US6074612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube
Assignee: Fenwal Inc
•
Filing: 1999-04-06
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Granted: 2000-06-13
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Expires: 2019-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube into a receptacle uses a cylindrical housing containing a hollow needle to puncture the segment tube as it is inserted into the upper port of the device. A series of ribs with medial edges are arranged in a radial pattern around the needle within the upper port to guide and support the segment tube as it is inserted. The ribs are separated by slots that also guide the sealed end of the segment tube. An annular recess around the lower port of the device holds the rim of the receptacle and allows blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle. The annular recess accommodates a wide range of test tube diameters, and exerts only a downward force on the rim of the receptacle when a segment tube is inserted into the upper port of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Sagstetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:03
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/0289; B01L3/0293; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25375; Y10T436/2575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing for guiding and supporting the flexible tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing; and a plurality of slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing for guiding and supporting the flexible tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing; and a plurality of slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said passageway is formed by a plurality of ribs separating said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said ribs extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said ribs further comprise tapered medial edges surrounding said puncturing means for a supporting and guiding the flexible tubular portion of the segment tube as the segment tube is inserted into the device.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for collecting a blood sample in a receptacle from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said receptacle having a rim about its upper opening, said device comprising: a housing with a port for receiving a segment tube; puncturing means within said port for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle; means within said port for guiding and supporting the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means without substantial flexing or bending of the flexible tubular portion and sealed ends of the segment tube; and mounting means for removably attaching said housing to the rim of the receptacle, said puncturing means being located above the rim of the receptacle so that only substantially downward forces are exerted on the rim of the receptacle when the segment tube is inserted into said port of said housing for puncturing the segment tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for collecting a blood sample in a receptacle from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said receptacle having a rim about its upper opening, said device comprising: a housing with a port for receiving a segment tube; puncturing means within said port for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle; means within said port for guiding and supporting the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means without substantial flexing or bending of the flexible tubular portion and sealed ends of the segment tube; and mounting means for removably attaching said housing to the rim of the receptacle, said puncturing means being located above the rim of the receptacle so that only substantially downward forces are exerted on the rim of the receptacle when the segment tube is inserted into said port of said housing for puncturing the segment tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said mounting means comprise an annular recess in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said means for guiding and supporting the segment tube comprise a plurality of ribs separated by slots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said ribs extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said ribs further comprise tapered medial edges surrounding said puncturing means for supporting and guiding the tubular portion of the segment tube as the segment tube is inserted into the device.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
91 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing; and puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing, wherein said passageway guides and supports the flexible tubular portion and sealed ends of a segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means without substantial flexing or bending of the segment tube.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing; and puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing, wherein said passageway guides and supports the flexible tubular portion and sealed ends of a segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means without substantial flexing or bending of the segment tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said passageway further comprises a plurality of slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said passageway is formed by a plurality of ribs separating said slots.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said ribs extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said ribs further comprise tapered medial edges surrounding said puncturing means for supporting and guiding the flexible tubular portion of the segment tube as the segment tube is inserted into the device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a flexible segment tube having a tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a plurality of ribs defining a passageway for guiding and supporting the tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and releasing blood from the punctured segment tube; and a plurality of slots separated by said ribs, said slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for collecting a blood sample from a flexible segment tube having a tubular portion and sealed ends, said device comprising: a plurality of ribs defining a passageway for guiding and supporting the tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and releasing blood from the punctured segment tube; and a plurality of slots separated by said ribs, said slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said ribs extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said slots extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said ribs further comprise tapered medial edges surrounding said puncturing means for supporting and guiding the flexible tubular portion of a segment tube as the segment tube is inserted into the passageway.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for collecting a blood sample in a receptacle from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said receptacle having a rim about its upper opening, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing for guiding and supporting the flexible tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing; a plurality of slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means; and a skirt extending from said housing for covering the rim of a receptacle and defining a recess for removably attaching said housing onto the rim of the receptacle.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
137 words
A device for collecting a blood sample in a receptacle from a segment tube having a flexible tubular portion and sealed ends, said receptacle having a rim about its upper opening, said device comprising: a housing; a passageway within said housing for guiding and supporting the flexible tubular portion of a segment tube; puncturing means within said passageway for puncturing the segment tube and allowing blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain from said housing; a plurality of slots extending outward from said passageway for engaging and guiding the sealed end of the segment tube so that the segment tube is punctured by said puncturing means; and a skirt extending from said housing for covering the rim of a receptacle and defining a recess for removably attaching said housing onto the rim of the receptacle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said recess comprises an annular recess.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said passageway is formed by a plurality of ribs separating said slots.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 21 wherein said ribs extend in a substantially radial pattern about said puncturing means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 21 wherein said ribs further comprise tapered medial edges surrounding said puncturing means for supporting and guiding the tubular portion of the segment tube as the segment tube is inserted into the device.
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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) | 2003-06-13 | 2003-12-13 | 2004-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-13 | 2007-12-13 | 2008-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-13 | 2011-12-13 | 2012-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |