Specimen container for specimen pre-processing
Inventors
Bennett, James • LITTEN, Neil • Smith, Richard • Brandon-Jones, Julian
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12128412-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A specimen container has a vessel having a reservoir and a specimen collection region. The specimen container also has a sleeve located within the vessel and moveable in the direction of the reservoir. Movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir results in the specimen collection region and reservoir being brought into fluid communication with each other.
Core Innovation
A specimen container comprises a vessel having a reservoir and a specimen collection region, together with a sleeve located within the vessel and a lid for the vessel. The vessel and sleeve are configured to bring the specimen collection region and the reservoir into fluid communication with each other with movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir, and the sleeve has a first configuration in which movement towards the reservoir cannot occur and a second configuration in which movement towards the reservoir can occur, the sleeve being biased towards the first configuration.
The lid is configured to contact and deform an integral portion of the sleeve to switch the sleeve from the first configuration to the second configuration with insertion into the vessel. The integral portion comprises an outwardly extending leg portion configured to rest against an interior surface of the vessel in the first configuration, and the interior surface of the vessel comprises at least one protruding abutment surface.
In the first sleeve configuration, the arrangement prevents movement towards the reservoir, thereby maintaining separation between the specimen collection region and the reservoir. When the lid is closed and contacts the sleeve integral portion, the sleeve is mechanically switched into the second configuration so that fluid communication between the specimen collection region and the reservoir is established, and the description further includes sealing interfaces and sleeve geometry with elongate members and sleeve apertures that function to provide fluid communication after switching.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim clm-00001 defines the main specimen container architecture and the lid-driven switchable sleeve configurations. The dependent claims refine the independent structure by adding specific mechanical interaction details, sealing/prevention of backflow geometry, aperture-based fluid communication, optional piercing for reservoir seal actuation, and structural features for securing the lid.
Switchable fluid communication via biased sleeve configurations
A specimen container where the vessel and sleeve bring the specimen collection region and the reservoir into fluid communication with movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir, wherein the sleeve has a first configuration in which movement towards the reservoir cannot occur and a second configuration in which movement towards the reservoir can occur, the sleeve being arranged such that it is biased towards the first configuration.
Lid-deformation mechanical switching of an integral sleeve portion
A lid configured to contact and deform an integral portion of the sleeve to switch the sleeve from the first configuration to the second configuration with insertion into the vessel, wherein the lid is configured to depress the leg portion during insertion into the vessel to switch the sleeve from the first configuration to the second configuration.
Leg portion resting on protruding abutment surfaces
The integral portion comprises an outwardly extending leg portion configured to rest against an interior surface of the vessel in the first configuration, wherein the interior surface of the vessel comprises at least one protruding abutment surface and the leg portion is arranged to rest on the at least one abutment surface in the first configuration.
Waist portion sealing to prevent backflow
A vessel waist portion between the reservoir and specimen collection region sized to sealably receive a lower surface of the sleeve, the sleeve being arranged to prevent fluid communication back into the specimen collection region.
Aperture-arranged sleeve for fluid communication
Sleeve apertures arranged such that after movement of the sleeve in the direction of the reservoir, the specimen collection region and reservoir are brought into fluid communication with each other via the sleeve apertures.
Piercing member pierces a reservoir seal
A sleeve with a piercing member positioned adjacent to an end of the at least one elongate member closest to the reservoir, where the piercing member pierces a seal of the reservoir on contact with the reservoir.
Shaped regions for lid securing
An outer surface with at least one shaped region used to secure a lid to the container.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on a biased sleeve with first and second configurations that are switched by lid insertion that contacts and deforms an integral portion, including an outwardly extending leg portion resting on protruding abutment surfaces. Dependent features further define sealing to prevent backflow, aperture-based fluid communication, an optional piercing member for reservoir seal actuation, and structural features to secure the lid.
Stated Advantages
Reduced user contact with fluids/contamination.
Simple manual actuation of the specimen container.
Sealed storage.
Mixing without vigorous shaking.
Ability to store multiple milliliters for repeat/alternate diagnostics.
Documented Applications
Point-of-care device use for collecting a specimen and providing sealed storage with subsequent fluid communication for diagnostics.
Interested in licensing this patent?