Fluid control devices and methods of using the same

An apparatus, comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• a chamber configured to be in fluid communication with the inlet, the chamber including a vent configured to at least temporarily vent the chamber as a first volume of bodily fluid flows from a bodily fluid source, through the inlet, and into the chamber;
• an actuator at least partially disposed in the chamber, the actuator in a first state being fixed to a surface of the chamber, the actuator in a second state being released from the surface and moved within the chamber to draw at least a portion of the first volume of bodily fluid into the chamber, the actuator configured to transition from the first state to the second state in response to contact with a portion of the first volume of bodily fluid;
• and
• a flow controller disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the flow controller configured to prevent the first volume of bodily fluid from flowing out of the chamber toward the outlet, the flow controller further configured to allow suction introduced at the outlet to draw a second volume of bodily fluid through a fluid flow path from the inlet to the outlet.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• a chamber comprising a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet and configured to receive a first volume of bodily fluid from a bodily source through the inlet, and a second portion configured to allow a gas to be vented from the second portion of the chamber as the bodily fluid flows from the inlet into the first portion of the chamber;
• an actuator in fluid communication with the inlet, the actuator in a first state being temporarily fixed in a first position within the chamber, the actuator in a second state being released from the first position to draw at least a portion of the first volume of bodily fluid into the first portion of the chamber;
• and
• a flow controller disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the flow controller configured to prevent the first volume of bodily fluid from flowing out of the first portion of the chamber toward the outlet, the flow controller further configured to allow suction introduced at the outlet to draw a second volume of bodily fluid through a fluid flow path from the inlet to the outlet.

A flow control device, comprising:

• an inlet;
• an outlet;
• a first channel defined between the inlet and the outlet;
• a second channel coupled to the first channel;
• a valve at least partially disposed in the second channel, the valve in a first state configured to draw a bodily fluid from the inlet through the second channel, the valve in a second state configured to prevent flow of the bodily fluid out of the second channel, the valve configured to transition from the first state to the second state in response to an increase in pressure within at least a portion of the second channel;
• and
• an actuator in communication with the second channel, the actuator configured to move relative to the valve from a first position to a second position in response to the increase in pressure within the portion of the second channel, the actuator configured such that moving from the first position to the second position reduces the pressure in at least the portion of the second channel to draw a first volume of the bodily fluid from the inlet through the second channel and to the actuator,
• the valve in a second state and the actuator in the second position being configured such that suction introduced at the outlet draws a second volume of the bodily fluid from the inlet, through the first channel, and to the outlet.