Claims
- 1. A test device, comprising:
a) a sample receiving chamber; b) a test platform that comprises a test element; wherein said sample receiving chamber engages said test platform; wherein said sample receiving chamber is separable from said test platform;
- 2. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber comprises an open proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end can receive a sample and said distal end engages said test platform.
- 3. The test device of claim 2, wherein said proximal end of said receiving chamber is optionally flared.
- 4. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber is substantially cylindrical.
- 5. The test device of claim 1, wherein the inside of said sample receiving chamber optionally comprises a structure to facilitate extraction of a sample.
- 6. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber can receive a sample on a sample collection device.
- 7. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber comprises a key structure to engage said test device.
- 8. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber comprises a reagent.
- 9. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test platform comprises a housing.
- 10. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test platform comprises an opening or window to observe said test element.
- 11. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test platform comprises a key structure to engage said sample receiving chamber.
- 12. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element comprises a test strip.
- 13. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element comprises an immunological test strip.
- 14. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element detects a biological moiety.
- 15. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element detects a hormone, a drug, a protein, an etiological agent or a portion thereof.
- 16. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element comprises a sample application zone.
- 17. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element comprises a detection zone.
- 18. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element comprises a solid matrix capable of supporting lateral chromatographic or capillary flow.
- 19. The test device of claim 1, wherein said test element is directly or indirectly in fluid communication with said sample receiving chamber.
- 20. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber is separable from said test platform.
- 21. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber when separate from said test platform, can hold a fluid.
- 22. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber, when separate from said test platform and containing a fluid, can engage said test platform and release said fluid into said test platform such that said fluid contacts said test element.
- 23. The test device of claim 1, further comprising a valve structure to actuate or modulate flow of fluid between said sample receiving chamber and said test platform.
- 24. The test device of claim 1, further comprising one or more filters to reduce particulate matter contacting said test element.
- 25. The test device of claim 1, further comprising a reagent.
- 26. The test device of claim 1, further comprising instructions.
- 27. The test device of claim 1, wherein said sample receiving chamber is substantially perpendicular to said test platform when said sample receiving chamber and said test platform are operably engaged.
- 28. A method of detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:
providing a sample, contacting said sample with a test device, said test device comprising:
a sample receiving chamber, a test platform that comprises a test element, wherein said sample receiving chamber engages said test platform; wherein said sample receiving chamber is separable from said test platform; detecting said analyte in said sample.
- 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is a biological sample.
- 30. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is provided on a sample collection device.
- 31. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is provided on a swab.
- 32. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is extracted in said sample receiving chamber.
- 33. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is extracted in said sample receiving chamber using an extraction solution.
- 34. The method of claim 28, wherein said analtye is a biological or chemical moiety.
- 35. The method of claim 28, wherein said analyte is extracted from said sample.
- 36. The method of claim 28, wherein said analtye is an etiological agent, derived from an etiological agent or extracted from an etiological agent.
- 37. The method of claim 28, wherein said sample is placed in said sample receiving chamber, optionally with a reagent; wherein when said reagent is present, said reagent can be added to said sample receiving chamber before or after said sample is placed therein.
- 38. The method of claim 37, wherein said sample receiving chamber is optionally engaged with said test platform.
- 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said sample is contacted with said sample receiving chamber with a reagent.
- 40. The method of claim 37, wherein said sample with a reagent in said sample receiving chamber are allowed to mix or incubate in said sample receiving chamber.
- 41. The method of claim 37, wherein when said sample receiving chamber and said test platform are separate, a sample is provided in said sample receiving chamber with a reagent and said sample receiving chamber is then operably engaged with said test platform.
- 42. The method of claim 37, wherein when said sample receiving chamber and said test platform are separate, a sample is provided in said sample receiving chamber without a reagent and said sample receiving chamber is then operably engaged with said test platform.
- 43. The method of claim 42, wherein after said sample receiving chamber is operably engaged with said test platform, a reagent is added.
- 44. The method of claim 37, wherein sample is allowed to flow through a filter prior to contacting said test element.
- 45. The method of claim 37, wherein a valve structure actuates or modulates fluid flow between said sample receiving chamber and said test platform.
- 46. The method of claim 37, wherein a rupturable barrier modulates the flow between said sample receiving chamber and said test platform.
- 47. The method of claim 46, wherein a rupturing structure ruptures said rupturable barrier to allow fluid flow.
- 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said rupturing structure is provided on said test platform.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the fields of test devices that include a sample receiving chamber and a test platform and methods of use thereof. Preferably, the sample receiving chamber can be used to extract, prepare or dilute a sample for analysis, such as using the test platform. The test platform can include a test element, such as a test strip. The test strip can be for an analyte of interest, such as an analyte relating to a disease state, medical condition or etiological agent. The present application incorporates by reference in their entirety the following applications or patents: non-provisional application Ser. No. 09/579,673 filed May 26, 2000, Ser. No. 09/579,672 filed May 26, 2000, Ser. No. 09/653,032 filed Sep. 1, 2000, and design patent application No. 29/133,183 filed Nov. 21, 2000.