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Publication Number
US-10857549-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-08
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 and a method for separating a biological liquid sample and retrieving a separated liquid therefrom. A tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a chamber between the proximal end and the distal end, and a lid encloses the proximal end. The lid comprises a first port and a second port displaced from the first port, and an insert is positioned in the chamber.
The insert has a first end, a second end, and a well between the first end and the second end, and the insert includes a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well. The method deposits the biological liquid sample into the apparatus through the first port, through the draw tube, and into the chamber distal to the insert, and after centrifuging the tube so that separated liquid collects in the chamber distal to the second end, the insert is moved distally toward the separated liquid to allow the separated liquid to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Retrieving the separated liquid is performed by moving the insert proximally toward the proximal end and aspirating the separated liquid from the well through the second port. In related workflows, the method includes centrifuging a second time after the insert is moved, and in some implementations includes additional insert movement followed by a third centrifugation before retrieval.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00015. Across these independent claims, the document recites three main inventive feature groupings centered on an insert with a well and draw tube in a tube chamber, proximal collection of separated liquid by moving the insert distally, and retrieval by moving the insert proximally and aspirating, with some claims adding a second or third centrifugation before retrieval.
Insert with well and draw tube for proximal collection
An insert positioned in the chamber has a well between the first end and the second end, and a draw tube in fluid communication with the second end and the well, allowing separated liquid to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Centrifuge-separated liquid collection distal to the insert and distal insert movement
Centrifuging so that separated liquid collects in the chamber distal to the insert or distal to the second end, and moving the insert distally toward the separated liquid to allow the separated liquid to flow proximally from the chamber through the draw tube and collect in the well.
Retrieval from the well by moving insert proximally and aspirating through a displaced port
Retrieving the separated liquid from the well by moving the insert proximally toward the proximal end and aspirating the separated liquid from the well through the second port displaced from the first port.
Post-move second centrifugation before retrieval
After moving the insert distally and allowing separated liquid to collect in the well, centrifuging the biological liquid sample a second time before retrieving the separated liquid from the well.
Interface layer retrieval based on centrifugation layers
Centrifuging so that the separated liquid comprises a first layer, a second layer, and an interface layer between the first and second layers, and retrieving the interface layer from the well.
The independent claims consistently require centrifuging a biological liquid sample in a tube chamber with an insert that defines a well and a draw tube for proximal collection, followed by distal insert movement to drive proximal flow into the well. Retrieval is effected by aspirating from the well, in at least one independent claim via a displaced second port after moving the insert proximally, and some independent claims add additional centrifugation cycles and specify retrieval of an interface layer.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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