Title:
BLOOD SAMPLE CONTAINER
United States Patent 3741400
Abstract:
A generally tubular shaped container includes an expandable head valve member and retaining clip assembly therewithin. On centrifuging the clip is disengaged from the valving member, permitting it to expand toward the inner walls of the container to form two separate compartments, one for the blood cells and one for the serum. During centrifuging, the valve member head is temporarily deformed at its edges an amount sufficient to allow the cells to move therepast, and at the conclusion of centrifuging the head resumes sealing engagement with the container wall. The serum may then be simply poured out of the container for testing. In a further aspect, the tubular container has a spring-loaded valving member disposed at substantially the mid-point thereof. In a still further form, filter means are located within a test tube, through which serum can pass, but blood cells cannot.
US Patent References:
Milk bottle and cream separator for use therewith
Henderson - March 1925 - 1528480
Oil filter spool construction
Shaw et al. - December 1960 - 2963162
Combined full-flow and part-flow oil filter
Belgarde et al. - August 1961 - 2995253
Filter tube for use in a centrifuge
Mitchell - January 1967 - 3300051
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUID HANDLING AND SEPARATION
Coleman - April 1970 - 3508653
Milk bottle and cream separator for use therewith
Henderson - March 1925 - 1528480
Oil filter spool construction
Shaw et al. - December 1960 - 2963162
Combined full-flow and part-flow oil filter
Belgarde et al. - August 1961 - 2995253
Filter tube for use in a centrifuge
Mitchell - January 1967 - 3300051
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUID HANDLING AND SEPARATION
Coleman - April 1970 - 3508653
Application Number:
05/046168
Publication Date:
06/26/1973
Filing Date:
06/15/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
494/20, 422/918, 494/38
International Classes:
B01L3/14; B01D21/26
Field of Search:
210/516-518,361,380,130,DIG.23 233/45
US Patent References:
| 3583230 | SAMPLE INJECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS | June 1971 | Patterson |
Primary Examiner:
Lindsay Jr., Robert L.
Claims:
I claim
1. Container apparatus actuatable by centrifuging force to segregate materials of differing density composing a liquid sample carried thereby, comprising in combination:
2. Container apparatus actuatable during centrifuging for separating blood cells from serum composing a blood sample carried thereby, comprising in combination:
3. Container apparatus as in claim 2, in which there is further provided clip means for engaging selected loops of said spring for maintaining the spring initially in a compressed state.
4. A fluid sample container adapted for receipt within a centrifuge, comprising in combination:
5. A fluid sample container as in claim 5, in which the head element is of frusto-conical shape, the convex part thereof facing toward the container means open end.
6. A fluid sample container as in claim 5, in which a retaining clip is clampingly received onto the head element deforming the element edge margins sufficiently to allow the fluid sample to pass around said margins into the lower reaches of said container means, said clip being disengaged from said head element by the centrifuging force.
1. Container apparatus actuatable by centrifuging force to segregate materials of differing density composing a liquid sample carried thereby, comprising in combination:
2. Container apparatus actuatable during centrifuging for separating blood cells from serum composing a blood sample carried thereby, comprising in combination:
3. Container apparatus as in claim 2, in which there is further provided clip means for engaging selected loops of said spring for maintaining the spring initially in a compressed state.
4. A fluid sample container adapted for receipt within a centrifuge, comprising in combination:
5. A fluid sample container as in claim 5, in which the head element is of frusto-conical shape, the convex part thereof facing toward the container means open end.
6. A fluid sample container as in claim 5, in which a retaining clip is clampingly received onto the head element deforming the element edge margins sufficiently to allow the fluid sample to pass around said margins into the lower reaches of said container means, said clip being disengaged from said head element by the centrifuging force.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to containers for blood samples, and, more particularly, to such containers having separate compartments into which serum and blood cells are respectively received during centrifuging.
The frequent practice is for blood samples of a patient to be taken at a doctor's office and then transmitted to a laboratory facility where analytical tests are conducted. Prior to transmitting the blood samples to the laboratory, it has been found advantageous to centrifuge the sample for separating the cells from the serum and thereby obtaining serum for test substantially free from cells. In the past, centrifuging has been accomplished by placing a blood sample in a conventional test tube, inserting the tube and sample in the centrifuge, and, after separating the cells from the blood serum, the serum (which is at the upper part) is then poured off, leaving the cells. This essentially hand technique involves a relatively large amount of time on the part of the doctor and/or nurse in the office, which could more profitably, and with benefit to the patient, be spent on other matters.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided in accordance with the practice of the present invention, a blood sample container which on centrifuging automatically separates the blood and serum into separate compartments.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a blood sample container which, after centrifuging to separate the cells from the serum, can be transmitted as is, without further special handling or processing.
In the practice of the present invention there is provided a generally tubular shaped container for the blood sample including an expandable head valve member and retaining clip assembly therewithin into which the whole blood is initially inserted. On centrifuging the clip is disengaged from the valving member, permitting it to expand toward the inner walls of the container to form two separate compartments, a lower one primarily for blood cells and an upper one containing only serum. During centrifuging, the valve member head is temporarily deformed at its edges an amount sufficient to allow the cells to move therepast, and at the conclusion of centrifuging the head resumes sealing engagement with the container wall. The serum may then be simply poured out of the container for testing.
A further form of the invention includes a tubular container with spring-loaded valving member disposed at substantially the mid-point thereof which is held initially open by means of a detachable clip. On centrifuging, the valving member is held open under the action of centrifugal force to permit the cells to move to the container bottom, and at the close of centrifuging the valving member closes, separating the serum in the upper compartment from the cells in the lower one. The clip is detached during centrifuging. As in the first form, the serum may be poured out of the container while the cells are retained in the lower compartment.
A still further form of the invention includes a typical test tube with a filter means located midway, through which serum can pass, but blood cells cannot. On centrifuging, the serum is filtered and the cells remain above the filter as residue. At the conclusion of centrifuging, the filter means and residue are removed and discarded, leaving the serum in the tube for testing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional, elevational view of a centrifuge including blood sample containers of the present invention.
FIG. 2 depicts in perspective view a preferred form of the invention in disassembled form.
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional, elevational view of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 in assembled form prior to centrifuging.
FIG. 4 is a sectional, elevational view of the blood sample container of FIG. 3, shown immediately after initiation of centrifuging.
FIG. 5 is a sectional, elevational view of a further form of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a retaining clip for use with the invention of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 depicts a still further form of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
It is basic to the subject invention that a container for carrying a sample of blood in accordance with the practice of this invention is to be centrifuged and the serum and blood cells separated thereby with the cells confined to one portion of the container while the serum is confined in another. Also, it is an important advantage of this invention that the container after centrifuging may be readily shipped or mailed to a testing laboratory as is without further special handling or processing by the doctor.
FIG. 1 illustrates a centrifuge 10 of conventional design including a vertically extending axle 11 driven by a rotative power source (not shown), located in a support base 12. The upper end of the shaft 11 is secured to two or more radially extending arms 13, the outer ends of which carry suitable receptacles 14 for the blood sample containers 15. An open top bowl-like member 16 conventionally surrounds the entire shaft, arms 13 and blood sample containers 15 as shown. In operation, the power source in the base 12 rotates the shaft and associated apparatus at a high rate of speed which tends to move the more dense blood cells within the blood sample toward the bottom of the blood sample container due to the action of centrifugal force.
Most small-sized centrifuges are designed for use with sample containers in the general shape of a test tube and for that reason the general outward characteristics of the container of this invention will have that same shape. It is to be understood, however, that other external container geometries may be adopted and still be within the spirit of this invention.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and to the detailed construction of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the main container body consists of a typical glass test tube 15 which may be closed by a conventional rubber or cork stopper 17. A centrifuging valve means identified generally as 18 in exploded form, includes two main parts, a releasable clamp 19 and a gravity actuated valving member 20.
