| CPC A61B 5/150351 (2013.01) [A61B 5/150022 (2013.01); B01L 3/50825 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A tube assembly comprising:
a tube having a first end and an opposed second end and a bore extending therethrough, the tube adapted to draw a liquid into the tube by virtue of capillary action or a fluid by gravitational action;
a closure at least partially inserted in the first end and adapted to be slidably movable between a first position and a third position;
the closure including:
a substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and a proximal end inserted inside the bore and a distal end in close proximity with the first end, the body having a plurality of channels extending along the outer surface between the proximal end and the distal end; and
a seal region extending along a periphery of the outer surface between the distal end and the plurality of channels,
wherein with the closure in the first position, vapor contained in the bore is adapted to exit the bore from the first end via a plurality of passageways each defined by the bore and a corresponding channel in response to the liquid being drawn into the tube bore by capillary action,
wherein with the closure in a second position, the seal region is sufficiently inserted inside of the first end, defining a fluid tight seal therebetween and preventing the drawn liquid within the tube bore from escaping, and
wherein in response to slidable movement of the closure relative to the tube from the second position toward the third position, at least a portion of the liquid inside the bore is urged to exit the tube from the second end.
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