Device for positioning an absorptive matrix element within a body cavity and kit for collecting biological secretions

A collection kit for collecting biological secretions from a body cavity, the collection kit comprising:

• a tube of an application device, wherein the tube has a wall, a distal end and a proximal end;
• an absorptive matrix (AM) element of the application device, wherein the AM element is disposed inside the tube in a stored state and outside the tube in a released state;
• a release element of the application device that slides inside the tube along a longitudinal axis of the tube, wherein the release element axially pushes the AM element along the longitudinal axis towards the distal end of the tube and into the body cavity as the release element slides farther into the tube;
• a deflector disposed towards the distal end of the tube, wherein the deflector bends a portion of the AM element that passes the deflector away from the longitudinal axis of the tube as a remaining portion of the AM element is pushed axially along the longitudinal axis through the tube such that the AM element exits the tube only towards the distal end of the tube;
• and
• a vessel adapted to store the AM element after the AM element has been removed from the body cavity.

A method for collecting nasal secretions, the method comprising:

• introducing a distal end of a tube of an application device into a nasal cavity, wherein the tube has a wall, the distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis, wherein an absorptive matrix (AM) element is disposed inside the tube in a stored state before exiting the tube in a released state, and wherein a deflector is disposed towards the distal end of the tube;
• releasing the AM element into the nasal cavity by sliding a release element into the tube such that the release element axially pushes the AM element along the longitudinal axis towards the distal end, wherein the deflector bends a portion of the AM element that passes the deflector away from the longitudinal axis of the tube as a remaining portion of the AM element is pushed axially along the longitudinal axis through the tube such that the AM element exits the tube only towards the distal end of the tube;
• removing the tube from the nasal cavity without removing the AM element from the nasal cavity;
• and
• removing the AM element from the nasal cavity.