Fecal sampling device and method

Abstract

A specimen sampling device having a first panel including multiple apertures (e.g., a first, second and third aperture) for receiving samples; a second panel having a removable tab at least partially aligned with the first, second and third apertures for receiving the samples, the removable tab accessible from an exterior of the device. A method of obtaining a fecal sample is also disclosed.

1 . A sampling device comprising:
 a first panel having multiple apertures for receiving samples;   a second panel having a removable tab, the removable tab aligned with the apertures when the device is assembled such that depositing of samples through the apertures deposits the samples on the removable tab.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the apertures are positioned off-center in the first panel, a distance away from an edge of the first panel, and the tab includes an enlarged grasping area opposite the distance adjacent to the edge. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable tab is integrally formed as part of the second panel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the removable tab is at least partially defined by perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the removable tab is substantially linear. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising multiple removable tabs, wherein the multiple apertures are in multiple rows, each row of apertures opposite a separate one of the multiple removable tabs. 
     
     
         7 . A method of collecting a fecal sample using a sampling device, the sampling device comprising a first panel and a second panel, the first panel having multiple apertures therein and being opposite the second panel, the second panel having a removable tab opposite the multiple apertures, the method comprising:
 applying the sample through the multiple apertures onto the removable tab; and   removing the removable tab, thereby collecting the sample.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising applying multiple samples through the multiple apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the device further comprises multiple removable tabs and the multiple apertures are in multiple rows and wherein applying the samples comprises applying a separate sample through each row of apertures onto a separate one of the multiple removable tabs.