Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9968336B2/en
Timestamp: 2018-06-23 11:17:13
Document Index: 13827173

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 61', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 6', 'art 3', 'art.\n14', 'Application No. 201380047160', 'Application No. 201380047160', 'Application No. 1216079']

US9968336B2 - Liquid sampler, kit of parts, and method for assembly - Google Patents
US9968336B2
US9968336B2 US14427092 US201314427092A US9968336B2 US 9968336 B2 US9968336 B2 US 9968336B2 US 14427092 US14427092 US 14427092 US 201314427092 A US201314427092 A US 201314427092A US 9968336 B2 US9968336 B2 US 9968336B2
US20150223784A1 (en )
FIG. 14a illustrates the liquid flow into the reservoir, and air flow out of the reservoir through the assembly when the movable element is in its first (lower) position.
FIG. 14b shows an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 14 a.
FIG. 16a illustrates the blockage of liquid flow into and air flow out of the reservoir, and shows the passage of fluid from the inlet to the outlet by bypassing the movable element when it is in its second (upper) position.
FIG. 16b shows an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 16 a.
The movable element 6 has several functions: a) it will serve as a pipe (referred to as “first channel”) and initially lead the liquid stream into the attached container (recipient) 5 via a first internal channel 63, b) the pipe can be closed when the element 6 moves to its second (i.e. upper) position, c). The cross section of the first (upper) segment 61 of the element 6 in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis is larger than the cross section of the second (lower) segment 62, for blocking passage from the inlet 2 to the outlet 4 when the element 6 is in its first (lower) position, so that the portion of the liquid flow is forced into the reservoir 5 through the pipe (first channel 63), and for allowing passage of the liquid flow from the inlet 2 to the outlet 4 when the element 6 is in its second (upper) position while blocking entrance into the pipe (first channel 63). The element 6 at least partly extends into the reservoir 5. In the example shown, the cross section of the upper part 61 is circular, while the cross-section of the lower part 62 is elliptical, but other shapes are also possible. A hydrodynamic shape, e.g. smooth shape, is preferred to reduce obstruction of the liquid flow from the inlet 2 to the outlet 4. The (elliptical) shape of the outer surface of the second (lower) part 62 is substantially complementary with the (e.g. elliptical) shape of the inner edge 31 of the guide 3, and the dimensions of the second segment 62, also referred to as “lower segment”, are only slightly less than the dimensions of the inner edge 31, for allowing the element 6 to easily move upwards, while avoiding liquid to flow from the guide 3 into the reservoir 5 via the edge 31. The skilled person can find a suitable clearance by routine testing, or by trial and error. The inner edge 31 also enables easy insertion of the element 6 into the guide 3, and prevents the element 6 from falling (e.g. on the ground) when the reservoir 5 is removed (after capturing the predefined (e.g. first) liquid portion). Using a non-circular shape for the second (lower) segment 62 of the element 6 in combination with a substantially complementary inner edge 31 avoids rotation of the element 6 around its longitudinal axis, thereby ensuring that the first opening 64 (i.e. the entrance of the first channel 63 for receiving the liquid) and the fourth opening 68 (i.e. the air outlet of the second channel 65) remain well positioned respectively towards the inlet tube 2 and outlet tube 4. Using a non-symmetrical shape for the second lower segment 62 of the movable element 6 and a complementary shape for the edge 31 may prohibit incorrect assembly of the movable element 6 into the main element. Correct assembly may also be enforced by providing a rib (not shown) on the upper segment 61 of the movable part 6, adapted for gliding in a corresponding groove in the guide 3 of the main housing, or by providing a rib (not shown) on the upper part 3 of the main housing and a corresponding groove in the upper segment 61 of the movable element 6, or by using a flattened surface on one side of the cylinder. Other known techniques for preventing incorrect assembly may also be used.
Element 6 also comprises a second channel 66, formed between a third and fourth opening 67, 68, which is used for evacuating air from the reservoir 5 when filling the reservoir 5 with the predefined (e.g. first) liquid portion. Although FIG. 9 shows square openings 67, 68, other shapes are also possible, e.g. circular openings, or elongated openings, e.g. rectangular openings or elliptical openings. This allows smooth filling of the recipient 5, i.e. easy and fast filling without jerks. This works as follows (see also FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b ). When the reservoir 5 is empty, and the element 6 is in its first (lower) position, the third opening 67 is in gas/air connection with the reservoir 5, and the fourth opening 68 is in gas/air connection with the outlet 4, so that air can escape from the reservoir 5 into the outlet 4 via the third opening 67 and the second channel 66 and the fourth opening 68, when liquid enters the reservoir 5. When the predefined amount of the predefined (e.g. first) portion of the liquid flow has entered the reservoir 5, and the element 6 has moved to its second (upper) position, the third and the fourth opening 67, 68 are closed by wall sections of the guide 3 (see also FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b ), for preventing liquid, in particular a subsequent portion of the void, to enter the reservoir 5 via the second channel 66 (also referred to as the “air channel”).