More particularly, the valving member 20 includes a frusto-conical head 21 of circular periphery, which is received on the end of a rod 22 of such length that when the valving member assembly is fully received within the test tube, the head 21 is located at substantially the midpoint of the test tube long dimension. The head 21 is constructed of a resilient plastic or rubber which is more dense than the whole blood, blood cells or serum thereof which enables the head to undergo a temporary deformation during centrifuging to produce a valving action that will be described below. The head diameter is such that in a normal rest condition within the tube 15, as shown in solid line depiction in FIGS. 3 and 4, the head edges sealingly contact the inner wall of the tube in a continuous manner and separate the tube into upper and lower chambers 23 and 24, respectively.
The clamp 19 includes a plurality of arms joined together at their ends to form a triangular base enclosing a space through which the rod 22 is received. A plurality of upstanding hooks 25, attached to the base of the clamp 19 extend in the same direction away from the base and are so dimensioned that they can be received about and engage the peripheral margins of the frusto-conical head 21 as shown in FIG. 3 generally at 26.
Prior to insertion of the valve means 18 within the tube 15, the clamp 19 is engaged with the head 21, which moves the head margins inwardly a sufficient amount so that the entire assembly means may be readily inserted into the test tube 15. That is, the clamp lateral dimensions are less than the inner diameter of the test tube, whereas, as was indicated above, the at-rest, unclamped diameter of the head 21 is slightly larger than the test tube cavity in order to permit sealing engagement with the test tube inner wall.
In use, the assembly 18 with the clamp 19 constricting the head 21 is inserted into the tube and the blood sample to be centrifuged is placed in the tube 15 filling chamber 23 and substantially all of chamber 24. The tube is then placed in the centrifuge. During centrifuging the clamp 19 moves from a position of head engagement shown in FIG. 3 to a lower position as shown in FIG. 4, due to the force exerted thereon. Also, at this time the centrifugal force deforms the margins of the resilient head inwardly to the dotted line position in FIG. 4, which permits the more dense blood cells to move to the lower chamber 24 of the tube. The latter process continues until substantially all the cells have been centrifuged to the bottom chamber of the tube, at which time the centrifuge is stopped. In the rest position the marginal edges of the head 21 reassume sealing contact with the inner walls of the tube 15 and the entire blood sample container may be simply removed from the centrifuge as is and sent to a laboratory by messenger or mail, as desired, without further special handling or processing.
FIG. 5 depicts an alternate form of this invention including a spring operated valve means 27 for separating the test tube 15 into an upper compartment 28 for serum and a lower one 29 for blood cells. The valve means comprises an annular valve member 30 with a tapered opening 31, which member closely fits within the test tube bore. A plurality of rodlike supports 32 interconnect the valve member 30 and a disclike pedestal 33. Within the space defined by the supports 32 a coil spring 34 has one end engaging the pedestal upper surface and its end contacting a ball closure member 35 of such diameter that when received within the opening 31 it closes the same. When the spring is uninhibited, it seats the ball 35 within the opening 31.
A generally flat, elongated retaining clip 36 is constructed of a springlike metal or plastic. A first hooklike ear 37 is formed from the clip body, and a second hooklike ear 38 faces on the same side of the clip as the first ear. The ear 38 is at the end of a lever arm 39 formed from the clip body and bent such that in the relaxed state the ear 38 is retracted below the clip body surface as shown in FIG. 6.
In use the clip 36 is mounted onto the spring 34 by forcing the ear 38 through the opening in the clip body wall and with both ears then extending on the same side of the clip the ears retainingly engage the spring loops holding the spring partially coiled as illustrated in FIG. 5. The entire valve assembly 27 is then inserted into the tube 15, with the valve initially held in the open condition by the clip 36. The whole blood sample fills the lower chamber 29 and substantially all of chamber 28.
