US3837376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blood serum collection tube and method
Assignee: Metropolitan Pathology Lab Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-07
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to an improved apparatus and an improved method for removing serum from the uppermost portions of a specimen tube of centrifuged blood, in which the blood serum is disposed in a liquid pool above settled-out cellular solid materials. More particularly, the invention is directed to an easily handleable, readily mailable, collection tube closed at both ends by ''''one shot'''' valve structures comprising selfsealing elastomeric elements pierced by a special one-piece hollow needle. Additionally, the lower elastomeric element includes an annular piston-like member which is adapted to engage the inner walls of the specimen tube to pump serum therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 P Brown
- 👤 Brien J O
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:16
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/02042; B01L2300/00; B01L2300/04; B01L2300/041; B01L2300/044; B01L2300/046; B01L2300/048; B01L2300/06; B01L2300/0672; B01L2300/08; B01L2300/0832; B01L2400/00; B01L2400/04; B01L2400/0475; B01L2400/0478; B01L2400/06; B01L2400/0633; B01L2400/0638; B01L3/56; B01L3/563; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N2001/002; G01N2001/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S215/00; Y10S215/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
Apparatus for removing and trapping the upper portions of a pool of liquid contained in a specimen tube having a predetermined inner diameter, comprising a. a generally cylindrical tubular element of first predetermined length open at its upper and lower ends and having an outer diameter less than said predetermined inner diameter of the specimen tube; b. an elongated hollow needle of second predetermined length greater than said first predetermined length; said needle being open at its extremities and having spaced ports therebetween; means sealing said ports from one another and dividing said needle into upper and lower portions; c. selectively actuatable upper valve means closing off said upper end of said tubular element and being adapted to provide communication between interior upper portions of said tubular element and atmosphere, d. selectively actuatable lower valve means closing off the lower end of said tubular element and being adapted to communicate between said inner portions of said tubular element and the interior of said specimen tube; e. said lower valve means comprising a puncturable, first elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said lower end of said tubular element and said lower hollow needle portion extending therethrough; f. said upper valve means comprising a puncturable, second elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said upper end of said tubular element and said upper hollow needle portion extending therethrough; g. said elastomeric material possessing sufficient resilience and said hollow needle being sufficiently narrow whereby on the removal of said needle from said elastomeric material, said ends of the tubular member will be completely self sealed; h. piston means including said lower end portions of said tubular element and said lower sealing means, said piston means having an outer diameter slightly greater than said predetermined inner diameter of said specimen tube, whereby said piston means is adapted to make sliding, sealing contact therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
Apparatus for removing and trapping the upper portions of a pool of liquid contained in a specimen tube having a predetermined inner diameter, comprising a. a generally cylindrical tubular element of first predetermined length open at its upper and lower ends and having an outer diameter less than said predetermined inner diameter of the specimen tube; b. an elongated hollow needle of second predetermined length greater than said first predetermined length; said needle being open at its extremities and having spaced ports therebetween; means sealing said ports from one another and dividing said needle into upper and lower portions; c. selectively actuatable upper valve means closing off said upper end of said tubular element and being adapted to provide communication between interior upper portions of said tubular element and atmosphere, d. selectively actuatable lower valve means closing off the lower end of said tubular element and being adapted to communicate between said inner portions of said tubular element and the interior of said specimen tube; e. said lower valve means comprising a puncturable, first elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said lower end of said tubular element and said lower hollow needle portion extending therethrough; f. said upper valve means comprising a puncturable, second elastomeric sealing means secured to and closing off said upper end of said tubular element and said upper hollow needle portion extending therethrough; g. said elastomeric material possessing sufficient resilience and said hollow needle being sufficiently narrow whereby on the removal of said needle from said elastomeric material, said ends of the tubular member will be completely self sealed; h. piston means including said lower end portions of said tubular element and said lower sealing means, said piston means having an outer diameter slightly greater than said predetermined inner diameter of said specimen tube, whereby said piston means is adapted to make sliding, sealing contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which a. the needle mounts a gripping means by which the needle may be removed from said first and second elastomeric sealing means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of removing serum from a specimen tube comprising the steps of a. inserting a collection tube closed off at its lower end by a piston-like element pierced by a lower hollow needle portion into the specimen tube to drive serum upwardly therethrough and into said collection tube, b. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere by an upper hollow needle portion while said collection tube is driven downwardly into said serum; c. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere during the upward stroke of said collection tube while removing said collection tube from said specimen tube; d. maintaining the space between the lower end of the collection tube and the interior lower portions of the specimen tube at atmospheric pressure; e. sealing off the upper and lower ends of said collection tube by removing said needle portions from the upper lower end thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of removing serum from a specimen tube comprising the steps of a. inserting a collection tube closed off at its lower end by a piston-like element pierced by a lower hollow needle portion into the specimen tube to drive serum upwardly therethrough and into said collection tube, b. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere by an upper hollow needle portion while said collection tube is driven downwardly into said serum; c. maintaining the upper inner portions of said collection tube open to atmosphere during the upward stroke of said collection tube while removing said collection tube from said specimen tube; d. maintaining the space between the lower end of the collection tube and the interior lower portions of the specimen tube at atmospheric pressure; e. sealing off the upper and lower ends of said collection tube by removing said needle portions from the upper lower end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 3, in which a. said upper and lower needle portions are supported and handled as a single unit, whereby said upper and lower ends may be sealed off substantially simultaneously by the removal of said single unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |