Bodily Fluid Sample Collection and Transport
Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample vessel for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample vessel operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the vessel and/or another source provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the vessel.
1 - 95 . (canceled)
96 . A method of performing two or more laboratory tests with a small volume bodily fluid sample from a single subject, the method comprising:
at a sample collection site, puncturing the skin of a subject to release a small volume bodily fluid sample from the subject;
collecting the released sample into at least a first vessel and a second vessel, wherein a first portion of the sample is collected into the first vessel and a second portion of the sample is collected into the second vessel, wherein the first portion of the sample is collected into the first vessel through a first sample collection channel and the second portion of the sample is collected into the second vessel through a second sample collection channel, and wherein the total volume of the collected sample is no greater than 400 microliters;
transporting the first vessel and the second vessel from the sample collection site to a sample receiving site; and
performing at the sample receiving site one or more steps of a first laboratory test with at least a portion of the first portion of the sample and one or more steps of a second laboratory test with at least a portion of the second portion of the sample.
97 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the first sample collection channel is supported in a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device further supports the first vessel.
98 . The method of claim 97 , wherein both the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel are supported the sample collection device, and wherein the sample collection device supports both the first vessel and second vessel.
99 . The method of claim 98 , wherein the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel share an initial common channel which splits into the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel.
100 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel each contain an anticoagulant therein, such that the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is introduced into the first portion of the sample as it passes through the first sample collection channel to the first vessel and the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel is introduced into the second portion of the sample as it passes through the second sample collection channel to the second vessel.
101 . The method of claim 100 , wherein the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is different than the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel.
102 . The method of claim 101 , wherein the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is EDTA and the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel is heparin.
103 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the sample collection site and sample receiving site are separated by at least 1 kilometer.
104 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the first vessel and second vessel arrive at the sample receiving site no more than 12 hours after the bodily fluid sample was collected from the subject.
105 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the punctured skin is on a digit of the subject.
106 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the first portion of the sample is maintained in liquid form during the transporting of the first vessel from the sample collection site to the sample receiving site.
107 . A method of performing two or more laboratory tests with a small volume bodily fluid sample from a single subject, the method comprising:
at a sample collection site, puncturing the skin of a subject to release a small volume bodily fluid sample from the subject;
collecting the released sample into at least a first vessel and a second vessel, wherein a first portion of the sample is collected into the first vessel and a second portion of the sample is collected into the second vessel, wherein the first portion of the sample is collected into the first vessel through a first sample collection channel and the second portion of the sample is collected into the second vessel through a second sample collection channel, and wherein the total volume of the collected sample is no greater than 400 microliters;
transporting the first vessel and the second vessel from the sample collection site to a sample receiving site; and
removing at the sample receiving site from the first vessel a first vessel original sample, wherein the first vessel original sample is at least a portion of the first portion of the sample;
generating a first vessel dilution sample from the first vessel original sample, wherein the first vessel dilution sample: i) is diluted at least 3-fold as compared to the first vessel original sample, and ii) has a total volume of no more than 1000 microliters, and
performing at the sample receiving site one or more steps of a first laboratory test with at least a portion of the first vessel dilution sample and one or more steps of a second laboratory test with at least a portion of the second portion of the sample.
108 . The method of claim 107 , wherein the first sample collection channel is supported in a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device further supports the first vessel.
109 . The method of claim 108 , wherein both the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel are supported the sample collection device, and wherein the sample collection device supports both the first vessel and second vessel.
110 . The method of claim 109 , wherein the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel share an initial common channel which splits into the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel.
111 . The method of claim 107 , wherein the first sample collection channel and the second sample collection channel each contain an anticoagulant therein, such that the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is introduced into the first portion of the sample as it passes through the first sample collection channel to the first vessel and the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel is introduced into the second portion of the sample as it passes through the second sample collection channel to the second vessel.
112 . The method of claim 111 , wherein the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is different than the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel.
113 . The method of claim 112 , wherein the anticoagulant in the first sample collection channel is EDTA and the anticoagulant in the second sample collection channel is heparin.
114 . The method of claim 107 , further comprising centrifuging the first vessel prior to transporting the first vessel from the sample collection site to the sample receiving site.
115 . The method of claim 107 , wherein the first portion of the sample is maintained in liquid form during the transporting of the first vessel from the sample collection site to the sample receiving site.
116 . The method of claim 107 , wherein the punctured skin is on a digit of the subject.
117 . The method of claim 107 , further comprising generating a second vessel dilution sample from a second vessel original sample, wherein the second vessel original sample is at least a portion of the second portion of the sample, wherein the second vessel dilution sample: i) is diluted at least 10-fold as compared to the second vessel original sample, and ii) has a total volume of no more than 1000 microliters, and wherein the one or more steps of the second laboratory test are performed with at least a portion of the second vessel dilution sample.
118 . The method of claim 107 , wherein at the sample receiving site and prior to the removal of the first vessel original sample from the first vessel, the first vessel and second vessel are inserted into a sample processing device comprising an automated fluid handling apparatus.
119 . The method of claim 118 , wherein prior to the insertion of the first vessel and second vessel into the sample processing device, the first vessel and second vessel are inserted into a cartridge, and the cartridge is then inserted into the sample processing device.