Patent Grant
6939514
The invention of this application relates to dispensing a liquid sample and distributing the sample on a surface.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention has particular application to the medical and laboratory diagnostic fields. In these fields, it is often necessary to dispense liquids from conventional containers, such as test tubes, onto a surface, and then distribute the dispensed liquid on the surface. Because the distributing operation can be dangerous if performed with substances that are hazardous, toxic, or infectious, the invention is further related to the field of laboratory and worker safety.
2. Description of the Related Art
The invention is generally related to the following United States patents dealing with dispensing liquids from a container, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,866, Golias, issued Mar. 14, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,065, Golias, issued May 15, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,033, Golias et al, issued May 19, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,174, Golias, issued Aug. 18, 1992.
Other patents in the prior art include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,278, to Fobes, issued on Jan. 30, 1968; U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,528, to Ogle, issued on Jan. 29, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,661, to Kersten, issued on Oct. 25, 1983; U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,355, to Jouillat et al, issued on Jun. 18, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,950, to Crossdale et al, issued on Feb. 11, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,583, to Whitworth, issued on Nov. 17, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,453, to Pope, issued on Feb. 15, 1994.
A task often performed in the chemical and biological field is the dispensing of liquid samples from sealed or unsealed containers, such as test tubes and vacuum tubes. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,453, issued Feb. 15, 1994 to Pope, it is often necessary to isolate the liquid sample from the laboratory technician for safety reasons, such as where the sample is a hazardous, toxic, or infectious substance. Another reason to isolate the sample from the technician is to prevent contamination of the sample.
As further disclosed in the '453 patent, certain tests require the technician to spread a liquid sample on a glass slide. For example, a proper spread or blood distribution is an important hematologic procedure that is required to perform many hematologic diagnoses.
Smearing may be accomplished by a number of prior art techniques, many of which involve a technician's handling of the glass slide containing the sample. One technique of the prior art is for a laboratory technician to wipe a “clean” glass slide together with the slide containing the sample which “smears” the sample on each. This smearing technique can jeopardize both the health of the lab technician and the purity of the sample being smeared. Where the sample is a hazardous substance, the technician must take great care to properly rub the two glass slides together. The slides must not puncture the technician's skin or any protective gloves or coverings which the technician is wearing. Further, the sample must not rub off onto the technician, where it could be contacted or transmitted in the future.
Undesirable contamination of the sample is a problematic characteristic of this prior art technique because it is difficult to isolate each “clean” glass slide from foreign substances.
Another disadvantage of this prior art smearing technique is that it is inefficient and time consuming. The technician is unable to quickly dispense and smear samples because both hands must be used in the smearing step. Thus, the dispensing container must be placed aside by the technician while the smearing step is performed. Therefore, it is difficult to rapidly dispense and smear many samples consecutively.
The '453 patent, previously discussed, discloses a device for dispensing liquid, such as blood, onto a glass slide. The dispensing device disclosed in the '453 patent is undesirable because, while it attempts to address the step of dispensing hazardous blood onto a glass slide, it does not address the step of smearing the hazardous blood onto the slide. The techniques of the prior art must be used with the device of the '453 patent to smear the dispensed blood on the slide, consequently resulting in the problems previously described concerning technician safety, sample contamination, and inefficiency.
What is needed is a method of dispensing and distributing hazardous samples onto a surface, without exposing the technician to the hazardous sample.
What is needed is a method of dispensing and distributing samples onto a surface without contaminating the samples.
What is needed is a efficient method of dispensing and smearing samples onto a surface so that numerous dispense-smear steps can be performed in sequence.
The present invention provides a unique dispenser apparatus designed to allow laboratory technicians to easily dispense and spread samples onto a surface. The dispenser contains a cannula for allowing dispersal of a substance from a container, and also contains an integral paddle that is used to spread the sample immediately following the dispensing of the sample. Using the present invention, a technician may dispense and smear a hazardous blood sample onto a glass slide with a single hand.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for dispensing and distributing samples onto a surface, without exposing the technician to the sample.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for distributing samples onto a surface without contaminating the samples.
