Method and device for collecting and stabilizing a biological sample
AssigneesBecton, Dickinson and Company, Qiagen GmbH
InventorsFrank A. Augello, Lynne Rainen, Matthew Walenciak, Uwe Oelmüller, Ralf Wyrich, Helge Bastian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collection container and method for collecting a predetermined volume of a biological sample, and particularly a whole blood sample, includes an effective amount of at least one stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent is able to stabilize nucleic acids in the biological sample at the point of collection to prevent enzymatic degradation of the nucleic acids. The stabilizing agents include cationic compounds, detergents, particularly cationic detergents, chaotropic salts, ribonuclease inhibitors, chelating agents, and mixtures thereof.
Claims51
An apparatus for collecting a biological sample, said apparatus comprising:
- a container defining an internal chamber, and a closure closing an open end, said internal chamber having a pressure less than atmospheric pressure for drawing a predetermined volume of said biological sample in said container, and
- at least one nucleic acid stabilizing agent contained within said container in an amount effective to stabilize and prevent nucleic acid degradation in said biological sample where said at least one stabilizing agent comprises a cationic detergent.
A method of stabilizing nucleic acids in a biological sample comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample collection container having a side wall, and a bottom defining an internal chamber, said container containing at least one nucleic acid stabilizing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize and prevent nucleic acid degradation of said biological sample and where said at least one stabilizing agent comprises a cationic detergent;
- and
- collecting a biological sample directly from a patient into said container and immediately mixing said biological sample with said at least one stabilizing agent to form a stabilized biological sample and substantially prevent nucleic acid degradation.
A method of collecting 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 forming an internal chamber, said container enclosing an effective amount of an aqueous solution or dispersion of a proton donor and a nucleic acid stabilizing agent to stabilize and preserve nucleic acids in a whole blood sample, said internal chamber having pressure less than atmospheric pressure;
- and
- collecting a whole blood sample directly from a patient into said collection container and mixing said blood sample with said stabilizing agent to form a stable whole blood sample.
An apparatus for collecting a biological sample, said apparatus comprising:
- a container defining an internal chamber, and a closure closing an open end, and
- a proton donor and at least one stabilizing agent contained within said container in an amount effective to stabilize and preserve said biological sample.
A method of stabilizing a biological sample comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample collection container having an internal chamber, said container containing a proton donor and at least one stabilizing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize and preserve a biological sample;
- and
- obtaining a biological sample and immediately thereafter introducing said biological sample into said container and mixing said biological sample with said at least one stabilizing agent to form a stabilized biological sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.