Patent ID: 6926678
Filing Date: 2005-08-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A specimen collecting device useful for collecting a fluid specimen for diagnostic testing consisting essentially of an elongated absorbent foam member having a longitudinal axis and an uncompressed cross sectional area, the elongated foam member being circumscribed by an elongated hollow, one-piece tubular member having a flexible side wall along a portion of the longitudinal axis, the hollow tubular member having a cross sectional area less than the uncompressed cross sectional area of the foam member so that the foam member is compressed by the hollow tubular member along the circumscribed portion, wherein the foam member consists of a material suitable for collecting a specimen of a patient fluid and the foam member remains circumscribed by the tubular member during collection of the specimen, and wherein pressure can be exerted on the side wall of the tubular member to compress the foam and deliver a sample of the fluid specimen.