The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 09, 1999
Lloyd G. Mitchell, Durham, NC (US);
Intronn LLC, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to a device suitable for marking a collected sample, comprising collecting means for collecting the sample and at least one detectable marker which is associated with at least a portion of the collecting means, wherein the at least one detectable marker is contractable with the sample upon collection of the sample to mark the collected sample upon contact of the sample with the at least a portion of the collecting means having the at least one detectable marker associated therewith, and wherein the at least one detectable marker is other than a component which is present in the sample before collection and is inert to any component present in the sample before collection. Kits containing the device, methods for marking samples using the device, methods for determining the integrity of a marked sample, and use of the markers for the testing of laboratories and/or laboratory personnel for certification, proficiency testing or accreditation purposes are also provided.