Ergonomic stool specimen container and enclosing holder systems, methods, and kits

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016206293-A1
Application number	US-201414914453-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 29, 2014
Priority date	Aug 29, 2013
Publication date	Jul 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided herein is technology relating to collecting and containing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for collecting and containing a stool specimen. The technology provides a device for collecting and containing a stool specimen, the device comprising ergonomic features optimized for a geriatric user. The technology also provides an enclosing holder for securing the ergonomic stool specimen container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

First claim

1 . An ergonomic device for collecting and containing a stool specimen, the device comprising:
a) a bucket comprising:
i) a top edge defining a top surface;
ii) an interior side defining a circumferential vertical surface;
iii) an exterior having a gripping feature; and
iv) a first engagement portion;
b) a lid comprising:
i) a top comprising a gripping feature; and
ii) a mated engagement portion adapted to removeably engage with said first engagement portion of said bucket;
and c) a seal configured to seal the junction between said bucket and said lid when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged, wherein said seal is configured to travel independently of said bucket and said lid during manipulation to engage said first engagement portion and said mated engagement portion.

2 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said bucket has an internal volume of at least 300 ml.

3 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said bucket has an internal volume between about 300 ml and about 1400 ml.

4 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said seal comprises a floating plate comprising a bottom horizontal surface, wherein when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged, said bottom horizontal surface of said floating plate is essentially perpendicular to said circumferential vertical surface of said bucket.

5 . The ergonomic device of claim 4 , wherein said bottom horizontal surface of said floating plate comprises a compressible seating surface configured to contact said top surface of said bucket, wherein said compressible seating surface is compressed when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

6 . The ergonomic device of claim 4 , wherein said floating plate comprises a cupped horizontal surface.

7 . The ergonomic device of claim 4 , wherein said bottom horizontal surface of said floating plate comprises a vertical component configured to contact the circumferential vertical surface of said bucket to form a circumferential seal with said circumferential vertical surface when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

8 . The ergonomic device of claim 4 , wherein said floating plate forms a seal between said lid and both said top surface and said circumferential vertical surface of said bucket when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

9 . The ergonomic device of claim 4 , wherein said floating plate comprises an upper horizontal surface, wherein said upper horizontal surface is disposed toward said lid when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

10 . The ergonomic device of claim 9 , wherein said upper horizontal surface of said floating plate comprises at least one raised feature, wherein said raised feature contacts said lid when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

11 . The ergonomic device of claim 10 , wherein said at least one raised feature provides substantially all of the contact between said upper horizontal surface of said floating plate and said lid when said first engagement portion of said bucket and said mated engagement portion of said lid are engaged.

12 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 wherein manipulation to engage said first engagement portion of said bucket with said mated engagement portion of said lid comprises turning said lid with respect to said bucket.

13 . The ergonomic device of claim 12 , wherein manipulation to engage said first engagement portion of said bucket with said mated engagement portion of said lid comprises turning said lid with respect to said bucket no more than 180 degrees.

14 . The ergonomic device of claim 12 , wherein manipulation to engage said first engagement portion of said bucket with said mated engagement portion of said lid comprises turning said lid with respect to said bucket no more than 90 degrees.

15 . The ergonomic device of claim 12 , wherein manipulation to engage said first engagement portion of said bucket with said mated engagement portion of said lid comprises turning said lid with respect to said bucket less than 90 degrees.

16 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 wherein said first engagement portion comprises a first threaded portion and said mated engagement portion comprises a mated threaded portion.

17 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment feature on said lid a/or said bucket.

18 . The ergonomic device of claim 17 , wherein said alignment feature comprises an alignment feature on said lid, said alignment feature on said lid selected from an external skirt, a support ring, and an alignment ring.

19 . The ergonomic device of claim 17 , wherein said alignment feature comprises an alignment feature on said bucket, said alignment feature on said bucket selected from a guide rib and a funnel portion.

20 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 wherein said first engagement portion comprises a first bayonet mount portion and said mated engagement portion comprises a mated bayonet mount portion.

21 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 wherein said first engagement portion comprises a first snap portion and said mated engagement portion comprises a mated snap portion.

22 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 wherein said bucket comprises a second engagement portion, and wherein said lid comprises a second mated engagement portion.

23 . The ergonomic device of claim 22 wherein said second engagement portion is a snap portion and said second mated engagement portion is a snap portion.

24 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said gripping feature on said lid is a crossed gripping feature.

25 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said lid and/or the bucket comprise one or more markings instructing a user in the manipulation required to engage an engagement portion of said bucket with a mated engagement portion of said lid.

26 . The ergonomic device of claim 25 , wherein said markings comprise symbols and/or text.

27 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said bucket comprises a plurality of gripping features on said exterior, wherein said plurality of gripping features are distributed around the circumference of said bucket.

28 . The ergonomic device of claim 1 , wherein said bucket comprises at least one sample disruption feature on said inside surface.

29 . The ergonomic device of claim 28 , wherein said bucket comprises a plurality of sample disruption features distributed on said inside surface.

30 . The ergonomic device of claim 28 or claim 29 , wherein said sample disruption features comprise a ridge and/or a bump.

31 . The ergonomic device of claim 28 , wherein said sample disruption feature is fixedly attached to said inside surface of said bucket.

32 . The ergonomic device of claim 28 , wherein said sample disruption feature is integrally formed on said inside surface of said bucket.

33 . A kit comprising the ergonomic device according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Exact Sciences Corp

Inventors

• Schiestle Joseph E
• Bruger Krystal A
• Parmer Timothy A
• Lunde Jad A
• Jang Sam M
• Schuelke David A
• Wolgemuth David B
• Lu jing yang

Classifications

• A61B10/0038 Primary

  Devices for taking faeces samples; Faecal examination devices (anal receptacles A61F5/451) · CPC title

• G01N1/38

  Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples · CPC title

• B01L2300/0858

  Side walls · CPC title

• B01L3/50825

  Closing or opening means, corks, bungs · CPC title

• G01N2001/386

  Other diluting or mixing processes · CPC title