Biological fluid transfer device and biological fluid sampling system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11974846
  • Patent Number
    11,974,846
  • Date Filed
    Monday, August 31, 2020
    4 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 7, 2024
    6 months ago
Abstract
A biological fluid sampling transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, assemblies, and systems adapted for use with vascular access devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices, assemblies, and systems adapted for collecting biological samples for use in point-of-care testing.


2. Description of the Related Art

Blood sampling is a common health care procedure involving the withdrawal of at least a drop of blood from a patient. Blood samples are commonly taken from hospitalized, homecare, and emergency room patients either by finger stick, heel stick, or venipuncture. Blood samples may also be taken from patients by venous or arterial lines. Once collected, blood samples may be analyzed to obtain medically useful information including chemical composition, hematology, or coagulation, for example.


Blood tests determine the physiological and biochemical states of the patient, such as disease, mineral content, drug effectiveness, and organ function. Blood tests may be performed in a clinical laboratory or at the point-of-care near the patient. One example of point-of-care blood testing is the routine testing of a patient's blood glucose levels which involves the extraction of blood via a finger stick and the mechanical collection of blood into a diagnostic cartridge. Thereafter, the diagnostic cartridge analyzes the blood sample and provides the clinician a reading of the patient's blood glucose level. Other devices are available which analyze blood gas electrolyte levels, lithium levels, and ionized calcium levels. Some other point-of-care devices identify markers for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE).


Despite the rapid advancement in point-of-care testing and diagnostics, blood sampling techniques have remained relatively unchanged. Blood samples are frequently drawn using hypodermic needles or vacuum tubes attached to a proximal end of a needle or a catheter assembly. In some instances, clinicians collect blood from a catheter assembly using a needle and syringe that is inserted into the catheter to withdraw blood from a patient through the inserted catheter. These procedures utilize needles and vacuum tubes as intermediate devices from which the collected blood sample is typically withdrawn prior to testing. These processes are thus device intensive, utilizing multiple devices in the process of obtaining, preparing, and testing blood samples. Each additional device increases the time and cost of the testing process.


Point-of-care testing devices allow for a blood sample to be tested without needing to send the blood sample to a lab for analysis. Thus, it is desirable to create a device that provides an easy, safe, reproducible, and accurate process with a point-of-care testing system.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a biological fluid sampling transfer device, such as a blood sampling transfer device that is adapted to receive a blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion. After collecting the blood sample, the blood sampling transfer device is able to separate the plasma portion from the cellular portion. After separation, the blood sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The sample stabilizer can be an anticoagulant, or a substance designed to preserve a specific element within the blood such as, for example, RNA, protein analyte, or other element. The blood sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the blood sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.


Some of the advantages of the blood sampling transfer device and the biological fluid separation and testing system of the present disclosure over prior systems are that it is a closed system which reduces blood sample exposure, it provides passive and fast mixing of the blood sample with a sample stabilizer, it facilitates separation of the blood sample without transferring the blood sample to a separate device, and it is capable of transferring pure plasma to a point-of-care testing device. The blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure enables integrated blood collection and plasma creation in a closed system without centrifugation. The clinician may collect and separate the blood sample and then immediately transfer the plasma portion to the point-of-care testing device without further manipulation. This enables collection and transfer of plasma to the point-of-care testing device without exposure to blood. In addition, the blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure minimizes process time by processing the blood within the blood sampling transfer device and without external machinery. Further, for tests which only require small amounts of blood, it eliminates the waste associated with blood collection and plasma separation with an evacuated tube.


In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a biological fluid transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample includes a housing having an inlet port and a transfer port, with the inlet port and the transfer port in fluid communication. The device also includes a mixing channel in fluid communication with the inlet port and the transfer port and shaped to promote mixing of the multi-component blood sample, and a blood separation element disposed between the inlet port and the transfer port. The blood separation element is adapted to restrain a first component of the multi-component blood sample and allow a second component of the multi-component blood sample to pass therethrough.


In one configuration, the first component is a cellular portion of the multi-component blood sample and the second component is a plasma portion of the multi-component blood sample. The mixing channel may include a sample stabilizer. In certain configurations, the inlet port is adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via connection to a blood collection set. In other configurations, the inlet port is adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via connection to a capillary device. In still other configurations, the inlet port is adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via connection to a needle device. In still another configuration, the inlet port is adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via connection to an intravenous line.


Optionally, the device may also include a wicking membrane adapted to cause the multi-component blood sample to flow into the biological fluid transfer device. The transfer port may include a bellows and a septum transitionable between a closed position and an open position, wherein compression of the bellows actuates the septum from the closed position to the open position. The mixing channel may include a sample stabilizer and the biological fluid transfer device may be a plasma preparation cartridge.


