Abstract
A system for collecting a sample of a liquid, the system including a liquid storage vessel including an opening, and a capping element configured to seal the opening of the storage vessel is provided. The capping element includes a chamber configured to store a sample of the liquid separate to the liquid storage vessel. The capping element includes a pipette element defining the chamber that is configured to store the sample of liquid taken from the storage vessel.
Claims
1-35. (canceled)
36. A system for collecting a sample of a liquid, the system comprising: a liquid storage vessel comprising an opening; and a capping element configured to seal the opening of the storage vessel; wherein the capping element comprises: a pipette element configured to store a sample of the liquid separate to the liquid storage vessel; and a capping part connectable between the opening and the pipette element; wherein the pipette element is separable from the capping part; wherein the capping part comprises a first liquid conveying connector; wherein the pipette element comprises a second liquid-conveying connector configured to mate with the first liquid-conveying connector; and wherein the first liquid conveying connector is uncovered when the pipette element is separated from the capping part.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the pipette element comprises a flat base portion configured to support the pipette element in an upright standing position.
38. The system of claim 36, wherein the capping element comprises a dual pipette element defining two pipette chambers, wherein each pipette chamber is configured to store some of the sample of liquid taken from the storage vessel.
39. The system of claim 36, wherein the two pipette chambers are separable from one another.
40. The system of claim 36, wherein the first liquid-conveying connector comprises an ENFit connector.
41. The system of claim 36, wherein the second liquid-conveying connector comprises an ENFit connector.
42. The system of claim 36, further comprising a plug; wherein the plug comprises two ends: a first end configured to seal the first liquid conveying connector of the capping part, and a second end configured to seal the second liquid conveying connector of the pipette element after the pipette element is separated from the capping part
43. The system of claim 36, wherein the opening of the liquid storage vessel comprises a threaded interface.
44. The system of claim 36, wherein the opening of the storage vessel is effectively sealed by the capping element.
45. The system of claim 36, wherein the second liquid-conveying connector comprises a screw fitting.
46. The system of claim 36, wherein the liquid storage vessel comprises a pouch or a bottle.
47. The system of claim 36, wherein the pipette element is at least partially transparent.
48. A method of collecting a sample of liquid from a storage vessel, the method comprising: at least partially filling the storage vessel with a liquid; sealing the storage vessel with a capping element; the capping element comprising: a pipette element configured to store a sample of the liquid separate to the liquid storage vessel; and a capping part connectable between the opening and the pipette element; the method further comprising: manipulating the storage vessel and/or the capping element such that a sample of the liquid flows from the storage vessel into the pipette element of the capping element; and storing the sample of liquid in the pipette element of the capping element.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the liquid is breastmilk, and wherein the method comprises: connecting a breast pump to the storage vessel and operating the breast pump to introduce breastmilk into the storage vessel.
50. The method of claim 48, further comprising removing the pipette element containing the sample of liquid.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein removing the pipette element comprises removing the capping element from the storage vessel, and optionally resealing the storage vessel.
52. The method of claim 48, further comprising the steps of: freezing the storage vessel and the capping element containing the sample of liquid; and removing the pipette element containing the frozen sample.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein removing the pipette element comprises separating the pipette element from the capping part.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein separating the pipette element from the capping part comprises uncovering a first liquid conveying connector of the capping part.
55. The method of claim 53, further comprising sealing the capping part or the pipette element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] Certain examples of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0051] FIGS. 1A-1C schematically illustrate a liquid sample collection system according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a capping part and a pipette element according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0053] FIGS. 3A-3D schematically illustrate possible connectors of a pipette element according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a dual pipette element according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate possible connectors of a dual pipette element according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the use of a breast pump and breast shield with a liquid storage vessel according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0057] FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing steps of an exemplary process of collecting a sample of a breastmilk using the liquid sample collection system according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0058] FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically illustrate a plug used to seal elements of a liquid sample collection system according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0059] FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate some alternative plugs used to seal a pipette element of a liquid sample collection system according to some further embodiments of the invention;
[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a liquid sample collection system according to some other embodiments of the invention;
[0061] FIGS. 11A and 11B are a schematic illustration of a liquid sample collection system according to some other embodiments of the invention;
[0062] FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing steps of an exemplary process of collecting a sample of a breastmilk using the liquid sample collection system according to FIGS. 11A and 11B;
[0063] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a liquid sample collection system according to some embodiments of the invention;
[0064] FIG. 14 is a flow chart describing steps of an exemplary process of collecting a sample of a breastmilk using the liquid sample collection system according to FIG. 13;
[0065] FIGS. 15A and 15B schematically illustrate liquid sample collection systems according to some others embodiments of the invention; and
[0066] FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a liquid sample collection system according to some further embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0067] FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a liquid sample collection system 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The liquid sample collection system 100 may be used to isolate a small sample of liquid from a larger volume in a liquid storage vessel, as may be required for testing or analysis purposes. The liquid sample collection system 100 may be used to collect a sample of liquid with a low probability of contamination from outside sources. For example, the liquid sample collection system 100 may be used to collect a small sample of breastmilk to allow the fat content and/or presence of contaminants to be tested.
[0068] In some embodiments, the liquid sample collection system 100 comprises a hollow storage vessel 101 and a capping element 104, which seals the storage vessel 101. The capping element comprises a pipette element 102, and a capping part 109. The pipette element 102 is made of a pliable material, such as silicone, and comprises a connector 102b, and a bulb chamber 102a. A sample of liquid may be separated from the liquid within the storage vessel 101 and stored within the chamber 102a of the bulb, as will be described in the following. The bulb chamber 102a of the pipette element 102 may have an internal volume of up to 20 ml, but in preferred embodiments has a volume of 2-5 ml, for example about 2 ml. The pipette element 102 is transparent or semi-transparent in order for samples of liquid collected within to be visible.
[0069] The storage vessel 101 comprises a pouch 103 with an opening 105, which comprises a screw thread interface 107 on its outer surface. The pouch 103 is preferably made of a flexible material. The pouch 103 may be made of a flexible plastic, such as polyethylene. The pouch 103 may be made of a BPA-free plastic. Alternatively the pouch 103 may be made of a metallic foil, waterproofed paper material, or any suitable composite or laminated material. In embodiments in which the pouch 103 is opaque, the pouch 103 may comprise a transparent window 103a, as shown in FIG. 1B, such that the contents of the pouch are visible from the exterior of the pouch. However the storage vessel 101 does not need to be a pouch 103 as shown and could instead be a bottle, for example a breastmilk collection bottle as is widely available from breast pump manufacturers, with the opening 105 being the bottle neck opening.
[0070] The capping part 109 of the capping element 104 may be any part that facilitates connection between the opening 105 of the storage vessel 101 and the pipette element 102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the capping part 109 comprises a threading 109c, illustrated in FIG. 1C, that is configured to mate with the screw thread interface 107 of the opening 105, such that the capping part 109 can be attached to the pouch 103 at the opening 105. The threading 109c of the capping part 109 may be continuous or discontinuous, as long as the function of mating with the corresponding threading of the screw thread interface 107 of the opening 105 is maintained. Preferably, the threading 109c of the capping part 109 is discontinuous as shown in FIG. 1C in order to reduce the cost of manufacture. When attached, the opening 105 is effectively sealed. The capping part 109 also comprises a liquid conveying connector 109b, configured to mate with a matching connector 102b of the pipette element 102. In this way the pipette element 102 can be attached to the capping part 109, sealing the storage vessel 101. The capping element 104 may be attached to the opening 105 as a single part, i.e. with the pipette element 102 already connected to the capping part 109.
[0071] Although the opening 105 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a screw thread interface 107, in some embodiments the opening 105 does not comprise a threading, and instead comprises clips on its outer surface. In other embodiments, the opening 105 may be integral with the pouch 103 itself. In some embodiments, no capping part is present, and the opening 105 of the pouch 103 itself comprises a liquid conveying connector 109b, or simply provides an opening which can be covered by the capping element without the need for mating connectors.
[0072] In this embodiment the connectors 109b, 102b conform to ISO 80369-3 (ENFit); the connector 109b comprises a female ENFit connector hub, and the connector 102b comprises a male ENFit connector. The Applicant has recognized that providing connectors which conform to ISO 80369-3 (ENFit) may help to prevent misconnection of the pipette element 102, as well as preventing misconnection to other devices. For example, it may prevent a Luer fit syringe from being connected to the ENFit connector 109b so that only enteral feeding syringes can be connected to the capping part 109. However, it will be appreciated that the connectors 109b, 102b in this embodiment, and in other embodiments described below, may conform to any other medical standard enteral feeding connector instead of ISO 80369-3. Some known enteral connector types that may be applied to the liquid sample collection systems described herein are ENFit, Nutrisafe and Nutrisafe 2.
[0073] FIG. 2 shows how the pipette element 102 is attached and removed from the capping part 109 in embodiments in which the connectors 102b, 109b are ENFit connectors. To attach the pipette element 102, the male connector 102b is first inserted into the female connector 109b of the connection part 109, and the pipette element 102 is then twisted, locking the ENFit connector 102b with the ENFit connector 109b of the capping part 109 to form a seal. To remove the pipette element 102, this process is carried out in reverse.
[0074] While the pipette element 102 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a male ENFit connector 102b, in alternative embodiments the pipette element 102 may comprise a female ENFit connector hub. FIG. 3A shows the pipette element 102 comprising a male ENFit connector 102b in more detail, while FIG. 3B shows a pipette element 102′ comprising a female ENFit connector hub 102c. In some embodiments, the ENFit connector of the pipette element 102 may comprise extended threading. This threading is compatible with the ENFit standard, and may allow the connection with the capping part 109 to be more effectively secured. An example of such extended threading is illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D, which show a pipette element 102″ comprising a male ENFit connector 102b′ with extended threading. In embodiments in which a pipette element 102″ having a connector 102b′ comprising extended threading is used, the capping part 109 is configured to receive the ENFit connector 102b′ including the extended threading. It will be appreciated however that a variety of other connector types may be used. For example, the pipette element 102 may be connected to capping part 109 using a snap-on connector or a friction connector. In some embodiments the pipette element 102 and the capping part 109 may be molded into a single piece, e.g. with a frangible connection, which is broken when the pipette element 102 is removed.
[0075] In the embodiments seen in FIGS. 1-3, the pipette element 102 includes a flat base portion 102d configured to support the pipette element 102 in an upright standing position. This means that the pipette element 102 containing the liquid sample (in liquid or frozen state) can conveniently stand on a surface e.g. when testing the sample. This is described further in relation to FIGS. 8B and 9B.
[0076] FIG. 4 shows a dual pipette element 112 which may be used with the storage vessel 101 in place of the pipette element 102 in some embodiments of the invention. The dual pipette element 112 comprises two pipette chambers 113 which can be attached to the capping part 109 described previously. The dual pipette element 112 may be used when two individual samples of a liquid need to be collected for different purposes. For example, the dual pipette element 112 may be used to collect two samples of breastmilk from the storage vessel 101: a first sample for bacteriological testing, and a second sample for testing the nutritional contents of the breastmilk.
[0077] FIG. 5 shows two possible types of connection between the dual pipette element 112 and the capping part 109. FIG. 5A shows two pipette chambers 113 of the dual pipette element 112 held together in an adapter 114 by friction. The adapter 114 may be any suitable adapter configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109. The pipette chambers 113 may be removed from storage vessel 101 inside the adapter 114 as a pair, and may later be separated and removed individually from the adapter. Alternatively, the pipette chambers 113 may be removed individually while the adapter 114 is in-situ. FIG. 5B shows an alternative embodiment in which each of the pipette chambers 113 terminates in a connector equivalent to half of an ENFit connector, hereinafter referred to as a half-connector 113b. A connection may be formed between a female ENFit connector hub 109b on the capping part 109, and a male ENFit connector formed by the combination of the two half-connectors 113b on each of the pipette chambers 113 when the pipette chambers 113 are placed next to one another. In some embodiments the pipette chambers 113 may be snap-locked to one another in order to facilitate their use.
