IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
COLLECTION DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract:

A collection device for examining fecal matter to determine whether or not a patient is afflicted with parasites includes a particle accumulating plug mounted on an end of a collection tube containing a fecal specimen. The particle accumulating plug includes a conically-shaped inner wall that defines an inverted funnel within the plug. A pipetting port is formed through the inner wall at the apex of the inverted funnel to allow the tip of a pipette to enter the port and aspirate the ova or eggs, or other parasite cells, that have separated from the fecal specimen when a flotation solution is added to the tube and the tube is centrifuged. The conical shape of the inner wall of the plug directs the separated parasite ova or eggs towards the pipetting port and to accumulate within the volume of the funnel of the plug so that a desired volume of fluid containing a concentrated quantity of parasite ova or eggs may be aspirated into the pipette tip through the pipetting port of the particle accumulating plug.