Biologic sample collection devices and methods of production and use thereof

Abstract

Collection devices and kits for biological sample collection include a biologic sample collection device having a hydrophilic swab matrix that includes a modified polycaprolactone (PCL). Methods of production and use thereof are also described herein. The biologic sample collection devices, kits and methods described herein are used to collect a biologic sample (e.g., blood, buccal cells, etc.) and to enable extraction of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA) from that biologic sample so that the nucleic acids can be analyzed (e.g., sequencing and subsequent analyses of DNA).

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polycaprolactone is copolymerized with at least one agent selected from the group consisting of: an acrylamide and a polyester other than polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one agent is selected from the group consisting of: polylactide, polyglycolide, polydioxanone, acrylamide, ply N-isopropylacrylamide, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polycaprolactone has been treated with a base having a pH greater than 8 and a neutralizing agent for increasing hydrophilicity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: NaOH, NaHCO3, KOH, Na2CO3, and CA(OH)2. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polycaprolactone is coupled to a carbohydrate trehalose derivative group. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polycaprolactone is coupled to at least one protein. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the polycaprolactone is contained within at least one aperture disposed in the carrier. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the polycaprolactone is contained within two or more apertures disposed in the carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one aperture is disposed at a first end of the carrier, and an identifying label is disposed at a second end of the carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the identifying label is a radio-frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         18 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one protein is selected from the group consisting of: antibody, silk, collagen, fibrin and elastin. 
     
     
         30 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A biologic sample collection device comprising: soluble and hydrophilic polycaprolactone coupled to a carrier,
 wherein the polycaprolactone is copolymerized with at least one agent selected from the group consisting of: a polycaprolactam, a cellulose acetate, a cellulose nitrate, a Low Density PolyEthylene (LDPE), a Linear Low Density PolyEthylene (LLDPE), a poly(L-Lactide-co-Caprolactone-co-Glycolide) block co-polymer, and a polyacrilic, and   wherein at least a portion of the polycaprolactone solubilizes when exposed to a nucleic acid extraction agent.   
     
     
         43 . A method of detecting at least one drug in a biologic sample comprising the steps of:
 a) collecting a biologic sample using a biologic sample collection device comprising soluble and hydrophilic polycaprolactone; and   b) subjecting at least a portion of the biologic sample to an immunoassay for detecting at least one drug.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the biologic sample comprises urine, saliva or blood. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of: marijuana, cocaine, an opiate, methamphetamine, oxycodone, amphetamine, phencyclidine, a benzodiazepine, a barbiturate, methadone, buprenorphine, and alcohol. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the antibody is labeled with a fluorescent molecule.