Fluid sample collection and introduction device and method

• US 6,010,463 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: i STAT Corporation (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: I-Stat
• Inventors: Rogers, Joseph W., Lauks, Imants R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US08/486,150
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 128/760, 128/763, 128/765, 128/766, 128/770, 128/771, 604/51, 604/52, 604/132, 604/181, 604/183, 604/185, 422/61, 422/68.1, 600/573, 600/576, 600/578-581
• US Class Current: 600/576
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/065 specially adapted for capillary tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums

Abstract

A device and method for collecting a fluid sample and introducing it into a sensing device for real time analysis providing flexibility and simplicity in the way sample fluid sample collection is accomplished and cooperating with a disposable cartridge of the sensing device to permit quick and easy sample introduction and eliminate the risk of sample spillage, an exemplary embodiment of the collection device includes a capillary tube capable of receiving or drawing a fluid sample and introducing the fluid sample into the disposable cartridge, a reservoir chamber capable of receiving a fluid sample and a capillary tube holder capable of supporting one end of the capillary tube in the reservoir chamber to draw the fluid sample by capillary action. Alternative embodiments of the invention are used in combination with the variety of blood collection assemblies employed by the medical industry to collect fluid samples.

Claims

1. A fluid sample collection device comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is different from the second end;

a female luer fitting adapted to the first end of the housing;

a capillary tube having a first end extending into the second end of the housing and fluidly connected to the narrow end of the female luer fitting; and

means for supporting the capillary tube within the housing.

2. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 1, further comprising a means for sealing the female luer fitting subsequent to the capillary tube receiving the fluid sample.

3. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 2, wherein the sealing means includes a luer fitting cap.

4. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 1, wherein the means for supporting the capillary tube includes:

a support element; and

a sleeve supported by the support element, wherein the support element projects outwardly from the sleeve and attaches to the walls of the housing.

5. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 1, further comprising a ledge projecting from the walls of the housing.

6. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 1 wherein the device interfaces with a housing of a sensing device to introduce the fluid sample therein for sensing.

7. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 6, wherein the housing of the sensing device includes:

a component for receiving the collection device, the component having a cavity into which the capillary tube is inserted and a port interfacing with the with the housing of the collection device.

8. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 7 wherein the port includes securing means to secure the collection device to the component.

9. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 7, wherein an air tight relation exists at the interface between the housing of the collection device and the port.

10. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 7 wherein an air tight relation exists between the outside of the capillary tube and the cavity.

11. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 7 wherein the means for supporting the capillary tube includes a sleeve and a first air tight relation exists between the outside of the capillary tube and the sleeve and a second air tight relation exists between the outside of the sleeve and the cavity.

12. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 7, wherein the sensing device includes a sample displacement means for displacing the fluid sample in the collection device by forcing the sample out of the capillary tube and into the sensing device.

13. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 12, wherein a first air tight relation exists at the interface between the housing of the collection device and the port and a second air tight relation exists between the outside of the capillary tube and the cavity such that the first air tight relation, second air tight relation, housing of the collection device and housing of the sensing device form a sealed volume and the sample displacement means includes an air bladder pneumatically connected to the sealed volume.

14. A fluid sample collection device as in claim 12, wherein the means for supporting the capillary tube includes a sleeve and a first air tight relation exists between the outside of the capillary tube and the sleeve and a second air tight relation exists between the outside of the sleeve and the cavity and a third air tight relation exists between the housing of the collection device and the port, such that the first air tight relation, second air tight relation, housing of the collection device and housing of the sensing device form a sealed volume and the sample displacement means includes an air bladder pneumatically connected to the sealed volume.

15. A method of collecting fluid samples with a fluid sample collection device including a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is different from the second end, a female luer fitting adapted to the first end of the reservoir chamber housing for receiving a fluid sample from a fluid delivery system, a capillary tube having a first end extending into the second end of the housing and fluidly connected to the narrow end of the female luer fitting and means for supporting one end of the capillary tube in the housing, comprising the steps of:

collecting a fluid sample with the fluid delivery system;

mating the fluid delivery system with the female luer fitting; and

delivering at least a portion of the fluid sample into the capillary tube with the fluid delivery system.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the fluid sample is analyzed with a disposable sensing device having a housing, wherein the fluid sample collection device interfaces with the housing of the disposable sensing device to introduce the fluid sample therein, and sample displacement means for displacing the fluid sample by forcing the fluid sample from the sample collection device into the housing of the disposable sensing device, comprising the steps of:

interfacing the fluid sample collection device with the housing of the disposable sensing device; and

displacing the fluid sample with the sample displacement means into the housing of the disposable sensing device.

17. The method as in claim 16, the interfacing step comprising:

forming a sealed volume between the housing and the reservoir chamber.

18. The method as in claim 17, the sample displacement step comprising:

forcing air into the sealed volume.