Biological sample material collection

1. A rigid biological sample collection device including a shaped sample collecting tip, said tip at least being formed from a fibrous material mixed with a liquid to form a pulp, said pulp being solidified to form the shaped tip having inherent strength for allowing rubbing of the tip on a surface for sample collection, wherein the device further includes a hollow plastic elongate handle portion, and an ejector rod slideable within the hollow handle, the handle, rod and tip forming said rigid collection device, and wherein the tip is releasably held to the handle such that the tip and handle are separable, by forcing the tip off the handle by movement of the rod in the handle and wherein the tip is chemically conditioned.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pulp is solidified by compression, optionally in a mould.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pulp is solidified by drying in an open mould.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pulp is solidified by setting or curing.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material is cellulose fibres and the liquid is water.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fibrous material is glass fibres.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is formed also from said solidified pulp.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tip is shaped as a round, triangular, or other polygonal cylinder; or as a wedge.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a chemical composition is applied to the pulp for the chemical conditioning, either before or after it is solidified.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said chemical composition is a solution, including:

(i) a monovalent weak base (such as “Tris”, tris-hydroxymethyl methane, either as the free base or as the carbonate);

(ii) a chelating agent (such as EDTA, ethylene diamine tetracetic acid); and

(iii) an anionic detergent (such as SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate); and optionally

(iv) uric acid or a urate salt.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said solution is incorporated into or absorbed on the surface of the pulp, by mixing with the pulp prior to solidification, or by spraying the solution onto the solidified pulp, or dipping the solidified pulp into the solution.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tip includes an area of relative weakness, of sufficient weakness that parts of the tip can be separated manually.