GB2486232A

GB2486232A - A holder for sample containers made from a solid block

Info

Publication number: GB2486232A
Application number: GB1020750.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eugen-Matthias Strehle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Also published as: GB2486291A; GB2486291B; GB201020750D0; GB201109161D0

Abstract

Taking blood from a small child or baby requires a lot of concentration and is very involving. Therefore when doctors have taken blood and placed it in a plastic vial, they will often just place it down on whatever surface is nearest to attend to the infant and return to assuage the patient fears. The present invention allows doctors, nurses or carers to place these vials, tubes or containers in a specific container, safely storing them upright. The holder comprises a block pierced with a plurality of holes 1. The block may be formed of foam and it may have a recess for supporting part of a needle.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

EUGEN-MATTHIAS STREHLE

FOR

PORTABLE HOLDER

ReId of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable holder, more particularly a portable holder for containers of paediatric bodily fluid samples.

Backround Taking a blood sample from a small child is not often easy, often requiring a second nurse or parent to assist by holding the child. The doctor takes a sample using a needle and syringe. A neonatal needle may be used which is where a needle is inserted and the blood is dripped out the other end into the vials. This method is used in children with very small, threadlike veins, and this is the only way to obtain the blood for sampling.

Typically a local anaesthetic spray is used to numb the area but the spray works immediately, and wears off within a few seconds. The area is then cleaned with an alcohol wipe. An assistant will squeeze the arm/leg to make the vein more prominent and increase the blood flow.

The spray is then used to numb the area and a needle is inserted into a vein. The needle has a syringe attached, and the correct volume of blood will be taken for sampling.

Blood tests may be necessary for the following reasons: a general health look at red cells, haemoglobin, white cells and platelets; various salts e.g. potassium, sodium; to check the clotting factors in blood; to check for inflammation; to check for inflammation; to check the health of the liver; to check for allergies; genetic tests for abnormalities/disorders/syndromes; medicine doses at the correct level; fasting blood sugar levels and many more.

Although many of these tests can be performed on very small amounts of blood, most blood tests are collected by venepuncture. And having blood taken can be a very painful and frightening experience for children.

With appropriate preparation and support children cope better, and their fear and anxiety can be minimised. Anxiety minimisation techniques generally focus on maximum contact with the child, soothing words, calm body language, good eye contact and the like. Restraining a child for venepuncture is urged only as a last course of action.

Although distraction techniques and topical anaesthesia are more usual for relieving the distress of venepuncture, in some cases even nitrous oxide has been shown to be effective for children over four.

Essentially once the blood taking procedure is started, it must be carried out as calmly, efficiently and as quickly as possible. For many chitdren, including the oldest age group, the threat is not perceived as over until the needle has been removed from the vein.

In addition there have been studies regarding the minimising of sample sizes even from adult patients. Studies have shown that smaller samples are equally as effective, less distressing, less time consuming, and less storage space restrictions.

However in relation to this and in relation to paediatric samples in general smaller tubes means more fiddly, more delicate tubes. The problem therefore relates to how to hold small tubes of samples securely and with minimal room for problems.

Prior Art

A number of holders have been provided to try and solve the problem of holding tubes or containers of samples.

United States patent application US 2004 147 878 (LYON et al) discloses an apparatus for holding and transporting tubes, comprising: a tube holder having an elongated body with at least one fluid collection sleeve thereon for receiving and retaining at least one fluid collection tube; and, at least one sample retriever sleeve thereon for receiving and retaining a sample retriever tube. An elongate shape to the device is not easily transportable.

United States patent application US 5 951 524 (ENRIQUEZ) discloses a holder and guard for various sizes of tubes comprising a) a transparent circular plate a minimum of three inches in diameter, said circular plate having a minimum of four holes varying from about one third to one half inch in diameter clustered around a centre point so as to be less than one inch apart; said circular plate also having four holes spaced at 90 degree angles encircling said minimum of said four holes around said centre point; b) a minimum of four flat hole cover plates having a first circular end a minimum of about one inch in diameter and having a rotatable protrusion on a second end sized to rotatably fit into one of said four holes in said four holes spaced ninety degrees apart in said circular plate thereby allowing said hole cover plates to be rotated to cover any unused holes in said circular plate. This device has the disadvantage of being capable of mis-positioning and therefore complication.

United States patent application US 5 148 919 (RUBIN) discloses a housing for a plurality of fluid receptacles wherein said housing is designed to avoid the need for a user to hold the housing or said fluid receptacles during a fluid transfer process, said housing comprising: top, bottom and side walls attached to form an enclosure; said top wall comprising a plurality of openings adapted to receive one of said plurality of fluid receptacles; a plurality of holders, wherein each of said holders extend downwardly from one of said openings in said top wall to a position adjacent said bottom wall; engaging means in contact with each of said holders for engaging a fluid receptacle located therein and for removably securing said fluid receptacle within said holder; fixation means projecting from said bottom wall for removably fixing said housing on a support surface to prevent undesired horizontal or vertical movement of the housing with respect to said support surface; and a cover pivotably attached to one or more walls of said housing wherein said cover is pivotably attached to said top wall of said housing.

Advantageously therefore the present invention provides a simple effective failsafe means of storing sample containers, allowing maximum time for handling the patient.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided a portable holder for storage of at least one container of bodily fluid sample, said holder defining a block, said block pierced with a plurality of holes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a recessed portion for storage of needles or cannulas.

Ideally the holder may be formed of, in part or whole, plastics or foam.

Foam versions of the holder may be solid and may be better disposed for tightly holding containers, tubes, or vials in that the bores diameter may be configured slightly smaller than the container diameter. In addition a foam holder may provide more protection for containers held within them, such as if the container is knocked or falls.

Furthermore foam versions may be in part detachable or separable such that a portion of the holder may be detached, such as when for example the holder relates to one container, which may be detached to create a holder, support or jacket for a container, in order that the holder may be inserted in a centrifuge.

Plastic versions in the alternative may be wipeable, and are typically lighter and less expensive.

Taking blood from a small child or baby requires a lot of concentration and is very involving. Therefore when doctors have taken blood and placed it in a plastic vial, they will often just place it down on whatever surface is nearest to attend to the infant and return to assuage the patient fears.

The present invention allows doctors, nurses or carers to place these vials, tubes or containers in a specific container, safely storing them upright. In order to facilitate this, the holder may have bevelled edges to the bores, or other guiding means for easy placement of the containers into the holder, such as funnelled bores.

Therefore once the blood sample has been taken, the carer places the blood sample into the container, The doctor or nurse can place the containers in the holder and can quickly return to the patient safe in the knowledge that the containers are safe and secure.

Brief Descrition of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the holder; Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment; and Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The embodiment pictured in Figure 1 has four bores (1) for containers (not shown).

These bores have bevelled edges (10) to the bores 1, such that a user may insert the container into the bore from an increased variety of angles of approach, and ideally the bevelled edge 10 will direct the container into the bore 1.

Further embodiments may in the alternative or in addition have funnelled sides to the bore 1. Yet further embodiments may have projections.

The holder in the pictured embodiment also has bevelled edges (100). This minimises the chance of snagging and damage and further increases the ergonomic functionality of the holder such that its ease of use is improved.

The holder may be formed in part or whole of foam. This foam may be such as quantum foam, polyurethane foam (foam rubber), Polystyrene, phenolic, or other manufactured foam. In this case the holder may be formed of a single block, with the bores 1 inserted at casting or moulding, or bored or drilled at manufacture.

Further foam embodiments may have lines of weakness, perforation or tear lines included such that a user may remove part of the holder, such as to detach a part surrounding one bore 1.

In the alternative plastic embodiments may be provided, formed of moulded or cast sheeting defining a block, or a single block, or a perforated or otherwise minimised quantity of plastic may be provided.

Such plastic embodiments are ideally wipe clean, and may be provided with a glossy finish in order to facilitate this. Alternatively or in addition such plastic embodiments may be disposable.

Plastic embodiments may be provided with connection mechanisms in order to ensure more than one holder may be attached together in a modular format, for example to provide more bores for containers.

The pictured embodiments have recessed portions 2 for needle system sections, such as cannulas, needles or syringes.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A holder for storage of at least one container of bodily fluid sample, said holder defining a block, said block pierced with a plurality of holes.
2. A holder according to claim I wherein a recessed portion may be provided for at least one needle part.
3. A holder according to a preceding claim wherein the whole is formed in part or whole of foam.