Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Liquid/liquid solvent or colloidal extraction or diffusing...
Patent
1997-10-21
2000-11-28
Kim, John
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Liquid/liquid solvent or colloidal extraction or diffusing...
210406, 2104161, 2104331, 210435, 422101, 436177, B01D 2900
Patent
active
061531049
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to body fluid testing, and is particularly concerned with the separation of blood into various of its components, to enable a variety of tests to be performed, and to the separation of other body fluids, such as, bone marrow, sperm/seminal plasma, urine, and saliva.
In the field of hematology and related areas such as gene therapy and forensic pathology, and in other fields, such as the determination of sperm fertilising potential and cell separation from bone marrow, hitherto it has involved complex and expensive apparatus and procedures, and has required considerable operator skills to separate correctly the components of the paticular body fluid. This has been particularly so with blood, consequent on the need for careful preparation of a blood sample.
In other areas such as the testing or screening of a foetus for one or more of a number of possible abnormalities, it has hitherto predominantly been effected by invasive techniques frequently to the discomfort of the mother.
SUMMARY
It is the object of the invention to provide equipment of notable simplicity and relatively low cost, with attendant procedures well within the capabilities of junior members of laboratory staff, to enable separation of a body fluid into various of its components.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a body fluid separation means comprises at least one first chamber, a cooperating filter extending across the or each first chamber, at least one second chamber respectively to cooperate with the at least one first chamber, and one or both of said first and second chambers having a connection to vacuum.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a body fluid separation means comprises a chamber, a filter extending across the chamber, a removable closure means at each end of the chamber and a connection means to connect the chamber to vacuum positioned to one or both sides of the filter.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a body fluid separation means comprises a first plate formed with two or more collection chambers, a second plate with a corresponding number of waste receiving chambers, a connection to vacuum for each said waste receiving chamber, a filter means between each collection chamber and cooperating waste receiving chamber, and a third plate forming a vacuum chamber to connect each waste receiving chamber to vacuum.
With the second aspect of the invention, the removable closure means may simply be a cap fitted to and in sealing engagement with the end of the chamber, and a second cap may be provided to be fitted to the opposite end of the chamber.
With the third aspect of the invention, the first plate, second plate, and third plate, are preferably detachably secured in sealing engagement, with the filters trapped between the first and second plates.
Insofar as each usage of the invention in any of its aspects is concerned, the filter extending across one end of the chamber, bridging a chamber, or trapped between the first and second plates is selected to suit the body fluid to be tested, and if required, is pre-treated in a manner making it suitable for use with the body fluid to be tested. Thus, in one form of construction it is preferred that a leukocyte trapping membrane filter is provided. Where it is a case of the separation of cells, a replaceable filter is provided of a character that permits the passage of, for example, maternal blood cells and the entrapment of, for example, foetal blood cells. In the case of sperm testing, the filter will enable the passage of seminal fluid whilst trapping the sperm. Similarly with bone marrow, the filter is selected to suit the entrapment of bone marrow cells whilst allowing the passage of plasma.
The material of the chamber and of the or each end cap, and the material of each plate, may be such that the chamber and the cap(s) and the plates, can be sterilised, such as by, for example, gamma radiation. The filter is preferably a disposable component, formed from a relatively inexpensive plastics material
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Kim John
Phoenix Medical Limited
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