Patent ID: 7357042

Claim:
A biological specimen filter for use in a biological specimen collection and transfer system, the system including a vacuum source, the specimen filter comprising: a tubular body having an exterior surface, an interior chamber, a first end configured to couple to the vacuum source, and a second end having an opening in communication with the chamber; a membrane positioned within the tubular body and extending across the opening of the tubular body at the second end, the membrane having a porosity to allow fluid to be drawn across the membrane and into the tubular body to collect cells on the membrane; and a fluid trap bonded to the tubular body and extending around at least a portion of a circumference of the exterior surface of the tubular body and sized and shaped to catch fluid flowing along the exterior surface as the tubular body is inverted from a first position, in which the opening is submerged in a fluid source, to a second position, in which the opening is removed from the fluid source.