MXPA06010089A - Liquid sampling apparatus and method of using same - Google Patents

Abstract

A sampling apparatus (100) includes an ampoule barrel (101) for receiving an ampoule (102) through a first opening, the ampoule barrel (101) comprising a second opening (301) adapted to flow a liquid into the ampoule barrel (101) and a structure (304) adapted break a frangible tip (104) of the ampoule (102).

Description

LIQUID SAMPLING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING IT This application claims the priority of the Provisional Application of E.ü. Series No. 60 / 550,743, filed on March 5, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the sampling of liquids and more particularly, to an apparatus for sampling a liquid and automatically carrying out a test. 2. Discussion of Related Technique Sampling methods for liquids typically involve drawing a sample in a pipette, syringe or other container from a container. Such sampling method exposes the sample taken from the liquid. It may be desirable to limit an exposure of the sample taker to a sample, such as in a urinalysis. In addition, sampling methods may include exposing the sample to contaminants that lead to, for example, sampling errors. Therefore, there is a need at least for a system and / or method to reduce the exposure of a sample, reducing sampling errors and limiting contamination of the test samples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sampling apparatus comprises a blister barrel for receiving a blister through a first opening, the blister barrel comprising a second opening adapted to flow a liquid into the barrel for blister and a structure adapted to break a fragile tip of the blister. The ampoule is a sealed container having a negative pressure thereon for extracting a predetermined volume of liquid towards the ampoule, wherein the flow rate of the ampoule is less than or equal to a flow rate of the second aperture. The sampling apparatus includes a seal located between an outer surface of the ampoule and an inner surface of the ampoule barrel. The seal prevents the liquid from passing to an upper portion of the blister barrel. The brittle tip is marked to promote breaking at the brittle tip in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction is substantially perpendicular to a slope of the vial towards the blister barrel. The fragile tip includes a round terminal. The fragile tip moves from a longitudinal center of the ampoule.

The sampling apparatus includes a cover to cover the second opening of the ampoule barrel. The sampling apparatus includes a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a groove that receives an end portion of the ampoule, opposite the brittle tip and an upper surface that supports the ampoule barrel, wherein the distance between a lower surface of the groove and the upper surface is adapted to avoid the descent of the ampule towards the blister barrel. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for taking a liquid sample comprises selecting a test system that includes a barrel for an ampoule and an ampoule comprising a desired reagent, submerging a portion of the barrel for an ampoule in a liquid and breaking the ampule inside the blister barrel, where the blister extracts the liquid sample. The method includes extracting the ampoule from the blister barrel. The method includes determining a test result according to the reagent and the liquid sample. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a blister barrel comprises a first opening for receiving a blister, a tip, the displacement from a longitudinal center of the blister barrel, the tip including a second elongated opening for flowing a liquid to the blister. barrel for blister and an effective interior surface to break a tip of the blister. The inner surface is disposed at an angle that is between about 15 degrees and about 30 degrees from the longitudinal center of the blister barrel. The inner surface is a convex radius relative to an interior of the blister barrel. The blister barrel includes at least a third opening on a side wall of the blister barrel to flow the liquid into the blister barrel. The blister barrel includes a flange on an end portion, opposite to the point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figures 1A-C are an illustration of a test system according to an embodiment of the present description; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the test system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a tip area of the test system of Figure 1; Figures 4A-C are illustrations of a sampling cap, cover and ampoule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 5A-D are illustrations of a blister barrel that has no displacement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 