US3837376A - Blood serum collection tube and method - Google Patents

Blood serum collection tube and method Download PDF

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Publication number
US3837376A
US3837376A US00278227A US27822772A US3837376A US 3837376 A US3837376 A US 3837376A US 00278227 A US00278227 A US 00278227A US 27822772 A US27822772 A US 27822772A US 3837376 A US3837376 A US 3837376A
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tube
collection tube
needle
portions
serum
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US00278227A
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P Brown
Brien J O
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Metropolitan Pathology Lab Inc
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Metropolitan Pathology Lab Inc
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5021Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/02042Determining blood loss or bleeding, e.g. during a surgical procedure
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/04Closures and closing means
    • B01L2300/041Connecting closures to device or container
    • B01L2300/044Connecting closures to device or container pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/04Closures and closing means
    • B01L2300/046Function or devices integrated in the closure
    • B01L2300/048Function or devices integrated in the closure enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/06Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
    • B01L2300/0672Integrated piercing tool
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0832Geometry, shape and general structure cylindrical, tube shaped
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0475Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
    • B01L2400/0478Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure pistons
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/06Valves, specific forms thereof
    • B01L2400/0633Valves, specific forms thereof with moving parts
    • B01L2400/0638Valves, specific forms thereof with moving parts membrane valves, flap valves
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/56Labware specially adapted for transferring fluids
    • B01L3/563Joints or fittings ; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N2001/002Devices for supplying or distributing samples to an analysing apparatus
    • G01N2001/005Packages for mailing or similar transport of samples
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S215/00Bottles and jars
    • Y10S215/03Medical

Definitions

  • the invention is directed to an easily handleable, readily mailable, collection tube closed at both ends by one shot valve structures comprising self-sealing elastomeric elements pierced by a special one-piece hollow needle.
  • the lower elastomeric element includes an annular piston-like member which is adapted to engage the inner walls of th specimen tube to pump serum therefrom.
  • the blood serum has been removed from the specimen tube, after the blood has been centrifuged to separate the serum from the clotted cells by drawing the serum off with a conventional syringe; by pouring the serum off through tilting of the specimen tube; by use of pipettes and the like; and or by use of plungerlike apparatus of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,355,098.
  • the method and apparatus disclosed in our US Pat. No. 3,586,064 represents an improvement over earlier work in this field, however, certain difficulties arose in the creation of vacuum forces which tended to separate the lower elastomeric element from the collection tube. In addition, two separate needles were required to be handled.
  • the shortcomings of the prior art devices have been overcome by the method and apparatus of the present invention, which provide a new and improved method of collecting serum and a new and improved selfsealing, serum collection tube, which tube may be directly filled from centrifuged specimen tubes with collected blood serum.
  • the new serum collection tube basically comprises a hollow cylinder whose ends are closed off by novel one shot" valve structures, and whose lower end also carries a piston member.
  • the valves themselves comprise self-sealing elastomeric end caps pierced by portions of an elongated one-piece removable hollow needle.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention with the elongated special needle in place and with the upper and lower one shot valves opened in preparation for collecting a serum sample from a specimen tube;
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during the downward stroke of the collection tube during serum collection;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the invention during the upward stroke of the collection tube and after serum collection;
  • FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the collection tube with both ends self-sealed by withdrawal of the needle after removal of the collection tube from the specimen tube.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a conventional centrifuged specimen collection tube 10 having a pool of serum 11 disposed above settled-out, clotted cellular material 12.
  • the specimen tube advantageously may be of the so-called Vacutainer type sold by Becton-Dickinson Co. for use by medical personnel in withdrawing blood samples from patients for subsequent laboratory analysis.
  • Such specimen tubes typically have inside diameters of approximately inch. Their lengths generally will vary depending upon the size of the volumetric samples of blood required.
  • blood samples are centrifuged in accordance with well known procedures to separate within the specimen tube 10 the serum 11 and cellular matter 12, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the new and improved serum collection apparatus 9 of the present invention includes an elongated cylindrical, clear collection tube 15 which is open at its upper and lower ends. Integral annular beads or flanges 16, 17 are formed at the upper and lower ends respectively of the collection tube 15, as shown.
