Patent Publication Number: US-2023135183-A1

Title: Funnel shaped sample receiver

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to sample collection sets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field collection of biological samples, such as saliva, allows epidemiologists, medical caretakers, border control agents, or the like to quickly diagnose subjects infected with a serious disease and to prevent the further spread of the disease. For example, during the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic, it is necessary to identify infected subjects as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent further spread of the Covid-19 virus by self-collection without requiring potentially infected subjects from travelling to clinics for diagnosis and without risking exposure of the professional staff at the collection site. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
     There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment, for use with a sample collection vessel for collecting a sample fluid, a funnel shaped sample receiver having an elongated rigid hollow body with an exterior and an interior, the sample receiver including a funnel shaped wide portion having a wide inlet opening configured for receiving the sample fluid, a narrow portion having a narrow inlet in fluid communication with the wide portion and a narrow outlet to direct the sample fluid into the sample collection vessel, a coupling portion to facilitate latching the wide portion to the sample collection vessel, and the wide inlet opening has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of the narrow inlet, and the wide portion including one or more air release vents to facilitate release of air from the sample collection vessel when the sample fluid drips into the sample collection vessel. 
     In some embodiments, the narrow outlet comprises a strainer. 
     In some embodiments, the narrow outlet comprises one or more one separation strips. 
     In some embodiments, the coupling portion comprises interior threads. 
     In some embodiments, the narrow portion comprises a width within a range of 3-3.2 millimeters. 
     There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment, a sample fluid collection assembly, including a sample collection vessel including a sample vessel inlet disposed at a top portion of the sample collection vessel, a sample collection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, a coupling member on an exterior portion of the top portion, a funnel shaped sample receiver having an elongated rigid hollow body with an exterior and an interior, the sample receiver including a funnel shaped wide portion having a wide inlet opening configured for receiving the sample fluid, a narrow portion having a narrow inlet in fluid communication with the wide portion and a narrow outlet to direct the sample fluid into the sample collection vessel, the wide inlet opening has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of the narrow inlet and narrow outlet, and a coupling portion to facilitate latching the funnel shaped sample receiver to the coupling member, the wide portion including one or more air release vents to facilitate release of air from the sample collection chamber when the sample fluid drips into the the sample collection chamber. 
     There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment, a sample fluid collection assembly, including sample collection vessel including a sample vessel inlet disposed at a top portion of the sample collection vessel, a sample collection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, a coupling member on an exterior portion of the top portion, one or more air vents to facilitate release of air when the sample fluid drips into the sample collection chamber, a funnel shaped sample receiver having an elongated rigid hollow body with an exterior and an interior, the sample receiver including a funnel shaped wide portion having a wide inlet opening configured for receiving the sample fluid, a narrow portion having a narrow inlet in fluid communication with the wide portion and a narrow outlet to direct the sample fluid into the sample collection vessel, the wide inlet opening has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of the narrow inlet and narrow outlet, and the wide portion including a coupling portion to facilitate latching the funnel shaped sample receiver to the coupling member. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some non-limiting exemplary embodiments or features of the disclosed subject matter are illustrated in the following drawings. 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  schematically illustrate a sample collection set, according to certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  schematically illustrate perspective views of the funnel shaped sample receiver of the sample collection set of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , according to certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    schematically illustrates a cross section view of the funnel shaped sample receiver latched to the sample collection vessel of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , according to certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    schematically illustrates a close-up cross section view of  FIG.  3   , according to certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG.  5 A  schematically illustrate a funnel shaped sample receiver having a filter, according to certain exemplary embodiments; and, 
         5 B schematically illustrate a funnel shaped sample receiver having a strip, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Identical, duplicate, equivalent or similar structures, elements, or parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labeled with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional letter or letters to distinguish between similar entities or variants of entities, and may not be repeatedly labeled and/or described. 
     Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or true perspective. For convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from different point of views. 
     References to previously presented elements are implied without necessarily further citing the drawing or description in which they appear. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein is a sample collection assembly, according to certain exemplary embodiments. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments, the sample collection assembly is configured to facilitate collecting, preserving and testing a biological sample, specifically a sample fluid. As described in more detail below, a sample collection assembly can include a sample collection vessel, a funnel shaped sample receiver, and a vessel cap. In some cases, the sample collection vessel can be pre-loaded with a biological sample preservation reagent, a testing agent, or the like. The funnel shaped sample receiver is attached to the sample collection vessel covering the opening of the sample collection vessel to facilitate dispensing the sample fluid into the sample collection vessel while separating a fluid of the sample fluid from air bubbles mixed therein. The vessel cap facilitates occluding and/or temporarily sealing an opening in the sample collection vessel, thereby preventing the reagent and the sample fluid from spilling out of the sample collection vessel. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein enable separation of a fluid of the sample fluid from air bubbles in the sample fluid. For example, for detection of the Covid-19 virus in a patient, saliva is collected to for testing to detect the Covid-19 virus. However, saliva includes air bubbles that can interfere with an accurate detection of the Covid-19, therefore, it is required to separate the air bubbles from the fluid of the sample fluid during collection of the sample fluid. 
     In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, a sample fluid is/implies saliva or any other biological material that a subject can spit. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1 A , which schematically illustrates a sample collection assembly or kit  100  including a sample collection vessel  105 , a vessel cap  110  and a funnel shaped sample receiver  120 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. Sample collection vessel  105  includes a sample vessel opening  107  disposed at a top portion  102  of sample collection vessel  105 . Sample collection vessel  105  includes a sample collection chamber  108  configured to store a sample fluid  130 . In some embodiments, sample collection chamber  108  can store a preservative reagent or a testing reagent, referenced generally  140 , to facilitate preserving the sample fluid  130  or facilitate the immediate testing of sample fluid  130  to determine whether sample fluid  130  contains a predetermined virus, bacteria, or the like. For example, in performance of in-field Polymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”) testing for Covid-19, the testing reagent  140  facilitates achieving an expedited determination whether a patient is infected with the Covid-19 virus. 
     Sampled collection vessel  105  includes a connection member  106  disposed on an exterior of top portion  102  to facilitate attaching vessel cap  110  or funnel shaped sample receiver  120  thereto. For example, connection member  106  can include interlocking or mechanically coupling mechanism, such as threads, grooves, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 B , schematically illustrating funnel shaped sample receiver  120  attached to sample collection vessel  105  to facilitate collection of sample fluid  130 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. In some embodiments, sample collection vessel  105  includes a volume indication  109  to inform a sample collector or patient of the volume of sample fluid  130  that is required for accurate testing of sample fluid  130  without bubbles. For example, volume indication  109  can include a minimum or maximum labeling to indicate a minimum or maximum volume of sample fluid  130  that the patient must be disposed into sample collection vessel  105 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , schematically illustrating funnel shaped sample receiver  120 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. Funnel shaped sample receiver  120  includes a funnel shaped wide portion  200  having a wide inlet  202  configured for receiving sample fluid  130  ( FIG.  1 A ). For example, sample fluid  130  is spat into wide inlet  202  by a subject (not shown). In some embodiments, Wide inlet opening  202  has a predetermined circumference to facilitate collecting a maximal volume of sample fluid  130  provided by the subject. 
     Funnel shaped sample receiver  120  includes a narrow portion  210  having a narrow inlet  205  in fluid communication with funnel shape wide portion  200  and a narrow outlet  215  for directing sample fluid  130  ( FIG.  1 A ) into sample collection vessel  105  ( FIG.  1 A ). Wide inlet opening  202  has a circumference that is greater than a circumference of narrow inlet  205 . In some embodiments, narrow inlet  205  and narrow portion  210  can have a circumference within a range of 18.8-20.10 millimeters (“mm”) to control a flow rate of sample fluid  130  into narrow portion  210 , thereby preventing air bubbles  315  ( FIG.  3   ) from entering narrow portion  210  with fluid  310  ( FIG.  3   ) of sample fluid  130 , as further described in conjunction with  FIG.  3   . In some embodiments, narrow outlet  215  can have a circumference that is smaller than the circumference of narrow portion  210  to further separate fluid  305  and air bubbles  315 . 
