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US 9,451,935 B2Granted
Biological sample collection, storage, and transport system and method
AssigneeIn HindSight LLC
InventorKathleen Mary McSherry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cytological cell sample collection, storage, and transport device is disclosed. The device comprises a sheath, a collection assembly, a base, and a containment vial. The collection assembly is slideably coupled to the base to expose a swab head comprising the collection assembly. The containment vial may be configured to enclose the sheath and collection assembly within the internal volume defined by the containment vial and the base.
Claims22
A system for biological sample collection comprising:
- a collection assembly, a sheath, and a base;
- wherein the collection assembly comprises a support shaft, a swab head, and a plunger, wherein the swab head mechanically couples to a distal support shaft end and the plunger couples to a proximal support shaft end;
- a distal sheath end of the sheath forms an expandable opening configured to define a first circumference when the distal sheath end is in a closed position and a second circumference when the distal sheath end is in an open position, such that the first circumference is smaller than a circumferential profile of the swab head and the second circumference is larger than the circumferential profile of the swab head;
- and
- a base coupled to a proximal sheath end, the base comprising a stop channel, wherein the stop channel is shaped to match a radial profile defined by the plunger, such that a radially outward facing plunger surface contacts a radially inward facing stop channel surface when the plunger is disposed within the stop channel.
2 more elements
A system for biological sample collection comprising:
- a collection assembly, comprising a support shaft and a swab head coupled to a distal end of the support shaft;
- a plunger comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface couples to a proximal end of the support shaft;
- a sheath, wherein the sheath forms a cylindrical enclosure with an expandable opening on a sheath distal end, the expandable opening configured to have a first circumference in a closed position and a second circumference in an open position, the first circumference being less than a circumferential profile of the swab head and the second circumference being greater than the circumferential profile of the swab head;
- a base coupled to a sheath proximal end, the base comprising a stop channel;
- wherein the collection assembly slideably couples to the sheath enabling configuration of the collection assembly in a first position such that the swab head is disposed within the sheath and the plunger extends proximally from the base, and reconfiguration of the collection assembly in a second position such that the swab head is displaced distally through the expandable opening at the distal sheath end, and the plunger is disposed within the stop channel such that a radially outward facing plunger surface contacts and frictionally couples to a radially inward facing stop channel surface to prevent the plunger from rotating when the collection assembly is in the second slide position and the swab head is rotated while contacting a sample collection site.
2 more elements
A method for biological sample collection comprising:
- identifying a collection site;
- providing a collection device comprising:
- a sheath and a collection assembly slideably coupled to the sheath, the collection assembly comprising a support shaft, a swab coupled to a distal end of the support shaft, and a plunger coupled to a proximal end of the support shaft;
- a base coupled to a sheath proximal end, the base comprising a stop channel shaped to match the profile of the plunger;
- configuring the collection device in a first position, such that the swab head is completely disposed within the sheath and the plunger extends proximally from the base;
- moving a distal end of the sheath close to the collection site;
- and
- reconfiguring the sample collection device into a second position by applying pressure to the top surface of the plunger, such that the swab head fully extends through a proximal opening in the sheath to contact the collection site and the plunger interfaces with the stop channel;
- and
- removing the swab head from the collection site.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.