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Publication Number
US-9244056-B2
Publication Date
2016-01-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention discloses an integrated sampling and dispensing device comprising a flexible container, a dropper with a sampling rod and a sample removing vessel disposed therebetween. The device of the present invention can be conveniently used for collecting specimen and dispensing the same after a reaction in a single device by simple manipulation of severing the sampling rod and turning the container upside down. Also by using the present device a constant amount of specimen can be used for each reaction which leads to a reliable and reproducible result.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an integrated sampling and dispensing device that includes a flexible container having an open end for carrying out a reaction of interest with a specimen. The flexible container is configured to be sealed on the open end by a first side of a sample removing vessel, and the second side of the sample removing vessel is removably connected to a dropper.
A dropper includes a rod longitudinally mounted therethrough, where a first end of the rod is disposed inwardly of the container and a second end is disposed outwardly of the container. The rod has a collection member formed on an exterior side surface adjacent to the first end for collecting a specimen, and the rod has an opening on the second end for dispensing the reaction product, with a cavity extended from the opening defining the inner surface of the rod.
The rod includes a severing member formed on the exterior side surface where the cavity is formed, and the severing member is configured to be severed by pressure applied thereon thereby exposing the cavity. Exposing the cavity allows the reaction product to be dispensed via the opening, and the device configuration is described as enabling consistent specimen amount for reliable or reproducible results.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three main independent claims for an integrated sampling and dispensing device and a related sampling and dispensing device. Across the independent claims, the core coverage centers on a flexible container with a sealed open end, a rod-mounted dropper with a cavity and a severing mechanism, specimen collection features, and a sample removing vessel with a through-hole and optionally raised elements.
Severable rod cavity with integrated dispensing
A dropper having a rod longitudinally mounted therethrough, the rod including a cavity extended from an opening defining the inner surface of the rod, and a severing member formed on an exterior side surface of the rod where the cavity is formed, wherein the severing member is configured to be severed by pressure applied thereon thereby exposing the cavity for dispensing the reaction product.
Flexible specimen reaction container sealed by a sample removing vessel
A flexible container having an open end for carrying out a reaction of interest with a specimen, together with a sample removing vessel disposed between the flexible container and the dropper, the sample removing vessel having a first side sealing the open end of the flexible container, and a second side removably connected to the dropper.
Specimen collection member on a rod adjacent to an inward end
A collection member formed on an exterior side surface of the rod adjacent to the first end for collecting a specimen, with the collection member being configured as at least one groove formed on the exterior side surface adjacent to the first end or a capillary formed within the rod adjacent to the first end.
Through-hole in an intermediate/sample removing vessel for receiving the rod
A sample removing vessel having a hole therethrough for receiving the rod, with the sample removing vessel being disposed between the flexible container and the dropper.
Raised elements to mechanically engage container and dropper
The container and the sample removing vessel further include a raised element to engage the vessel on top of the container and engage the dropper on top of the vessel, respectively.
Rod-breaking surface structure beneath a cavity passage
A sampling and dispensing device including a flexible container formed with an opening and a dropper for closing the opening, the dropper including a sampling rod disposed in the flexible container and formed with a cavity passage extended from a hole at a longitudinal end along a longitudinal direction, wherein an intermediate member disposed between the flexible container and the dropper includes a through-hole into which the sampling rod is inserted, and wherein the sampling rod is provided thereon with a surface structure located on an outside surface of the sampling rod beneath which the cavity passage exists, the surface structure configured for breaking the sampling rod into two parts by pressing thereon.
Overall, the independent claim coverage focuses on an integrated sampling and dispensing device where specimen collection is performed at a rod end, a cavity for reaction product dispensing is defined within the rod, and the cavity is exposed by severing the rod under applied pressure; additionally, the sampling and dispensing device is defined with a flexible container sealed by a sample removing vessel with a through-hole for the rod, and optional raised elements for engagement. A further independent claim covers a related arrangement where a cavity passage exists in a sampling rod and a surface structure underneath the cavity passage breaks the sampling rod into two parts by pressing.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Analytical instrument use is mentioned in the partial content.
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