Abstract:
A flexible and twist-on clip for use with such as a blood vial or specimen tube. The clip includes a plasticized or other suitably constructed body defining an opening which reveals an inner perimeter sized to allow the clip to be twisted during application to the vial and so that the inner perimeter mates with and engages about a corresponding outer perimeter of the vial. Variants of the design may include an additional plurality of secondary apertures for providing additional elasticity to the clip body. Other variants can include outer configured protuberances to assist in exerting an anti-roll effect to the supported vial.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention discloses a flexible, twist on attachment body having an inner perimeter for use with a vial, such as containing a physiological (blood specimen). In particular, the attachment body or clip operates to prevent rolling of the blood filled vials and in order to prevent compromising of the integrity of the specimen. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    During the collection of blood specimens there are several stages, the first stage is known as the “pre-analytic stage.” There can be a few reasons accounting for errors which can occur during this stage. The most prevalent of these is hemolysis of the specimen, and which often results in the inability to complete the requested tests for which the specimen was drawn. 
         [0004]    In vitro hemolysis, defined as rupturing of the erythrocytes (red blood cells) and the release of their contents (cytoplasm) into the surrounding fluid (e.g. blood plasma), can be caused by improper technique during collection of blood specimens, by the effects of mechanical processing of blood, or by bacterial action in cultured blood specimens. By example, the concentration of potassium inside red blood cells is much higher than in the plasma and so an elevated potassium level is usually found in biochemistry tests of hemolyzed blood. 
         [0005]    Most causes of in vitro hemolysis are related to specimen collection. Difficult collections, unsecure line connections, contamination, and incorrect needle size, as well as improper tube mixing and incorrectly filled tubes can also be causes of hemolysis. One particular instance results from rolling of the specimen tube following collection, during which the collision and rupturing the red blood cells significantly increases the hemolytic action within the plasma. 
         [0006]    The rejection of specimens can be an expensive mistake. According to one study, 74% of errors recorded in pre-analytic stage are contributed directly to hemolysis. It has also been determined in studies that 43% of hemolysis is contributed to vigorously shaking or mixing of the specimen prior to completing the requested test. 
         [0007]    Unrelated to hemolysis prevention other articles are known in the art for preventing roll off of such as thermometers, this is depicted by the Flinn Scientific Thermometer Anti-Roll-Off Device. One version of this device is provided in the form of a triangular shaped plug with a knurled outer perimeter and an enclosed circular inner perimeter sized to frictionally engage the outer perimeter of the glass thermometer from an inserting end. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention discloses a flexible and twist-on clip for use with such as a blood vial or specimen tube. The clip includes a plasticized or other suitably constructed body defining an opening which reveals an inner perimeter sized to allow the clip to be twisted during application to the vial and so that the inner perimeter mates with and engages about a corresponding outer perimeter of the vial. 
         [0009]    Variants of the design may include an additional plurality of secondary apertures for providing additional elasticity to the clip body. Other variants can include outer configured protuberances to assist in exerting an anti-roll effect to the supported vial. 
         [0010]    In use, the clip body is designed to clip over the specimen tube before the blood collection is attempted. Once blood is collected, it can be sat down on surfaces and remain secure. This will drastically cut back the movement of each specimen during the pre-analytic stage by decreasing the amount of rejected specimens due to hemolysis, thus producing a specimen which will yield more accurate test results from the pre-analytic stage to the analytic stage, positively affecting (i.e. lowering) the specimen rejection rate. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a twist on clip for use with a blood collection specimen tube according to a first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective of the clip in  FIG. 1  and better illustrating the open access configured within the triangular shaped body for twist applying the clip so as to receive the exterior perimeter of the specimen tube within the interior perimeter of the clip, along with the additional array of apertures defined in the material body for providing an additional degree of elasticity to the body; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a planar end view of clip and specimen tube in  FIG. 1  and exhibiting the snug perimeter engagement established therebetween; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top planar view of the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a bottom planar view of the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is either a right or left planar side view of the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a slightly modified clip from that shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating a varied array of secondary apertures configured within the body; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a planar end view of clip in  FIG. 7  and exhibiting the snug perimeter engagement established with a blood specimen tube or vial; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top planar view of the clip of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a bottom planar view of the clip of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is either a right or left planar side view of the clip of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a further modified and generally circular/arcuate twist on clip according to a further embodiment and which includes outer configured protuberances to assist in exerting an anti-roll effect to the supported vial; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a planar end view of the clip of  FIG. 12  and exhibiting the snug perimeter engagement established with a blood specimen tube or vial; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a top planar view of the clip of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a bottom planar view of the clip of  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is either a right or left planar side view of the clip of  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring now to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses a variety of twist-on anti-roll clip devices, such as can be used with any of a blood specimen vial, thermometer or pipette. As will be described, the present invention teaches a variety of clip devices which can be attached to an elongated and tubular fluid carrying vessel, again for the purposes of preventing the same from rolling upon a supported surface. 