6A-D are illustrations of a blister barrel having a displacement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 7A-D are illustrations of a blister barrel having a displacement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 8A-C are illustrations of a carrier for a test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 9A-C are illustrations of a breaking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 10 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES A test system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a complete test of self-contained microorganisms. Referring to the Figure 1A, a test system 100 includes a barrel for ampoule 101, an ampoule 102 and a lid 103. The ampoule 102 can - Removed from barrel for ampoule 101. Referring to Figure IB, ampoule 102 includes a brittle tip 104. Fragile tip 104 can be displaced from a center of a main body 105 of ampoule 102. Ampoule 102 is a sealed container, which it opens by breaking the brittle tip 104. The interior of the ampule 102 is a vacuum sealed environment. Upon breaking off the tip 104, the ampoule 102 is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of liquid according to an internal pressure of the ampoule 102. Referring to Figure 1C, the ampoule barrel 101 includes an aperture 106 for receiving an ampoule. The ampoule barrel 101 includes a tip 107 to allow a liquid into the ampoule barrel 101. The barrel tip 107 includes one or more ports for withdrawing the liquid into the ampoule barrel 101 under the vacuum of an ampoule. The tip 107 of the blister barrel may be off center relative to a longitudinal center of the blister barrel 101. A bent end 107 may be inserted into a sampling cap, where the sampling cap may be held over the edge to group a shows, increasing the depth of the sample. The decentered tip 107 can be immersed in the pooled sample. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a test system 100. A barrel for ampule 101 receives - - an ampoule 102. A seal 201, formed of for example, a rubber substance secures the ampoule 102. A tip 104 of the ampoule 102 projects through the seal 201 and into a sample chamber. By placing the tip of the barrel 107 in a liquid, the seal 201 prevents the liquid from passing in an upper portion of the ampoule barrel 101. The lid 103 is removable. The cap 103 prevents contaminants from entering the blister barrel 101 or contacting the barrel tip 107 before a test. Referring to Figure 3, the blister barrel 101 includes ports, e. g. , 301 and 302, to allow the liquid to pass to a lower portion or sample chamber 303 of the blister barrel 101. The ports may be located at one end, eg, 301 of the blister barrel 101 and / or on one side of the barrel for blister, eg, 302. The seal 201 prevents the liquid from passing to an upper portion of the blister barrel 101. The blister 102 includes a brittle tip 104. The tip 104 includes a terminal 305. The terminal 305 has a round structure. Above the terminal 305, a mark 306 is provided on a portion of the tip 104. The mark 306 is positioned to control the height at which the tip 104 breaks. The mark 306 may be located on a portion, eg, approximately 90. degrees or approximately 180 degrees of the tip circumference 104. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the mark 306 is located on a portion of the tip 104 away from the direction of the proposed break. The ampoule 102 can be lowered into the ampoule barrel 101, where the terminal 305 meets an angled surface 304 of the ampoule barrel 101. A pressure applied to the ampoule 102 causes the ampoule to descend into the ampoule barrel 101 with the seal 201. Angled surface 304 converts pressure to lateral pressure at terminal 305 of tip 104. Tip 104 breaks at approximately the height of mark 306 under lateral pressure. The terminal 305 is detached from the tip 104 allowing liquid to enter the lower portion 303 of the ampoule barrel 101 towards the ampoule 102. The flow rate at which the ampoule 102 draws up liquid may be slower than the flow rate of the ports of the blister barrel 101. The tip 104 can be coated, so that upon breaking of the terminal 305, a lower portion of the tip falls away towards the blister barrel 101 and the remaining portion of the tip 104 is retained within the cover. Referring to Figures 4A-C. When extracting a sample towards the ampoule 102, a sampling cap 401 can be placed over the broken tip of the ampoule 102. A cover 402 retains any needle. The sampling cap 401 includes a coupler 403. The coupler 403 is fixed within the cover 402. The cap 401 reduces a potential - - for contact with the liquid in the ampoule 102. The coupler 403 cooperates with the cover 402, securing the sampling cap 401 to the ampoule 102. The coupler 403 may