Needle-free, safety biological sample collection system

• US 20110094319A1
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Infinity Medical Technology
• Original Assignee: Infinity Medical Technology
• Inventors: Yong, Peter A.K.
• Application Number:
  US12/947,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20110094319A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864.63
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/008 Interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/049 Valves integrated in closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/021 Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0272 Dropper bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/12 Dippers; Dredgers

Abstract

A collection container for biological samples is described. In one embodiment, the collection container includes a receptacle and a lid with a sampling port. The sampling port is coupled to an aspiration tube and allows access to the contents of the receptacle. A needle-free fitting allows a mating device to be coupled to the sampling port. A valve automatically closes to prevent the sample from escaping through the sampling port when a mating device is not coupled.

Claims

1. A collection container for a liquid sample, the collection container comprising:

a receptacle having an open top;

a lid removably coupled to the top of the receptacle;

a sampling port formed in the lid, the sampling port including an opening;

an aspiration tube coupled to the opening of the sampling port, the aspiration tube reaching at least near a bottom of the receptacle;

a valve coupled to a top end of the aspiration tube, the valve having a closed configuration which prevents the liquid sample from escaping through the aspiration tube, the valve having an open configuration which allows the liquid sample to be transferred through the aspiration tube when a mating device is coupled to the valve; and

a fitting coupled to a top end of the valve, the fitting capable of being removably coupled to the mating device.

2. The collection container of claim 1, wherein the sampling port includes a recess formed in the lid.

3. The collection container of claim 1, wherein the valve is a luer activated checkvalve.

4. The collection container of claim 1, wherein the fitting is a needle-free connector.

5. The collection container of claim 1, wherein the fitting is a luer connector.

6. The collection container of claim 1, wherein the fitting does not protrude from a top of the lid.

7. The collection container of claim 1, further comprising:

a sleeve removably coupled to the aspiration tube, the sleeve covering the aspiration tube.

8. The collection container of claim 7, wherein the sleeve extends past a bottom of the aspiration tube.

9. A collection container for a liquid sample, the collection container comprising:

a receptacle having an open top;

a lid removably coupled to the top of the receptacle;

a sampling port formed in the lid, the sampling port including an opening;

an aspiration tube coupled to the opening of the sampling port, the aspiration tube reaching at least near a bottom of the receptacle; and

a means for removably coupling to a mating device, the means for removably coupling being coupled to a top of the aspiration tube.

10. The collection container of claim 9, wherein the sampling port includes a recess formed in the lid.

11. The collection container of claim 9, wherein the means for removably coupling is needle-free.

12. The collection container of claim 9, wherein the means for removably coupling does not protrude from a top of the lid.

13. The collection container of claim 9, further comprising:

a sleeve removably coupled to the aspiration tube, the sleeve covering the aspiration tube.

14. The collection container of claim 13, wherein the sleeve extends past a bottom of the aspiration tube.

15. The collection container of claim 9, further comprising:

a means for automatically closing the opening of the sampling port when a mating device is not coupled to the means for removably coupling.

16. A method for collecting a liquid sample, the method comprising:

providing a receptacle having an open top;

removing a lid removably coupled to the top of the receptacle;

placing the lid on a surface;

depositing the liquid sample into the receptacle;

picking the lid up from the surface;

removing a sleeve from an aspiration tube coupled to an opening of a sampling port formed in the lid; and

coupling the lid to the top of the receptacle to seal the receptacle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

coupling a mating device to a fitting coupled to a top of the aspiration tube; and

using the mating device to transfer a portion of the liquid sample through the aspiration tube into the mating device.