CN113677976A

CN113677976A - Liquid sample capture device

Info

Publication number: CN113677976A
Application number: CN201980090432.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D.R.霍尔; J.拉森; J.雷诺兹
Original assignee: Hall Labs LLC
Current assignee: Hall Labs LLC
Priority date: 2018-12-27
Filing date: 2019-12-27
Publication date: 2021-11-19
Also published as: EP3903087A4; EP3903087A1; WO2020140003A1

Abstract

The liquid sample capture device captures a liquid sample and holds the sample for optical analysis. The apparatus may include a mount through which the sample conduit passes. The mount may have an elongated shape, and the two ferrules may be placed within the mount along a longitudinal axis of the mount. One end of each cuff may extend into the sample conduit, forming a narrowing of the sample conduit that contains the liquid and prevents the liquid from escaping prior to analysis. The opposite ends of the ferrule may each be connected to a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable may be connected to an analytical device, such as a spectrometer. The device may be installed in a toilet where it can collect and analyze urine samples.

Description

Liquid sample capture device

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 16/233,090 filed on 27.12.2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for sampling liquids for analysis of liquids, including urine.

Background

Liquid handling for liquid analysis may require cumbersome use of multiple devices to collect a liquid sample and then load the sample into an analysis device. In some cases, handling the liquid may be dangerous.

Other problems also exist when the liquid is a bodily fluid. For example, collecting a urine sample for analysis is often inconvenient. Urine collection typically involves the discharge of urine into a receptacle, such as a cup, and can result in unsanitary urine spillage and dripping. Certain types of urinalysis require the user to urinate on a test strip or on a particular portion of the device. Controlling urine flow to contact only a portion of the test strip or device is often difficult and results in urine being splashed into unwanted areas. There is a need for a device and method for collecting urine samples that is easy and does not risk spillage or dripping of urine.

Furthermore, many types of urinalysis are not suitable for use outside of the clinical setting. Therefore, there is a need for a device and method for performing complex analyses on urine samples at home or elsewhere outside the clinic.

Disclosure of Invention

We disclose a device for capturing a liquid sample for analysis. The device includes a mount having a sample conduit passing through the mount from a top side to a bottom side of the mount. The sample conduit may include a first channel in fluid communication with a second channel. Two ferrules may be provided within the mount, one on each side of the sample conduit. Each of the two cuffs may include a first end that extends into a sample conduit defining a second channel. The width of the second channel may be less than the width of the first channel. The different widths between the first and second channels serve to prevent liquid from escaping from the sample conduit after entry but before analysis.

The mount may have an elongated shape with a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the top side of the mount may be upwardly sloped, forming a mound-shaped elevation that is elongated along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip of the mound is rounded, while in other embodiments it is flat, forming a generally triangular prism. In other embodiments, the top side of the mounting base is sloped downward, forming a recess into which liquid can flow.

The ferrule may be positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis. A fiber optic cable may be inserted into the second end of each ferrule. These cables may be connected to an analytical device, such as a spectrometer, which may perform optical measurements on the liquid sample. The optical cable may comprise a single optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers, each of which may carry light of a different wavelength.

In each embodiment of the mount, the sample conduit may comprise a vertical slit. The vertical slit may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and through the apex of the mound. The vertical slot may also pass through the lowest point in the mounting including the downwardly sloping top side. The narrow slit may help to create a narrow path for light to travel through the sample during the spectroscopic analysis.

Some embodiments include a temperature sensor that may be in thermal communication with the sample conduit. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature within the sample conduit.

Some embodiments include a heating device that may be in thermal communication with the sample conduit and the electronic board. When the temperature sensor collects a temperature reading in the sample conduit that is lower than that required for optimal optical reading, the electronic board can signal the heating device to activate and heat the liquid in the sample conduit.

In some embodiments, the liquid sample capture device includes a liquid transport housing disposed adjacent a top side of the mount. Liquid can flow along the liquid delivery housing to the disclosed apparatus and direct the liquid to the sample conduit. In one example, the liquid delivery housing is a wall of a toilet bowl. The user may drain urine into the toilet bowl, which may flow along the walls of the toilet bowl toward the device.

The liquid delivery housing may include a third channel traversing a thickness of the liquid delivery housing. The third channel may be in fluid communication with the sample conduit, forming an extended sample conduit. The width of the third channel may be equal to or greater than the width of the first channel.

