication with said test strip through said membrane.   
   
   
       16 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two or more analyte test strips in said handle, and   a plurality of membranes in said handle corresponding to said two or more test strips,   wherein said absorbent pad is in fluid communication with each of said test strips through said corresponding membranes.   
   
   
       17 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of analyte test strips in said handle, and   a single membrane in said handle,   wherein said absorbent pad is in fluid communication with each of said test strips through said membrane.   
   
   
       18 . The specimen sample collection device of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent pad is split, divided into two parts and connected at a base of said absorbent pad. 
   
   
       19 . A liquid specimen collection device, comprising:
 a handle including a sample volume sufficiency indicator within said handle, and further including viewing means for viewing immediate test results from a collected liquid specimen;   absorbent means for collecting a liquid specimen, said absorbent means partially contained within said handle and in fluid communication with said sufficiency indicator   one or more test strips including indication means contained within said handle for providing immediate test results for said collected specimen, said one or more test strips in fluid communication with said absorbent means, and said indication means of said test strips visible to an operator through said viewing means;   means for separating said liquid specimen from said absorbent means into two or more liquid samples;   means for retaining said two or more liquid samples for later analyses.