Method and Apparatus for Collecting and Preparing Biological Samples for Testing

Abstract

A kit and a method are disclosed for collecting and preparing a biological sample for testing where the sample is to be mixed with a buffer prior to being tested.

1 . A method for collecting and preparing a biological sample to be tested, comprising:
 obtaining the sample with a swab, the swab having a sorbent mounted on the end of a stick;   obtaining a dropper bottle assembly having a dropper cap with a spout, a threaded base and a bottle with a threaded neck, the bottle containing a buffer solution;   opening the dropper bottle assembly by unscrewing and removing the cap with the spout;   inserting the sorbent end of the swab into the bottle;   breaking the stick leaving the sorbent and a portion of the stick in the bottle;   closing the dropper bottle assembly by re-screwing the cap onto the threaded neck;   agitating the bottle to mix the sample with the buffer solution;   opening the dropper cap to expose the spout;   rotating the bottle so that the mixed sample-buffer solution reaches the spout; and   dispensing at least a portion of the mixed sample-buffer solution contents of the bottle through the spout onto a first location of a test device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said agitating is accomplished by shaking the bottle multiple times.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stick has a weakened portion at a particular place to facilitate said breaking.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said dropper cap has a hinged cover and said opening the dropper cap comprises rotating the hinged cover.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said dropper cap has a threaded cover, and said opening the dropper cap comprises rotating said threaded cover to remove the threaded cover from the dropper cap.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining a second dropper bottle containing buffer solution; and   dispensing at least a portion of said buffer solution of said second dropper bottle onto a second location different than said first location on the test device.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sample is a blood sample.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sample is one of oral fluid, blood, urine, stool, and epithelia.   
     
     
         9 . A kit for collecting and preparing a biological sample for testing, said kit comprising:
 a sterile swab having a stick with a sorbent at one end of the stick, said stick having a weakened portion to facilitate breaking the stick at a pre-selected location;   a dropper bottle assembly, said assembly including a dropper cap having a spout and a threaded base and a first bottle with a threaded neck, said first bottle containing a liquid buffer and said dropper cap being coupled to said threaded neck, wherein   the weakened portion of the stick located a distance from the end of the sorbent approximately equal to the height of the first bottle without the dropper cap.   
     
     
         10 . A kit according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an alcohol swab, a safety lancet, and a bandage.   
     
     
         11 . A kit according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a blood collection loop.   
     
     
         12 . A kit according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an immunoassay device having a first opening identified for receiving drops from said first bottle.   
     
     
         13 . A kit according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second dropper bottle containing a liquid buffer, wherein   said immunoassay device has a second opening identified for receiving drops from said second bottle.   
     
     
         14 . A kit according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said dropper cap has a hinged cover which covers said spout.   
     
     
         15 . A kit according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said dropper cap has a threaded cover which covers said spout.