Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for collecting blood and separating the fluid portion from the cellular components of blood comprising the steps of drawing blood from a patient into a tube closed at one end and open at the other end and divided by a constriction into two chambers, the chamber at the open end having a volume between 10 percent and 80 percent of the total volume of the tube, said constriction having an inside diameter between 0.050 inches and 55 percent of the inside diameter of the tube to provide a fracture point and to permit an air lock to form; employing means for concentrating the cellular components in the chamber at the open end and the fluid portion in the other chamber; fracturing the tube at a score line at the constriction into a container holding the fluid portion and a container holding the cellular components; and closing with a seal the fractured end of the container holding the fluid portion for handling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for collecting blood and separating the fluid portion from the cellular components of blood comprising the steps of drawing blood from a patient into a tube closed at one end and open at the other end and divided by a constriction into two chambers, the chamber at the open end having a volume between 10 percent and 80 percent of the total volume of the tube, said constriction having an inside diameter between 0.050 inches and 55 percent of the inside diameter of the tube to provide a fracture point and to permit an air lock to form; employing means for concentrating the cellular components in the chamber at the open end and the fluid portion in the other chamber; fracturing the tube at a score line at the constriction into a container holding the fluid portion and a container holding the cellular components; and closing with a seal the fractured end of the container holding the fluid portion for handling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the means for concentrating the fluid portion and the cellular components into the chambers comprises centrifuging the tube to separate the contents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 in which the means for concentrating the fluid portion and the cellular components in the chambers comprises allowing the cellular components to settle into the bottom chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which the blood is drawn into an evacuated tube having a penetrable stopper in the open end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 in which the tube is inverted before the fluid portion and the cellular components are concentrated in the respective chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5 in which the means for concentrating the fluid portion and the cellular components in the respective chambers comprises centrifuging the tube to separate the contents.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5 in which the closed end of the tube is provided with a nipple, the nipple is broken off the sealed container holding the fluid portion and the seal is broken allowing such portion to escape through the nipple opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 5 in which the closed end of the tube is provided with a nipple and the seal is a combination cap and bulb, the nipple is broken off the sealed container holding the fluid portion and such portion is dispensed through the nipple opening by means of the bulb.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 5 in which the closed end of the tube is provided with a nipple and the seal is a cap extending down the side of the container holding the fluid portion, the nipple is broken and such portion is dispensed into the cap, which in turn can act as a sample vessel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for collecting blood and separating plasma from the cellular components of blood comprising the steps of drawing blood from a patient into a tube containing an anticoagulant which tube is closed at one end and open at the other end and divided by a constriction into two chambers, the chamber at the open end having a volume between 10 percent and 80 percent of the total volume of the tube, said constriction having an inside diameter between 0.010 inches and 55 percent of the inside diameter of the tube to provide a fracture point and to permit an air lock to form; employing means for concentrating the cellular components in the chamber at the open end and the plasma in the other chamber; fracturing the tube at a score line at the constriction into a container holding the plasma and a container holding the cellular components; and closing with a seal the fractured end of the container holding the plasma for handling.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for collecting blood and separating plasma from the cellular components of blood comprising the steps of drawing blood from a patient into a tube containing an anticoagulant which tube is closed at one end and open at the other end and divided by a constriction into two chambers, the chamber at the open end having a volume between 10 percent and 80 percent of the total volume of the tube, said constriction having an inside diameter between 0.010 inches and 55 percent of the inside diameter of the tube to provide a fracture point and to permit an air lock to form; employing means for concentrating the cellular components in the chamber at the open end and the plasma in the other chamber; fracturing the tube at a score line at the constriction into a container holding the plasma and a container holding the cellular components; and closing with a seal the fractured end of the container holding the plasma for handling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 in which the blood is drawn into an evacuated tube having a penetrable stopper in the open end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11 in which the tube is inverted before the plasma and the cellular components are concentrated in the respective chambers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 in which the means for concentrating the plasma and the cellular components in the respective chambers comprises centrifuging the tube to separate the contents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 12 in which the closed end of the tube is provided with a nipple, the nipple is broken off the sealed container holding the plasma and the seal is broken allowing such plasma to escape through the nipple opening.