Nasopharyngeal sample collection devices and methods

Abstract

Kits, devices, systems and related methods for obtaining a nasopharyngeal sample utilize a rinsing fluid supply component and a collecting component, which may be used as separate modules or integrated with a housing to form a handheld unit that may be operated with a single hand. The dispensing component may include a flexible reservoir pump containing a supply of rinsing fluid, and a first nostril interface adapted to engage a first nostril of a patient and guide a stream of rinsing fluid into the patient's nasal cavity. The collecting component may include a collection container and a second nostril interface adapted to engage a second nostril of a patient and collect effluent. An absorbent shield may be arranged on the integrated unit to absorb stray fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for collecting a sample of nasopharyngeal fluid comprising:
 a rinsing fluid supply component comprising: a flexible reservoir pump having an interior for containing a supply of rinsing fluid; a rinsing fluid delivery conduit extending from the reservoir and having a delivery conduit flow passage therein; and a first nostril interface disposed on the delivery conduit and adapted to engage a first nostril of a patient;   a collecting component, the collecting component comprising: a collection container interface for receiving a collection container; a collection conduit extending to the collection interface; and a second nostril interface disposed on the collection conduit and adapted to engage a second nostril of a patient.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing for supporting the rinsing fluid supply component and the rinsing fluid collecting component, wherein the rinsing fluid supply component is adapted to be secured to the housing and the rinsing fluid supply component is adapted to be secured to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises a flexible bridge that is adapted to flex to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second nostril interfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second nostril interfaces comprise an absorbent foam. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible reservoir is adapted to resiliently revert to a resting shape so as to permit a user to utilize the flexible reservoir as a vacuum source. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the collection container interface is adapted to receive a standard autosampler vial. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second nostril interfaces comprise a tapered plug. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery conduit comprises a drop tube that extends to a bottom portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the collecting component includes a one-way valve. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the rinsing fluid delivery conduit and collection conduit comprise a flexible section adapted to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second nostril interfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the collecting component includes at least one venting passage. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first nostril interface includes at least one collection well or reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the second nostril interface includes at least one collection passage. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a bridge connecting the dispensing component and the collecting component, wherein the flexible reservoir pump and collection container interface are formed integrally with the bridge as a unitary piece. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent shield for absorbing stray fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent shield is provided with respective cutouts for receiving the first nostril interface and the second nostril interface. 
     
     
         17 . A rinsing fluid supply component for supplying rinsing fluid to a human nasopharyngeal cavity, the rinsing fluid supply component comprising a flexible reservoir pump having an interior for containing a supply of rinsing fluid; a rinsing fluid delivery conduit extending from the reservoir and having a delivery conduit flow passage therein; and a first nostril interface disposed on the delivery conduit and adapted to engage a first nostril of a patient, wherein the flexible reservoir includes a frangible seal thereon and wherein the first nostril interface is adapted to be installed on the flexible reservoir and includes an element arranged to pierce the frangible seal when the first nostril interface is installed on the flexible reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The rinsing fluid supply component of  claim 17 , wherein the first nostril interface includes at least one collection well or reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . A collecting component, for collecting effluent from a human nasopharyngeal cavity, the collecting component comprising: a collection container interface for receiving a collection container; a collection conduit extending to the collection interface; and a nostril interface disposed on the collection conduit and adapted to engage a second nostril of a patient, wherein the nostril interface comprises a conical nostril engagement tip, a central collection port extending through the engagement tip to the interior of the collection container, and at least two outer collection ports arranged in a pattern around the central collection port. 
     
     
         20 . The collecting component of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one venting passage formed in the nostril engagement tip.