Next step is to open the reservoir 5 while keeping it upright to avoid spillage, and to attach it to the guide 3 (or the main component). This may e.g. be done by sliding or by screwing. Then the person holds the device 1 so that his or her urine will enter the funnel, and that the outlet 4 is directed into the toilet. A liquid sample can then be taken in a standing or sitting position. The funnel may have a design suitable for both genders. When the person starts urinating the element 6 will be initially located in its first (lower) position (FIG. 13). The urine flowing in the funnel will flow via the inlet tube 2 into the first opening 64 of the element 6, and through the first channel 63, and will end substantially at the bottom of the reservoir 5, where the urine will immediately mix with the conservation liquid, if present. Due to the second channel 66 (also called “the air channel”) no substantial counter pressure to the liquid column will build up in the reservoir 5. Excess air will escape via the air channel 66 into the outlet 4. Since the fourth opening 68 is in communication with the outlet 4, the escaping air will not interfere (e.g. hinder) the entrance of the liquid into the reservoir 5, which is advantageous as compared to some prior art systems. In FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b , the liquid flow is indicated in solid line, the air-flow is indicated in dotted line. When the liquid level in the reservoir 5 reaches the bottom end of the element 6, air in the air chamber 69 is trapped, and the one or more air chambers 69 will function as lifting means for moving the element 6 upwards, i.e. towards its second position. The lifting means provide floating capacity to the element 6, so as to move it upwards as the reservoir gets filled. As more liquid is entering the reservoir 5, the element 6 starts to move upwards, while air is being evacuated via the second channel 66 (see also FIG. 15). The amount of liquid to be captured is primarily controlled by the dimensions of the reservoir 5. However, in order to ensure that the element 6 is lifted when the predefined amount of liquid is present in the reservoir, the element 6 should have sufficient floating capacity to overcome its weight and a static friction force between the element 6 and the guide 3, in particular between the second segment 62 and the inner edge 31 of the guide 3. The floating capacity can be increased by increasing the volume of the air chamber(s) 69, or by adding material having a mass density lower than that of the liquid to be captured, such as e.g. Styrofoam®. By the time the predefined amount of liquid has flown in the reservoir 5, the element 6 has reached its second (upper) position, and the first opening 64 has shifted behind a wall section of the guide 3, so that the first channel 63 is decoupled from the inlet 2, and the third and fourth openings 67, 68 have shifted against a wall section such that the second channel 66 is decoupled from the outlet 4. A very advantageous characteristic of this embodiment is the fact that, during the capturing of the first liquid portion, the inlet flow is not hampered by any obstacles (including air pressure) upon which the flow would exert a downward directed force, which would prevent the element 6 from moving upwards. In other words, the downward force component exerted on the element 6 is negligible. Also the air flow escaping from the reservoir 5 when liquid enters the reservoir 5 is not interfering with the incoming liquid stream through the first channel 63, because air escapes via a different channel 66. This allows the first liquid portion to enter the reservoir 5 more rapidly. In this way, mixing of the first liquid portion with a subsequent liquid portion because of a limited streaming capacity e.g. due to internal flow friction is avoided. It is a major advantage of this mechanism that it is capable of sampling the predetermined amount of liquid substantially independent of the liquid flow rate, which may be constant, or may vary between relatively wide ranges. Tests using a prototype dimensioned for urine collection have shown good performance at flow rates from less than 1 ml/sec up to 55 ml/sec, the latter being more than twice the maximum flow in healthy individuals, which is about 30 ml/sec. The prototype still works correctly, even when tilted such that the elongated element 6 makes an angle of 15° with the vertical direction. In contrast, in the device described in WO2004010873, the flow rate is limited at several locations in the device (in particular in the valve inlet, shut-off chamber, and the valve outlet), and that flow rate is decisive for which part of the liquid will be captured, and which part of the liquid will overflow. Moreover, in the prior art device, mixing between the first and second liquid portion is not completely eliminated, as long as the reservoir is not closed. Furthermore, the closure is based on surface tension, which is less reliable and less predictable than mechanical blockage as used in the present invention. Indeed, from the moment that the element 6 starts moving upwards, a passage is created inside the guide 3 from the inlet tube 2 to the outlet tube 4, in the form of a bypass channel, formed between the second (lower) segment 62 of the element 6 and the inner surface of the guide 3, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b , taking into account the smaller cross-section (e.g. smaller diameter) of the second segment 62. As can be seen from the same figures, when the element 6 has moved up to its second (upper) position, the first opening 64 is closed, thereby avoiding entrance of liquid into the first channel 63, and thus from