Patent · US Expired

Liquid specimen transfer apparatus and method

US5411065A · kind A · utility

106Cited by
5References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 1994
Grant dateMay 2, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T436/2575
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of obtaining aliquots or samples from a liquid specimen collection container and an apparatus which automateally perforths those methods involves transferring a sample of liquid from a sealed non-deformingly expandable container containing gas and the liquid without contaminating the liquid remaining inside the container, and comprises (a) non-deformingly volumetrically expanding the sealed container sufficiently to reduce pressure therein below ambient pressure outside the container, (b) applying heat selectively to a locus on said enlarged container to non-invasively create a hole having a diameter effective to equilibrate the pressure inside the container with said ambient pressure without loss of liquid from the container, and (c) non-deformingly volumetrically reducing the container to expel liquid from the container through the hole.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.