be a tube through which a syringe 404 or other device may have access to the contents of the ampoule 102. Referring to Figures 5-7, several blister barrels are represented. It should be noted that modifications and variations of the blister barrels are contemplated herein. Referring to Figures 5A-D, blister barrels 101 having a lower port 501 without displacement relative to a central line of the blister barrel 101 are shown. Referring to Figure 5A, an angled length 502 of the surface 304 is of approximately 60 degrees. The ampule 102 includes a displacement tip 104. The tip 104 is protected by a cover 402. The displacement tip 104 is aligned to find the surface 304 as the ampule 102 descends towards the ampoule barrel 101. Figure 5B illustrates a blister barrel 101 having a surface 304 with an angular length of about 30 degrees. Figures 5C and 5D illustrate blister barrels 101 having a surface 304. The surface 304 has a radius. For example, the radius of surface 304 in Figure 5C is approximately 0.500 inches and the radius of the surface - 304 in Figure 5D is approximately 0.110 inches. The radii of the surface 304 convert the descent of the blister 102 into a lateral force that breaks the tip 104. Referring to FIGS. 6A-D, a lower port 501 of the blister barrel 101 is displaced, for example, by 0.065 inches from a center line of the ampoule barrel 101. Referring to Fig. 6A, an angled length 502 of the surface 304 is about 30 degrees. A surface height is not uniform around the ampoule barrel 101. The rotation of the ampoule 102 within the ampoule barrel 101 ensures that the tip 104 makes contact with the surface 304 when descending towards the ampoule barrel 101. The rotation may adjust manually. A mechanism, such as a cooperating form of the blister barrel 101 and the ampoule 102 can ensure alignment. A cover 402 may be implemented as a guard over the tip 104. Referring to FIG. 6B, an angular length of the surface 304 is approximately 60 degrees. Referring to Figures 6C and 6D a surface 304 has a radius of about 0.500 inches and 0.250 inches respectively. Referring to Figures 7A-D, a lower port 501 of the ampoule barrel 101 is displaced for example by 0.130 inches from a center line of the ampoule barrel 101. Referring to Figure 7A, an angled length of 502 surface 304 is approximately 30 degrees. The angle of the surface varies around the circumference of the blister barrel 101 between about 90 degrees and about 75 degrees. The height of the surface is not uniform around the blister barrel 101. The rotation of the blister 102 within the blister barrel 101 ensures that the tip 104 makes contact with the surface 304 as it descends towards the blister barrel 101. Referring to FIG. Figure 7B, an angled length of surface 304 is approximately 60 degrees. Referring to Figures 7C and 7D a surface 304 has a radius of about 0.500 inches and 0.250 inches respectively. A cover 402 may be implemented as a guard on the tip 104. Referring to FIGS. 8A-C, a test system 100 may be loaded on a carrier 801. The carrier 801 may be capped by an upper portion 802. The carrier comprises one or more grooves 804 for receiving a portion of an ampoule 102. The groove 804 has a depth adapted to support a system 100 not used in such a way that the ampoule 102 is not pressed into the ampoule barrel 101; a distance between a lower part of the groove and the upper part 805 prevents the descent of the ampule towards the blister barrel. A flange 803 of the blister barrel 101 rests on an upper surface of the carrier 801.

The ampoule 102 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a vacuum packed sterile ampoule containing a non-hazardous dry test reagent system. The ampule 102 avoids contamination or damage to the user, has approximately 4 years of life in the product's warehouse, does not activate transportation restrictions and does not require storage with controlled climate. A test of a liquid can be carried out using a test system 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A sample module or barrel for ampoule 101 secures a test ampule 102 for extracting a sample from the liquid. The barrel for ampoule 101 is limited to an exposure to the liquid of the sample taker. When used with a pre-dosed test vial 102, the blister barrel 101 and the test vial 102 automatically initiate a test of the liquid sampled under vacuum pressure. Referring to Figure 9A, the sample chamber 303 houses a disruptive installation 900 of the tip of the ampoule. The ports or inlets, e.g., 301 and 302 may be formed on the walls of the ampoule barrel 101 and on one end of the ampoule barrel 101. Any number of entries may be used. The entries allow the sample to freely enter the sample chamber at a rate at least as large as the sample upon entering ampule 102.

