BiSKit – Advanced Biological Sampling Kit for Large Area Collection
Description
The BiSKit is designed to sample surfaces for bacteria, viruses, and toxins and to deliver the sample in a liquid with sufficient volume for extensive testing and archiving. This unit has potential use for sampling biological agents from surfaces that could be tested at a later date.
The kit is designed to: 1) minimize cross-contamination; 2) be transportable following sampling; and 3) safely capture the liquid sample in a collection vial for analysis.
The liquid sample is held in a dropper bottle for drop-wise dispensing into hand- held assays (HHAs) or for use with other assays. The unit is particularly useful when taking multiple samples due to ease of use and minimization of the possibility of cross-contamination. The BiSKit has been designed to be easy to operate in Level A protective gear and to be able to transport the sample without leaking. The unit will enable many samples to be taken in quick succession with minimal hazardous exposure to the user. Minimization of cross-contamination of samples will lend credibility to the subsequent sample analysis and resulting data.
Technical Specifications
Size: 6.5” w x 7.0” h x 2.5” deep
Weight: 10 oz
Sponge: Aquafoam
Sample Collection Area: 1 square meter
Buffer: 15mL of Phosphate Buffered Saline
The unit employs a new foam material that is integrated into the screw-on lid and is ideal for picking up and dispensing biologicals in an aqueous buffer. Sampling matrix selection was based on the following criteria: ability to perform wet and dry biological sampling; compatibility with culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; ability to take up liquid; abrasion resistance; sterility and cost. With our unique design, buffer can be added to the unit prior to deployment to pre-wet the foam when sampling is desired in a wet format. The top of the unit screws onto the base to seal the fluid and the wetted foam until needed. For sampling, the top of the unit with the attached foam screws off and the user can sample large surface areas (1 m2). The top of the unit is then screwed back onto the casing and can be carried out of theater without leaking. The exposed sample foam is twisted into the locked position that causes the test fluid to flow through a grating where it is collected in a sample bottle. The sampler can also be used to sample a dry surface when testing cannot occur in a timely fashion. For this application the sampler can be hydrated and processed out of theater allowing the user to dispense the liquid sample just prior to testing.