Patent ID: 8025849

Claim:
Apparatus for the collection and testing of oral, or other fluids, comprising a collection device and a test cartridge wherein: the collection device comprises (a) absorbing means for absorbing fluid, (b) a collapsible cover within which the absorbing means is housed, and (c) a fluid adequacy indicator in fluid communication with said absorbing means to receive said fluid absorbed by said absorbing means which said indicator detects the fluid absorbed by said absorbing means disposed in said collapsible cover for signaling when the absorbing means has absorbed a predetermined volume of fluid; and the test cartridge comprises (a) a collection chamber which allows insertion of the collection device into the test cartridge, (b) a test strip in fluid communication with said collection chamber for testing fluid for the presence of analytes, and (c) a locating structure which locates the collection device at a fixed location relative to the test cartridge within the collection chamber, in which location said collapsible cover is held in a compressed state by said locating structure such that the absorbing means has undergone a controlled degree of compression which transfers a predetermined volume of fluid from the absorbing means to the test strip.