# US 9,873,117 B2 · Biological fluid micro-sample management device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,873,117 B2 - Document ID: US9873117B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/484,420 - Filed: 2017-04-11 - Published: 2017-08-03 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-10 - Assignees: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Applicants: Becton, Dickinson and Company - Inventors: Milan Ivosevic; Kishore K. Bokka Srinivasa Rao; Peter Skutnik; Anthony V. Torris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9873117B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/502: {with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures} - A61B 5/15003: {for venous or arterial blood} - A61B 5/150755: {Blood sample preparation for further analysis, e.g. by separating blood components or by mixing} - A61B 5/154: {Devices} using pre-evacuated means - B01L 3/0293: {for liquids} - G01N 1/14: Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices - G01N 33/49: Blood {(chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80)} - A61B 5/150022: {for capillary blood or interstitial fluid} - B01L 3/0272: {Dropper bottles} - B01L 3/0296: {from piercable tubing, e.g. in extracorporeal blood sampling} - B01L 2200/0605: Metering of fluids - B01L 2200/0684: Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles - B01L 2200/14: Process control and prevention of errors - B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes - B01L 2300/042: Caps; Plugs - B01L 2300/048: enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents - B01L 2300/0609: Holders integrated in container to position an object - B01L 2300/0832: cylindrical, tube shaped - B01L 2300/0838: Capillaries - B01L 2300/087: Multiple sequential chambers - B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric - B01L 2300/168: Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings - B01L 2400/0475: specific mechanical means and fluid pressure - B01L 2400/0481: squeezing of channels or chambers - B01L 2400/049: vacuum - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A biological fluid collection device includes a collection module and an outer housing. The collection module includes a housing comprising a first end having a sample introduction opening, a second end having a sample dispensing opening, and a passageway extending between the sample introduction opening and the sample dispensing opening. A mixing chamber and a holding chamber are in fluid communication with the passageway such that a sample introduced into the sample introduction opening passes through the mixing chamber and subsequently into the holding chamber. The biological fluid collection device further includes a closure covering the first end, a cap covering the second end and including a vented plug, and an activation member adapted to force a sample contained in the holding chamber out of the sample dispensing opening. The collection module is positioned inside of the outer housing and the closure closes the open end of the outer housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biological fluid collection device comprising: a collection module comprising: a housing comprising: a first end having a sample introduction opening; a second end having a sample dispensing opening; a passageway extending between the sample introduction opening and the sample dispensing opening; and a holding chamber in fluid communication with the passageway; a closure covering the first end of the housing; a cap covering the second end of the housing; and an activation member defining at least a portion of the holding chamber and adapted to force a sample contained in the holding chamber out of the sample dispensing opening; and an outer housing having an open end and a closed end, wherein the collection module is positioned inside the outer housing and the closure closes the open end of the outer housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, further comprising a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the passageway, wherein a sample introduced into the sample introduction opening passes through the mixing chamber and subsequently into the holding chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The biological fluid collection device of claim 2, wherein the mixing chamber includes an anticoagulant or a blood stabilizer within an interior of the mixing chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The biological fluid collection device of claim 2, wherein the mixing chamber is filled with an open cell foam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The biological fluid collection device of claim 4, wherein the open cell foam comprises a sponge material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the cap is adapted to allow air to pass therethrough and prevent a blood sample from passing therethrough. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a vented plug which allows air to pass therethrough and prevents a blood sample from passing therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The biological fluid collection device of claim 2, wherein the mixing chamber is positioned closer to the first end of the housing than the holding chamber such that a blood sample introduced into the sample introduction opening passes through the mixing chamber before passing into the holding chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the housing defines a recess extending from an exterior of the housing to the passageway, the recess defining at least a portion of the holding chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The biological fluid collection device of claim 9, wherein the activation member comprises an elastic sleeve enclosing at least a portion of the recess. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The biological fluid collection device of claim 10, wherein with the cap removed from the collection module, an inward pressure on the elastic sleeve is configured to force a blood sample contained in the holding chamber out of the sample dispensing opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a vented plug, and wherein the vented plug is a porous plug. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a flange made from an optically clear material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The biological fluid collection device of claim 13, wherein an outer surface of the flange comprises a convex shape for magnifying the vented plug. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The biological fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a luer lock connection passing through a stopper.