Fluid collection device and related methods

Abstract

Articles and methods for collecting and/or facilitating transfer of fluids are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article comprises a fluid collection region for introducing a fluid, such as a sample (e.g., blood sample) or a reagent, into a fluidic system. The articles and methods described herein may be useful for facilitating the filling of relatively small channels with a fluid, such as channels of a microfluidic device. The articles and methods may, for example, interface with a patient sample (e.g., a droplet of blood), or with a macroscopic fluid source such as a pipette or syringe. In certain embodiments, articles and methods described herein may increase the ease of collecting a fluidic sample from a patient, prevent or reduce spillage of the fluidic sample, reduce contamination of a fluidic sample, and/or prevent or reduce air from entering a fluidic sample or device compared to certain existing fluid collection devices.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An article for introducing a fluid into a fluidic system, comprising:
 a fluid collection region comprising an edge, a sidewall, and a bottom portion; and   a receiving channel integrally connected to and in fluidic communication with the fluid collection region, wherein the receiving channel includes a concave portion adapted and arranged to receive a fluidic channel.   
     
     
         2 . An article as in  claim 1 , wherein the edge is a curved edge. 
     
     
         3 . An article as in  claim 1 , wherein the edge is tapered. 
     
     
         4 . An article as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel is adapted and arranged to receive a fluidic channel to allow fluid communication between the fluidic channel and the fluid collection region. 
     
     
         5 . An article as in  claim 4 , wherein the fluidic channel is a part of a fluidic connector. 
     
     
         6 . A device for introducing a fluid into a fluidic system, comprising:
 a fluidic connector comprising a fluidic channel that includes a fluid path having a fluid path inlet and a fluid path outlet, wherein the fluidic connector is adapted and arranged to connect to an inlet and/or an outlet of a fluidic device; and   a fluid collection device for introducing a fluid into the fluidic connector, the fluid collection device comprising:   a fluid collection region comprising an edge, a sidewall, a bottom portion, and   a receiving channel integrally connected to and in fluidic communication with the fluid collection region.   
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein upon connection of the fluid collection device and the fluidic connector, the fluid path inlet of the fluidic connector connects to the receiving channel of the fluid collection device to allow fluid communication between the fluidic connector and the fluid collection device. 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein upon connection of the fluid collection device and the fluidic connector, the fluid path inlet of the fluidic connector extends beyond the bottom portion of the fluid collection device. 
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein upon connection of the fluidic connector to the fluidic system, the fluid path inlet connects to an outlet of the fluidic system and the fluid path outlet connects to an inlet of the fluidic system. 
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid collection device comprises at least one non-fluidic feature complementary to a non-fluidic feature of the fluidic connector so as to form a non-fluidic connection between the fluidic connector and the fluid collection device upon connection. 
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein the non-fluidic feature is a rail. 
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein the non-fluidic connection is reversible. 
     
     
         13 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid collection device comprises at least one fluidic feature complementary to the fluid path outlet of the fluidic connector so as to form a fluidic connection between the fluid path outlet and the fluid collection device upon connection. 
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein the fluid collection device comprises a second receiving channel, wherein upon connection, the fluid path outlet of the fluidic channel of the fluidic connector connects to the second receiving channel. 
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 a fluidic system comprising at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet;   a fluidic connector comprising a fluidic channel that includes a fluid path having a fluid path inlet and a fluid path outlet, wherein the fluidic connector is adapted and arranged to fasten with the fluidic system and allow fluid communication between the fluidic system and the fluidic connector; and   a fluid collection device for introducing a fluid into the fluidic connector, the fluid collection device comprising a fluid collection region and a channel that is adapted to arranged to reversibly connect with the fluidic channel of the fluidic connector.   
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein the device comprises an attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted and arranged to attach to the fluidic connector. 
     
     
         18 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clip. 
     
     
         19 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         20 . A device as in  claim 16 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an opening configured to receive the fluidic connector.