Cell collecting device

Abstract

A cell collecting device is configured to collect target cells from a fluid sample such as blood or physiological fluid. The cell collecting device includes a conduit through which a fluid sample containing target cells passes. The cell collecting device further includes a screen filter installed inside the conduit and configured to guide the target cells toward a specified region. The screen filter includes a plurality of filtering holes for filtering the target cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cell collecting device, comprising:
 a conduit through which a fluid sample containing target cells passes; and   a screen filter installed inside the conduit and configured to guide the target cells toward a specified region, the screen filter including a plurality of filtering holes for filtering the target cells.   
     
     
         2 . The cell collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit includes a tubular wall defining a passage for passing the fluid sample therethrough, the screen filter configured to guide the target cells toward a boundary region where the screen filter meets with the tubular wall. 
     
     
         3 . The cell collecting device of  claim 2 , wherein the screen filter is obliquely installed in the passage along a flow direction of the fluid sample. 
     
     
         4 . The cell collecting device of  claim 3 , wherein the screen filter includes a trap formed at a downstream end of the screen filter so as to gather the target cells. 
     
     
         5 . The cell collecting device of  claim 2 , wherein the screen filter is formed into a curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         6 . The cell collecting device of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit includes an outlet formed near the boundary region and kept in communication with the boundary region so that the target cells can be discharged through the outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The cell collecting device of  claim 2 , wherein the screen filter includes a convex portion formed to guide the target cells toward the boundary region. 
     
     
         8 . The cell collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the screen filter includes a concave portion formed to guide and gather the target cells. 
     
     
         9 . The cell collecting device of  claim 8 , wherein the concave portion is formed at a center of the screen filter so as to gather the target cells. 
     
     
         10 . The cell collecting device of  claim 9 , wherein the screen filter further includes a trap formed at a center of the concave portion so as to receive the target cells.