Abstract:
A biological sample collection and storage kit s disclosed that includes a plurality of biological sample storage devices, a plurality of biological sample collection devices configured to collect biological samples for placement into the sample storage devices, identification devices for identifying the contents of the sample storage devices, and a housing including a base portion and a lid portion forming an interior cavity therebetween for accommodating the plurality of biological sample storage devices, the plurality of biological sample collection devices and the identification devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The subject application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/315,764 filed Aug. 29, 2001, the disclosures of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention is directed to a kit for collecting and maintaining biological material from an individual, such as material containing genetic information, as well as ancillary information about the individual. 
     2. Background of the Related Art 
     It is well known that genetic information is contained in a wide variety of biological tissues. DNA, the carrier of genetic information, is contained in nearly every cell of every living organism. This genetic information may be found in hair follicles, nails, teeth, skin cells, white blood cells, semen, and components of saliva. Urine, while not itself a carrier of genetic information, routinely includes components such as epithelial cells which contain ample genetic material for most purposes. 
     Genetic information collected from such biological samples may be utilized for a number of purposes. Among the many uses of genetic information collected from biological samples are identification of individuals; genetic testing and screening for hereditary conditions, diseases and disorders; and paternity and familial testing. In one illustrative use, parents may collect and safely store biological materials containing genetic information from their children. In the unfortunate event that a child subsequently goes missing, the parents can use the saved genetic material to aide in investigations concerning their missing child. Crime scene investigators can compare traces of biological materials left at a particular crime scene with the materials previously collected by the parents to help determine whether the child was previously at the crime scene in question. 
     As a further example, victims of rape may undergo physical examination after the crime has been committed in order to gather evidence. During this examination, reference samples of the victim&#39;s blood, saliva and/or hair may be collected, as well as any biological artifacts of the assailant which may be found on the victim&#39;s person. Genetic information of criminal assailants may be found in: saliva from bite marks; blood or skin cells from fingernail scrapings; semen or skin cells from inside or outside surface of condoms; semen, sweat, hair or saliva from blankets, pillow cases, sheets or other bed linens; hair, semen, blood or sweat from garments worn during or after an assault; and saliva from cigarette butts. 
     Genetic material may be collected from a variety of sources in a number of different manners. For example, living cells may scraped from soft tissue such as the basal mucosa (the lining of the mouth) using hard scrapers designed for such purposes. Alternatively, bodily fluids or cells may be collected using cotton swabs or similar devices, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,171 to Ricciardi et al. which describes a kit for collection of basal mucosa cells utilizing cotton swabs. Additionally, bodily fluids may be collected using eyedroppers, pipettes or similar mechanisms designed for the uptake and dispensation of fluids. Similarly, fluids such as blood may be drawn directly from individuals by means of syringes generally utilized for such purpose. In many cases, it is normal practice to air dry specimens containing genetic material prior to storage. 
     Prior to acquisition of biological materials, it is important to ensure that the items to be used for sample collection and storage are free from contaminants such as biological materials originating from sources other than the intended source. Once cleaned of such foreign matter, the items must be maintained in such a manner so that they are not contaminated prior to their use. Individuals who are to collect and store the genetic material should be quickly able to ascertain whether the collection and storage articles have been maintained in a manner consistent with the goal of preventing contamination, or, conversely, if such protection against contamination has been compromised. 
     After being acquired, biological materials must be adequately stored until such time that analysis is to be undertaken. During storage, it is important that the collected samples be protected from contamination, degradation, and loss, among other detriments. To this end, it is desirable to store samples in sealable, protective containers. Suitable containers may include, among other types, sealable satchels such as zipper-sealable plastic or Tyvek brand bags, sealable paper or Glassine brand envelopes, and screw-cap enclosed glass or plastic vials. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,970 to Turner discloses a DNA collection kit which utilizes sealable plastic bags for storing collected materials. 
