Patent ID: 7947236
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: B01L,B04B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An article comprising: a container comprising a first end, a second end, a sidewall extending from the first end to the second end, the sidewall having inner and outer surfaces; a closure in contact with the inner surface of the sidewall of the container to seal the first end of the container; and a separator located within the container, wherein the separator is a unitary component comprising at least one feature selected from the group consisting of at least two regions of differing densities and a density gradient, wherein the separator has an overall density intermediate the densities of a formed phase and a liquid phase of a blood sample, and wherein at least a portion of the separator is radially deformable between a first position in which the blood sample can pass between the inner surface of the sidewall of the container and the separator, and a second position in which at least a portion of the separator circumferentially contacts the inner surface of the sidewall of the container preventing the blood sample from passing between the inner surface of the sidewall of the container and the separator.