  • the collection tubes may take other forms, such as tubes with enlarged upper cylindrical cross-sections and reduced lower cylindrical cross-sections, in order that they may be compatible with special test and analyzing apparatus.
  • the upper end of the collection tube 15 is closed off by a generally cup-shaped, elastomeric, self-sealing element 18 which is mechanically connected to the collection tube by a friction fit, threads, or by other suitable means such as the illustrated resilient, split snap ring 19 (FIG. 1) to secure the element 18 of the flange 16.
  • the upper sealing element 118 is pierced by a narrow, elongated hollow needle 20, which is of overall length greater than the length of the tube 15.
  • the needle 20 is made from a hardened steel syringe needle or a clear plastic needle, which is provided with openings or ports 5, 6 separated by a seal 7 formed by crimping or the like.
  • the port 5 and the upper needle opening 3 provide communication between the inside of the tube 15 and the atmosphere, as will be understood.
  • the needle 20 mounts a head or grippable portion 21 which is adapted to be grapsed by a user to facilitate the subsequent removal of the needle 20 from the upper sealing element 18 and a lower sealing element 22 after serum collection.
  • the sealing element 18 and the upper portions of the needle 20 (those portions above the seal 7) comprise an upper, selectively actuatable one shot" valve.
  • the lower end of the collection tube in a manner similar to the upper end, is closed off by a generally cup-shaped, elastomeric, self-sealing element 22.
  • a friction fit, threads, the illustrated resilient split, snap ring 23 or other suitable means mechanically fastens the element 22 to the flanged, lower end of the tube, as shown.
  • the lower portion 24 (the portion below the seal 7) of the one-piece elongated, hollow needle 20 extends through the sealing element 22 to provide communication between the collection tube and the specimen tube through the lower needle opening 4 and the port 6.
  • the lower cup shaped element 22 together with the lower needle portion 24 also defines a one shot valve.
  • the outer circumference 22' of the element 22 is slightly greater than the inner circumference of the tube 10 and, thereby, functions as a piston element when inserted in telescoping association with the specimen tube. That is to say, the cylindrical outer surfaces 22 of the elastomeric sealing element 22 are appropriately dimensioned (e.g. slightly greater than /8 inch in diameter) so that the element 22 sealingly, slidingly engages the inner walls of the specimen tube when inserted therein, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • blood serum may be removed from the centrifuged specimen tube 10 and securely trapped within the collection tube in the following manner.
  • the lower end of the collection tube 15 is inserted into the specimen tube, as shown in FIG. 2, and plunged downwardly therein, while the upper one shot valve is open to the atmosphere to vent air from uppermost portions of the tube 15 as the lowermost portions fill with serum entering through port 6.
  • the serum will be driven by the pumplike action of the piston 22 up through the opening 4 and through the needle portion 24 and into the collection tube 15 through the port 6, without disturbing the clotted matter 12.
  • the collected serum 11 is permanently trapped in the collection tube 15 by removing the needle by grasping and pulling outwardly on the gripping portion 21. This closes both the upper and lower one shot valves to provide a completely sealed collection tube 15.
  • the needle 20 then may be discarded and the filled tube 15 may be readily mailed to pathology laboratories for testing analysis, etc. in a suitable mailing envelope M (shown in phantom in FIG. 1).
  • the sealing elements 18, 22 are advantageously made of rubber and the collection tube 15 is made from glass, plastic, or the like.
  • the tube 15 has an etched labeling portion 26 integral therewith upon which suitable identifying indicia may be inscribed to ensure accurate handling.
  • the blood serum collection method and apparatus herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.
  • the method of the invention may be practiced by dividing the needle 20 at the seal 7 into short and long needles or by using two separate needles, a short upper needle and a long lower needle. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.
