Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Including sample preparation – Volumetric liquid transfer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-26
2001-06-26
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Including sample preparation
Volumetric liquid transfer
C422S105000, C211S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251686
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a device for holding cylindrical work pieces, by way of example, conventionally formed test tubes. More specifically, the invention assists a health care worker in the care of patients while protecting the worker during the transfer of body fluids from a patient. The holder device is especially useful in the transfer of blood from a syringe to one or more test tubes as needed by a phlebotomist.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Medical practice involving the diagnosis of various diseases normally requires the testing of various bodily fluids. These fluids are aspirated from a patient by use of a syringe with an attached hypodermic needle. After withdrawing the fluid, the needle is then inserted through a rubber stopper into a test tube. The fluid is then transferred from the syringe through the needle and into the test tube.
A real and constant safety problem is exposure of the health care professional to being inadvertently pierced or stuck by the needle when transferring the fluid from the patient to the test tube. This is especially critical for those transfers which occur outside the controlled conditions of a laboratory, such as during patient rounds by a phlebotomist or nurse. An accidental needle stick of the health care worker during the process of transferring fluids from the patient to the test tube exposes the worker to the same infection as that of the patient, requiring appropriate testing and treatment of the worker.
Needle stick incidents are possible when the needle of the syringe is exposed by the health care worker in order to collect the body fluid sample. Various devices have been developed to help a professional avoid needle sticks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,404 discloses a hand held phlebotomy protection device that holds at least three test tubes. This device is held in the hand of a phlebotomist as the professional makes his or her patient rounds collecting body fluids. The device teaches a shield disk supported by a resilient handle that holds the test tubes within the handle. Both the handle and the shield disk are designed to protect the hand holding the device from needle sticks.
Other devices have been invented for use in the transfer of body fluids to test tubes which are not hand held. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,694 illustrates another device for holding test tubes which allows a plurality of test tubes of varied sizes to be automatically fed to an insertion point where the health care worker can insert and remove a hypodermic needle tipped syringe without holding the test tube or the holder by hand. This holder has a flap at the front top end of the device with a series of holes across it for inserting and removing a needle through to a test tube beneath. This device automatically advances test tubes from the back to the front of the device where the needle is inserted into the tube.
Still, there remains a need to provide a device that is lightweight and can be easily fitted onto a phlebotomist's tray, permitting the worker to fill one or more test tubes from a body fluid sample with one hand, while still protecting the worker from needle sticks. By providing multiple test tubes, the device accommodates the physician ordering a variety of tests that require a variety of test tubes. The device is simple to use, as well as economical to manufacture and to provide at a reasonable price to the consumer. Furthermore, the device is useful in a laboratory as well as on a phlebotomist's or similar tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above needs are accomplished by the present invention through a portable liquid transfer device able to fit onto a phlebotomist's tray and equipped with a top lid with guide holes for guiding a needle-tipped syringe into test tube carried below. The device is able to support multiple test tubes of varying sizes. The top lid of the device is slidably removable for the easy placement and removal of test tubes.
More specifically, the present invention involves a bottomless liquid transfer device for carrying at least one test tube for receiving fluids transferred from a needle-tipped syringe. The device comprises a carrier with at least one hole for supporting at least one test tube for receipt of the fluids, wherein the test tube is supported in the hole at the open end of the test tube. The device also has a top with at least one guide aperture substantially aligned above the carrier hole for directing a needle into a test tube supported by the carrier. In addition, the carrier has at least three sides whose top edges create a protective lip above said top, wherein the lip aids in preventing a misdirected needle from injuring a worker.
The present invention is also directed to a new method for safely transferring fluids from a needle-tipped syringe to at least one test tube, comprising the steps of providing a liquid transfer device comprising a carrier that holds at least one test tube at the open end of the test tube in upright suspension; a guide with at least one aperture aligned above the carrier that is positioned to direct a syringe needle into the test tube; and a protective lip around the top of the device; loading at least one test tube into the carrier; guiding a needle of a syringe through the guide aperture; transferring the fluid in the syringe through the needle into the test tube; and removing the needle and syringe.
Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3778232 (1973-12-01), McMorrow, Jr.
patent: 4938369 (1990-07-01), Carilli
patent: 4982850 (1991-01-01), Mears
patent: 5011779 (1991-04-01), Maimon
patent: 5217694 (1993-06-01), Gibler et al.
patent: 5330439 (1994-07-01), Jackson
patent: 5375716 (1994-12-01), Rubin et al.
patent: 5579928 (1996-12-01), Anukwuem
patent: 5579929 (1996-12-01), Schwartz
patent: 5616301 (1997-04-01), Moser et al.
patent: 5624404 (1997-04-01), Fisler
patent: 5871699 (1999-02-01), Ruggeri
Harman Rita S.
Studer Edward J.
Studer James E.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Olsen Kaj K.
Warden, Sr. Robert J.
LandOfFree
Liquid transfer apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Liquid transfer apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Liquid transfer apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2463722