Devices and Methods for Sampling Biological Fluids

• US 20090305407A1
• Filed: 03/18/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Operations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hemobotics LLC
• Inventors: Temple, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,329,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/372
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08

Abstract

Devices, instruments, systems and methods are provided in which a primary line that receives a biological fluid is selectively sampled by a plurality of collection chambers. Selective sampling occurs by selectively accessing the primary line and selective engagement of a sampling pump under control of a microprocessor. Further, the instrument housing reversibly houses a drive assembly and sample collection housing to permit the interchangeability of drive assemblies and collection housings and thus enhance sterility or reduction of cost.

Claims

1. An instrument for sampling biological fluids, comprising:

a) a primary line having an inlet for receiving a biological fluid;

b) a fluid reservoir for storing an anticoagulant or rinsing fluid;

c) a waste container for storing waste received from said primary line;

d) a plurality of sample collection chambers attached to a plurality of collection lines for selectively collecting a plurality of fluid samples from said primary line;

e) at least one pump for selectively pumping each of;

i) fluid from said primary line to said waste container,

ii) fluid from said primary line to each of said sample collection chambers independently,

iii) fluid from said fluid reservoir to said primary line;

f) a valve for selecting access between each of;

i) said primary line and said waste container,

ii) said fluid reservoir and said primary line,

iii) optionally said fluid reservoir and said waste container; and

g) a microprocessor operably linked to memory and a power source, wherein said microprocessor instructs said selective pumping of said at least one pump and instructs selection by said valve.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein each of said sample collection lines comprise a terminal needle for piercing a primary line permitting access into a cavity of said primary line, wherein said primary line is pierced prior to or concurrently while pumping fluid into the corresponding collection chamber, further wherein said terminal needle is positioned within a wall of said primary line when not selectively pumping fluid into said collection chamber.

3. The instrument for sampling biological fluids according to claim 2, further comprising at lease one peltier cooling element to cool said plurality of sample collection chambers, further wherein said at least one peltier cooling element is activated by a thermosister.

4. The instrument according to claim 3, further comprising an external control unit for receiving instructions from a user and transmitting operative programming to said microprocessor in response to said instructions.

20. A method of sampling a biological fluid, comprising providing the instrument according to claim 1 and collecting a plurality of samples.

5. A drive assembly with collection chambers for sampling biological fluids comprising:

a) a primary line having an inlet end for receiving a biological fluid;

b) a fluid reservoir storing an anticoagulant or rinsing fluid;

c) a waste container for storing waste received from said primary line;

d) a plurality of sample collection chambers attached to a plurality of collection lines for selectively collecting a plurality of fluid samples from said primary line;

e) a peristaltic pump comprising a plurality of rotor housings capable of selective engagement with a central rotor, wherein each rotor housing is assigned to either said fluid reservoir, said waste container or one of said collection chambers, further wherein engagement of any of said rotor housings to said central rotor results in compression of a flexible tubing positioned along an inner perimeter of said rotor housing, further wherein when the rotor housing associated with said collection chamber is engaged, said rotor housing drives a needle into a cavity of said primary line; and

f) a cam assembly comprising a rotatable cam, positionable along said plurality of rotor housings, wherein rotation of said cam in a first position selectively engages one of said rotor housings with said central rotor and rotation in a second position releases said rotor housing from said central rotor.

6. The drive assembly according to claim 5, wherein said biological fluid is blood.

7. The drive assembly according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of collection chambers each comprise a peltier cooling element.

8. The drive assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of collection chambers each house a collection vial, tube or bag, further wherein said collection chambers are insulated, further wherein said collection chambers are exposed to a peltier cooling element for cooling, and further wherein said plurality of collection chambers are positioned within a collection housing that is reversibly attachable to the drive assembly.

9. The drive assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a threaded positioning rod complementary to a threaded aperture extending through said cam assembly, wherein rotation of said threaded positioning rod horizontally positions said cam assembly across and above said plurality of rotor housings.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a rotating shaft slidably inserted through said cam, wherein rotation of said shaft rotates said cam into said first and second positions.

11. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a selecting valve for selecting communication between said primary line and said fluid reservoir, said primary line and said waste container, or said fluid reservoir and said waste container.

12. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of springs contacting said plurality of rotor housings, wherein at least one spring is compressed when said cam is in said first position and decompressed when in said second position.

13. A instrument for sampling a biological fluid comprising:

a) the drive assembly according to claim 5; and

b) an instrument housing, comprising;

i) a peristaltic pump motor that rotates said central rotor;

ii) a positioning motor for positioning said cam assembly;

iii) a cam motor for rotating said cam between said first position and said second position,

iv) a microprocessor operably linked to memory and a power source, wherein said microprocessor instructs operation of said pump motor, positioning motor and cam motor.

14. The instrument according to claim 13, wherein said drive assembly is reversibly housed within said instrument housing.

15. The instrument according to claim 14, wherein said instrument housing further comprises a peltier cooling element for cooling said collection chambers.

16. The instrument according to claim 15, further comprising a thermosistor.

17. The instrument according to claim 14, wherein,

a) said drive assembly further comprises:

i) a threaded positioning rod complementary to a threaded aperture extending through said cam assembly, wherein rotation of said threaded positioning rod horizontally positions said cam assembly across said plurality of rotor housings,

ii) a rotating shaft slidably inserted through said cam, wherein rotation of said shaft rotates said cam into said first and second positions,

iii) a plurality of springs associated with said plurality of rotor housings, wherein at least one spring is compressed when said cam is in said first position and decompressed when in said second position,

b) said positioning motor rotates said threaded positioning rod; and

c) said cam motor rotates said rotating shaft.

18. The instrument according to claim 17, wherein,

a) said drive assembly further comprises a selecting valve for selecting fluid communication between each of said primary line and said fluid reservoir, said primary line and said waste container and said fluid reservoir and said waste container;

and

b) said instrument housing further comprises a valve motor for operating said selecting valve.

19. A system for sampling a biological fluid comprising:

a) the system according to claim 18, and

b) an external control unit operably linked to said microprocessor, wherein said external control unit comprises a computer system comprising a software program, wherein said software program accepts entry of data corresponding to said sample volume for collection into each of said collection chambers and a number of sample volumes for collection,

wherein said external control unit determines an order of sample collection and rinsing and transfers said order as instructions to said microprocessor.