Specimen Collection Container Having a Transitional Fill-Volume Indicator Indicating Extraction Method

Abstract

A specimen collection container having a transitional fill-volume indicator is disclosed. The specimen collection container includes an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The specimen collection container includes a transitional fill-volume indicator adjacent the sidewall, such that the container defines a first volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and the transitional indicator. The specimen collection container also defines a second volumetric interior defined by the sidewall between the closed bottom end and a portion of the sidewall disposed above the transitional indicator. The first volumetric interior is adapted to allow extraction of a specimen therefrom by a first extraction process, and the second volumetric interior is adapted to allow extraction of a specimen therefrom by either the first extraction process or a second extraction process, the second extraction process being different than the first extraction process.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to specimen collection containers used to collect a fluid sample and, more particularly, to specimen collection containers having a fill-volume indicator.2. Description of Related ArtBiological sample containers have traditionally been used for the collection of specimens, such as blood and other bodily fluids. Collected specimens are typically required for the purpose of, for example, performing diagnostic tests. In many cases, a predetermined volume of specimen is required to perform a specific test, and specimen collection containers are often utilized to facilitate collection of a precise test-specific specimen volume. In certain specimen collection containers, a pre-measured additive, such as a preservative or anticoagulant, is deposited into the container to preserve or otherwise prepare the sample. Accordingly, it is important that the amount of fluid sample collected within the contai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The specimen collection container may further include an additive spray-dried to the interior, the additive provided in an appropriate amount to correspond to a volume of specimen designated by the transitional fill-volume indicator. The first extraction process may be a manual extraction process, and the second extraction process may be an automated extraction process. Optionally, the transitional fill-volume indicator may be integrally formed with the sidewall of the container. In one configuration, the transitional fill-volume indicator is at least partially raised with respect to a surface of the sidewall of the container. In another configuration, the transitional fill-volume indicator is at least partially recessed with respect to a surface of the sidewall of the container. In yet another configuration, the transitional fill-volume indicator is printed on a surface of the sidewall of the container. The transitional fill-volume indicator may be at least partially textured with respect to a surface of the sidewall of the container.

In another configuration, the transitional fill-volume indicator includes a first colored portion, and at least a portion of the sidewall of the container comprises a second colored portion, with the second colored portion being different than the first colored portion. The specimen collection container may also include a color contrast or visual effects contrast between at least a portion of the transitional fill-volume indicator and at least a portion of the sidewall of the container. The specimen collection container may also include a label including the transitional fill-volume indicator disposed at least partially on a sidewall of the container. Optionally, at least one of the label and the sidewall of the container includes first alignment symbology and the other of the label and the sidewall of the container includes second alignment symbology. The first alignment symbology and the second alignment symbology may provide corresponding alignment. The transitional fill-volume indicator may further include information identifying at least one of the first extraction process and the second extraction process. In other configurations, the specimen collection container may include a closure disposed at least partially within the open top end of the container. Optionally, the closure may include a pierceable portion capable of being pierced by a probe for automated extraction.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a specimen collection container includes an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The specimen collection container also includes a first fill-volume indicator adjacent the sidewall corres

Problems solved by technology

Traditional numerical indicators and min / max fill-line indicator combinations are insufficient to communicate the different fill-volumes required for manual and automatic sample extraction.

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