GB2496845A

GB2496845A - Foetal scalp blood collection apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2496845A
Application number: GB1119751.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Jessup
Original assignee: NUSURGIX Ltd
Current assignee: NUSURGIX Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-16
Filing date: 2011-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-29
Also published as: GB201119751D0

Abstract

A blood collecting device 1 for collecting blood from an incised foetal scalp comprises a hollow tube 2 having a first end and a second end. Each end of the tube has means for releasably mounting a blood collector for collecting blood from the incised scalp. For example the tube has a stopper 3, 4 at each end, and a capillary tube blood collector 9, 10 is inserted into a bore 5, 6 in each stopper 3, 4. The device 1 allows multiple blood samples to be taken. After the foetal scalp is cut, the device is inserted into an amnioscope and blood collected in the first capillary tube 9, the amnioscope is withdrawn, the device flipped over, reinserted and a second sample is collected in the second capillary tube 10. The tube 12 may have a hole 17 to keep each end of the tube 12 open to the atmosphere.

Description

Blood Collection Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The invention rclates gerlel-ally to a blood collection apparatus, and in particular is concerned with apparatus for collecting a blood sample from a foetal scalp.

Background of the Invention

Foetal blood sampling is a procedure carried out during labour in order to assess the well-being of the foetus. During the procedure a sample of blood is usually taken from the scalp of the baby, and the p1 1 of the foetal blood sample is then measured. Results of the test indicate whether the baby is suffering foetal distress due to lack of oxygen and is useful in assessing the need to delver the baby quickly by Caesarean section.

Foetal blood sampling is typically carried out by inserting an amnioscope into the lahouring woman's vaginal canal; pressing a foetal scalp blade against the foetal scalp to induce bleeding; and then immediately collecting de foetal blood into a capillary tube.

Combination foetal scalp incision and blood collection devices which include both a retractable foetal scalp blade and capillary tube for collection of the blood in one device are available. An example of such a device is described in EP1900325. Using this device, foetal scalp bleeding is first induced using the blade and then the blade is retracted and the blood collector or capillary tube of the device is used to collect a hi ood sample.

Medical professionals will typically require two or three separate samples of foetal blood for analysis. This is because the first sample may be rejected by the analyser equipment, so it is preferable to have at least one back-tip sample. Reasons for samples being rejected by the analyser equipment include insufficient samples or contanunated samples. In order to collect more than one sample the medical professional must c1uicldy remove the first sample from the amnioscope, collect a new capillary tube, and insert the new tube back through the amnioscope in order to collect a further sample. Tf a third sample is to he collected then this must be repeated again. Obtaining a good puncture site on the foetal scalp and a sufficient volume of blood for sampling can be difficult. Any delay in preparing the second or third sampling capillary tube can be a missed opportunity, since blood flow can stop after a short time or the head of blood formed on the scalp surface can dissipate, making collection of the sample more difficult.

It would he desirable to provide an improved foetal blood collection apparatus, allowing collection of multiple samples of foeral blood to he collected more quickly and more easily.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention pro\lldes blood collection apparatus for collecting a blood sample from an incised foetal scalp, the apparatus comprising a substantially hollow tubular member haviiig a first end and a second end, wherein each end is provided with means for releasably mounting a blood collector for collecting blood from the incised scalp.

Preferably the blood collector is a capillary tube.

Preferably the means for releasably mounting a blood collector is a stopper with a bore therethrough, wherein the bore is sized to receive a blood collector. Preferably the diameter of the bore of the stopper corresponds closely to the diameter of the blood collector. This is to ensure that the blood collector fits sntigly inside the bore of the stopper.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises means for keeping each end of the tubular member open to the atmosphere. The means for keeping each end of the tubular member open to the atmosphere may comprise at least one hole located in the side of the tubular member.

A further aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a combined foetal scalp incision and blood collection device and a blood collection apparatus as hereinhefore defined.

Such a kit of parts provides the medical professional with all the equipment necessary to collect three samples of foetal scalp blood in quick succession.

