Abstract:
A fecal collection device comprised of a single, double, or a triple elliptical (oval) collection tip contiguous with a shaft which is attached to a lid and a cylindrical container which attaches to the removable lid. Such a design enables medical personnel to safely and effectively obtain patient fecal samples. The design is simple, yet functional, allowing a more efficient collection method of fecal specimens for storage and transport to the testing laboratory.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/526,488 filed Aug. 23, 2011 the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to veterinary and human medical devices and instruments. The present invention relates more specifically to a device for the collection of a fecal sample from a patient (human or animal) for transfer in a sealed container to a laboratory for testing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A common diagnostic tool in both veterinary and human medicine is the collection and testing of fecal samples from patients to determine the presence or absence of parasites and other microbial infections. There are a number of fecal collection devices that have been utilized in the field, although each has one or more shortcomings that create problems for the patient and/or for the medical service provider collecting the sample. In general, existing fecal collection mechanisms require handling by medical personnel after collection and prior to the receipt of the sample by the laboratory for testing. This handling greatly increases the risk of infection to the handler as well as persons with whom they come into contact. Various other aspects to the geometry and structure of existing fecal collection mechanisms are detrimental to the comfort of the patient, as well as to the safety and comfort of the medical personnel collecting the sample and packaging it for transport to the testing laboratory. 
         [0006]    Examples of efforts in the field to improve upon existing fecal collection mechanisms include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,147 issued to Craig on Mar. 24, 1998 entitled  Combined Thermometer and Fecal Sampling Apparatus . A further example of an effort to improve upon the basic device commonly utilized in the field is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D567,373 issued to Irby on Dec. 17, 2005 entitled Fecal Loop. The Irby disclosure generally shows the structure of a fecal collection device well know in the art improved upon by providing surface areas thereon with ridges, both in the loop component of the device and in the shaft handling component of the device. 
         [0007]    Neither of the devices referenced above, nor any of the other efforts that have been made in the field, address the problems associated with immediately containing and transporting the fecal sample. It would be desirable, therefore, to have a device suitable for the collection of a fecal sample that could immediately be contained within the transport container so that the exposure of the sample to medical personnel is minimized. It would be desirable if the device was capable of obtaining a sample of sufficient size to allow appropriate analysis and testing of the sample to occur. It would be beneficial if the combination collection device and transport container could be integrated into a single unit that is easy to transport to the laboratory for testing. It would further be desirable if the collection device provided a geometry and a structure that lent some comfort to the patient during the collection of the fecal sample and yet remained easily manipulable by the medical personnel acquiring the fecal sample. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In fulfillment of the above objectives, the present invention provides a fecal collection, containment, and transport device that includes a single, double, or a triple elliptical (oval) collection tip integrated onto a shaft that is positioned on and attached to a lid. The combination collection tip, shaft, and lid is configured to be inserted into and retained on a cylindrical container which includes a closed base and an open top which attaches to the removable lid. This design enables medical personnel to safely and effectively obtain patient fecal samples and to contain the same immediately after collection and during transport to a testing laboratory. The design is sized appropriately for most basic fecal collection routines and provides structures that benefit the comfort of the patient yet still provide an easily manipulable device by medical personnel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention with a double loop showing the loops and shaft and their attachment to the container lid. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A  orthogonal to the view of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention with a single loop showing the loop and shaft and the attachment to the container lid. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 2A  orthogonal to the view of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the empty container without the lid, shaft, and loop component attached. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the container with the lid, shaft, and double loop structure of the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1A &amp; 1B . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the container with the lid, shaft, and single loop structure of the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 2A &amp; 2B . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of the container lid of the present invention (for either the first or second embodiment). 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom plan view of the loop, shaft, and container lid of the present invention (for either the first or second embodiment) without the container attached. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the loop, shaft, and container lid of the present invention, all positioned within the container. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention with a double loop showing the loops and shaft and their manner of attachment to the container lid. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 7A  orthogonal to the view of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a container appropriate for use in conjunction with the third embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the container shown in  FIG. 8  with the third embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  positioned and retained therein. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10A  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention with a double loop, showing the loops and shaft integrated with the handling and attachment disc of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention with a double loop, showing the loops and an elongated shaft for use in conjunction with applications requiring greater sampling depths. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention with a triple loop showing the loops and shaft and their attachment to the container lid. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of the container with the lid, shaft, and triple loop structure of the sixth embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 11A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Reference is made first to  FIG. 1A  for a description of the basic components of the collection device of the present invention. Collection component  10  is made up primarily of shaft  12  preferably comprised of a rigid or semi rigid plastic or nylon material. Shaft  12  is positioned on and attached to lid  14 . Extending from shaft  12  are, in a first preferred embodiment, a pair of oval or elliptical collection loops  16   a  and  16   b .  FIG. 1B  discloses the same embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1A  but viewed in an orthogonal perspective. 
