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US 2003/0110870 A1Published application
Continuous fluid sampler and method
OwnerDarrell Lee Bigalkeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aseptic, continuous sampling arrangement used in a fluid transportation system, the arrangement including an elbow pipe and a septum cartridge. The sampling arrangement further including a needle, a tube, and a collection reservoir, arranged such that the collection reservoir is in fluid contact with the fluid transportation system. The sampling arrangement configured to create a non-laminar fluid flow region from which a continuous sample of fluid material is drawn.
Claims25
A continuous sampling arrangement, comprising:
- (a) a bag within which a sample is collected;
- (b) a tube being in fluid communication with the bag;
- (c) a needle in fluid communication with the tube;
- (d) an elbow pipe having an internal volume and an aperture, said elbow pipe being arranged and configured for operative connection to a closed fluid flow line from which a fluid sample is to be taken;
- (e) a removable septum positioned within the aperture, the septum constructed for penetration of the needle therethrough to provide fluid communication between the internal volume of the elbow pipe and the bag.
2 more elements
A continuous sampling system, comprising:
- (a) a fluid transportation structure having a portion configured therein to create a non-laminar fluid flow in a sampling region,
- (b) an opening located in the sampling region,
- (c) a sampling assembly having a penetrable member positioned in the opening that permits sampling in the sampling region while simultaneously sealing the sampling region to facilitate aseptic, continuous fluid flow sampling from the sampling region of the fluid transportation structure to a collection reservoir.
A method of continuous aseptic sampling, comprising the steps of;
- (a) providing a fluid transportation structure that creates a non-laminar flow of a fluid in a sampling area within a fluid transportation system, the fluid transportation structure including an aperture located proximate the non-laminar sampling area;
- (b) providing a replaceable septum to seal the aperture of the fluid transportation structure and prevent the introduction of contaminates into the sampling area, the septum including an outer surface area and a plurality of guide holes covered by an cover piece that provides indication of used guide holes and unused guide holes;
- (c) providing a sterilized penetrating member, tubing, and a reservoir, wherein the penetrating member, tubing and reservoir are all in fluid communication with each other, the tubing and reservoir being sealed from environmental contaminates;
- (d) performing aseptic cleansing of the outer surface area and cover piece of the septum;
- (e) inserting the sterilized penetrating member into an unused guide hole wherein the guide hole directs the penetrating member into and through the septum, the septum constructed to further wipe and remove contaminates from the penetrating member during insertion;
- and
- (f) creating a pressure differential between the reservoir and the fluid transportation structure such that a sampling fluid continuously flows from the fluid transportation structure to the reservoir.
4 more elements
A retrofit kit for use in taking a continuous fluid sample from an existing fluid transportation system, the retrofit kit comprising:
- (a) a pipe having an aperture and an angular configuration, the pipe being sized and configured to retrofit to the existing fluid transportation system such that fluid from said system flows through said pipe;
- (b) a septum that sealably inserts into the aperture of the pipe;
- (c) a sampling body sized for insertion into and through the septum to contact said fluid flowing through said pipe;
- (d) a closed sampling container having an inlet;
- and
- (e) a tube extending in fluid communication between said sampling body and said inlet, wherein the retrofit kit provides fluid communication between said sampling body and the sampling container for obtaining and collecting an aseptic, continuous sample of said fluid within said sampling container.
3 more elements
A fluid transportation system with aseptic sampling capability, the fluid transportation system comprising:
- (a) a closed structure portion for containing a fluid to be sampled;
- (b) a sampling structure in fluid communication with said closed structure portion, said sampling structure defining a non-laminar flow region for said fluid and an aperture opening into said non-laminar flow region;
- (c) a penetrable sealing member sealably positioned within the aperture of the sampling structure;
- (d) a penetrating body inserted through said penetrable sealing member providing a flow path for said fluid therethrough;
- (e) a closed sample holding container;
- and
- (f) a closed conduit operatively connecting said penetrating body and said sample holding container;
- wherein a continuous sample of said fluid flows in one direction from said non-laminar flow region for aseptic collection within said sample holding container.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.