This is a simple, low-cost device using absorbent material and nested tubes to collect clean, mucous-free oral fluid samples by centrifugation, making sample collection easier, more hygienic, and affordable for labs and research.
Oral fluid collection is an essential process in various fields, including clinical diagnostics, biomedical research, and educational laboratory exercises. Saliva contains numerous biomarkers that can provide valuable information about a person's health, making it a non-invasive and accessible alternative to blood sampling. In undergraduate biochemistry labs, for example, students often need to collect their own oral fluid samples for experiments involving enzymes or other analytes. However, the process of collecting these samples must be hygienic, straightforward, and comfortable for users, especially in group settings where embarrassment or discomfort can hinder participation and learning outcomes. Current approaches to oral fluid collection typically involve either expectorating (spitting or drooling) directly into a tube or using commercial collection devices. The former method is often perceived as unpleasant or embarrassing, particularly in classroom or group environments, and it tends to yield samples that are viscous and contaminated with mucous, making them difficult to handle and analyze in laboratory settings. On the other hand, commercially available collection devices, while more effective at producing cleaner samples, are prohibitively expensive for routine or large-scale use, especially in educational contexts with limited budgets. These challenges highlight the need for a cost-effective, user-friendly solution that can reliably produce high-quality, mucous-free oral fluid samples without causing discomfort or incurring significant expense.
This technology is a cost-effective and user-friendly device designed for the hygienic collection of oral fluid samples. It features two nested tubes and a ball of absorbent material, which may include a handle for ease of use. To operate, the user places the absorbent material in their mouth to collect oral fluid, then transfers it into the inner tube of the device. The entire assembly is then subjected to centrifugation, which uses centrifugal force to expel the liquid from the absorbent material. The expelled liquid passes through a small hole in the inner tube and collects in the base of the outer tube, resulting in a liquid-only oral fluid sample that is free from mucous and easy to handle in laboratory settings. The device is assembled from inexpensive, readily available components, with a total cost of less than $0.25 per unit. What differentiates this technology is its unique combination of simplicity, affordability, and effectiveness in producing high-quality, mucous-free oral fluid samples. Unlike traditional methods such as spitting or drooling into a tube—which can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, and yield viscous samples that are difficult to process—this device streamlines the collection process and ensures a clean, liquid sample suitable for laboratory analysis. Commercial alternatives are significantly more expensive, often costing several dollars per device, while this solution can be assembled from common materials, making it accessible for educational, clinical, and research applications. Its robust and foolproof design has been validated by undergraduate students with no collection failures, highlighting its reliability and scalability for widespread use in settings that require efficient and hygienic oral fluid collection.
• Cost-effective design with assembly cost under $0.25 per device
• Produces mucous-free, liquid-only oral fluid samples for easier laboratory handling
• Simple and user-friendly, reducing discomfort and embarrassment during sample collection
• Utilizes readily available components, enabling easy and scalable production
• Reliable and foolproof sample collection demonstrated with no failures in student use
• Applicable for educational labs, clinical diagnostics, and salivary biomarker research
• Compact and efficient use of centrifugal force to separate fluid from absorbent material
• Educational laboratory sample collection
• Clinical diagnostic saliva testing
• Salivary biomarker research
• Point-of-care oral fluid screening
Patent Pending
TRL 6
This technology is available for licensing.