U.S. patent number 3,687,296 [Application Number 05/128,415] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-29 for fluid separator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to EWI Research & Development Corporation. Invention is credited to Dom Spinosa, John Varga.
United States Patent |
3,687,296 |
Spinosa , et al. |
August 29, 1972 |
FLUID SEPARATOR
Abstract
A fluid separator having a tubular member slideably mounted in
an entrance opening of an outer container by means of a first
stopper. A porous filter is mounted on the inner end of said
tubular member while a second stopper is provided on the other end
thereof. The outer container is substantially evacuated, said
second stopper being adapted to permit the passage of a hollow
needle therethrough for the insertion of the fluid to be separated
into said tubular member. Said filter means separates the fluid
from heavier materials therein upon the withdrawal of said tubular
member from said outer container.
Inventors: |
Spinosa; Dom (Wantagh, NY),
Varga; John (Bayville, NY) |
Assignee: |
EWI Research & Development
Corporation (Syosset, L.I., NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22435267 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/128,415 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/406; 210/460;
600/577; 604/190; 422/913 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L
3/5082 (20130101); B01D 33/01 (20130101); G01N
33/491 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01L
3/14 (20060101); B01D 33/01 (20060101); B01D
33/00 (20060101); G01N 33/49 (20060101); B01d
035/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/214,220
;210/406,416,436,449,451,460-463 ;251/7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Friedman; Reuben
Assistant Examiner: Burks; R. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fluid separator, comprising an outer container having at least
one entrance opening; a tubular member having openings in both ends
dimensioned to pass through said outer container entrance opening
and positioned in said opening with an inner end thereof projecting
into said outer container; first stopper means mounted in said
outer container entrance opening for slideably receiving said
tubular member and for sealing the portion of said entrance opening
outside of said tubular member; porous filter means mounted across
the opening and defining the inner end of said tubular means; and
second stopper means sealing the opening defining the other end of
said tubular member, said fluid separator being adapted to permit
the substantial evacuation of said outer container and tubular
member, said second stopper means being adapted to permit the
insertion therethrough into said tubular member of the fluid to be
separated without substantially affecting said vacuum, whereby the
filtrate portion of said fluid passes through said filter medium
into said outer container when said tubular member is
longitudinally displaced outwardly of said outer container.
2. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular
member is formed with a vent hole therethrough on a portion thereof
intermediate the normal fluid level and the point of engagement
between said first stopper means and said tubular member.
3. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said first
stopper means is provided with a central opening through which said
tubular member extends, said first stopper means engaging the
periphery of said tubular member in sealing relation while
permitting the longitudinal displacement thereof, said first
stopper member being formed with a flexible arm portion projecting
therefrom and a cap portion mounted to the end of said arm portion
and dimensioned for selectively sealingly engaging the central
opening of said first stopper means for sealing said outer
container after withdrawal of said tubular member.
4. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said second
stopper means is provided with a thinned region as viewed axially
relative to said tubular member, said second stopper means being
dimensioned so that a compressive force is applied to said thinned
region by said tubular member when said second stopper means is
inserted therein, whereby said thinned region of said second
stopper means may be pierced by a hollow needle for insertion of
fluid into said tubular body without substantially affecting said
vacuum.
5. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said porous
filter medium is inert.
6. a fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including a ring-shaped
resilient mounting member for securing said filter medium to said
tubular member, said filter member being pressingly engaged to said
tubular member by said ring-shaped retaining member.
7. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including a porous
support member extending across the opening defining said inner end
of said tubular member, said filter medium being supported on the
inner surface of said porous support member, whereby the filtrate
passing through said filter medium passes through said porous
support member into said outer container.
8. A fluid separator as recited in claim 7, wherein said filter
medium and porous support member are both inert.
9. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including adapter means
having first and second hollow needles projecting therefrom, at
least one of said hollow needles being adapted for insertion
through said second stopper means; a fluid passage between said
first and second hollow needles; and valve means for selectively
opening and closing said fluid passage to control the passage of
fluid therethrough.
10. A fluid separator as recited in claim 9, wherein said second
stopper means is provided with a portion projecting longitudinally
beyond said tubular member, said adapter means being provided with
a mounting portion for cooperatively engaging said projecting
portion of said second stopper means for the releasable securing of
said adapter means to said second stopper means.
