Assistive sample collection and storage assembly

Abstract

An assistive sample collection and storage assembly for collecting, transferring and storing a biological sample includes a sample collection device having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to receive a sample collection member. The assembly includes a sample storage device comprising a sample substrate to receive at least a portion of the biological sample from the sample collection member. The assembly is configured to exist in a first and second state. The sample collection member is disposed at a determined distance from the sample substrate in the first state. At least a portion of the sample collection member is in physical contact with at least a portion of the sample substrate in the second state. The sample collection member is configured to apply a determined amount of contact force between the collection member and the sample substrate in the second state of the assembly.

1 . A method for collecting a biological sample using an assistive sample collection and storage assembly, comprising:
 providing a sample collection member;   collecting the sample using the sample collection member;   providing a sample storage device comprising a sample substrate;   providing an assistive sample collection and storage assembly comprising the sample collection device and the sample storage device;   switching a state of the assistive sample collection and storage assembly to a second state such that at least a portion of the sample collection member is in physical contact with at least a portion of the sample substrate;   bending the sample collection member at an optimal angle against a surface of the sample substrate;   applying a force at a head of the sample collection member to transfer the biological sample from the sample collection member to the surface of the sample substrate in the second state of the assembly;   rotating the sample collection member to facilitate transfer of at least a portion of the sample from the sample collection member to the sample substrate;   de-coupling the sample storage device from the sample collection device; and   storing the sample.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing an assistive sample collection and storage assembly comprises coupling the sample collection member to the sample collection device after collecting the sample. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing an assistive sample collection and storage assembly comprises releasably coupling the sample collection device having the sample collection member to the sample storage device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of bending further comprises applying a determined force while rotating the sample collection member to facilitate transfer of the sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the sample storage device comprises providing a stabilizing agent on the surface of the sample substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising rotating the sample collection member for a determined number of turns. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising switching the assembly to the first state prior for decoupling the sample storage device from the sample collection device.