- Thus, the sample can enter ampule 102 at a predetermined dose, not substantially affected by suction or fluid resistance. The disruptive installation 900 of the tip of the ampoule is stabilized in the sample chamber 303 to receive a tip 104 from the ampoule 102. Referring to Figures 9B and 9C, the disruptive installation 900 of the tip of the ampoule is formed in such a way that The sample may flow around the installation and enter the ampoule 102. The disruptive installation 900 of the tip of the ampoule includes a surface disposed at an angle to break the fragile portion of the test ampoule. The surface may be a hollow tube 901 for receiving a tip 104 from an ampule 102 and for breaking the tip 104. The hollow tube 901 is arranged at an angle to apply a substantially lateral force against the tip to facilitate breaking the tip 104 For example, the hollow tube may be arranged at approximately 45 degrees from the walls of the sample chamber. The installation 900 includes a stabilizer support 902 disposed at an angle to support the hollow tube 901, e.g., at approximately 90 degrees from the angle of the hollow tube 901. The stabilizer support 302 and the hollow tube 901 can be formed as a single piece. The hollow tube 901 can collect a broken portion of the tip of the ampoule 102 as it separates from the ampoule 102.

- - The breaker 900 of the stabilized ampoule tip breaks the tip of the ampoule 102 by applying pressure to the ampoule 102, forcing the tip of the trial ampoule 104 to engage a surface disposed at an angle. The tip 104 of the ampoule 102 is immersed in the liquid to avoid entrained air by suction and create an unacceptable filling of the ampoule. The test vial can be a hard surface self-filling container. The test vial includes indicators / test media mixed in predetermined amounts to carry out a complete microbiological test. The test ampoules can be sealed, having a vacuum of approximately 20-30 inches of mercury or more. The test vial and contents may be insensitive to storage conditions and may have a shelf life of approximately 4 years or more. The test vial includes a fragile area that can be broken, allowing a predetermined amount of the sample to enter the test vial and be exposed to the indicators / test media. The test vial can be an ampoule as described in the U.S. Patent. Number 5, 159,799 titled VIAL WITH POWDERED REAGENT, (VIAL WITH REAGENT IN POWDER) 5,550,032 entitled BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION (BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL POLLUTION) and 5,935,799 titled BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION (BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL POLLUTION, each patent being incorporated in the present by reference in its entirety A test vial can be a hermetically sealed vacuum pre-dosed ampoule Vacuum packing of the test vial retains the reagent / medium for years and does not require special storage conditions such as When the test is started, an aqueous sample of a predetermined volume, eg, 7.5 ml is automatically withdrawn into the test vial The volume of the extracted sample can be any predetermined amount depending on eg the size of the ampoule test and vacuum resistance. The test can be concluded when or the test vial becomes a predetermined color, e.g., orange or red. The time elapsed from the start of the test to the end of the test determines the level of microbial contamination. Test results may arrive as fast as one (1) hour for concentrations of 201 or twelve (12) hours for microbial concentrations of 10A. The test vial can be used as a presence / absence test at 24 hours. An indicator of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) can react to microbial aerobic activity in the sample to include facultative species. They can also - detect fungus The presence of fungi can be indicated by floating red particles after 24 hours. The time / concentration calibrations are based on mixed microbial populations typically found in industrial and natural waters. Waters dominated by a particular species can use a one-time calibration adjustment. Each test vial comes complete with a sample / vial, instant closure container, dechlorinating solution, sample identification labels, waste water instructions and a results / instruction diagram. The incubation temperature of the test can be controlled and can be set at, for example, 95 ° F or room temperature. Incubation of the test can be carried out manually by purchasing a reusable transport incubation tube or by using a thermal block or standard laboratory oven. The automatic incubation and the end of the detection of the test can be achieved using an incubator / auto-analyzer. Calibrations / formulations of factory-prepared tests and / or private labeling can also be used. An isolated chamber, such as a self-incubating chamber, suitable for holding a plurality of test blister at a controlled temperature and for a specific time starts and maintains an incubation temperature for a period of time and can return to cooling. 