Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a cell-containing fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; and a reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the cell-containing fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a cell-containing fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; and a reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the cell-containing fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second container attachable to the first-mentioned container and removable from the container and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the container for receiving the filtrate from the second compartment of the container and wherein the first-mentioned container is attachable to the second container in a position external to the second container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first-mentioned container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container into the second compartment of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the container.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid sample, the apparatus comprising: a first container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space of the first container and mounted between the first end of the first container and the second end of the first container for filtering a biological fluid disposed within the first container; a second container attachable to the first container and detachable therefrom and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the first container for receiving a filtrate from the first container and wherein the first container is attachable in a position external to the second container; and a reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a reactant into the first container for reacting with the biological fluid sample disposed therein, the fixative dispenser connected to the first container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid sample, the apparatus comprising: a first container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space of the first container and mounted between the first end of the first container and the second end of the first container for filtering a biological fluid disposed within the first container; a second container attachable to the first container and detachable therefrom and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the first container for receiving a filtrate from the first container and wherein the first container is attachable in a position external to the second container; and a reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a reactant into the first container for reacting with the biological fluid sample disposed therein, the fixative dispenser connected to the first container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a pressurizing means for applying pressure to the biological fluid sample disposed within the first container for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing the filtrate and causing substantially all cells contained in the biological fluid sample to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container into the first of the container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the first container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; a reactant dispenser for storing a reactant and for delivering the reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing the filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; a reactant dispenser for storing a reactant and for delivering the reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing the filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a second container attachable to the first-mentioned container and removable from the container and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the container for receiving the filtrate from the second compartment of the container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first-mentioned container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container into the second compartment of the container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second container further comprises relief means attached to the second container for relieving pressure built-up therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the pressurizing means is integrally incorporated into the covering means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the reactant dispenser is integrally incorporated into the covering means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a second reactant dispenser for storing a second reactant and for delivering the second reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; a plurality of reactant dispensers for separately storing a plurality of reactants and for delivering the plurality of reactants into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispensers connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing a filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; a plurality of reactant dispensers for separately storing a plurality of reactants and for delivering the plurality of reactants into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispensers connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing a filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a second container attachable to the first-mentioned container and removable from the container and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the container for receiving the filtrate from the second compartment of the container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first-mentioned container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container into the second compartment of the container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the container.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container; a reactant dispenser, integral to the covering means, for storing a reactant and for delivering the reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means, integral to the covering means, for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing the filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container such that the space is subdivided into a first compartment between the filtering means and the first end and a second compartment between the filtering means and the second end, the first compartment for receiving a fluid to be filtered by the filtering means and the second compartment for receiving a filtrate; covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container; a reactant dispenser, integral to the covering means, for storing a reactant and for delivering the reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein, the reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and pressurizing means, integral to the covering means, for applying pressure to the fluid disposed within the first compartment for urging the fluid through the filtering means producing the filtrate retained in the second chamber and causing substantially all cells contained in the fluid to be retained by the filtering means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a second container attachable to the first-mentioned container and removable from the container and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the container for receiving the filtrate from the second compartment of the container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first-mentioned container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container into the second compartment of the container.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the container.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a second reactant dispenser, integral to the covering means, for storing a second reactant and for delivering the second reactant into the first compartment of the container for reacting with the fluid disposed therein.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid sample, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container for filtering a biological fluid disposed within the container; covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container; a first reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a first reactant into the container for reacting with the biological fluid disposed therein, the first reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and a second reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a second reactant into the container for reacting with the biological fluid disposed therein, the second reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for collecting a biological fluid sample, the apparatus comprising: a container having a first end having a first aperture, a second end having a second aperture, and a body extending from the first end to the second end and enclosing a space located therebetween; filtering means disposed within the space and mounted between the first end of the container and the second end of the container for filtering a biological fluid disposed within the container; covering means connectable to the container for covering the first aperture of the container; a first reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a first reactant into the container for reacting with the biological fluid disposed therein, the first reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body; and a second reactant dispenser comprising means for storing and delivering a second reactant into the container for reacting with the biological fluid disposed therein, the second reactant dispenser connected to the container and in communication with the space of the body.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a second container attachable to the first-mentioned container and removable from the first-mentioned container and having a receiving aperture for communicating with the second aperture of the first-mentioned container for receiving the filtrate from the first-mentioned container.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a backflow prevention means disposed between the second aperture of the first-mentioned container and the receiving aperture of the second container for substantially preventing the backflow of the filtrate from the second container back into the first-mentioned container.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the second container further comprises a flexible bag disposed therein and having an opening continuous with the receiving aperture for receiving and storing the filtrate from the first-mentioned container.