Abstract An instrument is provided for skimming serum from the cellular material, such as the red blood cells, of a blood sample; the cells having been dispersed, for example, by centrifugal action, to the bottom of the tubular receptacle containing the sample. The instrument of the invention includes a resilient plug member which is inserted down into the receptacle, and which has an opening therein that permits the serum to pass through the plug member as it is moved down through the serum in the receptacle. The plug preferably has a filter across the opening which permits the serum, but not the cellular material, to pass through the opening as the plug is pushed down into the tubular receptacle. A hollow rigid rod extends upwardly from the plug, and the rod is removably attached to the plug to serve as a conduit for the serum flowing through the opening in the plug. The rod also serves as a handle to permit the plug to be pushed down into the serum in the tubular receptacle and subsequently to be pulled up towards the mouth of the receptacle. A label may be attached to the instrument which remains in the tubular receptacle for labeling purposes after the instrument has been removed. The label may be coded for machine reading.
An instrument for separating a liquid in an elongated tubular shaped receptacle, or the like, from solids dispersed to the bottom of the receptacle, including: a resilient plug member having an outer periphery configured to fit snugly with the inner surface of the receptacle and having an opening therein; a rigid tubular member affixed to said plug member and extending axially therefrom to provide a conduit for liquid passing through said opening in said plug member, and also to provide a handle for moving said plug member up and down within said receptacle, a detachable label member attached to said plug member, in which said laBel member includes a peripheral lip for engaging the end of the tubular shaped receptacle when the plug member is inserted down into the receptacle to cause the label member to be detached from said plug member and to be mounted at the upper end of said tubular shaped receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An instrument for separating a liquid in an elongated tubular shaped receptacle, or the like, from solids dispersed to the bottom of the receptacle, including: a resilient plug member having an outer periphery configured to fit snugly with the inner surface of the receptacle and having an opening therein; a rigid tubular member affixed to said plug member and extending axially therefrom to provide a conduit for liquid passing through said opening in said plug member, and also to provide a handle for moving said plug member up and down within said receptacle, a detachable label member attached to said plug member, in which said laBel member includes a peripheral lip for engaging the end of the tubular shaped receptacle when the plug member is inserted down into the receptacle to cause the label member to be detached from said plug member and to be mounted at the upper end of said tubular shaped receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument defined in claim 1, in which said label is mounted externally of said tubular shaped receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument defined in claim 1, in which said label is mounted internally of said tubular shaped receptacle.