| 摘要 |
<p>A specimen collection apparatus which reduces the chances of contamination while collecting a specimen is provided. The apparatus has an elongate flexible member (3) with a material (9) at or near the leading end (7) which is selected to permit the capture of a predetermined target substance thereon. The material and leading end of the flexible material are protected by a protective covering (11) during insertion of the flexible member into a region from where the specimen is to be collected, and after insertion the covering is removed to expose the material. Thereafter, a cable (5) can be operated to withdraw the material into the flexible member to prevent contamination of the specimen. The material is typically a polymer functionalised with a moiety to which the target substance will bind, such as an aliphatic quaternary ammonium moiety when the target substance is M. tuberculosis.</p> |
