US3814522A - Specimen tube for microscopic examination - Google Patents

Specimen tube for microscopic examination Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3814522A
US3814522A US00336511A US33651173A US3814522A US 3814522 A US3814522 A US 3814522A US 00336511 A US00336511 A US 00336511A US 33651173 A US33651173 A US 33651173A US 3814522 A US3814522 A US 3814522A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tube
sediment
end portion
flat
terminal chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00336511A
Inventor
J Clark
W Wells
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
American Hospital Supply Corp
Baxter International Inc
Original Assignee
American Hospital Supply Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by American Hospital Supply Corp filed Critical American Hospital Supply Corp
Priority to US00336511A priority Critical patent/US3814522A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3814522A publication Critical patent/US3814522A/en
Assigned to BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC. A CORP. OF DE reassignment BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC. A CORP. OF DE MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE ON 11/25/1985 ILLINOIS Assignors: AMERICAN HOSPITAL SUPPLY CORPORATION INTO
Assigned to BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. reassignment BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE ON 10/17/1988 Assignors: BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC., A CORP. OF DE
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01LCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5021Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A tube and method part1cularly useful 1n urinalysis Appl- N05 3361511 and other analytical procedures in which the sediment in a sample of body fluid is subjected to microscopic 52] 11.5. C1 356/197, 350/95, 356/246 examination The tube is transparent, Open at its [511 1111.01.
  • the present invention is concerned with a device and method for overcoming the major shortcomings of current procedures as described above. Specifically, the invention is concerned with a centrifuge tube construction and its method of use which eliminate the mixing and transferring steps required under prior procedures. As applied'to urinalysis, the invention gives rise to a relatively fast clinical procedure which tends to produce more dependable results because it eliminates manipulative steps that might be performed differently by different technicians (or by the same technician on different occasions), and which also reduces the risks of contamination and possible error arising therefrom.
  • the device comprises a tube having an upper body portion and an integral lower end portion.
  • the lower end portion of the tube is flattened along a plane generally Parallel with the axis of the tube to provide a pair of substantially parallel transparent walls or windows which define a flat terminal chamber therebetween.
  • the body portion of the specimen tube defines a main chamber which communicates directly with the terminal chamber. Therefore, when the tube and its contents are centrifuged, particulate matter in the sample will be forced into the terminal chamber at the tubes lower end.
  • the main body of the tube is provided with a flat side surface portion, the flat surface extending along a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the tubes flattened lower end portion. Therefore, immediately following centrifugation and the decanting of the supernatant, the tube may be placed upon a microscope stage, the flat side of the tube resting upon the stage and the sediment in the terminal chamber extending in a plane normal to the line of sight through the microscope. The tube therefore performs the function of a microscope slide without requiring transfer of the sediment following centrifugation and the risks of contamination that such transfer would involve.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a specimen tube embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sideelevational view of-the tube
  • FIG. 3 is another side elevational view'of the tube. taken along line 3-3 of FIG. I;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. Si is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
  • FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate successive steps in the method of performing the present invention.
  • the numeral 10 generally designates a specimen tube embodying the invention, the tube having an enlarged upper body portion 11 and a reduced lower end portion 12. It will be observed that the body portion assumes the major portion of the length of the tube. While the size of the tube may be varied, depending on the test and the equipment with which it is to be used, the dimensions must be such that the tube is capable of being supported in a laboratory centrifuge.
  • the upper'body portion and lower end portion are integrally formed of glass although other materials such as transparent plastic might conceivably be used.
  • the tube is provided with an opening 13, the opposite lower end 14 of the tube being closed as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Lower end portion 12 is flattened along a plane generally parallel with the axis of the tube to provide a pair of flat or planar transparent walls 15 and 16 which define a thin, flat terminal chamber 17 therebetween (FIG. 5).
  • the distance between the inside surfaces of walls 15 and 16 should be uniform and should fall within the general range of 0.2 to 2.0 millimeters. A preferred range has been found to be approximately l.0 to 1.5 millimeters.
  • the width of the terminal chamber is approximately the same as the maximum internal cross section of the main chamber 18.
  • Body portion 11 has a main chamber 18 communicating directly with the terminal chamber 17.
  • the body portion may be generally cylindrical in shape (as shown) except that it is provided with at least one flattened external surface 19. It is to be noted that planar surface 19 is parallel with the axis of the tube and, of particular importance, is substantially parallel with the plane of the tubes flattened lower end portion 12. Therefore, the tube will remain stable when laid upon its flat side. If the supporting surface is a microscope stage 20 (FIG. 8), the tube may be positioned in stable condition upon that stage with the line of sight 21 (and line of illumination) of the microscope extending through the flattened terminal portion 12 and normal to the plane of that terminal portion.
  • Surface 19 may be roughened or etched by sandblasting or by any other suitable means. Such roughening of the surface helps to retain the tube in a selected position upon a supporting surface and, in addition, provides a surface upon which a laboratory technician may write identification symbols or other indicia. Since the main body portion constitutes by far the greater portion of the bulk or mass of the tube, there is no tendency for the tube to tip out of the stable position illustrated in H6. 8 even when the main chamber 18 is empty and the terminal chamber 17 contains sediment or a sediment-liquid mixture. However, in mounting the tube upon a microscope stage, it is contemplated that some clamping or supporting means (not shown) might be used to insure against relative movement of the tube during microscopic examination of its contents.
  • a technician simply pipettesa liquid specimen 22 containing particulate matter 23 into the tube (FIG. 6) and the tube is then centrifuged to force the sediment into terminal chamber 17 (FIG. 7). The supernatant fluid is then poured off and the tube is placed in horizontal condition on a microscope stage 20 as shown in FIG. 8. Microscopic examination of the sediment therefore takes place immediately following the centrifuging and decanting steps, without the use of microscope slides or any of the manipulative steps required in the past. Because of its inexpensive construction, the tube may be discarded immediately following use, thereby avoiding the problems of contamination and expense which cleaning and reuse might present.
  • a specimen tube having an upper body portion and an integral lower end portion, said lower end portion being flattened along a plane generally parallel with the axis of said tube to provide a pair of substantially parallel transparent walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween, said body portion defining a main chamber communicating directly with said terminal chamber and having an enlarged flat outer surface portion substantially parallel with the plane of said flattened lower end portion, said flat outer surface portion being spaced from the axis of said tube a distance substantially greater than the distance between said axis and each of said parallel transparent walls of said terminal chamber.
  • a method for analyzing the sediment in a body of fluid comprising the steps of placing a quantity of said fluid into a tube closed at its lower end. said tube having a lower end portion with transparent and substantially parallel side walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween and having an enlarged upper end portion with a flat outer surface parallel with said side walls and spaced farther from the axis of said tube than said side walls, centrifuging said tube and its contents to direct said sediment into said terminal chamber, then removing the supernatant fluid from said tube, then turning said tube so that its axis extends horizontally and resting the flat surface thereof upon a microscope stage so that the line of sight of the microscope passes through said flat terminal chamber and is substantially normal to the plane of said chamber, and thereaftermicroscopically examining said sediment through the transparent side walls of said end portion.

