Abstract: A sample collector and test device is disclosed. The sample collector and test device may be used together as a diagnostic tool for collecting and assay of analytes contained in a sample. A sample collector is also disclosed which may be used with existing sample containers and or test devices. The sample collector may indicate sample adequacy when a sufficient volume of sample has been collected for assay and may also include a sample retaining feature which retains a portion of expressed sample for confirmatory testing, if desirable. The sample collector may also include a mechanism for expressing sample in a sample collector and/or test device. A test device is also disclosed for retaining and assay of an expressed sample. The disclosed test device may be used with existing sample collectors. In a preferred embodiment, test device is used with a preferred sample collector.

Abstract: A lateral flow test strip for the analysis of a sample featuring numerous capture zones arranged in an array such that each capture zone is substantially equidistant from the sample containing area. The sample does not pass through another capture zone to reach any one of the other capture zones. The capture zones are preferably arranged in a linear array perpendicular to the flow of the sample through the lateral flow test strip. The lateral flow test strip allows for an increased number of simultaneous analyses of numerous analytes from one sample to occur on one lateral flow test strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. A lateral chromatographic strip is placed within a cavity defined in a housing. The lateral chromatography strip extends within the cavity and is disposed along the housing to an inspection site. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromate phic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. This porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids.

Abstract: This invention provides for a rapid and convenient method of simultaneous collection of both genomic and diagnostic information from a single sample on a bibulous pad by differential extraction of the diagnostic information from the genomic information. It is a surprising discovery of this invention that a PCR assay on the contents of the bibulous pad provides results comparable in reliability, specificity, and sensitivity to the best available serum (blood) based assays. The assays of this invention can be used to confirm each other, either by detecting the genomic information leading to the diagnostic information, or by detecting in the genomic information, a predisposition to a disease and confirming the presence of the disease through diagnostic testing.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids.

Abstract: A container is configured to provide sequential access to contents therein, and includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion by a hinged portion, the lower portion defining an interior space bearing a moveable tray and an opening through which the moveable tray may move, the moveable tray defining an interior volume configured to receive at least one device therewithin. The container also includes at least one device borne by the moveable tray, at least one cavity for receiving the at least one device disposed in the upper portion and at least one insert located between the upper and lower portions, the at least one insert comprising at least written indicia thereon.

Abstract: A lateral flow test strip for the analysis of a sample featuring numerous capture zones arranged in an array such that each capture zone is substantially equidistant from the sample containing area. The sample does not pass through another capture zone to reach any one of the other capture zones. The capture zones are preferably arranged in a linear array perpendicular to the flow of the sample through the lateral flow test strip. The lateral flow test strip allows for an increased number of simultaneous analyses of numerous analytes from one sample to occur on one lateral flow test strip.

Abstract: A device for collecting and transporting aqueous fluid from the oral cavity to a lateral chromatographic strip for test is disclosed. The lateral chromatographic strip is placed within and extend along a cavity defined in a housing. At least one inspection site to the lateral chromatographic strip is provided to enable inspection of selected sites on the lateral chromatographic strip for test results. A porous wick material protrudes from the housing to a collection site exterior of the housing at one end and communicates to the lateral chromatographic strip at the other end. The porous wick material has particulate construction, the particles adsorbing aqueous oral fluid to transport the fluid from the mouth to the lateral chromatographic strip without substantial absorption. The particles of the porous wick material are bound together to define a continuous interstitial volume for the flow of oral fluid to be transported and are treated to be hydrophilic to the adsorbed oral fluids.

Abstract: A sample collector and test device is disclosed. The sample collector and test device may be used together as a diagnostic tool for collecting and assay of analytes contained in a sample. A sample collector is also disclosed which may be used with existing sample containers and or test devices. The sample collector may indicate sample adequacy when a sufficient volume of sample has been collected for assay and may also include a sample retaining feature which retains a portion of expressed sample for confirmatory testing, if desirable. The sample collector may also include a mechanism for expressing sample in a sample collector and/or test device. A test device is also disclosed for retaining and assay of an expressed sample. The disclosed test device may be used with existing sample collectors. In a preferred embodiment, test device is used with a preferred sample collector.

Abstract: This invention provides for a rapid and convenient method of simultaneous collection of both genomic and diagnostic information from a single sample on a bibulous pad by differential extraction of the diagnostic information from the genomic information. It is a surprising discovery of this invention that a PCR assay on the contents of the bibulous pad provides results comparable in reliability, specificity, and sensitivity to the best available serum (blood) based assays. The assays of this invention can be used to confirm each other, either by detecting the genomic information leading to the diagnostic information, or by detecting in the genomic information, a predisposition to a disease and confirming the presence of the disease through diagnostic testing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides for a rapid and convenient method of simultaneous collection of both genomic and diagnostic information from a single sample on a bibulous pad by differential extraction of the diagnostic information from the genomic information. It is a surprising discovery of this invention that a PCR assay on the contents of the bibulous pad provides results comparable in reliability, specificity, and sensitivity to the best available serum (blood) based assays. The assays of this invention can be used to confirm each other, either by detecting the genomic information leading to the diagnostic information, or by detecting in the genomic information, a predisposition to a disease and confirming the presence of the disease through diagnostic testing.