Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A specimen-preparation vial for collecting and preparing a specimen for a diagnostic test, comprising: (a) a sample-dilution container shaped to contain a liquid in an interior volume, the container having an opening dimensioned to receive the specimen, a sidewall of the container being yieldable upon manual squeezing; and- - (b) a specimen-collection/dispenser top including; (b.l) a cap housing connectable to the specimen-dilution container for closing the opening of the container; (b.2) a specimen-collection tool connected to the cap housing, the specimen-collection tool projecting from the cap housing so that the specimen-collection tool extends into the interior volume of the specimen-dilution container when the cap housing closes the opening of the container; (b.3) a dispenser tip connected to the cap housing, the dispenser tip having a channel passing through it which communicates with the interior volume of the sample-dilution container when the cap housing closes the opening of the container, an end of the channel defining a filtrate-discharge orifice; (b.4) dispenser-tip closure means for closing the filtrate-discharge orifice of the channel passing through the dispenser tip; and (b.5) a microfiltration filter located in the cap housing in a liquid path extending from the interior volume of the sample-dilution container to the filtrate discharge orifice of the channel passing through the dispenser tip so that liquid flowing from the interior volume of the container to the filtrate-discharge orifice passes through the microfiltration filter, the microfiltration filter having pores passing through it of dimensions effective to permit virus particles to pass through the pores and to block the passage of particles significantly larger than virus particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A specimen-preparation vial for collecting and preparing a specimen for a diagnostic test, comprising: (a) a sample-dilution container shaped to contain a liquid in an interior volume, the container having an opening dimensioned to receive the specimen, a sidewall of the container being yieldable upon manual squeezing; and- - (b) a specimen-collection/dispenser top including; (b.l) a cap housing connectable to the specimen-dilution container for closing the opening of the container; (b.2) a specimen-collection tool connected to the cap housing, the specimen-collection tool projecting from the cap housing so that the specimen-collection tool extends into the interior volume of the specimen-dilution container when the cap housing closes the opening of the container; (b.3) a dispenser tip connected to the cap housing, the dispenser tip having a channel passing through it which communicates with the interior volume of the sample-dilution container when the cap housing closes the opening of the container, an end of the channel defining a filtrate-discharge orifice; (b.4) dispenser-tip closure means for closing the filtrate-discharge orifice of the channel passing through the dispenser tip; and (b.5) a microfiltration filter located in the cap housing in a liquid path extending from the interior volume of the sample-dilution container to the filtrate discharge orifice of the channel passing through the dispenser tip so that liquid flowing from the interior volume of the container to the filtrate-discharge orifice passes through the microfiltration filter, the microfiltration filter having pores passing through it of dimensions effective to permit virus particles to pass through the pores and to block the passage of particles significantly larger than virus particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The specimen preparation vial of claim 1 in which the microfiltration filter comprises a nonwoven fabric mesh of a monofilament nylon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The specimen-preparation vial of claim 1 or 2 in which the pores of the microfiltration filter are dimensioned so that particles having effective crosswise dimensions of about 53 µm or less tend to pass through the pores and particles having effective crosswise dimensions of greater than about 53 µm tend to be blocked.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The specimen-preparation vial according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the microfiltration filter is sandwiched between two porous filter-support pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The specimen-preparation vial of claim 4 in which the filter-support pads are comprised of a blotting-paper-like felt material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The specimen-preparation vial according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the dispenser-tip closure means is a break-away tab plug seal connected to an end of the dispenser tip by a breakable joint to close off and seal the channel passing through the dispenser tip, the break-away-tab plug seal having a plug shaft adapted to be inserted in the filtrate-discharge orifice at the end of the channel passing through the dispenser tip to plug the orifice after the break-away-tab plug seal has been broken away from the dispenser tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The specimen-preparation vial of claim 6 in which the dispenser tip is generally conical in shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The specimen-preparation vial according to any of claims 1 to 7 in which the specimen-collection tool is detachably connected to the cap housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The specimen-preparation vial of claim 8 in which the specimen-collection tool has a tool-support base which cooperates with the cap housing to retain the microfiltration filter in the cap housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The specimen-preparation vial of claim 8 or 9 in which the specimen-collection tool is shaped to form a spoon.