Abstract:
An apparatus to collect a sample of material has a handle with a tubular sample sleeve extending from an end of the handle. The end of the sleeve distal from the handle forms a cutting edge circumscribing a circular sampling region. A plunger slides reciprocally within the tubular sample sleeve between a retracted position and an expulsion position. A user cuts a sample from a source material by engaging contact between the cutting edge of the tubular sample sleeve and the source material. The sample cut from the source is lodged within the tubular sample sleeve. Actuation of the plunger from the retracted position toward the expulsion position displacing the sample from the sleeve.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    [0001] 1 . Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to the field of micro-sampling for the collection of in situ material such as human tissue, field samples for related environmental examination, crime scene sampling, or other related materials or material prepared on a substrate and then sampled such as dried blood on a blood card. Sampling regimes are designed to extract a micro-sample from a larger source sample material. The micro-samples extracted may be chemically analyzed for the purposes of DNA analysis, nondestructively analyzed by placement on the appropriate spectra generating sample stage or observed under microscopic conditions.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0004]    Sampling devices are conventionally used to extract samples from materials such as paper, cloth, wood, tissues and the like. In one arrangement, a sampling device has a tubular sleeve forming a cutting edge at one end. A sample is obtained by advancing the sleeve into the sample source. The sleeve may then be gently rocked to separate the sample from the source, thereby retaining the sample in the cutting sleeve. The sample is then removed from the cutting sleeve using a second tool in the form of a pick or probe. In one prior art arrangement, the cutting sleeve provides an auxiliary opening extending along the length of the sleeve to facilitate removal of the sample. The extracted sample may then be placed in a receptacle, or may be mounted on a support.  
           [0005]    Removal of sample from the cutting sleeve in either method as described above, presents a number of problems that may affect the integrity of the sample. Moreover, sample handling may present potential health hazards to the technician working with the sample. The process of picking a sample from the cutting sleeve is inefficient and time consuming. The conventional methods described above expose technicians to unnecessary health risks through the handling of sharp cutting instruments to extricate the retained sample material from the cutting sleeve. The sample material can also be partially lost, dropped or contaminated consequently requiring further sampling or the inability to do further sampling.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is a sample collection apparatus comprising an elongate handle, a tubular sample sleeve extending from one end of the handle having a cutting edge at an end of the tubular sample sleeve distal from the handle. The sampling device has a plunger reciprocally operable to displace a sample from the tubular sample sleeve. In one embodiment, an end of the plunger is linked to an actuator that axially displaces the plunger within the handle of the apparatus. The actuator controls the movement of the plunger through a linkage joining the plunger to the actuator. A sample is cut from a source by the cutting edge of the tubular sample sleeve. A sample is collected from a source by excision from the source as the tubular sample sleeve is urged into contact with the source. The sample is received within the lumen of the tubular sample sleeve. Once removed from the source, the sampling device can be used to transport the sample that is thereby lodged within the lumen of the tubular sample sleeve. The sample is expelled from the tubular sample sleeve by the plunger which is displaceable axially through the lumen of the tubular sample sleeve. The plunger can expel the entire sample at once, or incrementally to permit sectioning the sample into smaller portions as it is partially expelled from the sleeve. Another embodiment for actuating the plunger is comprised of a spring cover that biases the plunger in the retracted position until actuation for expulsion of a sample.  
           [0007]    The present invention allows the user to withdraw a sample from a source and retain it within the tubular sample sleeve until needed. Suitable sample sources for this invention include soft materials such as cloth, paper, wood, films, gels, plant, animal and human tissues, and other sources capable of being cut by a surgical steel cutting edge. Ejection of the sample in increments allows for small portions of the sample to be segmented from the whole of the sample without removal of the entire sample from the cutting sleeve. Using this technique reduces likelihood for inadvertent or accidental cutting and repeated extraction from the cutting sleeve. The plunger eliminates the need for direct handling of the sample and reduces the likelihood of potential contamination that may require re-sampling of the source. This reduces the amount of manipulation to be performed by the technician who collects the sample, and reduces potential risks for contamination of the sample or contact between the user and the sample.  
