Patent US5132232A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5132232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for preparation of liquids for examination
Assignee: V Tech Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-13
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2007-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for collecting liquid analytical samples for examination, particularly whole urine and blood samples, and reproducibly separating them into two or more fractions. A sample is disposed within such an apparatus, then staining with dye or reacting with reagent as necessary without dislodging or disturbing the sample within the apparatus, or the arrangement of the apparatus itself. A sample can be transferred from the apparatus which serves as a preparation zone, to a separate analysis zone. An apparatus is shown of a type utilizing a container and a petter, said petter provided with an upper portion which enables attachment to the container, a lower retainer portion including a peripheral aperture, the non-apertured portion of which enables wedge-fit thereof into the container, and a body portion connecting the upper petter portion and lower retainer portion.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:56
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5021; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487; G01N33/49; G01N33/491; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S436/00; Y10S436/807; Y10S436/81; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25375; Y10T436/2575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A petter means for preparing a reproducible small volume of a liquid sample, adapted for use in a container having a closed lower end, and an inner wall extending from the lower end forming a generally increasing cross section, and terminating in an open upper engageable edge, and is usable to define a chamber of readily reproducible and predetermined volume between a location on the inner wall and the closed lower end through engagement with the inner wall cross section, the petter means comprising: (a) an upper portion; (b) a lower retainer member including a central inflexible support portion and an integrally formed sealing gasket and defining a single aperture therein, said lower retainer member adapted and arranged to engage an inner wall cross section, said lower retainer member occupying a substantial portion of the inner wall cross section engaged by said lower retainer member, said aperture occupying the remaining area, said aperture being of sufficiently small size to prevent leakage, of a liquid sample, and of a sufficiently large size to permit access to a liquid sample by a pipette for addition of substances and for removal of substances; and (c) an elongated body portion, connecting said upper portion and said lower retainer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A petter means for preparing a reproducible small volume of a liquid sample, adapted for use in a container having a closed lower end, and an inner wall extending from the lower end forming a generally increasing cross section, and terminating in an open upper engageable edge, and is usable to define a chamber of readily reproducible and predetermined volume between a location on the inner wall and the closed lower end through engagement with the inner wall cross section, the petter means comprising: (a) an upper portion; (b) a lower retainer member including a central inflexible support portion and an integrally formed sealing gasket and defining a single aperture therein, said lower retainer member adapted and arranged to engage an inner wall cross section, said lower retainer member occupying a substantial portion of the inner wall cross section engaged by said lower retainer member, said aperture occupying the remaining area, said aperture being of sufficiently small size to prevent leakage, of a liquid sample, and of a sufficiently large size to permit access to a liquid sample by a pipette for addition of substances and for removal of substances; and (c) an elongated body portion, connecting said upper portion and said lower retainer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The petter of claim 1 wherein said upper portion is adapted and arranged to engage an open upper edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A petter means as in claim 2, wherein the upper end of said petter is shaped generally as inverted U, and is adapted to snap-fit over an open upper edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A petter means as in claim 1, where the integrally formed sealing gasket is provided with a tapering periphery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A petter means as in claim 1, wherein said petter means is made of a moldable plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A petter means as in claim 5, wherein said petter means is molded as an integral unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A petter means as in claim 6, wherein said petter means is of solid, non-tubular, construction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A petter means as in claim 6, wherein said petter means is of generally hollow, tubular construction and is also sealed at both ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A petter means as in claim 1, wherein said petter means is formed of generally hollow components, lying in fluid communication.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A petter means as in claim 9, wherein said petter means is provided with a generally tubular member projecting downwardly from said lower retainer member, and which tubular member is open at its lower end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A petter means as in claim 10, wherein said petter means is provided with a compressibly-resilient portion proximate to said upper end, operable through compression and release of pressure to form a vacuum sufficient to withdraw fluid through said petter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A petter means as in claim 10, having a separate aspirations means adapted to interfit with said upper end of said petter means for withdrawal of fluid through said petter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A petter means as in claim 10, wherein said petter is made of a moldable plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A petter means as in claim 10, wherein said petter is molded as an integral unit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