         [0029]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view is provided of a twist on clip, generally at  10 , for use with a blood collection specimen tube  2  according to a first embodiment. As previously described, a purpose of the clip is to prevent rolling of a cylindrical shaped specimen tube (or vial), such as in one instance to limit instances of contamination through hemolysis of a blood specimen contained within the vial. As further shown, a cap  4  (or other screw on, twist lock or other resistance fitting attachment such as a cork secure to the open end of the vial) is provided for hermetically sealing the vial interior once the specimen has been collected and deposited. 
         [0030]    As further depicted in the successive perspective view of  FIG. 2  and further plan views of  FIGS. 3-6 , the clip  10  depicted in the non-limiting embodiment exhibits a generally multi-sided configuration, in particular shown as a triangular shape with three sides  12 ,  14  and  16 , such as further which can include rounded (as shown) or sharp interconnecting edges  18 ,  20  and  22 . The clip  10  further exhibits flattened and spaced apart surfaces  24  and  26  which establish a given thickness therebetween for the body. 
         [0031]    A pair of arcuate side wall locations  28  and  30  define a split in a selected side further depicted at  12  and  12 ′ and better illustrate an open access configured within the triangular shaped body for twist applying the clip  10  so as to receive the exterior cylindrical perimeter of the specimen tube  2  within a mating interior perimeter surface  32  of the clip in a friction fitting and mating arrangement. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the spaced apart locations (sides  12 / 12 ′) of the triangular shaped clip body  10  can be deflected or twisted in the manner depicted by arrows  34  and  36  in order to resistively fit the clip over the vial  2  in the manner depicted so that the cap end  4  is angled upwardly from the surface  6  upon which the clip and the bottom closed end  8  of the vial are supported (the planar end view of  FIG. 3  further depicting the internal blood  9  or other fluid specimen which is supported within the vial interior). 
         [0032]    An additional array of apertures is further shown defined in the material body surrounding the inner perimeter surface  23 , and for providing an additional degree of elasticity to the body. This includes, in the non-limiting embodiment shown, a largest plurality of apertures corresponding to the rounded corner locations  18 ,  20  and  22  and which are defined by interior closed perimeter surfaces  38 ,  40  and  42 , respectively. Additional pluralities of apertures are depicted by intermediate secondary internal apertures (interior profile surfaces  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  which are distributed across the three interconnected sides) and additional tertiary (smallest) internal apertures  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62 . 
         [0033]    The number, arrangement and configuration of the secondary interior apertures can be varied without limitation. It is also envisioned that other flex structure can be integrated into the plastic or plastic composite construction of the clip body (such further envisioning the use of foam or other material exhibiting a necessary degree of flex or bend) 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a slightly modified clip  64  from that shown in  FIG. 1  at  10 . A similar array of secondary internal apertures, see at  38 ′,  40 ′ and  42 ′, are shown (as in the clip  10  of  FIG. 1 ), with a rearrangement of additional apertures depicted at  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76 . Otherwise, the clip  64  is generally similar in configuration and construction to that shown at  10  such that a repetitive description of the other features repeated from that variant is not necessary aside from referencing sides  12 - 16  and  12 ″,  14 ′ and  16 ′, corners as  18 ′,  20 ′,  22 ′, end faces  24 ′/ 26 ′, and walls  28 ′/ 30 ′ accessing inner perimeter  32 ′. Similar to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 8  is a planar end view of clip  64  in  FIG. 7  and exhibiting the snug perimeter engagement established with a blood specimen tube or vial  2 , with  FIG. 9  a top planar view of the clip of  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 10  a bottom planar view of the clip of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 11  a right or left planar side view of the clip of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a further modified and generally circular/arcuate twist on clip  78  according to a further embodiment. As further shown, the clip  78  includes inner and outer spaced arcuate surfaces  80  and  82  with opposing spaced apart end  84  and  86 . The clip  78  exhibits a circumferential perimeter some range greater than 180° (with the angular separation between the ends  84 / 86  likewise a corresponding value less than 180° totaling with the other value) 360°, this in order to biasingly engage the inner surface  82  against the exterior perimeter of the vial  2 . 
         [0036]    As further shown, a plurality of outer configured protuberances  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96  (shown as rounded bump shapes) are depicted projecting at circumferentially spaced apart locations along the clip body  78  and between first  98  and second  100  end faces, this to assist in exerting an anti-roll effect to the supported vial  2 . The shape and configuration of the protuberances can likewise be modified within the scope of the invention to achieve an anti-roll effect for any desired construction of flexural/twist-on clip body. 
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a planar end view of the clip of  FIG. 12  and again exhibits the snug perimeter engagement established with a blood specimen tube or vial  2 .  FIG. 14  is a top planar view of the clip of  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 15  is a bottom planar view and  FIG. 16  either a right or left planar side view of the clip  78 . 
         [0038]    Aside from reconfiguring the clip in a variety of different shapes and styles to effectuate twist-on application about the vial  2  exterior, it is envisioned that additional variants of the present inventions can contemplate providing any combination of clips and vials in a kit form. Other variants can include such as the addition of other coatings, materials or the like to the clip body, and in particular its inner defined gripping perimeter, in order to better secure the corresponding outer surface of the vial. 
         [0039]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.