Abstract

A tube and method particularly useful in urinalysis and other analytical procedures in which the sediment in a sample of body fluid is subjected to microscopic examination. The tube is transparent, open at its upper end, and suitable for use in a centrifuge. The closed lower end of the tube is flattened to define a reduced chamber portion for retaining only a thin layer of sample, thereby permitting microscopic examination of the sediment within the flattened portion. The main body portion of the tube is provided with a flat surface extending along a plane parallel with the tube''s flattened lower end portion.

Description

United States Patent Clark et al. 1 June 4, 1974 1 SPECIMEN TUBE FOR MICROSCOPIC 3.481.712 12/1969 BCfilSlCiflCl 111 350/92 EXAMINATION 3.556.633 l/l97l Motschmann ct all. 350/95 3.7l3.775 l/l973 Schmitz 356/l97 [75] Inventors: John A. Clark, Fort Lauderdalc;
warren Wells Mlamlboth of Primary E.ran1iner--Vincent P. McGraw Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dawson, Tilton, Fallon & [73] Assignee: American Hospital Supply Lungmus Corporation, Evanston. Ill. [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A tube and method part1cularly useful 1n urinalysis Appl- N05 3361511 and other analytical procedures in which the sediment in a sample of body fluid is subjected to microscopic 52] 11.5. C1 356/197, 350/95, 356/246 examination The tube is transparent, Open at its [511 1111.01. G0ln 21/24, 0011] 1/10 upper end, and Suitable for use in a centrifuge The [58] of Search H 356/197 350/92, closed lower end of the tube is flattened to define a 23/292; 233/26 reduced chamber portion for retaining only a thin layer of sample, thereby permitting microscopic exam- [56] References Cited ination of the sediment within the flattened portion. UNITED STATES PATENTS I ghe mam body pornon of the tube 1s prov1ded w1th a at surface extend ng along a plane parallel w1th the 43l.l32 7/l89() Warton 4. 23/292 tubers flattened lower end portion- 2,817,970 l2/l957 Whitby 3.170.838 2/1965 Archer 233/26 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 419M M. MN mum l SPECIMEN TUBE FOR MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION BACKGROUND The microscopic examination of sediment in a fluid is a standard procedure in urinalysis but might also be performed in connection with other types of laboratory tests. As is well known, urinalysis is important as a screening procedure and as an aid in differential diagnosis, and the microscopic examination of urinary sediment is a basic part of the total urinalysis procedure. Depsite the need for exercising a high degree of care in performing such examinations, errors nevertheless occur, sometimes through carelessness, in the transfer of the sediment from centrifuge tubes to microscopic slides, or in the undesirable drying of the sediment upon the slides, or in properly correlating the specimens (multiple specimens from different patients are often placed on the same slide) with the patients from whom they were obtained. Furthermore, the standard procedure tends to be time consuming because of the manipulative steps in first mixing the sediment with a small amount of supernatant so that the sediment may be transferred to a microscope slide, and then pipetting the mixed sediment to such a slide. Of at least equal im portance is the fact that such mixing and transferring steps, to the extent that they involve three items of laboratory equipment in direct contact with the sediment (centrifuge tube, pipette, and microscope slide), increase the risk of specimen contamination before the actual examination isundertaken.
SUMMARY The present invention is concerned with a device and method for overcoming the major shortcomings of current procedures as described above. Specifically, the invention is concerned with a centrifuge tube construction and its method of use which eliminate the mixing and transferring steps required under prior procedures. As applied'to urinalysis, the invention gives rise to a relatively fast clinical procedure which tends to produce more dependable results because it eliminates manipulative steps that might be performed differently by different technicians (or by the same technician on different occasions), and which also reduces the risks of contamination and possible error arising therefrom.
The device comprises a tube having an upper body portion and an integral lower end portion. The lower end portion of the tube is flattened along a plane generally Parallel with the axis of the tube to provide a pair of substantially parallel transparent walls or windows which define a flat terminal chamber therebetween. The body portion of the specimen tube defines a main chamber which communicates directly with the terminal chamber. Therefore, when the tube and its contents are centrifuged, particulate matter in the sample will be forced into the terminal chamber at the tubes lower end.
The main body of the tube is provided with a flat side surface portion, the flat surface extending along a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the tubes flattened lower end portion. Therefore, immediately following centrifugation and the decanting of the supernatant, the tube may be placed upon a microscope stage, the flat side of the tube resting upon the stage and the sediment in the terminal chamber extending in a plane normal to the line of sight through the microscope. The tube therefore performs the function of a microscope slide without requiring transfer of the sediment following centrifugation and the risks of contamination that such transfer would involve.
.THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a specimen tube embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sideelevational view of-the tube;
FIG. 3 is another side elevational view'of the tube. taken along line 3-3 of FIG. I;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
FIG. Sis an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 illustrate successive steps in the method of performing the present invention.
