The SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) saliva collector is a medical device used for collecting saliva samples to detect spinal muscular atrophy. The following is the relevant introduction:

Retention of Biomolecules: The SMA saliva collector makes use of the fact that saliva contains biological components such as exfoliated oral mucosal cells, and these cells contain genetic materials like DNA. Through specific technologies and the design of the collector, biological macromolecules such as DNA and RNA in the saliva are stably fixed in the materials of the collector, ensuring that during subsequent transportation, storage, and detection processes, the biological molecules in the sample can maintain their original integrity and stability, so as to be used for detecting whether there are gene mutations related to SMA.
Stabilization by Chemical Reagents: The collector is usually equipped with a stabilizing solution containing chemical reagents such as fluoride and phosphate. These chemical substances can interact with the biological molecules in the saliva, inhibit the degradation of DNA and RNA by nucleases, etc., and maintain the structure and function of the biological molecules to ensure the quality of the sample.

Preparation before Sampling: Thirty minutes before collecting the sample, rinse your mouth with clean water, and avoid eating after rinsing to ensure oral cleanliness, reduce the interference of food residues and other substances on the saliva sample, and ensure the purity and accuracy of the sample.
Saliva Sampling: Gently place the sampling head part of the collector in the oral cavity without applying additional pressure. Press the tip of the tongue against the root of the upper or lower teeth to allow saliva to secrete naturally and flow onto the collector until the amount of saliva reaches the corresponding scale on the collector.
Sample Preservation: After the sampling is completed, put the collector into the sampling tube and add a stabilizing solution containing chemical reagents such as fluoride and phosphate to ensure the integrity and stability of the sample. Then seal the sampling tube well and invert it up and down several times to fully mix the saliva with the stabilizing solution.

Non-invasive and Painless: Compared with the traditional method of detecting SMA by collecting blood samples, the saliva collector avoids the pain and discomfort caused by needle insertion. Especially for children, the elderly, and patients with poor physical conditions, it is more acceptable and can increase their willingness to participate in the detection.
Simple Operation: It does not require the operation of professional medical staff. The tested person can complete the saliva collection at home by themselves. The operation process is simple and easy to understand, reducing the difficulty and cost of sampling.
Safe and Hygienic: Laboratory personnel do not need to directly contact the patient’s saliva sample, thus avoiding the risk of cross-infection that may occur in traditional sample processing.
Sample Stability: The stabilizing solution in the collector can keep the biological molecules such as DNA and RNA in the saliva sample stable at room temperature, which is convenient for the storage and transportation of the sample, ensuring that the sample can still maintain good quality when it is sent to the testing laboratory and meet the testing requirements.
Efficient and Fast: The patient’s sampling process is simple and rapid, reducing the waiting time, improving the efficiency of sample collection, and also helping to speed up the testing process, enabling the patient to obtain the test results more quickly.