The invention provides improved blood collection apparatus for collecting blood samples from an incised foetal scalp. Using the apparatus of the invention the medical professional can easily collect two blood samples in quick succession, avoiding any delay and potential subsequent loss of blood flow from the incision site on the foetal scalp.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention by way of extunple: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a blood collection apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a is a plan view of the blood eollectiOli apparatus of Figure 1, with a capillary tube inserted at both ends of the apparatus; Figure 21) is a cross-sectional view of die blood collection apparatus of Figure 2a; Figure 3 is a plan view of a blood collection apparatus according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the blood collection apparatus of Figure 3, with a capillary tube inserted at both cii d s of the apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A blood collection apparatus is shown generally at 1 in Figure 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a hollow tube 2 which is open at both ends. Each end of the tube 2 is provided with a stopper 3, 4. Each stopper 3, 4 has a bore 5, 6 through the stopper, forming a passage 7, 8 into the tube 2.

As shown in Figure 2a, the bores 5, 6 in the stoppers 3, 4 are each sized to receive a blood collector in the form of a capillary tube 9, 10. The capillary tubes 9, 10 ale a secure push-fit into the bores 5, 6 of the stoppers 3, 4. As shown in Figure 2b, there is a fluid connection between the capillary tubes 9, 10 and the inside of the tube 2. Each end of each capillary tube 9, 10 is therefore open to the atmosphere.

Prior to use the blood collection apparatus of the invention is primed with two sterile capillary tubes as shown in Figure 2a and 2b. The medical professional their uses an amnioscope and a foetal scalp blade to induce bleeding of the foetal scalp. The scalp blade is then withdrawn and blood collection apparatus 1, with two sterile capillary tubes 9, 10 attached, is introduced into the amnioscope. The first capillary tube 9 is used to collect a sample of foetal scalp blood via capillary action. The lower end of the first caplllary tube 9 is open to the atmosphere via the second capillary tube 10, allowing collection of blood into the first caplllary tube 9 via capillary action. The blood collection apparatus i is then withdrawn from the amnioscope, and flipped over through 180 degrees so that the empty capillary tube 10 is now oriented for insertion into the amnioscope. Before re-inserting the blood collection apparatus 1 into the amnioseope the first capillary tube 9 (now containing a blood sarnple is removed from the apparatus I simply by pulling it gently out of the bore 5 of the stopper 3. Removing the first, filled, capillary tube 9 from the apparatus 1 ensures that the second, empty tube 10 is open to the atmosphere, allowing blood to enter the capifiary tube 10 via capillary action.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 3. This embodiment of the blood collection apparatus, shown genermilly at 11, comprises a hollow tube 12 which is open at both ends, as with the previous embodiment. In addition, the hollow tube 12 is provided with at least one hole 17 along the length of the tube 12, As with the previous embodiment, each end of the tuhe 12 is provided with a stopper 13, 14, and each stopper 13, 44 has a bore therethrough forming a passage into the tube 12. Figure 4 illustrates the blood collection apparatus with blood collector in the form of capillary tubes l), 20 inserted into the bores of the stoppers 13, 14. The presence of the hole 17 in the side of the tube 12 ensures that each capillary tube is open to the atmosphere, even if one tube contains a blood sample. Using this embodiment of the invention the medical professional would not need to remove the first, filled capillary tube befote re-in seiti fig the apparatus to collect a secon d sainpi C With the other end of the apparatus.

The blood collection apparatus of the invention may also be used in conjunction with a combined foetal scalp incision and blood collection device. In this situation the combined foetal scalp incision and blood collection device is used to make the incision in the foetal scalp and also collect the first sample of blood. The medical professional can then use the blood collection apparatus of the invention, preloaded with two sterile capillary tubes, to quickly and easlly collect second and third blood samples from the orinal incision.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims I. Blood collecnon apparatus for collecting a blood sample from an incised foetal scalp, the apparatus comprising a substantially hollow tubular member havitig a first end and a secend end, wherem each end is provided with means for releasably mounting a blood collector for collecting blood from the incised scalp.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Blood collectioti apparams according to Claim 1, wherein the means for releasably mounting a blood collector is a stopper with a bore therethrough, and wherein the bore is sized to receive a blood collector.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Blood collection apparatus according to any preceeing Claim, further comprising means for keeping each end of the tubular member open to the atmosphere.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Blood collection apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the means for keeping each end of the tubular member open to the atmosphere comprises at least one hole located in the side of the tubular member.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A kit of parts comprising a combined foetal scalp incision and blood collection device and a blood collection apparatus according to any of Claims I to 4.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Blood collection apparatus substanually as shown iii and described with refcrcnce to the drawings.</claim-text>