[0078] The storage vessel 101 may be connected to additional components at the screw thread interface 107 of the opening 105 or at the connector 109b of the capping part 109. FIG. 6 shows a breast pump set 200 used with the storage vessel 101 of FIG. 1. The breast pump set 200 includes a breast shield 201 connected to the pouch 103 via the screw thread 107. The breast shield 201 is connected to a breast pump 203 (electric or manual) such that breastmilk can be expressed directly into the pouch 103, without requiring the use of additional containers, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump, reducing the risk of contamination of the breastmilk. Once pumping is complete and the pump set 200 has been removed, other components may be connected at the screw thread 107 of the opening 105, for example a capping element 104 as already described above. Once a sample has been collected in the pipette element 102, and the pipette element 102 removed, an enteral feeding syringe may be connected to the connector 109b of the remaining capping part 109 in order to transfer breastmilk directly from the pouch 103 to a prematurely born baby. The potential for contamination is therefore minimized. These steps may all take place while the breastmilk is fresh, e.g. if it is expressed in a hospital, or the breastmilk may be frozen for later use, as described further below.
[0079] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of collecting a sample of breastmilk using embodiments of the liquid sample collection system 100 including a pipette element 102 as described in FIGS. 1-6. In step 701, the pouch 103 of the storage vessel 101 is at least partially filled with breastmilk. Breastmilk may be expressed directly into the storage vessel 101 as explained in relation to FIG. 6, or may be decanted into the storage vessel 101 from another container, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump. In step 703, the capping element 104 is attached to the storage vessel 101 at the opening 105. In step 705, the storage vessel 101 is turned such that the breastmilk within the pouch 103 flows towards the pipette element 102, which is compressed, forming a partial vacuum inside the bulb 102a of the pipette element 102. In step 707, the pressure on the bulb 102a is released, and a sample of breastmilk from the storage vessel 101 is drawn into the bulb 102a of the pipette element 102 by the partial vacuum, where it is held in place by the surface tension of the breastmilk, as a sample separated from the liquid in the storage vessel 101. Thus, the sample of breastmilk contained within the pipette element 102 is no longer in fluid contact with the liquid in the pouch 103, and does not flow back into the pouch 103 in the event that the storage vessel 101 is turned such that the pipette element is above the pouch 103. Prior to drawing a sample into the pipette element 102, the storage vessel 101 may be shaken in order to ensure that a homogenous and representative sample is collected in the pipette element 102. In step 709, the pipette element 102 containing the sample of breastmilk is removed from the storage vessel 101, and can be used to transfer a small sample of breastmilk for testing. The storage vessel 101 and attached capping element 104 (including the capping part 109 and pipette element 102) may be frozen before the pipette element 102 is removed. Step 709 may therefore take place following transportation of the collection system 100, e.g. to a hospital milk bank.
[0080] After removing the pipette element 102 from the storage vessel 101, the remaining breastmilk stored therein may be protected from contamination using a plug 301. An example of a plug 301 suitable for embodiments in which a friction connector is used is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In this embodiment the plug 301 has a generally conical shape, with a cylindrical projection 303 at one end and a tapered tip 305 at the opposite end. The plug 301 is configured to seal both the pouch 103 (by sealing the connector 109b of the capping part 109) and the pipette element 102, either together or individually. The cylindrical projection 303 from the base of the plug 301 is configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109, and the tip 305 of the plug 301 is configured to mate with the connector 102b of the pipette element 102. As can be seen in FIG. 8B, the plug 301 may be used to seal the opening of the pipette element 102 while the pipette element 102 rests on the flat base portion 102d. In this way the likelihood of contamination of a sample of liquid stored in the pipette element 102 may be reduced while it is being further transported or while awaiting testing of the liquid sample.
[0081] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the plug 301 being used to seal the pouch 103 (by sealing the connector 109b of the attached capping part 109) and the pipette element 102 respectively. Although FIGS. 8A and 8B show a plug 301 configured to seal the pouch 103 and the pipette element 102 using a friction connector, it will be appreciated that the cylindrical projection 303 and tapered tip 305 of the plug 301 may be configured to mate with a range of connector types, e.g. ENFit connectors or snap-on connectors.