           [0008]    In this invention, the cutting sleeve serves as a cutting tool and as a storage receptacle to retain the sample. The plunger enables quick, safe and clean removal of the sample from the cutting sleeve.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the sampling device is made from materials that are stable to heat of sterilization. The device can also be used as a disposable tool. The sampling device is particularly suited to be readily transported either alone or as part of a kit for the collection and transportation of samples. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of a sample collection apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention shown with the sample plunger in the expulsion position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1A is an elevation view of FIG. 1 along section axis  2 - 2 .  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A taken along section line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1A in the expulsion position.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the removable cap and plunger in the expulsion position on FIG. 2.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing the apparatus in FIG. 1 in the retracted position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along section line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 in the retracted position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 shows an enlarged, partial cross section of the apparatus bounded by circle  5  shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the sample collection apparatus of FIG. 1 being operated to collect a sample from a source on a self-healing, inert mat.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the sample collection apparatus of FIG. 1 in use to collect a sample from a piece of blotting paper, on a self-healing, inert mat.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sample cutting and collection portion of the apparatus defined by circle  5  in FIG. 4 where the apparatus is being used to take a sample of a substrate as is shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the sample collection apparatus of FIG. 1, where a sample is being ejected into a receptacle.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is an elevation view of another preferred embodiment of an sample collection apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention shown with the plunger in the retracted position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10A is an elevation view of FIG. 10 along section axis  11 - 11 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a cross section taken along section line  11 - 11  of FIG. 10A.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 Shows an enlarged partial cross section of the apparatus comprising the area encompassed in FIG. 11 by circle  12 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the apparatus on FIG. 11 where a sample is being ejected into a receptacle, the plunger being in the expulsion position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 shows an elevation view of another embodiment of a sampling device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, having a slide actuator for expelling a sample from within the device, the plunger being in the retracted position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sampling device taken along cutting line  15 - 15  of FIG. 14, shown with the plunger in the retracted position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 shows a plan view of the embodiment of the sampling and collecting device of FIG. 14, where the device has been rotated about its longitudinal axis by 90 degrees, and with the plunger and the slide actuator shown in the expulsion position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the portion of the FIG. 15 defined by circle  17 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a preferred embodiment of a sample collection device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown. A handle  110  has a tubular sample sleeve  120  extending from one end of the hand  110  indicated by  113 . The exterior surface of the handle may include a plurality of ridges  111  to provide a better gripping surface for the user. There is a plunger  131  shown here in an expulsion position, where the plunger  131  extends past cutting edge  150  of tubular sample sleeve  120 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 and shows a longitudinal cross-section of the device taken along cutting line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1A. A linkage  130  connects plunger  131  to an actuator, shown here as cover  220 , which axially reciprocates plunger  131  through the lumen of sleeve  120  between an expulsion position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and  2 , and a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The retracted position has plunger  131  positioned within the apparatus and preferably within tubular sample sleeve  120 , whereas the expulsion position has plunger  131  positioned outside of tubular sample sleeve  120 , extended past cutting edge  150 .  
         [0032]    The cover  220  can have an inner diameter that is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first end  112  of the handle  110 . The cover  220  is used to activate the plunger  131  and can form a seal with the first end  112  of the handle  110  when not in use. The plunger  131  can be attached to the cover by various means, such as by linkage  130  within a flange  223  as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the cover  220  and cover assembly to linkage  130  in FIG. 2.  
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, a grommet  121  and stopper assembly can be used for retaining the cover  220 , linkage  130  and plunger  131  attached to handle  110 , and particularly for setting the retracted position for plunger  131  within tubular sample sleeve  120 . A grommet  121  can be disposed at the upper interior portion of the handle  112 , opposite the end from which sleeve  120  extends. Grommet  121  is preferably made from a material that can be compressed for insertion within the handle but which retains its elasticity and returns to its original size. For example, grommet  121  can be made from soft rubber. A stopper  122  can be attached to linkage  130 . When cover  220  is removed from handle  110 , plunger  131  slides with tubular sample sleeve  120  until stopper  122  contacts grommet  121 , thus defining the range of reciprocal motion of plunger  131  in the retracted position.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 , the cover  220  mounts onto handle  110  detachably, allowing plunger  131  to slide within the length of the tubular sample sleeve  120 . The plunger  131  is moved between the retracted and expulsion positions by movement of cover  220  and linkage  130 , which communicates the axial displacement to plunger  131 . When cover  220  is fitted on handle  110 , plunger  131  extends outwardly through tubular sample sleeve  120  and past cutting edge  150  to the expulsion position. As cover  220  is removed from handle  110 , plunger  131  withdraws into tubular sample sleeve  120  to the retracted position.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, linkage  130  is mounted to the inside of cover  220  and is held in place by flanges  223 . Linkage  130  slides freely within grommet  121  through aperture  125  of grommet  121 . Stopper  122  is held in place as shown in this embodiment with a hexagonal screw  124 . When cover  220  is removed from handle  110 , linage  130  and plunger  131  can be slid axially through handle  110  away from cutting edge  150  of sleeve  120 . When stopper  122  contacts grommet  121 , cover  220  can no longer be displaced from handle  110 , and plunger  131  can no longer move further away from cutting edge  150 . FIG. 4 shows cover  220  raised from first end  112  so that plunger  131  is located within tubular sample sleeve  120  for removing a sample from a source. Stopper  122  is preferably positioned so as to prevent plunger  131  from being dislodged from within tubular sample sleeve  120 .  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 4, 5 and  8 , when plunger  131  is in the retracted position, there is a chamber  160  created within tubular sample sleeve  120  so as to permit entry of a sample  40  cut by cutting edge  150  into tubular sample sleeve  120  from a sample source  70 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the area in FIG. 4 bounded by circle  5 . Plunger  131  is shown retracted within tubular sample sleeve  120  creating a chamber  160  within the tubular sample sleeve  120  that will be filled by a sample that is to be removed from a source. FIG. 6 shows use of the coring device in association with source  70 , which is being cut using self-healing inert support  50 . Tubular sample sleeve  120  has perforated source  70  at its surface. The user is holding handle  110 , and has displaced cover  220 , so as to withdraw plunger  131  into the barrel of tubular sample sleeve  120 . Grommet  121  and topper  122  are not shown in this embodiment. Cutting of a sample  40  using inert support  50  is preferred where the source  70  being cut is the material to be analyzed, for example, cloth, wood, or tissue.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 shows a similar configuration as in FIG. 6, except the source  70  is absorbed on blotting paper  30  or other absorptive material that has the sample absorbed on its surface and within the microstructure of the absorptive material, for example, blood blotted on paper.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 shows the same view as FIG. 5 except cutting edge  150  and tubular sample sleeve  120  have penetrated surface  80  of source  70 . Cutting edge  150  is located within source  70 , while plunger  130  is retracted from surface  80  of source  70 . Chamber  160  is practically filled by sample  40  from source  70 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 shows the ejection of sampled material  40  into vial collecting receptacle  90 . The user repositions cover  220  onto handle  110  which in turn slides plunger  131  through tubular sample sleeve  120  and past cutting edge  150 , forcing the expulsion of sample  40 .  
         [0042]    In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10, 10A,  11 ,  12  and  13 , a spring ejection cover  340  has a cap  334  that engages the first end  112  of handle  110 , and a spring and shaft assembly that is mounted to spring ejection cover  340  within cap  334 . The spring ejection cover  340  is comprised of an actuator  331 , a spring  337  and an enclosure  338  for the spring  337 , a shaft  336  and the plunger  131 . The shaft  336  is mounted to the actuator  331  at one end, and is buttressed against spring  337  at the other. The linkage  130  is mounted on the end of the shaft  336  that is buttressed against spring  337 . Linkage  130  can lie within the coils of spring  337  as shown by these drawings. As actuator  331  is pressed into cover  330  by shaft  336 , which also compresses spring  337  and displaces plunger  130  axially. The spring  337  is also buttressed against the enclosure  338  that holds the spring and shaft assembly against flange  333 . When the actuator  331  is no longer pressed, the spring  337  returns the actuator  331  and the shaft  336  to the retracted position, moving plunger  130  back to its first position, within annular cutting sleeve  120 . Cap  334  can have an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the outside diameter of handle  110  and can be fitted onto the handle  110  accordingly.  
         [0043]    The present embodiments of the invention allow the sample  40  to be ejected from cutting sleeve  120  in its entirety or in increments. One can also eject sample  40  into a collection vial  90  without working sample  40  free of tubular sample sleeve  120 . The controlled ejection of sample  40  from the tubular sample sleeve  120  allows for small portions of sample  40  to be cut away from the whole sample by way of scalpel without removing all of sample  40  from tubular sample sleeve  120 .  
         [0044]    The device can also be sued to sample source  70  resting on an inert support  50 , such as a self-healing cutting mat. Because the device is rotated with downward pressure, it cuts the source  70  with the cutting edge  150  of tubular sample sleeve  120 , into inert support  50 , so that inert support  50  forces sample  40  into tubular sample sleeve  120 . The collected sample  40  is then retained in the tubular sample sleeve  120  until such time when it is displaced therefrom by actuation of the plunger  131 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 shows actuator  331  mounted within cover  330 , which in turn is mounted on handle  110 . FIG. 12 shows a magnified view of the cross section of spring ejection cover  340 . Attached to actuator  331  is shaft  336 , which is mounted to actuator  331  at flange  335 . When actuator  331  is pressed by the user, flange  335  contacts opposing flange  333  within the cover, thus limiting the motion of actuator  331 . As actuator  331  is pressed, shaft  336  slides within opposing flange  333  and spring  337  contracts against enclosure  338 . As shaft  336  moves axially within handle  110 , linkage  130  is similarly engaged and also moves axially through handle  110 . When actuator  331  is pressed inward onto cap  334 , shaft  336  moves axially towards tubular sample sleeve  120 , and in turn forces linkage  130  to move plunger  131  through tubular sample sleeve  120  towards cutting edge  150 . When actuator  331  is moved through its complete range of motion, and spring  337  is at its most compressed point, linkage  130  should extend past cutting tip  150  outside of tubular sample sleeve  120  in the expulsion position.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 shows sample  40  being ejected into collecting vial  90  by the pressing of actuator  331 . This embodiment of the invention can be used as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17 , an embodiment of the invention is shown where plunger  131  is movable between a first position where plunger  131  is within the apparatus (the retracted position) and where plunger  131  extends past tubular sample sleeve  120  and cutting edge  150  (the expulsion position). The plunger  131  is moved between these two positions using sliding arm  441 , the actuator in this embodiment, which attached to stopper  442  on linkage  130 , sliding arm  441  extending through opening  445  on handle  110 . Opening  445  is preferably located at a position approximately central among plurality of ridges  111  used for gripping the apparatus, and has a length in the axial direction of handle  110  that is sufficient to allow sliding arm  441  to move plunger  131  between the retracted and expulsion positions. Stopper  442  is mounted to linkage  130  along its length, preferably at the end of linkage  130  opposite the plunger  131 . Sliding arm  44  moves between a first position and a second position within opening  445 , the first position of the sliding arm  441  corresponding to the retracted position of plunger  131 , and the second position of the sliding arm  441  corresponding to the expulsion position of plunger  131 .  
         [0048]    Referring more particularly to FIGS. 15 and 17, sliding arm  441  is mounted to a stopper  442 , which in turn is mounted to linkage  130 . Biased against stopper  442  is spring  443 , which is mounted between tubular sample sleeve  120  and stopper  442 , around linkage  130 . Spring  443  biases plunger  131  and sliding arm  441  in the retracted position until moved into the expulsion position by a user seeking to expel a sample. Spring  443  also keeps plunger  131  in alignment with tubular sample sleeve  120 . The plunger  131  can be moved to positions between the first and second position for gradual expulsion of a sample from within the tubular sample sleeve  120 .