Fluid collecting and monitoring device
View Patent ↗A device that is intended for the sampling of fluids, comprises a base and a lid. Between the base and the lid there is provided an opening and a first open-sided channel extending from the opening to a second open-sided channel for the collection of fluid therein. The depth of the second channel is smaller than that of the first channel.
1. A device for sampling a fluid comprising:
a base;
a lid;
a fluid-collection point for initially receiving the fluid, the fluid-collection point being positioned between the base and the lid;
a first open-sided channel for the collection of fluid therein, the first open-sided channel extending from the fluid-collection point;
a second open-sided channel extending from the first open-sided channel, the depth of the second open-sided channel being smaller than the depth of the first open-sided channel; and
at least one vent channel positioned adjacent to the first and second open-sided channels, the depth of the at least one vent channel being greater than the depth of the first open-sided channel.
2. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a step between the first and second open-sided channels.
3. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a vent through which air can be removed from the first and the second open-sided channels.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the vent is situated beyond the second open-sided channel.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the volumetric space within the first open-sided channel is 0.4-1.3 μl and the volumetric space within the second open-sided channel is 0.4-1.0 μl.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second open-sided channels are aligned to form a substantially straight passageway.
7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lid and base are bonded together to contain the first and second open-sided channels.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the second open-sided channel is coated with a reagent.
9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the lid of the device is translucent or transparent such that a color change in the reagent may be analyzed externally.
10. The device according to claim 8 , further comprising a pair of electrodes disposed within the second open-sided channel to assist in measuring a change of current flowing between the pair of the electrodes.
11. A method of collecting a fluid sample, the method comprising the acts of:
providing a device comprising
a base,
a lid,
a fluid-collection point for initially receiving the fluid, the fluid-collection point being positioned between the base and the lid,
a first open-sided channel for the collection of fluid therein, the first open-sided channel extending from the fluid-collection point,
a second open-sided channel extending from the first open-sided channel, the depth of the second open-sided channel being smaller than the depth of the first open-sided channel, and
at least one vent channel positioned adjacent to the first and second open-sided channels, the depth of the at least one vent channel being greater than the depth of the first open-sided channel; and
placing the device adjacent to a fluid drop and allowing capillary action to collect the fluid into the device.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the fluid collected in the first open-sided channel is transferred to the second open-sided channel by capillary action.
13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein fluid continues to be collected by the first open-sided channel after the transfer to the second open-sided channel has commenced.
14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the fluid is collected from multiple beads of fluids from different surfaces.
15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the device further comprises a step between the first and second open-sided channels.
16. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the device further comprises a vent through which air can be removed from the first and the second open-sided channels.
17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the first and second open-sided channels are aligned to form a substantially straight passageway.
18. The method according to claim 11 , wherein a surface of the second open-sided channel is coated with a reagent.
19. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the device further comprises a pair of electrodes disposed within the second open-sided channel to assist in measuring a change of current flowing between the pair of the electrodes.