Patent Publication Number: US-2023149926-A1

Title: Specimen collection tube

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to collection tubes for collection of samples or specimens from collection tools, such as swabs and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various collection tubes have been developed in the past for collecting, storing and/or carrying biological specimens or samples from patients. The collection tube according to the present invention is intended to facilitate the transfer of specimens or samples from collection tools, such as swabs and the like, into the collection tube. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a tube for collecting specimens includes a tubular body having an inner surface which defines a hollow space for containing a carrier fluid and/or specimens. The tubular body includes a plurality of ridges projecting inwardly from the inner surface and configured such that at least a portion of a specimen collection tool containing specimens can be applied against at least some of the ridges so as to release at least some of the specimens from the portion of the specimen collection tool into the hollow space. In one embodiment, the ridges are oriented upwardly so as to facilitate loosening of the specimens from the portion of the specimen collection tool. In one embodiment, each of the ridges is slanted. In one embodiment, the ridges include a plurality of sets of ridges, the ridges of each of the sets of ridges being arranged in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, the ridges include at least one set of ridges, which are oriented upwardly in one direction, and at least another set of ridges, which are oriented upwardly in an opposite direction. In one embodiment, the ridges are arranged on the inner surface along the entire circumference of the hollow space. In one embodiment, the portion of the specimen collection tool includes a fibrous tip of a swab. 
     In one embodiment, a tube for collecting specimens includes a tubular body having an inner surface which defines a hollow space for containing a carrier fluid and/or specimens. The tubular body includes a first section and a second section, which is positioned generally opposite from the first section. The first section includes a plurality of first ridges, which project inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular body, while the second section includes a plurality of second ridges, which project inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular body. The first and second sections are configured such that they can be pressed toward each other such that the first ridges and the second ridges are movable toward each other so as to engage at least one portion of a specimen collection tool positioned therebetween. In one embodiment, the first ridges and the second ridges are configured such that the at least one portion of the specimen collection tool can be moved upwardly and downwardly so as to cause at least some specimens contained therein to be released into the hollow space. In one embodiment, each of the first and second sections is planar and located in a lower portion of the tubular body. In one embodiment, each of the first ridges and the second ridges is elongated in a generally horizontal direction. In one embodiment, the first ridges are arranged in a vertical direction, while the second ridges are arranged in the vertical direction. In one embodiment, the portion of the specimen collection tool includes a fibrous tip of a swab. 
     In one embodiment, a tube for collecting specimens includes a tubular body having an inner surface which defines a hollow space for containing a carrier fluid and/or specimens. The tubular body has a first section which includes a plurality of first ridges projecting inwardly from the inner surface and configured such that at least one portion of a specimen collection tool containing specimens can be scrubbed against at least some of the first ridges so as to release at least some of the specimens from the at least one portion of the specimen collection tool into the hollow space. The tubular body also includes a second section and a third section, which is positioned generally opposite from the second section. The second section includes a plurality of second ridges, which project inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular body, while the third section includes a plurality of third ridges, which project inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular body. The second and third sections are configured such that they can be pressed toward each other such that the second ridges and the third ridges are movable toward each other so as to engage at least another portion of the specimen collection tool positioned therebetween. In one embodiment, the first ridges are slanted upwardly so as to facilitate loosening of the specimens from the at least one portion of the specimen collection tool. In one embodiment, the first ridges include a plurality of sets of ridges, the ridges of each of the sets of ridges being arranged in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, the second ridges are arranged in the vertical direction, while the third ridges are arranged in the vertical direction. In one embodiment, the first ridges include at least one set of ridges, which are oriented upwardly in one direction, and at least another set of ridges, which are oriented upwardly in an opposite direction. In one embodiment, the second ridges and the third ridges are configured such that the at least another portion of the specimen collection tool can be moved upwardly and downwardly so as to cause at least some of the specimens contained therein to be released therefrom into the hollow space. In one embodiment, each of the second and third sections is planar and located in a lower portion of the tubular body, while the first ridges are arranged on the inner surface along the entire circumference of the hollow space. In one embodiment, each of the second ridges and the third ridges is elongated in a generally horizontal direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawing figures, which are not to scale, and where like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a collection tube constructed in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevational view of the collection tube shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of a section of the collection tube shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational view of the collection tube shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view, taken along section lines  5 - 5  and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the collection tube shown in  FIG.  2   ; and 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view of the collection tube shown in  FIG.  1    during its use. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments are now discussed in more detail referring to the drawings that accompany the present application. In the accompanying drawings, like and/or corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numbers. 