11. A fluid separator as recited in claim 9, wherein said fluid
passage includes a length of flexible tubing, said valve means
including a pair of displaceable valve members positioned on
opposed sides of said flexible tubing for displacement relative to
said tubing in a first open position and a second position at which
said flexible tubing is engaged between said valve members to close
said fluid passage, and means for selectively displacing said valve
means between said first and second position.
12. A fluid separator as recited in claim 11, wherein said adapter
means includes a support portion having apertures therethrough;
said valve members being dimensioned to project through said
apertures at said first position and being normally biased in said
first position, said displacing means including a member
displaceable into and out of registration with said apertures and
dimensioned to displace said valve members into said second
position when in registration with said apertures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to filtering devices where it is
desired to perform the rapid and efficient separation of heavier
materials from fluid under sanitary conditions. One example of such
a circumstance is in the separation of the heavier constituents of
blood from the serum which now requires the use of centrifuge-type
separators. While such filtering arrangements are effective, they
have proved expensive and time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a fluid
separator is provided including an outer container having at least
one entrance opening, a tubular member dimensioned to pass through
said outer container entrance opening and positioned in said
opening so that an inner end thereof projects into said inner
container, first stopper means for sealing so much of said outer
container entrance opening as lies outside of said tubular member
while permitting the slideable displacement of said tubular member
out of said entrance opening. The outer container and tubular
member are substantially evacuated, said second stopper member
being adapted to permit the penetration thereof for the insertion
of the fluid to be separated into said tubular member while leaving
said vacuum substantially undisturbed.
Fluid separation is accomplished by slideably displacing said
tubular member out of said inner container, the filtrate passing
through said filter means into said outer container. The tubular
member may be formed with a vent aperture through the portion of
the wall thereof projecting into said outer container.
The first stopper means is formed with a central opening
therethrough for receiving said tubular member, and may be formed
with a cap portion coupled to the balance of said first stopper
means by a flexible portion, said cap portion being adapted to seal
said central opening in said first stopper means upon the
withdrawal of said tubular member from said outer container.
A porous support member may be provided for supporting at least a
portion of said filter means. An adapter including a flow control
valve means may be provided for penetrating said second stopper
means.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a fluid
separator which is simple to manufacture and utilize.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid separator
particularly adapted for separating the heavier constituents of
blood from the serum.
A further object of the invention is to provide an evacuated fluid
separator wherein the fluid may be readily inserted within said
separator by means of a conventional hypodermic needle or a special
adapter while a portion of said fluid separator defines a retaining
and storing container for the filtrate after separation.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be
obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and
drawings.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,
combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be
exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and scope
of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the fluid separator according to the
invention;
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the step-step process for utilizing the fluid
separator of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 5-8 are fragmentary sectional views showing alternate
constructions of the filter means of the fluid separator according
to the invention; and
FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectioned views of a valved adapter for applying
the fluid to the fluid separator according to the invention, in the
closed and open position respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, the serum separator 10 depicted
incorporates an outer container 12 formed substantially in the
shape of a test tube and having an entrance opening 14. A first
stopper 16, formed with an annular slot 18 on one surface thereof
receives the rim 20 of outer container 12 in said slot in sealing
engagement. First stopper 16 is formed with a central opening 22
therethrough for snugly receiving tubular member 24 which projects
into inner container 12. First stopper 16 serves to seal that
portion ofentrance opening 14 of outer container 12 extending
between the periphery of tubular member 24 and rim 20 of said outer
container. The tubular member is longitudinally displaceable in
said first stopper without affecting the seal between said stopper
and said tubular member.
A second stopper 26 is mounted in the upper end of tubular member
24. Said second stopper is formed with a central region 28 of
reduced thickness defined by cutout regions 30 and 32. The thinned
region 28 is held in compression within the rim 34 of tubular
member 24. The upper portion of said second stopper is of increased
diameter to define step 36 against which rim 34 abuts to position
said stopper on said rim. A substantially cone shaped filter member
is mounted across the opening in the inner end of said tubular
member and is firmly held in place against rim 40 of said tubular
member inner end by an elastic rim member 42. Said ring member is
dimensioned to pressingly engage the periphery 44 of filter medium
38 against rim 40 of said tubular member. Said ring member is
formed with a central opening 46 therethrough to permit
communication of liquid from said tubular member to said filter
means which projects outwardly from said tubular member to the base
of said outer container.