The apparatus may include a mounting mechanism, such as one or more bolts, which may attach the device to a surface in contact with the liquid to be collected and analyzed. In one example, the device may be attached to a wall of a toilet bowl.

Some embodiments may include an evacuation inlet in fluid communication with the sample conduit. The evacuation inlet may be disposed in a fourth channel in fluid communication with the sample conduit. A gas or liquid material may be injected into the sample conduit through the evacuation inlet to purge or dry the sample conduit between uses.

Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings, detailed description, and claims.

Drawings

The following figures are provided to illustrate certain embodiments described herein. The drawings are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention nor are they intended to show each potential feature or embodiment of the claimed invention. The figures are not necessarily to scale; in some instances, certain elements of the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements of the drawings for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 1 illustrates a top-down perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a top-down perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device including an attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4B shows a close-up view of the area shown in fig. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device within a toilet.

Fig. 5B shows a close-up view of the area shown in fig. 5B.

Fig. 6 illustrates a close-up, top-down perspective view of an embodiment of a sample conduit that is part of an embodiment of the disclosed liquid sample capture device.

Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative shape for the raised portion of the base that may be included in embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description sets forth various aspects and embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. No particular embodiment is intended to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the examples provide non-limiting examples of various compositions and methods that are included within the scope of the claimed invention. This description should be read from the perspective of one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, information well known to those of ordinary skill is not necessarily included.

Definition of

The following terms and phrases have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated herein. The present disclosure may use other terms and phrases not expressly defined herein. These other terms and phrases should have the meaning that one of ordinary skill in the art possesses in the context of this disclosure. In some instances, terms or phrases may be defined in the singular or plural. In this case, it should be understood that any term in the singular may include its plural and vice versa unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, condition A or B is satisfied by either A being true (or present), B being false (or not present), A being false (or not present), B being true (or present), both A and B being true (or present).

As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, "an alternative" includes a single alternative as well as two or more alternatives, and the like.

As used herein, "for example," "such as," or "including" is intended to introduce examples that further clarify more general subject matter. Unless otherwise explicitly noted, such examples are provided merely to aid understanding of the embodiments shown in the present disclosure and are not meant to be limiting in any way. Nor do these phrases indicate any kind of preference for the disclosed embodiments.

Finally, as used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Exemplary embodiments

We disclose an apparatus for collecting a liquid sample for analysis. The device may include a mount (mount) having a top side and a bottom side. The mount may include a sample conduit traversing the mount from a top side to a bottom side of the mount. In some embodiments, the sample conduit is elongate and comprises a vertical slit. The mount may be an elongated structure that is longest at its longitudinal axis, and the vertical slot may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the inner walls of the slit may be coated with a hydrophobic material, which may make it easier to clean the slit between uses.

In some embodiments, a compliant, fluid-tight seal surrounds the opening to the sample conduit. Such a seal may prevent liquid from turning into the inlet channel, and instead, promote collection of liquid along the top side of the mounting. As will be described in more detail, the sample conduit captures and holds a liquid sample during analysis. Thus, the seal facilitates the entry of the liquid sample into the sample conduit for analysis.

In some embodiments, the mount may be made in whole or in part of aluminum. In other embodiments, the mount may be steel, stainless steel, and other metals and alloys known in the art. In some embodiments, the mount may be constructed in whole or in part from polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and other synthetic polymers and copolymers known in the art.

The mount may include a raised top side that may be sloped upward to form an elongated mound-shaped elevation. In some embodiments, the mound-shaped elevation may be substantially flattened at the apex, forming a triangular pyramid. The sample conduit may be in the form of a vertical slit that may bisect the apex of a substantially circular mound at the apex, or may bisect the mound at a substantially flat point.

In another embodiment, the top side of the mounting base may be sloped downward, forming a depression into which liquid may flow. The sample conduit may be located in the lowermost region of the recess. In this embodiment, the mount may be elongate and the sample conduit may bisect the mount in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The liquid may flow along a downward slope into the sample conduit.

