US20120241365A1 - Separator and separating strip - Google Patents

Abstract

A separator under the invention for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip comprises a top part, a bottom part and a joint. Said top part and bottom part are linked by the joint in a pivoting way. Bottom part is designed to support the separating strip. At least one nose is provided at the bottom part and/or underside of top part which can exert local pressure on the separating strip once top part and bottom part are folded together thus pressing blood serum or blood plasma out of the rear end of the separating strip.

Description

• This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/300,913 filed Apr. 27, 2009, which is entitled to the benefit of, and incorporates by reference essential subject matter disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT/EP2007/004390 filed on May 16, 2007 which claims priority to German Application No. 20 2006 007 817.7 filed May 16, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Technical Field
• The invention relates to a separator and a separating strip for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample.
• 2. Background Information
• From WO 2003/073095, we know of a separating strip for the separation of blood serum contained in a blood sample. It is hereby necessary to press the blood serum out of the separating strip, using fingers or fingernails, for instance. This is unpractical and bears the risk of damage to the separation test strips and blood serum contamination.
• The present invention has the goal of providing both a device and a procedure to easily separate a defined quantity of blood serum or blood plasma without deteriorating the separation test strip or contaminating the blood serum or blood plasma.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• This task is solved by the invention both with a separator for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma from a separating strip and with a separating strip for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample by means of a separator according to the independent claims.
• A separator under the invention for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip comprises a top part, a bottom part and a joint which links the top part and bottom part together in a pivoting way so that the separator can be folded open and closed, wherein the underside of the top part and top section of the bottom part come into contact with each other at least in some areas in said folded-closed condition. The bottom part can support a separating strip which is inserted on the bottom part or pushed into an indentation provided in the bottom part for this purpose. The bottom part and/or the underside of the top part have at least one nose which can apply a defined local pressure on the inserted separating strip once the top part and bottom part are folded together. Blood serum or blood plasma is pressed out and can thus escape from the rear end of the separating strip whenever the separating strip is moved or only partially pulled out.
• According to a basic idea of the invention, such a separator can exert a defined local pressure on the separating strip, and moving or at least partially pulling the separating strip out of the separator will be a simple way of taking the blood serum or blood plasma from the separating strip without touching or damaging it. The separator under the invention can therefore replace expensive special separating equipment.
• A first embodiment of the separator under the invention provides exactly one nose in the separator exerting local pressure on the separating strip. Said nose may be provided at the underside of the top part, on the top of the bottom part or at the indentation, in particular on the floor of the indentation.
• In a simple embodiment of the separator, the bottom part has an indentation into which the separating strip can be pushed and pulled out again. Such an indentation is able to exactly define the separating strip position inside the separator thus allowing a defined quantity of blood serum or blood plasma to be taken from the separating strip in a particularly reliable way. Instead of such an indentation, guide elements can be provided, including guide pins or guide bars or rails on the top of the bottom part which will enable the separating strip to be pushed in and pulled out in a similar way.
• In another embodiment of the separator, a first nose is provided on the underside of the top part and a second nose on the floor of the indentation which will interact with each other once the separator is folded closed, exerting special pressure on the same area of the separating strip but from opposite sides. This allows for a good concentration of local pressure, and such a separator will therefore take a defined quantity of blood serum or blood plasma from the separating strip in a particularly reliable way.
• Instead of the embodiment with two noses acting against each other, alternately one nose and an indentation opposite the nose in order to press the blood serum or blood plasma off the inserted separating strip can be provided.
• If at least one nose is designed as a barrier, the separating strip can be moved and shifted in relation to the separator in a particularly advantageous way without any deterioration.
• An especially good pull effect can be achieved if at least one of the noses runs transversally to the longitudinal direction of the indentation. As the pressure is exerted here almost over the entire width of the separating strip, the blood serum or blood plasma can be pressed out of the separating strip in a particularly efficient and uniform way.
• In another embodiment, at least one nose is equipped with two legs arranged like an arrow, the vertex of the arrow either facing the direction in which the separating strip is pulled out of the separator, or the joint. The blood serum or blood plasma will therefore be concentrated in the central area of the separating strip when the latter is pulled out, and pressed out of the separating strip in a centerline position.
• In another embodiment, at least one nose is shaped like a bow, the bow opening facing the direction in which the separating strip is pulled out of the separator. The blood serum or blood plasma will therefore be concentrated in the central area of the separating strip when the latter is pulled out, and pressed out of the separating strip in a centerline position.
