Apparatus and method for obtaining a specimen from a bodily orifice

An apparatus for obtaining a specimen through a bodily orifice of an animal, the apparatus comprising:

• a speculum having an insertion end and a viewing end, said speculum defining a visualization path from said viewing end and through said insertion end, said speculum permitting visualization at said viewing end and along said visualization path of matter within said orifice when said insertion end is positioned in an opening of said orifice;
• a specimen access tube having an insertion end and a collection end, said specimen access tube operably connected to said speculum in an arrangement wherein said insertion end of said specimen access tube enters said orifice during said visualization, said specimen access tube defining a collection path from said collection end and through said insertion end of said specimen access tube, said specimen access tube providing access from said collection end through said collection path to a specimen within said orifice proximate to said insertion end of said specimen access tube;
• and
• a speculum attachment ring fitting substantially securely around said speculum, said speculum attachment ring holding said specimen access tube in a first position relative to said speculum permitting said access to said specimen, and said speculum attachment ring manipulable to allow said specimen access tube to be located in a second position relative to said speculum permitting said speculum attachment ring to be fit around said speculum.

An apparatus for obtaining a specimen through a bodily orifice of an animal, the apparatus comprising:

• a speculum having an insertion end and a viewing end, said speculum defining a visualization path from said viewing end and through said insertion end, said speculum permitting visualization at said viewing end and along said visualization path of matter within said orifice when said insertion end is positioned in an opening of said orifice;
• a specimen access tube having an insertion end and a collection end, said specimen access tube operably connected to said speculum in an arrangement wherein said insertion end of said specimen access tube enters said orifice during said visualization, said specimen access tube defining a collection path from said collection end and through said insertion end of said specimen access tube, said specimen access tube providing access from said collection end through said collection path to a specimen within said orifice proximate to said insertion end of said specimen access tube;
• and
• anti-contamination means substantially separating matter in said orifice from said collection path during said entry of said specimen access tube into said orifice.

A method for obtaining a specimen from a bodily orifice of an animal, said method comprising the steps of:

• advancing an insertion end of a specimen access tube into said bodily orifice such that a tip of said specimen access tube at said insertion end comes to rest proximate to a specimen in said bodily orifice;
• viewing through a speculum at least a portion of said advancing of said insertion end into said bodily orifice, said speculum operably connected to said specimen access tube;
• and
• advancing a head of an applicator into a collection end of said specimen access tube and through said tip such that said head contacts and holds said specimen, wherein an anti-contamination means prevents substantial contact between said applicator head and matter in said bodily orifice other than said specimen.

A specimen access device, comprising:

• collection means for providing a specimen collection path extending from outside a bodily orifice to a position proximate to a specimen in said bodily orifice;
• a speculum attachment operably connected to said collection means to provide visualization of a portion of said collection means in said bodily orifice;
• and
• anti-contamination means substantially separating said collection means from matter in said bodily orifice other than said specimen.