Abstract: A self contained diagnostic test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of a biological specimen or the like. The test unit comprises a tubular housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving a specimen disposed, for example, on a specimen collection device such as a swab or the like. A reagent dispenser cap may be associated with the housing for delivering one or more selected reagents to the specimen chamber for contacting the collected specimen. A diagnostic strip assembly is mounted on the housing and comprises a diagnostic test strip adapted for controlled contact with the collected specimen, for causing a portion of the specimen to flow by wick action through the test strip. The specimen interacts with one or more reagents disposed along the test strip to produce a visible reaction such as a color change which can be observed from the exterior of the test unit to provide an indication of the result of a selected diagnostic test.

Abstract: A reagent dispenser is provided for dispensing multiple reagents particularly for use in analyzing biological specimens and the like. The dispenser includes a pair of reagent chambers with selected reagents therein, and a dual nib for hermetically sealing the reagent chambers. A portion of the dispenser is deformable to break or otherwise to displace the nib in a manner permitting the two reagents to flow together and mix within one of the reagent chambers. The deformable portion or the dispenser can then be squeezed to express the mixed reagents for delivery to contact a specimen to be analyzed. In a preferred form, the dispenser is cap assembly for removable mounting onto an open-ended tubular housing to cooperatively define a specimen chamber within the housing for receiving the specimen on a swab or the like.

Abstract: A self contained diagnostic test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of a biological specimen or the like. The test unit comprises a tubular housing defining a specimen chamber for receiving a specimen disposed, for example, on a specimen collection device such as a swab or the like. A reagent dispenser cap may be associated with the housing for delivering one or more selected reagents to the specimen chamber for contacting the collected specimen. A diagnostic strip assembly is mounted on the housing and comprises a diagnostic test strip adapted for controlled contact with the collected specimen, for causing a portion of the specimen to flow by wick action through the test strip. The specimen interacts with one or more reagents disposed along the test strip to produce a visible reaction such as a color change which can be observed from the exterior of the test unit to provide an indication of the result of a selected diagnostic test.

Abstract: An improved specimen test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of a biological specimen or the like. The test unit includes a swab member having a hollow shaft closed at a rear end by a break-off nib, and a swab tip at a front end for collecting a selected specimen. The swab shaft rear end is carried by a housing base, with the break-off nib extending into a reagent chamber having a selected reagent therein. The housing base is sufficiently deformable to break the nib and thereby permit reagent delivery through the swab shaft to contact a collected specimen on the swab tip. In a preferred form, a housing cap removably interfits with the housing base to define a specimen chamber with the swab tip enclosed therein, with the housing base and/or cap being conveniently formed from blow molded plastic components.

Abstract: An improved test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of biological specimens and the like. The specimen test unit includes a swab member adapted for collection of a specimen to be tested. The test unit incorporates one or more reagents or other test fluids for delivery into contact with the specimen on the swab member. In accordance with various embodiments, the contacted specimen and fluid are then delivered through one or more porous members for analysis and/or to contact an additional reagent or reagents in the course of performing a selected test. In some forms, one or more of the porous members is preimpregnated with a selected reagent or constituent thereof. Moreover, in some forms, one or more of the porous members is formed from a hydrophobic material to serve as a fluid seal until fluid is forced therethrough, for example, by squeezing a reagent-containing housing member of the test unit.

Abstract: An improved test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of biological specimens and the like. The specimen test unit includes a swab member adapted for collection of a specimen to be tested. The test unit incorporates one or more reagents or other test fluids for delivery into contact with the specimen on the swab member. In accordance with various embodiments, the contacted specimen and fluid are then delivered through one or more porous filter members for analysis and/or to contact an additional reagent or reagents in the course of performing a selected test. In some forms, one or more of the porous filter members is preimpregnated with a selected reagent or constituent thereof. Moreover, in some forms, one or more of the porous filter members is formed from a hydrophobic material to serve as a fluid seal until fluid is forced therethrough, for example, by squeezing a reagent-containing housing member of the test unit.

