US 2008/0166801 A1 · Filtration system and method for obtaining a cytology layer

Abstract

A filter assembly for separating and collecting a layer of particulate matter (e.g., cells) from a liquid containing the particulate matter (e.g., a biological fluid specimen). The filter assembly has a holder and contiguous inner and outer fluid pervious media. The outer fluid pervious medium is attached to the sidewall of the holder. The inner fluid pervious medium is of low fluidic impedance relative to the outer fluid pervious medium. The filter assembly is designed for use in a separation housing that defines two flow paths between inlet and outlet, one directly through the filter and the other around the periphery of the filter. The inlet portion of the housing has a central inlet in a radially sloped surface that faces the filter collection site. A movable suction head is adapted to cooperate with the housing and the filter assembly.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for collecting cells from individual specimens of biological fluid in specimen containers, each container having therein a processing assembly comprising an open-top separation chamber, adapted to receive a filter assembly having a downwardly facing collection site, and a depending aspiration tube that extends into the specimen and communicates with the separation chamber through the bottom wall thereof, the method comprising, for each container, the steps of:

placing a filter assembly in the separation chamber;
coupling a movable suction head to the processing assembly and the filter assembly;
applying a vacuum to the filter assembly to aspirate specimen fluid from the container through the tube, into the separation chamber and through the filter until a layer of cells is collected on the filter collection site;
uncoupling the suction head from the processing assembly;
and
elevating the suction head to remove the still-coupled filter assembly from the separation chamber.

3 more elements

An apparatus for collecting cells for cytology from individual specimens of biological fluid in specimen containers, each container having therein a processing assembly comprising an open-top separation chamber, defined by a bottom wall and an upstanding annular wall and adapted to receive a filter assembly, and a depending aspiration tube that extends into the specimen fluid and communicates with the separation chamber through the bottom wall, the filter assembly having a holder with a flow opening in its upper face and a filter arrangement in the holder having a downwardly facing collection site, the apparatus comprising:

a suction head adapted to be positioned above a container and mounted for vertical movement relative to the container, the suction head comprising coaxial inner and outer portions, the outer portion having an annular skirt adapted to surround and sealingly engage the annular wall of the separation chamber, the inner portion having a lower face with an aspiration suction port and a retention suction port, the inner portion being mounted for axial movement relative to the outer portion and adapted to sealingly engage the upper face of the holder so that the aspiration suction port is in fluid communication with the flow opening and the retention suction port is in fluid communication with a sealed annular area on the upper face of the holder,
a head actuator for moving the suction head vertically;
and
an inner portion actuator for separately moving the inner portion vertically.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Filtration system and method for obtaining a cytology layer

Life of this patent

Filtration system and method for obtaining a cytology layer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12