Device for collecting oral fluid samples and the like

Abstract

Devices for collection and elution of oral fluid samples and the like enable collection and elution of samples by using a handle in the form of a rod having a collection pad thereon which is inserted into a collection tube. The collection tube has an adaptor with a narrowed portion associated therewith for squeezing the pad to wring a sample therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the collection tube has a narrowed portion that squeezes the pad as the pad is inserted there though. Caps are provided to 1) support the rod in an assembly with the adaptor and collection tube to form an assembled sample collection device and 2) to close the collection tube after the handle and pad are removed from the collection tube subsequent to depositing the sample elution solution therein. The eluted sample can be used for detection of an analyte.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sample collection device comprising:
 a cap with screw threads;   a handle;   a collection pad; an adaptor with a narrow passage; and   a sample collection tube for mounting the adaptor and for receiving the handle with the collection pad mounted on the handle wherein the narrow passage of the adaptor squeezes the collection pad to remove material of the sample therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one end of said handle is mounted to the cap. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is a rounded rod. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said collection pad is wrapped around the handle at an end remote from the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adaptor defines a narrow inner passage. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the handle portion wrapped with the collection pad is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the narrow passage of said adaptor, thereby allowing the collection pad to pass through the narrow passage to wring out the sample from the pad. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said adaptor has male screw threads on one end and female screw threads on the other end. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sample collection tube comprises a cap and a tube with male screw threads compatible with the cap. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of said sample collection tube is smaller in inner diameter than that for upper portion, thereby allowing the sample collection tube to accommodate a smaller collection pad and use less sample elution solution to avoid over dilution of the collected sample. 
     
     
         10 . The screw threads in  claim 7 , wherein said screw threads are compatible with those in the cap and sample collection tube. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sample collection tube has rough inner surface against which the collection pad can be rubbed to facilitate elution of the sample from the collection pad. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cap, handle, collection pad and adaptor are assembled into a single sample collection unit. 
     
     
         13 . A sample collection unit assembly comprising:
 a cap with screw threads;   a handle extending from the cap;   a collection pad on the handle, and   an adaptor with a narrow passage on the cap.   
     
     
         14 . The sample collection unit in  claim 13 , wherein said handle is mounted to the cap on the one end and wrapped with collection pad on the other to form the sample collection unit. 
     
     
         15 . The sample collection unit in  claim 13 , wherein the inner diameter of the narrow passage in said adaptor is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the handle, thereby allowing the collection pad to pass through the narrow passage and wringing out the sample from the pad. 
     
     
         16 . A sample collection device comprising:
 a cap with screw threads;   a handle;   a collection pad on the handle; and   a sample collection tube for receiving the handle;   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the cap, handle, and collection pad are assembled as one unit for sample collection; 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said sample collection tube has a narrow inner passage; 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the narrow inner passage in the collection tube is used to wring out the sample from the collection pad. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein a sample collection tube is composed of a cap, the collection tube, and a sample elution solution.