  • Apparatus for removing and trapping the upper portions of a pool of liquid contained in a specimen tube having a predetermined inner diameter comprising a. a generally cylindrical tubular element of first predetermined length open at its upper and lower ends and having an outer diameter less than said predetermined inner diameter of the specimen tube;
  • selectively actuatable upper valve means closing off said upper end of said tubular element and being adapted to provide communication between interior upper portions of said tubular element and atmosphere
  • said lower valve means comprising a puncturable
  • first elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said lower end of said tubular element and said lower hollow needle portion extending therethrough;
  • said upper valve means comprising a puncturable, second elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said upper end of said tubular element and said upper hollow needle portion extending therethrough;
  • said elastomeric material possessing sufficient resilience and said hollow needle being sufficiently narrow whereby on the removal of said needle from said elastomeric material, said ends of the tubular member will be completely self sealed;
  • piston means including said lower end portions of said tubular element and said lower sealing means, said piston means having an outer diameter slightly greater than said predetermined inner diameter of said specimen tube, whereby said piston means is adapted to make sliding, sealing contact therewith.
  • a method of removing serum from a specimen tube comprising the steps of a. inserting a collection tube closed off at its lower end by a piston-like element pierced by a lower hollow needle portion into the specimen tube to drive serum upwardly therethrough and into said collection tube,

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Abstract

The disclosure relates to an improved apparatus and an improved method for removing serum from the uppermost portions of a specimen tube of centrifuged blood, in which the blood serum is disposed in a liquid pool above settled-out cellular solid materials. More particularly, the invention is directed to an easily handleable, readily mailable, collection tube closed at both ends by ''''one shot'''' valve structures comprising selfsealing elastomeric elements pierced by a special one-piece hollow needle. Additionally, the lower elastomeric element includes an annular piston-like member which is adapted to engage the inner walls of the specimen tube to pump serum therefrom.

Description

United States Patent Brown et al.
BLOOD SERUM COLLECTION TUBE AND METHOD Inventors: Paul Brown; Joseph OBrien, both of c/o Metropolitan Pathology Laboratory, Inc., 60 Commerce Way, Ridgewood, NJ. 07606 Filed: Aug. 7, 1972 Appl. No.: 278,227
Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 148,872, June 1, 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 854,982, Sept. 3, 1969, Pat. No. 3,586,064.
US. Cl 141/1, 23/2585, 23/259, 73/4254, 141/327, 141/330, 210/540, 233/26 Int. Cl B01] 11/00 Field of Search 23/2585, 259, 292; 73/4254 R, 425.4 P; [28/218 M, 220, 272; l4l/l, 2, 18, 22,113, 250, 3.8, 325, 327,
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1930 Morton 128/220 1 Sept. 24, 1974 2,524,363 10/1950 Smith 128/220 2,653,607 9/1953 Deans 128/218 M 3,017,883 l/1962 Dickerson, Jr r 128/272 3,481,477 12/1969 Farr 23/2585 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mandeville and Schweitzer [5 7 ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to an improved apparatus and an improved method for removing serum from the uppermost portions of a specimen tube of centrifuged blood, in which the blood serum is disposed in a liquid pool above settled-out cellular solid materials. More particularly, the invention is directed to an easily handleable, readily mailable, collection tube closed at both ends by one shot valve structures comprising self-sealing elastomeric elements pierced by a special one-piece hollow needle. Additionally, the lower elastomeric element includes an annular piston-like member which is adapted to engage the inner walls of th specimen tube to pump serum therefrom.
4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BLOOD SERUM COLLECTION TUBE AND METHOD CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation, of Ser. No. 148,872, filed June 1, 1971, now abondoned, which application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 854,982, filed Sept. 3, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,586,064.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the examination of blood samples in pathological laboratories, it is often necessary or desirable to examine blood serum after it has been separated from the suspended cellular material, and for this purpose it is customary to subject the specimen tubes, in which the blood samples are delivered to the laboratory, to centrifuging action to cause the settling of the cells to the bottom of the specimen tube. Since many laboratories process large numbers of blood samples every day, facility of handling specimens, accuracy of labeling of specimen, and the ease of drawing off and retaining serum specimens are important to successful and safe operation.
Quite often, laboratory workers have experienced difficulty in efficiently removing the clear serum from centrifuged blood specimen tube, without disturbing the settled out solid material. Additionally, there have been problems in maintaining with accuracy the identity of the source (patient) from which the serum was originally obtained throughout its travels from hospital to laboratory, etc.
