Sample collection devices and related methods

Abstract

A device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, comprising: a body (2) which preferably extends elongated substantially along a principal axial extension direction (X), having at least one gripping portion (2i) for a user to grasp and at least one end portion (2e); a collecting portion (3) which is preferably positioned corresponding to the end portion and configured to collect, absorb, retain and / or release a sample of a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance; and at least one radio-identifying electronic device (10) which is configured to receive, transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio-controlled channel and is at least partially positioned within the body and / or within the collecting portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of devices suitable for the collection of substances, particularly samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical types, for example.

Background Art

[0002] A so-called "swab" is a device for collecting a sample, provided with an elongated body extending preferably along a predetermined main elongation axis. In known techniques, a collection part containing a fiber material having preferably typically hydrophilic properties is connected to the elongated body.

[0003] These devices are typically used to enable the collection of biological or microbiological substances from the body cavities of a subject, which can be, for example, but not limited to, a human or an animal, or samples of chemical types.

[0004] In some cases, the above-mentioned device may have the meaning of a nasopharyngeal swab. A nasopharyngeal swab is typically introduced into the nasal cavity through the opening of the nostril and is pushed into the nasal cavity until it typically reaches the mucosa present in the nasopharynx substantially corresponding to the posterior part of the nasal cavity in order to collect biological samples such as epithelial cells and secretions of the upper respiratory tract.

[0005] After collection, the nasopharyngeal swab is withdrawn from the nose, and then the collected sample can be placed, for example, in a reagent to determine the presence or absence of a specific pathogen, or subjected to other types of analysis, or contacted with a substance designed to enable storage over time and transportation to a laboratory.

[0006] In addition, these devices can also be used for the collection of non-biological substances and for the collection from surfaces or cavities that are not part of the subject, such as roads, walls, vehicles.

[0007] The devices described above are typically designed to allow collected samples to be stored with as little alteration as possible. For this reason, they are typically associated with a container that also contains at least a collection portion, preferably an elongated body, to protect the collected samples from external factors that may contaminate them.

[0008] The container may also contain chemicals or chemical compounds for storing the sample, detecting the presence of a particular substance in the sample, or identifying the properties of the sample.

[0009] A tag may be attached to the container, typically allowing for the cataloging of samples collected within the sampling area of ​​the device contained within the container. During use, some data is manually written to the tag by the operator.

[0010] The applicant notes that any writing error on the tag can cause problems with the correct cataloging of the sample taken within the sampling area. In fact, it should be noted that samples are typically kept in containers for extended periods and often stored together with other similar samples, which makes it even more difficult to accurately and retrospectively determine the actual origin, content, and / or date of collection of the sample if an error occurs.

[0011] Although it is known that tags printed with other types of markers can be attached to containers by automated methods, such tags or markers may change or be damaged over time, potentially altering or losing information about the sample, which could have serious consequences, for example, for the patient's health.

[0012] The purpose of this disclosure is to describe a device for sample collection that enables overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. [Overview of the project]

[0013] Next, the purposes of this disclosure are described in some of the notable aspects of this disclosure, which may be described together or in combination with the detailed description and / or parts of the claims.

[0014] According to this disclosure, firstly, a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, - A body (2) comprising at least one gripping portion (2i) for the user to grasp, and at least one end portion (2e), - Preferably a sampling portion (3) positioned corresponding to the end portion (2e), wherein the sampling portion (3) is configured to collect and / or absorb and / or retain and / or release a sample of a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance, -At least one radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a wireless communication channel, wherein the radio identification electronic device (10) is at least partially located within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), A device (1) comprising the above is described.

[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment, the device (1) comprises at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel, the radio identification electronic device (10) being at least partially located within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3).

[0016] In another non-limiting aspect, device (1) is at least, - A first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) at least partially located within the first body (2), or - A first radio identification electronic device (10) at least partially located within the first body (2) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) located within the sampling portion (3), - A first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) are disposed within the sampling portion (3), - A first radio identification electronic device (10) disposed within the sampling portion (3) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) at least partially disposed within the first body (2) It is equipped with.

[0017] In another, less restrictive embodiment, the body (2) extends elongated substantially along the principal axial extension direction (X), at least partially.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment, at least one of the body (2) and the sampling portion (3) is manufactured by molding, preferably injection molding and / or overmolding, particularly by insert or lost-core molding and / or co-molding.

[0019] In another, non-limiting embodiment, at least one of the body (2) and the sampling portion (3) is manufactured by overmolding on or at least partially around the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10).

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into a mold (200) and bonded to the body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3) in the molding, preferably in the injection molding and / or the overmolding, particularly in the insert or lost-core molding, and / or the co-molding.

[0021] According to another non - limiting aspect, the first and the second radio - identification electronic devices (10) are introduced into a mold (200) and, in the molding, preferably in the injection molding and / or the overmolding, particularly in the molding by the insert or lost - core method, and / or in the co - molding, are joined to the body (2) and / or the collection part (3).

[0022] According to another non - limiting aspect, the at least one radio - identification electronic device (10) is joined to the body and / or the collection part (3) by adhesion and / or press - fitting, optionally performed after the molding.

[0023] According to another non - limiting aspect, the at least one radio - identification electronic device (10) is irreversibly fixed to the body (2) and / or the collection part (3).

[0024] According to another non - limiting aspect, the body (2) is substantially rigid.

[0025] According to another non - limiting aspect, the body (2) is substantially flexible.

[0026] According to another non - limiting aspect, the body (2) is substantially flexible along a direction (X) substantially parallel to the main elongation direction.

[0027] According to another non - limiting aspect, the body (2) is substantially non - compressible.

[0028] According to another non - limiting aspect, the at least one radio - identification electronic device (10) is integrally arranged and encapsulated within the body (2) and / or the collection part (3), and / or the body (2) and / or the collection part (3) forms a coating layer (4) for the at least one radio - identification electronic device (10). Optionally, the coating layer (4) extends in a plurality of radial directions around the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) in directions oblique to, preferably perpendicular to, the principal elongation direction (X) of the body (2).

[0029] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the sampling portion (3) is joined to the main body (2) and / or is manufactured integrally with the main body (2) and / or seamlessly.

[0030] According to another non-limiting embodiment, the sampling portion (3) is, -A swab (3b) having one of the following properties: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral, preferably the swab (3b) is a swab (3b) which contains a plurality of hydrophilic fibers and is optionally flocked and / or has wound fibers and / or is a foam, - Support portion (3a) for the swab (3b) It is equipped with.

[0031] In another non-limiting embodiment, the end portion (2e) corresponds to and / or is seamlessly fabricated on the support portion (3a).

[0032] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is located within the support portion (3a), and the coating layer (4) is part of the support portion (3a).

[0033] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises each outer surface (10x).

[0034] In another, less restrictive embodiment, the body (2) has each outer surface (2x).

[0035] In another non-limiting embodiment, the outer surface (10x) of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is substantially in contact with the outer surface (2x) of the body (2), or faces the outer surface (2x) of the body (2), and / or partially protrudes outward from the body (2).

[0036] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned substantially corresponding to the end portion (2e) or corresponding to the gripping portion (2i).

[0037] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the device (1) comprises at least one vulnerable portion (5).

[0038] In another non-limiting embodiment, the vulnerable portion (5) is located on the body (2) and is configured to facilitate separation between at least a portion of the body (2) and the sampling portion (3).

[0039] In another non-limiting embodiment, the body (2) comprises at least one first half (7) and one second half (8) that are different from each other, selectively connectable to form an assembled configuration of the body (2), and selectively separable from each other to form a disassembled state of the body (2).

[0040] In another non-limiting embodiment, the harvesting portion (3) is manufactured on and engaged with both the first end of the first half (7) and the first end of the second half (8).

[0041] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the sampling portion (3) is selectively separable to form two hemispherical sampling portions, which are created on the first half (7) and the second half (8), respectively, after separating the first half (7) from the second half (8).

[0042] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned at least partially within the first half (7) or corresponding to the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and is joined to the first half (7) and / or is manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7), Alternatively, it may be positioned at least partially within the second half (8), or corresponding to the harvesting portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and joined to the first half (7), and / or manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7).

[0043] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is a first wireless identification electronic device.

[0044] In another non-limiting embodiment, the first radio identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the first half (7), the second radio identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the second half (8), and / or The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in accordance with a half-section portion fabricated on the first half (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in accordance with a half-section portion fabricated on the second half (8), and / or The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in correspondence with the first half (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in correspondence with the half-body portion fabricated on the second half (8).

[0045] In another non-limiting embodiment, the vulnerable portion (5) is located at a position that is axially translated along the main extension direction (X) of the main body (2) with respect to the position taken by the wireless identification electronic device (10).

[0046] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is substantially three-dimensional in shape and preferably has a principal extension axis of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) itself that is substantially parallel to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2), and / or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is passive, or active, or semi-active, or semi-passive.

[0047] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises at least one memory configured to store, during use, tracking data of the sample and / or the device (1) and / or data of the method of analysis of the sample and / or the date of collection of the sample and / or the conditions of transport of the sample.

[0048] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-only type or configured to operate in a read-only mode so that only data written to the memory can be read, or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-write type or configured to operate in a read-write mode so that data written to the memory can be read and written.

[0049] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) is optionally configured to transmit the electronic data to the reader device (100) on the radio communication channel with sufficient electromagnetic radiation power to enable reception of the electronic data when the reader device (100) is at least 30 cm, 20 cm, or 10 cm away from the radio identification electronic device (10) and / or from device (1).

[0050] In another, less limiting embodiment, the device comprises at least one tag (12) having at least one alphanumeric and / or visual code.

[0051] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the alphanumeric and / or visual code represents at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) and / or, when electronically read, causes a reader device (100) to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), particularly an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10).

[0052] In another non-limiting embodiment, the tag (12) is positioned on the body (2) or on the gripping and / or closing element (16) of the container (20) for the device (1), on an element fixed to the body (2) corresponding to the gripping portion (2i) or to the portion of the body (2) opposite to the end portion (2e).

[0053] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is heat-resistant and / or radiation-resistant and / or frost-resistant.

[0054] In another non-limiting embodiment, the body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), comprises or is made of at least one of the following materials: polyesters and derivatives, e.g., polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), high-density or low-density polyesters (HDPE, LDPE), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamides, especially aliphatic polyamides, e.g., nylon.

[0055] In another non-limiting embodiment, the body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), include or are made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

[0056] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a half-duplex type or is configured to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0057] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of the full-duplex type or is configured to operate in full-duplex mode.

[0058] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises an antenna configured to transmit a radioelectric signal along at least one principal radiation direction, preferably on a principal radiation plane where the radiation is isotropic.

[0059] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one principal radial direction is substantially inclined with respect to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2), preferably the principal radial surface is substantially inclined with respect to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2), and optionally the at least one principal radial direction is substantially perpendicular to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2), preferably the principal radial surface is substantially perpendicular to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2).

