Connector for Creating Platelet Rich Plasma

Abstract

Method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising: providing an elongate connector comprising an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector; providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube; advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector.

1 . A method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising:
 providing a specimen tube containing a fluid specimen;   centrifuging the specimen tube to separate the fluid specimen into at least a first layer having a density D 1  and a second layer having a density D 2  such that D 2 >D 1 ;   providing an elongate connector, where the connector comprises an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector;   providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube;   advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector, wherein the distal end of the connector and the tube seal are advanced until the first layer at least partially fills the comprises, through-hole of the connector, thereby de-airing the connector;   providing a first syringe and connecting the first syringe to the female taper of the connector; and   advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal and the connected first syringe into the specimen tube until the first layer is transferred into the first syringe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of connector is provided with a Luer-compatible male or female taper. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid specimen is blood;   the step of centrifuging the specimen tube separates the blood into a layer of plasma, a layer of buffy coat, and a layer of RBC, wherein the plasma has a density D 1 , the buffy coat has a density D 2  and the RBC has a density D 3  such that D 3 >D 2 >D 1 ;
 advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal and the connected first syringe into the specimen tube until the plasma or the plasma and buffy coat are transferred into the first syringe. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein
 before the step of providing the first syringe, providing a second syringe and connecting the second syringe to the female taper of the connector;   advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal and the connected second syringe into the specimen tube until between ½ and ¾ of the plasma is transferred into the second syringe; and   disconnecting the second syringe.   
     
     
         5 . A connector, comprising:
 an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen or through-hole extending therebetween, the tubular member formed of at least partially of a transparent or semi-transparent material;   a first Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector; and   a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector.   
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 5 , a second Luer-compatible male or female taper provided on the distal end of the connector. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 5  further comprising a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal including an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of a specimen tube. 
     
     
         8 . A method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube into a syringe, comprising:
 providing a specimen tube containing a tube seal and a fluid specimen, wherein tube seal includes an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube;   centrifuging the specimen tube to separate the fluid specimen into at least a first and a second layer of fluid, where the first layer of fluid has a density D 1  and the second layer of fluid has a density D 2  such that D 2 >D 1 ;   providing an elongate connector, where the connector comprises an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector;   advancing the distal end of the connector into the specimen tube such that the distal end of the connector fluidically couples with a proximal end of the tube seal, the funnel directing the first layer of fluid into the through-hole of the connector, wherein the distal end of the connector and the tube seal are advanced until the first layer of fluid fills the through-hole of the connector, thereby de-airing the connector;   providing a first syringe and connecting the first syringe to the female taper of the connector; and   advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal and the connected first syringe into the specimen tube until the first layer of fluid is transferred into the first syringe.   
     
     
         9 . A method for making platelet enriched plasma, comprising:
 providing a specimen tube containing a centrifuged specimen of blood containing distinct layers of plasma, buffy coat and RBC;   providing an elongate connector, where the connector comprises an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector;   providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube;   advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the plasma into the through-hole of the connector, wherein the distal end of the connector is advanced until the plasma at least partially fills the comprises, through-hole of the connector, thereby de-airing the connector;   providing a first syringe and connecting the first syringe to the female taper of the connector; and   advancing the distal end of the connector and the connected first syringe into the specimen tube until the plasma and buffy coat are transferred into the first syringe.