Disposable device for sampling and diluting

Claim 1

A disposable device for the sampling and diluting of a liquid, comprising a hollow tubular body that includes means for drawing up and capturing by capillary attraction a predetermined volume of a liquid; and that further includes a valveless connecting tube in an air-tight sealing relationship with an upper end of the liquid drawing up and capturing means; a sealed pre-evacuated container having a fill volume selected to effect a predetermined dilution of the liquid captured by said liquid drawing up and capturing means, said container haivng means for mutually interengaging in an air-tight sealing relationship with said connecting tube; means for providing ready communication between the interior of said container and said hollow tubular body when said container and said connecting tube are in an air-tight sealing relationship; and a two-way vent port in a wall of said hollow tubular body for preventing air pressure build-up within said hollow tubular body that would preclude the drawing up of said predetermined volume of said liquid, or that would overcome the capturing capability of said liquid drawing up and capturing means, for readily venting otherwise trapped air from within said hollow tubular body to the ambient atmosphere, and for allowing diluent flow into said hollow tubular body and thereafter into said container other than through said liquid drawing up and capturing means to effect rapid container fill.