DIRECT SPECIMEN COLLECTION DEVICE AND CASSETTE

1 . A specimen collection device comprising ventilation means for drying a collected specimen, the device comprising:

a. a specimen collection assembly comprising a sample collection carrier and a collection absorbent connected to the specimen collection carrier through a raised cap;

b. a handle cover comprising an attachment means for removably connecting the handle to the specimen collection assembly;

c. a sliding cover removably and slidably connected to the handle cover, the sliding cover having an elongated body and a head connected to the body on one end of the body and a protrusion that engages the raised cap when the sliding cover is moved forwardly on the handle cover, and;

d. a specimen collector cassette into which the specimen collected is secured, the cassette having a registration track configured to register with the shape of the specimen collection assembly upon insertion of the specimen collection assembly into the registration track, wherein the specimen collector cassette comprises a void in unobstructed registration with the collection absorbent when the specimen collector assembly is attached to the specimen collector cassette thereby providing unobstructed access to a collected specimen for automated analysis.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the specimen collection assembly further comprises a cover and a means for attaching the cover to the specimen collection cassette, wherein the cover permits a user to press the cover into contact with the collection absorbent without the user directly contacting the collection absorbent.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the specimen collection cassette further comprises identification indicia.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the specimen collector cassette further comprises a clean punch area.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the handle cover comprises ventilation holes.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sliding cover comprises ventilation holes.

7 . A specimen collection device comprising ventilation means for drying a collected specimen, the device comprising:

a. a specimen collection assembly comprising a sample collection carrier and a collection absorbent connected to the specimen collection carrier through a raised cap;

b. a handle cover comprising an attachment means for removably connecting the handle to the specimen collection assembly, wherein the handle cover comprises ventilation holes;

c. a sliding cover removably and slidably connected to the handle cover, the sliding cover having a protrusion that engages the raised cap when the sliding cover is moved forwardly on the handle cover, wherein the sliding cover further comprises ventilation holes; and

d. a specimen collector cassette into which the specimen collected is secured, the cassette having a clean punch area and a registration track configured to register with the shape of the specimen collection assembly upon insertion of the specimen collection assembly into the registration track, wherein the specimen collector cassette comprises a void in unobstructed registration with the collection absorbent when the specimen collector assembly is attached to the specimen collector cassette thereby providing unobstructed access to a collected specimen for automated analysis.

8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the specimen collection assembly further comprises a cover and a means for attaching the cover to the specimen collection cassette, wherein the cover permits a user to press the cover into contact with the collection absorbent without the user directly contacting the collection absorbent.

9 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the specimen collection cassette further comprises identification indicia.

10 . A method of supporting a biological sample collection absorbent to provide for collecting a biological specimen, efficiently drying the collected specimen, using the original absorbent in an automated analytical system, and allowing for storage of the biological sample collection absorbent, the method comprising:

a. providing a specimen collection assembly comprising a sample collection carrier and a collection absorbent connected to the specimen collection carrier through a raised cap;

b. providing a handle cover comprising an attachment means for removably connecting the handle to the specimen collection assembly, wherein the handle cover permits manipulation of the specimen collection assembly during specimen collection when the handle cover is attached to the specimen collection assembly, and wherein the handle cover comprises ventilation holes;

c. providing a sliding cover removably and slidably connected to the handle cover, the sliding cover having an elongated body and a head connected to the body on one end of the body and a protrusion that engages the raised cap when the sliding cover is moved forwardly on the handle cover thereby raising the head of the sliding cover above the collection absorbent and creating a ventilation gap between the head of the sliding cover and the collection absorbent, and wherein the head further comprises ventilation holes;

d. connecting the sample collection assembly and the sliding cover to the handle cover to produce a sample collector;

e. sliding the sliding cover backwardly to expose the sample collection absorbent;

f. collecting a biological sample, wherein the biological sample is contacted with the collection absorbent;

g. sliding the sliding cover forwardly to cover the sample collection absorbent thereby creating a ventilation gap between the handle cover and the collection absorbent;

h. drying the collected sample;

i. removing the sliding cover from the handle cover;

j. connecting the sample carrier to a cassette;

k. removing the handle cover from the sample collection carrier; and,

l. storing the collection cassette.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising applying a preservative additive to the collection absorbent after collecting the biological sample.

12 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising inserting the collection cassette into an automatic sampling device.