A sampling apparatus, a medical device, and a sample collection device

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample processing device comprises a housing, and wherein the cavity is at least partially formed within the housing.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first breakable seal contains a reagent within the first portion of the cavity.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection device is configured to seal the cavity at least when the sample collection device is in the first position.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample processing device further comprises a second breakable seal, spaced from the first breakable seal and arranged to define a chamber within the cavity.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample processing device comprises a processing chamber arranged fluidly downstream of the first breakable seal.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, the sample processing device further comprises a sample analysis means.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample processing device comprises a first threaded portion and the sample collection device comprises a second, corresponding threaded portion, each having a first handedness and arranged such that the second threaded portion engages the first threaded portion when the sample collection device is inserted into the cavity and such that rotation of the sample collection device relative to the sample processing device in a first rotational direction advances the sample collection device into the cavity in a first direction.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the sample collection device or the sample processing device comprises a movement retraction means which prevents the sample collection device from being separated from the sample processing device once it has been inserted into the cavity by a predetermined distance.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element comprises at least one of:

• a sample collection tube, a capillary tube, a saliva collection tube, a sample collection patch, a sample collection swab, a curette, a syringe and a pipette.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection device is configured to couple to the sample processing device in a manner in which at least in one position of the sample collection device relative to the sample processing device, the sample collection device is rotationally coupled to the sample processing device such that rotation of the sample collection device drives rotation of the sample processing device.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample processing device comprises a filter arranged within the cavity to filter the sample.

The sampling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection device comprises a main body and wherein the main body comprises a sample collection element receiving portion shaped so as to receive one of a plurality of different sample collection elements.

A sample collection device, for collecting a sample, comprising:

• a main body, wherein the main body comprises a sample collection element receiving portion shaped so as to receive one of a plurality of different sample collection elements.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element comprises a substantially rigid tip surrounded by an absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body is compressible such that in a first, non-compressed configuration, the tip does not protrude further than an end of the absorbent body and in a second, compressed configuration, the tip protrudes at least as far as an end of the absorbent body.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection device comprises a seal breaking element.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element may comprise a body which comprises a plurality of at least one of:

• grooves, slots, holes, protrusions formed therein, configured to increase the surface tension between the body and the sample, and thereby hold the sample against the body.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element comprises a sharpened portion configured to penetrate a surface and a sample receiving portion into which a sample is received.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element comprises a gripping arrangement comprising first member and second member, wherein at least the first member is configured to move between an open position, in which the first member is spaced from the second member so as to receive, in use, a sample therebetween, and a closed position in which the first member is moved towards the second member so as to grip the sample between the first and second members.

The sampling apparatus or sample collection device of any preceding claim, wherein the sample collection element comprises a tip and a surrounding wall which extends around the tip and which defines a sample collection volume between the wall and the tip.