US 5,393,496 AGranted

Saliva sampling device and sample adequacy system

AssigneeSaliva Diagnostic Systems, Inc.

InventorEugene H. Seymour

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A saliva sampling device includes a collection container, a saliva collector and a sample container. The sample container is inserted into the collection container and becomes fluidly coupled thereto by inserting the saliva collector into sample container and pressing it therein. This allows a sample of saliva to be collected, separated from the saliva collector and retained within the collection container for testing. The saliva collector includes a piston fitting closely within the sample container and a porous mass which may be compressed by the piston in the sample container to extract the sample of saliva for distribution to the collection container. A buffering solution may be retained within the sample container for mixing with the sample of saliva. The saliva sampling device may include a sample container, a saliva collector and at least one reagent container which may be used with a rotatable cylinder to mix a buffered sample of saliva with at least one reagent solution for conducting a laboratory test on site. The saliva sampling device may also include at least two sample containers and at least two saliva collectors which may be used with a cylinder to mix a buffered sample of saliva with at least one reagent solution for conducting a laboratory test on site. This allows at least two people to be tested with the same saliva sampling device.

A saliva sampling device comprising:

a. a first hollow, cylindrical member having a innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim with a curved notch therein;
b. a second hollow, cylindrical member having a top flat member which has a drain with a seal-breaking member disposed therein, said first hollow, cylindrical member being coupled to said second hollow, cylindrical member whereby said curved notch in said innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim is aligned with said seal-breaking member in said drain;
c. a rotatable cylinder, which has a first bore and a plurality of second bores, disposed in and rotatively coupled to said first hollow, cylindrical member whereby each of said first and second bores may selectively aligned with said curved notch in said innerly overhanging peripheral circular rim;
d. a sample container having an open end and a closed end with a breakable seal being disposed at said closed end, said sample container being inserted into said first bore of said rotatable cylinder;
e. a buffering solution contained in said sample container;
f. a saliva collector which selectively receives a sample of saliva, said saliva collector being inserted into said sample container whereby said buffering solution and the sample of saliva mix together and when said curved notch is aligned with said first bore said sample container is pressed downward so that said seal-breaking member breaks said breakable seal in order for said mixture of said buffering solution and the sample of saliva to flow into said drain in said top flat member of said second hollow, cylindrical member;
g. a plurality of reagent containers each of which has an open end, which is closed by a cap, and a closed end with a breakable seal being disposed at said closed end and each of which contains a pre-selected reagent solution and is inserted into one of said second bores of said rotatable cylinder whereby when said curved notch is selectively aligned with each of said second bores so that one of said reagent containers is selectively pressed downward so that said seal-breaking member breaks said breakable seal thereof in order for said pre-selected reagent solution to flow into said drain in said top flat member of said second hollow, cylindrical member and mix together with said mixture of said buffering solution and the sample of saliva.

4 more elements

Facts

Application

07/857,574Filed 24 Mar 1992 · continuation in part

Priority

18 Dec 1990

Granted

28 Feb 1995

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 10/0051
Devices for taking samples of body liquids: for taking saliva or sputum samples
B01L 3/502
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
A61B 10/0096
Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposes ; Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex…:…
B01L 3/5029
With fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures: using swabs

Family

Serial629,278Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 18 Dec 1990

Serial722,333Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 25 Jun 1991

Serial775,195Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 11 Oct 1991

Serial831,776Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 5 Feb 1992

Serial838,609Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 19 Feb 1992

US 5,268,148 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,283,038 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,260,031 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 5,393,496 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Abstract

Claims2