• In an alternative embodiment, at least one nose is shaped like a roller or roll. The blood serum or blood plasma can thus be pressed out of the separating strip without damage. The separating strip can be pulled out of the separator in a particularly easy way, and any breakage of the separating strip can be avoided by too strong pulling motions. In this design, the roller or roll especially rotate around an axle inserted in the top part and/or the bottom part.
• In another embodiment of the invention, at least one drive motor for the roller or roll is provided which automatically moves and shifts the inserted separating strip.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, the top part which is placed near the one nose at least has an opening allowing the blood serum or blood plasma taken from the separating strip to sit on the bottom part of the separator, thus allowing access to it through said opening once the separator is folded closed. This will further enhance the user-friendliness of the separator, as the blood serum or blood plasma pressed out of the separating strip can be especially easily taken, using a pipette, for instance, without having to unfold the separator first.
• In another embodiment of the invention, the one nose at least is made from an elastic material, in particular from rubber. Alternatively, the one nose can be designed at least as a metal tongue which will be elastic due to its structural design. This results in the separating strip being pressed together with sufficient force to reliably press the blood serum or blood plasma out of the separating strip, on the one hand, and in the prevention of damage of the separating strip by the elasticity of the one nose at least during operation, if separating strip is pulled out of the separator too fast or press together the top part and bottom part too heavily, on the other hand.
• Both the top part and bottom part can be manufactured from a durable and impact-resistant material which can easily be disinfected, such as a suitable plastic material or metal.
• In another embodiment of the invention, the joint is formed by drilled bores in the top and bottom part through which a pivot pin is inserted. The pivot pin can also be manufactured from suitable material such as metal or plastic. The pivot pin can be provided with a slot of an oblong or cross shape on at least one head end into which the pivot pin may easily be inserted and in order to insert or turn it into the drilled bores by means of a screwdriver.
• In another embodiment, both the top part and the bottom part are provided with permanent magnets which are arranged so that they will face each other in the folded-closed condition and attract each other, thus holding together the top part and bottom part due to their force of magnetic attraction. This allows for the compression of top part and bottom part with an exactly defined force, thus exerting a defined force on the separating strip which is sufficiently high to press the blood serum or blood plasma out of the separating strip without damaging the separating strip.
• In an alternative embodiment, either the top part or the bottom part is only provided with a permanent magnet. The other part which is not provided with a permanent magnet, is made of metal or equipped with magnetic metal platelets. The permanent magnets and the metal platelets are arranged so that they will face each other in the folded-closed condition, thus holding together the top part and bottom part due to the force of magnetic attraction. This embodiment is inexpensive as a lower number of permanent magnets is used.
• The invention also relates to a separator for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip including a bottom part (52) and a top part which can be moved in relation to the bottom part. The bottom part is designed to support a separating strip which is inserted on the bottom part or pushed into an indentation provided in the bottom part for this purpose. At least one nose is provided in the underside of the top part to exert a defined local pressure on the inserted separating strip. When the top part is moved in the direction of the front end of the inserted separating strip, the blood serum or blood plasma is pressed out of the front end and thus escapes from the separating strip.
• According to a basic idea of the invention, such a separator will apply a defined local pressure on the separating strip, and moving the top part against the bottom part will make the nose affect the separating strip, thus in a simple way taking blood serum or blood plasma from the separating strip without touching or damaging it.
• By arranging and moving the top part at a defined distance from the bottom part, the nose will cause a constant pressure to the separating strip and the blood serum or blood plasma will be pressed out of the separating strip with constant efficiency.
• In a first embodiment of the separator according to the invention, the nose is a roller which results in a careful treatment of the separating strip, prevents it from damage and ensures especially efficient pressing out of blood serum or blood plasma. The roller or roll will especially rotate around an axle inserted in the top part.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, an electrical drive motor can be provided for the roller, the motor being integrated into the top part, for instance, to press the blood serum or blood plasma out of the separating strip automatically and at a specified speed and thus even more reliably.
• The moving mechanism shifting the top part against the bottom part may have any design. According to one, guide bars are provided on which the top part can be shifted against the bottom part, using gliders engaging into and running in the guide bars, for instance.
• To ensure maximum shifting position of the top part against the bottom part, at least one limit stop can be provided. The latter may be provided by the end of the guide bar which marks a stop for a glider or gliding element.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, the top part has an indentation which is arranged so that the blood serum or blood plasma escaping from the rear end of the separating strip becomes accessible once the top part has been shifted against the bottom part and the blood serum or blood plasma has emerged from the rear end of the separating strip by action of the nose. This indentation can especially be located in a central area of the rear end of the top part.
• Instead of an indentation, the top part can be designed in a shorter version so that its end is arranged in the maximum shifting position in such a way as to enable access to be made to the blood serum or blood plasma which escapes from the rear end of the separating strip.
• According to another embodiment of the invention, the indentation has at least one lug on at least one longitudinal side. Each longitudinal side may especially be provided with one lug.
• In the pivoting version of the separator, the lug provides a narrow portion including a front and rear limit stop so that the separating strip can be shifted across the distance defined by the stops, thus pressing out a defined quantity of blood serum or blood plasma out of the separating strip through the at least one nose. This further enhances user-friendliness as the separating strip does not need to be fully pulled out of the separator, but only across a certain distance defined by the stops.
• In the shifting version of the separator, the lug is preferably dimensioned so that it will engage into a corresponding opening of the separating strip, thus fixing the separating strip in or on to the bottom part.
• In another embodiment, a chronometer unit with a signal transmitter is provided in the top part or bottom part. The chronometer unit measures a specified period and the signal transmitter will emit an optical or acoustical signal after expiry of this period. The chronometer unit may have control keys with which the required period can be manually set. The start of the period can be signaled to the chronometer unit by pressing a control key, by inserting a separating strip, which can be detected by means of a switch or sensor, in the case of the pivoting version of the separator by the folding together of the top and bottom part, which can be detected by means of a switch or sensor, in the case of the shifting version of the separator by placing the top part on the bottom part, which can be detected by means of a switch or sensor. The signal transmitter can be designed as a digital display with number characters which will start to light up or flash after expiry of the period. The signal transmitter can also be an LED or buzzer.
• The invention also relates to a separating strip for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample by means of a separator. Such a separating strip is also called a getter, comprising a blood separating component, a retaining component for the covering and retaining of the blood separating component, a blood introducing section which is provided in a section covering the front section of the blood separating component, and an opening for blood-taking which is provided in a section covering the rear end of the blood separating component. On at least one longitudinal side, the separating strip has at least one narrow portion including a rear and a front limit stop so that the separating strip can be moved across the distance defined by the limit stops. The result is that the separating strip can be moved across the length defined by the distance of the front and rear limit stop and by the width of the lug at the longitudinal side of the indentation in the separating strip when said lug is provided at the longitudinal side of the indentation or a guide element provided on the separator. It is therefore not necessary to pull the separating strip fully out of the separator or fold the separator open in order to process the taken blood serum or blood plasma.
• In an advantageous development of the separating strip, the limit stops of the separating strip narrow portion have the task to mark a stop for a lug in the bottom part, in particular for a lug on the side edge of the separator indentation.
• In an advantageous development of the separating strip, the limit stops of the narrow portion have the task of fixing the separating strip against a fixing nose in the bottom part.
• In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the separating strip is designed so that the blood sample can be introduced into the blood separating component through a blood introducing section, that the introduced blood sample can be separated by capillary action in such a way that the blood serum or blood plasma is collected in the front end of the blood separating component and the erythrocytes in the rear end of the blood separating component. This ensures that the blood serum or blood plasma will only be pressed out of the separating strip and separated for further processing, not the erythrocytes
• An especially simple and reliable embodiment of the separating strip comprises a rectangular narrow portion on at least one longitudinal side of the separating strip. Such a rectangular narrow portion can easily be manufactured by a suitable punching tool, and the distance between the front and rear limit stop of the narrow portion is exactly defined.
• If the separating strip is provided with a side shaped like a semicircle or V, the blood serum or blood plasma can collect in the central area of the separating strip especially well and be pressed out of it in a centerline position.
• The invention also relates to a procedure for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample by use of a separator according to the invention of the pivoting version and a separating strip according to the invention. The blood sample is applied to the blood insertion component of the separating strip at first. The separating strip is now inserted on to the bottom part, in particular into the indentation of the bottom part of the separator, and after expiry of a certain period, the top part and the bottom part of the separator are folded together and pressed against each other and the separating strip is pulled out in the direction of its rear end. The result is that the blood serum or blood plasma separated from the erythrocytes by capillary action before, is pressed in the direction of the rear end of the separating strip through at least one nose and escapes through the opening at the rear end of the separating strip.
• The invention also relates to a procedure for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample by use of a separator according to the invention of the shifting version and a separating strip according to the invention. The separating strip is inserted on the bottom part, in particular into the indentation of the bottom part of the separator, and the blood sample is applied to the blood insertion component of the separating strip. The top part is placed on to the bottom part, and after expiry of a certain period, the top part is shifted against the bottom part. The result is that the blood serum or blood plasma separated from the erythrocytes by capillary action before, is pressed in the direction of the rear end of the separating strip and escapes through the opening at the rear end of the separating strip.
• This procedure achieves an especially simple and reliable taking of blood serum or blood plasma from the separating strip without damaging the separating strip. All other characteristics, embodiments and advantages mentioned for the above separator and separating strip also apply to the separating procedure according to the invention.
• A particularly advantageous embodiment makes use of a separator with an indentation which is provided with a lug on at least one longitudinal side, and of a separating strip which is provided with at least one narrow portion on one longitudinal side.
• On the separator of the pivoting version, the separating strip is pulled out of the separator with its front end first until the one lug at least on the side wall of the indentation provided in the bottom part of the separator makes contact with the front end of the separating strip opening The result is that the separating strip is shifted across a previously exactly defined length thus pressing a defined quantity of blood serum or blood plasma out of the separating strip.
• In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the escaped blood serum or blood plasma is taken using a bulb making it thus directly available for further processing or analysis.
• The invention is now described in detail using some examples of embodiments referring to the figures below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1ashows an exploded view of a first separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 1bshows an exploded view of a second separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 1cshows an exploded view of a third separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 1dshows an exploded view of a fourth separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 1eshows an exploded view of a fifth separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 1fshows an exploded view of a sixth separator according to the invention in its folded-open condition according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 2ashows a sectional view of a first separating strip according to the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 2bshows a plan view of the first separating strip displayed inFIG. 2a;
• FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a second separating strip under the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a third separating strip under the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a fourth separating strip under the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a fifth separating strip under the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a sixth separating strip under the invention according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the first separator ofFIG. 1ain its folded-open condition into which the separating strip ofFIG. 3 is inserted;
• FIG. 9ashows a side view of the first separator ofFIG. 1ain its folded-open condition;
• FIG. 9bshows a sectional view of the first separator ofFIG. 1ain its folded-open condition;
• FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a pivot pin;
• FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of a seventh separator under the invention, including a bottom part and top part removed from it, according to an example of embodiment;
• FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of the top part inFIG. 11 seen from an oblique angle from below; and
• FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the seventh separator with the top part placed on the bottom part in a maximum shifting position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1ashows an exploded view of afirst separator1aaccording to the invention in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted.
• Thefirst separator1acomprises abottom part4 and atop part3, which is displayed in an almost vertical position to thebottom part4. In its lower area, thetop part3 has articulated projections placed on top ofpart3 in a rectangular position. These articulated projections and the stepped end section ofbottom part4 encompassed by these articulated projections, which is shown on the left ofFIG. 1a,have drilled bores running through them through which apivot pin15 is inserted, thus forming the joint5 around which thebottom part4 andtop part3 can be pivoted and folded.
• The material thickness and the dimensions oftop part3 andbottom part4 are roughly the same. The edges ofbottom part4 facing the right side inFIG. 1aare rounded, which is also true for the edges oftop part3 shown in an upward direction inFIG. 1a.The side faces oftop part3 will therefore be roughly aligned with each other in the folded-closed condition.
• As can be seen inFIG. 1a,top part3 has anopening8 near the joint so that the rear end of the top ofbottom part4 will be accessible from above when thefirst separator1ais folded closed.
• On the top ofbottom part4, there is an indentation6 which is running across the top ofbottom part4 from the front to the rear, limited by side walls on the right and left, and open to the front. The side wall shown in the rear inFIG. 1amay also have an opening in order to allow better access for the taking of separated blood serum or blood plasma.
• On the left and right side wall of indentation6 there are somelugs9 which are nose-shaped and opposed to each other, which protrude to the side of indentation6, thus reducing its width in this area. The two nose-shapedlugs9 are arranged in a front area ofindentation9 in thisFIG. 1a,and they represent limit stops9 for a separating strip which will be described in detail in the following.
• On thetop part3, directly adjoining to therectangular opening8, there is a barrier-shaped nose7arunning transversally to indentation6, and which is facing the front inFIG. 1a,therefore facing downwards when thefirst separator1ais folded closed.
• On the floor of indentation6, in the rear area of indentation6, there is another nose7bwhich protrudes upwards inFIG. 1aout of indentation6. This second nose7bis arranged so that it interacts with the first nose7aonce thefirst separator1ais folded closed. The second nose7bis also barrier-shaped and running transversally to the longitudinal direction of indentation6.