It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for dispensing and distributing samples onto a surface so that numerous dispense-spread steps can be performed in rapid sequence.
The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention, together with other advantages which may be attained by its use, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding components:
The present invention provides a dispensing apparatus that may be used with storage devices of the prior art, such as a container or test tube. As used herein the term “distributing” is intended to encompass all devices and mechanisms of any kind which can be used to apply a sample, of any form, onto a substrate. The term “distributing” is further intended to encompass all methods of any kind including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, spreading, crushing, smearing, and regardless of any discontinuity and/or lack of homogeneity or uniformity in the result.
With continued reference to
The exterior of the cannula entrance 353 is preferably constructed as a pointed tip which is sufficiently sharp to pierce a typical rubber stopper or lid. The tip 353 functions to break a seal on a sealed container to allow pressure to equalize between the inside of the container and the outside of the container. Alternatively, an unsealed container with a preformed or predrilled hole or opening in the stopper or covering may be used. In such a case, the pressure is already equalized and the dispensing apparatus 300 is positioned by sliding it through the preformed hole or opening.
As used herein, the term “pierce” is intended to cover all methods of inserting the dispensing apparatus 300, including the case where the tip 353 penetrates through the rubber on the rubber stopper 220 and the case where the stopper has a preformed hole which allows the dispensing apparatus to be easily slid through the rubber stopper 220. In each case the result is that the dispensing apparatus 300 “pierces” the stopper 220.
The ledge 360 is optional when the apparatus 300 is heated to dispense a sample, as discussed below with reference to
A paddle 400 is incorporated into the dispensing apparatus 300 for use in distributing the sample after it has been dispensed. The paddle 400 is preferably perpendicular to the ledge 370 and parallel to the channel 350. The paddle 400 preferably extends past the cannula exit 355.
The channel 350, shoulder 360, ledge 370, and paddle 400 may be formed integrally with each other (as shown) or may be attached separately. Attachment may be by any suitable method such as by glue, cement or snap-fitting. The apparatus is preferably constructed of molded plastic. Alternatively, the apparatus is a single piece of glass or pyrex, formed by known techniques.
Although the exterior 345 of the channel 350 is shown tapered from the ledge 370 to the entrance 353, tapering is not required. The only requirement is that the apparatus 300 be able to fit through or pierce stopper 220, or otherwise pass through a surface of the container from which a sample is desired.
While the channel 350 is not shown tapered, the channel could be tapered. If tapered, the channel 350 is preferably tapered from ledge 370 towards entrance 353 (
The preferred shape of the paddle 400, as shown in
Although a test tube 200 is preferred, any container having a lid or cover which is able to hold apparatus 300 may be used with the present invention, including a vacuum tube. The rubber stopper 220 may be inserted in and around the container 200, as shown, or may be inserted only in the container opening. The liquid 210 may be a hazardous, toxic, or infectious substance, or any other liquid.
In using the present invention, the apparatus 300 is inserted into the lid of the container, such as the test tube 200, as previously shown and described with respect to
Next, a force F is applied to the ledge 370, causing the shoulder 360 to compress the rubber stopper 220. The compression of the rubber stopper 220 causes the pressure inside the test tube 200 to increase. This increase of pressure forces liquid 210 out of the test tube 200 through channel 350, to form a deposit of liquid 390 on the glass slide 380.
Rather than apply a force F directly to the ledge 370, the force could be applied to the paddle 400. This may be performed either by pushing the paddle upwards, or by pushing the test tube downwards so that the paddle is forced against the surface of the glass slide 380. A force applied to the paddle 400 is transferred to the ledge 370 which holds the paddle 400 away from the channel 350 and exit opening 355.