[0060] According to this disclosure, a method for manufacturing a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, wherein the method is - A step (1000) of manufacturing a body (2) having at least one gripping portion (2i) for the user to grasp and at least one end portion (2e), - A step (1001) of manufacturing a sampling portion (3) configured to collect and / or absorb and / or retain and / or release a sample of a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance, wherein the manufacturing step (1001) includes arranging the sampling portion (3) in correspondence with the end portion (2e), - A step (1002) of arranging at least one radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive and / or transmit electronic data on a radio communication channel, wherein the arranging step (1002) includes arranging at least partially within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), A method including this will be explained.

[0061] In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes the step (1002) of locating at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel, wherein the locating step (1002) includes locating at least partially the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3).

[0062] In another non-limiting embodiment, the placement step (1002) is: - Arranging at least partially a first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) within the first body (2), or - The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is placed at least partially within the first body (2), and at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) is placed within the sampling portion (3), - The sampling portion (3) contains a first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10). - A first wireless identification electronic device (10) is placed within the sampling portion (3), and at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) is placed at least partially within the first main body (2). Includes.

[0063] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step of manufacturing the body (2) is preferably the step of manufacturing a body that is elongated substantially along the principal axial extension direction (X) at least partially.

[0064] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1000) of manufacturing the body (2) and / or the step (1001) of manufacturing the harvested portion (3) includes the step of molding the body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3), preferably by injection molding and / or overmolding, particularly by insert molding or lost-core molding and / or co-molding.

[0065] In another non-limiting embodiment, the steps of manufacturing a body (2) (1000) and / or manufacturing a take-up body (3) (1001) include overmolding the body (2) and / or the take-up body (3) on or at least partially around the at least one radio identification electronic device (10).

[0066] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into a mold (200) and bonded to the body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3) in the molding step, preferably the injection molding step and / or the overmolding step, particularly in insert or lost-core molding and / or co-molding.

[0067] In another non-limiting embodiment, the first and second wireless identification electronic devices (10) are introduced into a mold (200) and joined to the body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3) in the molding step, preferably the injection molding step and / or the overmolding step, particularly the insert or lost-core molding step and / or co-molding step.

[0068] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1000) of manufacturing a body (2) and / or the step (1001) of manufacturing a harvest portion (3) includes the step of molding the body (2) and / or the harvest portion (3), preferably by injection molding and / or insert molding and / or co-molding, wherein the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is joined to the body (2) and / or the harvest portion (3) by bonding and / or press-fitting, which is optionally performed after molding.

[0069] In another non-limiting embodiment, the assembly produced by the steps of manufacturing the main body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3) (1000, 1001) and arranging (1002) results in the immovable fastening of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) to the main body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3).

[0070] In another non-limiting embodiment, the positioning step (1002) includes positioning the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) such that it is integrally located within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3) after the step (1000) of manufacturing the body (2) and / or after the step (1001) of manufacturing the sampling portion (3).

[0071] In another non-limiting embodiment, after the placement step (1002), the step of manufacturing the body (2) (1000), and the step of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) (1001), the body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) form a coating layer (4) of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10). Optionally, the coating layer (4) extends in a plurality of radial directions around the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) in directions oblique to, preferably perpendicular to, the principal elongation direction (X) of the body (2).

[0072] In another non-limiting embodiment, the steps of manufacturing the main body (2) (1000) and manufacturing the sampling portion (3) (1001) result in a connection of the sampling portion (3) to the main body (2) and / or a one-piece and / or seamless construction between the sampling portion (3) and the main body (2).

[0073] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1001) of manufacturing the sample portion (3) is: - A first substep of manufacturing a support portion (3a) for the swab (3b), -A second substep for producing a swab (3b) comprising a plurality of fibers having one of the following properties: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral, preferably hydrophilic, the second substep optionally comprising a step of flocculation and / or fiber winding and / or foam arrangement, Includes.

[0074] In another non-limiting embodiment, the positioning step (1002) includes positioning the wireless identification electronic device (10) within the support portion (3a).

[0075] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the coating layer (4) is part of the support portion (3a).

[0076] In another non-limiting embodiment, the first substep of manufacturing the support portion (3a) is performed simultaneously with the step of manufacturing the main body (2).

[0077] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises each outer surface (10x).

[0078] In another, less restrictive embodiment, the body (2) has each outer surface (2x).

[0079] In another non-limiting embodiment, the positioning step (1002) is to position the outer surface (10x) of at least one radio identification electronic device (10) in substantially contact with the outer surface (2x) of the body (2), following at least the completion of the step (1000) of manufacturing the body (2), or to position the outer surface (10x) of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) such that at least a portion of the outer surface (10x) is positioned corresponding to the outer surface (2x) of the body (2) and / or partially protrudes outward from the body (2).

[0080] In another non-limiting embodiment, the positioning step (1002) results in positioning the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) substantially corresponding to the end portion (2e) or corresponding to the gripping portion (2i).

[0081] In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes the step (1004) of creating a vulnerable portion (5) on the body (2), wherein the vulnerable portion is configured to facilitate separation between at least a portion of the body (2) and the harvested portion (3).

[0082] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1000) of manufacturing the body (2) includes the step of manufacturing a first half (7) and a second half (8) which are different from each other, selectively connectable to form an assembled configuration of the body (2), and selectively separable from each other to form a disassembled state of the body (2), and the step (1001) of manufacturing the harvested portion (3) includes manufacturing and engaging the harvested portion (3) on both the first end of the first half (7) and the first end of the second half (8).

[0083] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1001) of manufacturing the sampling (3) includes manufacturing and engaging the sampling portion (3) such that the sampling portion (3) is selectively separable to form two semi-spherical sampling portions, one on the first end of the first half (7) and the other on the first end of the second half (8), after the first half (7) has been separated from the second half (8).

[0084] In another non-limiting embodiment, the combination of the placement step (1002) and the step of manufacturing the body (2) (1000) and / or the step of manufacturing the sample portion (3) (1001) results in the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) being placed at least partially within the first half (7) or corresponding to the sample portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and being joined to the first half (7) and / or being manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7), Alternatively, the wireless identification electronic device (10) may be positioned at least partially within the second half (7), or corresponding to the harvesting portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and joined to the first half (7) and / or manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7).

[0085] In another non-limiting embodiment, the combination of the placement step (1002) and the step of manufacturing the body (2) (1000) and / or the step of manufacturing the sampled portion (3) (1001) results in at least one radio identification electronic device (10) being placed corresponding to the first half (7) and a second radio identification electronic device (10) being placed corresponding to the second half (8), and / or This results in a first radio identification electronic device (10) being positioned corresponding to a half-section fabricated on the first half (7), and a second radio identification electronic device (10) being positioned corresponding to a half-section fabricated on the second half (8), and / or This results in a first wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned corresponding to the first half (7), and a second wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned corresponding to the half-body portion fabricated on the second half (8).

[0086] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1004) of creating the vulnerable portion (5) results in the creation of the vulnerable portion (5) at a position that is axially translated along the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2) with respect to the position taken by the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10).

[0087] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1002) of arranging the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is the step of arranging a substantially three-dimensional wireless identification electronic device (10) such that the principal extension axis of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is aligned with the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2).

[0088] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) is passive, or active, or semi-active, or semi-passive, and the placement step (1002) is specifically configured to allow the memory of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) to store tracking data of the sample and / or device (1) and / or data of the method of analysis of the sample and / or the date of collection of the sample and / or the conditions of transport of the sample.

[0089] In another non-limiting embodiment, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-only type or configured to operate in a read-only mode so that only data written to the memory can be read, or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-write type or configured to operate in a read-write mode so that data written to the memory can be read and written.

[0090] In another non-limiting embodiment, the method includes the step (1003) of placing at least one tag (12) on the device (1), the tag (12) having at least one alphanumeric and / or visual code, the alphanumeric and / or visual code representing at least a portion of data stored in the memory of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10), and / or, when electronically read, causing a reader device (100) to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10), in particular an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10).

[0091] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1003) of placing at least one tag (12) on the device (1) includes placing the tag (12) on the body (2) or on the gripping and / or closing element of the container (20) for the device (1), on an element fixed to the body (2) corresponding to the gripping portion (2i) or to a portion of the body (2) opposite to the end portion (2e).

[0092] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1000) of manufacturing an elongated body (2) and / or the step (1001) of manufacturing the harvest portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), includes manufacturing the elongated body (2) and / or the harvest portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), in part or integrally from at least one of the following materials: polyesters and derivatives, e.g., polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), high-density or low-density polyesters (HDPE, LDPE), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyamides, especially aliphatic polyamides, e.g., nylon.

[0093] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step (1000) of manufacturing an elongated body (2) and / or the step (1001) of manufacturing the harvested portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), includes manufacturing the elongated body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), partially or integrally from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

[0094] This disclosure describes a container (20) configured for a device (1) according to one or more embodiments described herein.

[0095] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the container (20) has a substantially axially extending portion.

[0096] In another non-limiting embodiment, the substantially axial extension is equal to or greater than the extension of the elongated body (2) along the principal extension direction (X), and / or equal to or greater than the sum of the extension of the elongated body (2) and the extension of the sampling portion (3) along the principal extension direction (X).

[0097] In another non-limiting embodiment, the container (20) is configured to be closed by a stopper (16) to preferably airtight seal.

[0098] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the stopper (16) is preferably immovably connected to the device (1).

[0099] In another non-limiting embodiment, the container (20) has side walls configured to form a cavity for housing the device (1) when in use and to enable the transmission and reception of radio electromagnetic signals toward and from the device (1) when housed within the cavity.

[0100] According to this disclosure, a method for electronically reading electronic data written to a wireless identification electronic device (10) contained within a device (1) for sampling and transfer, according to one or more embodiments described herein, wherein the method is - The step of placing a wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the reader device (100), - A step of transmitting a predetermined query signal from the reader device (100) to the wireless identification electronic device (10), - A step of receiving a query signal, wherein the reception is performed on the at least one radio identification electronic device (10), and the receiving step results in electronic access to the memory of the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) and loading of at least a portion of the data contained in the memory for subsequent retransmission of a response signal, - A step of transmitting a response signal to a reader device (100), wherein the response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory. Methods including the following will be described.

[0101] In another, less limiting embodiment, the load is a load that is automatically and electronically performed by the control unit of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10).

[0102] In another, less restrictive embodiment, access to memory is performed automatically upon receipt of a query signal.

[0103] In another, less restrictive embodiment, the transmission step is performed automatically after electronic access to memory.

[0104] In another, less restrictive aspect, the method is: - The steps include placing a first wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the leader device (100), - The step of placing a second wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the reader device (100), - A step of transmitting a predetermined query signal from the reader device (100) to the first and second wireless identification electronic devices (10), - A step of receiving a query signal, wherein the reception is performed on first and second radio identification electronic devices (10), and the receiving step results in electronic access to the memories of the first and second radio identification electronic devices (10) and loading of at least a portion of the data contained in the memories for subsequent retransmission of the first and second response signals, respectively. - A step of transmitting a first response signal to a reader device (100) by a first radio identification electronic device (10), wherein the first response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the first radio identification electronic device (10), - A step of transmitting a second response signal to the reader device (100) by a second wireless identification device (10), wherein the second response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the second wireless identification electronic device (10), - A step of electronically comparing a second response signal with the first response signal, Includes.

