# US 10,371,609 B2 · Devices and methods for overlaying blood or cellular suspensions

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- Number: US 10,371,609 B2
- Document ID: US10371609B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/237,516
- Filed: 2012-08-09
- Published: 2014-12-04
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-09
- Assignees: Jae Go Kwon
- Applicants: Jae Go Kwon
- Inventors: Jae Go Kwon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371609B2

## CPC

- G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor
- B01L 3/5021: {Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes}
- B01L 3/0293: {for liquids}
- B01L 2200/026: Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
- B01L 2200/0642: Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
- B01L 2300/046: Function or devices integrated in the closure
- B01L 2400/0457: passive flow or gravitation
- B01L 2400/086: using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

## Abstract

A device is described that overlays a first fluid, such as blood or a cellular suspension onto a base material, such as a density gradient. In some embodiments, the fluid layering device includes a cylindrical reservoir, a fluid barrier, a coupling extension, a plunger, and an exhaust vent. The fluid layering device can be coupled through its coupling extension to an open end of a container, such as a conical centrifuge tube, including the density gradient. Once attached, the plunger may be lowered to a position above the surface of the density gradient. A first fluid may flow from the reservoir into the conical tube across the plunger, so that a suitable overlay is formed without substantially disturbing a surface of the density gradient. The plunger may be buoyed upward by the first fluid during operation, providing a constant regulation of flow throughout overlaying, regardless of the care and skill of the user.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A trap insert configured for insertion into a conical container, the trap insert comprising:
a conical opening;
a lip;
a reservoir defined by a partial wall;
an exit chamber;
a cap, the cap comprising:
a flat circular member; and
hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The trap insert of claim 1 wherein the hooks are configured to interact with the lip to limit the downward motion of the cap.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The trap insert of claim 2 further comprising a fluid, a weight of the fluid depressing the cap and exiting through the exit chamber to fill the reservoir and part of the conical opening, a pressure from the fluid causing the cap to rise and seal off a portion of the conical container below the cap.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The trap insert of claim 3 wherein the fluid is blood.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The trap insert of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the conical container comprises spiral notches to control a speed of a float a fluid.

### Claim 6

A system comprising:
an open-ended container; and
a fluid layering device configured control a flow of fluid into the open-ended container, the fluid layering device comprising a trap member inserted into the open-ended container, the trap member comprising:
a conical opening;
a lip;
a reservoir defined by a partial wall;
an exit chamber;
a cap, the cap comprising:
a flat circular member; and
hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the cap comprises:
a flat circular number; and
hooks extending upwards from edges of the circular member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7 where in the hooks are configured to interact with the lip to limit the downward motion of the cap.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 further comprising a fluid, a weight of the fluid depressing the cap and exiting through the exit chamber to fill the reservoir and part of the conical opening, a pressure from the fluid causing the cap to rise and seal off a portion of the container below the cap.