Method and apparatus for collecting blood samples prior to a blood collection procedure

• US 20030144607A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Baxter Healthcare SA (Baxter International Inc.), Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Mathias, Jean-Marie, Bernes, Jean-Claude, Coneys, Thomas Walter
• Granted Patent: US 7,044,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150366 Blood collection bags, e.g. connected to the patient by a catheter comprising means for removing a small sample of collected blood from the bag collection bags as such A61J1/05, A61M1/0209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150572 Pierceable protectors, e.g. shields, caps, sleeves or films, e.g. for hygienic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150732 Needle holders, for instance for holding the needle by the hub, used for example with double-ended needle and pre-evacuated tube,
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150992 Blood sampling from a fluid line external to a patient, such as a catheter line, combined with an infusion line; blood sampling from indwelling needle sets, e.g. sealable ports, luer couplings, valves tubing connectors and couplings A61M39/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/154 Devices using pre-evacuated means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/155 Devices specially adapted for continuous or multiple sampling, e.g. at predetermined intervals devices loaded with multiple lancets simultaneously A61B5/15146
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0209 Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0236 with sampling means, e.g. sample bag or sampling port
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A holder for receiving a sampling tube of a blood sampling system is disclosed. The holder has an interior pocket which can be conformed from a closed position to an open position for receiving the sampling tube.

Claims

1. A holder for receiving a sampling tube said holder comprising a distal end, a proximal end and a central body portion defining an interior pocket, wherein said interior pocket may be conformed to receive a sampling tube.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said body portion comprises at least two opposed flexible walls defining said interior pocket.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said walls are hinged to allow said interior pocket to be conformed.

4. The holder of claim 3 wherein each of said walls includes a central longitudinal hinge.

5. The holder of claim 4 wherein each of said walls include one or more hinges spaced from said central hinge.

6. The holder of claim 1 wherein said interior pocket comprises a generally rectangular cross-sectional area.

7. The holder of claim 1 wherein the width of said holder is approximately 10 mm.

8. The holder of claim 25 wherein said body portion may be flexed so that said interior pocket has a generally square cross-sectional area.

9. The holder of claim 1 comprising a pair of positioning prongs disposed within said interior pocket spaced from the central axis of said holder.

10. The holder of claim 1 wherein said body portion includes pinching tabs.

11. The holder of claim 10 wherein said pinching tabs include gripping surfaces.

12. The holder of claim 10 wherein the outer surfaces of said pinching tabs are generally concave.

13. The holder of claim 1 comprising a piercing member within said interior pocket.

14. The holder of claim 13 wherein said piercing member is attached to said holder at said distal end.

15. The holder of claim 13 wherein said piercing member is integral with said holder.

16. The holder of claim 13 wherein said piercing member is separately attachable to said holder.

17. The holder of claim 1 comprising a fluid receptacle located at said distal end of said holder.

18. The holder of claim 2 comprising compressible springs to allow for conforming of said interior pocket.

19. The holder of claim 1 comprising finger grasping tabs located near said proximal end of said holder.

20. The holder of claim 19 wherein the bottom surfaces of said finger grasping tabs are curved.

21. The holder of claim 19 wherein said finger grasping tabs include apertures extending therethrough.

22. The holder of claim 21 wherein said apertures have a diameter sufficient to hold a length of cylindrical tubing.

23. The holder of claim 21 wherein said finger grasping tabs comprise a pair of jaws defining an aperture, wherein said jaws are partially separable to allow for insertion of a length of cylindrical tubing within said aperture.

24. The holder of claim 1 wherein said holder is made from a thermoplastic material.

25. The holder of claim 24 wherein said thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.

26. The holder of claim 24 wherein said polyethylene is a high density polyethylene.

27. The holder of claim 1 wherein said holder is made of a material capable of being sterilized by at least steam or gamma radiation.

28. A holder for receiving a sampling tube, said holder comprising a distal end, a proximal end, a central body portion defining an interior pocket and a piercing member assembly attachable at said distal end, said assembly having a first portion disposed within said interior pocket and a second portion extending from said distal end to the exterior, said holder further comprising a fluid reservoir located at said distal end.

29. The holder of claim 28 wherein said piercing member assembly is attached to said distal end at said fluid reservoir.

30. The holder of claim 28 wherein said first portion of said piercing member assembly comprises a sharpened tip enclosed within a flexible sheath and said second portion includes a luer in flow communication with said first portion.

31. A holder for receiving a sampling tube, said holder comprising a distal end, a proximal end and a central body portion, said body portion including at least one tab having said tab including an aperture extending therethrough.