[0105] According to another, non-limiting aspect, -If at least a portion of the second response signal is identical to at least a portion of each of the first response signals, the consistency of the connection between the first and second wireless identification devices (10) is determined, or -If any portion of the second response signal is not identical to any portion of the first response signal, it is determined that there is no consistency in the connection between the first and second wireless identification devices (10).

[0106] According to this disclosure, a method for electronically writing electronic data to at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) of a device (1) for sampling and transfer, according to one or more embodiments described herein, wherein the method is - A step of writing electronic data to the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), -Optionally, the step of configuring the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) such that the electronic device is configured in read-only mode so that the electronic data written to the memory can no longer be modified, Methods including the following will be described.

[0107] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the step of writing the data is performed before the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3).

[0108] In another non-limiting embodiment, the step of writing the data is performed after the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) has been introduced into the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably after the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) has been molded in a mold containing the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), particularly after co-molding and / or injection molding and / or overmolding and / or insert molding.

[0109] The Disclosure also describes apparatus for manufacturing a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, preferably in one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0110] In another, non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus is configured and specifically defined to cause the execution of a step of a method according to one or more embodiments described herein.

[0111] The Disclosure also describes a control unit configured to cause activation of equipment for manufacturing a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

[0112] The Disclosure also describes a software program which, when executed, includes a portion of software code for causing the execution of one or more of the methods described herein.

[0113] The object of this disclosure is described in a detailed description with reference to several preferred embodiments of Device 1. In particular, these preferred embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a brief description of the figures is provided below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0114] [Figure 1] A side view of the device for which the present disclosure is intended in the first embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1 is shown along line II-II. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 4] A side view of another embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device along line VV. [Figure 6] A side view of another embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 7] The following are partial side views of specific embodiments of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, where a vulnerable portion exists. [Figure 8] A side view of one embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure contained within a container is shown. [Figure 9] A side view of another embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure is shown, in which first and second wireless identification electronic devices are present. [Figure 10] The image shows a partial side view of a particular embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, in which a vulnerable portion exists and first and second wireless identification electronic devices are present. [Figure 11] A side view of another embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure contained within a container is shown. [Figure 12] Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the device. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional side view detailing a specific embodiment of the device for which this disclosure is intended is shown. [Figure 14] The image shows a cross-sectional side view of a particular embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, in which there are first and second wireless identification electronic devices that have been subjected to a process for forming a first half and a second half opposite the first half, respectively. [Figure 15] A short flowchart of the manufacturing process for the device for which this disclosure is intended is shown. [Figure 16] A schematic diagram of a relevant device for the purposes of this disclosure, manufactured by molds and molding, is shown. [Figure 17] This diagram shows a schematic representation of a reader device for radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags configured to perform electronic comparison of data. [Figure 18] A schematic diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of the reader device is shown. [Figure 19]A specific embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure is shown, which includes first and second wireless identification electronic devices. [Figure 20] This describes a specific alternative embodiment of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, in which the first and second wireless identification electronic devices are present. [Figure 21] Further specific embodiments of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, in which the first and second wireless identification electronic devices are present, are shown. [Figure 22] Further specific embodiments of the device for the purposes of this disclosure, in which the first and second wireless identification electronic devices are present, are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0115] Referring to Figure 1, reference numeral 1 indicates the overall device 1 for sample collection and transfer, preferably a biological substance, microbiological substance, or chemical substance.

[0116] For the purposes of this disclosure, “biological substance” means a substance containing at least one of the following: secretions from human or animal tissue, tissue samples, tissue cells, blood, etc., e.g., a wetting substance, in particular, but not limited to, fluids and / or liquids.

[0117] In a preferred embodiment, device 1 is primarily intended to enable the collection of biological samples from the nasal cavity, particularly from a portion of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and / or nasopharynx.

[0118] Device 1 described herein can preferably be used to perform screening and / or testing for the presence of coronaviruses, in particular, but not limited to, SARS-CoV-2 type viruses (basic variants and subsequent variants of the basic variants). Thus, Device 1 described herein prepares a so-called nasopharyngeal swab.

[0119] Device 1 described herein may also be used for activities to collect non-biological substances or compounds, such as inorganic substances, from surfaces such as roads, walls, and vehicles.

[0120] The applicant noted that consistency in association with the device 1 itself, rather than the container, is essential for maintaining an accurate catalog of the samples taken by the device 1.

[0121] The applicant also noted that the use of a radio-frequency identification electronic device, commonly known as an "RFID tag," in relation to device 1 for sample collection and transfer would enable optimization of such associations by significantly reducing the risk of false associations between the collected sample data and device 1.

[0122] An RFID tag is an example of a radio identification electronic device (identified herein by reference no. 10) configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel toward an electronic device which constitutes a transmitter of electronic data toward at least one radio identification electronic device and / or a receiver of electronic data transmitted by at least one radio identification electronic device.

[0123] In more detail, Device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure, in its general embodiment, includes at least, - A body 2, preferably of an elongated type, and therefore preferably extending at least partially substantially axially along the principal extension direction X, comprising at least one gripping portion 2i for the user to grasp, and at least one end portion 2e, - A sampling portion 3 is positioned corresponding to the end portion 2e and is configured to collect and / or absorb and / or retain and / or release a certain amount of sample, preferably a biological substance, microbiological substance, or chemical substance. A system is in place.

[0124] In the following sections of this description, the preferred embodiment of the body described above will primarily refer to the elongated body 2. Where possible, the characteristics of the elongated body 2 should also extend to the non-elongated body 2.

[0125] The elongated body 2 is preferably made of a plastic material, and this technical feature allows for an elongated body 2 that is extremely economical to manufacture. The elongated body 2 is substantially flexible so that it can at least partially fit into the curves of the nasal cavity, nostrils and / or nasopharynx.

[0126] The flexibility of the elongated body 2 is primarily given along a direction substantially parallel to the axis X. This means that such a body can be bent to follow a curve away from the axis X. Along a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X, both the preferably elongated and non-elongated body 2 are substantially incompressible.

[0127] For example, the elongated body 2 may have a substantially circular cross-section and may extend along axis X with a substantially constant diameter, for example, but not limited to, 1.5 mm to 3 mm, more preferably 2 mm to 2.5 mm. If the cross-section is not circular, the shape of the cross-section may be enclosed by a circumference whose diameter respects the above-mentioned limits.

[0128] If the main body is not of an elongated type, in particular, the extension along an axis perpendicular to axis X may be substantially equal to the extension of the main body along axis X.

[0129] The elongated body 2 is shown in Figure 1 as having a substantially uniform thickness. In alternative embodiments, the elongated body 2 may have a diameter, or more generally a cross-section, in areas that are not constant as it moves along axis X, so this should not be intended as a limiting form. When made of plastic material, the elongated body 2 may be made by molding, particularly by injection molding or co-molding, or even by overmolding, particularly by insert or lost-core molding.

[0130] For the purposes of this disclosure, overmolding is intended to be a process in which a coating layer is formed directly onto a substrate, such as a plastic material, on which a finished product can be manufactured.

[0131] Overmolding includes insert molding and lost-core molding.

[0132] For the purposes of this disclosure, insert molding is intended to be a process in which a part to be made, for example, a metallic substrate is first positioned in a mold, and then a molding process is carried out in the mold to produce a finished product. The substrate remains visible.

[0133] On the other hand, in the lost-core molding method, the base material is dissolved or melted into the coating material.

[0134] In one embodiment, the elongated body 2 can be manufactured by a 3D molding process.

[0135] 3D molding processes can be conveniently carried out by using, for example, but not limited to, polyester-type polymer plastic materials such as PBT, PEEK, PPS, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, or PMMA.

[0136] Non-limiting examples of plastic materials that may be used in the partial or complete manufacture of the elongated body 2 include: -Polyesters and derivatives, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), -Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), -Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), - Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), -Polyurethane (PU), - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), -Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), - High-density or low-density polyester (HDPE, LDPE), -Polycarbonate, -polystyrene, - Polyamides, especially aliphatic polyamides, such as nylon. It includes.

[0137] Therefore, it is clear that the plastic material that can be used to fabricate the elongated body 2 can be either thermoplastic or thermosetting (e.g., PU).

[0138] Wherever plastic materials are referred to in general in this disclosure, it should be intended that certain types of plastic materials described herein in relation to 3D molding of elongated bodies may be used interchangeably with, or in addition to, other specifically described types of materials.

[0139] On the surface, the elongated body 2, particularly the gripping portion 2i, may be provided with elements (e.g., knurling) designed to enhance grip by the user's fingers and / or palm. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the gripping portion 2i may be provided with a rubber layer.

[0140] The sampling portion 3 is preferably, - A swab 3b, which is particularly preferably having one of the following substantial properties: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral. - Support portion 3a for swab 3b, It is equipped with.

[0141] In a preferred embodiment, the swab 3b is a swab 3b comprising a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, optionally flocked, and / or having wound fibers, and / or being a foam.

[0142] Swab 3b, which has neutral properties, exhibits a significant lack of hydrophilicity and a significant lack of hydrophobicity.

[0143] In a preferred configuration, when observing device 1 along direction X, the support portion 3a is radially inward relative to the swab 3b. The swab 3b surrounds the support portion 3a.

[0144] The support portion 3a may be intended as a seamless continuation of the elongated body 2.

[0145] The materials that can be used for the partial or complete manufacture of the harvested portion 3, and in particular for the partial or complete manufacture of the support portion 3a, are those listed above for the partial or complete manufacture of the elongated body 2.

[0146] In one embodiment, the collection portion 3 is configured and specifically defined to allow the collection of at least 40 ml, or 50 ml, or 70 ml, or 100 ml of fluid. This is particularly effective when the collection portion 3 may be in the form of a sub-container. If the collection portion 3 is swab-type, especially flocculated, the typical amount of sample, preferably fluid, collected can reach 50 μl, or 70 μl, or 100 μl, or up to 150 μl. This ensures that sufficient fluid is collected to reliably perform further tests, particularly diagnostic tests, and more specifically, nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reverse reaction (NAAT) tests. This makes the collection portion 3 suitable, for example, for collecting samples for screening and / or testing for the presence of coronavirus and / or for forensic applications.

[0147] In certain embodiments, the sampling portion 3, particularly the swab 3b, can be pre-soaked with or impregnated with a substance, especially a reagent.

[0148] In the case of a flocked swab, the flocking process allows for the deposition of fibers within an electrostatic field, enabling the regular deposition of fibers perpendicular to the surface of the support portion 3a.

[0149] In one embodiment, the fiber is selected from a list of materials including synthetic and natural materials, and in particular from a list of materials including at least one of rayon, polyester, polyamide, carbon fiber, alginate, cotton, silk, or mixtures thereof, and sponge.

[0150] In the device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure, at least one of the elongated body 2 and / or harvesting portion 3 is manufactured by molding, preferably injection molding and / or overmolding, in particular by insert or lost-core molding.

[0151] As previously stated, the device 1 described herein comprises at least one radio identification electronic device 10 (RFID tag) configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel. The radio identification electronic device 10 is at least partially located within the elongated body 2 and / or within the sampling portion 3.