Two ferrules may be inserted into the mounting block. In embodiments where the mount is elongated, the ferrule may be positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mount. In this embodiment, each cuff may include a first end that extends into the sample conduit. The portion of the sample conduit above the first end of the ferrule, hereinafter referred to as the "first passage," may be defined by the mounting block. This portion of the sample conduit between the cuff ends, hereinafter referred to as the "second channel", may be narrower in width than the first conduit. Such narrowing of the sample conduit may prevent the captured liquid from exiting the sample conduit prior to analysis.

In some embodiments, each of the two ferrules is in communication with an optical fiber cable. A fiber optic cable may be inserted into a second end of each ferrule opposite the first end. The fiber optic cable may be connected to an analytical device that includes a spectrometer. The spectrometer may detect absorption or transmission of one or more of ultraviolet, infrared, near infrared, or visible light.

The optical readings are typically sensitive to temperature. For at least this reason, some embodiments of the apparatus may include a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the sample conduit. The temperature sensor may be in communication with an electronic board that may control the temperature sensor. Some embodiments may include a heating device in thermal communication with the sample conduit. When the temperature sensor collects a temperature reading in the sample conduit that is lower than that required for optimal optical reading, the electronic board can signal the heating device to activate and heat the liquid in the sample conduit. In one example, the liquid may be urine and the desired temperature for optical reading may be normal body temperature (about 37 ℃).

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an attachment mechanism. In one example, the attachment mechanism may be one or more screws or bolts. In one example, the attachment mechanism may be four bolts.

The liquid sample capture device may be attached to the liquid transport housing by an attachment mechanism. The liquid sample capture device may be mounted on the liquid transport housing such that the top of the mount is adjacent to the liquid transport housing. The third channel may pass through the thickness of the liquid delivery housing. The third channel may be in fluid communication with the sample conduit, for example, by alignment with the first channel. In this way, an extended sample conduit may be formed. The width of the third channel may be greater than or equal to the width of the first channel.

In some embodiments, the liquid delivery housing comprises a wall of a toilet bowl. The liquid sample may be urine that a user may deposit in a toilet bowl. Urine can flow down the walls of the toilet bowl and a urine sample can flow into the disclosed liquid sample capture device. Urine samples can be analyzed using the optical techniques disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the liquid sample capture device may comprise a drain inlet. The drain inlet may be provided in a fourth channel which is an extension of the sample conduit. Thus, the fourth channel may be in fluid communication with the sample conduit. In some embodiments, the fourth passage may lead to the second passage. In some embodiments, the width of the fourth channel may be greater than the width of the second channel.

A liquid (which may include water, a cleaning fluid, or a disinfectant, such as isopropyl alcohol) may be injected into the sample conduit through the evacuation inlet. This operation may be used to clean the sample conduit between sampling operations. Additionally or alternatively, air or other gaseous material may be injected into the sample conduit to dry the sample conduit between uses. Performing this action may blow out any residual liquid, including a clean liquid or liquid sample, to prepare the sample conduit for background optical measurements. Furthermore, drying the sample tube before collecting the liquid sample may prevent the formation of air bubbles at the sides of the sample tube, which may negatively affect the optical measurements. In addition, one or more reagents may be injected into the sample conduit through the evacuation inlet. These reagents may participate in chemical reactions that may be used to detect a particular substance or analyte in a liquid sample.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the disclosed liquid capture device as seen from a raised position. The apparatus includes a mount 110 into which

ferrules

120a and 120b are inserted into the mount 110. The ferrule 120a includes a ferrule first end 130a and the ferrule 120b includes a ferrule first end 130 b. Each cuff

first end

130a and 130b extends into the sample conduit 140. The ferrule first ends 130a and 130b form a narrowing, referred to herein as a second channel, in the sample conduit 140. The seal 150 surrounds the opening into the sample tube 140 and prevents liquid from easily escaping through the opening. The

fiber optic cables

160a and 160b are inserted into the second end of each ferrule 130a and 130b, respectively. The

fiber optic cables

160a and 160b may be part of a spectroscopic analysis device that may be associated with the disclosed apparatus and that may analyze the liquid in the sample conduit 140. The tube housing 170 houses a cleaning conduit (introduced as cleaning conduit 320 in fig. 3) that extends up into the sample conduit 140.

The embodiment of fig. 1 includes an electronics board 180. Various embodiments discussed herein may include components that require electronics to function. These electronic devices may be contained in the electronic board 180.