         [0028]    The dual loop structure shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  provides a more than sufficient quantity of a fecal sample for most routine veterinary and medical testing requirements. The loops  16   a  and  16   b  are integrally formed into shaft  12  and extend therefrom. Shaft  12  is permanently attached to an interior surface of lid  14 . Lid  14  in the preferred embodiment is a threaded cap or lid that may retain an internal flat disc (not shown) that itself is integrally molded into shaft  12 . The placement of lid  14  over this portion of shaft  12  and the placement of the entire collection component  10  onto the container (described in more detail below) provides a secure mechanism that can easily be handled by medical personnel for the collection of an appropriate fecal sample from the patient. 
         [0029]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  for a detailed description of an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention replacing double collection loops  16   a  and  16   b  (shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) with a single collection loop  26 . The balance of the components in the component shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  remain the same. Collection component  20  is made up primarily of shaft  22  which is integrally formed with collection loop  26  and which is positioned within and retained by lid  24 .  FIG. 2B  is a view of the same device shown in  FIG. 2A  but viewed in an orthogonal perspective. 
         [0030]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  for a brief description of the cylindrical collection container component of the device of the present invention. Container component  30  is made up primarily of cylindrical body  32  having a threaded open end  34  and a manipulable closed end  36 . Interior to container component  30  are sloped walls  38  at its base that facilitate the retention of the collected sample and its easy removal from the container. 
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment, container component  30  is a plastic bottle of a cylindrical configuration having a threaded top that matches with the internal threading of the lids shown in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A and 1B , as well as  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the full assembly of the present invention is disclosed in each of the two referenced alternative embodiments.  FIG. 4A  discloses in detail the manner in which collection component  10  is inserted into and contained within container component  30 . In this view, the base  36  of collection container  30  is shown to be formed with a ring of ridges that facilitates the attachment of container  30  to the lid of collection component  10 . In this manner, medical personnel may easily close, tighten, and seal the collected fecal specimen within container  30  for transport to the testing laboratory.  FIG. 4B  discloses the similar manner in which container component  20  is inserted into, positioned within, and contained by container component  30 . As indicated above, the use of a clear plastic material for the container component  30  allows easy visibility of the sample contained within and confirmation of the used or unused condition of the collection container. 
         [0032]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  for a top and bottom view of the collection component  10  (the example provided by the first embodiment of the present invention). In  FIG. 5A  the top of lid  14  is shown to include a radial array of ridges that facilitate the user&#39;s manipulation of the lid both in collecting the fecal sample and in positioning it and retaining it within the container component of the assembly.  FIG. 5B  discloses in detail a bottom view of the collection component  10  showing the interior portion of lid  14  as well as shaft  12  extending from the interior of lid  14 . Also shown is the approximate cross-sectional structure of loop  16   b  which is integrally formed onto shaft  12 . 
         [0033]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 6  for a bottom plan view of the loop, shaft, and container lid of the present invention, all positioned within the container component. In this view, the perimeter of lid  14  is seen as the outer extent of collection component  10 . The cylindrical wall of container component  30  is likewise seen. The radial array of ridges  36  formed on the base of container component  30  is also shown in this view. Interior to these structures (viewed through the clear walled components of container  30 ) are shaft  12  and loop  16   b  now positioned within container component  30 . Also seen in this view is the apex of the sloping bottom walls  38  of container  30  which, as described above, facilitate the maintenance and removal of the collected fecal sample from the container at the testing laboratory. 
         [0034]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  for a description of the basic components of a third preferred embodiment of the collection device of the present invention. Collection component  40  in this case is made up primarily of shaft  42  preferably comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic or nylon material. Shaft  42  is positioned on and attached to handling and attachment disc  43 . Extending from shaft  42  are a pair of oval or elliptical collection loops  46   a  and  46   b . Lid  44  is shown positioned adjacent disc  43  in a manner suitable for its assembly with collection component  40 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B  is similar in some respects to the first embodiment shown and described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 1A &amp; 1B . Rather than being incorporated into the lid, however, this third preferred embodiment utilizes handling and attachment disc  43  that is permanently affixed to shaft  42  and is insertable within a standard sized bottle lid  44 . In this manner, the product of the device of the present invention may be manufactured as a separate component that may then be used in conjunction with standard sized and readily available containers in a manner that carries out the same functionality associated with the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7B  discloses in detail the assembled collection component  40  showing cap  44  fixed onto and over the attachment disc (not shown in this view). Extending from this assembly is shaft  42  with a side view of collection loops  46   a  and  46   b  (shown in dashed lines through the width of shaft  42 ). In addition to the manner of attaching the lid, this third preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a collection component having a wider set of collection loops. Best seen in the view of  FIG. 7B  these wider collection loops, while retaining essentially the same diameter for shaft  42 , offer a larger volume within which to retain a specimen sample. 