[0152] The use of the clause “and / or” in the above sentence is justified in that the applicant has devised different embodiments of device 1 that provide arrangement of the wireless identification electronic device 10 corresponding to the elongated body 2, or corresponding to the sampling portion 3, or partially corresponding to the elongated body 2 and partially corresponding to the sampling portion 3.

[0153] As shown below, there may be more wireless identification electronic devices 10. - A first radio identification electronic device 10 and at least one second radio identification electronic device 10, at least partially disposed within the first body 2, or - A first radio identification electronic device 10 at least partially located within the first body 2 and at least one second radio identification electronic device 10 located within the sampling portion 3, - A first radio identification electronic device 10 and at least one second radio identification electronic device 10 are located within the sampling portion 3. - A first wireless identification electronic device 10 disposed within the sampling portion 3 and at least one second wireless identification electronic device 10 at least partially disposed within the first body 2.

[0154] The following description illustrates some preferred, non-limiting embodiments of Device 1, with specific reference to the attached drawings.

[0155] Where applicable, the following description applies to at least one, preferably all, wireless identification electronic devices 10 present on device 1. Therefore, to avoid unduly increasing the length of this text, there is no specific difference in the description between embodiments with a single wireless identification electronic device and embodiments with multiple wireless identification electronic devices.

[0156] In particular, Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of device 1 in which the wireless identification electronic device 10 is located inside an elongated body 2. Figure 2, which shows a cross-sectional view along line II-II in Figure 1, shows that the wireless identification electronic device 10 is centered on the axis X along which the elongated body 2 extends. In the particular embodiment of Figure 1, the wireless identification electronic device 10 has a substantially three-dimensional shape in which the body has a principal extension direction parallel to the principal extension direction X of the elongated body 2. At least a portion of the cross-section (plane perpendicular to direction X) of the wireless identification electronic device 10 has a substantially circular shape. This means that at least a portion of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is cylindrical. Figure 2 shows the outer surface 2x of the elongated body 2 and the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0157] In one embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is integrally arranged or enclosed within an elongated body 2, and is particularly located within the end portion 2e of the body.

[0158] The elongated body 2 forms the covering layer 4 of the wireless identification electronic device 10, and therefore the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is located inside the elongated body 2 and surrounded by the covering layer 4, and is therefore located radially inward relative to the outer surface 10x.

[0159] The thickness of the coating layer 4 in Figure 2 is shown as uniform, which results from a specific, non-limiting combination of the cross-sectional shape of the radio identification electronic device 10 and, in particular, the cross-sectional shape of the elongated body 2, which in Figure 2 is at least partially cylindrical. This configuration should not be intended to be limiting.

[0160] Therefore, in some embodiments of device 1, it can be argued that the coating layer 4 extends around the wireless identification electronic device 10 in multiple radial directions that extend obliquely, preferably perpendicular to, the main elongation direction X of the elongated body 2.

[0161] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along axis X of an alternative embodiment of device 1. In Figure 3, the wireless identification electronic device 10 still corresponds to an elongated body, but it should be noted that such a wireless identification electronic device 10 is not axially centered on axis X of the elongated body 2. In particular, the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 3 is such that a portion of the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 substantially contacts the outer surface 2x of the elongated body 2. This further means that the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be visible when observing device 1 from a right angle to the side.

[0162] In further embodiments not shown in the attached figures, the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 partially protrudes outward from the elongated body 2.

[0163] Figure 4 shows a side view of another embodiment of device 1, in which the wireless identification electronic device 10 is integrally located inside the sampling portion 3.

[0164] In this case, the coating layer 4 of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is formed by the sampling portion 3, particularly the support portion 3a of the sampling portion 3. Therefore, the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is inside the sampling portion 3, particularly inside the support portion 3a. The wireless identification electronic device 10 is located radially inward with respect to the outer surface 10x.

[0165] As shown in detail in Figure 5, which represents a cross-section of device 1 along line VV in Figure 4, the thickness of the coating layer 4 can be uniform, which results from a specific, non-limiting combination of the cross-sectional shape of the radio identification electronic device 10 and the cross-sectional shape of the sampling portion 3, in particular the support portion 3a of the sampling portion.

[0166] Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned between an elongated body 2 and a sampling portion 3, with a portion of the wireless identification electronic device 10 located within the elongated body 2, particularly corresponding to the end portion of the elongated body 2, and a portion of the wireless identification electronic device 10 located within the sampling portion 3, for example, integrally included in the support portion 3a of the sampling portion 3, or positioned such that a portion of the outer surface 10x of the wireless identification electronic device 10 corresponds to the interface between the support portion 3a and the swab 3b. Thus, in this embodiment as well, the wireless identification electronic device 10 can be axially aligned with the main elongation direction X of the elongated body 2, or axially offset with respect to this direction.

[0167] Figure 9 shows a specific embodiment of Device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure. -The first wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned in a region corresponding to the area between the end portion 2e and the sampling portion 3 of the main body 2. - The second wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned in a location corresponding to the intermediate region between the gripping portion 2i and the end portion 2e.

[0168] Figure 7 shows a specific embodiment of device 1 in which a vulnerable portion 5 is provided on an elongated body 2.

[0169] The purpose of the fragile portion 5 is to facilitate the separation of the sample portion 3 from at least a part of the elongated main body 2 by fracture.

[0170] In one embodiment of Figure 7, the vulnerable portion 5 is positioned corresponding to the end portion 2e of the elongated body 2. This configuration is not intended to be restrictive, and in practice, the vulnerable portion 5 can be positioned, for example, corresponding to the approximately central region of the elongated body 2, or to the portion of the elongated body 2 further rearward from the end portion 2e.

[0171] The vulnerable portion 5 can be fabricated by various techniques, one of which involves a localized reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the elongated body 2, as shown in Figure 7. For example, if the elongated body 2 has a circular cross-section (for simplicity, we assume that the diameter of the elongated body 2 is constant along the entire elongation of the elongated body 2), the vulnerable portion 5 can preferably be fabricated by a localized reduction in diameter relative to the diameter of the rest of the elongated body. It is clear that the reduction in diameter causes a greater localized vulnerability that facilitates the separation of the elongated body 2 from the harvested portion 3.

[0172] Figure 7 shows a specific, non-limiting embodiment of device 1, in which the elongated body 2 is provided with a vulnerable portion, and the wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned corresponding to the sampling portion 3.

[0173] This is not intended to limit the association of the vulnerable portion 5 with the wireless identification electronic device 10 positioned in correspondence with the sampling portion 3. In fact, in the mode described above, the vulnerable portion 5 can be provided on the elongated body 2 even if the wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned in correspondence with the elongated body 2, or partially in correspondence with the elongated body 2 and partially in correspondence with the sampling portion 3.

[0174] If at least two radio identification electronic devices 10 are present, they may be positioned above and below the vulnerable portion 5 so that the body 2 can retain a unique electronic track containing the sample contained in a particular sampling portion 3, even if the sampling portion 3 is separated from the rest of the body 2 by fracture. This solution is shown in Figure 10, where a first radio identification electronic device 10 is clearly shown, positioned corresponding to the sampling portion 3 and then below the vulnerable portion, and a second radio identification electronic device 10 is shown corresponding to the end portion 2e of the body 2.

[0175] The wireless identification electronic device 10 first comprises a memory configured to store electronic data, an antenna, and a physical support, which is typically made of a plastic material, the physical support integrating the memory and, optionally, the antenna.

[0176] Preferably, the memory is a non-volatile type of memory, such as EEPROM or FRAM® memory, but is not limited to these.

[0177] In one embodiment, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be active, passive, semi-active, or semi-passive.

[0178] A passive radio identification electronic device 10 is configured to respond by transmitting a determined radio signal only when queried by a reader that transmits a predetermined query signal. In this case, the power of the signal received by the radio identification electronic device 10 is sufficient to generate enough power to transmit the response signal. Such a passive device does not have a battery.

[0179] The wireless identification electronic device 10 can also be written to by a transmitter device, in which case a wireless signal is transmitted to the wireless identification electronic device 10, and the data carried by the signal is stored in the device's memory.

[0180] An active radio identification electronic device 10 typically has an internally powered battery and, in addition to the typical memory of the radio identification electronic device 10, optionally has more antennas for receiving and / or transmitting and / or storing signals on multiple radio channels. The transmission range of an active radio identification electronic device 10 is greater than that of a passive radio identification electronic device 10.

[0181] The semi-passive radio identification electronic device 10 also has memory and a battery, but the battery is used only to power a microchip or auxiliary device if one is present, and is not used to power the transmission of signals provided in response to a query signal. In other words, during a query, the semi-passive radio identification electronic device 10 operates in principle in the same way as the passive radio identification electronic device 10.

[0182] The semi-active radio identification electronic device 10 also has memory and a battery, but in this case the battery is also for supplying power to transmit a response signal to a query signal. Typically, the radio identification electronic device 10 is deactivated and is powered only when it receives a predetermined transmission signal, operating in the same manner as the passive radio identification electronic device 10.

[0183] Preferably, but not limited to, the applicant prefers to use a passive wireless identification electronic device 10 that can suitably reduce the costs associated with manufacturing device 1 and can be made smaller than others.

[0184] In principle, the wireless identification electronic device 10 can operate in a wide variety of frequency ranges, from LF to microwave frequencies.

[0185] This specification proposes below some non-limiting examples of frequency bands that can be used in the wireless identification electronic device 10. -125 / 134kHz (LF) -13.56MHz (HF) -433MHz (UHF, typically used for active tags) -860~960MHz (UHF) -2.4GHz (UHF, typically used for active or passive tags) -5.8GHz (SHF, generally used only for active tags) The applicant notes that the radio identification electronic device 10, which operates in the LF (125 / 134 kHz) and HF (13.56 MHz) bands, is defined as passive in the ISO standard.

[0186] In one embodiment, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be in read-only mode, or may be operated in read-only mode. In read-only mode, only reading of data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is possible, but writing is not.

[0187] In an alternative embodiment, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be in read / write mode, or may be operated in read / write mode. Read / write mode is a mode in which at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10 can be both written to and read.

[0188] In certain embodiments, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may include a memory. - The first part of the memory is writable and / or readable. - The second part of the memory is read-only.

[0189] In one embodiment, the data that can be stored in memory is, for example, tracking data of the sample and / or device 1 and / or data on the method of analyzing the sample and / or the date of sample collection and / or the conditions of transporting the sample.

[0190] The data that can be stored in memory may also include a unique identification code for the wireless identification electronic device 10. This code may be assigned by the manufacturer of the wireless identification electronic device 10 or by the manufacturer of device 1 as described herein. This code is stored in a way that it cannot be altered, and in one embodiment in which a first part and a second part of memory exist, this unique identification code is stored in the second part of memory.

