Fluid delivery system with integrally formed sample cell

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
FIG.
1 is a plan view of a multiple blood bag collection system of a generally known type.
The system 10 includes a donor bag 12 of a conventional variety which can be made of plastic sheets sealed at the periphery 14.
A blood collection tube 16 is provided for the purpose of filling the container 12.
Subsequent to the filling operation, the tube 16 is sealed.
Sealing can be accomplished by radio frequency heating of a portion of the tube 16 which melts and fuses the tube.
The container 12, as is conventional, is also provided with output ports 18.
A flexible fluid flow conduit 20 coupled to the container 12 at junction member 22 provides a fluid flow path to component containers 24 and 26.
Each of the containers 24 and 26 is of a conventional variety and includes output ports 28.
Testing of the contents of the containers 12, 24 or 26 conventionally requires removal of a specimen from the respective container.
FIG.
2 illustrates a modified container 30.
Testing of the contents of the container 30 can be carried out without separating the specimen therefrom.
The container 30 might correspond to any one of the containers 12, 24 or 26 of FIG.
1.
Alternately, the container 30 could correspond to other types of containers used for the collection or transportation of various types of fluids.
The container 30 defines an interior volume 32 wherein a fluid such as a liquid L can be accumulated.
As is well known, if the liquid L corresponds to blood or blood components, the container 30 can be formed from a variety of medical grade plastics.
Attached to and integrally formed with the container 30 is a generally U-shaped member 34