Method and apparatus for collection of fluid samples

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to the improved containment of biological fluids. In particular, a method and apparatus for collection and preservation of fluid samples in accordance with the present invention results in collection of semen having improved viability both at the time of collection and after storage. The disclosed methods and apparatuses methods support a wide variety of applications for containment of biological fluids related to human and veterinary medicine including, but not limited to, human reproductive medicine and animal husbandry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting and/or storing mammalian semen, the apparatus comprising:
 a first vessel having a collection means at the upper end of the first vessel and a reservoir at the lower end of the first vessel, wherein:   the collection means is configured to facilitate flow by gravity of the mammalian semen into the reservoir;   the first vessel comprises a blend of a polyolefin and an antioxidant;   the reservoir has a first inner surface, and at least a portion of the first inner surface comprises the antioxidant in an amount effective to reduce oxidation damage to the mammalian semen; and   the antioxidant is selected from one or more of the group consisting of:
 a. a phenolic having a melting point greater than or equal to 60° C.; 
 b. an aromatic amine; 
 c. a sterically hindered amine; 
 d. a hydroxylamine; 
 e. an amine oxide derivative; and 
 f. less than or equal to 0.1 wt. % of a phosphite and/or phosphonite, based on the weight of the blend. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid suited for sealable attachment to the first vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir seal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir has a first inner surface defining a volume within the reservoir, and the first inner surface comprises geometric surface features suited to increase the ratio of the area of the first inner surface to the volume defined by the first inner surface area. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin is selected from one of the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antioxidant is chemically and/or physically bonded to the first inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the antioxidant is chemically and/or physically bonded to the first inner surface. 
     
     
         8 . A method for preserving spermatozoa motility comprising:
 collecting a semen sample of a first volume in an apparatus, wherein the semen sample has a first normalized motility;   combining the semen sample with an extender solution of a second volume to form an extended semen sample, wherein the ratio of the second volume to the first volume is in the range of from 0.5 to 2.0:   sealing the extended semen sample in the apparatus;   maintaining the semen sample at a temperature in the range of from 20° C. to 30° C. for a time period in the range of from 1 hour to 6 hours; and   recovering a the extended semen sample, wherein the extended semen sample has a second normalized motility, and the ratio of the second normalized motility to the first normalized motility is greater than or equal to 0.7;   wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a first vessel having a collection means at the upper end of the first vessel and a reservoir at the lower end of the first vessel, wherein: 
 the collection means is configured to facilitate flow by gravity of the mammalian semen into the reservoir; 
 the first vessel comprises a blend of a polyolefin and an antioxidant; 
 the reservoir has a first inner surface, and at least a portion of the first inner surface comprises the antioxidant in an amount effective to reduce oxidation damage to the mammalian semen; and 
 the antioxidant is selected from one or more of the group consisting of:
 a. a phenolic having a melting point greater than or equal to 60° C.; 
 b. an aromatic amine; 
 c. a sterically hindered amine; 
 d. a hydroxylamine; 
 e. an amine oxide; and 
 f. less than or equal to 0.1 wt. % of a phosphite and/or phosphonite, based on the weight of the blend. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a lid suited for sealable attachment to the first vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a reservoir seal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir has a first inner surface defining a volume within the reservoir, and the first inner surface comprises geometric surface features suited to increase the ratio of the area of the first inner surface to the volume defined by the first inner surface area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polyolefin is selected from one of the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antioxidant is chemically and/or physically bonded to the first inner surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antioxidant is chemically and/or physically bonded to the first inner surface.