Fluid Sampling Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Fluid sampling apparatus 10 comprising an elongate tube 14 and a fluid partitioning unit 12 comprising: a first port 18 arranged to receive an incoming flow of test fluid TF; and a second port 20 arranged to be coupled to the elongate tube. The fluid partitioning unit is arranged to combine the flow of test fluid with a plurality of partitioning elements 26 to define a plurality of discrete temporally organised fluid samples FS for movement along and storage in the elongate tube.

1 . A fluid sampling apparatus comprising:
 an elongate tube; and   a fluid partitioning unit comprising:
 a first port arranged to receive an incoming flow of test fluid; and 
 a second port arranged to be coupled to the elongate tube, 
   wherein the fluid partitioning unit is arranged to combine the flow of test fluid with a plurality of partitioning elements to define a plurality of discrete temporally organised fluid samples for movement along and storage in the elongate tube.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is arranged to maintain the structure of the plurality of discrete fluid samples. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid partitioning unit is arranged to introduce the partitioning elements in succession into the flow of test fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the partitioning elements comprise globules of a second fluid which is immiscible with respect to the test fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second fluid comprises a gas that is non-reactive and/or insoluble with respect to the test fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is arranged to store a sufficient quantity of discrete fluid samples to enable uninterrupted sampling at a flow rate of at least 1 μL/min for at least twenty four hours. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a control pump arranged to force the plurality of discrete fluid samples towards the elongate tube. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 7 , comprising: a pressure sensor arranged to measure fluid pressure within the first port; and a control circuit arranged to monitor the pressure difference between the fluid within the first port and a reference pressure and generate a control signal operable to modify the operation of the control pump accordingly. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid sampling apparatus according to  claim 8 , comprising a pressure sensor arranged to measure local atmospheric pressure outside of the fluid sampling apparatus and wherein the reference pressure comprises the measured local atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid sampling apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is arranged to retain the plurality of discrete fluid samples when uncoupled from the fluid partitioning unit. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid sampling apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is coiled. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid sampling apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the tube is formed of a material having one or more of the following properties:
 a fluidphobic material with respect to the test fluid and/or, when dependent on  claim 3 , the second fluid;   an inert material;   a transparent or translucent material.   
     
     
         13 . The fluid sampling apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the first port of the partitioning unit is arranged to be coupled to a medical device. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid sampling apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the components of the apparatus are selected to have a total mass of less or equal to 20 kg and encapsulated in an ergonomic casing. 
     
     
         15 . A method of processing and storing a test fluid, the method comprising:
 combining a flow of test fluid with partitioning elements to partition the flow of test fluid into a plurality of discrete fluid samples; and   delivering the plurality of discrete fluid samples to an elongate tube for storage.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , whereby the steps of combining and delivering continue for at least twenty four hours. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the partitioning elements are combined with the test fluid at a frequency of at least 1 per hour so that the discrete fluid samples are partitioned into time dependent increments. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising separating the plurality of discrete fluid samples from one another and analysing the samples for a substance of interest. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the substance of interest is a hormone. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the hormone is cortisol. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A fluid sampling apparatus comprising:
 an elongate tube; and   a fluid partitioning unit comprising:
 a first port arranged to receive an incoming flow of test fluid; and 
 a second port arranged to be coupled to the elongate tube, 
   wherein the fluid partitioning unit is arranged to combine the flow of test fluid with a plurality of partitioning elements to define a plurality of discrete temporally organised fluid samples for movement along and storage in the elongate tube, wherein the apparatus further comprises a control pump arranged to force the plurality of discrete fluid samples towards the elongate tube and a pressure sensor arranged to measure fluid pressure within the first port; and a control circuit arranged to monitor the pressure difference between the fluid within the first port and a reference pressure and generate a control signal operable to modify the operation of the control pump to increase the fluid pressure between the control pump and the elongate tube when the pressure within the first port exceeds the reference pressure.