     Various embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure that can be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components (and any size, material and similar details shown in the figures are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive). Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosed embodiments. 
     Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Among other things, for example, subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Throughout the specification and/or claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrases “in another embodiment” and “other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that covered or claimed subject matter include combinations of exemplary embodiments in whole or in part. 
     In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, terms, such as “and”, “or”, or “and/or,” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that may depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of features, structures or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a collection tube  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment. In one embodiment, the collection tube  10  is adapted for collection of samples or specimens, such as nasal fluid, saliva or other biological fluid, solid or semi-solid samples, from patients. In other embodiments, the collection tube  10  can be used for collecting other types of samples, such as chemical samples or dirt. 
     In one embodiment, the collection tube  10  includes a tubular body  12  having an upper end  14  and a lower end  16 . In one embodiment, the collection tube  10  includes one or more connectors  18 , which is connected to the upper end  14  of the tubular body  12 , and a cap  20 , which is attached to the connectors  18 . In one embodiment, the connectors  18  are flexible such that the cap  20  can be pivoted and releasably attached to the upper end  14  of the tubular body  12  in a sealing manner. In one embodiment, the connectors  18  can include one or more living hinges formed as a single piece with the tubular body  12  and the cap  20 . In other embodiments, the connectors  18  can include any other types of connector, such as a strip or string that is connected to the tubular body  12  and the cap  20 . In another embodiment, the cap  20  and the tubular body  12  can be detached from one another and/or formed as two separate, distinct units. 
     In one embodiment, the tubular body  12  is elongated and includes a hollow space  22  therein for containing a carrier solution and/or specimens or samples collected from a specimen collection tool, such as a swab. In one embodiment, the tubular body  12  has a tapered shape such that the diameter or size of the tubular body  12  gradually decreases as it extends from the upper end  14  to the lower end  16 . In one embodiment, the tubular body  12  has an upper portion  24 , which is located adjacent the upper end  12 , and a lower portion  26 , which is positioned adjacent the lower end  16 . In one embodiment, the tubular body  12  has an inner annular surface  28  (see  FIG.  5   ) facing the inside of the collection tube  10  and defining the hollow space  22 . 
     Now referring to  FIG.  5   , in one embodiment, the upper portion  24  includes a plurality of elongated ridges  30  projecting from the inner annular surface  28  generally in a radially inward direction. In one embodiment, the ridges  30  are constructed and arranged such that a specimen collection tool, such as a swab, can be scraped or rubbed against at least some of the ridges  30  so as to facilitate the transfer of specimens or samples (biological or otherwise) contained on or in the specimen collection tool into the collection tube  10 . In one embodiment, the ridges  30  are located between the upper end  14  and the lower portion  26  of the tubular body  12  such that when a sufficient amount of a carrier solution is added to the collection tube  10 , they are submerged in the carrier solution. In one embodiment, the ridges  30  are formed along the entire inner circumference of the upper portion  24 . 
     Still referring to  FIG.  5   , in one embodiment, each of the ridges  30  is oriented upwardly or slanted in an angular orientation so as to facilitate the transfer of specimens or samples from the specimen collection tool, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In one embodiment, each of the ridges  30  is slanted at about a 45° angle. In one embodiment, the ridges  30  include a plurality of sets of ridges  30   a , which are slanted with their left sides positioned higher than their respective right sides, and a plurality of sets of ridges  30   b , which are slanted with their right sides positioned higher than their respective left sides (i.e., in a direction opposite to the slant direction of the ridges  30   a ). In one embodiment, the ridges  30  in each of the sets of ridges  30   a ,  30   b  are vertically aligned with one another (i.e., spaced and stacked vertically). In one embodiment, each of the sets of ridges  30   a  are interposed between a corresponding pair of the sets of ridges  30   b , while each of the sets of ridges  30   b  are interposed between a corresponding pair of sets of ridges  30   a . In other words, the sets of ridges  30   a  and the sets of ridges  30   b  are arranged in an alternating fashion. In one embodiment, each of the ridges  30   a ,  30   b  overlaps laterally with a laterally adjacent pair of the ridges  30   a ,  30   b . By way of example, the ridge  30   a ′ in  FIG.  5    has ends  32   a ,  32   b , which laterally overlap with an end  32   b  of the ridge  30   b ′ and an end  32   a  of the ridge  30   b ″, respectively. In one embodiment, each laterally adjacent pair of the ridges  30   a ,  30   b  (see, e.g.,  30   a ′ and  30   b ′, or  30   a ′ and  30   b ″ in  FIG.  5   ) generally form a V- or inverted V-shape for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. 