[0191] The existence of a unique identification code enables secure tracking of the devices described herein, and the possibility of an electronically-readable unique identification code being altered unintentionally is negligible. Furthermore, the fact that the unique identification code is stored in a single readable area of ​​the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10 incorporated in the main body 2, and therefore cannot be easily removed, reduces the risk of its unintentional alteration, for example, by replacing the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0192] The wireless identification electronic device 10 may be configured to transmit wireless electronic signals that include or do not include the unique identification code. In particular, the following configurations are possible: -In each query, the wireless identification electronic device 10 transmits only the unique identification code in the response signal. -In each query, the wireless identification electronic device 10 transmits in the response signal at least a portion of the data of the memory, preferably a first part of the memory, which does not include the unique identification code. -According to the query signal, the wireless identification electronic device 10, a) Send only a unique identification code, or b) Transmitting at least a portion of the data of memory, preferably a first part of memory, which does not include the unambiguous identification code, or c) Transmit at least a portion of the data in memory, preferably a first part of memory, which does not include the unambiguous identification code, and the unambiguous identification code.

[0193] When referenced in item c), the transmission of a unique identification code is: - At least a portion of the data in memory, preferably a first part of memory, that does not include the unambiguous identification code, and can track in time the transmission of the unambiguous identification code, or - This can temporally precede the transmission of at least a portion of the data in the memory, preferably the first part of the memory, which does not include the aforementioned unique identification code.

[0194] Furthermore, this disclosure also reveals a method for reading electronic data written to the wireless identification electronic device 10 of device 1 according to this disclosure.

[0195] This method first includes the step of positioning device 1 near the reader device 100. The distance required to enable accurate reception of the query signal by the wireless identification electronic device 10 is determined by the following factors: -Technologies for fabricating the wireless identification electronic device 10, in particular, depending on whether it is active, passive, semi-active, or semi-passive. - Antenna gain of leader device 100, - Shielding rate provided by the possibility of the presence of container 20 It depends on at least one of the following.

[0196] The shielding rate should be limited as much as possible, and for this reason, the side walls of the container 20 are made of a material specially configured to provide low absorption of electromagnetic signals transmitted to the device 1 by the reader device 100 when the device 1 is positioned within the cavity of the container 20, or electromagnetic signals received by the reader device 100 when transmitted by the device 1 positioned within the cavity of the container 20.

[0197] Typically, in the case of a passive radio identification electronic device 10, to enable accurate reception of the response signal, a distance of several centimeters, up to 30 cm, up to 20 cm, or up to 10 cm can be reasonably estimated as the distance between the radio identification electronic device 10 and the reader device 100.

[0198] The method then provides a step of transmitting a predetermined query signal from the reader device 100 to device 1, which, if applicable, creates a cross-section of the wall of the container 20 and / or a portion of the elongated body 2 or sampling portion 3 by the query signal.

[0199] The method then provides a step of receiving a query signal, which is performed on the radio identification electronic device 10, and the receiving step involves accessing the memory of the radio identification electronic device 10 and retrieving data to be returned by a response signal. Access to the memory is performed automatically when the query signal is received.

[0200] The method then provides a step of transmitting a response signal to the reader device 100, which is performed automatically after access to the memory. This response signal is a response signal that is transmitted clearly over a wireless channel.

[0201] If device 1 includes multiple wireless identification electronic devices 10, then the following - The step of placing the first wireless identification electronic device 10 in the vicinity of the reader device 100, - The step of placing a second wireless identification electronic device 10 in the vicinity of the reader device 100, It is possible that such a thing exists.

[0202] The two steps described above are performed substantially simultaneously, since both the first and second radio identification electronic devices 10 are relatively close together due to the modest size of device 1.

[0203] Next, there is a step in which the reader device 100 transmits a predetermined query signal to the first and second radio identification electronic devices 10, preferably the query signal being a, and thus arriving at both the first and second radio identification electronic devices 10 substantially simultaneously in time. The difference between the distance (between the first radio identification electronic device 10 and the reader device 100) and (between the second radio identification electronic device 10 and the reader device 100) is such that the propagation delay is completely negligible for the purposes of this disclosure.

[0204] Therefore, there is a step of receiving a query signal, which is performed by the first and second radio identification electronic devices 10.

[0205] The receiving step results in electronic access to the memories of the first and second radio identification electronic devices 10 and loading of at least a portion of the data contained in the memories for subsequent retransmission of the first and second response signals, respectively.

[0206] Subsequently, the first wireless identification electronic device 10 transmits a first response signal to the reader device 100.

[0207] The first response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the first wireless identification electronic device 10, preferably the data not being part of the unique identification code of the first wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0208] Furthermore, the second wireless identification device 10 transmits a second response signal to the reader device 100.

[0209] The second response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the second wireless identification electronic device 10, preferably the data not being part of the unique identification code of the second wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0210] Next, there may be a step of electronically comparing the second response signal with the first response signal, which is intended to determine the consistency of the connection between the first and second wireless identification electronic devices 10 in terms of data consistency (i.e., whether the first and second halves 7 and 8 were part of the same body 2, or whether the first and second parts of device 1, which were originally separated from the vulnerable portion 5, were part of the same device 1).

[0211] This step is schematically summarized in Figure 17 from a structural standpoint. Here, we see device 1 in which the physically separated first and second radio identification electronic devices 10 are integrated above and below the aforementioned vulnerable portion 5, respectively. Note in particular that the sampling portion 3 is housed at the bottom of the container 20. The first and second response signals are shown in Figure 17 by reference numbers S1 and S2. The control unit performs reading and electronic comparison of the data contained in the first and second response signals. If necessary, the control unit performs the above decoding.

[0212] If at least a portion of the second response signal (in particular, the portion excluding the unique identification code) is identical to at least a portion of each of the first response signals, the consistency of the connection between the first and second wireless identification devices 10 is determined.

[0213] If, instead, any portion of the second response signal is not identical to any portion of the first response signal, it is determined that there is inconsistency in the connection between the first and second wireless identification devices 10.

[0214] In particular, due to configuration or structural limitations of the radio identification electronic device 10, if the step of transmitting a response signal occurs simultaneously with at least part of the step of receiving a query signal, there exists a full-duplex type or a radio identification electronic device 10 that can operate in a simultaneous bidirectional (transmit and receive) manner. Alternatively, if, in particular due to configuration or structural limitations of the radio identification electronic device 10, the step of transmitting a response signal occurs following the completion of the step of receiving a query signal, there exists a half-duplex type or a radio identification electronic device 10 that operates in half-duplex.

[0215] Preferably, but not limited to the above, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is configured to receive and transmit signals by numerical modulation, such as FSK, ASK, or PSK.

[0216] In one embodiment, before the steps of the method for reading data described above, data may be written to the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10. The method may then include the step of configuring the wireless identification electronic device 10 so that it can be configured in read-only mode so that the electronic data written to the memory can no longer be modified. The steps described herein may be performed depending on the following cases: - Before the wireless identification electronic device 10 is introduced into the elongated body 2 and / or the sampling portion 3, -After the wireless identification electronic device 10 is introduced, in particular, after the elongated body and / or the taking portion 3 is molded, in particular co-molding and / or injection molding and / or overmolding, in particular after molding by insert or lost-core method, within a mold into which the wireless identification electronic device 10 is incorporated.

[0217] The transmission of the response signal means that the response signal passes through the wall of the container 20 and / or a portion of the elongated body 2 or the sampling portion 3.

[0218] Figure 8 shows a side view of one embodiment of the device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure introduced into a container 20, in which case the entire elongated body 2 and the sampling portion 3 are substantially housed within the length of the elongated body 2.

[0219] The container 20 has a substantially axial extension, a mouth corresponding to its first end, and a portion of the bottom corresponding to its second end on the opposite side of the first end.

[0220] Figure 8 shows a specific embodiment of the device 1 for integrating a stopper for container 20, the stopper identified by reference numeral 16, which is positioned to correspond to the portion of the elongated body 2 opposite to the end portion 2e of the elongated body 2.

[0221] The stopper 16 is configured to be at least partially introduced into the interior of the container 20, or to be screwed into or coupled to the container 20, to close the container 20 in a removable manner, preferably in an airtight seal.

[0222] In non-limiting embodiments, the stopper 16 may be made of a plastic material. Alternatively, the stopper 16 may be made of rubber and may have significant elastic deformability properties to ensure the airtight closure described above.

[0223] The stopper 16, if present, is attached to the elongated body 2 in such a way that it remains immovably attached to the elongated body 2, at least in the operating configuration.

[0224] In Figure 8, a tag 12 is visible which has at least one alphanumeric and / or visual code, the alphanumeric and / or visual code representing at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10 and / or, when electronically read, causing the electronic device 100 to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10, particularly an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0225] Preferably, but not limited to, the tag 12 described above is positioned on the elongated body 2, or on the gripping and / or closing element 16 (stopper) of the container 20 for the device 1.

[0226] In an optional embodiment, the alphanumeric and / or visual code present on the tag is required to include or be equivalent to the aforementioned unambiguous identification code. In particular, when the tag 12 is placed on the container 20 of device 1, this enables electronic and unique identification of the device 1 and container 20 pair, thus contributing to reducing the risk of unintentional swapping between device 1 and container 20 that may occur during handling of a large number of devices 1 and container 20.

[0227] From a manufacturing standpoint, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is joined to the elongated body 2 and / or harvested portion 3 in the molding step, preferably in the injection molding and / or overmolding, and particularly in the molding by insert molding or lost-core method.

[0228] In a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing process of the apparatus 1 provides that the wireless identification electronic device 10 is actually positioned corresponding to a predetermined portion of the mold 200, and then the mold 200 is closed to produce an elongated body 2 and / or a portion 3 (particularly a support portion) such that the wireless identification electronic device 10 is at least partially, preferably integrally, enclosed by injection molding or co-molding.

[0229] In one embodiment, the elongated body 2 and / or sampling portion 3 are at least partially overmolded on or around at least one first radio identification electronic device 10.

[0230] When the wireless identification electronic device 10 is introduced into a mold for fabricating an elongated body 2 and / or a portion 3 (particularly a support portion), the wireless identification electronic device 10 is of a heat-resistant type.

[0231] It should be noted that the plastic material that can be used to manufacture the elongated body 2 and / or the harvested portion 3 is characterized by a melting temperature that can reach up to 320°C and requires a molding temperature that can start from 17-20°C but can reach temperatures above 160°C.

[0232] For the purposes of this disclosure, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is intended to be a device whose operating temperature reaches 320°C, or at least 300°C, or at least 250°C, or at least 200°C.

[0233] Alternatively, or in combination with the aforementioned heat resistance properties, in non-limiting embodiments, at least one wireless identification electronic device 10 may be radiation-hardened. For the purposes of this disclosure, radiation hardiness is intended to mean that the wireless identification electronic device 10 can withstand alpha and / or beta and / or gamma radiation, and further ionizing radiation. Preferably, the wireless identification electronic device 10 can keep the data contained in its memory immutable for a predetermined exposure time by one or more of the above-mentioned radiations.

[0234] Thanks to this technical feature, it is possible to keep the data contained in the memory, particularly at least the unique identification code, immutable during sterilization of device 1, which can occur by both thermal and radioactive methods.

[0235] Finally, it should be noted that, if necessary, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be frost-resistant, and in particular, may drop to below -100°C or below -150°C, and can withstand temperatures up to substantially equal to -200°C without failure. This may be useful in applications where the sample collected in the sampling section 3 needs to be exposed to very low temperatures, and since the functionality of the wireless identification electronic device 10 will not be affected even when such temperatures are reached, the traceability of the sample and the device described herein can be maintained.