In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a biological fluid sampling system, such as a blood sampling system, includes a biological fluid transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample. The biological fluid transfer device includes a housing having an inlet port and a transfer port, with the inlet port and the transfer port in fluid communication. The device also includes a mixing channel in fluid communication with the inlet port and the transfer port and shaped to promote mixing of the blood sample, and a separation element disposed between the inlet port and the transfer port. The separation element is adapted to restrain a first component of the multi-component blood sample and allow a second component of the multi-component blood sample to pass therethrough. The system also includes a first interface removably connectable to the biological fluid transfer device, the first interface being adapted for connection to a first blood collection device. The system further includes a second interface removably connectable to the biological fluid transfer device, with the second interface being adapted for connection to a second blood collection device. The system also includes a packaging member having a compartment sized and adapted to receive the biological fluid transfer device, the first interface, and the second interface therein.


In certain configurations, the first component is a cellular portion of the multi-component blood sample and the second component is a plasma portion of the multi-component blood sample. The mixing channel may include a sample stabilizer. The inlet port may be adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via a blood collection set. In other configurations, the inlet port may be adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via an intravenous line. In other configurations, the inlet port may be adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via a capillary device. In still other configurations, the inlet port may be adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample via connection to a needle device.


The device may also include a wicking membrane adapted to cause the multi-component blood sample to flow into the biological fluid sampling transfer device. The transfer port may include a bellows and a septum transitionable between a closed position and an open position, wherein compression of the bellows actuates the septum from the closed position to the open position. In certain configurations, the mixing channel includes a sample stabilizer and the biological fluid transfer device is a plasma preparation cartridge. Optionally, the first interface includes a spinlock interface. In another configuration, the second interface includes a capillary interface. In yet another configuration, the packaging member includes a blister package.


In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a biological fluid separation and testing system for a multi-component blood sample includes a blood sampling transfer device adapted to receive the multi-component blood sample. The blood sampling transfer device includes a housing having an inlet port and a transfer port, with the inlet port and the transfer port in fluid communication. The device also includes a mixing channel in fluid communication with the inlet port and the transfer port and shaped to promote mixing of the blood sample, and a separation element disposed between the inlet port and the transfer port, the separation element adapted to restrain a first component of the multi-component blood sample and allow a second component of the multi-component blood sample to pass therethrough. The system also includes a blood testing device having a receiving port adapted to receive the transfer port of the blood sampling transfer device for closed transfer of at least a portion of the second component from the blood sampling transfer device to the blood testing device.


In certain configurations, the first component is a cellular portion of the multi-component blood sample and the second component is a plasma portion of the multi-component blood sample. The mixing channel may include a sample stabilizer.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a biological fluid sampling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a first biological fluid collection device.



FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a second biological fluid collection device.



FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a third biological fluid collection device.



FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the biological fluid sampling transfer device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, top view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a biological fluid sampling transfer device and a point-of-care testing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.



FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a septum of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the septum in a closed position.



FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a septum of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the septum in an open position.



FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a blood separation element of a biological fluid sampling transfer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.


For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.


Various point-of-care testing devices are known in the art. Such point-of-care testing devices include test strips, glass slides, diagnostic cartridges, or other testing devices for testing and analysis. Test strips, glass slides, and diagnostic cartridges are point-of-care testing devices that receive a blood sample and test that blood for one or more physiological and biochemical states. There are many point-of-care devices that use cartridge based architecture to analyze very small amounts of blood bedside without the need to send the sample to a lab for analysis. This saves time in getting results over the long run but creates a different set of challenges versus the highly routine lab environment. Examples of such testing cartridges include the i-STAT® testing cartridge from the Abbot group of companies. Testing cartridges such as the i-STAT® cartridges may be used to test for a variety of conditions including the presence of chemicals and electrolytes, hematology, blood gas concentrations, coagulation, or cardiac markers. The results of tests using such cartridges are quickly provided to the clinician.


However, the samples provided to such point-of-care testing cartridges are currently manually collected with an open system and transferred to the point-of-care testing cartridge in a manual manner that often leads to inconsistent results, or failure of the cartridge leading to a repeat of the sample collection and testing process, thereby negating the advantage of the point-of-care testing device. Accordingly, a need exists for a system for collecting and transferring a sample to a point-of-care testing device that provides safer, reproducible, and more accurate results. Accordingly, a point-of-care collecting and transferring system of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter. A system of the present disclosure enhances the reliability of the point-of-care testing device by: 1) incorporating a more closed type of sampling and transfer system; 2) minimizing open exposure of the sample; 3) improving sample quality; 4) improving the overall ease of use; and 5) separating the sample at the point of collection.



FIGS. 1-11 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a biological fluid sampling transfer device or biological fluid transfer device, such as a blood sampling transfer device or blood transfer device 10 of the present disclosure is adapted to receive a blood sample 12 having a cellular portion 14 and a plasma portion 16. After collecting the blood sample 12, the blood transfer device 10 is able to separate the plasma portion 16 from the cellular portion 14. After separation, the blood transfer device 10 is able to transfer the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 to a point-of-care testing device. The blood transfer device 10 of the present disclosure also provides a closed separation system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer.



FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, a biological fluid sampling system, such as a blood sampling system 30 of the present disclosure includes a kit 31 having a blood sampling transfer device 10, a first interface 32 removably connectable to the blood sampling transfer device 10, the first interface 32 adapted for connection to a first blood collection device, a second interface 34 removably connectable to the blood sampling transfer device 10, the second interface 34 adapted for connection to a second blood collection device, and a packaging member 36 having a compartment 38 sized and adapted to receive the blood sampling transfer device 10, the first interface 32, and the second interface 34 therein.



FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, a blood separation and testing system 20 of the present disclosure includes a blood sampling transfer device 10 and a blood testing device or point-of-care testing device 22 engageable with the blood sampling transfer device 10 for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion 16 (FIG. 11) from the blood sampling transfer device 10 to the blood testing device 22. The blood testing device 22 is adapted to receive the plasma portion 16 to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.


Some of the advantages of the blood sampling transfer device and the blood separation and testing system of the present disclosure over prior systems are that it is a closed system which reduces blood sample exposure, it provides passive and fast mixing of the blood sample with a sample stabilizer, it facilitates separation of the blood sample without transferring the blood sample to a separate device, and it is capable of transferring pure plasma to a point-of-care testing device. The blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure enables integrated blood collection and plasma creation in a closed system without centrifugation. The clinician may collect and separate the blood sample and then immediately transfer the plasma portion to the point-of-care testing device without further manipulation. This enables collection and transfer of plasma to the point-of-care testing device without exposure to blood. In addition, the blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure minimizes process time by processing the blood within the blood sampling transfer device and without external machinery. Further, for tests which only require small amounts of blood, it eliminates the waste associated with blood collection and plasma separation with an evacuated tube.


Referring to FIGS. 1-11, a blood sampling transfer device 10 generally includes a housing 50 having an inlet port 52, an outlet port or transfer port 54 in fluid communication with the inlet port 52, a flow channel or a mixing channel 56 in fluid communication with the inlet port 52 and the transfer port 54, a blood separation element 58 disposed between the inlet port 52 and the transfer port 54, a valve or septum 86 disposed at the transfer port 54, an interface connection portion 60, and an exit channel 68. The interface connection portion 60 allows the first interface 32 or the second interface 34 to be removably connected to the blood sampling transfer device 10 to allow for the collection of a blood sample 12 into the blood sampling transfer device 10.


Referring to FIG. 2, a blood sampling system 30 of the present disclosure includes a kit 31 having a blood sampling transfer device 10, a first interface 32 removably connectable to the blood sampling transfer device 10, the first interface 32 adapted for connection to a first blood collection device, a second interface 34 removably connectable to the blood sampling transfer device 10, the second interface 34 adapted for connection to a second blood collection device, and a packaging member 36 having a compartment 38 sized and adapted to receive the blood sampling transfer device 10, the first interface 32, and the second interface 34 therein.


The packaging member 36 includes a body or wall 46 defining a compartment 38. In one embodiment, the body 46 of the packaging member 36 defines a first compartment 40 sized and adapted to receive the blood sampling transfer device 10 therein, a second compartment 42 sized and adapted to receive the first interface 32 therein, and a third compartment 44 sized and adapted to receive the second interface 34 therein. In one embodiment, the packaging member 36 comprises a blister package. In one embodiment, a sealing cover is secured over the packaging member 36 to seal the blood sampling transfer device 10, the first interface 32, and the second interface 34 therein, i.e., the sealing cover provides a substantially impermeable enclosure with respect to packaging member 36, provides a leak prevention and protection enclosure, protects the contents of the blood sampling transfer device 10 and the interfaces 32, 34 contained within packaging member 36, and/or maintains a sealed, sterilized environment within packaging member 36. The sealing cover of the packaging member 36 provides a sufficient seal at a range of temperatures, pressures, and humidity levels. In one embodiment, tamper evidence is also provided by use of a tear strip or other indicating means secured to a portion of the sealing cover and/or packaging member 36 to indicate tampering with the contents of packaging member 36.


In one embodiment, the blood sampling transfer device 10 is a plasma preparation cartridge. In one embodiment, the first interface 32 is a spinlock interface. In one embodiment, the second interface 34 is a capillary collection interface. In one embodiment, the packaging member 36 is a blister package. The system of the present disclosure allows the blood sampling transfer device 10 to receive a blood sample from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, an integral micro-needle device or lancet device 62 (FIG. 6), a blood collection set 100 (FIG. 3), an intravenous line or PICC line 104 (FIG. 4), a capillary device or needle device 106 (FIG. 5), or a finger-stick capillary bed (not shown).


In one embodiment, there are three primary ways a user can collect blood into the blood sampling transfer device 10. For example, these ways may be as follows: 1) venous blood via venipuncture and connecting to a blood collection set 100 or IV with the first interface 32 and a resealable valve or septum (arterial draws may be accomplished by connecting this interface system to an indwelling line); 2) capillary blood via a capillary stick with a lancet on a finger of the patient with the second interface 34; and 3) venous-like blood by using the micro-needle device 62 to puncture the arm of a patient. This universal approach offers the greatest flexibility in allowing the clinician to determine what is best for the patient under his or her care. In other embodiments, there are additional ways a user can collect blood into the blood sampling transfer device 10.


Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the inlet port 52 is adapted to be connected to a blood collection set 100 via the first interface 32 to allow for the collection of a blood sample 12 into the blood sampling transfer device 10. The inlet port 52 may be sized and adapted for engagement with a separate device, such as a needle assembly or IV connection assembly and, therefore, may include a mechanism for such engagement as is conventionally known. For example, in one embodiment, the inlet port 52 may include a luer lock or luer tip for engagement with an optional separate luer mating component of such a separate device for attachment therewith. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the blood collection set 100 may include a luer component 102 for engagement with inlet port 52 of blood sampling transfer device 10. In this manner, the inlet port 52 is connectable to the blood collection set 100 for the collection of a blood sample into the blood sampling transfer device 10. In addition, a mechanism for locking engagement between the inlet port 52 and the blood collection set 100 may also be provided. Such luer connections and luer locking mechanisms are well known in the art. The blood collection set 100 may include a needle assembly, an IV connection assembly, a PICC line, an arterial indwelling line, or similar blood collection means.


Referring to FIG. 7, the inlet port 52 is in fluid communication with the transfer port 54 via the mixing channel 56. The inlet port 52 may also include a resealable septum that is transitionable between a closed position and an open position. With the septum in an open position, a blood sample 12 may flow through the inlet port 52 to the mixing channel 56.


The blood sampling transfer device 10 also includes a layer of sample stabilizer 64. The sample stabilizer can be an anticoagulant, or a substance designed to preserve a specific element within the blood such as, for example, RNA, protein analyte, or other element. In one embodiment, the layer of sample stabilizer 64 may be disposed over the blood separation element 58. In one embodiment, a portion of the mixing channel 56 includes the sample stabilizer 64. In other embodiments, the layer of sample stabilizer 64 may be located anywhere between the inlet port 52 and the blood separation element 58. In this manner, as a blood sample 12 flows through the inlet port 52 and into the mixing channel 56, the blood sampling transfer device 10 provides passive and fast mixing of the blood sample 12 with the sample stabilizer 64.


The blood sampling transfer device 10 includes a blood separation element 58 disposed between the inlet port 52 and the transfer port 54. The blood separation element 58 is adapted to trap the cellular portion 14 of the blood sample 12 within the mixing channel 56 and allow the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 to pass through the blood separation element 58 to the exit channel 68 as shown in FIG. 11.


In one embodiment, the blood separation element 58 may be either hollow fiber membrane filters commercially available, or flat membrane filters, such as track-etch filters commercially available. Membrane filter pore size and porosity can be chosen to optimize separation of clean (i.e., red blood cell free, white blood cell free, and platelet free) plasma in an efficient manner. In another embodiment, the blood separation element 58 includes a lateral flow membrane. In other embodiments, the blood separation element 58 may comprise any filter that is able to trap the cellular portion 14 of the blood sample 12 within the mixing channel 56 and allow the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 to pass through the blood separation element 58 to the exit channel 68.


Referring to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the blood sampling transfer device 10 includes an integral micro-needle device or lancet device 62. The blood sampling transfer device 10 includes a bottom surface 72 defining an opening 70 and a top surface 74. The integral micro-needle device 62 may be positioned adjacent the top surface 74. The lancet or micro-needle device 62 includes a puncturing element 63 and is adapted for movement between a pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element 63 is retained within the housing 50 and a puncturing position wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element 63 extends through the opening 70 of the housing 50. In such an embodiment, the blood sampling transfer device 10 includes a wicking membrane 66 adapted to pull the blood sample through the opening 70 into the blood sampling transfer device 10 after the skin of a patient is punctured by the lancet or micro-needle device 62.


In one embodiment, the bottom surface 72 of the housing 50 includes an adhesive. In such an embodiment, the bottom surface 72 includes an adhesive so that the blood sampling transfer device 10 can be secured onto a skin surface of a patient where a blood sample will be accessed using the lancet or micro-needle device 62. In one embodiment, the adhesive of the bottom surface 72 is protected by a peel-off layer, similar to an adhesive bandage, which would be removed before placing the blood sampling transfer device 10 on the skin surface of the patient's body. A hydrogel or other layer (not shown) could be included to provide some thickness to the bottom surface 72 and help improve the stability of the adhesive seal. Additionally, in one embodiment, the adhesive could include a chemistry to create a more liquid-tight seal, similar to painter's tape technology, where wetting from the paint itself causes a chemical reaction with the adhesive to create a more water-tight barrier to prevent the paint from seeping under the tape. In certain cases, the blood sample collected on a top surface of the adhesive tape may be of better quality than blood samples collected by use of a typical lancet by minimizing contact with the skin surface.


Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the mixing channel 56 comprises a serpentine or spiral shape to promote efficient mixing of a blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion. In other embodiments, the mixing channel 56 comprises other shapes to promote efficient mixing of a blood sample.


Referring to FIG. 8, a blood testing device or point-of-care testing device 22 includes a receiving port 24 adapted to receive the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10. The blood testing device 22 is adapted to receive the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion 16 (FIG. 11) from the exit channel 68 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 to the blood testing device 22. The blood testing device 22 is adapted to receive the plasma portion 16 to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.


As discussed above, the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 may include a valve or septum 86 that is transitionable between a closed position and an open position. With the valve or septum 86 in an open position (FIG. 10), the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 may flow through the transfer port 54 to a blood testing device or a point-of-care testing device 22.


In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the valve 86 may generally include a transfer channel 90, a bellows or deformable wall member 92, and a septum or barrier 94 having a first barrier wall 96 and a second barrier wall 98. Referring to FIG. 9, the valve 86 is in a closed position to prevent the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 from flowing through the transfer port 54. In this manner, the plasma portion 16 is sealed within the blood sampling transfer device 10. Referring to FIG. 10, the valve 86 is in an open position so that the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 may flow through the transfer port 54 to a blood testing device or a point-of-care testing device 22.


Referring to FIG. 10, with the plasma portion 16 received within the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10, the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 is then positioned over the receiving port 24 of the point-of-care testing device 22. Pushing down in the direction of arrow B compresses the deformable wall member 92 and opens up the first barrier wall 96 and the second barrier wall 98 of the septum 94 as shown in FIG. 10. With the valve 86 in the open position, the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 is allowed to flow through the transfer port 54 and the receiving port 24 to the point-of-care testing device 22 in a closed manner, reducing exposure to the clinician and the patient.


The valve 86 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 only opens when the transfer port 54 is pressed upon the receiving port 24 of the point-of-care testing device 22. This releases the isolated plasma portion 16 directly into the receiving port 24 of the point-of-care testing device 22, thus mitigating unnecessary exposure to the patient's blood.


Referring to FIGS. 1-11, use of a blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure will now be described. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a user can select one of the ways, sources, or methods that the blood sampling transfer device 10 is able to receive a blood sample. For example, the system of the present disclosure allows the blood sampling transfer device 10 to receive a blood sample from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, an integral micro-needle device or lancet device 62 (FIG. 6), a blood collection set 100 (FIG. 3), an intravenous line or PICC line 104 (FIG. 4), a capillary device or needle device 106 (FIG. 5), or a finger-stick capillary bed (not shown).


Once a desired method or source is selected, the interface connection portion 60 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 allows the first interface 32 or the second interface 34 to be removably connected to the blood sampling transfer device 10 to allow for the collection of a blood sample 12 into the blood sampling transfer device 10. The blood sampling transfer device 10 is designed to be a closed system for blood collection from various collection sites as described above. Once blood enters the blood sampling transfer device 10 from one of the above selected sources, it is mixed with a sample stabilizer as it travels through the microfluidic mixing channel 56 via capillary action. Next, the blood sample 12 travels through the mixing channel 56 and the blood separation element 58 is adapted to trap the cellular portion 14 of the blood sample 12 within the mixing channel 56 and allow the plasma portion 16 of the blood sample 12 to pass through the blood separation element 58 to the exit channel 68 as shown in FIG. 11.


After disconnecting or removing the blood sampling transfer device 10 from the selected source, the blood sampling transfer device 10 may be engaged with a blood testing device 22. The transfer port 54 may be placed over the receiving port 24 of the point-of-care testing device 22 as shown in FIG. 8. The clinician then presses the transfer port 54 against the receiving port 24 of the point-of-care testing device 22 in the direction of arrow B to open the valve 86 (FIG. 10) and to transfer the collected plasma portion 16 to the point-of-care testing device 22 in a closed manner, reducing exposure to the clinician and the patient. The blood testing device 22 is adapted to receive the transfer port 54 of the blood sampling transfer device 10 for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion 16 from the blood sampling transfer device 10 to the blood testing device 22. The blood testing device 22 is adapted to receive the plasma portion 16 to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.


Some of the advantages of the blood sampling transfer device and the blood separation and testing system of the present disclosure over prior systems are that it is a closed system which reduces blood sample exposure, it provides passive and fast mixing of the blood sample with a sample stabilizer, it facilitates separation of the blood sample without transferring the blood sample to a separate device, and it is capable of transferring pure plasma to the point-of-care testing device 22. The blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure enables integrated blood collection and plasma creation in a closed system without centrifugation. The clinician may collect and separate the blood sample and then immediately transfer the plasma portion to the point-of-care testing device 22 without further manipulation. This enables collection and transfer of plasma to the point-of-care testing device 22 without exposure to blood. In addition, the blood sampling transfer device of the present disclosure minimizes process time by processing the blood within the blood sampling transfer device and without external machinery. Further, for tests which only require small amounts of blood, it eliminates the waste associated with blood collection and plasma separation with an evacuated tube.


While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims
  • 1. A multi-component blood sample transfer device comprising: a housing comprising an outlet transfer port, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface defines an inlet opening therethrough, the inlet opening of the housing being in fluid communication with the outlet transfer port;a micro-needle device positioned adjacent the top surface of the housing, wherein the micro-needle device comprises a puncturing element that is moveable with respect to the housing, the puncturing element transitionable between a pre-actuated position and a puncturing position, wherein, in the pre-actuated position, the puncturing element of the micro-needle device is completely retained within the housing, and, in the puncturing position, at least a portion of the puncturing element of the micro-needle device extends through the inlet opening of the housing; anda blood separation element disposed in the housing between the inlet opening and the outlet transfer port, wherein the blood separation element comprises a porous filter having a porosity sized to restrain the cellular components of the multi-component blood sample and allow the plasma of the multi-component blood sample to pass therethrough.
  • 2. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a blood sample stabilizer layer disposed between the inlet opening of the housing and the blood separation element.
  • 3. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 2, wherein the blood sample stabilizer layer comprises an anticoagulant.
  • 4. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a wicking membrane disposed between the inlet opening and the blood separation element, wherein the wicking membrane is positioned to pull the multi-component blood sample through the inlet opening of the housing.
  • 5. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 4, wherein the blood sample stabilizer layer is positioned between the wicking membrane and the blood separation element.
  • 6. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 1, wherein the outlet transfer port comprises one of a valve or septum.
  • 7. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 6, wherein one of the valve or septum is transitionable between a closed position and an open position.
  • 8. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 1, further comprising a mixing channel within the housing, wherein the mixing channel is disposed in the housing between the inlet opening and the blood separation member, and the blood separation member is disposed in the housing between the mixing channel and the outlet transfer port.
  • 9. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 8, wherein the mixing channel is a serpentine shape.
  • 10. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 8, wherein the mixing channel is a spiral shape.
  • 11. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer formed on an exterior surface of the bottom surface of the housing.
  • 12. The multi-component blood sample transfer device of claim 11, further comprising a peel-off layer provided over, and removable from, the adhesive layer.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/425,015, filed May 29, 2019, entitled “Biological Fluid Transfer Device and Biological Fluid Sampling System”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/251,681, filed Apr. 14, 2014, entitled “Biological Fluid Transfer Device and Biological Fluid Sampling System” (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,342,471), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/811,918, filed Apr. 15, 2013, entitled “Medical Device for Collection of a Biological Sample”, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

US Referenced Citations (134)
Number Name Date Kind
3159159 Cohen Dec 1964 A
3322114 Portnoy et al. May 1967 A
3640393 Hurtig Feb 1972 A
3848579 Villa-Real Nov 1974 A
4134512 Nugent Jan 1979 A
4146172 Cullis et al. Mar 1979 A
4436098 Kaufman Mar 1984 A
4511349 Nielsen et al. Apr 1985 A
4627445 Garcia et al. Dec 1986 A
4842591 Luther Jun 1989 A
4999304 Robertson Mar 1991 A
5055203 Columbus Oct 1991 A
5160702 Kopf-Sill et al. Nov 1992 A
5163442 Ono Nov 1992 A
5219999 Suzuki et al. Jun 1993 A
5242606 Braynin et al. Sep 1993 A
5304348 Burd et al. Apr 1994 A
5364533 Ogura Nov 1994 A
5422018 Saunders et al. Jun 1995 A
5578459 Gordon Nov 1996 A
5636640 Staehlin Jun 1997 A
5638828 Lauks et al. Jun 1997 A
5657963 Hinchliffe et al. Aug 1997 A
5690618 Smith et al. Nov 1997 A
5726026 Wilding et al. Mar 1998 A
5733446 Holm Mar 1998 A
5839715 Leinsing Nov 1998 A
5879624 Boehringer et al. Mar 1999 A
5922591 Anderson et al. Jul 1999 A
5979669 Kitajima et al. Nov 1999 A
6063039 Cunningham et al. May 2000 A
6074183 Allen et al. Jun 2000 A
6170671 Kitajima et al. Jan 2001 B1
6264619 Ferguson Jul 2001 B1
6372182 Mauro et al. Apr 2002 B1
6506167 Ishimito et al. Jan 2003 B1
6537242 Palmer Mar 2003 B1
6613064 Rutynowski et al. Sep 2003 B2
6869405 Marsden Mar 2005 B2
7001344 Freeman et al. Feb 2006 B2
7014625 Bengtsson Mar 2006 B2
7378259 Bahatt et al. May 2008 B2
7678580 Kuriger Mar 2010 B2
7803123 Perez et al. Sep 2010 B2
8075496 Deck et al. Dec 2011 B2
8114351 Degenhardt Feb 2012 B2
8158410 Tang et al. Apr 2012 B2
8163253 Hartselle Apr 2012 B1
8211036 Schraga Jul 2012 B2
8267911 Gallogly et al. Sep 2012 B2
8328735 Haar et al. Dec 2012 B2
8383044 Davis et al. Feb 2013 B2
8469984 Ruan et al. Jun 2013 B2
8470588 Boehm et al. Jun 2013 B2
8491499 Choi et al. Jul 2013 B2
8491840 Cho et al. Jul 2013 B2
8764657 Curry et al. Jul 2014 B2
9028425 Burkholz May 2015 B2
9119578 Haghgooie et al. Sep 2015 B2
9295417 Haghgooie et al. Mar 2016 B2
9404075 Pflanz Aug 2016 B2
9517026 Gelfand et al. Dec 2016 B2
9549700 Fletcher et al. Jan 2017 B2
9549701 Peterson et al. Jan 2017 B2
20020009015 Laugharn, Jr. et al. Jan 2002 A1
20020143298 Marsden Oct 2002 A1
20030013205 Konrad Jan 2003 A1
20030134416 Yamanishi et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030232712 Dolecek et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040069459 Tonosaki et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040116830 Trudeau et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040142463 Walker et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040142493 Hutchens et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040143226 Marsden Jul 2004 A1
20040230216 Levaughn et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040252584 Ji Dec 2004 A1
20050004494 Perez Jan 2005 A1
20050015020 Levaughn et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050026301 Petithory Feb 2005 A1
20050133439 Blickhan Jun 2005 A1
20050139547 Manoussakis et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050196872 Nguyen et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050214927 Haley Sep 2005 A1
20050273019 Conway et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060009713 Flaherty Jan 2006 A1
20060029923 Togawa et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060127277 Numajiri Jun 2006 A1
20060160243 Tang et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060228258 Samsoondar Oct 2006 A1
20060228259 Samsoondar Oct 2006 A1
20060229530 Hosoda et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060240964 Lolachi et al. Oct 2006 A1
20070031283 Davis et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070160503 Sethu et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070265549 Channer et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080097315 Miner et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080135502 Pyo et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080176068 Neubert et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080240990 Flaherty Oct 2008 A1
20080287906 Burkholz et al. Nov 2008 A1
20090004060 Omuro et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090105614 Momose et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090120865 Chung et al. May 2009 A1
20090136982 Tang et al. May 2009 A1
20090181411 Battrell et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090204026 Crawford et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090281525 Harding et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090286309 Roderfeld Nov 2009 A1
20100021910 Cao Jan 2010 A1
20100089815 Zhang et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100093551 Montagu Apr 2010 A1
20100198108 Alden Aug 2010 A1
20100241031 Lai Sep 2010 A1
20110009717 Davis et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110058985 Saiki et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110092784 Butler et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110124130 Wagner et al. May 2011 A1
20110124984 Rostaing May 2011 A1
20110134426 Kaduchak et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110263030 Kim Oct 2011 A1
20120016213 Burkholz Jan 2012 A1
20120134974 Sehgal May 2012 A1
20120152858 Yang Jun 2012 A1
20120275955 Haghgooie et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120277696 Gonzalez-Zugasti et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120277697 Haghgooie et al. Nov 2012 A1
20130026085 Samsoondar Jan 2013 A1
20130040333 Karlsson Feb 2013 A1
20130052675 Karlsson et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130082012 Lean et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130086980 Gadini et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130165867 Isaacson et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130175213 Dorrer et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130209331 Rodenfels et al. Aug 2013 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (74)
Number Date Country
1169886 Jan 1998 CN
1262606 Aug 2000 CN
1382966 Dec 2002 CN
1525834 Sep 2004 CN
1846603 Oct 2006 CN
1929782 Mar 2007 CN
1993079 Jul 2007 CN
101102847 Jan 2008 CN
101288592 Oct 2008 CN
101317758 Dec 2008 CN
101332320 Dec 2008 CN
101600963 Dec 2009 CN
101695446 Apr 2010 CN
102429665 May 2012 CN
102573629 Jul 2012 CN
102764133 Nov 2012 CN
202714857 Feb 2013 CN
202844313 Apr 2013 CN
202008010918 Dec 2008 DE
0376168 Jul 1990 EP
0747105 Dec 1996 EP
1096254 May 2001 EP
1106065 Jun 2001 EP
1477804 Nov 2004 EP
1602329 Dec 2005 EP
1627651 Feb 2006 EP
2264453 Dec 2010 EP
2413138 Feb 2012 EP
2929135 Oct 2009 FR
2977808 Jan 2013 FR
51162582 Jun 1950 JP
S544191 Jan 1979 JP
H01297159 Nov 1989 JP
H0275332 Mar 1990 JP
H04276258 Oct 1992 JP
H07500910 Jan 1995 JP
H07503794 Apr 1995 JP
200074908 Mar 2000 JP
200319126 Jan 2003 JP
2004150891 May 2004 JP
2004354387 Dec 2004 JP
2004361419 Dec 2004 JP
2005270729 Oct 2005 JP
2005287955 Oct 2005 JP
2005349195 Dec 2005 JP
200668384 Mar 2006 JP
2006214955 Aug 2006 JP
2006218447 Aug 2006 JP
200750100 Mar 2007 JP
2007249306 Sep 2007 JP
2007315879 Dec 2007 JP
2008157960 Jul 2008 JP
2008302077 Dec 2008 JP
2009128367 Jun 2009 JP
2009264858 Nov 2009 JP
2010505096 Feb 2010 JP
2010146123 Jul 2010 JP
2010147371 Jul 2010 JP
2010237050 Oct 2010 JP
201155916 Mar 2011 JP
2012530256 Nov 2012 JP
2012532683 Dec 2012 JP
2013518276 May 2013 JP
5508709 Jun 2014 JP
1020100007809 Jan 2010 KR
9118656 Dec 1991 WO
9309710 May 1993 WO
2005018710 Mar 2005 WO
2006047831 May 2006 WO
2007002579 Jan 2007 WO
2009123592 Oct 2009 WO
2011040874 Apr 2011 WO
2011093602 Aug 2011 WO
2012121686 Sep 2012 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (4)
Entry
Amasia et al., “Large-volume centrifugal microfluidic device for blood plasma separation”, Bioanalysis, 2010, pp. 1701-1710, vol. 2:10.
Lee, “A fully automated immunoassay from whole blood on a disc”, Lab Chip, 2009, pp. 1548-1555, vol. 9.
Membrane Separation Technology for Research and Quality Control, Sartorius AG, Separation Technology, Laboratory Filtration, Mar. 1, 1997.
Zehnle, “Centrifugo-dynamic inward pumping of liquids on a centrifugal micofluidic platform”, 2012, Royal Society of Chemistry, Lab Chip, pp. 5142-5145, vol. 12.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20200397359 A1 Dec 2020 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
61811918 Apr 2013 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 16425015 May 2019 US
Child 17007875 US
Parent 14251681 Apr 2014 US
Child 16425015 US