Apparatus for collecting blood samples

• US 8,079,997 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Original Assignee: Fenwal Incorporated (Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA)
• Inventors: Mathias, Jean-Marie, Bernes, Jean-Claude, Coneys, Thomas Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eisenberg, Rebecca E
• Application Number:
  US10/957,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143712A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,636 Days
• Field of Search: 604/6.15, 604/262, 604/403, 604/406, 604407-411, 604/174, 604177-180, 604/158, 604/29, 604/5.03, 604/60.9, 206/438, 602 41- 59, 128/912, 210/646, 210/651
• US Class Current: 604/403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15003 for venous or arterial blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150366 Blood collection bags, e.g. connected to the patient by a catheter comprising means for removing a small sample of collected blood from the bag collection bags as such A61J1/05, A61M1/0209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150572 Pierceable protectors, e.g. shields, caps, sleeves or films, e.g. for hygienic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150732 Needle holders, for instance for holding the needle by the hub, used for example with double-ended needle and pre-evacuated tube,
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0209 Multiple bag systems for separating or storing blood components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0236 with sampling means, e.g. sample bag or sampling port
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

Fluid sampling systems are disclosed. The sampling system has a flexible plastic container defining an interior chamber and an internal flow path comprising a proximal end and terminating in an open distal end. The flow path extends substantially into the interior chamber, providing the only access into and from the chamber.

Claims

1. A biological fluid sampling system comprising:

a flexible plastic bag comprised of two flat sheets melt sealed together substantially along their peripheries and defining an interior chamber;

a tube defining an internal flow path comprising a proximal end and terminating in an open distal end, said flow path extending substantially into and substantially across the entire distance of the interior chamber to allow for substantially complete drainage of said interior chamber, said internal flow path providing the only access into and from said chamber and said open distal end providing the only opening in said internal flow path spaced from said proximal end through which fluid enters and exits said flow path; and

a sample access site external to said bag and communicating with said internal flow path, said access site having separate inlet and outlet ports, each of said ports communicating with said internal flow path.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said outlet port of said access site is accessible by a vacuum tube holder.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said access site includes a seal breakable by said vacuum tube holder.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said internal flow path is defined by a plastic tube, the proximal end of which is physically joined to said access site.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said bag interior chamber has a generally circular profile.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said distal end of said internal flow path terminates within or near the portion of said chamber where fluid for sampling will reside.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said bag has a volume of between 20-50 ml.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said access site comprises a branched connector.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said access site comprises a Y-connector.