Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Liquid collection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2002-01-15
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Liquid collection
Reexamination Certificate
active
06338720
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a collection device for collecting a sample of liquid. More particularly, the present invention pertains to sample collection tip for collecting a blood sample that is to be analyzed for purposes of measuring the amount of a specific component in the blood sample, such as the blood sugar level in the blood sample.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A blood sugar measuring device for measuring the blood sugar content in an individual's blood is known. This blood sugar measuring device effects the measurement of the blood sugar level by supplying blood (specimen material) to a test paper that assumes a color proportional to the amount of sugar present in the blood. The device then optically measures the degree of the coloration of the test paper, and quantifies the blood sugar content based on the results of the optical measurement.
The end of this blood sugar measuring device is adapted to receive a tip. The device performs the measurement with the tip received on the end of the device. An example of a blood sugar measuring device of this type is illustrated in FIG.
11
.
FIG. 11
is a longitudinal cross-section illustrating an automatic blood sugar measuring device
200
provided with a tip end
201
that receives a tip
10
. The tip
10
is composed of a hollow portion
11
in the shape of a blind tube resembling a cup, a test paper
14
that is set on the inner surface of the hollow portion at the bottom part of the hollow portion
11
, and a slender tube
15
extending away from the hollow portion
11
. The hollow portion
11
includes a skirt part
12
provided with a flange at the end opposite the tube
15
.
When the tip
10
is brought into close proximity to a specimen (blood) so that the specimen contacts the leading end of the tube
15
while the tip
10
is received on the tip part
201
of the blood measuring device
200
(with a gap
202
being provided), the specimen material flows into the tube
15
by virtue of capillary action and is transported downwardly towards the test paper
14
. The specimen is supplied to the test paper
14
in the region of the central part of the test paper
14
and is then spread radially outwardly on the test paper
14
. The test paper
14
carries a reagent which reacts with the blood sugar in the blood so that the test paper
14
undergoes a color change. A photometer (not shown) that includes an emitting element and a receiving element is installed in the vicinity of the tip part
201
of the blood-sugar measuring device
200
. This photometer optically measures the intensity of the color change assumed by the test paper
14
.
This known tip
10
illustrated in
FIG. 11
, by virtue of its particular configuration and construction, is susceptible of certain improvements. The tip
10
is designed as a one-time use disposable component. Thus, a new unused tip is required each time a new measurement is necessary. When the patient elects to carry one or more tips on his/her person for ready use, one or more tips
10
are stored in a case specially designed for easy transportation. In this case, because the hollow portion
11
is shaped like a cup possessing the skirt part
12
, the entire height of the tip
10
is constituted by the sum of the length (i.e., height) of the skirt part
12
, the thickness of the bottom wall of the hollow portion
11
, and the length (i.e., height) of the tube
15
. Thus, the overall height of the tip
10
is relatively large and so the specially designed case used for storing the tip(s)
10
must also be relatively large in size. This tends to make the storage and carrying of the tip(s) somewhat inconvenient. Also, the relatively large size of the tip
10
can be inconvenient when the tip
10
is to be discarded after use.
Further, as noted above, the hollow portion
11
is shaped to possess the skirt part
12
. When the tip is to be manufactured by injection molding, this construction can adversely affect the tip's formability and the overall yield.
In light of the foregoing, a need exists for a specimen collection tip which can be relatively easily fabricated with relatively high yield, is well suited to being reliably attached to the end of the measuring device while also being relatively easily removed, and is capable of being conveniently stored and carried.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a specimen collection tip for collecting a liquid specimen to be analyzed to determine the presence or amount of a component in the specimen includes a generally planar base portion, a longitudinally extending tube extending away from the base portion, and a test paper. The tube includes an inflow path along which the specimen is adapted to flow and the test paper is set on the base portion in communication with the inflow path for receiving specimen flowing through the inflow path. The test paper carries a reagent which reacts with the component in the specimen to produce a measurable color change indicative of the presence or amount of the component in the sample.
According to another aspect of the invention, a specimen collection tip for collecting a liquid specimen to be analyzed to determine the presence or amount of a component in the specimen includes a main body in which is formed an inflow path along which the specimen is adapted to flow and a test paper fixed in position on the base portion in communication with the inflow path for receiving specimen flowing through the inflow path. The test paper carries a reagent which reacts with the component in the specimen to produce a measurable color change indicative of the presence or amount of the component in the sample. A plurality of spaced apart mounting projections are provided on the main body for engaging a leading end part of a measuring device that is adapted to detect the measurable color change to mount the specimen collection tip on the leading end part of the measuring device.
A further aspect of the invention involves a specimen collection tip for collecting a liquid specimen to be analyzed to determine the presence or amount of a component in the specimen. The tip includes a main body in which is formed an inflow path along which the specimen is adapted to flow and a test paper fixed in position on the main body to receive the specimen flowing through the inflow path. The test paper carries a reagent which reacts with the component in the specimen to produce a measurable color change. At least one mounting projection extends from the main body for mounting the specimen collection tip at a forward end of a measuring device, with the mounting projection being spaced inwardly from an adjoining portion of the outer periphery of the main body so that the adjoining portion of the outer periphery of the main body extends outwardly beyond the at least one mounting projection for contacting the forward end of the measuring device when the specimen collection tip is mounted at the forward end of the measuring device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5100620 (1992-03-01), Brenneman
patent: 5114862 (1992-05-01), Brenneman
patent: 5753429 (1998-05-01), Pugh
patent: 5827279 (1998-10-01), Hughett et al.
patent: 6083460 (2000-07-01), Morikawa et al.
Morikawa Naoki
Oomori Tooru
Takemoto Masafumi
Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Lacyk John P.
Szmal Brian
Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
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