Blunt cannula and filter assembly and method of use with point-of-care testing cartridge

• US 20020143298A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Marsden, Stewart
• Granted Patent: US 6,869,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/190
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 by adsorption or absorption

Abstract

A kit includes a point-of-care testing cartridge and a blunt cannula assembly. The blunt cannula assembly includes a blunt cannula that has a filter therein for filtering cellular components from whole blood and enabling plasma to be delivered by the blunt cannula to the testing cartridge.

Claims

1. A blunt cannula assembly comprising a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between said ends, portions of said lumen adjacent said proximal end defining a tapered opening dimensioned and configured for mating with a Luer tip, a filter mounted in said lumen between said proximal and distal ends.

2. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said filter comprises a dual filter having first and second filter layers adjacent to one another.

3. The blunt cannula of claim 2, wherein said filter layers are connected to one another.

4. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said filter has a pore size between 0.2-5.0 microns.

5. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said filter is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, glass wool, nylon and ceramic fibers.

6. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said lumen includes a step between said proximal and distal ends, portions of said lumen proximally of said step defining a conical taper configured for mating with said Luer tip, said filter being secured substantially adjacent said step.

7. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein portions of said blunt cannula adjacent said distal end define a narrow cylinder with a tapered tip at said distal end.

8. The blunt cannula of claim 7, wherein said distal end of said blunt cannula defines a single opening communicating with said lumen.

9. The blunt cannula of claim 7, wherein said distal end of said blunt cannula defines two diametrically opposite side ports communicating with said lumen.

10. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said blunt cannula comprises a pair of diametrically opposite lugs configured for mating with a Luer collar.

11. The blunt cannula of claim 1, wherein said filter comprises an anticoagulant for preventing clotting of a selected fluid material that passes through said filter.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein said filter comprises a dual filter having first and second filter layers adjacent to one another.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein said filter layers are connected to one another.

16. The kit of claim 13, wherein said filter has a pore size between 0.2-5.0 microns.

17. The kit of claim 13, wherein said filter is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, glass wool, nylon and ceramic fibers.

18. The kit of claim 13, wherein said lumen includes a step between said proximal and distal ends, portions of said lumen proximally of said step defining a conical taper configured for mating with said Luer tip, said filter being secured substantially adjacent said step.

19. The kit of claim 13, wherein portions of said blunt cannula adjacent said distal end define a narrow cylinder with a tapered tip at said distal end.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said distal end of said blunt cannula defines a single opening communicating with said lumen.

12. A method for plasma analysis comprising:

providing a syringe;

obtaining a specimen of blood in said syringe;

providing a blunt cannula having a filter therein;

mounting said blunt cannula to said syringe;

placing said blunt cannula in communication with a point-of-care testing cartridge; and

applying pressure to blood in said syringe for urging said blood into said filter of said testing cartridge such that said plasma flows through said filter and into said testing cartridge.

13. A kit comprising a point-of-care testing cartridge having an internal reservoir for receiving a sample of fluid for analysis and an entry port communicating with said reservoir, said entry port defining a selected cross-sectional dimension, said kit further comprising a blunt cannula assembly, said blunt cannula assembly having a blunt cannula with a proximal end configured for mounting to a syringe, a distal end configured for insertion into said entry port of said testing cartridge and a lumen extending between said proximal and distal ends, said blunt cannula assembly further comprising a filter secured in said lumen between said proximal and distal ends for filtering a fluid material prior to delivery of said fluid material to said entry port of said testing cartridge.