Blood metering device with desiccant and support for storage media and inlay with flange
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11484877-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.
Core Innovation
A blood sample collection device is described with a housing configurable from an open position to a closed position. The device includes a sample collection well and two or more capillaries configured to draw in fluid from the sample collection well through capillary action, together with a membrane disposed within the housing.
The device further includes a plunger rack comprising two or more plungers disposed within the housing. The plungers comprise two or more ends disposed in line with the capillaries and arranged to dispense the fluid in the capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is moved from the open position to the closed position, and a desiccant region is disposed adjacent to the membrane.
The membrane is configured for plasma separation and may be impregnated with stabilization agents. The desiccant region is supported by a backbone or backbone/skeleton structure adjacent the membrane, with structures that support or engage the desiccant media, and the device includes optional assay region, optional reagent mixing, an optically transparent window for monitoring, and structures that support alignment and directing flow from capillaries to plungers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a blood sample collection device with four inventive features: a sliding housing, capillary-based fluid draw, a plunger rack that dispenses metered fluid onto a membrane, and a desiccant region adjacent to the membrane.
Housing configurable between open and closed positions
A housing configurable from an open position to a closed position.
Capillaries draw fluid from a sample collection well by capillary action
Two or more capillaries configured to draw in fluid from the sample collection well through capillary action.
Membrane disposed within the housing
A membrane disposed within the housing.
Plunger rack with plungers aligned to capillaries to dispense fluid onto the membrane
A plunger rack comprising two or more plungers, wherein the plungers comprise two or more ends disposed in line with the capillaries and arranged to dispense the fluid in the capillaries onto the membrane when the housing is moved from the open position to the closed position.
Desiccant region disposed adjacent to the membrane
A desiccant region disposed adjacent to the membrane.
The claim coverage centers on a housing that moves between open and closed positions to drive capillary-drawn blood fluid onto a membrane using a plunger rack aligned with capillaries, with a desiccant region adjacent to the membrane. Dependent claims further specify plasma separation, stabilization agents, structural support for the desiccant region, and optional assay, reagent mixing, and monitoring elements.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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