Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by an openable, machine replaceable plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick for dipping into and retaining some of the biological matter. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. A cover caps the plug to provide additional sealing and protection of that end of the vessel during transportation. The vessel has a tapered shape to be carried closely packed with other similar vessels in a test carrier.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by an openable plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick for dipping into and retaining some of the biological matter. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. A cover caps the plug to provide additional sealing of that end of the vessel during transportation. The mail transportation of the vessel device with a sealable shipping capsule that is essentially leakproof. A disposable telescoping handle mounts to the stopper to allow the user to stab at matter such as feces in a toilet without contacting the toilet water.

Abstract: A lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay rapid test device uses a strip having multiple epitope antigen test lines that are responsive to the same pathogenic organism or pathogen. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a rapid test strip for detection of antibodies to HIV-1, HIV-1/subgroup O, and HIV-2 has test lines coated with P-24, gp41, gp120 , gp160 and gp36 antigens.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by a plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick whose distal portion has indentations capable of retaining a portion of the biological matter when the stick is dipped into it. A medial portion of the stick intimately contacts the edge of the aperture so that the amount of matter introduced into the chamber is limited and the excess stored outside the chamber in the presence of a disiccant for drying. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. The plug mounts a breakable hollow nib and is installed after introduction into the chamber of a metered volume of preserving solution.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by a plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick whose distal portion has indentations capable of retaining a portion of the biological matter when the stick is dipped into it. A medial portion of the stick is shaped and dimensioned to intimately and circumferentially contact the edge of the aperture so that the amount of matter introduced into the chamber is limited and the excess stored outside the chamber in the presence of a disiccant for drying. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. The plug mounts a breakable hollow nib and is installed after introduction into the chamber of a metered volume of preserving solution.

Abstract: A device for quantitively collecting, preserving and mailing a fresh and wet specimen of fecal or other biological matter for later analysis comprises a tubular vessel defining a chamber closed at one axial end by a plug and restricted at the opposite end by a narrow aperture. A stopper for closing the open end of the vessel extends into a stick whose distal portion comprises indentations capable of retaining a portion of the biological matter when the stick is dipped into it. The distal portion of the stick is shaped and dimensioned to intimately and circumferentially contact the edge of the aperture so that the amount of matter introduced into the chamber is limited to the part having penetrated into the indentations. The shank of the stick is dimensioned to seal the aperture once the stopper has been screwed upon the open end of the vessel. The plug mounts a breakable hollow nib and is installed after introduction into the chamber of a metered volume of preserving solution.