the inlet 2 to the reservoir 5, and also the third and fourth opening 67, 68 are closed, thus the second (air) channel 66 is closed, thereby avoiding any liquid to flow into the reservoir 5 via the outlet 4 when the element 6 is its upper position, that is, when the first liquid portion is captured. So further filling of the reservoir 5 via any of the two different routes (i.e. first channel 63 or second channel 66) is avoided. No further liquid can enter the reservoir 5. In addition, the person providing the liquid sample does not need to control his/her bladder so as to control the liquid flow rate, in particular, he/she does not have to interrupt his/her urine flow and can simply continue urinating until finished. The next step is to remove the reservoir 5 from the guide 3 (or from the main component in case of a single part). By doing so, the element 6 will be removed from the reservoir 5, and the liquid level in the reservoir 5 will drop because of removal of element 6. Thanks to this level drop, the risk of spilling liquid when detaching the reservoir 5, or when closing the reservoir 5 is drastically reduced. The reservoir 5 containing the sample of first void urine can then be closed by a cap or lid to prevent contamination and or spillage during transport or storage. The closed reservoir 5 can then be shipped, e.g. to a lab for e.g. medical analysis. Alternatively, readout means, such as e.g. a colour code on a test strip, may be provided on the device, placed so as to be in contact with collected liquid, for allowing the user to read out a test result.
1. A device for capturing a first portion of a liquid flow, the device comprising:
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable element is an elongated element movable in a direction substantially transverse to the direction from the inlet to the outlet.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprises a predefined volume of a material having a mass density lower than that of the liquid to be captured.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting means comprise at least one air chamber.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the displaceable element further comprises a second channel arranged for allowing air to escape from the reservoir into the outlet during capturing of at least a fraction of the first portion of the liquid flow when the displaceable element is in the first position, and arranged such that passage of liquid from the outlet to the reservoir is blocked when the displaceable element is in the second position.
8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide and a second movable element and a second reservoir for capturing a second portion of the liquid stream.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a funnel, wherein the funnel is made of a material which can be reversibly folded and unfolded or reversibly snap-compressed and decompressed.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is at least partly made of biologically degradable material or of polymers.
11. The device according to claim 1, furthermore comprising readout means for reading out a result of a test performed on liquid captured in the reservoir.
13. The kit of parts according to claim 12, wherein two or more parts selected from the tubular inlet and the tubular outlet and the guide are combined in a monolithic part.
14. The kit of parts according to claim 12, further comprising a reservoir.
15. The kit of parts according to claim 14, wherein the reservoir comprises a DNA stabilization agent, or a preservation liquid.
16. The kit of parts according to claim 12, further comprising a funnel and a clip for mounting the funnel to the inlet and/or for holding the funnel in an unfolded or decompressed state and/or for allowing the assembled parts to stand in an upright position on a substantially horizontal surface.
17. Method for assembling a device for capturing a first portion of a liquid flow, the method comprising:
providing an inlet for receiving the liquid flow; an outlet for draining an excess of the liquid flow; and a guide adapted for directing the first portion of the liquid flow towards a reservoir connected to the guide and for directing a subsequent portion of the liquid flow to an outlet; wherein the guide comprises a displaceable element adapted for creating passage of liquid between the inlet and the reservoir while blocking passage of liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the displaceable element is in a first position, and for blocking passage of liquid between the inlet and the reservoir while creating passage of liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the displaceable element is in a second position, the displaceable element comprising lifting means for displacing the displaceable element from the first to the second position when the first portion of the liquid flow is captured in the reservoir;
connecting a cap to the guide.
connecting a funnel to the inlet.
20. The device according to claim 5 wherein the cross-section of the first segment is circular, and the cross section of the second segment is elliptical, and wherein the guide has a corresponding elliptical edge.
US20150223784A1 true US20150223784A1 (en) 2015-08-13
US9968336B2 true US9968336B2 (en) 2018-05-15
ID=47137166
US14427092 Active 2034-04-11 US9968336B2 (en) 2012-09-10 2013-07-26 Liquid sampler, kit of parts, and method for assembly
US (1) US9968336B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2892434A1 (en)
CN (1) CN104684489B (en)
GB (1) GB201216079D0 (en)
NL (1) NL2011416C (en)
WO (1) WO2014037152A1 (en)
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US20150223784A1 (en) 2015-08-13 application