264 words
A method for the preparation of a liquid sample of reproducible, small volume, for examination and analysis, for use in an apparatus comprising a container which has a closed lower end, an upper open end, and an inner wall, and is of generally decreasing cross section from said open end toward said closed end, and a petter means, removably insertable into said container, usable to define a chamber of readily reproducible and predetermined volume at the lower end of said container through the partial sealing engagement of said petter means and the inner wall of said container, said petter means having an upper end adapted to snap-fit over the upper, open end of said container, and a lower retainer member provided with an aperture therein and an elongated body portion connecting said upper end and lower retainer member, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing in said container a liquid of greater volume than that desired for the sample volume, (b) inserting said petter means into said container so that said upper petter end engages the upper open end of said container whereby said petter means cannot be further lowered into said container, thus precisely locating said lower retainer member at a point of contact between the periphery of said retainer member the inner wall of said container to define a chamber of critical volume, and (c) withdrawing the excess liquid between the upper open end of said container and said lower retainer member without altering the critical volume located between said lower retainer member and said closed lower end of said container.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
264 words
A method for the preparation of a liquid sample of reproducible, small volume, for examination and analysis, for use in an apparatus comprising a container which has a closed lower end, an upper open end, and an inner wall, and is of generally decreasing cross section from said open end toward said closed end, and a petter means, removably insertable into said container, usable to define a chamber of readily reproducible and predetermined volume at the lower end of said container through the partial sealing engagement of said petter means and the inner wall of said container, said petter means having an upper end adapted to snap-fit over the upper, open end of said container, and a lower retainer member provided with an aperture therein and an elongated body portion connecting said upper end and lower retainer member, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing in said container a liquid of greater volume than that desired for the sample volume, (b) inserting said petter means into said container so that said upper petter end engages the upper open end of said container whereby said petter means cannot be further lowered into said container, thus precisely locating said lower retainer member at a point of contact between the periphery of said retainer member the inner wall of said container to define a chamber of critical volume, and (c) withdrawing the excess liquid between the upper open end of said container and said lower retainer member without altering the critical volume located between said lower retainer member and said closed lower end of said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said liquid contains suspended material therein for preparation of a small, reproducible sample volume for examination and analysis of said suspended material, and further including the step of centrifuging said liquid in said container to locate said suspended material in the closed lower end portion of the container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said liquid containing suspended material therein is urine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said liquid containing suspended material therein is blood.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, and further including the step of introducing a reagent such as a stain to said critical volume in the closed lower end portion of said container through a means communicating through said aperture with the closed lower end portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, and further including the step of removing a sample of said conserved liquid through means communicating through said aperture with the closed lower end portion of said container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein all components of said petter means are generally hollow, tubular components adapted to lie in fluid communication, and said petter means is further provided with a generally tubular member projecting downwardly from said lower retainer member, and which tubular member is open at its lower end, said petter means being further provided with means for drawing liquid from the lower end of said container into said hollow petter, and further including the step of withdrawing a sample of the conserved liquid located at the closed lower end of said container into the hollow components of said petter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as set forth in claim 21, wherein said petter means is provided with a compressibly-resilient portion proximate to said upper end, operable through compression and release of pressure to form a vacuum sufficient to withdraw fluid into said petter, and said step of withdrawing into said hollow petter some liquid from the closed lower end of container includes withdrawing said liquid by compressing and releasing said compressibly resilient portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as in claim 21, wherein the upper end of said petter means is adapted to interfit with separate aspiration means for withdrawal of fluid through said petter, and said step of withdrawing into said hollow petter a sample of the liquid from the closed lower end of said container end includes operation of said separate aspiration means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the step of withdrawing said excess liquid is performed by decantation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 15 wherein the step of withdrawing said excess liquid is performed by aspiration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |