# US 2014/0309554 A1 · Device for sampling tear fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0309554 A1 - Document ID: US20140309554A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/352,313 - Filed: 2012-10-17 - Published: 2014-10-16 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-17 - Assignees: Opia Technologies - Applicants: Opia Technologies - Inventors: Pierre Roy; Francoise Brignole-Baudouin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140309554A1 ## CPC - A61B 10/0045: {Devices for taking samples of body liquids} - A61B 2010/0067: {Tear or lachrymal fluid} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Device for sampling tear fluid that comprises: an extraction element (202) adapted to be applied on the eye to draw tear fluid therefrom, comprising at least one tube (209) and a distal portion (201) with at least one opening (207), a collection vessel (203), connected to said tube (209), suction means (210) adapted to continuously draw tear fluid from the eye to the collection vessel (203), through the extraction element (202) for a period higher than 10 minutes once the extraction element (202) is in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Device for sampling tear fluid, characterized in that it comprises: an extraction element (202) adapted to be applied on the eye (111) to draw tear fluid therefrom, comprising at least one tube (209) and a distal portion (201) with at least one opening (207), a collection vessel (203, 703), connected to said tube (209), suction means (210) adapted to continuously draw tear fluid from the eye to the collection vessel (203, 703), through the extraction element (202) for a period higher than 10 minutes once the extraction element (202) is in place. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction element (202) is adapted to extend in the conjunctival sac (107) and to remove tear fluid which resides into the conjunctival sac (107). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal portion (201) comprises an outer rim (701), said outer rim (701) being adapted to be positioned on the surface of the eye (111) situated under the lower eyelid (105). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal portion (201) includes the collection vessel (703) which is reservoir shaped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the extraction element (202) is a flexible catheter having a distal portion (201) presenting perforations (207). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal portion (201) has a thickness that ranges between 0.5 and 3 mm and has a part (201, 701) adapted to be in contact with of the curvature eye (111) in that the part (201, 701) presents a radius (r) of curvature that ranges between 10 and 14 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection vessel (203) comprises a first vessel opening (217) allowing in tear fluid from the extraction element (202) and a second vessel opening (219) linked to the suction means (210) drawing air out, said second vessel opening (219) being adapted not to allow tear fluid out. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in the collection vessel (203) is a microfuge tube and/or has an internal volume higher than 20 μL, preferably higher than 80 μL. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection vessel (203) includes the suction means (210) in that the collection vessel (203) is evacuated before the sampling. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the collection vessel (203) comprises fastening means adapted to fasten said collection vessel (203) on the face of the subject, in the vicinity of the temporal palpebral fissure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a vacuum gauge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction means (210) comprise a pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction means (210) comprise a three ways non-return valve (211), one non-return way allowing air from the collection vessel (203) and one other non-return way (213) drawing air out of said valve (211), last way being linked to a plunger assembly (205), said plunger assembly (205) being successively pushed and pushed back. ### Claim 14 Method of tear fluid analysis realized by means of a device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: a step (9011) of placing the extraction element (202) on the eye of the subject, a step (9013) of continuous sampling of tear fluid by said device for a period higher than 10 minutes once the extraction element (202) is in place, the sampled tear fluid being stored in a collection vessel (203, 703), a step (9015) of removing the extraction element (202), a step (903) of analysis of the sample, the step (903) of analysis of the sample being performed during and/or after the step (9013) of continuous sampling of tear fluid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Method of tear fluid analysis according to claim 14, characterized in that the step (903) of analysis comprises an osmolarity analysis and/or an IgE analysis and/or a proteomic analysis.