Receptacles – Closures – Secondary closure within parameter of primary closure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-11-13
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
Secondary closure within parameter of primary closure
C215S247000, C215SDIG003, C604S415000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315145
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved specimen container which is adapted to maintain the sterile integrity of the container and to prevent leakage yet which can be temporarily, partially opened and closed with one hand, leaving the other hand free to insert the specimen with a needle and syringe (N&S), cannula and syringe (C&S) or a syringe with no attachment without having to first put the instrument down.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Specimen containers are well known in the art and are available in a host of shapes and sizes. However, a user of specimen containers typically must use both hands to operate the container. The user must hold the receptacle in one hand and remove the cover with the other hand, while holding a syringe containing an aspirated specimen. The user must then squirt the specimen into the open receptacle, risking the possibility of splash back or spillage. Therefore, it has been identified that a specimen container which enables a user to grasp, open and close the lid with one hand, and with the user's other hand, to inject the aspirated specimen into the container without splash back or to withdraw a specimen from the container without spillage, would be beneficial to the user. Further, it is also recognized that a specimen container which facilitates insertion of a cannula or a syringe with no attachment into the specimen container by providing a cannula guide would also be beneficial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a specimen container which enables a user to grasp a specimen container with one hand and, with the user's other hand, to inject the aspirated specimen into the container without splash back or to withdraw a specimen from the container without spillage.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a specimen container having a plug cover which enables a user to grasp, open and close the plug cover with one hand, and with the user's other hand, to inject the aspirated specimen into the container without splash back or to withdraw a specimen from the container without spillage.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a specimen container which facilitates insertion of an instrument, such as a needle or cannula, into the specimen container by providing a guide for the tip of the instrument.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lid, provided with one or more self-resealing portals therethrough, for any type of receptacle adapted to contain a solid and/or a liquid.
A preferred embodiment of the specimen container of this invention, adapted to maintain the sterile integrity of the container and to prevent leakage, comprises: a receptacle having an opening; a lid comprising a means to seal said opening and having a top surface and a bottom surface and a bore therethrough; and a plug comprising, an upper and lower shoulder, at least one of said shoulders is deformable, wherein said plug is seated in said bore of said lid so that said upper shoulder is seated on said top surface of said lid and said lower shoulder is seated on said bottom surface of said lid, and a membrane capable of being penetrated with a material transfer device and which self-reseals to prevent leakage from said container. Material transfer device generally refers to a variety of instruments used to transfer fluids or other similar materials from one point to another, including but not limited to cannulas, needles and syringes connected to a somewhat pointed attachment adapted to puncture a membrane.
The specimen container may further comprise a plug cover, preferably comprising high density polyethylene, which covers a top surface of the plug and which is adapted to be raised and lowered by a person's one hand leaving the person's other hand free to insert a specimen into, or withdraw a specimen from, the specimen container. The plug cover is preferably hingedly fixed to the lid and includes a flange which surrounds the upper shoulder of the plug when in a lowered position. The plug cover may further comprise a flange which is adapted to engage a corresponding flange on the lid when the plug cover is in a lowered position so that the plug cover is removably fixed in the lowered position to further prevent any material from entering or leaking out of the receptacle. A portion of the plug cover preferably extends beyond the outer edge or boundary of the lid. The plug may be adapted to be removed after the plug is inserted through and seated in the bore for purposes of replacement or otherwise.
The shoulders of the preferred embodiment of the specimen container are generally annular and the plug of the specimen container may further comprise an instrument guide for directing the instrument into the plug and through the self-sealing membrane. If such an instrument guide is provided, the guide typically has an outer diameter and the plug should further comprise one or more means for altering the outer diameter of the instrument guide to enable the guide to adaptably flex in order to accommodate instruments such as needles or cannulas having varying outer diameters. The means for altering the outer diameter preferably comprises one or more expandable slits in the plug which extend radially outward from the instrument guide.
In the specimen container of the invention, the upper shoulder preferably has an outer diameter greater than the lower shoulder and the lid may further comprise a conduit, which extends into the receptacle of the container downward from the bottom surface of the lid, through which said bore further extends, and which comprises a lower lip on which the lower shoulder of said plug is seated.
The receptacle typically comprises threads proximate the opening of the receptacle and the means to seal the opening of the receptacle comprises threads on the lid which correspond to threads on the receptacle. The plug of the specimen container may be molded from thermoplastic rubber and may also include a continuous ridge on the top surface of the plug, wherein the ridge presses against an underside of the plug cover to provide additional protection against leakage.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the plug and plug cover of the invention are connected to each other by a flexible cord. The plug, plug cover and flexible cord of this embodiment are preferably a molded unitary member molded from thermoplastic rubber, C-Flex or isoprene.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the improved specimen container of the invention, adapted to enable a user to inject or withdraw materials into or out of said container using a material transfer device with minimal risk of spills or leaks, comprises: a receptacle having an opening; a lid comprising a means to seal said opening and at least a first bore and a second bore therethrough; and a first plug, which is seated in said first bore of said lid comprising, a membrane capable of being penetrated with a material transfer device and which self-reseals to prevent leakage from said receptacle; and a second plug which is seated in said second bore. Said second bore is adapted allow a material transfer device, a syringe without an attachment, a sterile loop and transfer pipet to be inserted at least partially into the specimen container. Both the first and second plug may each be provided with a plug cover. The plug covers may be connected to their respective plugs with or without flexible cords.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the improved specimen container of the invention, adapted to enable a user to inject or withdraw materials into or out of said container using a material transfer device with minimal risk of spills or leaks, comprises: a receptacle having an opening; and a molded lid comprising a bore therethrough and a self-resealable membrane insert-molded into the lid and across the bore.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the improved specimen container, adapted to enable a user to inject or withdraw materials into or out of said container using a material transfer device with minimal ris
Brindamour Thomas M.
Drummey John
Drummey Patricia
Drummey Thomas H.
Fask Richard J.
Hylton Robin A
Mirick O'Connell DeMallie & Lougee LLP
Shoap Allan N.
StickSafe LLC
LandOfFree
Lid for a specimen container that is adapted to minimize... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lid for a specimen container that is adapted to minimize..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lid for a specimen container that is adapted to minimize... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2609898