• The noses7aand7binFIG. 1aare only illustrations of examples and can have any design; one of the two noses may be of a larger width, or the noses can be of curved or rounded shapes, for instance.
• In thetop part3, there is achronometer unit48 comprising a digital display and two control keys to the right of it inFIG. 1a.Using the chronometer unit, a period can be stopped which will be needed for the separation of blood serum or blood plasma from the erythrocytes by capillary action in the separating strip and its collection at the front end of the blood separating component near the opening for blood-taking. After expiry of this period, theseparator1acan be used to press out the blood serum or blood plasma from the separating strip.
• The period can be manually set with the control keys. A period of approx. 0.5 minutes will need to be set for the blood sample from an adult, a period of approx. 1 minute for a blood sample from a newborn, and a period of 2 minutes for the blood sample from a premature baby, for instance.
• The period starts with the introduction of a blood sample into the separating strip. The beginning of the measuring of time will be signalled to thechronometer unit48 by pressing a control key onchronometer unit48. Alternatively, the beginning of the measuring of time can also be specified as the moment of folding closed thetop part3 andbottom part4 which will be detected by a switch or sensor not shown inFIG. 1a.
• After expiry of the period,chronometer unit48 can emit an optical or acoustical signal signalling that the separating strip can now be pulled back in order to press out the blood serum or blood plasma.
• In the simplest embodiment ofchronometer unit48, the latter can be provided with an LED which starts to light up or flash after expiry of the period, and/or a buzzer generating a buzzing sound after expiry of the period, instead of a digital display.
• Althoughchronometer unit48 is only illustrated in thefirst separator1a,it can also be integrated into any of the followingseparators1b,1c,1dand1e.A separate description ofchronometer unit48 referring to theseparators1b,1c,1dand1eis dispensed with to avoid repetitions.
• FIG. 1bshows an exploded view of a second separator1bunder the invention according to a second embodiment in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted.
• The second separator1bis distinguished from thefirst separator1aby having athird nose27ashaped like a semicircle and a fourth nose27bshaped like a semicircle instead of the first nose7aand the second nose7b.The semicircle openings of thethird nose27aand of the fourth nose27bface the joint5.
• FIG. 1cshows an exploded view of a third separator1caccording to a third embodiment in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted. The third separator1cis distinguished from thefirst separator1aby having, instead of the first nose7aand the second nose7b,afifth nose37ashaped like a V and a sixth nose37bshaped like a V which are designed as legs of an isosceles triangle, the vertex of the triangle connecting the two legs facing away of joint5.
• FIG. 1dshows an exploded view of afourth separator1daccording to a fourth embodiment in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted.
• Thefourth separator1dis distinguished from thefirst separator1aby having, instead of the first nose7aand the second nose7b,a first roller or roll47aand a second roller or roll47b.The provision ofrollers47aand47bhas the result that the separating strip can be moved and shifted requiring less force and thus easier.
• Thefirst roller47aand a second roller47bcan be rotated around a first axle7cand a second axle7dwhich are approximately arranged at the height oftop part3 and of the top side ofbottom part4 and in particular in thetop part3 and thebottom part4, these axles being oriented rectangular to the longitudinal direction of indentation6 or the rotating direction of the separating strip respectively, so that they undergo rotary motion once the separating strip is forced to move or shift.
• Alternatively, an electrical drive motor can be provided, which is not shown inFIG. 1dat least, which drives therollers47aand47bduring operation. This drive motor is preferably integrated into thetop part3 or thebottom part4 of thefourth separator1d.Bothrollers47aand47bcan be driven if a common electrical drive motor is provided either intop part3 orbottom part4, or one electrical drive motor can be provided forroller47aintop part3 and another for roller47binbottom part4.
• FIG. 1eshows an exploded view of a fifth separator1eaccording to a fifth embodiment in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted.
• The fifth separator1eis distinguished from thefirst separator1aby the provision ofpermanent magnets22 both in the rounded corners oftop part3 and rounded corners ofbottom part4. In the view of the example inFIG. 1e,these are of a circular cross-section and are arranged in such a way as to be facing each other when the fifth separator1eis folded closed. Thepermanent magnets22 oftop part3 and thepermanent magnets22 ofbottom part4 have an opposed magnetization so that they attract each other. When the fifth separator1eis folded closed, a defined force will be applied betweentop part3 andbottom part4, which replaces manual compression oftop part3 andbottom part4.
• FIG. 1fshows an exploded view of asixth separator1faccording to a sixth embodiment in its unfolded condition without any separating strip inserted.
• Thesixth separator1fis distinguished from the third separator1cby the V-shaped noses38aand38bbeing designed as legs of an isosceles triangle and the vertex of the triangle joining the two legs facing the joint5.
• FIG. 2 shows a first separating strip2aunder the invention according to a first embodiment represented in a sectional view (FIG. 2a) and a plan view (FIG. 2b).
• Said first separating strip2ais designed for separating blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample. The central area ofFIG. 2adisplays ablood separating component11 which is encompassed by aretention component10. Retainingcomponent10 comprises abottom retaining component10aand a top retaining component10bwhich encompass theblood separating component11. A firstblood introducing section12ais provided in the front section of the top retaining component10bshown inFIG. 1athrough which a blood sample can be introduced intoblood separating component11. Ablood taking opening13 is provided in the rear section of the top retaining component10bwhich is displayed inFIG. 2aon the right.
• FIG. 2bshows the retainingcomponent10 which encompasses theblood separating component11 represented by a broken line in the plan view. The firstblood separating section12acan be seen in the front end section ofblood separating component11 shown inFIG. 2bon the left.
• FIG. 3 shows a plan view of asecond separating strip20aunder the invention.
• Thesecond separating strip20ais distinguished from the first separating strip2a,as it is shown in bothFIGS. 2aand2b, by the provision ofrectangular openings14 with a rear limit stop14aand a front limit stop14bon each longitudinal side of thesecond separating strip20a.Said limit stops14aand14bwill mark stops for the nose-shapedlugs9 in the condition where the separator is inserted so that thesecond separating strip20acan move between two defined positions in relation to the separator.
• The area called the firstblood introducing section12ain bothFIG. 2 andFIG. 3 of separatingstrip1aor20arespectively can also be called a separation field. Each of the separating strips2aand20abears a serial number on its underside which is not visible inFIG. 2 andFIG. 3.
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a third separating strip2b,andFIG. 5 shows a plan view of a fourth separating strip20b.
• The third separating strip2band the fourth separating strip20bare only distinguished from the first separating strip2aand thesecond separating strip20aby their blood introducing section12bwhose rear side is designed as a semicircle.
• FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a fifth separating strip2c,andFIG. 7 shows a plan view of a sixth separating strip20c.
• The fifth separating strip2cand the sixth separating strip20care only distinguished from the first separating strip2aand from thesecond separating strip20aby their blood introducing section12cwhich is shaped like a V on its rear side.
• FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of thefirst separator1awith inserted second separatingstrip20ain its unfolded condition.
• The firstblood introducing section12acan be seen on the top of thesecond separating strip20a.Theblood taking opening13 which is also arranged on the top of thesecond separating strip20ais marked with a broken line at the rear end of thesecond separating strip20adisplayed inFIG. 8 on the left. The second nose7bprovided in the indentation6 can therefore not be seen inFIG. 4 as it is covered by thesecond separating strip20a.
• As can be seen inFIG. 8, the front limit stops14bofopenings14 of thesecond separating strip20aare in contact with the nose-shapedlugs9 and that thesecond separating strip20ais thus in its pushed-in position.
• FIG. 9ashows an exploded view of a longitudinal section of thefirst separator1ain its unfolded condition.
• In the upper part, the perpendicular arrangedtop part3 can be seen which is linked in a pivoting way throughpivot pin15 to thebottom part4 which is arranged horizontally inFIG. 9a. Anopening16 is located at the top side oftop part3 which faces the rear, and this opening bears a type designation or a company logo, for instance. At the underside oftop part3 the first nose7acan be seen facing the front. On the top ofbottom part4 both the nose-shapedlug9 provided on the side walls of the indentation and the second nose7bprovided can be seen at the underside of indentation6.
• FIG. 9bshows a side view of thefirst separator1ain its folded-open condition.
• Here, the horizontalbottom part4 and thetop part3 which is perpendicular to it can be recognized The first nose7aarranged at the underside oftop part3 can be seen.
• FIG. 10 shows an exploded view ofpivot pin15.
• Thepivot pin15 consists of a head18 with a front19 which is provided with aslot20 into which a screwdriver may engage thus moving or rotating thepivot pin15. The latter also has abolt17 with a diameter lower than the head18 and kept at a distance from head18 by means ofnotch21. InFIG. 10 thebolt17 is foreshortened. In practice, the bolt is so long that it extends from the head18 throughbottom part4 to the opposite joint section oftop part3.
• Theseparator1a,1b,1c,1d,1eand1fincluding thesecond separating strip20ais operated as follows:
• A blood sample of approx. 50 μl is applied to the firstblood introducing section12awith a pipette, for instance. Capillary forces will separate the blood serum or blood plasma from the erythrocytes in such a way that the blood serum or blood plasma will collect next to theblood taking opening13 at the rear end ofblood separating component11.
• The next drawing as perFIG. 8 shows thesecond separating strip20awith its firstblood introducing section12afacing upwards and inserted in theseparator1a,1b,1c,1d,1eand1fin such a way that the front limit stops14bwill stop at the nose-shapedlugs9. Thesecond separating strip20ais therefore in its pushed-in condition.
• After expiry of a period of approx. 0.5 to 2 minutes, depending on the analyte, thetop part3 andbottom part4 are folded together, thus closing the separator. Thetop part3 andbottom part4 are maintained in a slightly compressed position, at the same time carefully pulling thesecond separating strip20aback until the rear limit stops14amake contact with the nose-shapedlugs9. If the fifth separators1eare used withpermanent magnets22, manual compression oftop part3 andbottom part4 can be omitted astop part3 andbottom part4 are pressed against each other by magnetic force.
• The action of noses7aand7bon theblood separating component11 has the result that the blood serum or blood plasma is pressed out ofblood taking opening13 and escapes at the tip of thesecond separating strip20a.
• If the second separator1b,the third separator1cor thesixth separator1fare used, thenoses27aand27bwith their semicircle shapes or the V-shapednoses37aand37bor38aand38brespectively will have the result that blood serum or blood plasma is concentrated in the central area of thesecond separating strip20aand pressed out of thesecond separating strip20ain a centerline position when thesecond separating strip20ais pulled out of the indentation6.
• If thefourth separator1dare used, therollers47aand47bwill achieve the effect of pressing the blood serum or blood plasma out of thesecond separating strip20ain a particularly careful way when thesecond separating strip20ais pulled out of the indentation6.
• If a fourth separating strip20bwith a semicircular blood inserting section12bor a sixth separating strip20cwith a V-shaped blood inserting section12cis used, instead of thesecond separating strip20a,the blood serum or blood plasma will be even better concentrated and pressed out in the central area of blood inserting sections12band12c.
• The blood serum or blood plasma can now be taken through theopening62 without touching, by sucking it with a capillary bulb, for instance. Finally, the capillary bulb will have to be sealed using a sealing kit to prevent the blood serum or blood plasma from flowing out. The capillary bulb is now ready for measurement.
• FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of asixth separator50 including abottom part52 and atop part60 removed from it.
• Thebottom part52 andtop part60 have identical thicknesses and have an approximate rectangular form with rounded corners, the central area of the rear end oftop part60 having arectangular opening62. The side areas ofbottom part52 are provided with two oblong guide bars58 which are designed as longitudinal openings inFIG. 11. The top ofbottom part52 has anoblong indentation54 which is running across the top ofbottom part52 from the front to the rear, limited by side walls on the rear and to the left and right, and open to the front. The rear side wall may also have an opening in order to allow better taking of separated blood serum or blood plasma.
• On the left and right side walls ofindentation54, there arefixation noses56 opposed to each other in a front area, the width of each of the nose equalling the width of theopenings14 of separatingstrips20a,20band20c.Thesefixation noses56 are used to reliably fix and retain in position a separatingstrip20a,20b,20cinserted intoindentation54.
• FIG. 12 shows an exploded view of thetop part60 seen from an oblique angle from below.
• Just in front of therectangular opening62 at the rear oftop part60, there is a roller64 which is mounted on bearings and can rotate around an axle arranged approximately at the height of the underside oftop part60 and which is vertical to the longitudinal direction of theindentation54 or the moving direction of the separating strip. The roller64 therefore protrudes a little downwards out of the underside oftop part60 so that the roller64 starts to roll once the separating strip fulfils a shifting motion, thus pressing the blood serum or blood plasma off the separating strip because of the pressure effect on the separating strip.
• Twogliders66 protrude downwards beyond the surface oftop part60 in the lateral areas of thetop part60 next to theopening62. Thesegliders66 can be placed into the guide bars58 of thebottom part52, thus guiding thetop part60 in the guide bars58 during the shifting motion. In relation to the longitudinal direction of thesixth separator50, thegliders66 are arranged behind the roller64 so that the rear ends of guide bars58 mark a stop for them and the shifting motion of thetop part60 is limited to the rear, the roller64 thus pressing the blood serum or blood plasma out of theblood taking opening13, but not being able to touch the blood serum or blood plasma pressed out in the rear section of separatingstrip20a,20b,20c.
• Thegliders66 belonging to the top part and the guide bars58 belonging to the bottom part therefore combine to form a shifting mechanism which can be used to shift thetop part60 against thebottom part52.
• Said shifting mechanism is included inFIGS. 11 through 13 as an example and can be designed in any way imaginable. Guide bars can be provided in the side areas ofbottom part52, for instance, and thetop part60 may be wider than thebottom part52 and have gliders which engage into the lateral guide bars of thebottom part52, for instance. In this case, thetop part60 can be shifted against thebottom part52 to the rear until theindentation54 is uncovered and the separatingstrip20a,20b,20ccan be inserted. As in the embodiment described inFIGS. 11 through 13, the gliders may be arranged in relation to the longitudinal direction so that the rear ends of the lateral guide bars mark a stop for them and the shifting motion of thetop part60 is limited to the rear, the roller64 thus pressing the blood serum or blood plasma out of theblood taking opening13, but not being able to touch the blood serum or blood plasma pressed out in the rear section of separatingstrip20a,20b,20c.
• FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of thesixth separator50 including thetop part60 placed on thebottom part52 in a maximum shifting position.
• In this case, which is not visible inFIG. 13, thegliders66 have made contact with the rear ends of guide bars58, and the rear end oftop part60 is protruding beyond that ofbottom part52.
• Moreover, a chronometer unit68 with a digital display and two control keys, corresponding to thechronometer unit48 of thefirst separator1a,is arranged in a front area on the top oftop part60.
• Thesixth separator50 with separatingstrip20a,20b,20cis operated as follows:
• The separatingstrip20a,20b,20cis inserted into theseparator50, with the firstblood inserting section12afacing upwards, so that thefixation noses56 will engage intoopening14 and the separatingstrip20a,20b,20cis fixed against thebottom part52 and retained in this position. A blood sample of approx. 50 μl blood is applied to the firstblood introducing section12a,12b,12cwith a pipette, for instance, and capillary forces will separate the blood serum or blood plasma from the erythrocytes in such a way that the blood serum or blood plasma will collect next to the blood-takingopening13 at the rear end ofblood separating component11. Thetop part60 is now placed on to thebottom part52 to align with it so that thegliders66 are located in the guide bars58. The chronometer unit68 is started now either by pressing a control key or by a switch or sensor, which detects the moment when thetop part60 is placed on thebottom part52. The chronometer unit will emit an acoustic or optical signal after expiry of the specified period. Thetop part60 is now shifted against thebottom part52 manually or motor-driven by means of an integrated electrical motor to the rear until thegliders66 make contact with the ends of guide bars58. The action of roller64 on theblood separating component11 causes the blood serum or blood plasma to be pressed out of theblood taking opening13 and escape at the tip of separatingstrip20a,20b,20c.
• The blood serum or blood plasma can now be taken through theopening62 of thetop part60, by sucking it with a capillary bulb, for instance. Finally, the capillary bulb will have to be sealed using a sealing kit to prevent the blood serum or blood plasma from flowing out. The capillary bulb is now ready for measurement.
• While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.