With reference to
If the sample is a substance which solidifies on contact with air, the paddle 400 may have a square edge or circular edge to mash or compress the sample 390.
By tipping the container and applying a force on the container to scrape the sample 390 with the paddle 400 on the dispensing apparatus 300, it is unnecessary to set aside the container 200 in order to find a “clean” glass slide to rub with the sample slide 380. The process of distributing and smearing is therefore greatly simplified.
Because it is unnecessary to rub two sharp glass slides together, the safety of the “smearing” step is increased. The technician may hold the test tube 200 at the end opposite the paddle and still control the paddle and how the sample 390 is spread or smeared. By holding the end of the test tube 200, the technician's hands are kept far away from any hazardous or toxic sample which may be dispensed on the slide 380.
The same apparatus 300 and paddle 400 may be used for multiple samples. This decreases the risk of contamination of samples, since it is unnecessary to introduce a number of foreign slides to rub with the slide 380 on which the sample is dispensed.
Therefore, it is evident that the present invention increases the safety of dispensing samples of hazardous liquids from containers. It also increases the speed and efficiency at which samples can be provided and spread, and at the same time reduces the risk of contamination of the sample.
The prior examples utilize a method of depositing a sample from test tube 200 which involves the application of force to the dispensing apparatus 300. Specifically, force is applied to ledge 370. Where the liquid 210 is a hazardous substance, it is advantageous to use a method not employing the application of physical force to the dispensing apparatus 300.
Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes heat to dispense the sample 390 from the container. Such a method is disclosed in previously mentioned copending application Ser. No. 08/747,045, to Ronald A. Mayes and Tipton L. Golias, filed on even date herewith, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DISPENSING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
With reference to
The hand glove 10 covers the palm and back of the hand, but in the illustrated embodiment does not cover the thumb or fingers. Since it is desired that the glove may be worn by persons of different hand sizes, the glove 10 includes an adjustable strap 40 such that it may be snugly secured over the hand of the person wearing the glove. The strap may be of the hook and loop (Velcro®) type or any other conventional design. The glove 10 also contains a storage compartment 50 to hold an energy source. Typically, the energy source will be a battery 60, although any other conventional type of energy source may be employed.
The finger sleeve 30 contains a resistive heating surface 70. The surface 70 is designed to generate heat in response to the receipt of energy from the battery 60. Preferably, the resistive heating surface 70 is constructed of Kapton, or a similar material which provides suitable heat in response to a low (9 volt) voltage from the battery 60.
As shown in
As shown in greater detail in
In use, current is drawn from battery 60 through battery connector 80 and along wire leads 20. The heating surface 70 increases in temperature when the current flows through the resistive metal elements. The heat from surface 70 radiates through the outer envelope 100. The user may heat samples by merely touching the outer envelope 100 to the sample or container holding the sample, or may place the outer envelope 100 close to the sample or container. The finger of the laboratory technician is insulated from any heat generated by the heating element, by thermal insulation 120. Therefore, the laboratory technician will not be injured if the invention is utilized properly for extended durations of time.
Of course, the glove and sleeve of the present invention are preferably made from nonflammable material to increase safety. For example, hand glove 10 should not burn or harm the user if it is contacted by heating surface 70. Although the glove 10 as illustrated does not cover the fingers of the laboratory technician, a full glove which covers one or more fingers may be desirable, especially if the temperature of the heating surface will be significantly elevated.
The heating surface 70 is preferably contoured such that it conforms to surfaces which are perpendicular or parallel to the finger of the laboratory technician. Thus, minimal effort is needed to make contact between the heating surface 70 of the finger sleeve 30 and a test tube 200 or other container.
As discussed previously, the dispensing of hazardous substances from containers, such as test tubes, must be carefully performed to ensure the safety of the technician performing the dispensing procedure.