     Funnel shaped sample receiver  120  includes a sealing portion  220  configured to cover sample collection vessel  107  when funnel shaped sample receiver  120  is connected to sample collection vessel  105  ( FIG.  1 A ) thereby preventing the contents of sample collection chamber  108  ( FIG.  1 A ). Sealing portion  220  includes a coupling portion  225  configured to facilitate latching funnel shaped sample receiver  120  to connection member  106  ( FIG.  1 A ). In some embodiments, coupling portion  225  can include interlocking or mechanically coupling mechanisms, such as threads, grooves, or the like. 
       FIG.  3    schematically illustrates a cross section view of the funnel shaped sample receiver  120  and sample collection vessel  105 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. When a new sample fluid  305  is dispensed into funnel shaped wide portion  200 , for example, by a subject spitting into Funnel shaped wide portion  200 . New sample fluid  305  includes fluid  310  and air bubbles  315  which if allowed to enter sample collection vessel  105  can interfere with an accurate measurement of sample fluid  130  within sample collection vessel  105 . In some exemplary embodiments, when sample fluid  130  required for detecting Covid-19, a predetermined volume of saliva is required in the sample fluid  130 . Air bubbles  315  in sample fluid  130  can cause interference with accurately testing sample fluid  130  to determine whether the sample fluid  130  contains the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, the sample fluid  130  must be as clear of air bubbles  315  as possible. In some exemplary embodiments, to prevent bubbles, narrow portion  215  can have an opening with a width within a range of 3-3.3 millimeters (“mm”). 
     Reference is made to  FIG.  4   , schematically illustrating a close-up cross section view of funnel shaped sample receiver  120  attached to sample collection vessel  105 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. Funnel shaped sample receiver  120  includes one or more air release vents  300  configured to facilitate the release of air  400  when new sample fluid  305  ( FIG.  3   ) drips into the sample collection vessel  105 . In some embodiments, air release vent  300  is positioned adjacent to coupling portion  220 , for example, between coupling portion  220  and coupling member  106 , thereby facilitating the removal of air while preventing spillage of sample fluid  130  ( FIG.  1 A ) and testing reagent  140  ( FIG.  1 A ) from within sample collection vessel  105 . In some embodiments, narrow outlet  215  and air release vent  300  along with closed air in sample collection vessel  105  can cause delay in the dripping of the sample fluid  305  and the separation of fluid  310  and air bubbles  315  and can facilitate controlling a drop  330  of sample fluid  305 . 
       FIG.  5 A  schematically illustrates narrow outlet  215  having a strip  600 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. Strip  600  is configured to further reduce the number of bubbles  315  ( FIG.  3   ) that can pass through narrow outlet  215 . 
       FIG.  5 B  schematically illustrates narrow outlet  215  having a filter  610 , according to certain exemplary embodiments. Filter  610  is configured to further reduce the number of bubbles  315  ( FIG.  3   ) that can pass through narrow outlet  215 . 
     In the context of some embodiments of the present disclosure, by way of example and without limiting, terms such as ‘operating’ or ‘executing’ imply also capabilities, such as ‘operable’ or ‘executable’, respectively. Conjugated terms such as, by way of example, ‘a thing property’ implies a property of the thing, unless otherwise clearly evident from the context thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” and/or “having” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein the term “configuring” and/or ‘adapting’ for an objective, or a variation thereof, implies using materials and/or components in a manner designed for and/or implemented and/or operable or operative to achieve the objective. Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ and/or ‘close’ with respect to a magnitude or a numerical value implies within an inclusive range of −10% to +10% of the respective magnitude or value. 
     Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ and/or ‘close’ with respect to a dimension or extent, such as length, implies within an inclusive range of −10% to +10% of the respective dimension or extent. Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ or ‘close’ imply at or in a region of, or close to a location or a part of an object relative to other parts or regions of the object. 
     When a range of values is recited, it is merely for convenience or brevity and includes all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within and about the boundary of that range. Any numeric value, unless otherwise specified, includes also practical close values enabling an embodiment or a method, and integral values do not exclude fractional values. A sub-range values and practical close values should be considered as specifically disclosed values. As used herein, ellipsis ( . . . ) between two entities or values denotes an inclusive range of entities or values, respectively. For example, A . . . Z implies all the letters from A to Z, inclusively. 
     The terminology used herein should not be understood as limiting, unless otherwise specified, and is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosed subject matter. While certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents are not precluded. Terms in the claims that follow should be interpreted, without limiting, as characterized or described in the specification.