Blood contaminant sequestration device with passive fluid control junction
Inventors
Rogers, Bobby E. • Kang, Gino • Stroup, David Karl • Cochran, Jonas Dean • Deptala, Arthur • Detloff, John • Pogue, Lonnie • Macowski, Brian • Nason, Kevin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11617525-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blood sequestration device includes an inlet path, an outlet path, a sequestration chamber, and a sampling channel. The sequestration chamber is connected with the inlet path by a junction and is configured to receive a first portion of blood through the inlet path. The sequestration chamber has a vent that allows air to be displaced by the first portion of blood, the junction being configured to inhibit a return to the inlet path of any of the first portion of blood received by the sequestration chamber. The sampling channel is connected between the inlet path and the outlet path, and configured to convey subsequent amounts of blood between the inlet path and the outlet path after the first amount of blood is received by the sequestration chamber.
Core Innovation
The described invention provides a blood contaminant sequestration device and blood sample optimization system that handle blood so that an initial portion of blood is separated from subsequent portions. The device includes an inlet path and an outlet path, and a sequestration chamber connected to the inlet path by a junction configured to inhibit a return to the inlet path of any of the first portion of blood received by the chamber.
A sampling channel is connected between the inlet path and the outlet path and is configured to convey subsequent amounts of blood between the inlet path and the outlet path after the first amount of blood is received by the chamber. In this arrangement, the first portion is captured by the chamber while later portions continue along the sampling channel toward a collection outlet.
The invention further includes chamber venting and passive junction flow-control structures to support sequestration and inhibit mixing or return. The sequestration chamber includes an air-permeable vent that allows air displacement by the first aliquot, with optionally configured self-sealing or closure behavior to limit air reentry, and passive junction flow-control structures include conical baffles, staggered baffles, divider walls, and flow directors.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00012, and clm-00020. Across these independent claims, there are three main inventive feature groups that repeat: a chamber receiving a first portion with a return-inhibiting junction, a sampling channel that routes subsequent amounts between inlet and outlet, and a blood sample optimization system with venipuncture apparatus, blood sampling pathway, reservoir, and device along the pathway. Dependent refinements add passive junction structures and venting behavior for air displacement.
Return-inhibiting junction chamber for first portion
A chamber connected with the inlet path by a junction, the chamber configured to receive a first portion of blood through the inlet path, and the junction configured to inhibit a return to the inlet path of any of the first portion of blood received by the chamber.
Sampling channel for subsequent amounts after sequestration
A sampling channel connected between the inlet path and the outlet path, the sampling channel configured to convey subsequent amounts of blood between the inlet path and the outlet path after the first amount of blood is received by the chamber.
System with venipuncture and pathway/reservoir for subsequent portion collection
A blood sample optimization system comprising a venipuncture apparatus configured for venipuncture of a patient to access a sample of blood; a blood sampling pathway connected with the venipuncture apparatus for conveying the sample of the blood; a reservoir configured for receiving an evacuated blood collection tube to collect a subsequent portion of the sample of the blood; and a device connected along the blood sampling pathway between a patient needle and a sample needle with an inlet path, an outlet path, the chamber, the return-inhibiting junction, and the sampling channel.
Passive return-inhibiting junction structures
One or more passive structures at the junction that prevent blood from returning to the inlet path of the chamber.
Venting and closure behavior for air displacement in chamber
A chamber with a vent configured to allow air to be displaced by a first portion of blood and configured to close when the chamber becomes filled with the first portion of blood.
The independent claim set covers a device and system in which an initial blood portion is captured in a chamber while a junction inhibits return to the inlet, and subsequent blood is conveyed via a sampling channel between inlet and outlet. Additional dependent claim coverage specifies passive junction return-inhibiting structures and chamber venting or closure behavior for air displacement tied to filling by the first portion.
Stated Advantages
Reducing blood culture contamination and related false positives.
Documented Applications
Blood sample optimization and blood-handling for reducing blood culture contamination and related false positives.
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