         [0036]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 , which show the manner of utilizing a standard bottle container suitable for having lid  44  attached thereto, and for retaining the collection component  40  therein for sample containment and transport.  FIG. 8  discloses the basic components of bottle  50  having cylindrical sidewalls  52 , cap retention rim  54 , and base  56 .  FIG. 9  shows the full assembly of the components described above with bottle  50  retaining collection component  40  fully therein above base  56 . Once again, the third preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for the manufacture and sale of a device that may be incorporated into the structures and geometries of standard press cap bottle configurations, thereby achieving the full functionality of the present invention for sample storage and transport. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10A  represents the basic product construction comprising the fourth embodiment of the present invention providing a collection component  60  made up primarily of shaft  62 , once again preferably comprising rigid or semi-rigid plastic or nylon material. Shaft  62  is positioned on and extends from handling and attachment disc  63 . Extending in an opposite direction on shaft  62  are a pair of oval or elliptical collection loops  66   a  and  66   b . Once again, use of the product shown as collection component  60  in  FIG. 10A  would be made in conjunction with standard sized sample or collection bottles having press fit lids as described above. 
         [0038]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 10B  which represents a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention providing a deeper collection depth for securing the sample specimen for testing. Collection component  70  is again made up primarily of shaft  72  which in this embodiment represent a shaft length three to four times greater than that shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10A . The balance of the components including handling and attachment disc  73 , and elliptical collection loops  76   a  and  76   b , are similar to their counterpart components in the fourth preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10B  represents a device that might be better suited for larger animals in a veterinary environment where accurate and representative specimen samples might not be obtained without reaching to a greater depth within the animal. Containment of a specimen thus acquired with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10B  may be carried out with a correspondingly larger container of the type shown in  FIG. 8  having a length commensurate with the length of collection component  70 . The lid associated with such a container would, of course, match the diameter of attachment disc  73  and need not be larger in general than the structures associated with the above described shorter collection components. 
         [0039]    Reference is next made to  FIGS. 11A &amp; 11B  which represent a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention providing an even deeper collection depth for securing the sample specimen for testing. Collection component  80  is made up primarily of shaft  82  preferably comprised of a rigid or semi rigid plastic or nylon material. Shaft  82  is positioned on and attached to lid  84 . Extending from shaft  82  are, in this sixth preferred embodiment, a triplet of oval or elliptical collection loops  86   a ,  86   b , and  86   c.    
         [0040]    The triple loop structure shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  provides a further quantity of a fecal sample for most larger veterinary and medical testing requirements. The loops  86   a ,  86   b , and  86   c  are integrally formed into shaft  82  and extend there from. Shaft  82  is permanently attached to an interior surface of lid  84 . Lid  84  in the preferred embodiment is a threaded cap or lid that may retain an internal flat disc (not shown) that itself is integrally molded into shaft  82 . The placement of lid  84  over this portion of shaft  82  and the placement of the entire collection component  80  onto the container (described in more detail below) provides a secure mechanism that can easily be handled by medical personnel for the collection of a larger fecal sample from the patient. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11B  discloses in detail the manner in which collection component  80  is inserted into and contained within container component  90 . In this view, the base  96  of collection container  90  is shown to be formed with a ring of ridges that facilitates the attachment of container  90  to the lid of collection component  80 . In this manner, medical personnel may easily close, tighten, and seal the collected fecal specimen within container  90  for transport to the testing laboratory. 
         [0042]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of the present invention that might accommodate specific medical or veterinary patient characteristics and medical environments. Variations on the length of the shaft and the number of collection loops as described above are all considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Likewise, the dimensions associated with the container itself, although configured to adapt to the size and structure of the collection component, could likewise facilitate use of the present invention in a variety of other medical and patient environments. Such modifications as to configuration and even structure, where such modifications are coincidental to the type of patient involved and the medical environment wherein the collection of the sample is being carried out, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.