IP Library Granted Patent US 12,697,102
Granted Patent B2
US 12,697,102 · App. 18/264,779 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

Sample collection device and system

Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan (Oakdale, MN); Alan R. Dombrowski (Woodbury, MN); Laura R. Nereng (Woodbury, MN); Audrey A. Sherman (Woodbury, MN); Brett J. Sitter (Marine on St. Croix, MN); Narina Y. Stepanova (Woodbury, MN); Michael C. Wohl (Bethesda, MD)
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
A61B10/00G01N33/497A61B2010/0087
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,697,102
App. No.
18/264,779
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sample collection device including a housing extending from a mouthpiece portion to an air outlet portion. The housing defines an airflow channel from the mouthpiece portion to the air outlet portion. The mouthpiece portion is configured to receive an exhalation airflow. A porous sample collection media is disposed within the housing and along the airflow channel. A fluid inlet port defines an aperture through the housing and is adjacent to the porous sample collection media. The fluid inlet port is configured to direct fluid onto the porous sample collection media. A metered fluid dose element is attached to the fluid inlet port. The metered fluid dose element is configured to dispense a metered volume of fluid into the fluid inlet port.

Claims (28)

1 . A sample collection device comprising:

a housing extending from an exhalation receipt portion to an air outlet portion, the housing defining an airflow channel from the exhalation receipt portion to the air outlet portion, the exhalation receipt portion configured to receive an exhalation airflow;

a porous sample collection media disposed within the housing and along the airflow channel, wherein the porous sample collection media comprises a nonwoven material having an electrostatic charge;

a fluid inlet port defines an aperture through the housing and adjacent to the porous sample collection media, the fluid inlet port configured to direct fluid onto the porous sample collection media; and

a metered fluid dose element attached to the fluid inlet port, the metered fluid dose element configured to dispense a metered volume of fluid into the fluid inlet port.

2 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid collection receptacle disposed within the housing and configured to receive fluid from the porous sample collection media.

3 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the metered fluid dose element is movably attached to the fluid inlet port between at least a first fluid loaded position and a second fluid depleted position, wherein the second position is closer to the housing than the first position.

4 . The sample collection device according to claim 3 wherein the fluid inlet port comprises a protrusion extending away from an outer surface of the housing, and the metered fluid dose element defines a cap attached to the protrusion.

5 . The sample collection device according to claim 3 , wherein metered fluid dose element delivers fluid to the fluid inlet port when moved from the first position to the second position.

6 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the metered fluid dose element contains a fluid reservoir of fluid.

7 . The sample collection device according to claim 6 , wherein the porous sample collection media defines a surface area value and the fluid reservoir defines a volume value, and the volume value divided by the surface area value is in a range from about 10 microliters/cm 2 to about 400 microliter/cm 2 .

8 . The sample collection device according to claim 6 , wherein the fluid reservoir defines a volume in a range from about 50 microliters to about 500 microliters.

9 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the metered fluid dose element is movably attached via a threaded connection with the fluid inlet port.

10 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven material is hydrophobic.

11 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein a fluid used in the sample collection device is at least one of an aqueous fluid, an aqueous buffer solution, an aqueous fluid including a surfactant, a saline solution, or a saline solution including a surfactant.

12 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid flow channel configured to direct fluid from the fluid inlet port to the porous sample collection media.

13 . The sample collection device according to claim 12 , the fluid flow channel delivers fluid via capillary action.

14 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid flow channel configured to direct fluid from the porous sample collection media.

15 . The sample collection device according to claim 14 , the second fluid flow channel delivers fluid via capillary action.

16 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , wherein exhalation airflow transmits through the porous sample collection media.

17 . The sample collection device according to claim 1 , comprising two or more inlet ports, and each inlet port independently comprises a metered fluid dose element movably attached to a corresponding fluid inlet port.

18 . A sample collection system comprising:

the sample collection device of claim 1 ; and

an assay configured to receive fluid from the sample collection device.

19 . A method comprising:

flowing exhalation air through a porous sample collection media, wherein the porous sample collection media is disposed in an airflow channel forming a loaded porous sample collection media;

flowing a metered dose of fluid through the loaded porous sample collection media disposed in the airflow channel forming an eluent, wherein the porous sample collection media comprises a nonwoven material having an electrostatic charge;

collecting the eluent.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2023
From: BERRIGAN, MICHAEL R.; DOMBROWSKI, ALAN R.; NERENG, LAURA R.; SHERMAN, AUDREY A.; SITTER, BRETT J.; STEPANOVA, NARINA Y.; WOHL, MICHAEL C.
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064531/0923 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63227498 · Jul 30, 2021
Provisional Application 63200058 · Feb 12, 2021
Related Publication 20240115246A1 · Apr 11, 2024
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