Abstract:
A sampling apparatus including an ampoule, an ampoule barrel for receiving the ampoule through a first opening, and a sheath fitted over a tip of the ampoule and extending from the ampoule and through a second opening of the ampoule barrel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/764,956, filed on Feb. 3, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, this is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/074,466, filed on Mar. 7, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to sampling liquids, and more particularly, to an apparatus for sampling a liquid and automatically performing a test. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    Sampling methods for liquids typically involve drawing a sample into a pipet, syringe, or other container from a cup. Such a sampling method exposes the sample taker to the liquid. Limiting a sample taker&#39;s exposure to a sample may be desirable, such as in urine analysis. Further, sampling methods may include exposing the sample to contaminants leading to, for example, sampling errors. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists at least for a system and/or method for reducing exposure to a sample, reducing sampling errors and limiting contamination of test samples. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, A sampling apparatus including an ampoule, an ampoule barrel for receiving the ampoule through a first opening, and a sheath fitted over a tip of the ampoule and extending from the ampoule and through a second opening of the ampoule barrel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings: 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1A-C  are an illustration of a test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of the test system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of a tip area of the test system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-C  are illustrations of a sampling cap, sheath and ampoule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-D  are illustrations of an ampoule barrel having no offset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-D  are illustrations of an ampoule barrel having an offset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A-D  are illustrations of an ampoule barrel having an offset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8A-C  are illustrations of a carrier for a test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9A-C  are illustrations of a breaking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11A-B  are illustrations of a test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    A test system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a self-contained total microbe test Referring to  FIG. 1A , a test system  100  includes an ampoule barrel  101 , an ampoule  102  and a cap  103 . The ampoule  102  may be removed from the ampoule barrel  101 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , the ampoule  102  includes a frangible tip  104 . The frangible tip  104  may be offset from a center of a main body  105  of the ampoule  102 . The ampoule  102  is a sealed container, which is opened open breaking the frangible tip  104 . The interior of the ampoule  102  is a vacuum-sealed environment. Upon, breaking the tip  104 , the ampoule  102  is adapted to draw a predetermined volume of liquid according to an internal pressure of the ampoule  102 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1C , the ampoule barrel  101  includes an opening  106  for receiving an ampoule. The ampoule barrel  101  includes a tip  107  for allowing a liquid into the ampoule barrel  101 . The barrel tip  107  includes one or more ports for drawing the liquid into the ampoule barrel  101  under the vacuum of an ampoule. The tip  107  of the ampoule barrel may be off center relative to a longitudinal center of the ampoule barrel  101 . An off center tip  107  may be inserted into a sampling cup, wherein the sampling cup may be held on edge to pool a sample, increasing a depth of the sample. The off center tip  107  may be immersed in the pooled sample. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of a test system  100 . An ampoule barrel  101  receives an ampoule  102 . A seal  201 , formed of for example, a rubber substance secures the ampoule  102 . A tip  104  of the ampoule  102  projects through the seal  201  and into a sample chamber. Upon placing the barrel tip  107  in a liquid, the seal  201  prevents the liquid from passing into an upper portion of the ampoule barrel  101 . The cap  103  is removable. The cap  103  prevents contaminants from entering the ampoule barrel  101  or contacting the barrel tip  107  prior to a test. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the ampoule barrel  101  includes ports, e.g.,  301  and  302 , for allowing a liquid to pass into a lower portion or sample chamber  303  of the ampoule barrel  101 . The ports may be located on an end, e.g.,  301 , of the ampoule barrel  101  and/or on a side of the ampoule barrel, e.g.,  302 . The seal  201  prevents the liquid form passing into an upper portion of the ampoule barrel  101 . The ampoule  102  includes a frangible tip  104 . The tip  104  includes a terminus  305 . The terminus  305  has a rounded structure. Above the terminus  305 , a score  306  is provided on a portion of the tip  104 . The score  306  is located to control the height at which the tip  104  breaks. The score  306  may be located on a portion, e.g., about 90 degrees or about 180 degrees, of the circumference of the tip  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the score  306  is located on a portion of the tip  104  away from the direction of the intended breakage. The ampoule  102  may be depressed into the ampoule barrel  101 , wherein the terminus  305  meets an angled face  304  of the ampoule barrel  101 . A pressure applied to the ampoule  102  causes the ampoule to descend into the ampoule barrel  101  with the seal  201 . The angled face  304  converts the pressure into a lateral pressure on the terminus  305  of the tip  104 . The tip  104  breaks at about the height of the score  306  under the lateral pressure. The terminus  305  breaks away from the tip  104  allowing the liquid in the lower portion  303  of the ampoule barrel  101  into the ampoule  102 . A flow rate at which the ampoule  102  draws liquid may be slower than a flow rate of the ports of the ampoule barrel  101 . The tip  104  may be sheathed, such that upon breaking the terminus  305 , a lower portion of the tip drop away into the ampoule barrel  101  and a remaining portion of the tip  104  is guarded within the sheath. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-C , upon drawing a sample into the ampoule  102  a sampling cap  401  may be placed over a broken tip of the ampoule  102 . A sheath  402  guards any sharps. The sampling cap  401  includes a nipple  403 . The nipple  403  fits within the sheath  402 . The cap  401  reduces a potential for contact with the liquid in the ampoule  102 . The nipple  403  cooperates with the sheath  402 , securing the sampling cap  401  to the ampoule  102 . The nipple  403  may be a tube through which a syringe  404  or other device may gain access to the contents of the ampoule  102 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , various ampoule barrels are depicted. It should be noted that modifications and variations of the ampoule barrels are contemplated herein. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A-D , ampoule barrels  101  having a bottom port  501  with no offset relative to a centerline of the ampoule barrel  101  are shown. Referring to  FIG. 5A , a lead in angle  502  of the face  304  is about 60 degrees. The ampoule  102  includes an offset tip  104 . The tip  104  is guarded by a sheath  402 . The offset tip  104  is aligned to meet the face  304  as the ampoule  102  descends into the ampoule barrel  101 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates an ampoule barrel  101  having a face  304  with a lead in angle of about 30 degrees.  FIGS. 5C and 5D  illustrate ampoule barrels  101  having a face  304 . The face  304  has a radius. For example, the radius of the face  304  in  FIG. 5C  is about 0.500 inches and the radius of the face  304  in  FIG. 5D  is about 0.110 inches. The radius of the face  304  converts the descent of the ampoule  102  into a lateral force that breaks the tip  104 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A-D , a bottom port  501  of the ampoule barrel  101  is offset, for example, by 0.065 inches from a centerline of the ampoule barrel  101 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , a lead in angle  502  of the face  304  is about 30 degrees. A height of the face is not uniform around the ampoule barrel  101 . The rotation of the ampoule  102  within the ampoule barrel  101  ensures that the tip  104  contacts the face  304  upon descending into the ampoule barrel  101 . The rotation may be adjusted manually. A mechanism, such as a cooperating shape of the ampoule barrel  101  and ampoule  102 , may secure an alignment A sheath  402  may be implemented as a guard over the tip  104 . Referring to  FIG. 6B , a lead in angle of the face  304  is about 60 degrees. Referring to  FIGS. 6C and 6D  a face  304  has a radius of about 0.500 inches and 0.250 inches, respectively. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-D , a bottom port  501  of the ampoule barrel  101  is offset, for example, by 0.130 inches from a centerline of the ampoule barrel  101 . Referring to  FIG. 7A , a lead in angle  502  of the face  304  is about 30 degrees. The angle of the face varies around the circumference of the ampoule barrel  101  between about 90 degrees and about 75 degrees. A height of the face is not uniform around the ampoule barrel  101 . The rotation of the ampoule  102  within the ampoule barrel  101  ensures that the tip  104  contacts the face  304  upon descending into the ampoule barrel  101 . Referring to  FIG. 7B , a lead in angle of the face  304  is about 60 degrees. Referring to  FIGS. 7C and 7D  a face  304  has a radius of about 0.500 inches and 0.250 inches, respectively. A sheath  402  may be implemented as a guard over the tip  104 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-C , a test system  100  may be loaded into a carrier  801 . The carrier  801  may be capped by a top  802 . The carrier comprises one or more trenches  804  for receiving a portion of an ampoule  102 . The trench  804  has a depth adapted to support an unused system  100  such that the ampoule  102  is not pressed into the ampoule barrel  101 ; a distance between a bottom of the trench and the upper surface  805  prevents the descent of the ampoule into the ampoule barrel. A flange  803  of the ampoule barrel  101  rests on an upper surface of the carrier  801 . 
         [0031]    An ampoule  102  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a sterile vacuum packaging ampoule containing a dry, non-hazardous, test reagent system. The ampoule  102  prevents user contamination or hazard, has about a 4-year product shelf life, does not trigger transportation restrictions and does not need climate-controlled storage. 
         [0032]    A test of a liquid may be performed using a test system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A sample module or ampoule barrel  101  secures a test ampoule  102  for extracting a liquid sample. The ampoule barrel  101  limits a sample taker&#39;s exposure to the liquid. When used with a pre-dosed test ampoule  102 , the ampoule barrel  101  and test ampoule  102  automatically start a test of the sampled liquid under the pressure of the vacuum. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , the sample chamber  303  houses an ampoule tip breaker assembly  900 . The ports or inlets, e.g.,  301  and  302 , may be formed on the walls of the ampoule barrel  101  and at a tip of the ampoule barrel  101 . Any number of inlets may be used. The inlets allow the sample to freely enter the sample chamber at a rate at least as great as the sample enters the ampoule  102 . Thus, the sample may enter the ampoule  102  in a predetermined dose, substantially unaffected by suction or fluid resistance. The ampoule tip breaker assembly  900  is stabilized in the sample chamber  303  to receive a tip  104  of the ampoule  102 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 9B and 9C , the ampoule tip breaker assembly  900  is formed such that the sample may flow around the assembly and enter the ampoule  102 . The ampoule tip breaker assembly  900  includes a surface disposed at an angle for breaking the frangible portion of the test ampoule. The surface may be a hollow tube  901  for receiving a tip  104  of an ampoule  102  and for breaking the tip  104 . The hollow tube  901  is disposed at an angle to apply a substantially lateral force against the tip to facilitate the breaking of the tip.  104  For example, the hollow tube may be disposed at about 45 degrees from the walls of the sample chamber. The assembly  900  includes a stabilizer support  902  disposed at an angle for supporting the hollow tube  901 , e.g., at about 90 degrees from the angle of the hollow tube  901 . The stabilizer support  302  and the hollow tube  901  may be formed as one piece. The hollow tube  901  may collect a broken portion of the tip of the ampoule  102  upon breaking away from the ampoule  102 . 
         [0035]    The stabilized ampoule tip breaker  900  breaks the tip of the ampoule  102  upon the application of pressure to the ampoule  102 , forcing the test ampoule tip  104  to engage a surface disposed at an angle. The tip  104  of the ampoule  102  is submerged in liquid as to avoid suction entrained air and creating an unacceptable ampoule fill. 
         [0036]    The test ampoule may be a hard-surfaced, self-filling container. The test ampoule includes mixed test indicators/media in predetermined quantities for performing a complete microbiological test. The test ampoules may be sealed, having a vacuum of about 20-30 inches of mercury or more. The test ampoule and contents may be insensitivity to storage conditions and may have a shelf life of about 4 years or more. The test ampoule includes a frangible area that can be broken, allowing a predetermined amount of sample to enter the test ampoule and be exposed to the test indicators/media. 
         [0037]    The test ampoule may be an ampoule as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,159,799 entitled VIAL WITH POWDERED REAGENT, 5,550,032 entitled BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION, and 5,935,799 entitled BIOLOGICAL ASSAY FOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION, each patent being incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. 
