The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 25, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2009
Bernard A. Gonzalez, St. Paul, MN (US);
G. Marco Bommarito, Stillwater, MN (US);
Paul J. Cobian, Woodbury, MN (US);
Tera M. Nordby, Woodbury, MN (US);
Tushar A. Kshirsagar, Woodbury, MN (US);
Scott A. Burton, Woodbury, MN (US);
Joseph J. Stoffel, Hastings, MN (US);
Patrick A. Mach, Shorewood, MN (US);
Gustavo H. Castro, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
Bernard A. Gonzalez, St. Paul, MN (US);
G. Marco Bommarito, Stillwater, MN (US);
Paul J. Cobian, Woodbury, MN (US);
Tera M. Nordby, Woodbury, MN (US);
Tushar A. Kshirsagar, Woodbury, MN (US);
Scott A. Burton, Woodbury, MN (US);
Joseph J. Stoffel, Hastings, MN (US);
Patrick A. Mach, Shorewood, MN (US);
Gustavo H. Castro, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A sample acquisition device includes a capillary array configured to draw in a sample and retain the sample by capillary action. The capillary array may be coupled to an elongated member, such as a stem or a hollow tube, which defines a longitudinal axis extending in a first direction. In some embodiments, the capillary array defines a major sample acquisition surface that extends in a second direction different than the first direction. A ratio of the major sample acquisition surface area to maximum volume retained by the capillary array may be selected to minimize physical binding between the capillary array and sample. In some embodiments, the device may include a feedback mechanism to indicate the relative pressure applied to a sample source with the sample acquisition device. In addition, in some embodiments, the sample acquisition device may include a suction source to help draw the sample into the capillary array.