DESCRIPTION The numeral 10 generally designates a specimen tube embodying the invention, the tube having an enlarged upper body portion 11 and a reduced lower end portion 12. It will be observed that the body portion assumes the major portion of the length of the tube. While the size of the tube may be varied, depending on the test and the equipment with which it is to be used, the dimensions must be such that the tube is capable of being supported in a laboratory centrifuge.
The upper'body portion and lower end portion are integrally formed of glass although other materials such as transparent plastic might conceivably be used. At its top, the tube is provided with an opening 13, the opposite lower end 14 of the tube being closed as shown in FIG. 1. Lower end portion 12 is flattened along a plane generally parallel with the axis of the tube to provide a pair of flat or planar transparent walls 15 and 16 which define a thin, flat terminal chamber 17 therebetween (FIG. 5). In general, the distance between the inside surfaces of walls 15 and 16 should be uniform and should fall within the general range of 0.2 to 2.0 millimeters. A preferred range has been found to be approximately l.0 to 1.5 millimeters. As shown in FIGS. 35, the width of the terminal chamber is approximately the same as the maximum internal cross section of the main chamber 18.
Body portion 11 has a main chamber 18 communicating directly with the terminal chamber 17. The body portion may be generally cylindrical in shape (as shown) except that it is provided with at least one flattened external surface 19. It is to be noted that planar surface 19 is parallel with the axis of the tube and, of particular importance, is substantially parallel with the plane of the tubes flattened lower end portion 12. Therefore, the tube will remain stable when laid upon its flat side. If the supporting surface is a microscope stage 20 (FIG. 8), the tube may be positioned in stable condition upon that stage with the line of sight 21 (and line of illumination) of the microscope extending through the flattened terminal portion 12 and normal to the plane of that terminal portion.
Surface 19 may be roughened or etched by sandblasting or by any other suitable means. Such roughening of the surface helps to retain the tube in a selected position upon a supporting surface and, in addition, provides a surface upon which a laboratory technician may write identification symbols or other indicia. Since the main body portion constitutes by far the greater portion of the bulk or mass of the tube, there is no tendency for the tube to tip out of the stable position illustrated in H6. 8 even whenthe main chamber 18 is empty and the terminal chamber 17 contains sediment or a sediment-liquid mixture. However, in mounting the tube upon a microscope stage, it is contemplated that some clamping or supporting means (not shown) might be used to insure against relative movement of the tube during microscopic examination of its contents.
ln carrying out the method of the invention, a technician simply pipettesa liquid specimen 22 containing particulate matter 23 into the tube (FIG. 6) and the tube is then centrifuged to force the sediment into terminal chamber 17 (FIG. 7). The supernatant fluid is then poured off and the tube is placed in horizontal condition on a microscope stage 20 as shown in FIG. 8. Microscopic examination of the sediment therefore takes place immediately following the centrifuging and decanting steps, without the use of microscope slides or any of the manipulative steps required in the past. Because of its inexpensive construction, the tube may be discarded immediately following use, thereby avoiding the problems of contamination and expense which cleaning and reuse might present.
While in the foregoing we have disclosed an embodiment of the invention in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many of such details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
We claim:
1. A specimen tube having an upper body portion and an integral lower end portion, said lower end portion being flattened along a plane generally parallel with the axis of said tube to provide a pair of substantially parallel transparent walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween, said body portion defining a main chamber communicating directly with said terminal chamber and having an enlarged flat outer surface portion substantially parallel with the plane of said flattened lower end portion, said flat outer surface portion being spaced from the axis of said tube a distance substantially greater than the distance between said axis and each of said parallel transparent walls of said terminal chamber.
2. The structure of claim 1 in which said terminal chamber is of substantially uniform thickness throughout its entireextent.
3. The structure of claim 2 in which said thickness falls within the range of about 0.2 to 2.0 millimeters.
4. The structure of claim 3 in which said thickness falls within the range of about- 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters.
5. The structure of claim 1 in which said tube is open at its upper end.
6. The structure of claim 1 in which said upper body internal cross sectional dimension of said upper body portion.
8. The structure of claim 1 in which said flat surface is roughened. 9. A method for analyzing the sediment in a body of fluid, comprising the steps of placing a quantity of said fluid into a tube closed at its lower end. said tube having a lower end portion with transparent and substantially parallel side walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween and having an enlarged upper end portion with a flat outer surface parallel with said side walls and spaced farther from the axis of said tube than said side walls, centrifuging said tube and its contents to direct said sediment into said terminal chamber, then removing the supernatant fluid from said tube, then turning said tube so that its axis extends horizontally and resting the flat surface thereof upon a microscope stage so that the line of sight of the microscope passes through said flat terminal chamber and is substantially normal to the plane of said chamber, and thereaftermicroscopically examining said sediment through the transparent side walls of said end portion.

