Methods and Systems for Obtaining Clinical Samples
Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room within a retail store; and obtaining a sample from the subject. Sample collection rooms may include one or more of a warming table; a warming plate; a fingertip warmer; an air-warmer; a reclining chair; a calming feature; and adjustable lighting. Samples may be analyzed at the retail location or sent to elsewhere for analysis. Sample collection rooms may house a sample analysis device or system. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick, and may be analyzed in a short period of time, e.g., in less than five hours, or less than four hours.
1 . (canceled).
2 . (canceled).
3 . A combination toy and finger warmer comprising:
a finger warmer device;
a plurality of structural elements connectable to one another in a surrounding arrangement relative to the finger warmer device; where the plurality of structural elements comprise at least a plurality of first connector portions and a plurality of second connector portions, where all of the first connector portions have a first form and all of the second connector portions have a second form, such that any number of the structural elements can be joined with or without the warmer to form a toy assembly.
4 . (canceled)
5 . A method for analyzing a sample obtained from a subject, said subject having a body part, comprising:
providing a sample collection room in a retail store;
warming a target tissue area on a subject with a combination novelty toy and warming device;
obtaining, in said sample collection room, a sample from said body part of said subject;
transporting the sample to an analysis location; and
analyzing the sample at said analysis location within a short period of time after obtaining the sample.
6 . The method of claim 2 further comprising giving only the novelty toy with holder, but not the warming device, to the subject after the collection.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said warming of said body part comprises warming with a warming table; a warming plate; a fingertip warmer; an air-warmer; furniture for seating comprising a warming plate or other heating element; or a combination thereof.
8 . The method of claim 5 wherein the warming device is selected from a warming table, a warming plate, a chair or other furniture for seating comprising a warming plate, a fingertip warmer, and an air-warmer.
9 . The method of claim 5 wherein said warming device is configured to warm a body part of a subject effective to aid in the collection of a blood sample from said body part.
10 . The method of claim 5 wherein said target tissue is selected from a fingertip, a finger, and a hand.
11 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . A novelty item for use with a warming device, the novelty item comprising:
at least one structural element defining at least one cavity for receiving the warming device, wherein the cavity is positioned within said novelty item to position the warming device beneath a surface of the novelty item that is configured to be in contact with at least a portion of a subject being treated; at least a second structural element defining a toy portion of the novelty item.
18 . The novelty of claim 17 wherein said toy portion resembles a stuffed animal.
19 . The novelty of claim 17 wherein said toy portion resembles a toy dog.
20 . The novelty of claim 17 wherein said warming device comprises a sealed pouch comprising a solution of supersaturated sodium acetate in water and a trigger element.