Abstract: A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample. The sampling device includes a filtration assembly and a filter-collection receptacle disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a tubular container and a plunger, which is insertable into the tubular container via a proximal container opening. The filtration assembly is configured such that movement of the plunger within the tubular container, when a liquid specimen sample is contained in the tubular container and a filter is disposed in the tubular container, pushes at least a portion of the liquid specimen sample through the filter. The sampling device is configured such that the filter is advanceable into the filter-collection receptacle while the filter-collection receptacle is disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample, including a filtration assembly, which includes a tubular container and a plunger. The plunger includes a plunger head and a plunger rod that is shaped so as to define an internal plunger space having a plunger-space proximal opening through a proximal end of the plunger rod. The sampling device is configured such that a filter is removable from the tubular container via the plunger-space proximal opening while the plunger head is within the tubular container. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample. The sampling device includes a filtration assembly and a collection vial disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. The filtration assembly includes a tubular container and a plunger, which is insertable into the tubular container via a proximal container opening. The filtration assembly is configured such that movement of the plunger within the tubular container, when a liquid specimen sample is contained in the tubular container and a filter is disposed in the tubular container, pushes at least a portion of the liquid specimen sample through the filter. The sampling device is configured such that the filter is advanceable into the collection vial while the collection vial is disengageably coupled to the filtration assembly. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sampling device is provided for concentrating a liquid specimen sample, including a filtration assembly, which includes a tubular container and a plunger. The plunger includes a plunger head and a plunger rod that is shaped so as to define an internal plunger space having a plunger-space proximal opening through a proximal end of the plunger rod. The sampling device is configured such that a filter is removable from the tubular container via the plunger-space proximal opening while the plunger head is within the tubular container. Other embodiments are also described.