The following are the general steps for the correct use of the iClean® Saliva Collection Card:

2025/02/18Class Product iClean® Saliva Collection Card news iClean® Saliva Collection Card10

Preparation before Collection
- Oral Cavity Cleaning: Do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum within 30 minutes before using the collection card to ensure the purity and stability of the saliva sample. You can first rinse your mouth with clean water and gently spit it out to remove food residues and impurities in the oral cavity.
- Prepare the Collection Card and Related Tools: Take out the iClean® Saliva Collection Card from the packaging. Check whether the collection card is intact without any damage, moisture, contamination, etc. At the same time, prepare auxiliary tools such as disposable gloves to ensure the hygiene of the operation process.
Saliva Collection
- Natural Saliva Secretion: Relax your mood, slightly lower your head, and press your tongue against the upper palate to promote the natural secretion of saliva. When a certain amount of saliva accumulates in the oral cavity, directly spit the saliva into the collection area of the collection card. Try to avoid the saliva splashing onto the area outside the collection card.
- Requirement for the Amount of Collection: Generally, a sufficient amount of saliva needs to be collected to completely soak the sampling area on the collection card. Usually, it should reach more than 80% of the area of the collection area or meet the amount specified in the instruction manual of the collection card to ensure that there is enough sample for subsequent testing.
Sample Preservation and Handling
- Drying Treatment: After the saliva collection is completed, let the collection card dry naturally or carry out the drying treatment according to the requirements in the instruction manual. Avoid direct sunlight and high-temperature environments. You can place the collection card in a well-ventilated and dry place and wait for it to dry completely. The drying time may be about 10 – 30 minutes, specifically depending on the characteristics of the collection card and the environmental humidity.
- Sealing and Preservation: The dried collection card should be promptly put into the supporting sealed bag or preservation container and sealed well to prevent the sample from being contaminated by the external environment. Mark relevant information such as the collection time and the name of the collector on the sealed bag or container for subsequent identification and traceability.
Sending for Inspection or Further Testing
- Send for Inspection in a Timely Manner: According to the requirements of the testing institution or the purpose of use, send the collected saliva collection card to a professional laboratory or relevant testing institution for testing as soon as possible. During the process of sending for inspection, pay attention to maintaining the integrity and stability of the collection card, and avoid situations such as severe vibration, extrusion, or moisture.
- Follow the Testing Process: If you are conducting subsequent testing operations by yourself, for example, with some home testing kits, you need to strictly follow the instruction manual and operation guidelines of the kit for testing, including steps such as adding reagents and observing the reaction results to ensure the accuracy of the test results.