Sampling devices and methods of use

Abstract

Sample-collecting devices, articles and methods of use are disclosed. Premoistened sample-collecting devices comprise 1,2-propanediol as a humectant, which promotes the retention of a liquid solution on the sample-collecting device during storage. 1,2-propanediol as humectant can be compatible with proteins and other reagents used to detect an analyte.

1 . A sample-collecting device comprising:
 a shaft; and   a porous medium coupled to the shaft;   
       wherein the porous medium includes an aqueous solution which comprises 1,2-propanediol as a humectant. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A sample-collecting article comprising:
 a housing with a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and   a sample-collecting device disposed therein, comprising
 a shaft; 
 a porous medium coupled to the shaft, said porous medium including an aqueous solution which comprises 1,2-propanediol as a humectant; 
   wherein the first end of the housing is adapted to receive the sample-collecting device.   
     
     
         4 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 3 , wherein the shaft includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the porous medium is proximal the second end of the shaft and wherein said second end of the shaft is the distal end of the shaft relative to the first end of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 3 , wherein the article further comprises a cap which is adapted to seal the first end of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 5 , wherein the shaft is coupled to the cap. 
     
     
         7 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the housing is a closed end. 
     
     
         8 . A sample-collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the porous medium comprises at least one of fibers, foam, and microreplicated material. 
     
     
         9 . A sample-collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the aqueous solution is about 50 microliters to about 1000 microliters. 
     
     
         10 . A sample-collecting device according to  claim 1   9 , wherein the concentration of 1,2-propanediol in the aqueous solution is about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent. 
     
     
         11 . A sample-collecting device or a sample-collecting article according to  claim 10 , wherein the concentration of 1,2-propanediol in the aqueous solution is about 2 weight percent to about 10 weight percent. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A sample-collecting device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device or article, as applicable, is contained within a moisture-resistant package. 
     
     
         15 . A sample-collecting device according to  claim 1 , said device or article, as applicable, further comprising a reagent. 
     
     
         16 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 15 , wherein the reagent is selected from the group consisting of a buffer component, a detergent, a cell lysis reagent, a neutralizing agent, an enzyme activity, an enzyme substrate, and any combination of two or more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         17 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 16 , wherein the enzyme substrate comprises an enzyme substrate for at least one of luciferase enzyme activity, phosphatase enzyme activity, and adenylate kinase enzyme activity and/or wherein the enzyme activity comprises at least one of luciferase enzyme activity, phosphatase enzyme activity, and adenylate kinase enzyme activity 
     
     
         18 . A sample-collecting article according to  claim 3 , wherein the porous medium retains up to 97 weight percent of the aqueous solution after storage at 4 degrees Celsius for 9 months or the porous medium retains up to 89 weight percent of the aqueous solution after storage at 25 degrees Celsius for 12 weeks. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising a sample-collecting device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         21 . A method of detecting an analyte in a sample, the method comprising:
 providing a sample-collecting device comprising a shaft and a porous medium coupled to the shaft, the porous medium comprising an aqueous solution including 1,2-propanediol as a humectant, the porous medium adapted to collect a sample from a surface;   contacting the sample-collecting device with a surface to obtain a sample; and   detecting the analyte.   
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein detecting the analyte comprises detecting biological material and/or detecting a heavy metal. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein detecting the analyte comprises detecting the analyte by a culture method, a genetic assay, or an immunoassay. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein detecting the analyte comprises detecting biological material and detecting biological material comprises detecting biological cells or detecting protein or an enzyme activity. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein detecting said enzyme activity comprises detecting at least one of luciferase enzyme activity, phosphatase enzyme activity, and adenylate kinase enzyme activity; and/or detecting said enzyme activity comprises detecting by at least one of colorimetry, fluorimetry, and luminometry. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)