Cassette and applicator for biological and chemical sample collection

Abstract

A biological sample collection unit for a centrifugal analyzer disk is disclosed. This unit consists of a flat cassette and an applicator that holds and controls the cassette during sample collection and during placement of the cassette into the analyzer disk.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting a biological sample from a subject for subsequent transfer to an analyzer, said apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a means for transferring the biological sample from the subject into a cavity of the apparatus; and    (b) a conduit for transferring the biological sample from the apparatus into the analyzer.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    wherein the analyzer is a CD or DVD player.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    wherein the means for transferring the biological sample from the subject into a cavity of the apparatus comprises a needle.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 3    further comprising a stopper substantially surrounding the needle.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    further comprising a plug.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    wherein the cavity has a volume of 0.1 μl to 800 μl.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    wherein the cavity has dimensions of from about 0.1 mm×1 mm×1 mm to about 2 mm×10 mm×40 mm.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    wherein the apparatus is suitable for insertion into a CD or DVD disk  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for collecting a biological sample of    claim 1    further comprising a reagent for reacting with an element of the biological sample.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for collecting a biological sample and transferring the biological sample to a CD or DVD disk for analysis by a CD or DVD player comprising: 
 (a) a means for transferring the biological sample from the subject into a cavity of the apparatus; and    (b) a means for transferring the biological sample from the apparatus to a CD or DVD disk.    
     
     
         11 . A first apparatus adapted to accommodate a second apparatus for collecting a biological sample and transferring the biological sample to a CD or DVD disk wherein the first apparatus comprises a housing having an aperture to allow passage of the second apparatus therethrough and a support means for engaging the second apparatus.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 11    further comprising a compression rod.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 12    further comprising a spring loaded button operably linked to the compression rod.  
     
     
         14 . A method for transferring a biological sample from a subject to an analyzer comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing an apparatus for collecting a biological sample and transferring the biological sample to a CD or DVD disk for analysis by a CD or DVD player;    (b) transferring the biological sample from the subject into a cavity of the apparatus; and    (c) transferring the biological sample from the apparatus to a CD or DVD disk.    
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for collecting a biological sample from a subject for subsequent transfer to a CD or DVD, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a cassette comprising walls which define a cavity for receiving said biological sample, said cassette being adapted to engage said CD or DVD;    b) an inlet for transferring said biological sample from the subject into said cavity; and    c) an outlet for transferring said biological sample from said cavity to said CD or DVD when said cassette is engaged with said CD or DVD.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to    claim 15    wherein said cassette comprises a mechanical rectifier which locks said cassette in engagement with said CD or DVD.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to    claim 15    wherein said inlet comprises a conduit having a first end for penetrating said subject and a second end for penetrating the wall of said cassette which defines said cavity.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to    claim 15    which further comprises a reagent or washing solution for said sample.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to    claim 15    which further comprises an electrical component or microelectromechanical component.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to    claim 15    which further comprises an applicator for housing said cassette prior to engagement of said cassette with said CD or DVD.  
     
     
         22 . A CD or DVD comprising: 
 (A) a disk body having a surface adapted to engage an apparatus which contains a biological sample for transfer to said CD or DVD; and    (B) an apparatus engaged with said surface of said disk body, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) a cassette comprising walls which define a cavity for containing said biological sample;  
 b) an inlet for introducing said biological sample into said cavity prior to engagement of said apparatus with said surface of said disk body; and  
 c) an outlet for transferring said biological sample from said cavity to said CD or DVD when said apparatus is engaged with said surface of said disk body.  
   
     
     
         23 . A CD or DVD according to    claim 22    wherein said cassette comprises a mechanical rectifier which locks said cassette in engagement with said surface of said disk body.  
     
     
         24 . A CD or DVD according to    claim 22    wherein said inlet comprises a conduit having a first end for receiving said biological sample and a second end for penetrating the wall of said cassette which defines said cavity.  
     
     
         25 . A CD or DVD according to    claim 22    wherein said apparatus further comprises a reagent or washing solution for said sample.  
     
     
         26 . A CD or DVD according to    claim 22    wherein said apparatus further comprises an electrical component or microelectromechanical component.  
     
     
         27 . A method for transferring a biological sample from a subject to a CD or DVD, said method comprising the steps of: 
 transferring the biological sample from the subject to a cavity of a cassette;    engaging said cassette with a CD or DVD; and    transferring the biological sample from said cassette to said CD or DVD.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to    claim 27    wherein said cassette further comprises a reagent or washing solution, said method comprising the step of contacting said reagent or washing solution with said biological sample located with said cavity of said cassette.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to    claim 27    which comprises the step of locking said cassette in engagement with said CD or DVD.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to    claim 27    wherein said cassette further comprises a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein said method comprises the steps of penetrating said subject with said firs t end and penetrating a wall of said cavity of said cassette with said second end to provide transfer of said biological sample from said subject to said cavity.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to    claim 27    wherein said cassette further comprises an electrical component or microelectromechanical component, said method comprising the step of treating said biological sample located in said cavity of said cassette with said electrical component or said microelectrochemical component.