Claims (9)

1. A specimen tube having an upper body portion and an integral lower end portion, said lower end portion being flattened along a plane generally parallel with the axis of said tube to provide a pair of substantially parallel transparent walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween, said body portion defining a main chamber communicating directly with said terminal chamber and having an enlarged flat outer surface portion substantially parallel with the plane of said flattened lower end portion, said flat outer surface portion being spaced from the axis of said tube a distance substantially greater than the distance between said axis and each of said parallel transparent walls of said terminal chamber.
2. The structure of claim 1 in which said terminal chamber is of substantially uniform thickness throughout its entire extent.
3. The structure of claim 2 in which said thickness falls within the range of about 0.2 to 2.0 millimeters.
4. The structure of claim 3 in which said thickness falls within the range of about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters.
5. The structure of claim 1 in which said tube is open at its upper end.
6. The structure of claim 1 in which said upper body portion is of substantially uniform cross section throughout its entire longitudinal extent, said upper body portion constituting a major part of the length of said tube.
7. The structure of claim 6 in which said upper body portion is of generally cylindrical configuration except for said flat outer surface portion, said terminal portion having a width substantially the same as the maximum internal cross sectional dimension of said upper body portion.
8. The structure of claim 1 in which said flat surface is roughened.
9. A method for analyzing the sediment in a body of fluid, comprising the steps of placing a quantity of said fluid into a tube closed at its lower end, said tube having a lower end portion with transparent and substantially parallel side walls spaced slightly apart to define a thin flat terminal chamber therebetween and having an enlarged upper end portion with a flat outer surface parallel with said side walls and spaced farther from the axis of said tube than said side walls, centrifuging said tube and its contents to direct said sediment into said terminal chamber, then removing the supernatant fluid from said tube, then turning said tube so that its axis extends horizontally and resting the flat surface thereof upon a microscope stage so that the line of sight of the microscope passes throUgh said flat terminal chamber and is substantially normal to the plane of said chamber, and thereafter microscopically examining said sediment through the transparent side walls of said end portion.
US00336511A 1973-02-28 1973-02-28 Specimen tube for microscopic examination Expired - Lifetime US3814522A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00336511A US3814522A (en) 1973-02-28 1973-02-28 Specimen tube for microscopic examination

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00336511A US3814522A (en) 1973-02-28 1973-02-28 Specimen tube for microscopic examination

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3814522A true US3814522A (en) 1974-06-04

Family

ID=23316434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00336511A Expired - Lifetime US3814522A (en) 1973-02-28 1973-02-28 Specimen tube for microscopic examination

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3814522A (en)

