Devices, systems, methods, and kits for receiving a swab

Abstract

Methods, devices, systems, and kits useful for the collection and analysis of samples obtained by swabs are disclosed. Swab containers configured for receiving a swab containing a sample; cartridges for holding one or more of: a swab container, a swab, assay units, pipette tips, vessels, transport units, and implements; systems (which may include a sample processing device); kits; and methods for their use are disclosed. A swab container may include an entry port; an assay chamber having an assay port; a conduit comprising an interior channel connecting the entry port; and an interior channel providing fluidic communication between the entry port and assay chamber. An interior channel may be configured to squeeze a portion of a swab placed in or through the conduit. A cartridge may include a cartridge frame configured to receive one or more of swab containers, assay units, transport units, pipette tips, vessels or implements.

1 - 100 . (canceled) 
     
     
         101 . A system comprising:
 a sample analysis device;   an implement; and   a cartridge comprising a swab container, said swab container comprising an entry port and an assay chamber, effective that passing a swab through said entry port allows at least a portion of said swab to be placed within said assay chamber, said cartridge further comprising:   a cartridge frame configured for insertion into said sample analysis device, said cartridge frame comprising a plurality of receptacles, wherein said receptacles comprise:   a sample receptacle configured to receive a sample collection vessel for holding a fluid sample; and   an implement receptacle configured to receive an implement for use by said automatic sample analysis device,   wherein said implement is disposed in said implement receptacle.   
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein a sample collection vessel is disposed in said sample receptacle. 
     
     
         103 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein said sample collection vessel disposed in said sample receptacle comprises a sample. 
     
     
         104 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge comprising a swab container comprises a swab for obtaining a swab sample. 
     
     
         105 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein said cartridge comprising a swab container comprises a swab for obtaining a swab sample. 
     
     
         106 . The system of  claim 104 , wherein said swab further comprises a swab sample. 
     
     
         107 . The system of  claim 105 , wherein said swab further comprises a swab sample. 
     
     
         108 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises a swab container receptacle configured to receive a swab container for holding a swab for obtaining a swab sample, and wherein said swab container is disposed in said swab container receptacle. 
     
     
         109 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container comprises a conduit comprising an interior channel connecting said entry port with said assay chamber. 
     
     
         110 . The system of  claim 109 , wherein said conduit provides fluidic communication between said entry port and said assay chamber effective that passing a swab having a handle through said entry port into said conduit allows said swab to be placed within said assay chamber. 
     
     
         111 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container comprises an entry port, said entry port configured to receive a swab having a handle; an assay chamber having an assay port, said assay chamber being configured to receive at least a portion of a swab; and a conduit comprising an interior channel connecting said entry port with said assay chamber, said conduit being configured to accept a least a portion of said swab handle therein, wherein said conduit provides fluidic communication between said entry port and said assay chamber effective that passing a swab through said entry port into said conduit allows the swab to be placed within said assay chamber. 
     
     
         112 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said sample analysis device comprises an automatic sample analysis device. 
     
     
         113 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said implement is a cuvette. 
     
     
         114 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said implement is a pipette tip. 
     
     
         115 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said implement is a transport unit. 
     
     
         116 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said implement is a swab. 
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said implement is a magnet. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises a receptacle configured to receive a vessel. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 118 , wherein said cartridge further comprises one or more vessels selected from the group of vessels consisting of a sample collection vessel, an empty vessel, a reagent vessel containing reagent, a mixing vessel, and a waste vessel. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container contains a reagent for bathing a swab within said assay chamber, wherein said reagent for bathing a swab is effective to receive sample material from said swab into said reagent. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container comprises a conduit interior channel configured to squeeze a portion of a swab placed in or through a portion of the conduit interior channel adjacent to said assay chamber. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container comprises a conduit having a plurality of interior channels or a plurality of conduits each of which comprise at least one interior channel. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said swab container comprises a body portion and a cover portion, wherein said cover portion is flexibly connected to said body portion of the swab container. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said assay chamber of said swab container contains a volume of reagent for bathing a swab, wherein said volume of reagent is less than about 500 μL. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 124 , wherein said volume of reagent is selected from the group of volumes of less than about 250 μL, or less than 150 μL, or less than about 100 μL, or less than about 50 μL, or less than about 25 μL, or less than about 10 μL, or less than about 5 μL, or less than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 102 , wherein said sample collection vessel disposed in said sample receptacle contains a fluid sample. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises a reagent vessel containing reagent disposed in a receptacle configured to receive a reagent vessel, wherein said reagent and reagent vessel are suitable for use for use by said sample analysis device. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises an assay unit disposed in a receptacle configured to receive an assay unit, wherein said assay unit is suitable for use for use by said sample analysis device. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises a mixing vessel receptacle configured to receive a mixing vessel, and a mixing vessel disposed in said mixing vessel receptacle, wherein said mixing vessel is suitable for use for use by said sample analysis device. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 101 , wherein said cartridge frame comprises a waste vessel receptacle configured to receive a waste vessel, and a waste vessel disposed in said waste vessel receptacle, wherein said waste vessel is suitable for use for use by said sample analysis device.