     During storage, it is important that samples be identifiable for such attributes as source, date of collection, location of collection and other pertinent information. To this end, one or more of a variety of labeling mechanisms may be employed, including markeable adhesive labels, string tags and markeable sleeves, among others. The labeling mechanisms should be capable of substantially permanent marking and should be resistant to alteration once marked. 
     In addition to genetic materials, individuals may wish to record and/or store ancillary information to augment genetic information. Such information may include dental records of individuals, which are often used to identify decomposed human remains; fingerprints, which are often used to identify individuals who had been present at crime scenes; and vital statistics such as name, eye color, hair color, birth date, height, weight, distinguishing marks, native language, mother&#39;s and father&#39;s names, guardian or next-of-kin contact information, blood type, medical conditions, necessary medications, and gender, among others. Photographs of individuals may also be stored to augment collected genetic information. When such information is collected and stored for children, it is advisable to update the information on a regular basis to ensure the information remains accurate as the child grows. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide a kit providing individuals with all the requirements for proper collection and storage of biological samples containing genetic information. It is also desirable to include in the aforementioned kit additional means to record and store ancillary information with which to augment the biological samples containing genetic information. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention is directed to a new and useful genealogy storage kit and more particularly to a biological sample collection and storage kit. The kit includes a plurality of biological sample storage devices, a plurality of biological sample collection devices configured to collect biological samples for placement into the biological sample storage devices, a plurality of biological sample identification devices for identifying the contents of the sample storage devices. The kit further includes a housing having a base portion and a lid portion hinged together to form an interior cavity for accommodating the plurality of biological sample storage devices, the plurality of biological sample collection devices and the plurality of biological sample identification devices. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a preformed insert is disposed within the base portion of the housing which has a plurality of recesses dimensioned and configured to retain the plurality of biological sample storage devices. In another embodiment, the housing includes a latch for maintaining the lid portion and the base portion in a closed position. 
     Preferably, the plurality of biological sample storage devices include closable storage vials, and more particularly, a plurality of glass storage vials and plastic storage vials of varying capacity. Other types of sample storage devices may also be included, such as sealable bags, pouches and the like. The plurality of biological sample collection devices are selected from the group consisting of scrapers, swabs, syringes and pipettes. Other type of sample collection devices may also be included, such as tweezers or the like. The plurality sample identification devices are selected from the group consisting of adhesive labels, string tags, markeable sleeves. Other type of sample identification devices may also be included. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the kit further includes means for recording ancillary information about an individual, including, for example, means for recording the fingerprints of an individual, and a data recordation card for recording vital statistics of an individual. Preferably, the kit includes a storage sleeve for maintaining the means for recording ancillary information. The storage sleeve is affixed to an interior surface of the lid portion of the housing, or in another readily accesible location within the housing. 
     These and other aspects of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with th drawings described hereinbelow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the subject invention, preferred embodiments of the invention be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a genealogy storage kit constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the genealogy storage kit of FIG. 1 illustrating the interior of the kit housing which houses, among other things, sample storage devices, sample collection devices and sample identification devices; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another genealogy storage kit constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the genealogy storage kit of FIG. 3 illustrating the interior of the kit housing which houses, among other things, a preformed insert for accommodating a plurality of sample storage devices. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features of the several embodiments of the subject invention, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a genealogy storage kit constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention and designated generally by reference numeral  100 . Genealogy storage kit  100  includes a housing  110  formed from a light weight, high strength structural material. The housing  110  includes a base portion  112  having plural upstanding side walls extending from a floor  115 , and a lid portion  116  having plural side walls projecting from ceiling  117 . 
     Together, the base portion  112  and lid portion  116  form an interior cavity within the housing  110 . The base portion  112  and lid portion  116  are connected by a hinge  118  such that lid portion  116  may open and close relative to base portion  112 . A latch mechanism  120  is associated with the base portion  112  and lid portion  116  for maintaining the lid portion  116  in a closed position. The housing  110  is adapted and configured to accommodate low temperature storage, if desired. 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing  110  of storage kit  100  contains a plurality of sample storage devices in the form of sealable vials of varying size and capacity, including, for example, large plastic storage vials  132 , medium plastic storage vials  134 , and small glass storage vials  136 , each with a threaded cap or similar closure. The storage vials are adapted to safely maintain hair follicles, nails, teeth, saliva and other biological material collected from an individual. The storage vials are suitable for low temperature storage. 
     The housing  110  of storage kit  100  further contains a plurality of sample collection devices for collecting biological material from an individual for placement into the storage devices. As illustrated, collection devices include a plurality of cotton swabs  140  contained within plastic storage vial  132 . Other devices, while not shown, may be provided in storage kit  100  including, for example, scrapers, syringes and pipettes for collecting various types of biological sample materials. The housing  110  of storage kit  100  further contains sample identification devices. Preferably, the sample identification devices are in the form of adhesive labels  145 , one of which is shown affixed to a sealable storage vial  132 , the remainder of which are provided on a sheet  150  disposed in the kit housing  110 . Different sized labels may be provided for the different sized vials, and other sample identification devices may be utilized so long as they facilitate recordation of a sufficient amount of information to identify the contents of a vial. 
     The storage kit  100  of the subject invention further includes devices to store ancillary information about the individual from whom the biological sample materials have been collected and stored in the kit. These include a fingerprint recordation device  155  which has ink or a similar media for making an imprint of an individual&#39;s fingerprints, and a data recordation card  160  specifically designed for recording vital statistics about the individual, such as eye color, hair color, birth date, height, weight, distinguishing marks, blood type, medical conditions, etc. A flexible sleeve or pocket  170  is affixed to an interior surface of the lid portion  116  of housing  110  for securely maintaining fingerprint recordation device  150  and data recordation card  160 . The sample identification devices may also be maintained within sleeve  170  for ready access by an individual, as well as photographs of the individual. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated another genealogy storage kit constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention and designated generally by reference numeral  200 . Storage kit  200  includes a generally rectangular housing  210  formed by a base portion  212  and a lid portion  216  constructed of a light weight, rigid material and connected to one another along hinge  218 . The kit  200  and its contents are designed for low temperature storage, if desired by the collector. 
     Storage kit  200  is substantially similar to storage kit  100  in that it includes glass and/or plastic closable storage vials  232 ,  234  and  236  of varying size, as well as sample collection devices such as cotton swabs  240 , sample identification devices such as the sheet  250  of adhesive labels  245 . Storage kit  200  also includes ancillary information recordation devices such as a fingerprint recordation device  255  and a data recordation card  260  for recording vital statistics about the individual. These devices are maintained in a sleeve  270  which may be affixed to the lid portion  216  or simply disposed within the interior of the housing  210 . 
     Genealogy storage kit  200  differs however from storage kit  100  in that it has a preformed plastic insert  330  disposed within the base portion  212  of kit housing  200 . The preformed insert  330  is preferably removable from the base portion  212  and has a plurality of recesses dimensioned and configured to retain the plurality of closable storage vials. These includes a two rows of vial shaped recesses  332  for accommodating the large glass storage vials  232 , and a central recess  335  formed between the two rows for accommodating several of the smaller glass storage vials  234  and  236 . Each vial shaped recess  332  of insert  330  has a depression  332   a  formed therein at the forward end of the recess for gaining ready access to the vial disposed therein. 
     In both embodiments of the subject invention, the housing of the storage kit will have provisions for imprinting thereon of otherwise attaching thereto the name, identification or emblem of a sponsor, such as, for example, a company, union or governmental agency. This will enable the kit to be marketed to select groups for distribution to its members. In addition, the housing will have provisions for imprinting thereon or otherwise attaching thereto the name and address of the owner and collector of the kit. 
     Although the genealogy storage kit of the subject invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.