Heretofore, the blood serum has been removed from the specimen tube, after the blood has been centrifuged to separate the serum from the clotted cells by drawing the serum off with a conventional syringe; by pouring the serum off through tilting of the specimen tube; by use of pipettes and the like; and or by use of plungerlike apparatus of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,355,098. The method and apparatus disclosed in our US Pat. No. 3,586,064 represents an improvement over earlier work in this field, however, certain difficulties arose in the creation of vacuum forces which tended to separate the lower elastomeric element from the collection tube. In addition, two separate needles were required to be handled.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The shortcomings of the prior art devices have been overcome by the method and apparatus of the present invention, which provide a new and improved method of collecting serum and a new and improved selfsealing, serum collection tube, which tube may be directly filled from centrifuged specimen tubes with collected blood serum. The new serum collection tube basically comprises a hollow cylinder whose ends are closed off by novel one shot" valve structures, and whose lower end also carries a piston member. The valves themselves comprise self-sealing elastomeric end caps pierced by portions of an elongated one-piece removable hollow needle.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its attendant advantages, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention with the elongated special needle in place and with the upper and lower one shot valves opened in preparation for collecting a serum sample from a specimen tube;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during the downward stroke of the collection tube during serum collection;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the invention during the upward stroke of the collection tube and after serum collection;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the collection tube with both ends self-sealed by withdrawal of the needle after removal of the collection tube from the specimen tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional centrifuged specimen collection tube 10 having a pool of serum 11 disposed above settled-out, clotted cellular material 12. The specimen tube advantageously may be of the so-called Vacutainer type sold by Becton-Dickinson Co. for use by medical personnel in withdrawing blood samples from patients for subsequent laboratory analysis. Such specimen tubes typically have inside diameters of approximately inch. Their lengths generally will vary depending upon the size of the volumetric samples of blood required. Once drawn, blood samples are centrifuged in accordance with well known procedures to separate within the specimen tube 10 the serum 11 and cellular matter 12, as shown in FIG. 1.
The new and improved serum collection apparatus 9 of the present invention, includes an elongated cylindrical, clear collection tube 15 which is open at its upper and lower ends. Integral annular beads or flanges 16, 17 are formed at the upper and lower ends respectively of the collection tube 15, as shown. Of course, the collection tubes may take other forms, such as tubes with enlarged upper cylindrical cross-sections and reduced lower cylindrical cross-sections, in order that they may be compatible with special test and analyzing apparatus.
In accordance with the principles of the invention, the upper end of the collection tube 15 is closed off by a generally cup-shaped, elastomeric, self-sealing element 18 which is mechanically connected to the collection tube by a friction fit, threads, or by other suitable means such as the illustrated resilient, split snap ring 19 (FIG. 1) to secure the element 18 of the flange 16. As an important aspect of the invention, the upper sealing element 118 is pierced by a narrow, elongated hollow needle 20, which is of overall length greater than the length of the tube 15. The needle 20 is made from a hardened steel syringe needle or a clear plastic needle, which is provided with openings or ports 5, 6 separated by a seal 7 formed by crimping or the like. The port 5 and the upper needle opening 3 provide communication between the inside of the tube 15 and the atmosphere, as will be understood. Advantageously, the needle 20 mounts a head or grippable portion 21 which is adapted to be grapsed by a user to facilitate the subsequent removal of the needle 20 from the upper sealing element 18 and a lower sealing element 22 after serum collection. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the sealing element 18 and the upper portions of the needle 20 (those portions above the seal 7) comprise an upper, selectively actuatable one shot" valve.
The lower end of the collection tube, in a manner similar to the upper end, is closed off by a generally cup-shaped, elastomeric, self-sealing element 22. A friction fit, threads, the illustrated resilient split, snap ring 23 or other suitable means mechanically fastens the element 22 to the flanged, lower end of the tube, as shown. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the lower portion 24 (the portion below the seal 7) of the one-piece elongated, hollow needle 20 extends through the sealing element 22 to provide communication between the collection tube and the specimen tube through the lower needle opening 4 and the port 6.