     Now referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  5   , in one embodiment, the lower portion  26  of the tubular body  12  includes a pair of substantially planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  which oppose one another and each of which is sized and shaped to be pressed by a user&#39;s finger. In one embodiment, each of the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  is elongated in a vertical direction. In one embodiment, the lower portion  26  includes a plurality of ridges  36   a ,  36   b  projecting generally in an inward direction from the inner surface  28  of the planar section  34   a  and the inner surface  28  of the planar section  34   b , respectively. In one embodiment, the ridges  36   a  are elongated in a generally horizontal direction and are spaced and stacked the vertical direction, while the ridges  36   b  are elongated in the generally horizontal direction and are spaced and stacked in the vertical direction (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  2  and  3   ). In another embodiment, the ridges  36   a  and the ridges  36   b  can be elongated and/or arranged in other directions. In one embodiment, the distance between the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  are shorter than the distance between the opposing sides of the upper portion  24  of the tubular body  12  (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  4  and  5   ). In one embodiment, the tubular body  12  (or at least the lower portion  26 ) is made from a flexible material such that the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  and their respective ridges  36   a ,  36   b  can be moved towards one another by squeezing them with a user&#39;s fingers (see, e.g.,  FIG.  6   ) for purposes to be discussed hereinbelow. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  6   , a specimen collection tool  38  is used to collect samples or specimens from a patient. In one embodiment, the specimen collection tool  38  is a swab. In other embodiments, the specimen collection tool  38  can be other types of collection device. In one embodiment, samples or specimens to be collected by the specimen collection tool  38  are biological in nature. For instance, the specimen collection tool  38  in the form of a swab is inserted into a nose or mouth of a patient such that biological specimens or samples (e.g., nasal fluid or saliva) are absorbed or otherwise placed onto or into the specimen collection tool  38  (e.g., a fibrous tip of the swab). In other embodiments, samples or specimens to be collected can be non-biological (e.g., a chemical sample from a working surface, etc.). 
     Still referring to  FIG.  6   , in one embodiment, a tip  40  of the specimen collection tool  38  where desired samples are collected (e.g., the fibrous tip of the swab) is inserted into the collection tube  10  (with or without a carrier fluid) to transfer at least some of the samples from the tip  40  into the collection tube  10 . In one embodiment, the tip  40  is positioned in the upper portion  24  of the collection tube  10  and is moved up and down against the ridges  30  so as to scrape off or squeeze out at least some of the samples from the tip  40 . In one embodiment, each side of the tip  40  is sequentially scratched against the ridges  30  to scrape off the samples from substantially entire surface of the tip  40 . In this regard, the “V”-shape formation of the ridges  30  (see, e.g., the ridge  30   a ′ and  30   b ′ forming a generally inverted V-shaped formation and the ridges  30   a  ′ and  30   b ″ forming a generally V-shaped formation) acts as a plow against the tip  40  when the tip  40  moves upwardly and downwardly against the ridges  30 , facilitating loosening and extraction of the samples from the tip  40 . 
     In one embodiment, the tip  40  is positioned in the lower portion  26  of the collection tube  10  between the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b . With the tip  40  properly positioned in the lower portion  26 , the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  are pressed toward one another with a user&#39;s fingers, causing the ridges  36   a ,  36   b  to engage the tip  40 . In one embodiment, the planar sections  34   a ,  34   b  squeeze the tip  40  to cause at least some of the samples to be discharged from the tip  40  into the collection tube  10 . With the ridges  36   a ,  36   b  gently engaging the tip  40 , the specimen collection tool  38  is then moved upwardly and downwardly so as to scrape or rub the tip  40  against the ridges  36   a ,  36   b , causing an additional amount of the samples to be extracted from the tip  40 . 
     It should be noted that the present invention provide numerous benefits and advantages. For instance, with the use of the ridges  30  and/or the ridges  36   a ,  36   b , samples contained on or in the tip  40  of the specimen collection tool  38  can be effectively and efficiently transferred into the collection tube  10 . 
     It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.