Patent ID: 8268634

Claim:
A method for conducting a first preliminary test on a fluid sample while preserving a portion of said sample for later testing, and dispensing said portion during said later testing, said method comprises: collecting said fluid sample upon a spongy swab distally mounted on a syringe-like plunger; extracting a first partial portion of said sample from said swab, thereby leaving a second partial portion of said sample on said swab; directing said first partial portion onto a fluid test device capable of detecting an analyte to obtain a preliminary detection; hermetically enclosing said swab in an openable chamber; forming an opening in said chamber; and, excreting said second partial portion through said opening; wherein said extracting comprises: inserting said plunger a first distance into a tubular body assembly having a closed distal end; preventing insertion of said plunger beyond said first distance using a trippable barrier; tripping said trippable barrier; and, wherein said method further comprises: further inserting said plunger beyond said first distance, thereby causing said excreting.