# US 2018/0021026 A1 · Self-contained sampling device for processing whole blood > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021026 A1 - Document ID: US20180021026A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/654,916 - Filed: 2017-07-20 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: Tetracore, Inc. - Applicants: Tetracore, Inc. - Inventors: William M. Nelson; David R. Almassian; Tracy Calvin Fecteau; Colin Kuserk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021026A1 ## CPC - A61B 10/0045: {Devices for taking samples of body liquids} - A61B 10/02: Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy {(A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48)} - B01L 3/502: {with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures} - B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids} - B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)} - B01L 3/505: {Flexible containers without fluid transport within} - B01L 3/5027: {by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip} - B01L 2200/0647: Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles - B01L 2200/0684: Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles - B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering - B01L 2200/16: Reagents, handling or storing thereof - B01L 2300/042: Caps; Plugs - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/0633: with moving parts - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE ## Abstract A collection device is disclosed having a tubular housing detachably receiving a valved bulb reservoir at a first end thereof, the housing having a second end for dispensing fluids. The valved bulb reservoir has a sample capillary tube attached at one end thereof. The bore of the capillary is fluidically coupled to the valved bulb reservoir. The capillary is removed from the tubular housing to collect a sample in its bore, and is then replaced into the tubular housing. The contents of the valved tubular reservoir, which can be a buffer solution, a reagent, or other analytic fluid, or a gas, are then passed through the capillary bore to expel the sample and mix therewith in the housing. The sample product can then be dispensed from the tubular housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample collection device comprising: a tubular housing having a first end and a second end; a valved bulb reservoir detachably fitted to the first end of the tubular housing; a capillary having a longitudinal bore connected by a first end and a second end, the capillary attached and fluidically coupled to the valved bulb reservoir at the first end, and the second end configured for receiving sample into the longitudinal bore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sample collection device of claim 1, further comprising an end cap assembly at the second end of the tubular housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sample collection device of claim 1, wherein the capillary is formed of a glass or polymeric continuous tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sample collection device of claim 1, further comprising a frangible seal in the valved bulb reservoir for fluidically isolating the valved bulb reservoir from the capillary bore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sample collection device of claim 1, further comprising a capillary adapter for fluidically coupling the capillary to the valved bulb reservoir. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sample collection device of claim 5, wherein the capillary adapter comprises a vent for allowing air in the capillary bore to be displaced. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The sample collection device of claim 2, further comprising a spout. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The sample collection device of claim 2, further comprising one or more filters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The sample collection device of claim 2, further comprising a removable cap covering the second end of the tubular member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The sample collection device of claim 4, wherein the frangible seal is rupturable by manipulation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sample collection device of claim 10, further comprising a toggle operatively coupled to the frangible seal, wherein manipulation of the toggle ruptures the frangible seal. ### Claim 12 A method for collecting a sample, comprising the steps of: providing a collection device comprising a tubular housing having a first end and a second end, a valved bulb reservoir detachably fitted to the first end of the tubular housing, a capillary having a longitudinal bore connected by a first end and a second end, the capillary attached and fluidically coupled to the valved bulb reservoir at the first end, and the second end configured for receiving sample into the longitudinal bore; and removing the valved bulb reservoir and capillary from the tubular housing; applying the capillary to a fluid to draw a sample into the capillary bore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of replacing the valved bulb reservoir and capillary into the tubulary housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of dispensing the contents of the valved bulb reservoir through the capillary bore to displace the sample into the tubular housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the contents of the valved bulb reservoir is a liquid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the contents of the valved bulb reservoir is a gas. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of mixing the sample with the contents of the valved bulb reservoir with the sample. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of dispensing the sample and the contents of the valved bulb reservoir from the second end of the tubular housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of mixing the sample with a liquid predisposed in the tubular housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the liquid predisposed in the tubular housing includes a buffer. ### Claim 21 A sample collection device comprising: a valved gas-filled bulb reservoir configured to be detachably fitted to the first end of a tubular housing having a first end and a second end; a capillary having a longitudinal bore connected by a first end and a second end, the capillary attached and fluidically coupled to the valved bulb reservoir at the first end, and the second end configured for receiving sample into the longitudinal bore.