[0082] In other embodiments a plug 311 with a generally cylindrical shape may be used, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A shows a plug 311 with a generally cylindrical shape and configured to seal a storage vessel (by sealing the connector 109b of the attached capping part 109 as seen in FIG. 8A) and the pipette element 102. The plug 311 comprises a narrow section 313 configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109, and a wide section 315 configured to mate with the connector 102b of the pipette element 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the plug 311 is made of a compressible material such as rubber or silicone, such that it can form a seal around the connector 102b of the pipette element 102. While in FIG. 9A the plug 311 is shown as having a smooth surface, in other embodiments, a plug with a ribbed surface may be used. FIG. 9B shows a plug 321 according to another embodiment of the invention. The plug 321 has a ribbed surface, and comprises a narrow section 323 configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109, and a wide section 325 configured to mate with the connector 102b of the pipette element 102. The ribbed surface of the plug 321 may advantageously allow the plug 321 to be more easily gripped by a user when used to seal/unseal the capping part 109 or the pipette element 102.
[0083] Although FIGS. 9A and 9B show plugs 311, 321 configured to seal a storage vessel and a pipette element using an ENFit connector, it will be appreciated that the plugs 311, 321 may be configured to mate with a range of connector types, e.g. friction connectors or snap-on connectors.
[0084] In some embodiments according to the first aspect of the invention, the capping element 104 does not comprise a pipette element 102. Instead, it will be appreciated that a range of alternative caps comprising a chamber capable of storing a sample of liquid may be used.
[0085] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a liquid sample collection system 100 according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the pipette element 102 is replaced by a syringe element 401 in a capping element 104′ comprising the syringe element 401 and a capping part 109. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the syringe element 401 is connected to a storage pouch 103 of a storage vessel 101 via the capping part 109. The capping part 109 and the pouch 103 are identical to those described in relation to FIGS. 1-7 and the description is not repeated here.
[0086] The syringe element 401 has a barrel 403, a plunger 405, and a connector 407 configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109. The connector 407 may be any appropriate connector configured to mate with the connector 109b of the capping part 109. In some embodiments the connector 407 may comprise an ENFit connector. In some embodiments, the connector 407 may comprise a snap-on connector or a friction connector. In some embodiments syringe element 401 and capping part 109 may be molded into a single piece, which is broken when the syringe element 401 is removed.
[0087] The syringe element 401 is used in a similar manner to the pipette element 102 as described in relation to FIG. 7. The collection of a sample using the syringe element 401 differs from that of the pipette element 102 in that a partial vacuum is formed within the barrel 403 of the syringe element 401 rather than within the bulb 102a of the pipette element 102. The connector 407 of the syringe element 401 is attached to the connector 109b of the capping element 109 with the plunger 405 fully inserted within the barrel 403. The storage vessel 101 is then turned such that its contents flow towards the syringe element 401, and the plunger 405 is partially withdrawn from the barrel 403. This forms a partial vacuum within the barrel 403 of the syringe element 401, causing liquid from within the storage vessel 101 to flow into the barrel 403 of the syringe element 401, where it is held separately to the liquid remaining in the storage vessel 101. Once a sample has been drawn into the barrel 403 of the syringe element 401, the syringe element 401 containing the sample of breastmilk is disconnected from the storage vessel 101, and can be used to transfer a small sample of breastmilk, e.g. to an appropriate container for testing. The storage vessel 101 and attached syringe element 401 may be frozen before the syringe element 401 is removed in order to preserve the quality of the sample within the syringe element 401 and prevent possible contamination. After the syringe element 401 is removed, the storage vessel 101 and the syringe element 401 may be sealed with a plug as described in relation to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, with the pipette element 102 replaced by the syringe element 401 which has an equivalent connector.
[0088] FIGS. 11A and 11B show a liquid sample collection system 100 according to a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, in which a capping element 104″ comprising a chamber 505 and a capping part 503 is used. The capping element 104″ is connected to the opening 105 of the pouch 103 by the screw thread interface 107, and in the embodiment shown comprises two parts: a capping part 503, and a chamber 505. The capping part 503 and the chamber 505 comprise first and second apertures 507a and 507b respectively. The chamber 505 is rotatable around a central axis of the opening 105 such that the second aperture 507b can be rotated between a first position in which it is in fluid communication with the first aperture 507a (shown in FIG. 11A), and a second position in which there is no fluid communication between the first aperture 507a and the second aperture 507b (shown in FIG. 11B).
[0089] The capping element 104″ may be used to collect a sample of breastmilk from the pouch 103 as will be described in relation to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the process of collecting a sample of breastmilk using embodiments of the liquid sample collection system 100 including a capping element 104″ as shown FIG. 11.
[0090] In step 1101, the pouch 103 of storage vessel 101 is partially filled with breastmilk. Breastmilk may be expressed directly into the pouch 103 of the storage vessel 101 as explained in relation to FIG. 6, or may be decanted into the pouch 103 from another container, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump. In step 1103, the capping element 104″ is attached to the pouch 103 at the opening 105. In step 1105 the chamber 505 is rotated with respect to the capping part 503 such that the second opening 507b comes into fluid communication with the first aperture 507a, allowing breastmilk to flow between the storage vessel 101 and the chamber 505. In step 1107, the storage vessel 101 is turned such that the breastmilk within the vessel flows towards the capping element 104″, such that breastmilk flows into the chamber 505. In step 1109, the chamber 505 is rotated with respect to the capping element 503 such that the second aperture 507b is no longer in fluid communication with the first aperture 507a, sealing a sample of liquid within the chamber 505. In step 1111, the capping element 104″ containing the sample of breastmilk within the chamber 505 is removed from the storage vessel 101, and can be used to transfer a small sample of breastmilk to an appropriate container for testing. The storage vessel 101 and attached capping element 104″ may be frozen before the capping element 104″ is removed in order to preserve the quality of the sample within the second capping element 104″ and prevent possible contamination of the sample.
[0091] In some embodiments the capping element 104″may comprise a chamber 505 and a cover which may be rotated between a position in which the opening 105 of the pouch 103 is fully covered, preventing the flow of liquid into the capping element 104″, and a second position in which the opening 105 of the pouch 103 is at least partially open, allowing the flow of liquid into the capping element 104″.
[0092] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, samples of liquid may be collected from a pouch 603 without the use of capping elements configured to store a sample of liquid. FIG. 13 shows a liquid sample collection system 600 consisting of a storage vessel 601 comprising a pouch 603, an opening 605, a cap 604, and a pipette element 602 formed integrally with the pouch 603. The pouch 603 and the pipette element 602 may be formed of a thermoplastic material, and are preferably transparent such that their contents can be easily observed. The pipette element 602 is connected to the pouch 603 by the pipette body 611. The chamber of the pipette element 602 may have an internal volume of up to 20 ml, but in preferred embodiments has a volume of 2-5 ml. The opening 605 may comprise a screw thread 607 (not shown), to which the cap 604 can be connected with a corresponding threading on its interior surface. The screw thread 607 of the opening 605 can also be used to connect additional components such as a single use disposable breast shield connected to a breast pump in a comparable manner to that described in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. In this way breastmilk can be expressed directly into the pouch 603 without requiring the use of additional containers, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump, reducing the risk of contamination of the breastmilk.
[0093] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the process of collecting a sample of breastmilk using embodiments of the liquid sample collection system 100 including a pouch 603 comprising an integrated pipette element 602. In step 1301, the pouch 603 of is partially filled with breastmilk. Breastmilk may be expressed directly into the pouch 603, or may be decanted into the pouch 603 from another container, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump. In step 1303, the opening 605 of the pouch 603 is sealed using the cap 604. In step 1305 the pouch 603 is manipulated such that liquid flows liquid flows into region close to pipette element. In step 1307 the pipette element 602 is compressed, forming a partial vacuum inside the bulb of the pipette element 602. In step 1309, the pressure on the bulb of the pipette element 602 is released, and a sample of breastmilk from the pouch 603 is drawn into the bulb of the pipette element 602 through the pipette body 611 by the partial vacuum, and is held in place within the bulb of the pipette element 602 by the surface tension of the breastmilk. Alternatively, the pipette body 611 can be sealed using heat sealing, such as using a hot bar welding or impulse welding process, in which opposite sides of the pouch and of the pipette element are fused together by the application of heat to the thermoplastic material.
