US4589421A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sampling device
Assignee: Syntex USA LLC
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Filing: 1984-03-14
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2004-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A sampling device is disclosed. The device comprises a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting and dispensing a liquid at one end of the tube and a second orifice at the other end of the tube. A chamber encloses the second orifice. The device has a small opening to the outside atmosphere, other than the first orifice, communicating with the capillary tube. Also included is substantially non-compressible means movable with respect to said opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forcing air from said chamber through said capillary tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin F. Ullman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/15; A61B5/150007; A61B5/150343; A61B5/150015; A61B5/150022; A61B5/150206; A61B5/150213; A61B5/150221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillarity a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, an means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forcing air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillarity a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, an means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forcing air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said capillary tube is movable within said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2 which further includes means for frictionally retaining said tube in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said opening is in said means defining a chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said chamber and said means defining a substantially rigid movable means form a single element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said capillary tube is telescopically movable in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 which further includes sealing means within said chamber cooperative with said substantially rigid movable means to prevent pressure equalization in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the capacity of said capillary tube is from about 0.1 to 100 microliters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 which further includes a breakable capsule in said chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a collection tube having a capillary passage with an orifice at one end for collecting a predetermined volume of a liquid by capillary action and dispensing said predetermined volume of liquid and a second orifice at the other end thereof, a means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, said means defining a chamber having an opening, in addition to the opening provided by said capillary passage, providing pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of said chamber, and substantially non-compressible movable means adjacent said second orifice, said substantially non-compressible movable means means and said tube being in a first position allowing pressure equalization through said opening, said substantially non-compressible movable means means and said tube being manipulatable to a second position concomitantly preventing pressure equalization through said opening and defining a chamber volume which is greater than said predetermined volume of said capillary passage whereby said predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed from said collection tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
162 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a collection tube having a capillary passage with an orifice at one end for collecting a predetermined volume of a liquid by capillary action and dispensing said predetermined volume of liquid and a second orifice at the other end thereof, a means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, said means defining a chamber having an opening, in addition to the opening provided by said capillary passage, providing pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of said chamber, and substantially non-compressible movable means adjacent said second orifice, said substantially non-compressible movable means means and said tube being in a first position allowing pressure equalization through said opening, said substantially non-compressible movable means means and said tube being manipulatable to a second position concomitantly preventing pressure equalization through said opening and defining a chamber volume which is greater than said predetermined volume of said capillary passage whereby said predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed from said collection tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
136 words
A sampling device, which comprises a housing, a collection tube telescopically movable in a chamber in said housing and having a capillary passage and a collection and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube enclosed by said housing wherein said collection tube has a volume for collecting a liquid therein by capillary action, said housing having an opening providing for pressure equalization to said chamber thus permitting capillary action along said capillary passage, when said tube and said housing are in an extended position, said tube and said housing being movable from said extended position to a retracted position concomitantly preventing said pressure equalization through said opening and requiring pressure equalization to said chamber through said capillary passage whereby liquid in said collection tube is dispensed therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
A sampling device, which comprises a housing, a collection tube telescopically movable in a chamber in said housing and having a capillary passage and a collection and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube enclosed by said housing wherein said collection tube has a volume for collecting a liquid therein by capillary action, said housing having an opening providing for pressure equalization to said chamber thus permitting capillary action along said capillary passage, when said tube and said housing are in an extended position, said tube and said housing being movable from said extended position to a retracted position concomitantly preventing said pressure equalization through said opening and requiring pressure equalization to said chamber through said capillary passage whereby liquid in said collection tube is dispensed therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the dimensions of said chamber and position of said opening are such as to provide a chamber volume, when pressure equalization no longer exists to said chamber through said opening, which volume is greater than a predetermined volume of said capillary passage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a collection tube having a capillary passage with a collecting and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube wherein said collection tube has a volume for collecting a fluid therein by capillary action a means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, said means defining a chamber having an opening, in addition to said capillary passage, providing pressure equalization of the chamber with respect to the atmosphere, and substantially non-compressible means for moving at least a portion of said chamber in the direction of said collecting and dispensing orifice and simultaneously sealing said opening and forcing fluid in said means defining a chamber through said passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sampling device, which comprises-- a collection tube having a capillary passage with a collecting and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube wherein said collection tube has a volume for collecting a fluid therein by capillary action a means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, said means defining a chamber having an opening, in addition to said capillary passage, providing pressure equalization of the chamber with respect to the atmosphere, and substantially non-compressible means for moving at least a portion of said chamber in the direction of said collecting and dispensing orifice and simultaneously sealing said opening and forcing fluid in said means defining a chamber through said passage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said chamber and said means for moving form a single element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said collection tube is telescopically movable in said chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the dimensions of said chamber and position of said opening are such as to provide a volume, when said opening is sealed by said substantially non-compressible means means, greater than a predetermined volume of said capillary passage.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for use in a diagnostic test which comprises-- a housing having front and rear portions, a diagnostic test device mounted on a portion of said housing, a collection tube telescopically movable in a chamber in another portion of said housing, said collection tube having a capillary passage and a collecting and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube enclosed by said housing, said housing having an opening providing for pressure equalization to said chamber and permitting capillary flow along said capillary passage, said tube being movable with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and force air from said chamber through said capillary passage thereby dispensing said liquid from said collection tube.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for use in a diagnostic test which comprises-- a housing having front and rear portions, a diagnostic test device mounted on a portion of said housing, a collection tube telescopically movable in a chamber in another portion of said housing, said collection tube having a capillary passage and a collecting and dispensing orifice at one end and a second orifice at the other end of said tube enclosed by said housing, said housing having an opening providing for pressure equalization to said chamber and permitting capillary flow along said capillary passage, said tube being movable with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and force air from said chamber through said capillary passage thereby dispensing said liquid from said collection tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
