Fluid Sample Collection and Testing Method

Abstract

A method for the collection and testing of mammalian fluid samples using a fluid collection and testing device. The device includes an outer sleeve and an inner swab whereby the inner swab fits into an internal cavity of the outer sleeve and is moveable within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve contains testing means, such as a pH test or an amine release test within its internal cavity. A fluid sample is introduced to the device by way of a sample collection opening in the outer sleeve, which is received by the inner swab within the outer sleeve. The method includes moving the inner sleeve through the outer sleeve so that the fluid sample contacts the testing means.

Claims

1. A method for testing a fluid sample using a collection and testing device including an outer sleeve and an inner swab, the outer sleeve having a sample collection opening, an internal chamber, and at least one internal testing means positioned within the internal chamber, the inner swab having an angled fluid platform, the method comprising the steps of: applying the fluid sample to the angled fluid platform of the inner swab through the sample collection opening; and moving the inner swab relative to the outer sleeve such that the angled fluid platform is dragged over the at least one testing means.

2. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 1, further comprising observing the fluid sample.

3. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 1, wherein the at least one testing means is a pH indicator.

4. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 3, further comprising viewing the pH indicator.

5. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 1, further comprising sniffing for an odour from a vent provided in the collection and testing device.

6. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 1, wherein the at least one testing means further comprises an amine release test.

7. A method for testing a vaginal fluid sample using a collection and testing device including an outer sleeve and an inner swab, the outer sleeve having a sample collection opening, an internal chamber, and at least one internal testing means positioned within the internal chamber, the inner swab having an angled fluid platform, the method comprising the steps of: applying a vaginal fluid sample to the angled fluid platform of the inner swab through the sample collection opening of the device; moving the inner swab relative to the outer sleeve such that the angled fluid platform is dragged over the at least one testing means; sniffing for an odour from a vent provided in the collection and testing device; and viewing the at least one internal testing means.

8. The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 7, wherein the at least one internal testing means comprises a pH indicator. 9 The method for testing a fluid sample according to claim 7, wherein the at least one internal testing means comprises an amine release test.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side view of the inner swab within the outer sleeve of an embodiment of the present invention in a sample receiving position.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side view of the inner swab within the outer sleeve of an embodiment of the present invention in a testing position.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view of the outer sleeve with a transparent top surface.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sleeve taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view of the outer sleeve.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a back view of the outer sleeve.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sleeve taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 6.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sleeve taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a front view of the inner swab.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inner swab taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 9.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the inner swab taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 9.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a side view of the inner swab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In an example embodiment of the present invention, the sample collection and testing device is comprised of an inner swab and an outer sleeve. This device may be used for the collection of a fluid sample from any externally accessible mammalian orifice (such as, oral, rectal, vaginal, wound or incision). The figures illustrate an example embodiment of the present invention, namely a device for the collection, visual evaluation and testing of fluid samples for diagnosing bacterial and fungal infections, but, the description below refers to the use of the device with vaginal fluid. However, as will be further described the device of the present invention is generally adaptable for collection and testing of mammalian body fluid samples.

[0041] Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a sample collection and testing device for vaginal fluid. This device 10 is shown in a sample receiving position in FIG. 1 and comprises an outer sleeve 20 and inner swab 30. FIG. 2 also shows the device 10 with outer sleeve 20 and inner swab 30, this time in a testing position.

[0042] The outer sleeve 20 is further illustrated in FIGS. 3 which shows the fluid collection opening 40 as an opening in the front face of the outer sleeve 20. The outer sleeve has a closed first end, an open second end and an internal chamber. The open second end of the outer sleeve is tapered. A benefit of the tapered outer sleeve is that it permits the delineation by touch of where the outer sleeve ends and the inner swab withdrawal mechanism begins.

[0043] The front face in FIG. 3 is transparent to reveal two test sites inside, namely, a pH indicator means 50 and a potassium hydroxide (KOH) patch 60. As will be understood, any other tests, either presently existing or developed in future, for pH or that allow the release of amines and work with a fluid sample could be used in the present invention. The device of the present invention may be used with any tests which provide helpful information on the nature of a fluid sample. Although an example embodiment is discussed here, an alternative to the KOH patch is to use any test that allows the release of amines from a fluid sample, which test will also be referred to herein as an amine release test.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a back view of the outer sleeve 20 with a vent 70 located in proximity to the KOH patch 60. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, most of the inner swab 30 is positioned in the internal chamber of the outer sleeve and is moveable through the open second end of the outer sleeve.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows the front view of an inner swab 30. FIG. 12 shows the side view of the inner swab 30 with a fluid receptor platform 80 proximal to the first end 90. Below juncture 85, the inner swab 30 widens to middle portion 100 with a further widening 110 all of which may be received by the internal chamber of the outer sleeve. The inner swab begins to flare out 120 close to the second end 130 of the inner swab. The portion of the inner swab from around the flare out 120 to the second end 130 may not be received by the internal chamber of the outer sleeve. This portion of the inner swab extends beyond the open second end of the outer sleeve in both the sample receiving position and the testing position of the device.

