Whole blood separation sampling apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, devices, kits, and methods for separating blood plasma or serum from whole blood. The present invention further provides systems, devices, and methods for separating a volume of blood plasm a or serum from whole blood.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of separating blood cells from whole blood comprising the steps of:
 a) providing:
 i) a filter module, wherein said filter module comprises a membrane configured to allow passage of blood plasma or serum but not other blood components such as red blood cells or white blood cells; and 
 ii) a blood sample; 
   b) applying said blood sample to said membrane of said filter module; and   c) filtering said blood sample through said membrane using a lateral flow.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said filter module accommodates a fixed volume of said blood sample. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filter module is a cartridge having an interior chamber that houses the filter. 
     
     
         4 . A device for separating plasma or serum from whole blood comprising a filter module, wherein said filter module comprises a filter configured to allow lateral passage of blood plasma or serum but not other blood components such as red blood cells or white blood cells. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said filter module accommodates a fixed volume of whole blood. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a drying agent within the filter module. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the drying agent is separated from the filter by a mesh-like bather. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a barrier to calibrate the rate of drying of the sample. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the filter module is a cartridge having an interior chamber that houses the filter. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said filter is a spiral membrane 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said filter is a circular-shape membrane. 
     
     
         12 . A method of separating blood cells from whole blood using the device of  claim 1 .