# US 2020/0399577 A1 · Sampling device and combination of sampling device and sample vessel

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- Number: US 2020/0399577 A1
- Document ID: US20200399577A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/840,308
- Filed: 2020-04-03
- Published: 2020-12-24
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-19
- Assignees: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
- Applicants: Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
- Inventors: Lauri PELTOSAARI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399577A1

## CPC

- C12M 33/02: {by impregnation, e.g. using swabs or loops (fluid transport using swabs B01L3/5029)}
- A61B 10/0096: {Casings for storing test samples (A61B10/0038, A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/10; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30)}
- B01L 3/18: Spatulas
- B01L 3/5029: {using swabs}
- G01N 1/04: in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
- A61B 2010/0216: {Sampling brushes}
- A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter}
- B01L 2300/12: Specific details about materials
- G01N 2001/028: {Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising}
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

This invention relates to a sampling device comprising a shaft and a sample collection portion removably connected with the shaft, wherein the connection site between the shaft and the sample collection portion is weakened. The invention relates also to a combination of a sampling device comprising a shaft and a removable sample collection portion and a sample vessel configured to receive sample collection portion from the shaft.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sampling device for a microbial sample comprising:
(a) a shaft; and
(b) a sample collection portion comprising a loop; and
(c) a connection site between the shaft and the loop, wherein the connection site is frangible.

### Claim at position 2

-12. (canceled)

### Claim 13

A combination comprising a sampling device for a microbial sample and a sample vessel:
(a) the sampling device comprising a shaft and a removable sample collection portion, the sample collection portion comprising a loop; and
(b) the sample vessel configured to receive and assist detaching the sample collection portion from the shaft, wherein, upon placement of the sample collection portion into said sample vessel, the sample collection portion is detached from the shaft by rotating or bending the shaft such that the sample collection portion remains within the vessel, wherein the sample vessel is essentially rigid.

### Claim 14

(canceled)

### Claim 15

(canceled)

### Claim 16

A method for collecting a microbial sample from a culture medium, the method comprising contacting a sampling device to the culture medium, the sampling device comprising a shaft, a sample collection portion comprising a loop and a connection site between the shaft and the loop, the connection site being frangible.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the microbial sample is a yeast or a bacteria.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the culture medium is a liquid or a solid.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the culture medium is solid.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 further comprising, inserting the sampling device into a sample vessel, the sample vessel having a bottom and a sidewall, the sidewall extended away from the bottom and forming a compartment, the compartment comprising two protrusions.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The method of claim 20, wherein the two protrusions are attached to, and extend from, the sidewall.