Patent US4635488A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4635488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nonintrusive body fluid samplers and methods of using same
Assignee: Schleicher and Schuell Bioscience Inc
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Filing: 1984-12-03
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Granted: 1987-01-13
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Expires: 2004-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A body fluid sampling device including a hollow tube with a solid, porous, water-wettable nonfibrous nib mounted in and protruding from one end of the tube for collecting, by absorption, a sample of a body fluid such as sweat, tears, or saliva. The sample may be extracted from the nib for analysis by supplying an extraction fluid to the interior of the tube for gravity or vacuum-assisted flow out through the nib. Alternatively, an elongated analysis element such as a strip of paper or a packed column, e.g. containing an agent that changes appearance to indicate the presence of a substance to be detected, may be disposed in the tube for endwise contact with the nib to receive the sample (or components thereof) by absorption.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Kremer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; A61B10/0051; A61B10/0064; A61B2010/0003; A61B2010/0006; A61B2010/0009; A61B2010/0067; B; B01; B01L; B01L2300/00; B01L2300/06; B01L2300/069; B01L2300/16; B01L2300/161; B01L2400/00; B01L2400/04; B01L2400/0403; B01L2400/0406; B01L2400/0457; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/502; B01L3/5029; G01N1/14; G01N2001/1472; G01N2001/149; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for nonintrusively collecting a sample of a fluid such as sweat, tears or saliva, comprising: (a) a hollow tube having at least one open end; and (b) a collecting nib secured in said one end of said tube and having an inner extremity facing the interior of the tube and an outer tip projecting beyond said one end of the tube for contact with a fluid to be collected, said nib comprising a solid, nonfibrous, porous, water-wettable body a porosity sufficient for absorption therein of the fluid to be collected, and said nib and said one end of said tube being mutually arranged to permit passage of fluid between the exterior and the interior of the tube at said one end only through the nib body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for nonintrusively collecting a sample of a fluid such as sweat, tears or saliva, comprising: (a) a hollow tube having at least one open end; and (b) a collecting nib secured in said one end of said tube and having an inner extremity facing the interior of the tube and an outer tip projecting beyond said one end of the tube for contact with a fluid to be collected, said nib comprising a solid, nonfibrous, porous, water-wettable body a porosity sufficient for absorption therein of the fluid to be collected, and said nib and said one end of said tube being mutually arranged to permit passage of fluid between the exterior and the interior of the tube at said one end only through the nib body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube has a second open end opposed to said one open end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 2, further including a cap for closing said second open end of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 3, further including a second cap for externally enclosing the nib and said one open end of said tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the nib body is fabricated of a material selected from the class consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the nib body and the tube are bonded together by ultrasonic welding at said one end of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the nib body is press-fitted into said one end of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the nib body and the tube are joined by heat sealing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said nib tip is substantially pointed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said nib tip is substantially rounded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said nib incorporates an agent capable of changing color on contact with a substance to be detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube is formed with an external annular ledge facing said one end to serve as a bearing surface for support of the tube in upright position with the nib oriented downwardly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube has a second open end opposed to said one open end, and further including a cap for closing said second open end, and an elongated, absorbent, substantially rigid analysis element extending through the tube for fluid-transferring contact with the inner extremity of the nib to receive and absorb fluid collected by the nib; and wherein said analysis element has a proximal end mounted in said cap and a distal end disposed for contact with said nib inner extremity when said cap is in position closing said second open end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said analysis element comprises a strip of web material having a distal end secured to said nib.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said analysis element comprises a strip of web material, and, mounted at the distal end thereof, a porous absorbent solid body disposed for fluid-transferring contact with the inner extremity of the nib.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as defined in claim 15, wherein said last-mentioned body is hydrophobic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said analysis element comprises a packed column having a distal end secured to said nib.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said analysis element comprises a packed column and, mounted at the distal end thereof, a porous absorbent solid body disposed for fluid-transferring contact with the inner extremity of the nib.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as defined in claim 18, wherein said last-mentioned body is hydrophobic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said analysis element incorporates an agent which undergoes an observable change upon contact with a substance to be detected, and wherein said tube is transparent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube has a second open end opposed to said one open end, and further including a cap for closing said second open end, and a packed columm of particules filling said tube and in fluid-transferring contact with the inner extremity of said nib, said particules comprising an agent which undergoes an observable change upon contact with a substance to be detected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube has a second open end opposed to said one open end, and further including a cap for closing said second open end, a porous absorbent hydrophobic solid body disposed within the tube in fluid-transferring contact with the inner extremity of the nib, and a packed column of particles filing said tube and in fluid-transmitting contact with said hydrophobic solid body, said particles comprising an agent which undergoes an observable change upon contact, or subsequent development, with a substance to be detected.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tube is shaped and dimensioned for insertion in the human mouth with said tip positioned under the tongue for collection of a sample of saliva.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-12 | 1990-07-14 | 1991-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-12 | 1994-07-14 | 1995-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-12 | 1998-07-14 | 1999-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |