ORAL FLUID, SALIVA AND SPUTUM COLLECTION DEVICE AND METHOD

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for collecting oral fluids, saliva, or sputum. One exemplary device includes a collection cup with a hollow needle extending from a bottom end of the cup, where the hollow needle is covered with a compressible sleeve. A clear vacuum tube is positioned beneath the hollow needle. Oral fluids, saliva, or sputum from a donor are collected into the collection cup, and the vacuum tube is pushed onto the hollow needle and the hollow needle passes through the compressible sleeve, through a seal of the vacuum tube, and into the vacuum tube. Oral fluids, saliva, or sputum from the collection cup are drawn into the vacuum tube until the vacuum in the vacuum tube dissipates. An oral fluid specimen is, thus, provided ready for laboratory transport, point of collection screening, or diagnostic analysis while the oral fluid specimen is still in the transparent vacuum tube.