Devices, systems and methods for the collection, stimulation, stabilization, and analysis of a biological sample

A method of collecting, stimulating and stabilizing a biological sample, said method comprising:

• providing a sample collection container comprising a wall constructed of an elastically deformable material, a bottom wall, and a closure member defining an internal compartment, said internal compartment having arranged therein a partition defining and fluidly separating first and second chambers in said internal compartment, said first chamber positioned in association with said closure member to receive said biological sample;
• at least one stimulating agent in said first chamber in an amount effective to stimulate a biological sample;
• and at least one stabilizing agent in said second chamber in an amount effective to stabilize said biological sample;
• collecting a biological sample from a patient and introducing said biological sample into said first chamber so as to expose said biological sample to said stimulating agent;
• stimulating said biological sample in said first chamber for a preselected period of time, to produce a stimulated biological sample;
• and
• stabilizing said stimulated biological sample after said preselected period of time by compromising said partition and mixing contents of said first and second chambers to produce a stabilized biological sample.

A method of collecting, stimulating and stabilizing a whole blood sample, said method comprising:

• providing a sample collection container having a side wall, a bottom wall, and a closure member defining an internal compartment, said internal compartment having arranged therein:
• (i) a partition defining and fluidly separating first and second chambers in said internal compartment, said first chamber positioned in association with said closure member to receive said biological sample and said first chamber having pressure less than atmospheric pressure;
• and (ii) at least one stimulating agent contained within said first chamber in an amount effective to stimulate a whole blood sample, and at least one stabilizing agent contained within said second chamber in an amount effective to stabilize said whole blood sample;
• wherein at least one said wall is constructed of an elastically deformable material;
• collecting a whole blood sample directly from a patient into said first chamber so as to immediately expose said whole blood sample to said stimulating agent;
• stimulating said whole blood sample in said first chamber for a desired period of time so as to form a stimulated whole blood sample;
• and
• stabilizing said stimulated whole blood sample immediately after said desired period of time by compromising said partition by deforming said wall and mixing contents of said first and second chambers.