Provided herein is technology relating to collecting and containing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for collecting and containing a stool specimen. The technology provides a device for collecting and containing a stool specimen, the device comprising ergonomic features optimized for a geriatric user. The technology also provides an enclosing holder for securing the ergonomic stool specimen container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

A plurality of color sensing sections are attached to a toilet seat so as to test a health state or a fecal occult blood portion every time by capturing the feces surface color during defecation. Before feces which have been excreted from a body sink into a water-seal portion, the circumference of the feces is optically captured to detect the color of the surface of the feces. By monitoring changes in color, the health state of the defecator is monitored. In particular, by checking the presence/absence of an occult blood portion, the present invention assists in early detection of colorectal cancer and allows a fecal occult blood test to be performed in a hygienic manner without burdening the user.

Methods and systems for detection of precancerous colorectal cancerous lesions and early stage colorectal cancer are described. The methods and systems include examination of a rectal cell sample for the presence of mast cells in a field effect detection regime. The methods can incorporate swab-based cell collection, optionally storage and transportation of a cell sample, and/or computer-aided diagnosis.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated travelers diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides enema delivery systems or enema products comprising compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated traveler's diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

The present disclosure provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. Methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated traveler's diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection.

A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions, e.g., formulations, used for gastric, gastrointestinal and/or colonic treatments or lavage, e.g., orthostatic lavage, e.g., for inducing the purgation (e.g., cleansing) of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including a colon; and methods for making and using them. In alternative embodiments, compositions and methods of the invention are used for the stabilization, amelioration, treatment and/or prevention of constipation, for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly non-specific abdominal pain, and diarrhea, including diarrhea caused by a drug side effect, a psychological condition, a disease or a condition such as Crohn's Disease, a poison, a toxin or an infection, e.g., a toxin-mediated travelers diarrhea, or C. difficile or the pseudo-membranous colitis associated with this infection. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceuticals and products (articles) of manufacture for delivering these compositions and formulations to an individual, e.g., a human or an animal. The invention also provides devices for delivering a fecal material to a patient.

Disclosed is an integrated device for faeces sampling and occult blood detection, which has functions of quantitative collection, dissolution, filtration, detection with immune test strips of the faecal sample, and is convenient to carry and operate, and the device does not leak any liquid during storage, transportation and detection. The device can accurately collect a constant sample with no pollution and leakage, and can quickly determine results of occult blood without the aid of other items. The device can detect faecal occult blood at any time and at any place, can help to overcome the problem of low rate of inspection due to the inconvenience of faeces submission and inspection, further promote the detection of faecal occult blood, and can improve the early diagnosis and screening rate of colorectal cancer of the population.