On centrifuging of the sample, the ball closure member 35 further compresses the spring 34 disengaging the retaining clip which falls to the side. At the conclusion of centrifuging the spring, which is now free of the retaining clip, seats the ball 35 within the opening sealing the lower chamber 29 containing blood cells from the upper chamber 28 containing only serum.
A still further embodiment is that shown in FIG. 7 which relies on a filter for maintaining separation of the cells and serum. An annular member 46 has an outer diameter closely approximating the inner diameter of the test tube 15. A porous filter element 40 is received within the central opening of 39 and seats against a shoulder 41, thereof. The filter element is so constructed as to permit serum to pass through while restricting the passage of blood cells. A plurality of elongated supports 42 are affixed to the lower surface of the member 39 and extend downwardly therefrom to terminate at a common junction or pedestal 43. A retracting means 44 is secured to the upper annular surface and terminates in an eyelet 45.
Prior to use, the entire filtering assembly is merely inserted into the tube with the pedestal 43 bottoming, or approximately so, in the tube. The blood sample is poured into the tube, the tube is stoppered and centrifuged. During centrifuging the serum passes through the filter element 40 while the cells are trapped in the upper part. When the container is received at the testing facility, it is unstoppered and by the use of a hook-ended device (not shown) inserted into eyelet 45, the entire filtering mechanism is removed. During such removal, due to the close fit of the tube and annular member 39, the cells are also removed and the tube inner walls wiped clean, leaving the serum for testing.
Although not intended to be limitative on the present invention, in the usual case the containers 15 are vacuumized and the blood sample is emptied directly into the container from the hypodermic via its needle. This is especially advantageous in the use of the filter device of FIG. 7, since the low pressure below the filter element 40 will tend to draw the serum through the filter, thereby reducing, if not eliminating the centrifuging.
The present invention pertains generally to containers for blood samples, and, more particularly, to such containers having separate compartments into which serum and blood cells are respectively received during centrifuging.
The frequent practice is for blood samples of a patient to be taken at a doctor's office and then transmitted to a laboratory facility where analytical tests are conducted. Prior to transmitting the blood samples to the laboratory, it has been found advantageous to centrifuge the sample for separating the cells from the serum and thereby obtaining serum for test substantially free from cells. In the past, centrifuging has been accomplished by placing a blood sample in a conventional test tube, inserting the tube and sample in the centrifuge, and, after separating the cells from the blood serum, the serum (which is at the upper part) is then poured off, leaving the cells. This essentially hand technique involves a relatively large amount of time on the part of the doctor and/or nurse in the office, which could more profitably, and with benefit to the patient, be spent on other matters.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided in accordance with the practice of the present invention, a blood sample container which on centrifuging automatically separates the blood and serum into separate compartments.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a blood sample container which, after centrifuging to separate the cells from the serum, can be transmitted as is, without further special handling or processing.
In the practice of the present invention there is provided a generally tubular shaped container for the blood sample including an expandable head valve member and retaining clip assembly therewithin into which the whole blood is initially inserted. On centrifuging the clip is disengaged from the valving member, permitting it to expand toward the inner walls of the container to form two separate compartments, a lower one primarily for blood cells and an upper one containing only serum. During centrifuging, the valve member head is temporarily deformed at its edges an amount sufficient to allow the cells to move therepast, and at the conclusion of centrifuging the head resumes sealing engagement with the container wall. The serum may then be simply poured out of the container for testing.
A further form of the invention includes a tubular container with spring-loaded valving member disposed at substantially the mid-point thereof which is held initially open by means of a detachable clip. On centrifuging, the valving member is held open under the action of centrifugal force to permit the cells to move to the container bottom, and at the close of centrifuging the valving member closes, separating the serum in the upper compartment from the cells in the lower one. The clip is detached during centrifuging. As in the first form, the serum may be poured out of the container while the cells are retained in the lower compartment.