As an important aspect of the present invention, the lower cup shaped element 22 together with the lower needle portion 24 also defines a one shot valve. Advantageously, the outer circumference 22' of the element 22 is slightly greater than the inner circumference of the tube 10 and, thereby, functions as a piston element when inserted in telescoping association with the specimen tube. That is to say, the cylindrical outer surfaces 22 of the elastomeric sealing element 22 are appropriately dimensioned (e.g. slightly greater than /8 inch in diameter) so that the element 22 sealingly, slidingly engages the inner walls of the specimen tube when inserted therein, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
In accordance with the present invention, blood serum may be removed from the centrifuged specimen tube 10 and securely trapped within the collection tube in the following manner. The lower end of the collection tube 15 is inserted into the specimen tube, as shown in FIG. 2, and plunged downwardly therein, while the upper one shot valve is open to the atmosphere to vent air from uppermost portions of the tube 15 as the lowermost portions fill with serum entering through port 6. In accordance with well known principles of pumps, the serum will be driven by the pumplike action of the piston 22 up through the opening 4 and through the needle portion 24 and into the collection tube 15 through the port 6, without disturbing the clotted matter 12. When sufficient serum has been collected in this manner to cover the port 6, the height of which determines the final serum level in the tube 15, the collection tube 15 is withdrawn from the specimen tube l0, as shown in FIG. 3. In accordance with the principles of the invention, no air lock" or objectionable vacuum lock interferes with withdrawal since excess serum (any serum above port 6) will drain through port 6 back into the specimen tube until port 6 is uncovered and exposed. No vacuum will form beneath the piston 22 since atomspheric air will be free to travel through the needle portion 24 and into the specimen tube. Thus, there will be no tendency to separate the lower cap-piston element 22 from the collection tube, as has heretofore been the case.
After withdrawal of tube 15 from tube 10, the collected serum 11 is permanently trapped in the collection tube 15 by removing the needle by grasping and pulling outwardly on the gripping portion 21. This closes both the upper and lower one shot valves to provide a completely sealed collection tube 15. The needle 20 then may be discarded and the filled tube 15 may be readily mailed to pathology laboratories for testing analysis, etc. in a suitable mailing envelope M (shown in phantom in FIG. 1).
In accordance with a more specific aspect of the invention, the sealing elements 18, 22 are advantageously made of rubber and the collection tube 15 is made from glass, plastic, or the like. Advantageously, the tube 15 has an etched labeling portion 26 integral therewith upon which suitable identifying indicia may be inscribed to ensure accurate handling.
It should be understood that the blood serum collection method and apparatus herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. For example, the method of the invention may be practiced by dividing the needle 20 at the seal 7 into short and long needles or by using two separate needles, a short upper needle and a long lower needle. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.
We claim:
1. Apparatus for removing and trapping the upper portions of a pool of liquid contained in a specimen tube having a predetermined inner diameter, comprising a. a generally cylindrical tubular element of first predetermined length open at its upper and lower ends and having an outer diameter less than said predetermined inner diameter of the specimen tube;
b. an elongated hollow needle of second predetermined length greater than said first predetermined length; said needle being open at its extremities and having spaced ports therebetween; means sealing said ports from one another and dividing said needle into upper and lower portions;
0. selectively actuatable upper valve means closing off said upper end of said tubular element and being adapted to provide communication between interior upper portions of said tubular element and atmosphere,
d. selectively actuatable lower valve means closing off the lower end of said tubular element and being adapted to communicate between said inner portions of said tubular element and the interior of said specimen tube;
e. said lower valve means comprising a puncturable,
first elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said lower end of said tubular element and said lower hollow needle portion extending therethrough;
f. said upper valve means comprising a puncturable, second elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said upper end of said tubular element and said upper hollow needle portion extending therethrough;
g. said elastomeric material possessing sufficient resilience and said hollow needle being sufficiently narrow whereby on the removal of said needle from said elastomeric material, said ends of the tubular member will be completely self sealed;
h. piston means including said lower end portions of said tubular element and said lower sealing means, said piston means having an outer diameter slightly greater than said predetermined inner diameter of said specimen tube, whereby said piston means is adapted to make sliding, sealing contact therewith.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which a. the needle mounts a gripping means by which the needle may be removed from said first and second elastomeric sealing means.
3. A method of removing serum from a specimen tube comprising the steps of a. inserting a collection tube closed off at its lower end by a piston-like element pierced by a lower hollow needle portion into the specimen tube to drive serum upwardly therethrough and into said collection tube,
b. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere by an upper hollow needle portion while said collection tube is driven downwardly into said serum;
c. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere during the upward stroke of said collection tube while removing said collection tube from said specimen tube;
d. maintaining the space between the lower end of the collection tube and the interior lower portions of the specimen tube at atmospheric pressure;
e. sealing off the upper and lower ends of said collection tube by removing said needle portions from the upper lower end thereof.
4. The method of claim 3, in which a. said upper and lower needle portions are supported and handled as a single unit, whereby said upper and lower ends may be sealed off substantially simultaneously by the removal of said single Unlt.

Claims (4)

1. Apparatus for removing and trapping the upper portions of a pool of liquid contained in a specimen tube having a predetermined inner diameter, comprising a. a generally cylindrical tubular element of first predetermined length open at its upper and lower ends and having an outer diameter less than said predetermined inner diameter of the specimen tube; b. an elongated hollow needle of second predetermined length greater than said first predetermined length; said needle being open at its extremities and having spaced ports therebetween; means sealing said ports from one another and dividing said needle into upper and lower portions; c. selectively actuatable upper valve means closing off said upper end of said tubular element and being adapted to provide communication between interior upper portions of said tubular element and atmosphere, d. selectively actuatable lower valve means closing off the lower end of said tubular element and being adapted to communicate between said inner portions of said tubular element and the interior of said specimen tube; e. said lower valve means comprising a puncturable, first elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said lower end of said tubular element and said lower hollow needle portion extending therethrough; f. said upper valve means comprising a puncturable, second elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said upper end of said tubular element and said upper hollow needle portion extending therethrough; g. said elastomeric material possessing sufficient resilience and said hollow needle being sufficiently narrow whereby on the removal of said needle from said elastomeric material, said ends of the tubular member will be completely self sealed; h. piston means including said lower end portions of said tubular element and said lower sealing means, said piston means having an outer diameter slightly greater than said predetermined inner diameter of said specimen tube, whereby said piston means is adapted to make sliding, sealing contact therewith.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which a. the needle mounts a gripping means by which the needle may be removed from said first and second elastomeric sealing means.
3. A method of removing serum from a specimen tube comprising the steps of a. inserting a collection tube closed off at its lower end by a piston-like element pierced by a lower hollow needle portion into the specimen tube to drive serum upwardly therethrough and into said collection tube, b. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere by an upper hollow needle portion while said collection tube is driven downwardly into said serum; c. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere during the upward stroke of said collection tube while removing said collection tube from said specimen tube; d. maintaining the space between the lower end of the collection tube and the interior lower portions of the specimen tube at atmospheric pressure; e. sealing off the upper and lower ends of said collection tube by removing said needle portions from the upper lower end thereof.
4. The method of claim 3, in which a. said upper and lower needle portions are supported and handled as a single unit, whereby said upper and lower ends may be sealed off substantially simultaneously by the removal of said single unit.
