One-way evacuated tube stopper
First Claim
1. A stopper adapted for removable mounting in an evacuated tube having an open end for collecting blood samples, the stopper comprising;
- a plug adapted to be mounted in the open end of an evacuated tube so as to normally seal the open end of the tube, the plug having means thereon puncturable by a sample needle to permit access of a blood sample needle therethrough into fluid communication with the evacuated interior of the tube so that blood is collected in the tube from the needle, a normally closed check valve on the plug capable of automatically opening when the needle is inserted through the plug and is subjected to the reduced pressure in the tube and automatically closing when subjected to a predetermined amount of pressure from within the tube such as that caused by backflow thereby preventing any fluid passing into the needle from the tube, the check valve having surfaces thereon cooperating with surfaces on the plug to form a sealed interior chamber therebetween when the valve is closed, and the chamber being positioned to be capable of housing the end of the needle when the needle is inserted through the plug to thereby facilitate operation of the valve in controlling flow into and out of the needle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Stopper for an evacuated tube with an open end for collecting fluid such as blood samples. The stopper includes a plug adapted to be mounted in the opening in the tube so as to normally seal the tube. The plug permits access of a fluid sample needle therethrough into fluid communication with the reduced pressure interior of the tube so that fluid is collected in the tube from the needle. A check valve is on the plug to automatically open when the needle is inserted through the plug and subjected to the reduced pressure in the tube and to automatically close when subjected to a predetermined amount of pressure from within the tube such as that caused by backflow thereby preventing any fluid passing into the needle from the tube. The check valve includes a chamber which can be used as a reagent holder prior to the tube use.
149 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A stopper adapted for removable mounting in an evacuated tube having an open end for collecting blood samples, the stopper comprising;
- a plug adapted to be mounted in the open end of an evacuated tube so as to normally seal the open end of the tube, the plug having means thereon puncturable by a sample needle to permit access of a blood sample needle therethrough into fluid communication with the evacuated interior of the tube so that blood is collected in the tube from the needle, a normally closed check valve on the plug capable of automatically opening when the needle is inserted through the plug and is subjected to the reduced pressure in the tube and automatically closing when subjected to a predetermined amount of pressure from within the tube such as that caused by backflow thereby preventing any fluid passing into the needle from the tube, the check valve having surfaces thereon cooperating with surfaces on the plug to form a sealed interior chamber therebetween when the valve is closed, and the chamber being positioned to be capable of housing the end of the needle when the needle is inserted through the plug to thereby facilitate operation of the valve in controlling flow into and out of the needle.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fluid sample collection container comprising;
- an evacuated tube having an open end, a stopper mounted in the open end of the tube, the stopper including a plug mounted in the opening in the tube so as to normally seal the tube, the plug having means thereon puncturable by a sample needle to permit access of a fluid sample needle therethrough into fluid communication with the reduced pressure interior of the tube so that fluid is collected in the tube from the needle, a normally closed check valve on the plug capable of automatically opening when the needle is inserted through the plug and subjected to the reduced pressure in the tube and automatically closing when subjected to a predetermined amount of pressure from within the tube such as that caused by backflow thereby preventing any fluid passing into the needle from the tube, the check valve having surfaces thereon cooperating with surfaces on the plug to form a sealed interior chamber therebetween when the valve is closed, and the chamber being positioned to be capable of housing the end of the needle when the needle is inserted through the plug to thereby facilitate operation of the valve in controlling flow into and out of the needle.
- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification