An assembly is provided for receiving, maintaining and storing blood samples taken from individuals some of whom may have a disease which can contaminate anyone handling the sample. The assembly includes a glass tube which may be evacuated for facilitating and receiving a blood sample coaxially retained within a plastic tube which retains the sample and the general integrity of the assembly in the event that the glass tube cracks or breaks during handling. Thus, the glass tube maintains a long shelf-life for the evacuated tube, and does not react adversely or interfere with blood chemistries, while the outer plastic sleeve protects the user from broken glass and/or contamination. A special interlock ring holds the glass tube coaxially in place relative to the plastic tube.
A container for use in retaining laboratory or hospital samples with an upwardly biased and centered inner container or insert and a spring applicable for use with such a container.
The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection. The inner container is spaced from the outer container at most locations. However, the inner container includes an enlarged top configured to engage the outer container. The enlarged top has a roughened outer surface to permit an escape of air from the space between the containers.
A vessel useful for the collection of body fluid samples includes a first elongate tube defining an axis. The first tube has an open end with an inside diameter and a closed end section with an outside diameter. The first tube includes a receptacle therein for receiving a fluid sample that is accessible from open end. The vessel includes a second elongate tubes substantially identical to the first tube. The closed end section outside diameter is less than the inside diameter of the open end. The first tube closed end section is conjugately disposed in the open end of the second tube so that the first tube and the second tube are substantially axially aligned thereby forming a single article.
A receptacle with compartmented peripheral walls for displaying personalized and changeable graphics is disclosed. The receptacle has an inner cylinder and a transparent outer cylinder which are spaced apart by vertical spacers which divide the cavity between the cylinders into compartments, each of which houses a removable sheet of graphic material. In a preferred embodiment, each compartment is sized to hold a standard, stock sized paper, such as 81/2".times.11", so the graphics may be quickly and easily changed.
A sample vessel (1) for taking very small amounts of blood, consisting of an outer vessel (2) and an inner vessel (3) which can be inserted into it, which is closed at the bottom, and on top, on the side where the sample is deposited, is configured with an open, very thin-walled blood sample ring (7) which can be closed by a stopper (4) and which protrudes in situ from the outer vessel (2). The outer vessel (2) has a collar (5) which supports the inner vessel (3) below the blood sample ring (7), and which is suitable for holding in centrifuges. The sample vessel makes taking blood samples easier, is simpler to produce and offers a greater variety of possibilities for use.
