Abstract:
A specimen container holder ( 12 ) aids in the collection of a biological specimen ( 16 ). The holder ( 12 ) securely holds and supports a specimen container ( 14 ) in a gripping unit ( 88 ) made of two arcuate fingers ( 36 ) and ( 40 ) attached to a handle ( 28 ). Subsequent to specimen collection, the specimen container ( 14 ) can be disengaged from the holder ( 12 ) by pressing ( 104 ) on the handle ( 28 ) with one hand.

Description:
RELATED INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to “Apparatus for Holding Specimen Cup and Method of Use,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/014,683, filed Dec. 18, 2007, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of holding devices for specimen containers of a type used in the medical field and elsewhere to collect, hold, and transport biological or other specimens obtained from patients or other sources. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Specimen containers are used in physicians&#39; offices, hospitals, and private labs in order to obtain urine or other samples from patients. Often the patient is expected to provide the sample in the privacy of a restroom within the facility itself. In such situations, the patient is expected to hold the sample container and collect the specimen. For young children or disabled patients, other family members may assist in this procedure. Regardless of who is actually collecting the sample, often the individual holding the container will soil their hands while collecting the sample. In the event that a mid-stream urine sample is required, where the patient begins to urinate in either a bed pan or the toilet and then insert the specimen container into the urine stream to collect an uncontaminated sample, the chances of soiling one&#39;s hand is a frequent problem. 
         [0004]    The patient is not the only person who must touch this specimen container. After a specimen is provided by the patient, the container is then given to a nurse, lab technician or other individual who works at the organization where the sample was collected. Not only is it likely that one&#39;s hands become soiled in the process of collecting a specimen, but it is also likely that the exterior of the container has been soiled. The soiled portion of the container is not generally limited to a small portion; rather, a majority of the container may be soiled before the individual is able to wipe the container. Generally at the time the sample is collected, all parties are unaware of any potential diseases or conditions that the specimen donor may have. Other individuals who handle the contaminated specimen container may be in danger of becoming exposed to these diseases or conditions. 
         [0005]    The potential transferring of diseases and the possible contamination of the outside of the specimen container are not the only problems. There are many people that must handle the specimen container both during the process of transporting, and while testing the specimen held within the container. Whether or not there was in fact any actual contamination, these people are often displeased about having to touch the container, and would appreciate not having to touch it. 
         [0006]    The distaste for holding the specimen container is only increased with the potential that the container may have been soiled in the process of collecting the specimen, both from the specimen splashing out of the container, and also from being inserted into the specimen stream. 
         [0007]    This problem has been addressed to some extent by conventional inexpensive, disposable specimen container holding devices. With such devices a user holds the holding device while the holding device holds the specimen container. Thus, the user may reduce direct contact with the specimen container itself. But the conventional devices have their own disadvantages. Some place the specimen container within a tight ring which holds the container securely during the collection process. But the process of removing the container from such a ring can lead to potential spilling or loss of the sample. Furthermore, the removal of a secured specimen container from a conventional specimen container holder typically requires the use of two hands. One hand holds the specimen container holder while the second hand either pulls the specimen container out of the holder by the cap, or pushes the specimen container out of the holder from underneath the holder. In either situation, there is the potential that the hands of the individual removing the specimen container can be soiled by the outside of the container. 
         [0008]    There is no standard size for specimen containers. Different manufacturers manufacture such containers in different diameters. In order to utilize conventional specimen container holders, the precise diameter of the specimen container must be known, as the ring holding the container is molded into a set diameter, unable to adapt to different size sample containers. 
         [0009]    Also, many conventional specimen container holding devices are often made from rigid, brittle plastics. As mentioned earlier, there are many different specimen container diameters. Due to the rigidity of many of the conventional specimen container holding devices, these devices cannot expand to accommodate a variety of these different diameters. Instead, it is typically necessary to specially mold rings for different containers. Furthermore, the brittle nature of these holding devices makes them liable to break when force is applied. 
         [0010]    Some of these also have vertical reinforcements on the bottom of the handle. These reinforcements encourage a user to grip the holder primarily on the sides, vertically, instead of horizontally. This is because the vertical reinforcements concentrated pressure at the narrow lines of contact with the user&#39;s finger at the bottom of the handle. This is unsuitable for exerting much in the way of a downward force. Consequently, these reinforcements encourage the two handed specimen container removal technique discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Accordingly, it is an advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention that an improved apparatus for holding a specimen container and a method of use are provided. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that a device and method are provided to allow an individual to easily and securely place a specimen container to accept urine or other sample while seated upon a toilet. 
         [0013]    It is still another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention that a device and method are provided that can securely hold multiple sizes of specimen containers while receiving urine or other samples. 
         [0014]    Still another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that a system for collecting and transporting specimens is provided that limits the surface area soiled while receiving a specimen. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that a device and method are provided that easily releases a specimen container subsequent to having received the specimen. 