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961346A (en) * 1975-01-30 1976-06-01 Miles Laboratories, Inc. Liquid inspection slide
US3965888A (en) * 1975-02-12 1976-06-29 Brenner And Bender, Inc. Specimen collector and holder
FR2314487A1 (en) * 1976-06-03 1977-01-07 Secr Social Service Brit FLASK ESPECIALLY FOR EXAMINATION OF SAMPLES, HOLDER FOR THAT FLASK, AND SET OF FLASK AND HOLDER
US4105415A (en) * 1976-04-21 1978-08-08 Lovett Wayne D Multi-purpose test tube
FR2382927A1 (en) * 1977-03-12 1978-10-06 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler MIXING BOWL
US4308028A (en) * 1980-04-14 1981-12-29 Elkins Carlos D Device and method for the chemical testing and microscopic examination of liquid specimens
FR2523320A1 (en) * 1982-03-12 1983-09-16 Wright Lab Inc APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING A SAMPLE AT THE MICROSCOPE
US4473530A (en) * 1980-09-24 1984-09-25 Villa Real Antony Euclid C Compact sanitary urinalysis unit
US4528187A (en) * 1982-03-12 1985-07-09 Truglio William J Apparatus for collecting and microscopically examining a specimen
US4624835A (en) * 1982-09-03 1986-11-25 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Microcentrifugation tube for the concentration of samples for electron microscopy
EP0277810A2 (en) * 1987-02-03 1988-08-10 Davstar Industries, Inc. Integral specimen collection tube and microscope slide device
EP0357272A2 (en) * 1988-08-31 1990-03-07 Davstar California, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
US4981654A (en) * 1988-05-06 1991-01-01 Davstar Industries, Inc. Unitary centrifuge tube and separable dispensing receptacle
US5120503A (en) * 1989-07-14 1992-06-09 Eastman Kodak Company Extracting device for extracting antigens
US5260032A (en) * 1991-12-27 1993-11-09 Davstar California, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
US5310527A (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-05-10 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Tube for use in a pelleting centrifuge rotor
US5389265A (en) * 1993-06-02 1995-02-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Phase-separation tube
WO1996014563A1 (en) * 1994-11-04 1996-05-17 Lamina, Inc. Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
USD380555S (en) * 1994-08-31 1997-07-01 Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. Sample analysis cuvette
US5674457A (en) * 1995-04-21 1997-10-07 Hemocue Ab Capillary microcuvette
US5928935A (en) * 1995-09-26 1999-07-27 Reuss, Jr.; William Alexander Biological specimen containment and incubation device
US6050935A (en) * 1997-05-09 2000-04-18 Biofertec Container assembly for intravaginal fertilization and culture and embryo transfer and method of intravaginal fertilization and culture employing such a container
US6091483A (en) * 1995-11-03 2000-07-18 Lamina, Inc. Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
US6555386B1 (en) * 1999-07-23 2003-04-29 Clinical Diagnostic Chemicals Limited Apparatus for collecting a liquid sample
US6672135B2 (en) * 2000-01-14 2004-01-06 Pall Corporation Filter for gas analysis
US20050074833A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-07 Gillis John R. Bacterial lethality test indicator and prompt response spectroscopic analyzer
US20060046307A1 (en) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-02 World Properties, Inc. Test cell for evaluating phosphor
EP1648608A2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-04-26 Dade Behring Inc. Reaction cuvette having anti-wicking features for use in an automatic clinical analyzer
USD665509S1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-08-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Sterility indicator vial
US8780181B2 (en) 2008-12-05 2014-07-15 Unisensor A/S Optical sectioning of a sample and detection of particles in a sample
US8802392B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-08-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of determining efficacy of a sterilization process
US8840837B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-09-23 3M Innovative Properties Company Biological sterilization indicator and method of using same
US9250176B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2016-02-02 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Flexible sample container
USD777940S1 (en) * 2015-02-19 2017-01-31 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Sample vessel
US9915813B2 (en) 2009-12-04 2018-03-13 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System and method for time-related microscopy of biological organisms
USD839448S1 (en) * 2015-09-29 2019-01-29 Bd Kiestra B.V. Cuvette
USD901711S1 (en) * 2019-06-25 2020-11-10 Hemex Health, Inc. Diagnostic cartridge

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US431132A (en) * 1890-07-01 Test-tube
US2817970A (en) * 1953-01-02 1957-12-31 Pillsbury Mills Inc Apparatus for determining the particle size distribution of finely divided materials
US3170838A (en) * 1960-05-25 1965-02-23 Nat Res Dev Centrifugation of whole blood to separate eosinophils
US3481712A (en) * 1959-11-20 1969-12-02 Clay Adams Inc Sediment container and cap and analysis technique
US3556633A (en) * 1969-01-17 1971-01-19 Winifred Liu Mutschmann Specimen carrying slide with runoff trough

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US431132A (en) * 1890-07-01 Test-tube
US2817970A (en) * 1953-01-02 1957-12-31 Pillsbury Mills Inc Apparatus for determining the particle size distribution of finely divided materials
US3481712A (en) * 1959-11-20 1969-12-02 Clay Adams Inc Sediment container and cap and analysis technique
US3713775A (en) * 1959-11-20 1973-01-30 Bio Dynamics Inc Centrifuge clinical chemistry analysis system
US3170838A (en) * 1960-05-25 1965-02-23 Nat Res Dev Centrifugation of whole blood to separate eosinophils
US3556633A (en) * 1969-01-17 1971-01-19 Winifred Liu Mutschmann Specimen carrying slide with runoff trough

