GB2144221A

GB2144221A - Receptacle for the collection of medical specimens

Info

Publication number: GB2144221A
Application number: GB08320279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gordon Rock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-07-27
Filing date: 1983-07-27
Publication date: 1985-02-27
Also published as: GB2144221B; GB8320279D0

Abstract

A double-walled receptacle formed of inner (12) and outer (10) open-topped containers, the inner one (12) fitting within the outer (10) so as to be upwardly removable therefrom. The inner container (12) is divided into upper and lower compartments by a foraminous partition (14) and the lower part of the inner container wall (22) has a plurality of fluid drain apertures (28) below the partition (14). The partition (14) is mounted so as to be easily removable upwardly from the inner container (12). The partition (14) receives the solid, semi-solid portions, etc., of the specimens and fluids escape into the lower compartment. Flushing media used in the collection of the specimens escapes via the drain apertures (28) and is caught by the outer container (10). A removable cover (16) closes the open tops of both containers (10,12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Receptacle for the collection of medical specimens Background of the invention Many forms of receptacles have been known for use in the collection of medical specimens from both humans and animals. A particular example of the use of specimens in the diagnosis of disease is the practice of currettage in the case of intrauterine disease. There are of course areas other than endometrial instances where contents or portions of a body are collected for diagnostic purposes. In substantially any case, what is collected or withdrawn will normally include solid, semi-solid, etc., portions (e.g., tissue) and associated fluids, including whatever liquid flushing medium is employed.

The present invention provides a receptacle of liquid-impervious material in which these several substances are separated, primarily by a screen or like foraminous partition within a container. Materials of lesser substance than that retained by the screen pass through the screen into a compartment below the screen and excess flushing medium is drained off into an outer container within which the inner, partitioned container is relatively loosely fitted. A common cover closes both containers and the receptacle and its contents are easily handed for subsequent examination, testing, etc.

One embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective showing the basic elements of the receptacle; Figure2 is a partial vertical section through the assembled receptacle; and Figure 3 is a partial section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The receptacle shown in the Figures is of multipart construction and comprises an outer container 10, an inner container 12, an inner transverse partition 14 and a cover 16 common to both containers. All parts of the receptacle, with the exception of the partition, are constructed of liquidimpervious material, at least within the degree expected from the intended use and life of the parts.

Any of the well-known materials for this purpose may be used. The dimensions of the receptacle may vary according to the expected or intended use thereof. The present embodiment is based on a receptacle in which the outer container is approximately the size of a typical "throw-away" beverage cup and the inner container is sized so as to nest within the outer container and so that the cover, when in place on the outer container, also closes the inner container. The cover may have any type of removable association with the outer container, e.g., snap-overfit, screw-on, etc. depending upon the designer's choice. Nesting of the inner container within the outer is such that a space 18 may exist between the outer container annular wall 20 and the inner container annular wall 22.The inner container has a bottom 24 which may conveniently rest on the bottom 26 of the outer container.

An exception to the liquid-imperviousness of the inner container is made by the provision of liquid or fluid drain aperture means, here comprising a plurality of uniformly circumferentially spaced apertures 28 formed in a lower portion of the periphery of the inner container annular wall. The partition 14 may be formed of any type of preferably noncorrosive foraminous or screen material, the mesh of which, like the dimensions of the receptacle, depends upon the consistency, fluidity, etc., of the specimens, etc. with which the receptacle is to be used, the amount of handling, the length of storage and the like.

The partition is disposed across the lower part of the inner container and is circular here to adapt itself to the roundness of the container. Both containers are here shown as being of inverted truncated-cone shape, but here again that is not material to the invention. It does, however, make for quick selection and nesting, as well as easy removal of the inner container from the outer. The partition is held in spaced relation above the inner container floor or bottom by downward-limiting abutment means, here an interiorly thickened portion 30 of the inner container wall. This portion preferably extends peripherally about the interior of this wall and forms a ledge on which the partition may rest while in use and from which the partition may be removed when necessary or desired. A handle 34 may be attached to the partition to facilitate removal and replacement thereof.

The drain apertures 28 are spaced slightly above the inner container bottom so as to trap a certain amount of liquid draining off from the partition, yet the apertures will permit excessive flushing fluids to escape into the space 18. Initially, the outer container may hold a measured quantity of preservative or like medium of which many types are known in the art.

Claims

1. Receptacle means for use in the collection of medical specimens comprising: an open-topped outer container 10 of liquid-impervious material having a bottom (26) and an annular wall (20), an open-topped inner container (12) disposed removably within the outer container (10) and having a bottom (24) and annular wall (22), said inner container (10) being formed of liquidimpervious material except for the provision of at least one fluid drain aperture (28) in its wall (22) spaced relatively closely above its bottom (24), aforaminous partition (14) intermediate the top and bottom (24) of the inner container (12) and dividing said inner container (12) into upper and lower compartments, said partition (14) being spaced above the drain aperture (28), means (30) supporting the partition (14) in the inner container (12) for upward removal thereof from said inner container (12) and cover means (16) for removably covering the open top of the outer container (10) and thus also closing the open top of the inner container (12).

2. The receptacle means of claim 1, in which the means (30) supporting the partition includes a portion integral with the inner container wall (22) and forming downward limiting abutment means.

3. The receptacle of claim 2, in which the abutment means (30) is a peripheral ledge about the inner surface of the outer container wall.

4. The receptacle of claim 2, in which the abutment means (30) is an interiorly thickened part of the outer container wall.

5. The receptacle means of any one of claims 1 to 4 in which there are a plurality of fluid drain apertures (28) spaced peripherally about the inner container wall (22) in uniformly spaced relation above the inner container bottom (24).

6. The receptacle means of any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the partition (14) includes, attached thereto, a handle (34) accessible through the open tops of the containers (10, 12) for facilitating removal and replacement of the partition (14).

7. Receptacle means for use in the collection of medical specimens, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.