Body fluid collection device

Claim 2

A body fluid sampling device comprising: a rigid collection chamber for initially receiving a complete sample of a body fluid from a patient; a rigid sample chamber temporarily connected to the collection chamber; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of the complete sample of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots.

Claim 3

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for establishing comprises: a transfer tube having a collapsible wall; and a hollow needle on the tube for entering the collection chamber and withdrawing body fluid therefrom, and wherein at least a portion of the tube is evacuated.

Claim 4

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 2 wherein the collection chamber is evacuated, and further comprising: a collection tube having a collapsible wall and an end in fluid communication with the collection chamber; a hollow needle on the other end of the collection tube for withdrawing a body fluid sample from a patient; and means for collapsing the collection tube for maintaining vacuum in the collection chamber.

Claim 5

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 1 wherein the collection chamber and sample chamber each comprise a semicylindrical vessel collectively fittable in a centrifuge and stopper means for sealing each chamber for maintaining a vacuum therein.

Claim 6

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 4 wherein the collection chamber and sample chamber are each evacuated, and the means for establishing comprises a hollow needle having a tip imbedded in the stopper means, a transfer tube having a collapsible wall with one end connected to the needle and the other end connected to one of the sample tubes, and means for collapsing the wall of the transfer tube for inhibiting fluid flow therethrough.

Claim 7

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 5 wherein at least a portion of the sample tubes comprise a plastic tube having a sufficiently pliable wall to collapse in response to a vacuum therein.

Claim 8

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 1 wherein the collection chamber is evacuated and free of analysis reagents and wherein at least a portion of the sample tubes contain a body fluid analysis or preservative reagent.

Claim 9

A body fluid sampling device comprising: a rigid collection chamber comprising a cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a cover for the cup-like vessel; a rigid sample chamber comprising a second cup-like vessel temporarily connected to the bottom of the first vessel; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the bottom of the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots.

Claim 10

A body fluid sampling device comprising: a rigid collection chamber comprising a cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a cover for the cup-like vessel; a rigid sample chamber comprising a second cup-like vessel temporarily connected to the bottom of the first vessel; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the bottom of the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots.

Claim 11

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 8 wherein the collection chamber further comprises means for mixing a body fluid therein.

Claim 12

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for mixing comprises a pair of mechanical beaters in the collection chamber having a driving end extending through a side wall thereof.

Claim 13

A body fluid sampling device comprising: a collection chamber comprising an open top vessel having a closed bottom for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a sample chamber temporarily connected to the collection chamber; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots; and a cover on the vessel having an internal closed cavity, said cover including a rupturable portion on a surface inside the collection chamber for establishing fluid flow between the cavity in the cover and the interior of the collection chamber.

Claim 14

A body fluid sampling device comprising: a collection chamber comprising an open top vessel having a closed bottom for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a sample chamber temporarily connected to the collection chamber; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots; and a cover on the vessel having an internal closed cavity, said cover including a rupturable portion on a surface inside the collection chamber for establishing fluid flow between the cavity in the cover and the interior of the collection chamber.

Claim 15

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 11 wherein the collection chamber further comprises means for mixing a body fluid therein.

Claim 16

A body fluid sampling device comprising: an open top collection chamber for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a sample chamber temporarily connected to the collection chamber; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots; a hollow cover on the collection chamber, said cover including a rupturable portion for establishing fluid flow between the hollow of the cover and the interior of the collection chamber; a preserative liquid in the hollow cover; and means for rupturing the cover comprising a plurality of points on the collection chamber for cutting the cover as it is inserted in the collection chamber.

Claim 17

A body fluid sampling device comprising: an open top collection chamber for initially receiving a body fluid from a patient; a sample chamber temporarily connected to the collection chamber; a plurality of evacuated sample tubes in the sample chamber; and means connected to each sample tube for establishing a selective fluid flow interconnection between the collection chamber and each of the sample tubes, respectively, after collection of body fluid in the collection chamber for dividing body fluid therein into selected aliquots; a hollow cover on the collection chamber, said cover including a rupturable portion for establishing fluid flow between the hollow of the cover and the interior of the collection chamber; a preserative liquid in the hollow cover; and means for rupturing the cover comprising a plurality of points on the collection chamber for cutting the cover as it is inserted in the collection chamber.

Claim 18

A sputum collection device comprising; a rigid cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom; a sealed hollow cover on the vessel; a preservative liquid in a hollow in the cover; means on the vessel for rupturing the cover as it is inserted into the vessel; and means for extracting a portion of fluid from the vessel without removing the cover.

Claim 19

A sputum collection device comprising; a rigid cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom; a sealed hollow cover on the vessel; a preservative liquid in a hollow in the cover; means on the vessel for rupturing the cover as it is inserted into the vessel; and means for extracting a portion of fluid from the vessel without removing the cover.

