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Publication Number
US-10272445-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
An apparatus and method may be used to separate a biological liquid sample and retrieve a separated liquid portion therefrom. The apparatus may have a tube, an insert, and a positioning mechanism. The tube may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber between the proximal and distal ends for receiving the biological liquid sample. The insert may be positioned in the chamber, and may have a first end, a second end, a well between the first and second ends, and a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well. The positioning mechanism may be connected to the tube and the insert, and may be manually actuable to move the insert between the proximal end and distal end to allow a separated portion of the biological liquid sample to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for separating a biological liquid sample and retrieving a separated liquid portion therefrom. The apparatus includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber between the proximal end and the distal end for receiving the biological liquid sample. An insert is positioned in the chamber and includes a well, and a draw tube is in fluid communication with the second end and the well.
A positioning mechanism is connected to the tube and the insert and is manually actuable by rotating the positioning mechanism. Rotation causes the insert to move between the proximal end and distal end via rotation of threaded components, including first and second threading. As the insert moves, a separated portion of the biological liquid sample flows proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collects in the well.
The apparatus further enables separation by preventing relative rotation during insert movement through complementary shapes of the insert and the chamber. A lid enclosing the proximal end can include a first port and a second port displaced from the first port to provide selective access into the chamber depending on insert position. The described use includes collecting an interface layer after centrifugation for platelet-rich plasma and controlling contamination from red blood cells.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include three independent apparatus claims, each directed to a manually actuated, thread-driven, insert-in-tube device that separates a biological liquid sample and retrieves a separated liquid portion via a draw tube and a well. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on threaded manual actuation moving an insert between proximal and distal positions, a draw tube connected to the well for proximal collection, and complementary shapes that prevent insert rotation while moving between ends (in the more detailed independent claim set).
Manually actuable threaded insert translation with draw tube collection
A tube chamber receives the biological liquid sample, an insert positioned in the chamber includes a well and a draw tube in fluid communication with the insert and the well, and a positioning mechanism is manually actuable by rotating to cause the insert to move between the proximal end and distal end via rotation of second threading relative to first threading, thereby allowing a separated portion to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Insert position along a continuum controlled by threaded manual rotation
The apparatus defines that the insert is movable along a continuum extending from the proximal end toward the distal end so the insert may be positioned at any selected location along the continuum, and the positioning mechanism is manually actuable by rotating to cause the insert to move between the proximal end and distal end via rotation of second threading relative to first threading, thereby allowing a separated portion to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Complementary shapes preventing rotation during proximal-to-distal movement
A tube chamber receives the biological liquid sample, an insert positioned in the chamber includes a well and a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well, and a positioning mechanism is movably coupled to the insert such that the positioning mechanism is manually rotatable to move the insert between the proximal end and distal end to allow a separated portion to flow proximally through the draw tube and collect in the well, wherein the insert and the chamber comprise complementary shapes configured to prevent rotation of the insert with respect to the tube as the insert moves between the proximal and distal ends of the tube.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is an apparatus where a manually rotatable, threaded positioning mechanism translates a chamber insert between proximal and distal positions so a separated portion flows proximally through a draw tube into a well. Additional claim coverage specifies that insert location may be selected along a continuum, and includes complementary shapes configured to prevent insert rotation during proximal-to-distal movement.
Stated Advantages
Allows a separated portion of the biological liquid sample to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Enables positioning of the insert at any selected location along a continuum extending from the proximal end toward the distal end.
Prevents rotation of the insert with respect to the tube as the insert moves between the proximal end and distal end.
Documented Applications
Separating and concentrating biological liquids, including platelet-rich plasma, using a tube chamber with a movable insert after centrifugation to collect an interface layer and retrieving the separated portion while controlling red blood cell contamination [procedural detail omitted for safety].
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