Claims (18)

1. A separator for the taking of blood serum or blood plasma contained in a blood sample from a separating strip comprising:

a top part, a bottom part and a joint;

wherein the top part and bottom part are linked together by the joint in a pivoting way so that the separator can be folded open and closed by pivoting; and

wherein the underside of the top part and top side of the bottom part come into contact with each other at least in some areas in said folded-closed condition; and

wherein the bottom part has an indentation for supporting the separating strip which is limited by side walls on at least two opposite sides and wherein each of the side walls has at least one nose-shaped lug to form a limit stop laterally protruding into the indentation for the separating strips inserted in the indentation, and

wherein the bottom part and/or the underside of top part has at least one nose which can exert a defined local pressure on the separating strip once the top part and bottom part are folded together, thus pressing blood serum or blood plasma out of the rear end of the separating strip whenever the separating strip is moved.

2. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that a nose is provided at the underside of top part or at the top of the bottom part.

3. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that the separating strip can be pushed into the indentation and pulled out of the indentation.

4. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that the at least one nose is provided at the indentation, in particular at the base of the indentation.

5. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that a first nose is provided on the underside of top part and a second nose is provided on the base of indentation which will both interact while separator is folded closed.

6. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that the at least one nose is shaped like a barrier.

7. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that the at least one nose is provided transversally to the longitudinal direction of the indentation.

8. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one nose is shaped like a bow, the bow opening facing the direction of the joint.

9. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one nose is shaped like two legs arranged like an arrow.

10. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one nose is shaped like a roller or roll which rotates around an axle inserted in the top part and/or the bottom part.

11. The separator according toclaim 10, characterized in that a drive motor is provided for the roller or roll.

12. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that the top part which is placed near the at least one nose has an opening allowing access to the separated blood serum or blood plasma while the separator is folded closed.

13. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one nose is made from an elastic material, in particular from rubber.

14. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one nose is designed as an elastic metal tongue.

15. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that permanent magnets are arranged both in the top part and bottom part so that the permanent magnets face each other in the folded-down condition and attract each other.

16. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided in the top part and that the bottom part has some metal content.

17. The separator (according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided in the bottom part and the top part has metal content.

18. The separator according toclaim 1, characterized in that a chronometer unit is provided in the top part or bottom part which measures a specified period, emitting an optical or acoustical signal after expiry of this period.

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