         [0038]    A test ampoule may be a pre-dosed, hermetically sealed, vacuum ampoule. The vacuum packaging of test ampoule preserves the reagent/media for years and needs no special storage conditions such as refrigeration. When the test is started, a aqueous sample of a predetermined volume, e.g., 7.5 ml, is automatically drawn into the test ampoule. The volume of sample drawn can be any predetermined amount, depending on, for example, the size of the test ampoule and the strength of the vacuum. The test may be concluded when the test ampoule turns a predetermined color, e.g., orange or red. The elapsed time from test start to test end determines the level of microbial contamination. Test results may come as fast as one (1) hour for concentrations of 201 or twelve (12) hours for 10 1  microbial concentrations. The test ampoule may be used as presence/absence test at 24 hours. A Triphenyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC) indicator may react to aerobic microbial activity in the sample to include facultative species. Fungi may also be detected. The presence of fungi may be indicated by floating red particles after 24 hours. Time/Concentration calibrations are based upon mixed microbial populations typically found in industrial and natural waters. Waters dominated by a particular species may use a one-time calibration adjustment. Each test ampoule comes complete with a sample/ampoule, snapping cup, dechlorinating solution, sample identification labels, waste-water instructions and a results/instruction chart Test incubation temperature can be controlled, and may be set to, for example, 95° F. or room temperature. Test incubation can be performed manually by purchasing a reusable carry incubation tube or using a standard laboratory heat block or oven. Automatic incubation and end of test detection can accomplished using an incubator/auto-analyzer. Factory-prepared test calibrations/formulations and/or private labeling may also to used. 
         [0039]    An insulated chamber, such as an autoincubation chamber, suitable to hold a plurality of test ampoules at a controlled temperature and for specific time initiates and maintains an incubation temperature for a period of time and may return to refrigeration. This chamber may be transportable for all operational phases of the test (refrigeration to incubation back to refrigeration). The test ampoule, sample module, and insulated chamber may be pre-assembled into a clean or sterilized product that is operated by the sample technician or test initiator. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an ampoule for a desired test is selected  1000 . The ampoule is placed in an ampoule barrel. The ampoule barrel is at least partially immersed in a liquid sample, and the tip of the ampoule is broken to begin a test  1001 . The ampoule containing a sample is extracted from the sample module  1002 . A cap may be placed over the broken tip of the test ampoule. The cap may include, for example, a bar code for tracking and/or a color chart for determining results. The test ampoule may be placed in an autoincubation testing chamber  1003 . The autoincubation testing chamber may be designed for shipping to a laboratory or other location, wherein the autoincubation testing chamber may be coupled to a power source. A control device of the autoincubation testing chamber controls a temperature profile (e.g., heating or cooling of samples under test). The control device may include a processor for outputting control signals to a heater or chiller, and memory device for storing, for example, temperature and time settings. The results may be checked at a predetermined end time  1004 . The timing shown in  FIG. 10  are provide as examples, actual times may differ depending on the test and procedures. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A-B , the ampoule barrel  101  includes an offset tip  201 . A sheath  402  is fitted over a tip  104  of the ampoule  102 . The sheath  402  is formed of a rubberized polyvinyl chloride, a silicon compound or the like. The sheath  402  is press fit on the tip  104  of the ampoule  102 . The sheath  402  extends from the tip  104  through the offset tip  101  of the ampoule barrel  101 . 
         [0042]    The sheath  402  couples the ampoule  102  to the ampoule barrel  101  through the adhesion of the sheath  402  to the ampoule  102  and ampoule barrel  101 . The ampoule  102  and ampoule barrel  101  shown in  FIG. 11A  may be implemented with a cap  103 , wherein the cap  103  substantially prevents the ampoule  102  from descending into the ampoule barrel  101 . The cap  103  blocks the sheath  402  and the ampoule  102  from being descending into the ampoule barrel  101 . 
         [0043]    The ampoule  102  may be depressed into the ampoule barrel  101 , wherein a terminus  305  meets an angled face  304  of the ampoule barrel  101 . A pressure applied to the ampoule  102  causes the ampoule to descend into the ampoule barrel  101 . The angled face  304  converts the pressure into a lateral pressure on the terminus  305  of the tip  104 . The tip  104  breaks under the lateral pressure. The terminus  305  breaks away from the tip  104  allowing a liquid in which the offset tip  201  is submerged. The terminus  305  is held within the sheath  402  while allowing the liquid to pass. Further, the sheath  402  guards a remaining portion of the tip  104  within the sheath  402 . 
         [0044]    Having described embodiments for apparatus and method for sampling a liquid, it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed.