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Publication Number
US-9694358-B2
Publication Date
2017-07-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a device and method for easy collection, dilution, mixing and dispensing of a liquid specimen in a self-contained system. The present invention can be used in combination with numerous testing means for performing chemical, biochemical or biomedical qualitative or quantitative assays in the field of both clinical and hygiene testing.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for sampling a sample and dispensing contents in a closed system using a container having a first penetrable member that cooperates with the container to form a first sealed chamber. The first penetrable member is disposed within the container and is movable to operate as a piston within the container. The sampler is movable relative to the container and defines a passage open at first and second ends, with at least a portion of the passage comprising a capillary passage configured to draw the sample into the passage by capillary action.
The sampler further comprises a penetrating means configured to penetrate the first penetrable member such that the passage is in communication with the first sealed chamber once the penetrable member has been penetrated. After penetration, relative motion enables the piston to displace and expel contents, with the container and sampler arranged so that dispensing occurs into an auxiliary reaction vessel. The architecture includes sealed reagent chambers bounded by an elastic, penetrable member acting as a piston, so that sample and reagents can be brought into communication after the penetrable member is penetrated.
In at least some embodiments, a portion of the sampler passage stores dried reagents in a non-capillary portion for automatic mixing, and the device may include ventilation openings to vent air or gas during capillary filling. The sampler-container interface can include engagement and locking structures, and the device can be configured with a second sealed chamber to enable sequential reagent delivery. Packaging embodiments include a separate dry package and a reagent container, providing a self-contained sampling and dispensing system for liquid specimens.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set provides three independent claims covering a device for sampling/dispensing, a method for drawing and dispensing using that device, and a kit of parts. Across these independent claims, three core inventive features are repeatedly emphasized: a sealed chamber bounded by a movable penetrable member functioning as a piston, a movable sampler having a capillary passage for drawing a sample by capillary action, and a penetrating means that establishes communication between the sampler passage and the sealed chamber.
Penetrable member forming a sealed chamber piston
A container comprising an open end and a closed end, and a first penetrable member disposed within the container and cooperating with the container to form a first sealed chamber, where the first penetrable member is movable within the container and operable as a piston.
Movable capillary sampler passage draws sample by capillary action
A movable sampler defining a passage for sampling a sample, open at first and second ends, with at least a portion of the passage extending from the first end comprising a capillary passage operable to draw the sample into the passage by capillary action.
Penetrating means establishes communication with sealed chamber
A sampler comprising a penetrating means configured to penetrate the first penetrable member such that the passage is in communication with the first sealed chamber once the penetrable member has been penetrated.
Piston-operated expulsion through capillary passage in method
A method of drawing and dispensing a sample in which a sample is drawn by capillary action using a capillary passage, and then penetrating a penetrable member engages the penetrable member to operate it as a piston, where the piston is operated to expel the sample of fluid through the capillary passage.
Kit of parts with sealed chamber piston and capillary sampler
A kit of parts comprising a container having a sealed chamber bounded on at least one side by a penetrable member operable as a piston, and a sampler defining a passage open at both ends, including a capillary passage operable to draw a sample into the passage by capillary action, with a penetrating means configured to penetrate the penetrable member so the passage is in communication with the sealed chamber once penetrated.
The independent claims define a closed sampling and dispensing system in which a movable piston-like penetrable member forms a sealed chamber, a movable sampler draws a sample via a capillary passage, and a penetrating means penetrates the penetrable member to place the sampler passage in communication with the sealed chamber.
Stated Advantages
Regulated dilution/dispensing via geometric positioning.
Reduced reagent evaporation impacts (overfill).
Safe closed-system dispensing to prevent release of infectious material.
Documented Applications
Sampling and dispensing of liquid specimens in a self-contained sampling/dispensing system, including sample types such as blood, serum, plasma, saliva, urine, sputum, sweat, tears, and CSF.
Automatic mixing involving dried reagents stored in a sampler passage portion.
Sequential reagent delivery using an optional second sealed chamber.
Use of packaging embodiments including a separate dry package and a reagent container for the self-contained system.
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