摘要 |
Saliva samples are collected for bodily constituent analysis by placing a sponge member (5) into a patient's oral cavity. The sponge member (5) is formed similarly to a pacifier nipple. Saliva is absorbed. The saliva is then expelled from the sponge member (5), either by squeezing or centrifuging. In the case of the latter, the saliva is centrifuged into a collection container (12) which, during the centrifuging, is fluid-tightly connected with a sponge holder section (7). A filter (8) may be placed between the sponge holder section (7) and the collection container (12) to clean the saliva and allow only substances with a molecular weight below a cut-off weight to pass into the container. In the former case, the sponge member (5), after saliva has been absorbed, is placed into a vial-like container (12), which has soft walls. The container (12) may be squeezed to expell the saliva which is collected at the bottom of the container (12). A nipple (18) is then severed either by cutting or twisting off a twist cap (19) to remove the saliva from the container (12). |