[0236] Therefore, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is immovably fixed and sealed within at least partially the elongated body 2 and / or within the sampling portion 3. As described above, the wireless identification electronic device 10 may be located within the elongated body 2, within the sampling portion 3, or in an intermediate position between the two, but is positioned in a fixed position relative to the sampling portion 3.

[0237] The molding process ensures the rapid, reproducible, and cost-effective manufacturing of device 1, despite the inevitable increase in cost compared to conventional swabs without a wireless identification electronic device. By substantially integrating the wireless identification electronic device 10 within the elongated body 2, within the sampling portion 3, or at an intermediate position between the elongated body 2 and the sampling portion 3, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is ensured to be substantially inremovable, thereby ensuring that there is no risk of data-to-sample substitution, provided the data stored within it is not corrupted. Thus, the cataloging of samples associated with device 1 and the associated data is guaranteed in terms of accuracy.

[0238] Figures 12, 13, and 14 show specific embodiments of device 1 for the purposes of this disclosure, in which an elongated body is fabricated from a first half 7 and a second half 8. The elongated body may include a number of reinforcing ribs arranged substantially parallel to the principal elongation direction X (Figure 11).

[0239] These first halves 7 and the second halves 8 are different from each other, selectively connectable to form an assembled configuration of the elongated body 2, and selectively separateable to form a disassembled state of the elongated body 2.

[0240] The harvesting portion 3 is formed on and engaged with both the first end of the first half 7 and the first end of the second half 8, and is selectively separable to form two hemiscaptive portions formed on the first half 7 and the second half 8, respectively, after separating the first half 7 from the second half 8.

[0241] Please note that when device 1 is provided with first and second wireless identification electronic devices 10, it is possible to have the following configuration. - The first wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned corresponding to the first half 7, and the second wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned corresponding to the second half 8 (Figure 19), and / or - The first wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned in accordance with the half-section portion fabricated on the first half 7, and the second wireless identification electronic device 10 is positioned in accordance with the half-section portion fabricated on the second half 8 (Figure 20).

[0242] In further embodiments, the first and second wireless identification electronic devices 10 are both positioned corresponding to the second half 8 (Figure 21), or both are positioned corresponding to the first half 8 (solution not shown).

[0243] In further embodiments, the first and second wireless identification electronic devices 10 are both positioned corresponding to hemisampling portions fabricated on the first half 7 (Figure 22), or both are positioned corresponding to hemisampling portions fabricated on the second half 8 (solution not shown). Thanks to the above technical features, it is possible to divide the collected sample into at least two hemisampling portions and maintain unique tracking of the two hemisampling portions, and both the sample from the first hemisampling portion and the sample from the second hemisampling portion can be tracked by their respective wireless identification electronic devices 10.

[0244] From a functional standpoint, the tracking data for the sample and / or device 1 and / or the analysis method for the sample and / or the date of sample collection and / or the conditions of sample transport are written in parallel (not simultaneously or at the same time) to both the first radio identification electronic device 10 and the second radio identification electronic device 10, so that all the data necessary for the analysis and proper tracking of the sample may appear in both.

[0245] The unique identification codes of the first and second wireless identification electronic devices 10 are preferably distinct. In this way, it becomes possible to electronically distinguish the "first" portion of the sample (first half 7) from the "second" portion of the sample (second half 8), and then to distinguish which portion of the sample is being considered even when there is no visible sign of difference between the first half 7 and the second half 8. This is particularly useful when the sample is treated with reagents to avoid cross-contamination.

[0246] Engagement and separation between the first and second halves 7 and 8 are made possible by removable connecting means, which may be in the form of an engagement element 2k, for example.

[0247] In particular, the engaging element 2k allows the support 2 to operate between an assembled state and a disassembled state.

[0248] For example, in the assembled state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first and second halves 7, 8 are engaged with each other between the first and second halves 7, 8, and vice versa. In the separated state shown in FIG. 11, the first and second halves 7, 8 are separated.

[0249] The engaging element 2k is preferably formed on the first half 7 and the second half 8, and can be, for example, snap-type or interlock-type or interference-type. According to one embodiment shown in the attached drawings, the engaging element 2k includes an abutment and a receiving seat 2m for the abutment 2k.

[0250] Preferably, the receiving seat 2m has a shape opposite to that of the abutment 2k. As shown in the attached drawings, the receiving seat 2m can be clearly defined on the first half 7, the abutment 2k can be clearly defined on the second half 8, or vice versa.

[0251] Alternatively, the first half 7 can include one or more receiving seats 2m and one or more abutments 2k, and this time the second half 8 can include one or more abutments 2k and one or more receiving seats 2m suitable for cooperating with the receiving seats 2m and abutments 2k of the first half 7, respectively. The abutments 2k and the receiving seats 2m can also be alternated on the two halves 7, 8, whereby each of the two halves 7, 8 has both the abutments 2k and the receiving seats 2m.

[0252] Preferably, the engaging element is composed of a pair of an abutment and a receiving seat. In other words, each abutment 2k corresponds to its respective receiving seat 2m. For example, it is possible to produce an elongated body 2 provided with three pairs of an abutment and a receiving seat.

[0253] Engaging elements (particularly pairs of abutments and receiving seats) may be formed in correspondence to multiple sections of the first and / or second halves 7, 8. For example, as shown in Figure 12, engaging elements may be formed in correspondence to the intermediate portions of the first and / or second halves 7, 8 near the ends opposite to the first and / or second halves 7, 8 (i.e., near the ends of the elongated body 2). An embodiment of device 1 described herein is shown in a perspective view within the container 20 in Figure 11, and its features have already been shown.

[0254] As schematically shown in Figure 13, in one embodiment, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is partially embedded in the second half of the elongated body 2, and the first half 7 contains a recess 18 suitable for housing the portion of the wireless identification electronic device 10 that is not included in the second half 8.

[0255] Clearly, if the size of the wireless identification electronic device 10 allows, it is possible to hold the entire wireless identification electronic device 10 within the second half of the elongated body 2, in which case the presence of the recess 18 is not necessary. The position of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is intended to be interchangeable at the manufacturing level between the first half 7 and the second half 8. For this reason, if the wireless identification electronic device 10 is partially contained within the first half of the elongated body 2, the recess 18 is intended to be located on the second half of the elongated body 2.

[0256] In this last case, the manufacturing process may include introducing the wireless identification electronic device 10 into the mold 200 and fabricating first (or second) halves 7, 8 having relative support portions 3a of the harvested portion 3.

[0257] The subsequent steps may include manufacturing the elongated body 2 portion and the relative support portion that do not include the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0258] This disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a device 1 for collecting and transferring samples, preferably biological samples.

[0259] Figure 13 shows one embodiment of device 1 in which the first wireless identification electronic device 10 is partially embedded within the second half of the main body 2, and within the first half 7 there is a recess 18 suitable for housing the portion of the first wireless identification electronic device 10 that is not included in the second half 8.

[0260] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14, the second wireless identification electronic device 10 may be partially embedded within the first half 7 of the main body 2, and the second half 8 contains a recess 18 suitable for accommodating the portion of the second wireless identification electronic device 10 that is not included in the first half 7.

[0261] Referring schematically to the steps shown in Figure 15, the method described herein first includes the step 1000 of manufacturing an elongated body 2 that extends at least partially along a substantially axial principal extension direction X and has at least one gripping portion 2i and at least one end portion 2e for a user to grasp.

[0262] If the elongated body 2 is made up of a first half and a second half 7, 8, it is clear that the manufacturing step 1000 will include the manufacturing of the first half 7 and the manufacturing of the second half 8.

[0263] The method for which the present disclosure is intended also includes step 1001 of manufacturing a sampling portion 3 configured to collect and / or absorb and / or retain and / or release a certain amount of sample, preferably a sample of a biological substance, the manufacturing step 1001 of arranging the sampling portion 3 in correspondence with the end portion 2e of an elongated body 2.

[0264] Step 1000, which manufactures the elongated body 2, and step 1001, which manufactures the harvested portion 3, can be performed substantially simultaneously and are in fact a single step in the body manufacturing process that is identified seamlessly.

[0265] The method for which the present disclosure is intended also includes step 1002 of locating a radio identification electronic device 10 configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel.

[0266] The placement step 1002 includes placing the radio identification electronic device 10 within the elongated body 2 and / or within at least a portion of the sampling portion 3. The placement step 1002 can also be performed substantially simultaneously in time with the steps indicated by reference numerals 1000 and 1001.

[0267] In one embodiment, the placement step 1002 is a step that occurs in the manufacturing process at a time-related level to the step 1000 which manufactures the elongated body 2 and / or the step 1001 which manufactures the harvested portion 3.

[0268] More specifically, step 1000 for manufacturing the elongated body 2 and / or step 1001 for manufacturing the harvested portion 3 includes a molding step, preferably injection molding and / or overmolding of the elongated body 2 and / or the harvested portion 3, in particular molding and / or co-molding by insert or lost-core method.

[0269] Following steps 1000, 1001 in which an elongated body 2 and / or a portion 3 are manufactured, once the positioning step 1002 is completed, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is joined to the elongated body 2 and / or a portion 3 in the molding step, preferably the injection molding step and / or the overmolding step, particularly the step in which molding is performed by insert or lost-core method.

[0270] The assembly produced by steps 1000, 1001, which manufacture the elongated body 2 and / or the harvested portion 3, and step 1002, which involves positioning, results in a permanent fastening of the wireless identification electronic device 10 to the elongated body 2 and / or the harvested portion 3.

[0271] In certain non-limiting embodiments, the placing step 1002 includes placing the wireless identification electronic device 10 in a position (within the mold 200) such that the wireless identification electronic device 10 is integrally within the elongated body 2 and / or within the sampling portion 3, after the step 1000 of manufacturing the elongated body and / or after the step 1001 of manufacturing the sampling portion 3.

[0272] FIG. 16 shows a solution in which, in particular, the wireless identification electronic device 10 is in a position below the position where the plastic material is injected into the mold 200 and where the device will be integrally within the elongated body 2. The injection is preferably carried out corresponding to the inlet hole 201 of the mold 200 arranged at the rear end portion of the mold itself.

[0273] In FIG. 16, a first portion of the mold 200 identified by the reference number 202, which substantially corresponds to the support portion 3a of the sampling portion, and a second portion 203 of the mold 200, which substantially corresponds to the portion of the elongated body 2, are identified.

[0274] After the placing step 1002, the step 1000 of manufacturing the elongated body 2, and the step 1001 of manufacturing the sampling portion 3, the elongated body 2 and / or the sampling portion 3 form a coating layer 4 of the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0275] Depending on the fact whether the sampling portion 3 is made seamlessly with the body 2 or not, the step 1000 of manufacturing the elongated body 2 and the step 1001 of manufacturing the sampling portion 3 result in the connection of the sampling portion 3 to the elongated body 2 and / or result in the integral and / or seamless making between the sampling portion 3 and the elongated body 2.

[0276] More specifically, the step 1001 of manufacturing the sampling portion 3 includes - a first sub-step of manufacturing the support portion 3a for the swab 3b, and - a second sub-step of manufacturing the swab 3b having one of the following properties: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral. and includes.

[0277] Preferably, a second substep for manufacturing the swab 3b is a step of manufacturing a swab 3b containing a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, and optionally a step of flocculation and / or fiber winding and / or foam arrangement.

[0278] In particular, it should be noted that the first substep of manufacturing the support portion 3a may be carried out simultaneously in both a single-piece embodiment and an embodiment in which the elongated body 2 is made up of at least one first portion 7 and a second portion.

[0279] The placement step 1002 may include the placement of the wireless identification electronic device 10 within the support portion 3a. In this case, as described above, the coating layer 4 becomes part of the support portion 3a.

[0280] In certain embodiments, the positioning step 1002 results in positioning the outer surface 10x of the radio identification electronic device 10 substantially in contact with the outer surface 2x of the elongated body 2, following at least the completion of step 1000 of manufacturing the elongated body 2, or positioning the outer surface 10x of the radio identification electronic device 10 such that at least a portion of the outer surface 10x is positioned corresponding to the outer surface 2x of the elongated body 2 and / or partially protrudes outward from the elongated body 2.

[0281] Optionally, the positioning step 1002 results in positioning the wireless identification electronic device 10 substantially corresponding to the end portion 2e or corresponding to the gripping portion 2i.

[0282] In a non-limiting embodiment, the method includes a step 1004 for creating a weak portion 5 on an elongated body 2. Preferably, but not limited thereto, step 1004 includes reducing the cross-section of a portion of the elongated body 2 after at least step 1000 for manufacturing the elongated body 2, or alternatively, including the use of a mold 200 having an abutment 204 corresponding to the area to be the weak portion 5 so as to result in the aforementioned reduction of the cross-section, the abutment 204 facing the inside of the cavity identified by the abutment 204. Following the completion of step 1004, the weak portion 5 is located at a position translated along the direction X of the maximum extension of the elongated body 2 with respect to a position corresponding to the position where the wireless identification electronic device 10 is located.

[0283] In certain embodiments, step 1000 of fabricating the body results in or means the fabrication of step 1004, which is carried out substantially simultaneously with step 1000 of fabricating the elongated body 2.

[0284] As previously anticipated, step 1000 for fabricating the elongated body 2 may include steps for fabricating a first half 7 and a second half 8 that are different from each other and selectively connectable in order to form the assembled structure of the elongated body 2, and selectively separable from each other in order to form the disassembled state of the elongated body 2.

[0285] Step 1001 for creating the sampling portion 3 includes creating and engaging the sampling portion 3 on both the first end of the first half 7 and the first end of the second half 8 such that the sampling portion 3 is selectively separable to form two half sampling portions 3a, which are created on the first half 7 and the second half 8, respectively, after separating the first half 7 from the second half 8.

[0286] In one embodiment, it should be noted that the combination of step 1002 for positioning the main body (2), step 1000 for manufacturing the main body (2), and / or step 1001 for manufacturing the sampled portion 3 results in the arrangement of a first radio identification electronic device 10 corresponding to the first half 7 and a second radio identification electronic device 10 corresponding to the second half 8, and / or the arrangement of a first radio identification electronic device 10 corresponding to the half-sampled portion fabricated on the first half 7 and a second radio identification electronic device 10 corresponding to the half-sampled portion fabricated on the second half 8.

[0287] Preferably, but not limited thereto, step 1002 of positioning the wireless identification electronic device 10 is the step of positioning the substantially three-dimensional wireless identification electronic device 10 such that the main extension axis of the wireless identification electronic device 10 is aligned with the main extension direction X of the elongated body 2.

[0288] In a non-limiting embodiment, the method provides a step 1003 of placing at least one tag 12 on the device 1, the tag 12 having at least one alphanumeric and / or visual code.

[0289] Preferably, the alphanumeric characters and / or visual codes represent at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10 and / or, when read electronically, cause the reader device 100 to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10, particularly an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the wireless identification electronic device 10.

[0290] Step 1003 of placing at least one tag 12 on the device 1 includes placing the tag 12 on an elongated body 2 or on a gripping and / or closing element of a container 20.

[0291] Finally, it should be noted that in further embodiments of the method described herein, the placement step 1002 is the step of placing the wireless identification electronic device 10 in a recess obtained in a portion of the elongated body 2 and / or in a recess obtained in the lower portion of the sampling portion 3, in particular in the lower portion of the support portion 3a.

[0292] In particular, the recess may be obtained during or below the step of manufacturing the elongated body 2 and / or the harvesting portion 3, especially the support portion 3a.

[0293] In this case, step 1002 of positioning the wireless identification electronic device 10 includes, or is performed before, the step of bonding the wireless identification device 10 to the recess described above, and / or press-fitting the wireless identification device 10 into the recess described above.

[0294] This embodiment of the placement step 1002 may be useful when the first half 7 and the second half 8 exist, as described above.

[0295] Therefore, if a first half 7 and a second half 8 are present, at least one radio identification electronic device 10 may be at least partially contained within the first half 7 and / or the second half 8 by a molding process or by a bonding and / or press-fitting process, following the step of manufacturing the first half 7 and / or the second half 8 by molding.

[0296] The applicant notes that when the wireless identification electronic device 10 is contained within the elongated body 2 and / or the extraction portion 3 during the molding step in which it is introduced into the mold 200, a structural difference is created by bonding and / or press-fitting that distinguishes the wireless identification electronic device 10 from other devices 1 contained within the elongated body 2 and / or the extraction portion 3. In particular, by distinguishing device 1 in correspondence with the wireless identification electronic device 10, it becomes easy to identify which specific step the latter device was fixed in place.

[0297] This disclosure also relates to equipment for manufacturing a device 1 for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances as described herein. In particular, the equipment described herein is for carrying out a method for manufacturing a device 1 for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, which, when operated, mainly includes: - Preferably, the step of manufacturing a body 2 that is elongated substantially along the principal axial extension direction X and comprises at least one gripping portion 2i and at least one end portion 2e for the user to grasp (block 1000), - A step (block 1001) of manufacturing a sampling portion 3 configured to collect and / or absorb and / or retain and / or release a sample of a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance, wherein the manufacturing step 1001 preferably includes arranging the sampling portion 3 corresponding to the end portion 2e, - A step (block 1002) of arranging a radio identification electronic device 10 configured to receive and / or transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel, wherein the arranging step 1002 includes arranging the radio identification electronic device 10 at least partially within the body 2 and / or the sampling portion 3.

[0298] Preferably, but not limited to, the equipment described herein is configured and specifically defined to operate in a substantially automated manner for manufacturing a large number of devices 1 without substantial user intervention.

[0299] The apparatus described herein may comprise one or more stations, which may be adjacent to each other or substantially separated. A conveyor or conveyor belt or pliers or pusher may push one or more semi-processed devices 1 from one station to another. In particular, separate stations may exist between stations for the fabrication of swabs 3b and support portions 3a for swabs 3b.

[0300] At least one of the stations is a station equipped with a mold 200. At least one of the stations is a station specifically configured to produce flocs of synthetic fibers on a support.

[0301] The apparatus described herein conveniently includes a control unit which may have one or more general-purpose processors on which a computer program is executed, and / or the control unit may have one or more application-specific processors, and / or may include an FPGA or PLC, or a further controller for servo actuators necessary for fabricating the steps of the method described above.

[0302] If the control unit uses a software program, it is clear that the above-mentioned software program will include portions of software code to cause the aforementioned steps and any further steps of processing that can be directly inferred from this specification when executed.

[0303] Specifically, with respect to the reader device 100, it should be noted that in one embodiment, the reader device 100 may take the form of a portable device (handheld) configured to be held by an operator. In an alternative embodiment schematically shown in Figure 18, the reader device 100 may be a fixed device and / or module of a more complex machine, and may integrate an antenna 101 for reading and transmitting signals from and / or to device 1, respectively, as described herein, and one or more housings 102 suitable for housing a container 20 containing device 1 in a predetermined spatial configuration, for example, a configuration in which the aforementioned axis X takes a substantially vertical spatial orientation.

[0304] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, and for this reason, the reference numbers in the following claims are provided solely for the purpose of enhancing understanding and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0305] Therefore, it is clear that additions, modifications, or alterations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be applied to the purposes of this disclosure without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological, microbiological, or chemical substances, A body (2) comprising at least one gripping portion (2i) for the user to grasp and at least one end portion (2e), preferably elongated and extending at least partially along the principal axial extension direction (X), Preferably, a sampling portion (3) is positioned corresponding to the end portion (2e) and is configured to collect, absorb, retain and / or release a sample of a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance, A wireless identification electronic device (10) configured to receive, transmit and / or store electronic data over a wireless communication channel, wherein at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is located at least partially within the main body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), A device (1) comprising:

2. At least one of the main body (2) and the sampling portion (3) is manufactured by molding, preferably injection molding and / or overmolding, particularly by insert or lost-core molding and / or co-molding. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into the mold (200) and is bonded to the main body (2) and / or the harvested portion (3) during the molding process, preferably in the injection molding and / or the overmolding, particularly in the insert or lost-core molding process and / or the co-molding process. Alternatively, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) may be bonded to the main body and / or the sampling portion (3) by bonding and / or press-fitting, which is optionally performed after molding. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is irremovably fixed to the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3). The device (1) according to claim 1.

3. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is integrally arranged and sealed within the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), and / or the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) form a coating layer (4) of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10). Optionally, the coating layer (4) extends around the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) in a plurality of radial directions that extend obliquely, preferably perpendicular to, the main extension direction (X) of the main body (2). The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sampling portion (3) is joined to the main body (2) and / or is manufactured integrally with the main body (2) and / or seamlessly. The aforementioned sampling portion (3) is A swab (3b) having one of the properties of hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral, preferably comprising a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, optionally flocked, and / or having wound fibers, and / or being a foam, The support portion (3a) for the swab (3b), Equipped with, Preferably, at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is located within the support portion (3a), The covering layer (4) is part of the support portion (3a). The device (1) according to claim 3.

5. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises its respective outer surface (10x), The main body (2) has each outer surface (2x), The outer surface (10x) of at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is substantially in contact with the outer surface (2x) of the main body (2), or faces the outer surface (2x) of the main body (2) and / or partially protrudes outward from the main body (2), Optionally, at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned substantially corresponding to the end portion (2e) or corresponding to the gripping portion (2i), The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. It comprises at least one vulnerable portion (5), the vulnerable portion (5) is located on the main body (2), and is configured to facilitate separation between at least a part of the main body (2) and the sampling portion (3), and / or the body (2) comprises at least one first half (7) and a second half (8) which are different from each other, selectively connectable to form an assembled configuration of the body (2), and selectively separable to form a disassembled state of the body (2), wherein the sampling portion (3) is manufactured and engaged on both the first end of the first half (7) and the first end of the second half (8), and after separating the first half (7) from the second half (8), it is selectively separable to form two half sampling portions manufactured on the first half (7) and the second half (8), respectively. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is at least partially located within the first half (7) or corresponding to the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and is joined to the first half (7) and / or is manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7), Alternatively, at least partially located within the second half (8), or corresponding to the harvesting portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and joined to the first half (7), and / or manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7), The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is substantially three-dimensional in shape, preferably having a principal extension axis of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) itself that is substantially parallel to the principal extension direction (X) of the body (2), and / or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is passive, active, semi-active, or semi-passive. and / or, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises at least one memory configured to store, during use, tracking data of the sample and / or the device, and / or data of the method of analyzing the sample, the date of sample collection, and / or the conditions of transport of the sample. And / or, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-only type or is configured to operate in read-only mode so that only the data written to the memory can be read, or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-write type or is configured to operate in read-write mode so that at least a portion of the data written to the memory can be read and written. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The invention comprises at least one tag (12) having at least one alphanumeric character and / or visual code, wherein the alphanumeric character and / or visual code represents at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), and / or, when electronically read, causes a reader device (100) to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), particularly an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10). Preferably, the tag (12) is positioned on the main body (2) or on the gripping and / or closing element (16) of the container (20) for the device (1), and is positioned on an element fixed to the main body (2) corresponding to the gripping portion (2i) or to the portion of the main body (2) opposite to the end portion (2e). The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. at least, A first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10), or, at least partially disposed within the first body (2), A first wireless identification electronic device (10) at least partially disposed within the first body (2), and at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) disposed within the sampling portion (3), A first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) are arranged within the sampling portion (3). A first wireless identification electronic device (10) disposed within the sampling portion (3), and at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) at least partially disposed within the first body (2). A device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The device comprises at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive, transmit and / or store electronic data over a radio communication channel, wherein the radio identification electronic device (10) is at least partially located within the main body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the first half (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the second half (8), or The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in accordance with the half-body sampling portion fabricated on the first half-body (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned in accordance with the half-body sampling portion fabricated on the second half-body (8), or The first wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the first half (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned corresponding to the half-body sampling portion fabricated on the second half (8). The device (1) according to claim 6.

11. A method for manufacturing a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological substances, microbiological substances, or chemical substances, wherein the method is Step (1000) of manufacturing a body (2) which comprises at least one gripping portion (2i) for a user to grasp and at least one end portion (2e), preferably elongated substantially along the principal axial extension direction (X), A manufacturing step (1001) comprising manufacturing a sampling portion (3) configured to collect, absorb, retain and / or release a certain amount of biological, microbiological, or chemical substance, preferably comprising the step of arranging the sampling portion (3) in correspondence with the end portion (2e), A placement step (1002) comprising placing at least one radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive and / or transmit electronic data on a wireless communication channel, the placement step (1002) comprising placing at least partially within the main body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), Methods that include...

12. The step (1000) for manufacturing the main body (2) and / or the step (1001) for manufacturing the sampling portion (3) includes a step for molding the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably a step for injection molding and / or overmolding, in particular a step for molding by insert or lost-core method and / or a step for co-molding, The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into the mold (200) and is joined to the main body (2) and / or the sampled portion (3) in the molding step, preferably in the injection molding step and / or the overmolding step, particularly in the insert or lost-core molding step and / or the co-molding step. Alternatively, the step (1000) of manufacturing the main body (2) and / or the step (1001) of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) includes a step of molding the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably an injection molding, insert molding and / or co-molding step, wherein the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is joined to the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) by bonding and / or press-fitting, which is optionally performed after molding. The assembly produced by the steps of manufacturing the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) (1000, 1001) and arranging (1002) results in the immovable fastening of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) to the main body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3). The method according to claim 11.

13. The placement step (1002) includes a step of placing the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) in a position such that the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) is integrally located within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), after the placement step (1002), the step of manufacturing the body (2) (1000), and the step of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) (1001), the body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) form a coating layer (4) for the at least one radio identification electronic device (10). Optionally, the coating layer (4) extends around the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) in a plurality of radial directions that extend obliquely, preferably perpendicular to, the main extension direction (X) of the main body (2). The method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The steps (1000) for manufacturing the main body (2) and (1001) for manufacturing the sampling portion (3) result in the connection of the sampling portion (3) to the main body (2) and / or result in the integral and / or seamless construction between the sampling portion (3) and the main body (2), The step (1001) of manufacturing the aforementioned sampling portion (3) is, A first substep of manufacturing a support portion (3a) for a swab (3b), A second substep for producing a swab (3b) having one of the properties of hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or neutral, preferably comprising a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, the second substep optionally comprising a step of flocculation, fiber winding and / or foam arrangement, Includes, Preferably, the placement step (1002) includes the step of placing the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) within the support portion (3a), The covering layer (4) is part of the support portion (3a). The method according to claim 13.

15. The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) comprises its respective outer surface (10x), The main body (2) has each outer surface (2x), The positioning step (1002) results in positioning, following at least the completion of the step (1000) of manufacturing the body (2), the outer surface (10x) of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned so as to be substantially in contact with the outer surface (2x) of the body (2), or positioning the outer surface (10x) of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) such that at least a portion of the outer surface (10x) is positioned corresponding to the outer surface (2x) of the body (2) and / or partially protruding outside the body (2), Optionally, the positioning step (1002) results in positioning the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) substantially corresponding to the end portion (2e) or corresponding to the gripping portion (2i). The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. The step (1004) includes creating a fragile portion (5) on the main body (2), wherein the fragile portion is configured to facilitate separation between at least a part of the main body (2) and the sampling portion (3), and / or, the step (1000) of manufacturing the main body (2) includes the step of manufacturing a first half (7) and a second half (8) which are different from each other, selectively connectable to form an assembled configuration of the main body (2), and selectively separable from each other to form a disassembled state of the main body (2), and the step (1001) of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) includes the step of manufacturing and engaging the sampling portion (3) such that, on both the first end of the first half (7) and the first end of the second half (8), the sampling portion (3) is selectively separable to form two half sampling portions manufactured on the first half (7) and the second half (8), respectively, after the first half (7) has been separated from the second half (8). The combination of the placement step (1002) and the step of manufacturing the main body (2) (1000) and / or the step of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) (1001) results in the placement of at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) at least partially within the first half (7) or corresponding to the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), joining it to the first half (7) and / or being manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7), Alternatively, the wireless identification electronic device (10) is positioned at least partially within the second half (7), or corresponding to the sampling portion (3), preferably the support portion (3a), and is joined to the first half (7) and / or is manufactured integrally and / or seamlessly with the first half (7). The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The step (1002) of arranging the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is a step of arranging a substantially three-dimensional wireless identification electronic device (10) such that the principal extension axis of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is aligned with the principal extension direction (X) of the main body (2), The at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is passive, active, semi-active, or semi-passive, and the placement step (1002) is particularly intended to enable the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) to store tracking data of the sample and / or the device (1), and / or data of the method of analyzing the sample, the date of sample collection, and / or the transport conditions of the sample. And / or, the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-only type or is configured to operate in read-only mode so that only the data written to the memory can be read, or the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is of a read-write type or is configured to operate in read-write mode so that both the data written to the memory can be read and written. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

18. The step (1003) includes placing at least one tag (12) on the device (1), wherein the tag (12) has at least one alphanumeric and / or visual code, the alphanumeric and / or visual code represents at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), and / or, when electronically read, causes a reader device (100) to retrieve the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), particularly an automated retrieval, or to retrieve an electronic copy of the data stored in the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), Preferably, the step (1003) of placing at least one tag (12) on the device (1) includes placing the tag (12) on the body (2) or on the gripping and / or closing element of the container (20) for the device (1), and on an element fixed to the body (2) corresponding to the gripping portion (2i) or to a portion of the body (2) opposite to the end portion (2e). The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

19. The aforementioned step of arranging (1002) A step of arranging at least partially a first radio identification electronic device (10) and at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) within a first body (2), or The process involves placing at least partially a first wireless identification electronic device (10) within the first main body (2) and placing at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) within the sampling portion (3), A step of placing a first wireless identification electronic device (10) and at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) within the sampling portion (3), The process involves placing a first wireless identification electronic device (10) within the sampling portion (3) and at least partially placing at least one second wireless identification electronic device (10) within the first main body (2). The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, including the method described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

20. The process includes the step (1002) of arranging at least one second radio identification electronic device (10) configured to receive, transmit and / or store electronic data on a radio communication channel, wherein the arranging step (1002) includes the step of arranging at least partially the at least one radio identification electronic device (10) within the body (2) and / or within the sampling portion (3), The combination of the placement step (1002) and the step of manufacturing the main body (2) (1000) and / or the step of manufacturing the sampling portion (3) (1001) results in the first wireless identification electronic device (10) being placed in correspondence with the first half (7) and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) being placed in correspondence with the second half (8), or This results in the first wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned on the first half (7) in correspondence with the half-body sampling portion, and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned on the second half (8) in correspondence with the half-body sampling portion, or This results in the first wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned in correspondence with the first half (7), and the second wireless identification electronic device (10) being positioned in correspondence with the half-body sampling portion fabricated on the second half (8). The method according to claim 16.

21. A method for electronically reading electronic data written to a wireless identification electronic device (10) contained within a device (1) for sampling and transporting a sample, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method is: The steps include: arranging the wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the reader device (100); The steps include transmitting a predetermined query signal from the reader device (100) to the wireless identification electronic device (10), A step of receiving the query signal, wherein the reception is performed on the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), and the receiving step results in electronic access to the memory of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) and loading of at least a portion of the data contained in the memory for subsequent retransmission of a response signal. A step of transmitting the response signal toward the reader device (100), wherein the response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory. Methods that include...

22. The load is a load that is automatically performed electronically by the control unit of the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), and / or the access to the memory is automatically performed when the query signal is received, and / or the transmission step is automatically performed after the electronic access to the memory. The method according to claim 21.

23. The steps include: placing a first wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the reader device (100); The steps include: arranging a second wireless identification electronic device (10) in the vicinity of the reader device (100); The steps include transmitting a predetermined query signal from the reader device (100) to the first and second wireless identification electronic devices (10), A step of receiving the query signal, wherein the reception is performed on the first and second radio identification electronic devices (10), and the receiving step results in the electronic access to the memory of the first and second radio identification electronic devices (10) and the loading of at least a portion of the data contained in the memory for the subsequent retransmission of the first and second response signals, respectively. A step of transmitting a first response signal to the reader device (100) by the first wireless identification electronic device (10), wherein the first response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the first wireless identification electronic device (10); A step of transmitting a second response signal to the reader device (100) by the second wireless identification device (10), wherein the second response signal includes at least a portion of the data stored in the memory of the second wireless identification electronic device (10); The steps include: electronically comparing the second response signal with the first response signal; The method according to claim 21 or 22, including the method according to claim 21 or 22.

24. A method for electronically writing electronic data to at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) of a device (1) for sampling and transporting a sample, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the method is The steps include writing electronic data to the memory of at least one wireless identification electronic device (10), Optionally, the steps include configuring the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) such that the electronic device is configured in read-only mode so that the electronic data written to the memory can no longer be modified, Methods that include...

25. The step of writing the data is performed before the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) is introduced into the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), Alternatively, the step of writing the data may be performed after the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10) has been introduced into the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3), preferably after the elongated body (2) and / or the sampling portion (3) has been molded, particularly co-molded, injection molded, overmolded and / or insert molded, in a mold containing the at least one wireless identification electronic device (10). The method according to claim 24.

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