Multi-vial blood collection system

• US 5,507,299 A
• Filed: 06/13/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patricia D. Roland
• Original Assignee: Patricia D. Roland
• Inventors: Roland, Patricia D.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/259,325
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/762, 128/763, 128/768, 604/258, 604/284, 604/403, 604/415
• US Class Current: 600/575
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• 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

Abstract

A blood collection system is provided for collecting multiple samples of blood into evacuated vials from a single needle insertion site, and comprises a capillary tube system which acts as a regulator so that samples of blood can be collected at a controlled rate, thereby reducing the risk of vein collapse or other patient trauma. The capillary tube system includes a flexible catheter which mounts an intravenous cannula which can be positioned within a blood vessel from which is drawn the blood sample. A plurality of fittings are located along the length of the capillary tube system, and define openings for interfitting needles, which lie within a series of bores that extend axially from the blood collection system. Samples of blood are taken by inserting covered, evacuated vials into the bores of the blood collection system until a needle pierces the cover of a vial. A blood sample drawn from the patient will flow through the flexible catheter and into the capillary tube system and through the attached needles, and is collected into the multiple evacuated vials, while requiring only a single needle insertion into a patient.

Claims

1. A blood collection system for simultaneously collecting multiple samples of blood into collection tubes from a single insertion site of a patient including a site insertion needle and connecting catheter, comprising:

a.) capillary blood collection tubes defining a plurality of capillary tube segments;

b.) a plurality of fittings connected to the tube segments, for engaging and securing an evacuated blood collection vial;

c.) a needle extending from each fitting and adapted to engage and pierce a blood collection vial;

d.) a plastic sheet encasing and providing structural support for the capillary blood collection tubes;

e.) a site insertion needle and connecting catheter connected to the capillary blood collection tubes; and

,

f.) protection plates for closure and support of the capillary blood collection tubes, the protection plates upon closure defining bores for covering the fittings and needles, and upon opening, the capillary blood collection tubes are removable from between the protection plates;

whereby;

i. when the protection plates are closed and the insertion site of a patient is pierced by the site insertion needle, blood will flow from the site insertion needle and catheter to the capillary tube blood collection system and into a blood collection vial;

ii. vials filled with blood are removable from the fittings; and

,

iii. the capillary blood collection tubes and extending needles are encased in the plastic sheet, and the site insertion needle and attached catheter are removable from between the protection plates.

2. The blood collection system of claim 1, including blood collection vials connected to the fittings.

3. The blood collection system of claim 1, in which the capillary blood collection tubes regulate the flow of blood at a controlled rate.

4. The blood collection system of claim 1, including compressor bars for closure of the protection plates.

5. The blood collection system of claim 4, in which the capillary blood collection tubes are attached to a discard bar and can be separated from the protection plates by lifting the compressor bars and pulling on a discard bar.

6. The blood collection system of claim 1, comprising an end fitting mounted on the capillary tube system for attaching an automated phlebotomy device or an actuator operated hydraulic cylinder.

7. The blood collection system of claim 1, in which the capillary tube segments have an inside diameter of about at least 1/32".

8. A method for simultaneously collecting multiple samples of blood into collection tubes from a single insertion site of a patient including a site insertion needle and connecting catheter, the apparatus comprising:

a.) capillary blood collection tubes defining a plurality of capillary tube segments;

b.) a plurality of fittings connected to the tube segments, for engaging and securing an evacuated blood collection vial;

c.) a needle extending from each fitting and adapted to engage and pierce a blood collection vial;

d.) a plastic sheet encasing and providing structural support for the capillary blood collection tubes;

e.) a site insertion needle and connecting catheter connected to the capillary blood collection tubes; and

,

f.) protection pirates for closure and support of the capillary blood collection tubes, the protection plates upon closure defining bores for covering the fittings and needles, and upon opening, the capillary blood collection tubes are removable from between the protection plates;

the method comprising;

i. closing the protection plates and piercing the insertion site of a patient by the site insertion needle, whereby blood will flow from the site insertion needle and catheter to the capillary tube blood collection system and into a blood collection vial;

ii. removing vials filled with blood from the fittings; and

,

iii. removing the capillary blood collection tubes and extending needles encased in the plastic sheet, and removing the site insertion needle and attached catheter from between the protection plates.

9. The method of claim 8, in which several blood samples can be taken in separate intervals, in quick succession, or simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 8, including blood collection vials connected to the fittings.

11. The method of claim 8, in which the capillary blood collection tubes regulate the flow of blood at a controlled rate.

12. The method of claim 8, including compressor bars for closure of the protection plates.

13. The method of claim 12, in which the capillary blood collection tubes are attached to a discard bar and can be separated from the protection plates by lifting the compressor bars and pulling on a discard bar.

14. The method of claim 8, comprising an end fitting mounted on the capillary tube system for attaching an automated phlebotomy device or an actuator operated hydraulic cylinder.

15. The method of claim 8, in which the capillary tube segments have an inside diameter of about at least 1/32".