[0046] In an example embodiment of the present invention, the tapered open second end of the outer sleeve and portion of the inner swab from the flare out 120 to the second end 130 are adapted to easily pull the inner swab 30 out of outer sleeve 20 and also so the sample received by the device does not leak out of the device in both the sample receiving position and testing position.

[0047] It is understood that the device of the present invention could include only a pH indicator (with no amine release test), or only an amine release test (and no pH indicator) or another test or combination of tests. It is further understood that the device of the present invention could include any indicator or patch in it that would permit testing of a body fluid within the device. It is further understood that while the outer sleeve of the example embodiment is transparent, the device could have a transparent, opaque or semi-transparent outer sleeve or a transparent, opaque or semi-transparent inner swab depending on the nature of the test or tests, e.g. opaque for only sniff test.

[0048] The present invention is directed to a method of collecting and testing body fluid. In an example embodiment of the present invention, the closed first end of a vaginal fluid collection and testing device 10 as described above and as shown in FIG. 1 in a sample receiving position is inserted into the vagina, pressed against the vaginal wall whereby fluid will collect in the fluid collection opening 40 and then the device 10 is withdrawn. (Alternatively, a probe can be inserted into the vagina and the vaginal fluid collected on the probe can be deposited in the opening 40.) The vaginal fluid can then be sniffed and examined in the opening 40 which appearance is another criterion in determining the type of infection (and vaginal fluid appearance will be described below). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner swab 30 is pulled by its second end 130 outwardly from the outer sleeve 20 up to about further widening 110 of the inner swab thus causing the fluid sample (not shown) in the opening 40 to be dragged over the pH indicator means 50 and the KOH patch 60. The entire device can be discarded in one piece on completion of the test.

[0049] A pH colourimetric measurement chart (not shown) may be used to evaluate the pH of the vaginal fluid by comparison of the chart with the colour of the pH indicator means 50 as seen through the transparent top face of the outer sleeve 20. The KOH patch 60 contains an effective amount of KOH, for example a 10% concentration absorbed onto the test surface, such that if there is trichomonal vaginitis or bacterial vaginosis in the vaginal fluid the amines are released by contact with the KOH to cause malodor, typically characterized as a fishy smell. The bacterially-derived amines released by the sample are detected by smell when released through the vent 70. This so called whiff test indicates the presence of bacterially-derived amines.

[0050] The pH indicator means may include a means for detection of pH of 4.5 or greater and another means for detection of pH of between 3.0 and 6.0. The transparent outer sleeve allows for the visual assessment of the pH and the quality of the specimen. The odour from the whiff test can be detected by a vent 70 placed on the top face or anywhere on the outer housing 20 such that it is in proximity to the KOH patch 60.

[0051] The above example embodiment of the present invention may be adapted to include only one of the pH indicator means 50 or KOH patch 60 or to add further tests. The opening 40 can also be located such that the inner swab is pushed in and over the test locations rather than being pulled out, or can be pulled in spiral fashion across the test means and patches.

[0052] In an example embodiment of the present invention, the outer sleeve 20 is transparent allowing for the sample collected in the inner swab 30 to be seen at all times. Accordingly, the described vaginal fluid collection and testing device allows for the visual examination of the vaginal sample in the opening both prior to an after application to the tests contained within the device.

[0053] A yeast/fungal infection would not trigger an odour reaction; as well, the pH indicator would show <4.5. A trichomonal infection would result in the same outcome as bacterial vaginosis testing (pH and odour reaction); the treatment for bacterial vaginosis (caused by gardnerella vaginalis) and trichomonas is identical.

[0054] Any reagent strip(s) or tests can be positioned in place of the pH and KOH (or amine release test). This would depend on the context of the diagnostic test, but other tests commonly performed on fluids such as urine include specific gravity, glucose, ketones, protein, blood (hemoglobin), leukocytes, urobilinogen, and bilirubin. The device of the present invention is designed to isolate the testing strips within the device so at to prevent them from getting into direct contact with any body surface area, thus avoiding the potential for any harm through chemical irritation/contamination or misdiagnosis from contact with other than the desired fluid sample.

[0055] This all in one device and method for collection and testing for bacterial vaginosis, is adapted to also test for other maladies in which a fluid sample can be collected. In addition to personal use and use administered by a health professional, such a device could be used in a laboratory setting wherein the fluid sample could be collected off site and placed in the device for testing in the lab.

[0056] Types of fluids for which this device could be used include but are not limited to urine, mucous, serum, sputum, vaginal fluid, seminal fluid, blood and purulent discharge. This device may also be used with anything that can be modified and/or reduced to fluid form that may be applied to the device for testing. Since certain testing means do not work with pigmented samples, for example blood, the fluid may need to be treated or the testing means modified to adapt to the presence of pigment.

[0057] From the above detailed description of the invention, the operation and construction of same should be apparent. While there are herein shown and described example embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless understood that various changes may be made with respect thereto without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as measured by the following claims.