Reagent preparation and dispensing device and methods for the same
Inventors
Pearcy, Timothy • Skakoon, James G.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8329119-B2
Publication Date
2012-12-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A reagent preparation and dispensing device includes a body. A reagent reservoir containing a reagent is disposed within the body. A solution reservoir containing a solution is disposed within the body. The device further includes an activator movably coupled with the body to open the reagent reservoir and the solution reservoir. The activator is operable to mix the solution with the reagent to form a reagent mixture. A dispensing reservoir tip is coupled with the body. The dispensing reservoir tip is sized and shaped to dispense the reagent mixture from the device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a reagent preparation and dispensing device that includes a body containing a reagent reservoir disposed within the body and a solution reservoir disposed within the body. A movably coupled barrel includes a piercing edge sized and shaped to pierce a reagent reservoir seal, and an activator movably coupled with the body opens the reagent reservoir and the solution reservoir and mixes the solution with the reagent to reconstitute the reagent and form a specified amount of a reagent mixture.
The device further includes a plunger movably coupled with the barrel and coupled with the activator, where the barrel and the plunger form a flushing chamber. The plunger is configured to force flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir so that the flushing fluid correspondingly forces the specified amount of the reagent mixture through a dispensing reservoir tip coupled with the body and sized and shaped to hold and dispense the specified amount outside of the device.
In an unsealed condition, a flushing fluid vent extends between the plunger and a barrel wall allowing the flushing fluid in the flushing chamber to vent to atmosphere, while in a sealed condition the flushing fluid vent is closed and movement of the activator and the plunger forces the flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir. The disclosed embodiments also describe moving the barrel relative to the body so movement ruptures the reagent reservoir seal and allows the solution reservoir to communicate with the reagent reservoir.
The disclosure additionally includes reagent reservoir assemblies with dried reagents, lyophilized or freeze-dried reagents, and moisture-control and moisture and contaminant prevention features. Additional embodiments describe dispensing reservoir tip structures for viewing or verification and different tip geometries, as well as multi-stage actuators with locking systems and staged flushing and venting through flushing chambers and vents to promote consistent expulsion of the full specified mixture while minimizing premature or residual dispensing.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: one directed to the reagent preparation and dispensing device and one directed to a method of using the reagent preparation and dispensing device. The independent claim set includes inventive features covering reservoir opening with piercing, mixing to form a specified amount of reagent mixture, flushing-chamber operation with venting versus sealed forcing, and dispensing of the specified amount through a dispensing reservoir tip outside the device.
Reagent reservoir and solution reservoir in a body
A body has a reagent reservoir containing a reagent, the reagent reservoir disposed within the body and including a reagent reservoir seal, and a solution reservoir containing a solution disposed within the body.
Movably coupled barrel with piercing edge to open reservoirs
A barrel movably coupled within the body includes the solution reservoir and a piercing edge at a first barrel end, where the piercing edge is sized and shaped for piercing of the reagent reservoir seal.
Activator mixing to reconstitute reagent and form a specified amount
An activator movably coupled with the body opens the reagent reservoir and the solution reservoir and is movable to mix the solution with the reagent to reconstitute the reagent and form a specified amount of a reagent mixture.
Plunger and flushing chamber with venting and sealed forcing
A plunger movably coupled with the barrel and coupled with the activator forms a flushing chamber, where the plunger is configured to force flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir and correspondingly forces the specified amount of the reagent mixture through a dispensing reservoir tip, and where the plunger is movable relative to the barrel between an unsealed condition with a flushing fluid vent extending between the plunger and a barrel wall to vent to atmosphere, and a sealed condition with the flushing fluid vent closed and movement forcing the flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir.
Dispensing reservoir tip sized to hold and dispense the specified amount
A dispensing reservoir tip is coupled with the body and is sized and shaped to hold the specified amount of the reagent mixture and to dispense the specified amount of the reagent mixture outside of the device.
Opening, mixing, venting, retaining, and dispensing in a method
A method includes opening a reagent reservoir disposed within a body containing a reagent; opening a solution reservoir disposed within the body; opening the reagent reservoir including moving a barrel relative to the body where movement ruptures a reagent reservoir seal and allows the solution reservoir to communicate with the reagent reservoir; mixing the solution with the reagent to reconstitute the reagent and form a specified amount of a reagent mixture; venting flushing fluid within a flushing chamber to atmosphere through a flushing fluid vent; retaining the reagent mixture in a dispensing reservoir tip sized and shaped to receive the specified amount; and dispensing the specified amount through the dispensing reservoir tip and out of the device.
Sealing flushing chamber and using flushing fluid to force dispensing
Dispensing includes sealing the flushing chamber with a plunger coupled with an activator, forcing flushing fluid out of the flushing chamber and into the reagent reservoir with the plunger, and forcing the specified amount of the reagent mixture out of a dispensing reservoir tip with the flushing fluid.
Overall, the claims cover a device and a corresponding method in which reservoirs are opened by a movably coupled barrel with a piercing edge, an activator mixes solution with reagent to form a specified amount of reagent mixture, flushing chamber operation includes a vent-to-atmosphere unsealed condition and a sealed condition that forces flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir, and flushing fluid drives dispensing of the specified amount through a dispensing reservoir tip outside the device.
Stated Advantages
Provides venting of flushing fluid to atmosphere through a flushing fluid vent in an unsealed condition.
Forces flushing fluid into the reagent reservoir in a sealed condition to drive the specified amount of reagent mixture through a dispensing reservoir tip.
Supports holding the specified amount of reagent mixture in a dispensing reservoir tip and dispensing the specified amount outside of the device.
Supports operation that uses specified amounts of reagent mixture and flushing fluid to deliver the mixture through the dispensing reservoir tip.
Promotes consistent expulsion of the full specified mixture while minimizing premature or residual dispensing.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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