Method and Apparatus for Collecting and Preparing Biological Samples for Testing

1 . A method for collecting and preparing a biological sample to be tested, comprising:

obtaining the sample with a swab, the swab having a sorbent mounted on the end of a stick;

obtaining a dropper bottle assembly having a dropper cap with a spout, a threaded base and a bottle with a threaded neck, the bottle containing a buffer solution;

opening the dropper bottle assembly by unscrewing and removing the cap with the spout;

inserting the sorbent end of the swab into the bottle;

breaking the stick leaving the sorbent and a portion of the stick in the bottle;

closing the dropper bottle assembly by re-screwing the cap onto the threaded neck;

agitating the bottle to mix the sample with the buffer solution;

opening the dropper cap to expose the spout;

rotating the bottle so that the mixed sample-buffer solution reaches the spout; and

dispensing at least a portion of the mixed sample-buffer solution contents of the bottle through the spout onto a first location of a test device.

2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

said agitating is accomplished by shaking the bottle multiple times.

3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

the stick has a weakened portion at a particular place to facilitate said breaking.

4 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

said dropper cap has a hinged cover and said opening the dropper cap comprises rotating the hinged cover.

5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

said dropper cap has a threaded cover, and said opening the dropper cap comprises rotating said threaded cover to remove the threaded cover from the dropper cap.

6 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining a second dropper bottle containing buffer solution; and

dispensing at least a portion of said buffer solution of said second dropper bottle onto a second location different than said first location on the test device.

7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

said sample is a blood sample.

8 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein:

said sample is one of oral fluid, blood, urine, stool, and epithelia.

9 . A kit for collecting and preparing a biological sample for testing, said kit comprising:

a sterile swab having a stick with a sorbent at one end of the stick, said stick having a weakened portion to facilitate breaking the stick at a pre-selected location;

a dropper bottle assembly, said assembly including a dropper cap having a spout and a threaded base and a first bottle with a threaded neck, said first bottle containing a liquid buffer and said dropper cap being coupled to said threaded neck, wherein

the weakened portion of the stick located a distance from the end of the sorbent approximately equal to the height of the first bottle without the dropper cap.

10 . A kit according to claim 9 , further comprising:

an alcohol swab, a safety lancet, and a bandage.

11 . A kit according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a blood collection loop.

12 . A kit according to claim 9 , further comprising:

an immunoassay device having a first opening identified for receiving drops from said first bottle.

13 . A kit according to claim 12 , further comprising:

a second dropper bottle containing a liquid buffer, wherein

said immunoassay device has a second opening identified for receiving drops from said second bottle.

14 . A kit according to claim 9 , wherein:

said dropper cap has a hinged cover which covers said spout.

15 . A kit according to claim 9 , wherein:

said dropper cap has a threaded cover which covers said spout.