US 10,520,498 B2 · Devices and techniques for oral fluid collection and seroprotection testing

Abstract

Seroprotection analysis systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing oral fluid for the presence of protective levels of antibodies of interest. In one aspect, the presence of protective levels of target antibodies indicates a test subject has achieved a target seroprotection level, such as but not limited to a target seroprotection level following vaccination. A collection kit can include a swab that enables collection of oral fluid containing antibodies from both dentulous and edentulous individuals, a container that can be pre-filled with an extraction solution, and a nozzle that can be coupled to the container to form a fluid-tight device. A user can use the nozzle to seal the swab in the container and to compress the swab within the container. After or during compression, the solution can be dispensed from the fluid-tight device, such as by inverting the fluid-tight device to flush the swab with the buffer solution and to transfer the fluid to a detection device through a channel in the nozzle. The detection system can be an assay reader device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A collection device comprising:

a tubular body having an interior volume comprising a primary interior volume having a lower surface and a well extending from the lower surface;
a material configured to collect oral fluid containing antibodies from gums of a patient;
a handle having a distal end coupled to the material, a proximal end spaced apart from the distal end, an elongate length extending therebetween, and a break point along the elongate length;
an extraction solution in the tubular body, the extraction solution formulated to remove collected antibodies from the material;
and
a nozzle comprising:
a shaft,
a channel extending through the shaft,
a plunger at one end of the shaft, the plunger having an exterior cylindrical surface, an interior cylindrical surface, and at least one surface joining the exterior cylindrical surface and the interior cylindrical surface, and
a plurality of radially extending channels each forming a fluid path leading from the exterior cylindrical surface to the channel extending through the shaft.

7 more elements

A fluid collection device comprising:

a tubular body having an interior volume comprising a primary interior volume having a lower surface and a well extending from the lower surface,
a material configured to collect fluid,
a breakable handle having a distal end coupled to the material, a proximal end spaced apart from the distal end, an elongate length extending therebetween, and a break location along the elongate length,
a solution in the tubular body, the solution formulated to remove particles in the collected fluid from the material, and
a nozzle comprising:
a shaft,
a channel extending through the shaft,
a plunger at one end of the shaft, the plunger having a plurality of channels formed in at least a bottom surface of the plunger, each of the plurality of channels forming a fluid path leading from an exterior cylindrical surface of the plunger to the channel extending through the shaft.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices and techniques for oral fluid collection and seroprotection testing

Life of this patent

Devices and techniques for oral fluid collection and seroprotection testing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20