179 words
A sampling device comprising a transparent tube having a narrow bore capillary passage of uniform cross-section extending therethrough, said capillary passage being of a predetermined volumetric capacity within the range of 0.1 to 100 microliters and being fillable under forces of capillary attraction when the intake end thereof is contacted with body of liquid to be sampled, at least the upper end of said tube being movable enclosed within a chamber in a substantially non-compressible housing, said housing having an opening in the wall thereof whereby, when said opening is in communication with the outside of said housing, said capillary passage may be completely filled with a liquid sample of a predetermined volume by inserting the lower end of the device into a body of liquid and whereby, when said opening is sealed by the movement of said housing with respect to said tube and communication with the outside of said housing is prevented, said capillary passage may be completely emptied by further movement of said housing with respect to said tube by forcing air through said capillary passage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
179 words
A sampling device comprising a transparent tube having a narrow bore capillary passage of uniform cross-section extending therethrough, said capillary passage being of a predetermined volumetric capacity within the range of 0.1 to 100 microliters and being fillable under forces of capillary attraction when the intake end thereof is contacted with body of liquid to be sampled, at least the upper end of said tube being movable enclosed within a chamber in a substantially non-compressible housing, said housing having an opening in the wall thereof whereby, when said opening is in communication with the outside of said housing, said capillary passage may be completely filled with a liquid sample of a predetermined volume by inserting the lower end of the device into a body of liquid and whereby, when said opening is sealed by the movement of said housing with respect to said tube and communication with the outside of said housing is prevented, said capillary passage may be completely emptied by further movement of said housing with respect to said tube by forcing air through said capillary passage.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sample device which comprises: a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillary a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forcing air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with said collecting and dispensing orifice of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary tube by capillary action, manipulating said substantially rigid movable means with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and dispense the sample through said collecting and dispensing orifice.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sample device which comprises: a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillary a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forcing air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with said collecting and dispensing orifice of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary tube by capillary action, manipulating said substantially rigid movable means with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and dispense the sample through said collecting and dispensing orifice.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sampling device which comprises: a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillarity a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forming air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid, said chamber means and substantially rigid movable means forming a single element, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with said collecting and dispensing orifice of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary tube by capillary action, manipulating said single element with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and dispense the sample through said collecting and dispensing orifice.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sampling device which comprises: a capillary tube having a first orifice for collecting by capillarity a predetermined amount of a liquid and dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid and a second orifice at its other end, means defining a chamber enclosing said second orifice, means defining an opening to the outside atmosphere, other than said first orifice, communicating with said capillary tube, and substantially rigid means movable with respect to said means defining an opening for concomitantly sealing said opening and forming air from said chamber through said capillary tube thereby dispensing said predetermined amount of liquid, said chamber means and substantially rigid movable means forming a single element, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with said collecting and dispensing orifice of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary tube by capillary action, manipulating said single element with respect to said opening to concomitantly seal said opening and dispense the sample through said collecting and dispensing orifice.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sampling device which comprises: a transparent tube having a narrow bore capillary passage of uniform cross-section extending therethrough, said capillary passage being of a predetermined volumetric capacity within the range of 0.1 to 100 microliters and being fillable under forces of capillary attraction when the intake end thereof is contacted with a body of liquid to be sampled, at least the upper end of said tube being movably enclosed within a chamber in a substantially non-compressible housing, said housing having an opening in the wall thereof whereby, when said opening is in communication with the outside of said housing, said capillary passage may be completely filled with a liquid sample of a predetermined volume by inserting the lower end of the device into a body of liquid, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with the intake end of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary passage by capillary action, and manipulating said housing with respect to said tube whereby said opening is sealed and communication with the outside of said housing is prevented and said capillary passage may be completely emptied by further movement of said housing with respect to said tube by forcing air through said capillary passage.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for collecting and dispensing a sample, using a sampling device which comprises: a transparent tube having a narrow bore capillary passage of uniform cross-section extending therethrough, said capillary passage being of a predetermined volumetric capacity within the range of 0.1 to 100 microliters and being fillable under forces of capillary attraction when the intake end thereof is contacted with a body of liquid to be sampled, at least the upper end of said tube being movably enclosed within a chamber in a substantially non-compressible housing, said housing having an opening in the wall thereof whereby, when said opening is in communication with the outside of said housing, said capillary passage may be completely filled with a liquid sample of a predetermined volume by inserting the lower end of the device into a body of liquid, said method comprising the steps of: contacting the sample with the intake end of the device, allowing the sample to traverse said capillary passage by capillary action, and manipulating said housing with respect to said tube whereby said opening is sealed and communication with the outside of said housing is prevented and said capillary passage may be completely emptied by further movement of said housing with respect to said tube by forcing air through said capillary passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |