Patent Application
20180311662
The present application relates generally to the technical field of test tubes, and more specifically, to the technical field of a double bottom test tube having a pair of rounded end sections which connect together, the double bottom test tube reduces the possibility of contamination during the process of centrifugation of a specimen.
Test tubes are generally tubular containers of varying lengths made out of glass or a clear plastic material. Test tubes usually have an open top and a rounded closed bottom. Test tubes are generally used to hold and/or culture different specimens for analysis. A stopper, flat top seal, or similar device may be used to seal the open top of the test tube to prevent the escape of contents placed therein.
When collecting biological and/or environmental specimens to be placed within the test tube, a collection device may be used. The collection device may be a cellulose collection device which is able to absorb/collect the specimen. Most cellulose collection devices are formed of a cellulose sponge having a non-porous stick extending out of one end. When a sample has been collected, the collection device is placed in the test tube with the collection portion, cellulose sponge in the above example, placed in rounded closed bottom section of the test tube. The test tube may then be sealed with the stopper or flat top seal. Prior to centrifuging the collected specimen, one must remove the stopper or flat top seal and reposition the collection device so that the collection portion, is positioned at the top open end of the test tube. This may allow the specimen to be centrifuged into the rounded closed bottom section of the test tube and prevents the collection portion from reabsorbing the specimen after centrifuging. The repositioning of the collection device within the test tube is a potential source of contamination and may cause unnecessary work in the extraction of the specimen. It further causes additional personnel time burden on processing the specimen.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that overcomes the above. The system and method would allow one to centrifuge specimens without the need to reposition the collection device within the test tube.
In accordance with one embodiment, a double bottom test tube is disclosed. The device has a first tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end and a second tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end. The open end of the first tubular section is couplable to the open end of the second tubular section.
In accordance with one embodiment, a double bottom test tube is disclosed. The double bottom test tube device has a first tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end and a second tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end. A connector secures the open end of the first tubular section to the open end of the second tubular section. A collection device is sized to fit within the double bottom test tube.
In accordance with one embodiment, a method of using a double bottom test tube is disclosed. The method comprises: collecting a specimen on an absorbent section of a collection device; inserting the collection device into the double bottom test tube, the double bottom test tube having a first tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end and a second tubular section having an open end and a rounded closed end, the absorbent section inserted into one of the rounded closed end of the first section or the rounded closed end of the second section; securing the open end of the first section to the open end of the second section; and centrifuging the double ended test tube wherein the centrifuged sample collects in an opposite end of the double ended test tube holding the absorbent section.
The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present application but rather illustrate certain attributes thereof. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions an sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.
Embodiments of the exemplary system and method disclose a double bottom test tube having a pair of rounded end sections which connect together. The double bottom test tube reduces the possibility of contamination during the process of centrifugation of a specimen as the double bottom test tube does not require the repositioning of the collection device within the double bottom test tube as in prior art test tubes.
Referring to
The open end 12A of the first section 12 may be coupled to the open end 14A of the second section 14 to form a seal that prevents the contents stored within the test tube 10 from leaking out. Connections 15 such as male/female connections, screw type connections, or similar connections may be formed on the open end 12A of the first section 12 and the open end 14A of the second section 14 to couple the open end 12A of the first section 12 to the open end of 14A of the second section 14. In accordance with one embodiment, a connector 16 may be used to secure the first section 12 to the second section 14. The connector 16 may be used to secure the open end 12A of the first section 12 to the open end 14A of the second section 14 and form a seal that prevent the contents stored within the test tube 10 from leaking out. The connector 16 may be removable. In the embodiment shown in
In accordance with one embodiment, the connector 16 may be a flange seal 16A. The flange seal 16A may have a pair of channels 18 which runs along an interior perimeter of the flange seal 16A. One of the channels 18 may mate with a lip 12C formed around an outer perimeter of the open end 12A of the first section 14 so that the lip 12C fits within one of the channels 18. Another of the channels 18 may mate with a lip 14C formed around an outer perimeter of the open end 14A of the second section 14 so that the lip 14C fits within one of the channels 18. The lips 12C and 14C may form a seal with the flange seal 16A that prevents the contents of the test tube 10 from leaking out. The above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The connector 16 may take on other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the connector 16 may be a screw type connector, a male/female connector, or the like
The test tube 10 may have a collection device 18. The collection device 18 may have an absorbent section 20. The absorbent section 20 may be used to absorb/collect a specimen. The absorbent section 20 may be a non-reactive sponge, cellulose fiber material, or similar device. A handle 22 may extend from the absorbent section 20. In accordance with one embodiment, the handle 22 may be a non-porous, non-absorbent stick which extends out of one end of the absorbent section 20. The handle 22 must not be able to absorb fluids or components of fluids from the sample.
The test tube 10 may have a cap 24. The cap 24 may be used to place over and cover the open end 12A of the first section 12 or the open end 14A of the second section 14. The cap 24 may be a rubber stopper, a flat top cap, or similar device. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
Once the first section 12 is secured to the second section 14, the test tube 10 may be centrifuged. The test tube 10 should be positioned within a centrifuge so that the end containing the absorbent section 20 is positioned upright allowing the specimen to collect at the opposing end where the absorbent section 20 is not present. Thus, in the embodiment shown in
Once the specimen is centrifuged, the first section 12 is separated from the second section 14. In accordance with one embodiment, the connector 16 may be removed. After separating the first section 12 from the second section 14, the collection device 18 may be removed from the test tube 10. The cap 24 may then be placed over the open end 12A of the first section 12 if the first section 12 is used to collect the centrifuged sample or over the open end 14A of the second section 14 if the second section 14 is used to collect the configured sample. Alternatively, instead of using the cap 24, the second section 14 may be reattached to the first section 12 to store and prevent contamination of the centrifuge specimen.
The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the application.
This patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/602,566 filed Apr. 28, 2017, entitled “Double-Bottom Test Tube Kit” in the name of the Elizabeth Ann Sams, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62602566 | Apr 2017 | US |
