Methods, devices, and related aspects for collecting and storing samples

A kit, comprising:

• at least one sample collection device that comprises:
• at least a first body structure portion that comprises at least one drying agent compartment configured to receive at least one drying agent;
• at least a second body structure portion operably connected, or connectable, to the first body structure portion, which second body structure portion comprises at least one sample collection support compartment comprising one or more segments that communicate with the drying agent compartment at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in a closed position, which sample collection support compartment is configured to receive at least one sample collection support;
• at least one sealing material disposed, or disposable, between at least sections of the first and second body structure portions at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position, which sealing material substantially seals at least the drying agent compartment and the sample collection support compartment when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position;
• and
• at least one closure mechanism operably connected, or connectable, to the first and second body structure portions at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position, which closure mechanism is configured to maintain the first and second body structure portions in the closed position at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position with the sealing material disposed between the sections of the first and second body structure portions;
• wherein the drying agent compartment comprises at least one frame structure that substantially surrounds at least regions of the sample collection support that comprise the sample and maintains at least one gap between the regions of the sample collection support that comprise the sample and the drying agent at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position with the sample collection support positioned in the sample collection support compartment and the drying agent positioned in the drying agent compartment;
• wherein the drying agent compartment comprises at least one retaining structure having one or more openings disposed therethrough, which openings communicate with the drying agent compartment;
• wherein the second body structure portion comprises at least one retaining element structured to retain the sample collection support in the sample collection support compartment;
• and
• wherein the closure mechanism comprises at least one latch element and at least one ridge element that engages the latch element at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position and when the latch element and the ridge element are in a closed position relative to one another;
• and, one or more drying agents.

A method of collecting a sample, the method comprising:

• placing at least an aliquot of the sample on a sample collection support;
• positioning the sample collection support in a sample collection support compartment of a sample collection device, which sample collection device comprises:
• at least a first body structure portion that comprises at least one drying agent compartment configured to receive at least one drying agent;
• at least a second body structure portion operably connected, or connectable, to the first body structure portion, which second body structure portion comprises the sample collection support compartment, which sample collection support compartment comprises one or more segments that communicate with the drying agent compartment at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in a closed position;
• at least one sealing material disposed, or disposable, between at least sections of the first and second body structure portions at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position, which sealing material substantially seals at least the drying agent compartment and the sample collection support compartment when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position;
• and
• at least one closure mechanism operably connected, or connectable, to the first and second body structure portions at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position, which closure mechanism is configured to maintain the first and second body structure portions in the closed position at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position with the sealing material disposed between the sections of the first and second body structure portions;
• wherein the drying agent compartment comprises at least one frame structure that substantially surrounds at least regions of the sample collection support that comprise the sample and maintains at least one gap between the regions of the sample collection support that comprise the sample and the drying agent at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position with the sample collection support positioned in the sample collection support compartment and the drying agent positioned in the drying agent compartment;
• wherein the drying agent compartment comprises at least one retaining structure having one or more openings disposed therethrough, which openings communicate with the drying agent compartment;
• wherein the second body structure portion comprises at least one retaining element structured to retain the sample collection support in the sample collection support compartment;
• and
• wherein the closure mechanism comprises at least one latch element and at least one ridge element that engages the latch element at least when the first and second body structure portions are operably connected to one another in the closed position and when the latch element and the ridge element are in a closed position relative to one another;
• positioning the drying agent in the drying agent compartment of the sample collection device;
• and,
• closing the closure mechanism of the sample collection device to maintain the first and second body structure portions in the closed position with the sealing material disposed between the sections of the operably connected first and second body structure portions, thereby collecting the sample.