Described is a tip for a swab for collecting a specimen from a subject, the tip being shaped for insertion into, and collection of the specimen from, a body cavity of the subject such as the nasal cavity. The tip comprises a plurality of curved blades defining an internal reservoir for receiving the specimen, the tip being attached or attachable to a rod. In the preferred embodiment, each of the blade comprises helical turns.

Liquid sample collection devices, systems, and methods. In one example, the system includes a liquid collection device, a cap for the liquid collection device, and a sealed reagent liquid container installed in the cap, in which depressing the cap relative to the liquid collection device unseals the reagent liquid container. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the collection chamber holds a reagent in a sealed condition and the liquid collector is actuable to disrupt a sealing membrane associated with the collection chamber. In another example, the system includes a liquid collector and a collection chamber in which the liquid collector holds a reagent in a sealed condition and in which the liquid collector is actuable to drain the reagent from the liquid collector into the collection chamber.

A tissue sample receptacle includes a fulcrum body. The fulcrum body is positioned to allow a tissue sample collector to be broken off within the tissue sample receptacle. The fulcrum body provides a fulcrum against which the tissue sample collector may be bent. The fulcrum body may be coupled to the sidewall of the tissue sample receptacle. The fulcrum body may be removable from, may be permanently coupled to, or may be formed integrally with the sidewall.

Provided herein are methods and compositions to effectively isolate nucleic acids using protein-based sample collection matrices.

The technology described herein is directed to a swab for sample collection. In one aspect, the swab comprises a sample collection head, which comprises a plurality of spaced annular rings. In one embodiment, the swab further comprises a tapered neck and a handle. In one embodiment, the swab is injection-molded using polypropylene. In other aspects, described herein are swabs comprising a water-soluble or biodegradable material. In additional aspects, described herein are kits comprising said swabs and methods of using said swabs.

Efficient harvesting of cells, cell fragments, free nuclei, and DNA material from female reproductive system is made possible by processing gelatinous part of cervical mucus. Rinsing may be used to separate the gelatinous part of cervical mucus from the remainder of the cervical mucus sample.

A sampling probe, having a housing, with a flange at housing's proximal end, and an internal step ring including a protruding follower tab toward housing's distal end. The sampling probe further includes a shaft inside the housing, with a brush at shaft's distal end and a handle at shaft's proximal end. The shaft includes a solid proximal section, and a spirally grooved distal section, engaging the housing's follower tab. A retracting compression spring is positioned on the spirally grooved distal section of the shaft inside the housing. With the sampling probe distally inserted in a vagina canal for a Pap smear, pushing the shaft handle distally, the brush at the end of the shaft protrudes out of the housing rotationally, taking a cell sample, followed by the retracting compression spring retracting the brush back into the housing when the shaft handle is released, completing the Pap smear.

Sampling device for samples containing DNA in particular, with a sample-collecting area provided at the free end of an elongate holding device, wherein the sample-collecting area is designed to be separable from the sampling device.

A system and a method for a medical diagnostic device are described herein. The medical diagnostic device can include an outer sleeve having a hollow interior and open distal and proximal ends, the outer sleeve being defined by a substantially tubular configuration including a proximal section having a substantially conical shape. A core is configured to be inserted axially within the outer sleeve. The core includes an axial inner cavity. The core is further defined by a proximal section having a conical shape substantially conforming to the proximal section of the outer sleeve. The core retains a diagnostic assembly, that can include at least one of a sample collecting assembly and an imaging assembly, that can be integrally or interchangeably attached and wherein the device can be utilized for self-patient or single patient use.

An exemplary device for collecting cervicovaginal cells includes a proximal end portion configured for gripping by a user, a distal end portion configured for contacting an ectocervical region and obtaining a sampling of cells therefrom, an elongated body portion extending between and connecting the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and an elongated slot sized and shaped to receive a bristled portion of a brush having disposed thereon endocervical cells.