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Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955423A (en) * 1972-09-18 1976-05-11 Marvin Padover Liquid sampling method
US4022576A (en) * 1975-06-09 1977-05-10 I. C. L. Scientific Method and apparatus for preparation of liquids containing suspended material for examination
US4053284A (en) * 1976-03-10 1977-10-11 Akzona Incorporated Continuous flow apparatus for biological testing
US4136036A (en) * 1976-04-07 1979-01-23 Eastman Kodak Company Collection and dispensing device for non-pressurized liquids
US4197735A (en) * 1978-11-06 1980-04-15 Chase Instruments Corporation Blood sedimentation rate test means
US4209488A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-06-24 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Fluid collection apparatus
US4210623A (en) * 1978-05-01 1980-07-01 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Fluid collection apparatus
US4326959A (en) * 1981-02-04 1982-04-27 Ferrara Louis T Blood separator and dispenser
WO1983003140A1 (en) * 1982-03-04 1983-09-15 Medical & Scient Designs Method and apparatus for performing assays
US4644807A (en) * 1985-02-21 1987-02-24 Dionex Corporation Fluid sample delivery apparatus
US4738827A (en) * 1985-05-07 1988-04-19 S.E.A.C.S.R.L. Capillary tube holder for test instruments especially blood tests and particularly for platelet counters, with two coaxial chambers
US4900515A (en) * 1985-12-19 1990-02-13 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Arrangement for determining blood cell sedimentation rate
US5078970A (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-01-07 Belona Laboratory Supplies And Development, Inc. Apparatus for withdrawing a liquid sample from a sample vessel and transferring it
US5400923A (en) * 1988-06-20 1995-03-28 Helena Laboratories Corporation Apparatus for discharging contents of a sealed container
US5980734A (en) * 1996-05-09 1999-11-09 Itoh; Teruaki Auxiliary apparatus for sampling blood serum
US6066296A (en) * 1997-09-23 2000-05-23 Array Medical, Inc. Sample addition, reagent application, and testing chamber
EP1495811A2 (en) 1999-05-14 2005-01-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Penetrable cap with inner apex and related fluid transfer device
US20050226785A1 (en) * 2004-04-05 2005-10-13 Bio/Data Corporation Clot retainer
US20060199275A1 (en) * 2003-04-25 2006-09-07 Katsuya Togawa Method and tool for filtrating specimen using specimen sampling container, and specimen sampling container
US7927549B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2011-04-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device with a modified pipette tip
ES2364733A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-13 Biotechnology Institute, I Mas D, S.L. Method for the preparation of at least one composite from blood, and extraction device to be used in the execution of such method (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
JP2012526781A (en) * 2009-05-14 2012-11-01 バイオテクノロジー インスティチュート、アイ エムエーエス ディー、 エス.エル. Method for preparing at least one compound from blood and extraction device for use in carrying out the method
WO2013074676A2 (en) 2011-11-14 2013-05-23 The General Hospital Corporation Assays and methods for selecting a treatment regimen for a subject with depression
EP3366695A1 (en) 2009-12-17 2018-08-29 Children's Medical Center, Corp. Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
EP3560509A1 (en) 2011-12-22 2019-10-30 Children's Medical Center Corporation Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
EP3666284A1 (en) 2007-06-22 2020-06-17 Children's Medical Center, Corp. Methods and uses thereof of a fragment of saposin a
US11366095B2 (en) * 2015-09-01 2022-06-21 Becton, Dickinson And Company Depth filtration device for separating specimen phases
US20230039229A1 (en) * 2018-11-30 2023-02-09 Hans-Werner Heinrich Biological material collection and separation system and methods of use

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US2524363A (en) * 1947-07-19 1950-10-03 Arthur E Smith Disposable syringe
US2653607A (en) * 1950-09-16 1953-09-29 Ayerst Mckenna & Harrison Injection apparatus
US3017883A (en) * 1957-08-12 1962-01-23 Becton Dickinson Co Venoclysis assembly
US3481477A (en) * 1965-03-02 1969-12-02 Andrew F Farr Apparatus for filtering out clear liquid from suspended solids

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955423A (en) * 1972-09-18 1976-05-11 Marvin Padover Liquid sampling method
US4022576A (en) * 1975-06-09 1977-05-10 I. C. L. Scientific Method and apparatus for preparation of liquids containing suspended material for examination
US4053284A (en) * 1976-03-10 1977-10-11 Akzona Incorporated Continuous flow apparatus for biological testing