'This chamber can be transportable for all operational phases of the test (cooling to incubation returning to cooling). The test vial, the sample module and the isolated chamber can be preassembled into a clean or sterilized product that is operated by the sample technician or test initiator. Referring to Figure 10, one ampoule for a desired test is selected 1000. The ampoule is placed in a blister barrel. The blister barrel is at least partially immersed in a liquid sample and the tip of the blister is broken to initiate a test 1001. The blister containing a sample is withdrawn from the sample module 1001. A lid can be placed on the broken tip of the test vial. The lid may include, for example, a bar code to track and / or a color diagram to determine the results. The test vial can be placed in a self-incubating test chamber 1003. The self-incubating test chamber can be designed to be shipped to a laboratory or other location, where the self-incubating test chamber can be coupled to a power source. An autoincubation test chamber control device controls a temperature profile (e.g., heating or cooling the samples under test). The control device may include a processor for supplying the control signals to a heater or cooler and a memory device for storing, for example, temperature and time graduations. The results can be verified in a predetermined 1004 term time. The time shown in Figure 10 is provided as examples, actual times may differ depending on the test and procedures. Having described the modalities for apparatus and method for sampling a liquid, it should be noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the disclosed invention that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the details and features required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired to be protected by the Patent Document is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. A sampling apparatus comprising a blister barrel for receiving a blister through a first opening, the blister barrel comprising a second opening adapted to flow a liquid into the blister barrel and a structure adapted to break a tip Fragile of the blister. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ampoule is a sealed container having negative pressure therein for extracting a predetermined volume of liquid towards the ampoule, wherein a flow rate of the ampoule is less than or equal to at a flow rate of the second opening. 3. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a seal located between an outer surface of the ampoule and an inner surface of the ampoule barrel. The sampling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the seal prevents the liquid from passing into the upper portion of the ampoule barrel. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the brittle tip is marked to promote breaking at the brittle tip in a predetermined direction. 6. The sampling apparatus of claim 5, - wherein the predetermined direction is substantially perpendicular to a slope of the ampule towards the blister barrel. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the brittle tip includes a rounded terminal. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the brittle tip is displaced from a longitudinal center of the ampoule. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the second opening of the ampoule barrel. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a groove that receives an end portion of the ampoule, opposite the frangible tip and an upper surface that supports the ampoule barrel, wherein a distance between a lower surface of the groove and the upper surface is adapted to prevent the descent of the ampule towards the blister barrel. 11. A method for taking a liquid sample comprising: selecting a test system including a blister barrel and an ampoule comprising a desired reagent; submerging a portion of the blister barrel in a liquid; and breaking the ampule inside the ampoule barrel, where the ampoule extracts the liquid sample. The method of claim 11, further comprising extracting the blister from the blister barrel. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining a test result in accordance with the reagent and the liquid sample. 14. A blister barrel comprising: a first opening for receiving a blister; a tip, which is displaced from the longitudinal center of the blister barrel, the tip including a second elongated opening for flowing a liquid towards the blister barrel; and an effective inner surface for breaking the tip of the ampoule. The blister barrel of claim 14, wherein the inner surface is disposed at an angle that is between about 15 degrees and about 30 degrees from the longitudinal center of the blister barrel. 16. The blister barrel of claim 14, wherein the inner surface is a convex radius relative to the interior of the blister barrel. 17. The barrel for ampoule of the claim - - 14, further comprising at least a third opening on a side wall of the ampoule barrel to flow the liquid into the ampoule barrel. 18. The ampoule barrel of claim 14, further comprising a flange at an end portion, opposite the tip.