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Publication Number
US-9889442-B2
Publication Date
2018-02-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A reagent preparation and dispensing device includes a body having a reaction chamber for a reagent and a solution reservoir for a solution. The solution reservoir is isolated from the reaction chamber. A plunger is movably coupled with the body. Movement of the plunger from a starting position to a seated position pushes the solution into the reaction chamber. A dispensing path extends from the reaction chamber out of the body. The dispensing path is configured to dispense a reagent mixture formed from the solution and the reagent. A vent path extends from the reaction chamber, the vent path vents reaction chamber gas displaced by the addition of the solution to the reaction chamber throughout movement of the plunger from the starting position to the seated position.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a reagent preparation and dispensing device including a body with a reaction chamber configured to include a reagent and a solution reservoir configured to include a solution, where the solution reservoir is isolated from the reaction chamber. A dispensing path extends from the reaction chamber to dispense a reagent mixture formed from the solution and the reagent, and an activator movably coupled with the body includes a mixing configuration and a dispensing configuration.
A vent path different from the dispensing path extends from the reaction chamber, and the vent path vents reaction chamber gas displaced by addition of the solution throughout movement of the activator from the mixing configuration to the dispensing configuration. The vent path is routed to vent displaced reaction-chamber gas away from the dispensing tip and is described as preventing overpressure and premature dispensing through a sealed/frangible dispensing tip.
The disclosure further provides an optional flushing chamber and a second plunger, where a flushing fluid is pushed through a flushing path and through the vent path to drive flushing and push substantially all the reagent mixture out of the dispensing tip. Related aspects include staged operation with selectable closure of the dispensing path and mechanical interfittings, where the plunger and activator configurations define isolated states and seated positions for pushing the solution into the reaction chamber.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies three independent claims: an apparatus claim for vented reconstitution with a vent path during activator movement, an apparatus claim adding a flushing chamber and flushing path for dispensing, and a method claim for making a vented reconstitution assembly. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on isolating the solution reservoir from the reaction chamber, using a vent path different from the dispensing path during mixing-to-dispensing transition, and optionally using a flushing chamber and fluid to push a reagent mixture through a sealed dispensing path.
Isolated solution reservoir with mixing and dispensing configurations
A body includes a reaction chamber configured to include a reagent and a solution reservoir configured to include a solution, the solution reservoir isolated from the reaction chamber; a dispensing path extending from the reaction chamber; and an activator movably coupled with the body having a mixing configuration to mix the solution with the reagent in the reaction chamber and a dispensing configuration to dispense the solution through the dispensing path.
Vent path that vents displaced reaction chamber gas during movement
A vent path different from the dispensing path extends from a reaction chamber, wherein the vent path vents the reaction chamber gas displaced by addition of the solution to the reaction chamber throughout movement of the activator from the mixing configuration to the dispensing configuration.
Plunger with isolated starting and seated push position
A body includes a reaction chamber and an isolated solution reservoir; and a plunger movably coupled between a starting position and a seated position, wherein in the starting position the solution reservoir and the reaction chamber are isolated, and in the seated position the plunger is configured to push the solution into the reaction chamber.
Flushing chamber and flushing path that pushes reagent mixture through dispensing path
A flushing chamber different from the reaction chamber includes a flushing fluid in communication with the reaction chamber; the body has a dispensing path extending from the reaction chamber and out of the body where in a closed configuration the dispensing path is sealed and in a dispensing configuration delivers a reagent mixture; and a flushing path including the flushing chamber at a first end and the reaction chamber at a second end, wherein the flushing fluid is pushed through the flushing path and pushes the reagent mixture from the reaction chamber through the dispensing path.
Vent path different from dispensing path during mixing-to-dispensing mode change
A method of making a vented reconstitution assembly forms a dispensing path from the reaction chamber; forms a vent path from the reaction chamber different from the dispensing path; and movably couples an activator with the body movable in mixing and dispensing configurations, where in the mixing configuration gas within the reaction chamber displaced by the mixing is vented through the vent path and in the dispensing configuration the activator is movable to dispense the solution through the dispensing path.
The independent claim set in the partial content supports inventive coverage around an apparatus with an isolated solution reservoir and a movable activator providing mixing and dispensing configurations, and a dedicated vent path different from the dispensing path that vents displaced reaction chamber gas during the transition from mixing to dispensing. Additional independent coverage further adds a flushing chamber and flushing path to push a formed reagent mixture through a sealed dispensing path.
Stated Advantages
Prevents overpressure during venting of displaced reaction chamber gas.
Prevents premature dispensing through a sealed/frangible dispensing tip.
Supports dispensing using a closing vent path and flushing fluid to push reagent mixture out through the dispensing tip.
Documented Applications
Reagent preparation and dispensing using a reagent mixture formed from a solution and a reagent, including reconstituting a reagent while venting displaced gas and dispensing a specified amount.
Production of a vented reconstitution assembly via coupling a solution reservoir and reaction chamber to a body, forming a dispensing path and a vent path, and using a movable activator for mixing and dispensing configurations.
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