# US 2023/0264187 A1 · Apparatus, Methods, and Systems for Fluid Separation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0264187 A1 - Document ID: US20230264187A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/174,334 - Filed: 2023-02-24 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-24 - Applicants: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings - Inventors: Pratistha Ranjitkar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230264187A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/502: {with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures} - B01L 3/563: {Joints or fittings; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors} - A61B 10/007: {for taking urine samples (measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006)} - B01L 3/5635: {connecting two containers face to face, e.g. comprising a filter} - B67C 11/02: without discharge valves - B01L 2200/026: Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details - B01L 2200/04: Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B01L 2300/044: pierceable, e.g. films, membranes - B01L 2300/0864: comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting - B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, method, and system for separating a fluid sample. The apparatus for separating a fluid sample may include a receiving chamber comprising a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may have a larger diameter than the second opening. The apparatus may include a channel extending from the second opening of the receiving chamber. The channel may include a proximal end adjacent the receiving chamber and a distal end. The distal end of the channel may bifurcate into a first branch and a second branch. The first branch and the second branch can be inserted into a first container and a second container through a cap having an orifice to separate a fluid sample into the first container and the second container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for separating a fluid sample, the apparatus comprising: a receiving chamber comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening has a larger diameter than the second opening; a channel extending from the second opening of the receiving chamber, wherein the channel comprises a proximal end adjacent the receiving chamber and a distal end; wherein the distal end of the channel bifurcates into a first branch and a second branch. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving chamber comprises a truncated cone, wherein the truncated cone has an interior volume configured to receive the fluid sample. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the receiving chamber continually decreases from the first opening to the second opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first branch and the second branch extend in opposing directions from the channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first branch and the second branch are disposed at an acute angle from a long axis of the channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the channel from the proximal end to the distal end is constant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the channel, the first branch, and the second branch form a junction, wherein the junction is configured to separate the fluid sample into the first branch and the second branch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first branch and the second branch is less than the diameter of the channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid sample comprises urine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first leg extending from the first branch and a second leg extending from the second branch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first leg and the second leg are parallel to the channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first cap for receiving the first branch and a second cap for receiving the second branch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first cap and the second cap each comprise an orifice configured to receive the first branch and the second branch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first cap and the second cap include a plastic disposed over the orifice, wherein the plastic provides a seal when the first branch and the second branch are each inserted into the first cap and the second cap through the orifice. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first cap and the second cap are self-sealing caps optionally fitted to attach to and secure the apparatus to a first orifice on a first container and a second orifice on a second container, respectively. ### Claim 16 A system for separating a fluid sample, the system comprising: an apparatus comprising: a receiving chamber comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening has a larger diameter than the second opening; a channel extending from the second opening of the receiving chamber, wherein the channel comprises a proximal end adjacent the receiving chamber and a distal end; and wherein the distal end of the channel bifurcates into a first branch and a second branch; a first container comprising a first cap; and a second container comprising a second cap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the diameter of the receiving chamber continually decreases from the first opening to the second opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the first branch and the second branch are disposed at an acute angle from a long axis of the channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein a diameter of the channel from the proximal end to the distal end is constant. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the channel, the first branch, and the second branch form a junction, wherein the junction is configured to separate the fluid sample into the first branch and the second branch. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first leg extending from the first branch and a second leg extending from the second branch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the first leg and the second leg are parallel to the channel. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system of claim 22, wherein the first cap and the second cap each comprise an orifice configured to receive the first leg and the second leg. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the first cap and the second cap include a plastic disposed over the orifice, wherein the plastic provides a seal when the first leg and the second leg are each inserted into the first cap and the second cap through the orifice. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The system of claim 23, wherein the first cap and the second cap are self-sealing caps optionally fitted to attach to and secure the apparatus to a first orifice on the first container and a second orifice on the second container, respectively. ### Claim 26 A method for separating a fluid sample, the method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: a receiving chamber comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening has a larger diameter than the second opening; a channel extending from the second opening of the receiving chamber, wherein the channel comprises a proximal end adjacent the receiving chamber and a distal end; and wherein the distal end of the channel bifurcates into a first branch and a second branch; providing a first container and a second container, wherein the first container comprises a first cap and the second container comprises a second cap; inserting the first branch through the first cap into the first container and the second branch through the second cap into the second container; and providing a fluid sample to the receiving chamber of the apparatus. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein inserting the first branch into the first cap and inserting the second branch into the second cap comprises puncturing a sealing film disposed over an orifice of the first cap and the second cap. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, further comprising collecting a fluid sample. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the fluid sample is separated into the first container via the first branch and the second container via the second branch. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, further comprising removing the first branch and the second branch from the first cap and the second cap after the fluid sample is collected. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, further comprising replacing each of the first cap and the second cap with a tamper-resistant seal cap.