Disposable sampling device for particle counting apparatus

• US 6,387,328 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boule Medical AB (Boule Diagnostics AB)
• Original Assignee: Boule Medical AB (Boule Diagnostics AB)
• Inventors: Berndtsson, Ingemar
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLENHORST, MAUREEN
• Application Number:
  US09/446,918
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 422/68.1, 422/73, 422/81, 422/100, 422/103, 436/52, 436/63, 436/179, 436/180, 435/287.1, 435/287.3, 73/617.1, 738/642.1, 738/642.2, 738/648.1, 738/648.3, 738/648.7, 738/655
• US Class Current: 422/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A disposable sampling device for an apparatus for counting particles contained in a liquid, including a solid block-shaped housing connectable in a defined position to the apparatus. The housing has a member for introducing a sample therein, a device for metering a defined volume of the sample, and a chamber for containing a defined volume (V) of a diluting liquid. A diluting chamber is provided together with a device for simultaneously directing the defined volume of a sample and the defined volume of diluting liquid to the diluting chamber for obtaining therein a diluted sample. A device is provided for directing at least a portion of the diluted sample past a particle detecting member, and a signal transmitting member connects the particle detecting member and terminal member located at an outer boundary of the housing in a position corresponding to a location of a terminal member of the apparatus when the housing is connected thereto in the defined position.

Claims

1. A disposable sampling device which connects to a separate apparatus for counting particles contained in a liquid collected into said sampling device, said device comprising:

a housing having therein;

a.) a sample inlet in an outer wall of said housing;

b.) means for introducing a sample from a source of said liquid into said sampling device through said inlet;

c.) means for metering a defined volume of said sample connected to said introducing means;

d.) a cylinder formed in said housing and having a piston movable there along, said piston having actuating means for imparting movement to said piston;

wherein said cylinder and piston are connected to said metering means and dose a defined volume of a diluting liquid to said metering means for diluting said defined volume of sample located in the metering means;

e.) a dilution chamber connectable to said metering means;

f.) valve means comprising a valve chamber and a valve body for directing said defined volume of said sample and said defined volume of said diluting liquid located in said metering means to said dilution chamber;

wherein said valve body is provided in said valve chamber and said metering means are provided in said valve body;

said valve body being positionable in a first position connecting said sample inlet with said metering means, and in a second position connecting said cylinder through said metering means with said dilution chamber;

g.) conduit means formed within said housing interconnecting said sample inlet, said valve chamber, said cylinder and said dilution chamber;

h.) a measuring conduit formed in said housing connected to said cylinder and having particle detecting means therein; and

i.) signal transmitting means connecting said particle detecting means with terminal means located in an outer wall of said housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said measuring conduit is closed by said piston in a first position of said piston.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said piston is operable in a first direction from said first position to a second position, in a second direction from said second position to said first position, in said second direction past said first position to a third position, and in said first direction from said third position to said first position.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said valve body includes means connecting said measuring conduit with atmosphere in said second position of said valve body.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a pump means is connected to said sample inlet in said first position of said valve body.

6. The device according to of claim 1, wherein said sample inlet is adapted to receive a cannula.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said sample inlet is sealable.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said valve chamber is cylindrical and said valve body is rotatable within said valve chamber.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said terminal means is connectable to said separate apparatus for transmitting signals from said particle detecting means thereto.

10. A method for diluting and detecting particles in a sample liquid contained in a disposable sampling device comprising the steps of:

moving a piston in a first direction from a first position to a second position to displace a defined volume of a diluting liquid contained in a cylinder through a metering means into a diluting chamber, said defined volume of said diluting liquid also delivering a defined volume of a sample contained in said metering means to said diluting chamber;

moving said piston in a second direction from said second position to said first position to withdraw a combined volume of said defined volume of sample diluted by said defined volume of diluting liquid from said diluting chamber to said cylinder;

further moving said piston in said second direction past said first position towards a third position, thereby opening a measuring conduit and causing air to be let into said cylinder therethrough; and

moving said piston in said first direction from said third position to said first position, thereby expelling at least a portion of said combined volume through said measuring conduit past a particle detecting means.

11. A disposable sampling device for collecting a sample fluid containing particles to be counted comprising:

a housing having an outer wall with a sample inlet therein for applying a sample of fluid to the device;

said housing having therein

a metering means for collecting a defined volume of sample from the inlet;

a valve body for connecting said metering means to a cylinder;

a piston for dosing a defined volume of diluting liquid held within the cylinder into the metering means thereby forcing the defined volume of sample in the metering means to a dilution chamber for diluting the sample with the defined volume of diluting liquid; and

a measuring conduit means connectable by said valve body to the cylinder upon the cylinder receiving a mixed volume of sample and diluting liquid from the dilution chamber.