Fig. 2 is an embodiment similar to that shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2 includes

bolts

210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d inserted into

flanges

220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d, respectively.

Flanges

220a, 220b, 220c and 220d and

bolts

210a, 210b, 210c and 210d connect the device to a surface that may be in contact with the liquid to be collected. In one example, the device may be attached to a surface of a toilet into which urine may be dispensed. The device can collect and analyze urine deposited in a toilet bowl.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosed device mounted under a toilet bowl wall for collecting urine. The cross-section through the illustrated device passes through the sample tube 140 and through the cuff 120a at its widest portion, excluding the cuff first end 130 a.

The mounting base 110 is adjacent to the toilet bowl wall 310. Note that the toilet wall 310 continues along the upward curve of the mound-shaped rise in the mount 110, forming a mound-shaped rise in the area of the toilet wall 310. Such mound-like elevations may act as a barrier to urine so that it may enter the sample conduit 140.

The tube housing 170 extends downward from the sample tube 140 as shown in fig. 1. The tube housing 170 houses a cleaning channel 320, and the cleaning channel 320 may deliver water, electrolyzed water, air, isopropyl alcohol, or any other cleaning or rinsing material known in the art. The wash channel 320 is in fluid communication with a drain inlet 330, which drain inlet 330 is in turn in fluid communication with the sample conduit 140. Cleaning or rinsing material, which may be in liquid or gaseous form, may be delivered through the cleaning channel 320 and into the sample conduit 140 through the evacuation inlet 330.

Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus. Unlike the embodiment of fig. 3, in which mount 110 is shaped as a raised mound, the embodiment of fig. 4A is substantially flat and does not include a mound-shaped elevation. Thus, the liquid flows along a flat surface and into the sample conduit 140 as the liquid passes over the mount 110, rather than being stopped by the mound-shaped protrusion to slow the liquid flow as the liquid enters the sample conduit 140. The drain inlet 450 is an aperture through which air, water or other cleaning or sanitizing fluids may be injected. Liquid or air may be injected through inlet 450 to flush sample tube 140 clean after use. In one example, isopropyl alcohol may be injected into the evacuation inlet 450 to clean and sterilize the sample tube 140. Air may be injected into the evacuation inlet 450 to blow out any remaining liquid and obtain background measurements with the spectrometer with only air in the sample tube 140. In addition, drying the sample tube 140 before collecting a new sample may prevent the formation of air bubbles on the sides of the sample tube 140 that may negatively impact spectrometer readings.

In addition, the embodiment of fig. 4A includes a heater 410 that can heat the liquid sample to a desired temperature in order to obtain consistent spectral readings. The embodiment of fig. 4A also includes a temperature sensor 420 connected to an electronics board 430. The temperature sensor 420 may detect the current temperature of the liquid that has entered through the sample conduit 140.

The electronics board 430 is also in electrical communication with the heater 410. If the temperature of the liquid is below the desired temperature, the electronics board 430 activates the heater 410 to raise the temperature of the liquid. In one example, the liquid may be urine and the desired temperature may be body temperature (about 37℃.). In this embodiment, the electronic board 430 is fixed by bolts 440.

Figure 4B is a close-up view of the area within the dashed circle shown in figure 4A. The first channel 460 is a portion of the sample conduit 140, with the sample conduit 140 disposed between portions of the mount 110. Below the first channel 460 and within the sample conduit 140 is a second channel 470 disposed between the ferrule first end 130a and the ferrule first end 130 b. The second passage 470 is narrower than the first passage 460. Further below the sample conduit 140 is shown a third channel 480, which third channel 480 is arranged between parts of the mount 110 and below the second channel 470 in the sample conduit 140. The width of the third channel 480 is greater than or equal to the width of the first channel 460. This design improves the collection of liquid into the sample tube 140 and may prevent the liquid from bouncing back out of the sample tube 140 after collection.

Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of figure 4A mounted under a toilet wall 310. The fourth channel 510 is part of the sample conduit 140 and is defined by the surrounding portion of the toilet bowl wall 310. The width of the fourth channel 510 is approximately equal to the width of the first channel 460.

Urine may be deposited into the toilet including the toilet wall 310 and flow down the toilet wall 310 into the fourth passage 510. The urine may then continue through the sample tube 140 as shown in fig. 4B. The most significant difference between the embodiments of fig. 4A/B and fig. 5A/B is the addition of the toilet wall 310 (under which the embodiment of fig. 5A/5B is mounted) and the addition of a fourth channel 510 that extends the sample conduit 140.

Fig. 5B is a close-up view of the area within the dashed circle in fig. 5A. Similar to fig. 4B, fig. 5B provides a detailed illustration of different portions of the sample conduit 140. The fourth channel 510 is shown as a hole in the toilet wall 310. In this embodiment, the fourth channel 510 is slightly wider than the gap 460.

Fig. 6 is a front view of one embodiment of the apparatus. The device is already installed in toilet 310. The sample tube 140 is shown with a narrowing caused by the cuff first ends 130a and 130 b. Unlike the previous embodiments, the device of FIG. 6 is mounted on the concave bottom of the toilet wall 310. The mounting base 110 is inclined downward to form a recess. The sample conduit 140 is located at the lowest point of the recess. Urine may flow down the sloped region of the toilet wall 310 and into the sample conduit 140.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disclosed apparatus, wherein the mount 110 is shaped as a mound-shaped elevation. The top of the mound-like elevation includes a flat region 710. This is in contrast to the more rounded top of the mound-shaped mound shown in FIG. 3. These two designs have different liquid management capabilities and each can be combined with portions of the other embodiments presented herein.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it is to be understood that the disclosure provided is not limited to the precise configuration, steps, and components disclosed. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the disclosed methods and systems in light of the present disclosure.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A liquid sample capture device comprising:

a mount, comprising:

a top side;

a bottom side; and

a sample conduit comprising a first channel and a second channel,

wherein the sample conduit bisects the mount extending from the top side to the bottom side of the mount,

wherein the first channel is in fluid communication with the second channel; and

two ferrules, wherein each of the two ferrules is disposed within the mount on either side of the sample conduit, wherein a first end of each of the two ferrules extends into the sample conduit and defines a second channel, and wherein a width of the second channel is less than a width of the first channel.

2. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising a compliant, fluid-tight seal disposed on a top side of the mount and surrounding an opening into the first channel.

3. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising first and second fiber optic cables, wherein the first and second fiber optic cables are each inserted into the second end of one of the two cuffs.

4. The liquid sample capture device of claim 3, wherein the first and second fiber optic cables each comprise a plurality of optical fibers.

5. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment mechanism.

6. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising a liquid delivery housing comprising a third channel,

wherein the liquid delivery housing is disposed adjacent a top side of the mount,

wherein the third channel bisects the fluid delivery housing,

wherein the third channel is in fluid communication with the sample conduit, forms an extended sample conduit, and

wherein the width of the third channel is greater than or equal to the width of the first channel.

7. The liquid sample capture device of claim 6, wherein the liquid delivery housing comprises a portion of a wall of a toilet bowl.

8. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the two cuffs.

9. The liquid sample capture device of claim 8, wherein the top side of the mount is sloped upward, forming a mound-shaped elevation, and wherein the mound-shaped elevation is elongated along the longitudinal axis.

10. The liquid sample capture device of claim 8, wherein the sample conduit comprises a slit, and wherein the slit extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and bisects a top end of the mound.

11. The liquid sample capture device of claim 8, wherein a top side of the mount is sloped upward relative to a bottom side of the mount, and wherein an apex of the mound-shaped elevation is substantially flat, substantially forming a triangular prism.

12. The liquid sample capture device of claim 11, wherein the sample conduit comprises a vertical slit, wherein the vertical slit extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the mount and bisects a top end of the mound-shaped protrusion.

13. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, wherein the top side of the mount comprises a downward recess toward the bottom side of the mount.

14. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, wherein the top side of the mount is substantially flat.

15. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, wherein the mount is comprised of a material comprising aluminum.

16. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising an evacuation inlet in fluid communication with the sample conduit.

17. The liquid sample capture device of claim 16, wherein the drain inlet is disposed within a fourth channel, wherein the fourth channel is in fluid communication with the sample conduit.

18. The liquid sample capture device of claim 17, wherein the fourth channel has a width that is greater than a width of the second channel.

19. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising a heating device in thermal communication with the sample conduit.

20. The liquid sample capture device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the sample conduit.