Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of assembling a container including an inner tube contained within an outer tube. The method includes providing an outer tube, providing a spacing element adjacent the open top of the outer tube and inserting an inner tube within the outer tube. The spacing element provides for venting of air from between the inner and outer tubes through the top of the container during assembly thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid collection device wherein multiple, individual samples of fluid can be collected simultaneously. The device includes a chamber and an adapter which substantially and simultaneously distributes the blood to individual chambers with chamber specific additives. Also included is a system for using the blood collection device, preferably within a diagnostic testing laboratory.

Abstract: A biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and an indicator affixed to the container for displaying at least one measured characteristics of the container or sample, wherein measurement of the characteristic is commenced by activation of the indicator. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for collecting a biological sample and a label affixed to the container, wherein information relating to the biological sample or container is situated on the label and at least a portion of said information is situated on a face of the label that is affixed to the container.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: An improved fluid collection container, containing a gel separation medium, is provided. The gel is disposed in the tube in a manner and geometry that is readily manufacturable, and which overcomes potential gel movement issues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of assembling a container including an inner tube contained within an outer tube. The method includes providing an outer tube, providing a spacing element adjacent the open top of the outer tube and inserting an inner tube within the outer tube. The spacing element provides for venting of air from between the inner and outer tubes through the top of the container during assembly thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of assembling a container including an inner tube contained within an outer tube. The method includes providing an outer tube, providing a spacing element adjacent the open top of the outer tube and inserting an inner tube within the outer tube. The spacing element provides for venting of air from between the inner and outer tubes through the top of the container during assembly thereof.

Abstract: A biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and an indicator affixed to the container for displaying at least one measured characteristics of the container or sample, wherein measurement of the characteristic is commenced by activation of the indicator. In another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for storing the biological sample and a colored scale affixed to the container, wherein the colored scale facilitates identification of at least one characteristic of the biological sample. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a biological sample containment system and method are provided that include a container for collecting a biological sample and a label affixed to the container, wherein information relating to the biological sample or container is situated on the label.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of assembling a container including an inner tube contained within an outer tube. The method includes providing an outer tube, providing a spacing element adjacent the open top of the outer tube and inserting an inner tube within the outer tube. The spacing element provides for venting of air from between the inner and outer tubes through the top of the container during assembly thereof.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: A method of assembling a container including an inner tube contained within an outer tube. The method includes providing an outer tube, providing a spacing element adjacent the open top of the outer tube and inserting an inner tube within the outer tube. The spacing element provides for venting of air from between the inner and outer tubes through the top of the container during assembly thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid collection device wherein multiple, individual samples of fluid can be collected simultaneously. The device includes a chamber and an adapter which substantially and simultaneously distributes the blood to individual chambers with chamber specific additives. Also included is a system for using the blood collection device, preferably within a diagnostic testing laboratory.

Abstract: A device for separating plasma from whole blood is provided having an evacuated primary collection chamber capable of fluid communication through a porous filter to an evacuated secondary collection chamber. An agglutinating agent is provided within the primary collection chamber so as to aggregate blood cells within a whole blood sample. The porous filter has a pore size which is small enough to capture the aggregated blood cells therein, yet large enough to permit plasma to transfer therethrough under pressures associated with conventional evacuated blood collection tubes. The primary and secondary collection chambers may be provided in separate containers or tubes, with transfer occurring therebetween through a transfer device including the porous filter therein.

Abstract: A filling system for filling cartridges with a variety of outer diameters includes a conveyor having cleats extending at spaced intervals. A shifting mechanism is coupled to the conveyor for shifting the conveyor between a first position and a second position. The distance between the first and second positions is a function of the outer diameter of the cartridge to be filled.

Abstract: The fluid sample collection device is adapted to collect and separate a fluid sample into constituent parts such as separating plasma or serum from a blood sample. The device includes an evacuated outer container and an inner container. The outer container has a first open end and a second closed end. A pierceable closure closes the first open end thereby defining a first interior chamber. The inner container is contained within the outer container and separates the first interior chamber into an upper chamber portion and lower chamber portion in fluid communication. The inner container defines a second interior chamber separated from the lower chamber portion through a porous membrane. A port is provided for placing the second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber. Another aspect of the device relates to a method of using the device to separate plasma or serum from a blood sample.

Abstract: A device for separating plasma from whole blood is provided having an evacuated primary collection chamber capable of fluid communication through a porous filter to an evacuated secondary collection chamber. An agglutinating agent is provided within the primary collection chamber so as to aggregate blood cells within a whole blood sample. The porous filter has a pore size which is small enough to capture the aggregated blood cells therein, yet large enough to permit plasma to transfer therethrough under pressures associated with conventional evacuated blood collection tubes. The primary and secondary collection chambers may be provided in separate containers or tubes, with transfer occurring therebetween through a transfer device including the porous filter therein.

Abstract: A specimen collection container for collecting a biological sample such as blood which includes a non-evacuated collection tube. The tube includes a vent which is adapted for displacement of air from within the interior chamber of the collection tube to the external environment during collection of a blood sample therein. Desirably, the vent is air permeable and liquid impermeable, and seals upon contact with a liquid sample so as to become air impermeable.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: A twist tie feed device is provided for twisting together the ends of a tie ribbon which encircles a product including a base plate. A twist head assembly can be mounted on a base plate and receives a first end of a tie ribbon which encircles the product and a second end of the encircling tie ribbon and will rotate about itself to twist the tie ribbon about the product. Positive drive wheels and idler working in conjuction feed the ribbon in one of a first direction towards the twist head assembly and a second direction away from the twist head assembly. The positive drive wheels can contact the ribbon at one side and the idler can contact the ribbon on the other side to apply a positive drive force to the drive the ribbon as it passes between the drive wheels and idler. The ribbon can be fed in the second direction away from the twist head assembly, thereby tightening the ribbon about the product.

Abstract: A twist tie feed device is provided for twisting together the ends of a tie ribbon which encircles a product including a base plate. A twist head assembly can be mounted on a base plate and receives a first end of a tie ribbon which encircles the product and a second end of the encircling tie ribbon and will rotate about itself to twist the tie ribbon about the product. Positive drive wheels and idler working in conjuction feed the ribbon in one of a first direction towards the twist head assembly and a second direction away from the twist head assembly. The positive drive wheels can contact the ribbon at one side and the idler can contact the ribbon on the other side to apply a positive drive force to the drive the ribbon as it passes between the drive wheels and idler. The ribbon can be fed in the second direction away from the twist head assembly, thereby tightening the ribbon about the product.