A still further form of the invention includes a typical test tube with a filter means located midway, through which serum can pass, but blood cells cannot. On centrifuging, the serum is filtered and the cells remain above the filter as residue. At the conclusion of centrifuging, the filter means and residue are removed and discarded, leaving the serum in the tube for testing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional, elevational view of a centrifuge including blood sample containers of the present invention.
FIG. 2 depicts in perspective view a preferred form of the invention in disassembled form.
FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional, elevational view of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 in assembled form prior to centrifuging.
FIG. 4 is a sectional, elevational view of the blood sample container of FIG. 3, shown immediately after initiation of centrifuging.
FIG. 5 is a sectional, elevational view of a further form of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a retaining clip for use with the invention of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 depicts a still further form of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
It is basic to the subject invention that a container for carrying a sample of blood in accordance with the practice of this invention is to be centrifuged and the serum and blood cells separated thereby with the cells confined to one portion of the container while the serum is confined in another. Also, it is an important advantage of this invention that the container after centrifuging may be readily shipped or mailed to a testing laboratory as is without further special handling or processing by the doctor.
FIG. 1 illustrates a centrifuge 10 of conventional design including a vertically extending axle 11 driven by a rotative power source (not shown), located in a support base 12. The upper end of the shaft 11 is secured to two or more radially extending arms 13, the outer ends of which carry suitable receptacles 14 for the blood sample containers 15. An open top bowl-like member 16 conventionally surrounds the entire shaft, arms 13 and blood sample containers 15 as shown. In operation, the power source in the base 12 rotates the shaft and associated apparatus at a high rate of speed which tends to move the more dense blood cells within the blood sample toward the bottom of the blood sample container due to the action of centrifugal force.
Most small-sized centrifuges are designed for use with sample containers in the general shape of a test tube and for that reason the general outward characteristics of the container of this invention will have that same shape. It is to be understood, however, that other external container geometries may be adopted and still be within the spirit of this invention.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2 and to the detailed construction of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the main container body consists of a typical glass test tube 15 which may be closed by a conventional rubber or cork stopper 17. A centrifuging valve means identified generally as 18 in exploded form, includes two main parts, a releasable clamp 19 and a gravity actuated valving member 20.
More particularly, the valving member 20 includes a frusto-conical head 21 of circular periphery, which is received on the end of a rod 22 of such length that when the valving member assembly is fully received within the test tube, the head 21 is located at substantially the midpoint of the test tube long dimension. The head 21 is constructed of a resilient plastic or rubber which is more dense than the whole blood, blood cells or serum thereof which enables the head to undergo a temporary deformation during centrifuging to produce a valving action that will be described below. The head diameter is such that in a normal rest condition within the tube 15, as shown in solid line depiction in FIGS. 3 and 4, the head edges sealingly contact the inner wall of the tube in a continuous manner and separate the tube into upper and lower chambers 23 and 24, respectively.
The clamp 19 includes a plurality of arms joined together at their ends to form a triangular base enclosing a space through which the rod 22 is received. A plurality of upstanding hooks 25, attached to the base of the clamp 19 extend in the same direction away from the base and are so dimensioned that they can be received about and engage the peripheral margins of the frusto-conical head 21 as shown in FIG. 3 generally at 26.
Prior to insertion of the valve means 18 within the tube 15, the clamp 19 is engaged with the head 21, which moves the head margins inwardly a sufficient amount so that the entire assembly means may be readily inserted into the test tube 15. That is, the clamp lateral dimensions are less than the inner diameter of the test tube, whereas, as was indicated above, the at-rest, unclamped diameter of the head 21 is slightly larger than the test tube cavity in order to permit sealing engagement with the test tube inner wall.
