Patent Application
20110085948
The present invention relates generally to a device, assembly and method employed in the collection and analysis of specimens and, more specifically, the collection and analysis of fecal matter or other biological matter.
Various methods and devices have been used in the past for collecting, transporting and then testing biomedical samples. Many of the biomedical samples are fecal samples taken by veterinarians or technicians at veterinary clinics. The standard practice for taking a fecal sample involves transferring the sample from one container to another typically several times. For example, after extracting a sample from a mammalian, such as with a fecal loop, the veterinarian will then empty the sample from the fecal loop into a container or place the fecal loop with the sample in the container. Such container is then transported to a laboratory for testing. Once the laboratory receives the shipment, the sample is then placed into a mixing container, in which the sample is mixed with a liquid solution. The liquid solution is then strained or filtered into another container or vile for conducting testing on the filtered solution. As such, from the field to obtaining results from laboratory testing, the sample is typically transferred into different containers several times. Such transferring of the sample is tedious, messy, inefficient and costly, especially when compounding this process with high sample volumes being received at laboratories conducting the sample testing. Further, each time the sample is transferred from one container to another there is an increased risk of compromising the sample and/or contamination from outside sources. Unfortunately, the high volume of samples being tested in laboratories even further compounds the risk of compromising the sample specimens.
Based on the foregoing reasons, it would be advantageous to provide a sample collection assembly that limits or, even eliminates, the risk of compromising or contamination of a specimen sample due to transferring such specimen sample from one container to another. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a sample collection assembly that is less tedious and messy and improves efficiency for the laboratory technician and, therefore, saves time and is less costly.
Embodiments of the present invention include a specimen collection assembly that limits or eliminates the need for transferring a specimen sample from one container to another from the collection process to the testing of the specimen in the laboratory. Embodiments of the present invention further include related methods and systems.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a fecal specimen collection assembly is provided. The fecal specimen collection assembly includes a container member, a fecal loop, a filter and a lid. The container member includes an open end and a closed end. The fecal loop includes a handle and a loop portion. The loop portion extends from one end of the handle. Further, the loop portion includes a loop attachment portion at a distal end of the loop portion. The filter includes a filter attachment portion, which is configured to reversibly attach to the loop attachment portion at the distal end of the fecal loop. The lid is configured to be positioned over the open end of the container member with both the fecal loop and filter positioned in the container member.
In another embodiment, the loop attachment portion includes an extension nub that is configured to be attached to the filter attachment portion. The filter attachment portion includes an opening defined in the filter such that the opening is configured to receive the extension nub with a snap-type fit.
In another embodiment, the filter includes a central portion and a plurality of tabs. The plurality of tabs extend from the central portion in a spoke-type configuration. The plurality of tabs are deflectable at a location adjacent the central portion such that the tabs are configured to be moved to a confined filter configuration when positioned in the container member. Further, the plurality of tabs define at least one aperture extending therethrough.
In another embodiment, the lid includes a lid head and a lid extension. The lid head is configured to be positioned over the open end of the container member. The lid extension includes a hollow portion defined therein such that the hollow portion is configured to receive a portion of the handle of the fecal loop. Further, the lid includes an opening defined therein such that the opening extends through the lid and corresponds with the hollow portion of the lid extension.
In still another embodiment, the fecal loop includes one or more channels defined in a proximal portion of the handle such that the one or more channels extend longitudinally toward the loop portion. In another embodiment, the proximal portion of the handle with the one or more channels defined therein is configured to be disposed at least partially within the hollow portion of the lid extension such that the one or more channels are configured to facilitate solution to be received in the container member through the opening of the lid.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a specimen collection assembly configured to be used with a container member is provided. The specimen collection assembly includes a specimen collection member, a filter and a lid. The specimen collection member includes a handle portion and a specimen collection portion. The specimen collection portion extends from one end of the handle portion. The filter is configured to be attachable to the specimen collection member, wherein, in an attached state, the filter is configured to be inserted into the container member with the specimen collection member such that at least a portion of the filter is distal of the specimen collection portion. The lid is configured to be positioned over an open end of the container member.
In another embodiment, the specimen collection member includes an extension nub that is configured to be attachable to the filter. In still another embodiment, the extension nub extends from a distal end of the specimen collection portion. Such an extension nub is configured to be reversibly attachable to the filter.
In another embodiment, the filter includes a central portion and multiple filter tabs. The multiple filter tabs extend from the central portion and are movable between an expanded, non-use state, and a confined, use state, when positioned in the container member. The central portion includes a filter attachment portion that is configured to be attached to the specimen collection member. In another embodiment, the confined, use state, of the filter includes the multiple filter tabs being movable to surround at least a distal portion of the specimen collection portion when positioned in the container member.
In still another embodiment, the handle portion of the specimen collection member includes at least one channel defined in a proximal portion of the handle portion. The at least one channel is configured to facilitate a liquid solution to be collected into the container member. In another embodiment, the lid includes a hole defined therein, the hole being sized and configured to at least partially receive the proximal portion of the handle portion with the at least one channel such that the liquid solution can be inserted into the hole and pass through the at least one channel defined in the handle portion and collect into the container member.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a fecal specimen collection assembly configured to be used with a vile, is provided. The fecal specimen collection assembly includes a fecal capturing member and a filter. The fecal capturing member includes a handle and a fecal capturing portion that extends from one end of the handle. The filter is configured to be attachable to the fecal capturing member such that at least a portion of the filter surrounds a distal portion of the fecal capturing portion of the fecal capturing member.