[0094] Prior to drawing a sample into the pipette element 602, the sealed pouch 603 may be shaken in order to ensure that a homogenous and representative sample is collected in the pipette element 602. In step 1311, the pipette element 102 containing the sample of breastmilk is removed from the pouch 603. This may be achieved using a heat weld as described above. After the pipette element 602 has been removed, it can be used to transfer a small sample of breastmilk to an appropriate container for testing. As the pipette element 602 is sealed by the heat weld process, an opening must be made in the pipette element 602 to remove the sample. The pouch 603 and attached pipette element 602 may be frozen before the pipette element 602 is removed in order to preserve the quality of the sample within the pipette element 602 and prevent possible contamination.
[0095] FIGS. 15A and 15B show further embodiments of the liquid sample collection system 600 consisting of a storage vessel 801 in which a sample of liquid may be collected from a pouch 803 without the use of a capping element configured to store a sample of liquid.
[0096] FIG. 15A shows a pouch 803 with an opening 805 and a compartment 809 connected to the pouch by a channel 811. The compartment 809 and the pouch 803 may be made of the same thermoplastic material, and are both preferably transparent such that their contents can be easily observed. The channel 811 is configured to allow liquid to flow between the pouch 803 and the compartment 809. The channel 811 may be made of the same material or may be made of a different material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane. In some embodiments the channel comprises tubing. The opening 805 of the pouch 803 may be connected to a cap 804 (not shown), which may comprise a screw thread 807 to which the cap 604 can be connected with a corresponding threading on its interior surface. The screw thread 807 of the opening 805 can also be used to connect additional components such as a single use disposable breast shield connected to a breast pump in a comparable manner to that described in relation to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. In this way breastmilk can be expressed directly into the pouch 803 without requiring the use of additional containers, such as the collection bottle of a breast pump, reducing the risk of contamination of the breastmilk.
[0097] FIG. 15A shows an embodiment in which the pouch 803 and the compartment 809 are separate and joined only by the channel 811, while FIG. 15B shows an embodiment in which the compartment 809 and the pouch 803 are connected together.
[0098] The liquid sample collection system 600 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B may be used to collect a small sample of liquid in the second compartment separately from the larger volume stored within the pouch 803. The pouch 803 may first be manipulated such that a sample of liquid flows through the channel 811 and into the compartment 809. The pouch 803 may then be turned back to a position in which the liquid stored in the pouch 803 and the liquid stored in the compartment 809 are separate, i.e. so that there is minimal, or no liquid present in the channel 811. The channel may 811 then be sealed using a heat weld. The compartment 809 (and optionally the channel 811) may also be removed from the pouch 803 using a heat weld, sealing a sample of liquid within the removed compartment 809. As in previously described embodiments, the liquid sample collection system 600 may be frozen before the compartment 809 is removed in order to preserve the quality of the sample within the compartment 809 and prevent possible contamination.
[0099] In some embodiments the channel 811 may be integral with the pouch 803. FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which the pouch 803 comprises a first compartment 808 and a second compartment 809, joined by a by a narrow channel 811. Forming the first and second compartments within the same thermoplastic structure may significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of the liquid sample collection system 600. The liquid sample collection system 600 shown in FIG. 16 also comprises a perforated line 813 between the first compartment 808 and the second compartment 809 in order to facilitate the disconnection of the channel 811, and the removal of the second compartment 809 containing the liquid sample. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, a heat weld only needs to be applied to the narrow channel 811 to remove the second compartment 809 containing the liquid sample.
[0100] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure has been illustrated by describing one or more specific examples thereof, but is not limited to these examples; many variations and modifications are possible, within the scope of the accompanying claims.
