Sample collection device and method
The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.
1. A DNA sample collection system, the DNA sample collection system comprising:
a sample tube having a detachable funnel portion and a body portion, the detachable funnel portion having a first inner diameter and the body portion having a second inner diameter than is smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein the sample tube having a closed end at the body portion and an open end at the detachable funnel portion, the open end configured to receive a DNA sample;
a reservoir-defining cap engageable with the sample tube, the reservoir-defining cap having a cap body and a sealing member movable relative to the cap body, wherein the reservoir-defining cap is lockable in place with the detachable funnel portion of the sample tube at an engaged configuration, wherein in the engaged configuration, the reservoir-defining cap closes the open end of the sample tube;
a reservoir defined by the reservoir-defining cap, the reservoir configured to carry a stabilization fluid, the reservoir having an opening that is sealed by the sealing member of the reservoir-defining cap, wherein the sealing member is displaceable by the detachable funnel portion and relative to the reservoir to uncover the opening to release the stabilization fluid to the sample tube,
a nodule defined by a surface of the reservoir-defining cap; and
a slot defined in a surface of the sample tube, the slot comprising a locking groove defined at a distal terminus of the slot;
wherein the nodule is configured to advance along a length of the slot towards the locking groove as the reservoir-defining cap is twistingly engaged with the sample tube along a longitudinal axis of the reservoir-defining cap from a disengaged configuration towards the engaged configuration;
wherein the detachable funnel portion and the reservoir-defining cap are configured to be detached and replaced by a closure-member cap after the stabilization fluid is released to the sample tube.
2. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir-defining cap is detachable from the sample tube.
3. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the detachable funnel portion and the body portion of the sample tube are connected by a screw thread.
4. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , the detachable funnel portion and the body portion of the sample tube are disengageable at a connection.
5. The DNA sample collection system of claim 4 , wherein the connection includes a threaded portion, a welded portion, or an adhesive portion.
6. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir-defining cap has a first cap end and a second cap end, and an inner diameter of the reservoir-defining cap at the second cap end is greater than an outer diameter of the first cap end.
7. The DNA sample collection system of claim 6 , wherein the second cap end carries a gasket.
8. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member comprises a valve that includes an elongated threaded member and a disc, the disc is configured to be positioned at the opening to seal the opening before the sealing member is displaced to uncover the opening.
9. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the sample tube comprises a base member configured to allow the sample tube to be maintained in an upright position.
10. The DNA sample collection system of claim 1 , wherein the locking groove is configured to lock the nodule in place when in the engaged configuration.
11. The DNA sample collection system of claim 10 , wherein the nodule is configured to deform into the locking groove when in the engaged configuration.
12. The DNA sample collection system of claim 10 , wherein the locking groove is configured to generate an audible sound when in the engaged configuration.
13. The DNA sample collection system of claim 8 , further comprising: a compressible member situated between the cap body and the sealing member, the compressible member configured to bias the disc towards the opening in the disengaged configuration and to compress as the reservoir-defining cap is twistingly engaged with the sample tube towards the engaged configuration such that in the engaged configuration the disc is displaced from the opening of the reservoir.
14. The DNA sample collection system of claim 13 , wherein the elongated threaded member is affixed to the cap body and the compressible member is a wave spring positioned above the sealing member in the engaged configuration.