Cited By (63)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3961346A (en) * 1975-01-30 1976-06-01 Miles Laboratories, Inc. Liquid inspection slide
US3965888A (en) * 1975-02-12 1976-06-29 Brenner And Bender, Inc. Specimen collector and holder
US4105415A (en) * 1976-04-21 1978-08-08 Lovett Wayne D Multi-purpose test tube
FR2314487A1 (en) * 1976-06-03 1977-01-07 Secr Social Service Brit FLASK ESPECIALLY FOR EXAMINATION OF SAMPLES, HOLDER FOR THAT FLASK, AND SET OF FLASK AND HOLDER
FR2382927A1 (en) * 1977-03-12 1978-10-06 Eppendorf Geraetebau Netheler MIXING BOWL
US4229104A (en) * 1977-03-12 1980-10-21 Eppendorf Geratebau Netheler & Hinz Gmbh Mixing cuvette
US4308028A (en) * 1980-04-14 1981-12-29 Elkins Carlos D Device and method for the chemical testing and microscopic examination of liquid specimens
US4473530A (en) * 1980-09-24 1984-09-25 Villa Real Antony Euclid C Compact sanitary urinalysis unit
FR2523320A1 (en) * 1982-03-12 1983-09-16 Wright Lab Inc APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING A SAMPLE AT THE MICROSCOPE
US4528187A (en) * 1982-03-12 1985-07-09 Truglio William J Apparatus for collecting and microscopically examining a specimen
US4624835A (en) * 1982-09-03 1986-11-25 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System Microcentrifugation tube for the concentration of samples for electron microscopy
US4865812A (en) * 1987-02-03 1989-09-12 Davstar Industries, Inc. Integral specimen collection tube and microscope slide device
JPS63195619A (en) * 1987-02-03 1988-08-12 デイブスター・カリフォルニア・インコーポレーテッド Sample collecting tube and slide device for microscope
EP0277810A3 (en) * 1987-02-03 1988-11-02 Davstar Industries, Inc. Integral specimen collection tube and microscope slide device
EP0277810A2 (en) * 1987-02-03 1988-08-10 Davstar Industries, Inc. Integral specimen collection tube and microscope slide device
US4981654A (en) * 1988-05-06 1991-01-01 Davstar Industries, Inc. Unitary centrifuge tube and separable dispensing receptacle
EP0357272A2 (en) * 1988-08-31 1990-03-07 Davstar California, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
JPH02107941A (en) * 1988-08-31 1990-04-19 Davstar Ind Inc Analyzer
EP0357272A3 (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-01-16 Davstar California, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
US5030421A (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-07-09 Davstar Industries, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
US5120503A (en) * 1989-07-14 1992-06-09 Eastman Kodak Company Extracting device for extracting antigens
US5260032A (en) * 1991-12-27 1993-11-09 Davstar California, Inc. Integral centrifuge tube and specimen slide
US5310527A (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-05-10 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Tube for use in a pelleting centrifuge rotor
EP0603610A1 (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-06-29 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company Incorporated Tube for use in a pelleting centrifuge rotor
US5389265A (en) * 1993-06-02 1995-02-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Phase-separation tube
USD380555S (en) * 1994-08-31 1997-07-01 Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. Sample analysis cuvette
WO1996014563A1 (en) * 1994-11-04 1996-05-17 Lamina, Inc. Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
GB2309783A (en) * 1994-11-04 1997-08-06 Mina Inc Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
GB2309783B (en) * 1994-11-04 1999-04-07 Mina Inc Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
US5674457A (en) * 1995-04-21 1997-10-07 Hemocue Ab Capillary microcuvette
US5928935A (en) * 1995-09-26 1999-07-27 Reuss, Jr.; William Alexander Biological specimen containment and incubation device
US6091483A (en) * 1995-11-03 2000-07-18 Lamina, Inc. Method and apparatus for preparing substances for optical analysis
CN1313058C (en) * 1997-05-09 2007-05-02 比奥费泰克有限公司 Container assembly for fertilization and culture and embryo transfer and method for fertilization and culture employing such container