As shown in
In this embodiment, the shoulder 360 is not required and is considered optional. In the present description, the shoulder 360 is shown as a preferred embodiment of the invention, and is helpful when the dispensing apparatus 300 is manually inserted into stopper 220. However, a technician or machine could successfully insert the dispensing apparatus 300 properly without the stopping feature offered by the shoulder 360.
In this embodiment, the ledge 370 need not extend completely around the exit opening 355. The only requirement for the dispensing apparatus 300 is that a channel 350 connect the interior of the container to the exterior and that the ledge 370 hold the paddle 400 in a position where it can be used to spread the sample by manipulation of the container 200.
At this point, methods using force would require the technician to generally apply a force or pressure to the system, causing a mechanical reaction and a consequent increase of pressure on the inside of the test tube 200. For example, a technician might apply a force to the dispensing apparatus 300, causing the rubber stopper 220 to flex inwardly. This inward flex would compress the contents of the test tube 200, resulting in a pressure increase on the interior of the test tube 200. The pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the test tube causes liquid to flow through channel 350 and dispense on surface 380.
The heated liquid 210 expands, causing an increase of pressure on the inside of test tube 200. The pressure on the outside of the test tube 200 has not changed, particularly the pressure at the end of channel 350. Thus, a pressure differential is created between the inside and outside of the test tube 200. This pressure differential forces liquid 210 to flow through channel 350 and deposit on surface 380 as a sample 390.
Although
The deposited sample shown in
In the case where the liquid 210 is a hazardous, toxic, or infectious substance, the present method advantageously uses no physical force on the test tube stopper 220. Only a light touching of outer envelope 100 onto the wall of test tube 200 is required.
The technician does not press on the stopper 220, and risk shattering the test tube or causing a leak if excess pressure is used. The technician's hand is kept away from channel 350 at all times during depositing and distributing of the sample, reducing a chance exposure to the harmful substance 210. The entire operation may be performed with one hand, freeing the other hand to provide balance or adjust surface 380. Other advantages of the present invention, not discussed herein, are evident from the previous disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The method to dispose a sample of a liquid, described previously with respect to
As shown in
When using a hazardous liquid, it is advantageous that the technician wears a protective glove (not shown). The glove should be thermally conductive to carry heat from the technician's hand to the test tube 200.
As with the deposited sample shown and described with respect to
Although a technician has been discussed with respect to the previous disclosure of the invention, the simple steps performed by the technician (as described herein) may be performed by an automated or mechanized device, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In the embodiment of
The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the examples described. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are considered to be part of the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the scope of the prior art.
This application is a continuation-in-part of provisional application Ser. No. 60/016,942, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Heating Biological Sample”, by Ronald A. Mayes, filed on May 6, 1996; and a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/548,452, entitled “Test Tube Drop Dispenser”, filed on Oct. 26, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,522 by Ronald A. Mayes (itself a continuation of Ser. No. 08/313,400 filed on Sep. 27, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/060,977, filed May 14, 1993, now abandoned). Each of the foregoing is incorporated by reference. The present invention relates to copending application Ser. No. 08/747,045, to Tipton L. Golias and Ronald A. Mayes, filed on even date herewith, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DISPENSING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2982987 | Knapp | May 1961 | A |
| 3366278 | Forbes | Jan 1968 | A |
| 3788528 | Ogle | Jan 1974 | A |
| 4411661 | Kersten | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4563104 | Saint-Amand | Jan 1986 | A |
| 4811866 | Golias | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4925065 | Golias | May 1990 | A |
| 5024355 | Jouillat et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5086950 | Crossdale et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5114033 | Golias et al. | May 1992 | A |
| 5139174 | Golias | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5163583 | Whitworth | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5286453 | Pope | Feb 1994 | A |
| 5801062 | Sarstedt et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60016942 | May 1996 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 08313400 | Sep 1994 | US |
| Child | 08548452 | US | |
| Parent | 08060977 | May 1993 | US |
| Child | 08313400 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 08548452 | Oct 1995 | US |
| Child | 08747046 | US |
