Liquid Collection Device

Abstract

A liquid specimen collection device. Various embodiments implement oral fluid collection, extraction, storage, and/or testing. The device can be used to collect fluid, and to then extract and prepare the fluid for analysis, which can eliminate human error in collection and reduce complexity in diagnostic analysis. The disclosed device may be used to collect any liquid specimen. Any instance when liquid should be collected, stored, and tested may benefit from use of this disclosure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for collecting a liquid sample, the device comprising:
 a. a collector configured to collect a liquid sample;   b. a container in fluid communication with the collector and configured to receive the liquid sample from the collector in a condition in which the collector and container define a closed environment; and   c. a vent configured to release pressure from compressed air in the closed environment.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a vent gasket positioned at a connection between the collector and the container. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection between the collector and the container comprises a threaded connection, and wherein the vent comprises the vent gasket and the threaded connection. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the threaded connection comprises a tortuous venting pathway. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a movable body in combination with a vent opening. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is configured such that the movable body moves in response to the container receiving the liquid sample. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the collector comprises a liquid sample passageway including a distal end where the liquid sample is dispensed into the container, wherein the movable body is located between the distal end and the vent opening. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the device is configured such that the movable body moves away from the distal end of the liquid sample passageway and towards the vent opening as the liquid sample is dispensed into the container. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the movable body comprises a movable bottom of a collection chamber in the container. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the collector comprises a collector body, wherein the movable body is located inside the collector body, wherein the vent opening is a hole in the collector body. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the collector body comprises a liquid sample passageway in an interior of the collector body, wherein the liquid sample passageway extends through the movable body, wherein the movable body seals against the liquid sample passageway and an interior wall of the collector body. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vent extends through a wall of the collector, wherein the device is configured such that air is forced from the container, into the collector, and out of the vent as the container receives the liquid sample from the collector. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the collector further comprises an exhaust filter configured to allow air to pass through the filter and configured to prevent liquid from passing through the filter, wherein the device is configured such that air is forced from the container, into the collector, through the filter, and out of the vent as the container receives the liquid sample from the collector. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vent comprises a tortuous venting pathway. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises a vent tube that extends into the container. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device is configured such that air is forced from the container, into the vent tube, and out of a vent opening of the collector as the container receives the liquid sample from the collector. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the vent tube and the container are configured so that the liquid sample received in the container cannot enter the vent tube when the device is moved through a plurality of orientations. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein a distal end of the vent tube is located proximate a central portion of the container so that the liquid sample received in the container cannot enter the vent tube when the device is moved through a plurality of orientations. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises a liquid sample passageway including a distal end where the liquid sample is dispensed into the container, wherein the distal end of the liquid sample passageway is centrally located in an interior space of the container. 
     
     
         20 . A device for collecting a liquid sample, the device comprising:
 a. a collector configured to collect a liquid sample;   b. a container in fluid communication with the collector and configured to receive the liquid sample from the collector in a condition in which the collector and container define a closed environment;   c. wherein the device further comprises at least one of a reagent, additive, or buffer, and wherein the device is configured such that the collected liquid sample is retained in the container in combination with the reagent, additive, or buffer; and   d. a one way valve configured to prevent back flow of at least one of the liquid sample and the reagent, additive, or buffer.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the collector comprises a liquid sample passageway for directing the collected liquid sample into the container, wherein the one way valve is located in the liquid sample passageway.