In another embodiment, the filter is configured to be attached to a distal end of the fecal capturing portion of the fecal capturing member. In still another embodiment, the fecal capturing portion includes an extension nub that extends from a distal end of the capturing portion, and the filter includes an aperture defined therein. The extension nub is sized and configured to be inserted into the aperture with a snap-type fit for reversible attachment between the fecal capturing member and the filter.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing a specimen with a vile utilized to capture the specimen is provided. The method includes: receiving a specimen captured within a specimen collection assembly, the specimen collection assembly including a specimen capturing member and a filter, the filter attached to a distal end of the specimen capturing member, and the filter and the specimen capturing member positioned within the vile; introducing a liquid solution in the vile with the specimen capturing member and filter; agitating the liquid solution with the specimen with the filter and specimen capturing member in the vile; filtering the specimen from the liquid solution by withdrawing the specimen capturing member and the filter from the vile; and processing the filtered liquid solution remaining in the vile.
In another embodiment, the introducing includes introducing the liquid solution through an opening in a lid of the specimen collection assembly. In still another embodiment, the introducing includes introducing the liquid solution through an opening in a lid that flows through a channel defined in a handle of the specimen capturing member. In still another embodiment, the filtering includes removing the lid, the specimen capturing member and filter from the vile.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
Referring to
Such a specimen collection assembly 10 can include a specimen collection member 30, a filter 50, and a lid 90, each to be employed with a typical vile 12 for containing the assembly and specimen. In particular, the specimen collection member 30 is employed first to obtain a specimen, such as a fecal specimen, or any other suitable specimen for sampling. The specimen collection member 30 may then be attached to the filter 50. The specimen collection member 30 and attached filter 50 may then be inserted into the vile 12, after which, the lid 90 may then be placed over the vile 12 for retaining the assembled filter 50 and collection member 30, and specimen therein. The specimen with the specimen collection assembly 10 can then be transported to the laboratory for processing and testing. Once received, a laboratory technician can insert a solution into the vile 12 without removing the lid 90. The solution is then agitated or mixed with the specimen, after which, the specimen collection assembly 10 is removed from the vile 12. When removing the lid 90, the specimen collection member 30 and filter 50 are also removed such that the filter removes the larger matter from the specimen, leaving the filtered solution in the vile 12 for the laboratory technician to conduct further tests. With this arrangement, the specimen collection assembly of the present invention provides a method by which a single container may be used in the field and laboratory to perform laboratory tests on a specimen sample to, thereby, limit the risk of contamination of the sample and obtaining compromised or inaccurate test results. Further embodiments and structural details of the specimen collection assembly of the present invention will now be discussed.
With reference to
The specimen collection member 30 can include a handle 32 and a specimen collection portion or, for example, a loop portion 34 that extends from one end of the handle 32. The specimen collection member 30 is configured to collect various types of specimens that may include fecal matter, or any other type of matter needed for testing. The specimen collection member 30 may include the basic features of a typical fecal loop, however, the specimen collection member 30 is not limited to a fecal loop. Such specimen collection member 30 may include other structures, such as a swab, or any other structure suitable for taking a specimen sample.
As set forth, the specimen collection portion can be in the form, and include the profile, of an oval loop or loop portion 34 extending from one end of the handle 32. Such a handle 32 and loop portion 34 may be sized and configured to readily allow a person to grasp the handle 32 and take, for example, a fecal sample from a mammalian body, with the loop portion 34. Although the specimen collection portion is shown as a loop structure, other suitable structures may be employed that readily capture fecal matter and substantially retain such fecal matter therewith. According to the present invention, in addition to the loop portion 34 and the handle 32, the specimen collection member 30 can include additional structural features designed to stream-line the collection and processing of a specimen.
With respect to
Now referring to
In another embodiment, the filter attachment portion may be a recess sized and configured to receive the extension nub, or any other suitable structure for receiving the extension nub to attach the filter 50 to the specimen collection member 30. In another embodiment, the filter attachment portion may include an extension structure, or any other suitable structure, that is sized and configured to attach to a recess or capturing portion defined in the specimen collection member 30.
With respect to
Further, with respect to
As previously set forth, the multiple filter tabs 54 can be positioned in an expanded configuration or orientation or non-use state (depicted in
In another embodiment, the filter 50 can be preformed into the narrow configuration or use state (similar to that shown in
Referring now to
Now referring to
As depicted in
Referring again to
In use, the specimen collection assembly 10 of the present invention substantially reduces the risk of cross-contamination or compromising the specimen sample to be tested by limiting the need to transfer the specimen from one container to another in the field and while processing of the specimen sample. Specifically, in one embodiment, a technician, such as a veterinarian, takes a fecal sample, utilizing the specimen collection member 30. Once the technician obtains a suitable fecal sample, captured within the loop portion 34 of the specimen collection member 30, the technician then attaches the specimen collection member 30 to the filter 50. This attachment may be employed by manually inserting the extension nub 38 into the aperture 58 defined in the central portion 52 of the filter 50 until the extension nub 38 snaps into an attached position, as depicted in
While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
