Sample collection and testing system

A measurement instrument comprising:

• a photo-multiplier tube or photodiode;
• a reading chamber for retaining a light emitting sample to be analyzed using the photo-multiplier tube or photodiode;
• and
• a communication port that allows the instrument to receive a signal from an additional measurement device, the measurement device being capable of measuring a parameter other than photon count.

An instrument for detecting light emission from a sample, the instrument comprising:

• a photon detector;
• a chamber for receiving a sample to be analyzed using the photon detector, the chamber being adjacent the photon detector and having a shutter member rotatably attached thereto, the shutter member being selectively positionable to be open or closed, wherein when the shutter member is open, the photon detector can be exposed to light from a sample in the chamber, and when the shutter member is closed, the photon detector is blocked from light in the chamber or external light entering the chamber;
• and
• a holding member for positioning the sample, the holding member being configured so that movement thereof can rotate the shutter member.

An instrument for detecting photon emission, the instrument comprising:

• a photon detector;
• a holding chamber for receiving and holding a sample device, the holding chamber having a cover that can be opened to load the sample device in the holding chamber;
• an elevator mechanism, the holding chamber being connected to the elevator mechanism with the elevator mechanism being capable of positioning the holding chamber in a first position for loading the sample device and in a second position such that a sample containing portion of the sample device is in a measurement path of the photon detector;
• a shutter coupled to the elevator mechanism, the shutter being configured to open to expose the sample to the photon detector when the sample is positioned in a measurement position and to block light from the photon detector when the sample is withdrawn from the measurement position for removal from the instrument;
• and
• a communication port for connecting a measurement device to the instrument, the measurement device being capable of measuring a parameter in addition to that supplied by the photon detector.

A sample testing device comprising:

• a liquid chamber;
• a reagent chamber;
• a sample measurement chamber for retaining sample to be analyzed;
• a sample collection member used to collect sample from an environment to be analyzed;
• and
• a displacement member, the sample testing device being configured such that movement of the displacement member mixes liquid from the liquid chamber with reagent from the reagent chamber and propels the liquid and reagent into contact with the sample collection member to liberate sample from the sample collection member, the displacement of the displacement member also driving the liquid and reagent into the sample measurement chamber.

A sample testing device comprising:

• a displacement member configured to be manually actuated;
• a chamber configured to release a reagent when the displacement member is actuated;
• a channel through which the reagent is propelled by actuation of the displacement member, the channel also being disposed to receive liquid to facilitate mixing of the reagent with the liquid and to direct the reagent and liquid in a flow path toward a measurement portion of the sample testing device;
• a sample collection surface disposed in the flow path of the reagent such that actuation of the displacement member causes the reagent to come into contact with the sample collection surface to release a sample into the reagent;
• and
• a measurement chamber of the test device into which the reagent is delivered by the actuation of the displacement member, the measurement chamber providing a chamber in the sample testing device in which to hold the reagent while a parameter thereof is being measured.

A method of testing a sample comprising:

• providing a testing device having a reagent chamber;
• actuating a displacement member of the testing device to drive reagent from the reagent chamber into contact with a sample collection member to liberate sample therefrom, the actuation of the displacement member also driving reagent from the reagent chamber into a sample measurement chamber of the testing device;
• and
• placing the sample measurement chamber in a photon sensing path to measure photon emission of a sample collected on the sample collection member.

A method of testing a sample, the method comprising:

• providing a testing device having a plurality of separate chambers with at least one of the chambers containing a liquid and with at least one of the other chambers containing a reagent;
• actuating a displacement member of the testing device to release the liquid and reagent from the chambers;
• mixing the liquid and reagent to form a solution using a pressure gradient created by the actuation of the displacement member;
• contacting a sample collection surface and liberating sample from the surface with the solution using the pressure gradient created by the actuation of the displacement member to drive the solution past the sample collection surface;
• and
• forcing the sample containing solution into a measurement chamber using the pressure gradient created by the actuation of the displacement member.

A method of monitoring a sample of a product, an ingredient, the environment, a process comprising:

• providing an instrument having a photon detector and a communication port for communicating with a measurement device, the measurement device being capable of measuring a parameter in addition to a parameter measured by the photon detector;
• providing the measurement device to be coupled to the instrument through the communication port;
• collecting a sample from a product or an ingredient, the environment or a process and placing the sample in a chamber for analysis using the photon detector;
• analyzing the sample using the photon detector;
• and
• measuring a parameter of the product, the ingredient, the environment or process using the measurement device.