         [0016]    The above and other advantages are carried out in one form by an improved specimen container holder. This specimen container holder has a handle. Attached to the handle two arcuate fingers are oriented so that these fingers can securely hold a specimen container. 
         [0017]    Further advantages of this specimen container holder will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of a specimen container holder depicting the holder securing a specimen container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a top perspective view of a specimen container holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of a specimen container holder in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of a specimen container holder in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a planar view of a specimen container holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a specimen container holder depicting a method of using the specimen container holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a system  10  made up of a specimen container holder  12  and a specimen container  14 . Specimen container  14  can be manufactured by many different companies, having different diameters and shapes. Typically, specimen container  14  has a screw top lid  18  to prevent the collected specimen  16  from spilling. The side walls  20  of specimen container  14  can be tapered, such that the diameter  22  of specimen container  14  is greater at lid  18  than it is below lid  18 , or can be straight, such that the diameter  22  is constant over the full length of specimen container  14 . There may be external molded features  24  that increase the greatest diameter  26  of specimen container  14 . Specimen container  14  is securely placed within specimen container holder  12  prior to an individual using the system to collect a specimen  16 . Specimen container holder  12  has a handle  28 , this handle  28  having a proximal end  30  and a distal end  32 . Handle  28  also has a top face  34  and bottom face  36 . Proximal end  30  is intended to be nearer specimen container  14  during normal use and distal end  32  is intended to be farther from specimen container  14  during normal use. Connected to proximal end  30  is a first arcuate gripping finger  38  and a second arcuate gripping finger  40 . First arcuate gripping finger  38  has a concave side  42  and a convex side  44 . Second arcuate gripping finger  40  has a concave side  46  and a convex side  48 . Concave side  42  of first arcuate gripping finger  38  and concave side  46  of second arcuate gripping finger face each other, and convex side  44  of first arcuate gripping finger  38  and convex side  48  of second arcuate gripping finger  40  face away from each other. First arcuate gripping finger  38  has a secured end  50  and an open end  52 . Second arcuate gripping finger  40  has a secured end  54  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and an open end  56 . Secured ends  50  and  54  are intended to be nearer handle  28 , secured at the proximal end  30  of handle  28 , and open ends  52  and  56  are intended to be farther from handle  28 . Open ends  52  and  56  do not touch, providing a small gap  58  there between. Concave sides  42  and  46  of arcuate gripping fingers  38  and  40  form an opening  60  (circumscribed by a dotted line in  FIG. 2 ) which is configured to securely hold specimen container  14 . 
         [0026]    Top face  34  at distal end  32  of handle  28  has a textured area  62  formed as a pattern of small peaks and valleys molded into handle  28 . Textured area  62  provides traction where a user&#39;s hand, typically the user&#39;s thumb, holds handle  28 . The traction helps the user grip the holder securely not only while collecting a specimen, but also while extracting specimen container  14  from specimen container holder  22 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of specimen container holder  22 . First arcuate gripping finger  38  has a top face  64  having a width  66 , a concave rim  68  having a concave thickness  70 , and a convex rim  72  having a convex thickness  74  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Second arcuate gripping finger  40  has a top face  76  having a width  78 , a concave rim  80  having a concave thickness  82 , and a convex rim  84  having a convex thickness  86 . Width  66  is the radial distance between the concave rim  68  and convex rim  72 . Width  78  is the radial distance between the concave rim  80  and convex rim  84 . Convex thicknesses  74  and  86  are substantially the same, and concave thicknesses  70  and  82  are substantially the same. Also, widths  66  and  78  are substantially the same. 
         [0028]    Concave rims  68  and  80  and proximal end  30  of handle  28  are joined together to form a specimen container gripping unit  88  (circumscribed by a dotted line in  FIG. 3 ). Gripping unit  88  is substantially planar with handle  28  and has an internal diameter  90  and an external diameter  92 . Those skilled in the art would recognize that although specimen container gripping unit  88  is not a full circle, due to gap  58 , the substantially circular shape is viewed as having an internal diameter  90  and external diameter  92 . Internal diameter  90  is the diameter of the substantially circular shape formed by concave rims  68  and  80  and the proximal end  30  of handle  28 . External diameter  92  is the diameter of the substantially circular shape formed by convex rims  72  and  84  and the proximal end  30  of handle  28 . The difference in length between internal diameter  90  and external diameter  92  is equal to the sum of the lengths of widths  66  and  78 . Gripping area  48  also has a top face  94 . When specimen container  14  is secured within specimen container gripping unit  88 , part of specimen container  14  is below the top face  94  of gripping unit  88 . 
