SEPARATOR AND SEPARATION STRIP

• US 20090321330A1
• Filed: 05/16/2007
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dieter Pfaff
• Original Assignee: Dieter Pfaff
• Inventors: Pfaff, Dieter
• Granted Patent: US 8,574,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/138
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/286 involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/491 by separating the blood components G01N15/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/52 Use of compounds or compositions for colorimetric, spectrophotometric or fluorometric investigation, e.g. use of reagent paper and including single- and multilayer analytical elements immunological elements G01N33/54386; involving labelled immunochemicals G01N33/58; for haemoglobin or occult blood G01N33/72
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/106664 Blood serum or blood plasma standard or control

Abstract

A separator (1a) under the invention for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip comprises a top part (3), a bottom part (4) and a joint (5). Said top part (3) and bottom part (4) are linked by the joint (5) in a pivoting way. Bottom part (4) is designed to support the separating strip. At least one nose (7a, 7b) is provided at the bottom part (4) and/or underside of top part (3) which can exert local pressure on the separating strip once top part (3) and bottom part (4) are folded together thus pressing blood serum or blood plasma out of the rear end of the separating strip.

Claims

1. A separator for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip comprising:

a top part, a bottom part and a joint;

wherein the top part and bottom part are linked together by the joint in a pivoting way so that the separator can be folded open and closed by pivoting; and

wherein the underside of the top part and top side of the bottom part come into contact with each other at least in some areas in said folded-closed condition; and

wherein the bottom part has an indentation for supporting the separating strip which is limited by side walls on at least two opposite sides and wherein each of the side walls has at least one nose-shaped lug to form a limit stop laterally protruding into the indentation for the separating strips inserted in the indentations, and

wherein the bottom part and/or the underside of top part has at least one nose which can exert a defined local pressure on the separating strip once the top part and bottom part are folded together, thus pressing blood serum or blood plasma out of the rear end of the separating strip whenever the separating strip is moved.

2. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a nose is provided at the underside of top part or at the top of the bottom part.

3. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the separating strip can be pushed into the indentation and pulled out of the indentations.

4. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the at least one nose is provided at the indentations, in particular at the base of the indentation.

5. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a first nose is provided on the underside of top part and a second nose is provided on the base of indentation which will both interact while separator is folded closed.

6. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the at least one nose is shaped like a barrier.

7. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the at least one nose is provided transversally to the longitudinal direction of the indentation.

8. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one nose is shaped like a bow, the bow opening facing the direction of the joint.

9. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one nose is shaped like two legs arranged like an arrow.

10. The separator to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one nose is shaped like a roller or roll which rotates around an axle inserted in the top part and/or the bottom part.

11. The separator according to claim 10,

characterized in that

a drive motor is provided for the roller or roll.

12. The separator claim 1,

characterized in that

the top part which is placed near the at least one nose has an opening allowing access to the separated blood serum or blood plasma while the separator is folded closed.

13. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one nose is made from an elastic material, in particular from rubber.

14. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one nose is designed as an elastic metal tongue.

15. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

permanent magnets are arranged both in the top part and bottom part so that the permanent magnets face each other in the folded-down condition and attract each other.

16. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one permanent magnet is provided in the top part and that the bottom part has some metal content.

17. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one permanent magnet is provided in the bottom part and the top part has metal content.

27. The separator according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a chronometer unit is provided in the top part or bottom part which measures a specified period, emitting an optical or acoustical signal after expiry of this period.

18. A separator for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma of a blood sample from a separating strip comprising:

a bottom part and a top part which can be moved in relation to the bottom part; and

wherein an oblong indentation is provided on the top side of bottom part to support the separating strip, this indentation being limited by side walls on at least two opposite sides, each of the side walls being provided with at least one nose-shaped lug to fix the separating strip inserted into the indentation, said lug protruding into the indentation on the side; and

wherein at least one nose is provided on the base of top part to exert a defined local pressure on the separating strip, thus pressing blood serum or blood plasma out of the rear end of the separating strip whenever top part is moved in relation to the bottom part; and

wherein two gliders protrude from top part and the bottom part is provided with two guide bars to support the gliders to guide the top part during the pushing motion.

19. The separator according to claim 18,

characterized in that

the nose is a roller.

20. The separator according to claim 18,

characterized in that

a drive motor is provided for the roller.

21. The separator according to claim 18,

characterized in that

the top part has an opening arranged in such a manner to allow access to the blood serum or blood plasma emerged from the rear end of the separating strip.

22. The separator according to claim 18,

characterized in that

a chronometer unit is provided in the top part or bottom part which measures a specified period, emitting an optical or acoustical signal after expiry of this period.

23. A separating strip for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma of a blood sample by means of a separator, comprising:

a blood separating component,

a retaining component to cover and retain the blood separating component,

a blood introducing section provided in a section of retaining component which covers the front end of the blood separating component, and

a blood taking opening provided in a section of retaining component which covers the rear end of the blood separating component,

wherein the separating strip has at least one narrow on at least one longitudinal side including a rear and a front limit stop so that the separating strip can be moved across the distance defined by the limit stops.

24. The separating strip according to claim 23,

characterized in that

the blood sample can be introduced into the blood separating component through the blood inserting section and the blood separating component is constituted so that the introduced blood sample can be separated by capillary action so that the blood serum or blood plasma collect in the rear end of the blood separating component and the erythrocytes collect in the front end of the blood separating component.

25. The separating strip according to claim 23,

characterized in that

at least one narrow has a rectangular shape.

26. The separating strip according to claim 23,

characterized in that

the separating strip is shaped like a semicircle or V on one side.