WO2001078611A1 (en) * 1997-05-09 2001-10-25 Biofertec, Ltd. A container assembly for fertilization and culture and embryo transfer and method of fertilization and culture employing such a container
JP2003530129A (en) * 1997-05-09 2003-10-14 バイオファーテック,リミテッド Container assembly for fertilization, culture and embryo transfer and method of fertilization and culture using such a container
US6050935A (en) * 1997-05-09 2000-04-18 Biofertec Container assembly for intravaginal fertilization and culture and embryo transfer and method of intravaginal fertilization and culture employing such a container
US7282363B1 (en) 1997-05-09 2007-10-16 Bio X Cell, Inc. Intravaginal culture (IVC) method and container therefor
US6555386B1 (en) * 1999-07-23 2003-04-29 Clinical Diagnostic Chemicals Limited Apparatus for collecting a liquid sample
US6672135B2 (en) * 2000-01-14 2004-01-06 Pall Corporation Filter for gas analysis
EP1648608A4 (en) * 2003-07-18 2012-02-29 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Reaction cuvette having anti-wicking features for use in an automatic clinical analyzer
EP1648608A2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-04-26 Dade Behring Inc. Reaction cuvette having anti-wicking features for use in an automatic clinical analyzer
US7563616B2 (en) * 2003-10-02 2009-07-21 Gillis John R Bacterial lethality test indicator and prompt response spectroscopic analyzer
US20050074833A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-07 Gillis John R. Bacterial lethality test indicator and prompt response spectroscopic analyzer
WO2006028790A3 (en) * 2004-09-01 2007-04-19 World Properties Inc Test cell for evaluating phosphor
WO2006028790A2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-16 World Properties, Inc. Test cell for evaluating phosphor
US7238535B2 (en) * 2004-09-01 2007-07-03 World Properties, Inc. Test cell for evaluating phosphor
US20060046307A1 (en) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-02 World Properties, Inc. Test cell for evaluating phosphor
US8780181B2 (en) 2008-12-05 2014-07-15 Unisensor A/S Optical sectioning of a sample and detection of particles in a sample
US9841593B2 (en) 2008-12-05 2017-12-12 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Optical sectioning of a sample and detection of particles in a sample
US9915813B2 (en) 2009-12-04 2018-03-13 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System and method for time-related microscopy of biological organisms
US9250176B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2016-02-02 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Flexible sample container
USD665509S1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-08-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Sterility indicator vial
US9279141B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2016-03-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of detecting a biological activity
US9322046B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2016-04-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Biological sterilization indicator
US9540677B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2017-01-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Biological sterilization indicator and method of using same
US8840837B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-09-23 3M Innovative Properties Company Biological sterilization indicator and method of using same
US8802392B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-08-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Method of determining efficacy of a sterilization process
US10047334B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2018-08-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Biological sterilization indicator
USD777940S1 (en) * 2015-02-19 2017-01-31 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Sample vessel
USD833639S1 (en) 2015-02-19 2018-11-13 Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy Sample vessel
USD839448S1 (en) * 2015-09-29 2019-01-29 Bd Kiestra B.V. Cuvette
USD901711S1 (en) * 2019-06-25 2020-11-10 Hemex Health, Inc. Diagnostic cartridge
USD968641S1 (en) 2019-06-25 2022-11-01 Hemex Health, Inc. Diagnostic cartridge

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3814522A (en) Specimen tube for microscopic examination
KR101009447B1 (en) Device for sampling and preprocessing biological fluids and method thereof
KR100562179B1 (en) Analyte concentration measurement method using hollow frustum
US3481712A (en) Sediment container and cap and analysis technique
KR100617443B1 (en) Disposable Test Vial with Sample Delivery Device
US5366902A (en) Collection and display device
KR100562178B1 (en) Hollow frustum reagent test device
US6214626B1 (en) Apparatus (cuvette) for taking up and storing liquids and for carrying out optical measurements
US6203503B1 (en) Collection container assembly
US4427634A (en) Apparatus for microscopic examination of specimens
US20080134806A1 (en) Container system for dispensing a liquid
AU1754288A (en) Device fir urinalysis
JPH03181853A (en) Cartridge for enzyme immunoassay and measuring method and apparatus using the same
JPH11258234A (en) Hollow conical base reagent testing device
EP0768520A2 (en) A reusable slide assembly for use in analysis with a microscope
US20040025603A1 (en) Test tube insert
AU741023B2 (en) Collection container assembly
WO1983001912A1 (en) Safety device for sealing a test tube
US5924594A (en) Collection container assembly
AU739199B2 (en) Collection container assembly
JP2005506532A (en) Vial system and method for processing liquid-based specimens
US20040025935A1 (en) Test tube insert
US20040184965A1 (en) Testing cup
US4264204A (en) Method and apparatus for preparing fluid specimens
WO1983000386A1 (en) Container for small quantities of liquids

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC. A CORP. OF DE

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN HOSPITAL SUPPLY CORPORATION INTO;REEL/FRAME:004760/0345

Effective date: 19870126

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED FILE - (OLD CASE ADDED FOR FILE TRACKING PURPOSES)

AS Assignment

Owner name: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:BAXTER TRAVENOL LABORATORIES, INC., A CORP. OF DE;REEL/FRAME:005050/0870

Effective date: 19880518