Mounted on first stopper 16 by means of a flexible connector tab 47
is a cap member 48. Said cap member is dimensioned to seal the
opening 22 in first stopper 16 when tubular member 24 is removed.
Cap member 48 is provided with an annular projecting rim 50
dimensioned to mate with a corresponding annual reentrant recess 52
formed on the internal periphery of said first stopper for
retaining said cap member in position. A tongue 54 projects from
said cap member for providing a handle for manipulation of said cap
member. One or more vent openings 56 are provided in the wall of
tubular member 24 immediately below the point of engagement with
first stopper 16, as shown in FIG. 1.
The outer container 12 and tubular member 24 are preferably formed
from glass or plastic adapted to provide structural rigidity during
the manipulation of the serum separator according to the invention.
The first and second stoppers 16 and 26 respectively are formed of
a resilient rubber or plastic. The filter medium is formed of sheet
material such as Nylon, Teflon, paper or the like having a
plurality of apertures therethrough dimensioned to pass a filtrate
therethrough.
The operation of the serum separator according to the invention is
illustrated in connection with FIGS. 2 - 4. Outer container 12 and
inner container 24 are substantially evacuated with the tubular
member projected into outer container 12 so that aperture 56 falls
within said outer container. Such evacuation can be achieved by
passing a hollow needle connected to a vacuum pump through the thin
portion 28 of second stopper 26. Due to the compressive mounting of
second stopper 26 as described above, the thin portion 26 is self
sealing so that the vacuum within outer container 12 remains
undisturbed upon the removal of said hollow needle.
As more particularly shown in FIG. 2, the fluid 60 to be separated
is inserted within the evacuated tubular member 24 by means, for
example, of a conventional hypodermic needle 62 provided with an
inserting plunger 64 and a hollow needle 66. As depicted in FIG. 2,
said hollow needle pierces thin portion 28 of second stopper 26 to
extend into tubular member 24, thereby permitting the insertion of
the fluid 60 into said tubular member. Said fluid is retained
within said tubular member by filter medium 38. As described above,
the self sealing characteristics of second stopper 26 permits the
withdrawal of hypodermic 62 without substantially disturbing the
vacuum within outer container 12 and tubular member 24.
As depicted within FIG. 3, tubular member 24 is then longitudinally
displaced in first stopper 16 in the direction of arrow 68. When
aperture 56 in said tubular member passes out of second stopper 16,
a pressure of about one atmosphere is applied to the top surface of
fluid 60 so as to force the filtrate through the apertures in
filter media 38. The filtrate 70 accumulates in outer container 12,
while the portion 72 of said fluid not capable of passing through
filter medium 38 is retained within tubular member 56. The quantity
and nature of the material passing through filter medium 38 is
determined by the dimensions of the apertures in said porous filter
medium.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, the tubular member is completely
withdrawn from second stopper 16 and the opening 22 in said stopper
is sealed by cap portion 48. Thus, the outer container 12 serves as
a storage container for said filtrate. A valved adapter may be used
in place of hypodermic needle 62 as more particularly described
below in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10.
The foregoing arrangement is particularly adapted for the
separation of heavier components from the serum of blood, with said
serum being effectively free of blood cells if a filter having
apertures of 4 to 6 microns is utilized. By selecting the filter
medium, minute particles can be effectively filtered from a fluid
by the fluid separator according to the invention.
FIGS. 5 - 8 show a variety of alternate constructions for the
mounting of the filter medium to the tubular member according to
the invention. A porous support member 74 is bonded, welded, heat
sealed, or otherwise suitably fastened to the inner surface of rim
76 of tubular member 78. A filter medium 80 is mounted within
support member 74 so as to be supported thereby along substantially
its entire surface, the porosity of said support member permitting
the passage of the filtrate passed by said filter medium
therethrough. A support member such as support member 74 may be
required where the filter medium is not of sufficient strength, for
example, due to its thin gage, to support the fluid during the
separation process.
The embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are similarly provided with
support members. While the support member of FIG. 5 is tubular in
shape with the bottom end thereof closed by an integral portion of
said support member, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is formed with a
first tubular portion 82 secured to tubular member 84 and a second
cap portion 86 mounted to close the bottom end of said tubular
portion. Both the cap portion and tubular portion of said
supporting member are formed of said porous material and support a
filter medium 88.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, tubular member 90 is formed
with an inwardly projecting flange 92 on the inner end thereof.
