Abstract: A saliva sampling device includes an expresser cup, an absorbent foam swab capable of absorbing a fluid specimen, and a flexible tether affixed to the foam swab. The foam swab is used to collect a sample of a fluid specimen such as saliva, and the tether is adapted to enable a user to sanitarily draw the saturated foam swab into the expresser cup in which the foam swab becomes compressed: and the absorbed fluid is expressed therefrom in a drop by drop fashion. The device also may include a platform having a reagent strip for absorbing the expressed fluid to reveal test results. The device may also include a divider for separating the expressed fluid into two or more aliquots prior to the testing thereof such that one of the aliquots may be used for confirmation or later testing of the fluid. In one embodiment, the expresser cup includes a conical cross section to effect gradual compression of the foam swab.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for performing diagnostic testing of an oral fluid specimen. The method generally includes providing a lateral flow test strip having a sample portion and a test portion, evaporating a salt solution on a pad made of glass fiber material, positioning the salt pad on the sample portion of the lateral flow test strip, depositing an oral fluid specimen on the salt pad positioned proximate the sample end of the lateral flow test strip, and allowing proteinaceous materials in the specimen to substantially disassociate from the specimen to facilitate migration of the specimen into the test portion of the lateral flow test strip as a relatively mucin-free specimen. The device includes a lateral flow test strip having a glass fiber salt pad thereon, the lateral flow test strip encased within a housing.