Claim 20

A sputum collection device as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for rupturing the cover comprises a plurality of points in the cup-like vessel for cutting the cover as it is inserted into the vessel.

Claim 21

A sputum collection device comprising: a rigid cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom; a sealed hollow cover for the vessel; a preservative liquid in a hollow in the cover; means on the vessel for rupturing the cover as it is inserted into the vessel; and means in the vessel for mixing sputum and preservative liquid therein.

Claim 22

A sputum collection device comprising: a rigid cup-like vessel having an open top and a closed bottom; a sealed hollow cover for the vessel; a preservative liquid in a hollow in the cover; means on the vessel for rupturing the cover as it is inserted into the vessel; and means in the vessel for mixing sputum and preservative liquid therein.

Claim 23

A body fluid collection device as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for mixing comprises a pair of mechanical beaters in the collection chamber having a driving end extending through a side wall thereof.

Claim 24

A sputum collection device as defined in claim 16 further comprising means for extracting a portion of fluid from the vessel without removing the cover.

Claim 25

A blood collection device comprising: a rigid evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; a rigid evacuated sample chamber containing a reagent; and means for selectively establishing fluid communication between the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber to the sample chamber.

Claim 26

A blood collection device comprising: a rigid evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; a rigid evacuated sample chamber containing a reagent; and means for selectively establishing fluid communication between the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber to the sample chamber.

Claim 27

A blood collection device as defined in claim 19 wherein the means for establishing comprises; a transfer tube having an end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; clamp means for collapsing the wall of the transfer tube; and a hollow needle on the other end of the tube and movable to selectable depths in the collection chamber.

Claim 28

A blood collection device comprising: an evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; an evacuated sample chamber; and means for selectively establishing fluid communication between the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber; and wherein the means for establishing comprises: a plurality of transfer tubes having an end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; a plurality of clamp means for collapsing the walls of the transfer tubes; a plurality of hollow needles on the other end of the tubes and movable to selectable depths in the collection chamber; and a plurality of sample tubes in the sample chamber, each sample tube being associated with a transfer tube.

Claim 29

A blood collection device comprising: an evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; an evacuated sample chamber; and means for selectively establishing fluid communication between the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber; and wherein the means for establishing comprises: a plurality of transfer tubes having an end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; a plurality of clamp means for collapsing the walls of the transfer tubes; a plurality of hollow needles on the other end of the tubes and movable to selectable depths in the collection chamber; and a plurality of sample tubes in the sample chamber, each sample tube being associated with a transfer tube.

Claim 30

A blood collection device as defined in claim 21 wherein at least a portion of the sample tubes comprise a plastic tube having a sufficiently pliable wall to collapse in response to a vacuum therein.

Claim 31

A blood collection device comprising: a rigid evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; and a rigid evacuated sample chamber and means connecting the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber to the sample chamber; and wherein each chamber is in the form of a semi-cylinder, said chambers collectively forming a cylinder fittable in a centrifuge.

Claim 32

A blood collection device comprising: a rigid evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; and a rigid evacuated sample chamber and means connecting the collection chamber and the sample chamber for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber to the sample chamber; and wherein each chamber is in the form of a semi-cylinder, said chambers collectively forming a cylinder fittable in a centrifuge.

Claim 33

A blood collection device as defined in claim 23 wherein the means for removing further comprises a transfer tube having one end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; clamp means for collapsing the wall of the transfer tube; and a hollow needle on the other end of the tube movable to selectable depths into blood in the collection chamber.

Claim 34

A blood collection device comprising: an evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; and means for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber comprising: an evacuated sample chamber, said collection and said sample chamber each being in the form of a semicylinder, said chambers being collectively fittable in a centrifuge; a plurality of transfer tubes having one end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; a plurality of clamp means for collapsing the walls of the transfer tubes; a plurality of hollow needles on the other end of the tubes movable to selectable depths into blood in the collection chamber; and a plurality of sample tubes in the sample chamber, each sample tube being associated with a respective transfer tube, at least a portion of the sample tubes including a blood analysis or preservative reagent.

Claim 35

A blood collection device comprising: an evacuated collection chamber free of analysis or preservative reagents; a collection tube in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber and having a collapsible wall; a blood collection needle on the end of the tube for obtaining a blood sample from a patient; means for collapsing the wall of the tube; and means for removing a sample of blood from the collection chamber comprising: an evacuated sample chamber, said collection and said sample chamber each being in the form of a semicylinder, said chambers being collectively fittable in a centrifuge; a plurality of transfer tubes having one end in the sample chamber and a collapsible wall; a plurality of clamp means for collapsing the walls of the transfer tubes; a plurality of hollow needles on the other end of the tubes movable to selectable depths into blood in the collection chamber; and a plurality of sample tubes in the sample chamber, each sample tube being associated with a respective transfer tube, at least a portion of the sample tubes including a blood analysis or preservative reagent.