Self contained diagnostic test unit

Details Self contained diagnostic test unit Self contained diagnostic test unit

1999-02-08

2001-06-19

Alexander, Lyle A. (Department: 1743)

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser

Analyzer, structured indicator, or manipulative laboratory...

Calorimeter

C422S067000, C422S105000, C422S105000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06248294

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to improvements in devices and kits used for collecting and analyzing biological specimens, particularly such as medical specimens. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved and substantially self contained test unit or kit for collecting and analyzing a biological specimen.
Medical swabs are generally known in the art for use in collecting biological specimens from a patient for further analysis. Such medical swabs commonly comprises a fibrous swab tip at one end of an elongated stick or shaft which is manually handled to contact the swab tip with selected tissue cells or other biological specimen obtained, for example, within the ear, nose or throat of a patient. As a result, some of the targeted biological specimen adheres to the swab tip which then can be contacted with one or more chemical reagents to indicate the presence of infection or other information regarding patient condition. Tests commonly performed with such patient specimens include, by way of example, fluorescent tests, enzymatic tests, monoclonal based tests, agglutination tests, and others. Moreover, swabs and similar reagent test methods are also used in a variety of nonmedical applications to determine the presence of selected biological organisms on a selected surface, such as a food preparation surface in a restaurant or the like.
In accordance with standard specimen collection and test preparation techniques, the biological specimen is normally transferred from the swab tip to a slide or other laboratory apparatus such as a test tube or the like for contact with the selected reagent or reagents and further analysis. However, it is frequently difficult to ensure transfer of a sufficient specimen quantity from the swab tip to the laboratory slide or test tube to ensure accurate test results. Moreover, in many instances, the collected specimen must be transported to an off-site laboratory for performance of selected assays, but delays between the time of specimen collection and actual test performance can result in partial or complete drying of the specimen, with a corresponding decrease in test reliability.
In addition, such conventional handling of a biological specimen in the course of preparing and/or performing an analysis undesirably exposes personnel to direct contact with the collected organism, wherein direct contact with infectious or toxic organisms can be especially undesirable. In this regard, a variety of swab-type specimen collection and test devices have been proposed in efforts to provide enhanced contact between a specimen and reagents, or to sustain the specimen in an improved manner during transport to a laboratory, while at the same time reducing or minimizing risk of direct personnel contact with the collected specimen. See, for example, the test units or kits disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,792,699; 4,707,450; 4,978,504; 5,078,968; 5,238,649; and 5,266,266, wherein a collected specimen on a swab or the like is placed into a specimen chamber formed within a compact housing which includes means for delivering one or more chemical reagents for contacting the specimen on the swab. In some test procedures, the mixed specimen and reagent is adapted for delivery from the specimen chamber to external components such as a laboratory slide, or to additional chambers within the test unit for contacting the specimen with additional reagents which may be provided in liquid or dry form. U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,649 discloses test unit variations including an elongated diagnostic strip adapted for wick flow passage of the mixed specimen and reagent, and wherein the diagnostic strip may impregnated with one or more additional reagents selected to provide a visual indicator of test result.
The present invention pertains to an improved specimen test unit or kit of the type including a diagnostic strip for providing a visual indicator of test result, wherein the diagnostic strip is assembled with the test unit in a compact and convenient package which is substantially fully self contained, relatively simple to manufacture, and relatively easy to use while providing test results which are highly reliable and easy to read.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a substantially self contained diagnostic test unit is provided for collecting and analyzing a biological specimen. The test unit comprises a tubular housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving a biological specimen collected, for example, on a swab or the like. A reagent dispenser cap is removably mounted on the housing to permit placement of the specimen into the specimen chamber, at which time the dispenser cap can be manipulated to deliver one or more selected chemical reagents to the specimen chamber for contacting the collected specimen. A diagnostic strip assembly is also mounted on the housing and includes a diagnostic strip extending along the housing, substantially in parallel relation to the specimen chamber. Transfer means are provided for transferring mixed specimen and reagent from the specimen chamber for contacting one end of the diagnostic strip and for wick flow therethrough into contact with one or more additional reagents selected to yield a visual test result.
In the preferred form, the reagent dispenser cap is removably mounted on an upper or proximal end of the tubular housing and cooperates therewith to define the specimen chamber into which a swab or the like bearing the collected specimen can be placed. The dispenser cap is desirably constructed according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,266, which is incorporated by reference herein, and can be manipulated to deliver one or more reagents to the specimen chamber for contacting the collected specimen.
The diagnostic strip assembly is mounted onto the tubular housing at a lower or distal end thereof. This strip assembly comprises a strip holder for supporting an elongated porous diagnostic strip to extend generally longitudinally along the tubular housing, with a lower end of the diagnostic strip disposed generally at the housing lower end. A protective outer sleeve is carried about the strip holder and strip, and includes a transparent window through which the diagnostic strip is externally visible. In a preferred form, the window is designed for magnified viewing of the diagnostic strip for improved visual perception of a test result indicated by the strip.
The transfer means of the diagnostic strip assembly comprises means forming a flow passage between the specimen chamber and the adjacent lower end of the diagnostic strip. In one preferred form, a transfer wick is mounted along this passage and may be impregnated with one or more additional reagents. Flow of mixed specimen and reagent from the specimen chamber to the transfer wick may be controlled by a valve member provided as part of the diagnostic strip assembly, wherein the valve member is movable to permit such flow when desired. Alternately, such flow can be regulated by impregnating or coating the transfer wick with agents designed for controlled time dissolution following the introduction of liquid reagent into the specimen chamber. In either case, the transfer wick can be mounted under compression within the transfer flow path, and adapted to expand sufficiently to extend into the lower end of the specimen chamber for directly contacting the tip of a swab placed into the specimen chamber.
In another preferred form, the transfer means may comprise a rupturable membrane such as a foil barrier for normally separating the specimen chamber from the flow passage communicating with the lower end of the diagnostic strip. The membrane normally prevents flow of the specimen and any reagent or liquid mixed therewith from the specimen chamber to the diagnostic strip. At the appropriate time, such as at the conclusion of an incubation period during which the specimen on the swab tip is mixed with or contacted by one or more reagents within the specimen chamber, the membrane is ruptured as by downward advancement of the swab tip within th

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