In use, the assembly 18 with the clamp 19 constricting the head 21 is inserted into the tube and the blood sample to be centrifuged is placed in the tube 15 filling chamber 23 and substantially all of chamber 24. The tube is then placed in the centrifuge. During centrifuging the clamp 19 moves from a position of head engagement shown in FIG. 3 to a lower position as shown in FIG. 4, due to the force exerted thereon. Also, at this time the centrifugal force deforms the margins of the resilient head inwardly to the dotted line position in FIG. 4, which permits the more dense blood cells to move to the lower chamber 24 of the tube. The latter process continues until substantially all the cells have been centrifuged to the bottom chamber of the tube, at which time the centrifuge is stopped. In the rest position the marginal edges of the head 21 reassume sealing contact with the inner walls of the tube 15 and the entire blood sample container may be simply removed from the centrifuge as is and sent to a laboratory by messenger or mail, as desired, without further special handling or processing.
FIG. 5 depicts an alternate form of this invention including a spring operated valve means 27 for separating the test tube 15 into an upper compartment 28 for serum and a lower one 29 for blood cells. The valve means comprises an annular valve member 30 with a tapered opening 31, which member closely fits within the test tube bore. A plurality of rodlike supports 32 interconnect the valve member 30 and a disclike pedestal 33. Within the space defined by the supports 32 a coil spring 34 has one end engaging the pedestal upper surface and its end contacting a ball closure member 35 of such diameter that when received within the opening 31 it closes the same. When the spring is uninhibited, it seats the ball 35 within the opening 31.
A generally flat, elongated retaining clip 36 is constructed of a springlike metal or plastic. A first hooklike ear 37 is formed from the clip body, and a second hooklike ear 38 faces on the same side of the clip as the first ear. The ear 38 is at the end of a lever arm 39 formed from the clip body and bent such that in the relaxed state the ear 38 is retracted below the clip body surface as shown in FIG. 6.
In use the clip 36 is mounted onto the spring 34 by forcing the ear 38 through the opening in the clip body wall and with both ears then extending on the same side of the clip the ears retainingly engage the spring loops holding the spring partially coiled as illustrated in FIG. 5. The entire valve assembly 27 is then inserted into the tube 15, with the valve initially held in the open condition by the clip 36. The whole blood sample fills the lower chamber 29 and substantially all of chamber 28.
On centrifuging of the sample, the ball closure member 35 further compresses the spring 34 disengaging the retaining clip which falls to the side. At the conclusion of centrifuging the spring, which is now free of the retaining clip, seats the ball 35 within the opening sealing the lower chamber 29 containing blood cells from the upper chamber 28 containing only serum.
A still further embodiment is that shown in FIG. 7 which relies on a filter for maintaining separation of the cells and serum. An annular member 46 has an outer diameter closely approximating the inner diameter of the test tube 15. A porous filter element 40 is received within the central opening of 39 and seats against a shoulder 41, thereof. The filter element is so constructed as to permit serum to pass through while restricting the passage of blood cells. A plurality of elongated supports 42 are affixed to the lower surface of the member 39 and extend downwardly therefrom to terminate at a common junction or pedestal 43. A retracting means 44 is secured to the upper annular surface and terminates in an eyelet 45.
Prior to use, the entire filtering assembly is merely inserted into the tube with the pedestal 43 bottoming, or approximately so, in the tube. The blood sample is poured into the tube, the tube is stoppered and centrifuged. During centrifuging the serum passes through the filter element 40 while the cells are trapped in the upper part. When the container is received at the testing facility, it is unstoppered and by the use of a hook-ended device (not shown) inserted into eyelet 45, the entire filtering mechanism is removed. During such removal, due to the close fit of the tube and annular member 39, the cells are also removed and the tube inner walls wiped clean, leaving the serum for testing.
Although not intended to be limitative on the present invention, in the usual case the containers 15 are vacuumized and the blood sample is emptied directly into the container from the hypodermic via its needle. This is especially advantageous in the use of the filter device of FIG. 7, since the low pressure below the filter element 40 will tend to draw the serum through the filter, thereby reducing, if not eliminating the centrifuging.