Abstract: An improved test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of biological specimens and the like. The specimen test unit includes a swab member adapted for collection of a specimen to be tested. The test unit incorporates one or more reagents or other test fluids for delivery into contact with the specimens on the swab member. In accordance with various embodiments, the contacted specimen and fluid are then delivered through one or more porous filter members for analysis and/or to contact an additional reagent or reagents in the course of performing a selected test. In some forms, one or more of the porous filter members in preimpregnated with a selected reagent or constituent thereof. Moreover, in some forms, one or more of the porous filter members is formed from a hydrophobic material to serve as a fluid seal until fluid is forced therethrough, for example, by squeezing a reagent-containing housing member of the test unit.

Abstract: A laboratory kit is provided with a tear-off cover portion designed to fold into a compact package for containing and/or transporting a biological specimen or the like. The laboratory kit comprises a lower tray of vacuum-formed plastic or the like and containing selected laboratory implements such as a swab, glass slide, etc. A lightweight cover of paperboard or the like is affixed to and closes the tray. A tear-off portion of the cover is removable along perforated lines to open the tray and expose the implements therein for use, after which the tear-off portion is foldable along preformed score lines to form a compact package for containing a biological specimen or the like.

Abstract: An improved laboratory slide and related methods of manufacture and use, wherein the slide is designed for analysis and/or testing of liquid specimens and the like. The improved slide comprises a transparent upper coverslip affixed to a lower slide plate by a thin bonding agent of controlled thickness which may be a substantially monocellular thickness on the order of about 0.001 inch or less. In some forms, the bonding agent is shaped in cooperation with the slide plate and coverslip to define one or more examination chambers into which liquid specimens may be drawn by capillary action for viewing and analysis. In other forms, the bonding agent defines one or more elongated flow channels through which a specimen may be drawn, wherein the flow channels may be of varying height and/or include selected reagents along their lengths to perform selected testing of biological specimens and the like.

Abstract: A specimen collection and test unit has a fibrous swab tip at one end of an elongated hollow shank for use in collecting a biological specimen. The shank is carried by an elongated base of a resilient plastic material and containing one or more reagents which can be pumped through the shank to the swab tip by applying manual pressure to the base. An elongated cap removably fits onto the base over the swab shank and tip, with the cap including an additional reagent and a well into which the additional reagent can be delivered for contacting the swab tip.

Abstract: The vial is particularly designed to retrieve urine specimens from a jar or other container provided by a patient. The vial itself is in the form of a bellows biased to its expanded position. A straw is provided axially in the bellows such that the bellows can be manually collapsed and then released so that the specimen is sucked up through the straw into the bellows. The bellows itself has a bottom shaped to be received in a centrifuge and is also provided with a cap which replaces the straw prior to centrifuging. The cap itself can be removed after centrifuging and defines a fixed volume for collecting a given amount of sediment and liquid for ultimate analysis on a slide. The straw serves the dual function of axially supporting the bellows arrangement during collapsing by guiding the bellows walls and also as a conduit or passage for transferring urine into the bellows.

Abstract: The storage file is of the temporary type, made up of a box stamping comprising initially a flat sheet such as cardboard provided with appropriate fold lines. The fold lines define a top, left and right sides, a bottom and front and rear ends for folding these components into a box shape. A tray receivable in the box is also formed from a stamping initially starting with a flat sheet which again may be cardboard and having fold lines to define a floor and left and right sides and front and rear ends for the tray. These components again are folded into the tray structure. The tray may optionally be provided with a divider element again formed from a flat sheet appropriately folded to be received in the tray. The storage box is ideally suited for slides and tissue blocks used in medical work. The initial flat configuration of the sheets for making up the box permits compact storage and easy shipment as well as economical manufacture.

Abstract: A package is provided for containing and delivering to a physician, laboratory or hospital a glass slide fastened removably in position, spatula, tongue depressors, etc., for use in obtaining a specimen, and retaining it on the glass slide during transportation to the laboratory for analysis. The package comprises two side panels, joined by a narrow end wall, with end walls also at the remote ends of the panels, also edge walls, and side flaps. After the specimen has been deposited on the glass slide, the side flaps are severed, so they can be folded over independently of one another. The package can then be folded into a smaller one, more compact by about one-half the original length, for transportation or mailing to the laboratory. Features are provided for protection of the deposit on the glass slide from the opposed wall portions of the package.