Devices and methods for overlaying blood or cellular suspensions

• US 10,371,609 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2012
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jae G.O. Kwon
• Original Assignee: Jae G.O. Kwon
• Inventors: Kwon, Jae Go
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Dennis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kilpatrick, Brian
• Application Number:
  US14/237,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20140356898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,553 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0457 passive flow or gravitation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/086 using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0293 for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5021 Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes centrifuges B04B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor

Abstract

A device is described that overlays a first fluid, such as blood or a cellular suspension onto a base material, such as a density gradient. In some embodiments, the fluid layering device includes a cylindrical reservoir, a fluid barrier, a coupling extension, a plunger, and an exhaust vent. The fluid layering device can be coupled through its coupling extension to an open end of a container, such as a conical centrifuge tube, including the density gradient. Once attached, the plunger may be lowered to a position above the surface of the density gradient. A first fluid may flow from the reservoir into the conical tube across the plunger, so that a suitable overlay is formed without substantially disturbing a surface of the density gradient. The plunger may be buoyed upward by the first fluid during operation, providing a constant regulation of flow throughout overlaying, regardless of the care and skill of the user.

Claims

1. A trap insert configured for insertion into a conical container, the trap insert comprising:

a conical opening;

a lip;

a reservoir defined by a partial wall;

an exit chamber;

a cap, the cap comprising;

a flat circular member; and

hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

2. The trap insert of claim 1 wherein the hooks are configured to interact with the lip to limit the downward motion of the cap.

3. The trap insert of claim 2 further comprising a fluid, a weight of the fluid depressing the cap and exiting through the exit chamber to fill the reservoir and part of the conical opening, a pressure from the fluid causing the cap to rise and seal off a portion of the conical container below the cap.

4. The trap insert of claim 3 wherein the fluid is blood.

5. The trap insert of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the conical container comprises spiral notches to control a speed of a float a fluid.

6. A system comprising:

an open-ended container; and

a fluid layering device configured control a flow of fluid into the open-ended container, the fluid layering device comprising a trap member inserted into the open-ended container, the trap member comprising;

a conical opening;

a lip;

a reservoir defined by a partial wall;

an exit chamber;

a cap, the cap comprising;

a flat circular member; and

hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the cap comprises:

a flat circular number; and

hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

8. The system of claim 7 where in the hooks are configured to interact with the lip to limit the downward motion of the cap.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a fluid, a weight of the fluid depressing the cap and exiting through the exit chamber to fill the reservoir and part of the conical opening, a pressure from the fluid causing the cap to rise and seal off a portion of the container below the cap.