Specifically with regard to the embodiment of FIG. 7, a
substantially conical support member 94 is mounted to said flange
so that the apex of said support member faces into tubular member
90. A substantially conical filter medium 96 is supported on said
support member. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, support member 98 is
mounted on annular flange 92 and supports a disc-shaped filter
medium 100.
Both the filter medium and support member according to the
invention are preferably formed of inert materials, the porosity
and mesh sizes thereof being select in accordance with the material
to be filtered from the fluid.
The tubular member and filter medium may also be formed as a single
member by forming a test tube shaped member of a filter material
and depositing a plastic coating on all but the transverse base
thereof to provide rigidity and to fill the filter apertures in
this region. In each of the above described embodiments, filtration
ends when the fluid level falls below the uppermost portion of the
filter material.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an adapter 110 is shown mounted on
embodiment of the fluid separator according to the invention 10'
fragmentarily shown therein. Fluid separator 10' is substantially
identical to the embodiments discussed above, except that tubular
member 24' is formed with a radical flange 112 at the upper end
thereof. Further, second stopper 26' is formed with a portion
thereof projecting longitudinally out of tubular member 24'.
Adapter 110 is formed with a mounting member 114. Said mounting
member is formed at its base with an aperture dimensioned to
receive the projecting portion of second stopper 26' in sealing
engagement, with the end surface 116 of said support portion in
engagement with flange 112 of tubular member 24'. The peripheral
surface of the lower portion of support portion 114 is formed with
an annular concave groove which permits the gripping of adapter 110
for the insertion and removal thereof from serum separator 10'.
Mounting member 114 is formed with a central bore 120 therethrough
providing communication to the top surface 122 of second stopper
26'. The upper portion 124 of support member 114 is substantially
tubular in shape and is formed with at least one pair of
longitudinally extending facing slots 126 in the wall thereof.
Received within bore 120 of support member 114 is a needle carrying
member 128. Said needle carrying member consists of a pair of end
portions 130 and 132 joined by a pair of flexible ribs 134. End
portion 130 of needle carrying member 128 is firmly retained within
the cylindrical portion 124 of mounting number 114. Said end
portion is formed with a bore 136 therethrough for sealingly
receiving a hollow pointed needle 138. Similarly, end portion 132
of needle carrier 128 is firmly received in the bottom portion of
mounting member 114 and is similarly provided with a bore 140
therethrough for receiving a second pointed hollow needle 142. A
flexible plastic tubing 143 is mounted on the inner end of each of
said hollow needles 138 and 142 and extends therebetween within
needle carrier member 128.
Ribs 134 of said needle carrier member are provided with outward
projections 144 dimensioned to be received in and extend beyond
slots 126 in mounting member cylindrical portion 124, as best shown
in FIG. 10. One of said ribs is provided with a single inner
projection 146 while the other of said ribs is provided with a pair
of spaced inner projections 148 aligned relative to single
projection 146 so that when ribs 134 are displaced centrally toward
the longitudinal axis of the adapter, single projection 146 mates
with and coacts with the pair of inward projections 148 to engage
and seal flexible tube 143, as most particularly shown in FIG.
9.
Adapter 110 is provided with a sealing ring 150 received about
mounting member cylindrical portion 124 for longitudinal
displacement therealong. The peripheral surface of sealing ring 150
is provided with a concave annular groove 152 to permit gripping of
said ring. When said ring is lowered in the direction of arrow 154
so that the ring is in registration with projections 144 of ribs
134, said ring engages said projection to displace said ribs
inwardly so that plastic tubing 143 is closed. When, as shown in
FIG. 10, sealing ring 150 is displaced in the direction of arrow
154, the ring is carried clear of projections 144 and the ribs 134
are released, thereby opening tubing 143.
Adapter 110 permits the control of the fluid into separator 10'.
Further, it permits the taking of a plurality of samples since
needle 138 may be inserted in a container of the fluid or in a
portion of the body, while needle 142 is sequentially inserted in a
plurality of fluid separators 10', sealing ring 150 being displaced
to cut off the passage of fluid through the adapter while the fluid
separators according to the invention are changed.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those
made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also understood that the following claims are intended to
cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention
herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention
which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
* * * * *