US4136036A (en) * 1976-04-07 1979-01-23 Eastman Kodak Company Collection and dispensing device for non-pressurized liquids
US4210623A (en) * 1978-05-01 1980-07-01 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Fluid collection apparatus
US4209488A (en) * 1978-10-10 1980-06-24 Owens-Illinois, Inc. Fluid collection apparatus
US4197735A (en) * 1978-11-06 1980-04-15 Chase Instruments Corporation Blood sedimentation rate test means
WO1980000923A1 (en) * 1978-11-06 1980-05-15 R Munzer Blood sedimentation rate test means
US4326959A (en) * 1981-02-04 1982-04-27 Ferrara Louis T Blood separator and dispenser
WO1983003140A1 (en) * 1982-03-04 1983-09-15 Medical & Scient Designs Method and apparatus for performing assays
US4644807A (en) * 1985-02-21 1987-02-24 Dionex Corporation Fluid sample delivery apparatus
US4738827A (en) * 1985-05-07 1988-04-19 S.E.A.C.S.R.L. Capillary tube holder for test instruments especially blood tests and particularly for platelet counters, with two coaxial chambers
US4900515A (en) * 1985-12-19 1990-02-13 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Arrangement for determining blood cell sedimentation rate
US5400923A (en) * 1988-06-20 1995-03-28 Helena Laboratories Corporation Apparatus for discharging contents of a sealed container
US5078970A (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-01-07 Belona Laboratory Supplies And Development, Inc. Apparatus for withdrawing a liquid sample from a sample vessel and transferring it
US5980734A (en) * 1996-05-09 1999-11-09 Itoh; Teruaki Auxiliary apparatus for sampling blood serum
US6066296A (en) * 1997-09-23 2000-05-23 Array Medical, Inc. Sample addition, reagent application, and testing chamber
EP1495811A2 (en) 1999-05-14 2005-01-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Penetrable cap with inner apex and related fluid transfer device
US7927549B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2011-04-19 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device with a modified pipette tip
EP1495811B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2014-05-28 Gen-Probe Incorporated Fluid transfer device for use with penetrable cap
US20060199275A1 (en) * 2003-04-25 2006-09-07 Katsuya Togawa Method and tool for filtrating specimen using specimen sampling container, and specimen sampling container
US7767466B2 (en) * 2003-04-25 2010-08-03 Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd. Sample filtering method using sample collecting container, jig and sample collecting container
US20050226785A1 (en) * 2004-04-05 2005-10-13 Bio/Data Corporation Clot retainer
US7294311B2 (en) * 2004-04-05 2007-11-13 Bio/Data Corporation Clot retainer
EP3666284A1 (en) 2007-06-22 2020-06-17 Children's Medical Center, Corp. Methods and uses thereof of a fragment of saposin a
EP2430977B1 (en) * 2009-05-14 2020-01-08 Biotechnology Institute, I Mas D, S.L. Method for preparing at least one compound from blood, and sampling device for use when carrying out said method
JP2012526781A (en) * 2009-05-14 2012-11-01 バイオテクノロジー インスティチュート、アイ エムエーエス ディー、 エス.エル. Method for preparing at least one compound from blood and extraction device for use in carrying out the method
EP3366695A1 (en) 2009-12-17 2018-08-29 Children's Medical Center, Corp. Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
EP3925670A1 (en) 2009-12-17 2021-12-22 Children's Medical Center, Corp. Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
ES2364733A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-13 Biotechnology Institute, I Mas D, S.L. Method for the preparation of at least one composite from blood, and extraction device to be used in the execution of such method (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
WO2013074676A2 (en) 2011-11-14 2013-05-23 The General Hospital Corporation Assays and methods for selecting a treatment regimen for a subject with depression
EP3560509A1 (en) 2011-12-22 2019-10-30 Children's Medical Center Corporation Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
EP4306123A2 (en) 2011-12-22 2024-01-17 Children's Medical Center Corporation Saposin-a derived peptides and uses thereof
US11366095B2 (en) * 2015-09-01 2022-06-21 Becton, Dickinson And Company Depth filtration device for separating specimen phases
US11808757B2 (en) 2015-09-01 2023-11-07 Becton, Dickinson And Company Depth filtration device for separating specimen phases
US20230039229A1 (en) * 2018-11-30 2023-02-09 Hans-Werner Heinrich Biological material collection and separation system and methods of use
US11772014B2 (en) * 2018-11-30 2023-10-03 Hans-Werner Heinrich Biological material collection and separation system and methods of use

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