Method and apparatus for separating serum or plasma from the formed elements of the blood
OwnerDonald J. Greenspaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A separator tube for insertion into a collection tube comprises a tubular member having one end closed by a plug. The plug comprises a valve seating portion having a valve opening therein and a valve head adapted to seat on the seating portion and bias means extending between the seating portion and the valve head to bias the head to the seated position on the seating portion when the separator tube is stationary within the collection tube.
Claims31
A separator tube adapted to be pushed into a collection tube containing blood for separating serum or plasma from the formed elements of the blood, said separator tube comprising:
- a tubular member,
- means adapted to form a seal with the collection tube as the separator tube is pushed into the collection tube,
- a valve seating portion having a valve opening therein, said valve opening permitting serum or plasma to flow into said tubular member when the separator tube is plunged into the collection tube,
- a movable valve member adapted to seat on said seating portion on one side of said opening so as to close said valve opening in the presence of serum or plasma in said tubular member,
- bias means comprising at least one flexible strand maintained under tension connected between said valve member and said valve seating portion on the other side of said opening for maintaining a substantial seating force on said valve member when said valve opening has closed, and
- said valve seating portion, said valve member and said bias means being integrally molded to form a unitary structure.
A separator tube adapted to be pushed into a collection tube containing blood for separating serum or plasma from the formed elements of the blood, said separator tube comprising:
- a tubular member,
- means adapted to form a seal with the collector tube as the separator tube is pushed into the collection tube,
- a valve seating portion having a valve opening therein, said valve opening permitting serum or plasma to flow into said tubular member when the separator tube is plunged into the collection tube,
- a movable valve member adapted to seat on said seating portion on one side of said opening so as to close said valve opening in the presence of serum or plasma in said tubular member, and
- bias means comprising at least one flexible strand connected between said valve member and said valve seating portion on the other side of said opening for maintaining a substantial seating force on said valve member when said valve opening is closed, said bias means being maintained under tension when said valve member is seated on said valve seating portion so as to close said valve opening, said valve member being adapted to pass through said opening so as to relieve the tension on said bias means without being detached from said valve seating portion.
A separator tube adapted to be pushed into a collection tube containing blood for separating serum or plasma from the formed elements of the blood, said separator tube comprising:
- a tubular member;
- means adapted to form a seal with the collection tube as the separator tube is pushed into the collection tube;
- a valve seating portion having a valve opening leading from a valve seating section to a hollow chamber, said chamber and said valve opening permitting serum or plasma to flow therethrough into said tubular member when the separator tube is plunged into the collection tube;
- a movable valve member adapted to seat on a valve seating section and including a portion extending at least into said opening;
- and
- bias means comprising at least one flexible strand maintained under tension and connected between said valve member portion and said chamber for maintaining a substantial seating force on said valve member in the presence of serum or plasma in said tubular member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.