         [0029]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, gripping unit  88  has a substantially circular shape, with gap  58  where open ends  52  and  56  approach each other. Those skilled in the art will recognize that arcuate gripping fingers  38  and  40  need not span the full circumference of specimen container  14 , but rather only need to span more than one half of the circumference of the container  14 . As the specimen container  14  has a circular shape, as long as an angular distance  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of more than 180° of the specimen container  14  is spanned by arcuate fingers  38  and  40 , specimen container holder  12  can hold specimen container  14 . In a preferred embodiment, angular distance  96  is more than 350°. 
         [0030]    Widths  66  and  78  reduce the likelihood of contaminating or soiling the exterior surface of specimen container  14 .  FIG. 1  shows width  66  of first arcuate gripping finger  38  and width  78  of second arcuate gripping finger  40  extending beyond the greatest diameter of specimen container  14 . This extended surface area created by widths  66  and  78  reduces contamination of specimen container  14  due to both collected specimen  16  splashing out of specimen container  14  and the user not being able to collect the specimen without soiling the holder  22 . 
         [0031]    Specimen container gripping unit  88  is malleable such that when a specimen container  14  is inserted, first arcuate gripping finger  38  and second arcuate gripping finger  40  spread apart to securely hold specimen container  14 , and gap  58  can increase to adapt to different size specimen containers  62 . Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention is molded in recycled polystyrene, those skilled in the art will recognize other materials that can be similarly molded to avoid rigidity and brittleness but provide equivalent malleability such that the arcuate gripping fingers  38  and  40  can spread to accommodate varying sized specimen containers  62 . 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, specimen container holder  12  is molded such that handle  28  and specimen container gripping unit  88  together form a single unit. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many different methods to join handle  28  and gripping unit  88  such that the structural integrity of the specimen cup holder  12  is not compromised. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show alternate preferred embodiments of the specimen container gripping unit  88 .  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of specimen container holder  22 . Concave thickness  70  of first arcuate gripping finger  38  is greater than convex thickness  74  of first arcuate gripping finger  38 . Also, concave thickness  82  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of second arcuate gripping finger  40  is greater than convex thickness  86  of second arcuate gripping finger  40 . Because concave thicknesses  70  and  82  are in direct contact with specimen container  14  when specimen container  14  is placed in specimen container holder  22 , the increased thicknesses provide extra support in gripping specimen container  14 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative preferred embodiment. A perspective view of specimen container holder  12  is shown. In this  FIG. 4  embodiment, concave thickness  70  of first arcuate gripping finger  38  is substantially equal to convex thickness  74  of first arcuate gripping finger  38 . Also, concave thickness  82  of second arcuate gripping finger  40  is substantially equal to convex thickness  86  of second arcuate gripping finger  40 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a planar view of the specimen container holder  12  from the back. Bottom face  36  of handle  28  is substantially planar. In particular, bottom face  36  is absent of significant downward projections. Those skilled in the art will recognize that bottom face  36  need not be precisely planar, but rather can be slightly curved, particularly in a convex orientation. The structural advantage from such a configuration of bottom face  36  will become apparent from the below presented discussion concerning the method of using specimen container holder  22 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of specimen container holder  12  and depicts a method of using the specimen container holder  22 . Prior to collecting specimen  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), specimen container  14  is placed in gripping unit  88  of specimen container holder  22 . After specimen  16  is collected, specimen container  14  is placed upon a surface  98 , and a finger  100  and thumb  102  are placed on the top face  34  and bottom face  36  of the handle  28 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thumb  102  is placed on top face  34  of handle  28 , and finger  100  is placed on bottom face  36  of handle  28 . Using this finger  100  and thumb  102 , a force  104  perpendicular to the surface  98  is placed upon the handle  28  such that specimen container holder  12  is pressed towards surface  98 . This force  104  causes first arcuate gripping finger  38  and second arcuate gripping finger  40  to spread apart, increasing the size of gap  58 . When gap  58  increases, specimen container holder  12  releases its secure grip upon specimen container  14 , and specimen container gripping unit  88  slides down the specimen container  14 . By providing a substantially flat bottom face  36 , the force  104  of pressing the specimen cup holder  12  towards surface  98  is spread evenly across the finger  104  or thumb  10  that is in direct contact with bottom face  36 , rather than concentrated on narrow lines of contact, as would occur if vertical reinforcement ribs were included. 
         [0037]    In summary, the present invention teaches an improved specimen container holder  12  and a method of using it. The specimen container holder  12  allows an individual to easily and securely place a specimen container  14  to accept urine or other specimen  16  while seated. The holder  12  can securely hold multiple sizes of specimen containers  62  while receiving the specimen  16 . While collecting a specimen  16 , this specimen container holder  12  provides a rim around the specimen container  14  so that the potential for contaminating the exterior surface of the specimen container is limited. Furthermore, removing the specimen container  14  from specimen container holder  12  is easily done with one hand. 
         [0038]    Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.