Concentric tube microplate autosample interface
First Claim
1. A system for obtaining a fluidic sample from a container, the container defining a volume for holding the sample, the volume closed by a seal, the system comprising:
- an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end shaped to permit piercing the seal; and
an inner tube having an end region axially movable within the outer tube between a piercing position, wherein an end of the inner tube in the end region is retracted from the proximal end of the outer tube, and a transmission position, wherein the end of the inner tube extends axially beyond the proximal end of the outer tube;
wherein the outer tube and the inner tube form a tube assembly; and
wherein at least one of the tube assembly and the container can be moved to cause the outer tube to pierce the seal and, after the seal is pierced, the inner tube can be used in the transmission position to permit fluid transfer with respect to the volume.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a system for obtaining a fluidic sample from a container is presented. The container defines a volume for holding the sample, the volume being closed by a seal. An outer tube has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end shaped to permit piercing the seal. An inner tube has an end region axially movable within the outer tube between a piercing position, wherein an end of the inner tube in the end region is retracted from the proximal end of the outer tube, and a transmission position, wherein the end of the inner tube extends axially beyond the proximal end of the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube form a tube assembly. At least one of the tube assembly and the container can be moved to cause the outer tube to pierce the seal and, after the seal is pierced, the inner tube can be used in the transmission position to permit fluid transfer with respect to the volume.
34 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for obtaining a fluidic sample from a container, the container defining a volume for holding the sample, the volume closed by a seal, the system comprising:
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an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end shaped to permit piercing the seal; and
an inner tube having an end region axially movable within the outer tube between a piercing position, wherein an end of the inner tube in the end region is retracted from the proximal end of the outer tube, and a transmission position, wherein the end of the inner tube extends axially beyond the proximal end of the outer tube;
wherein the outer tube and the inner tube form a tube assembly; and
wherein at least one of the tube assembly and the container can be moved to cause the outer tube to pierce the seal and, after the seal is pierced, the inner tube can be used in the transmission position to permit fluid transfer with respect to the volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for obtaining a fluidic sample from a sealed container using a tube assembly, the container defining a volume for holding the sample, the volume closed by a seal, the tube assembly including an outer tube having a proximal end shaped to permit piercing the seal, the tube assembly further including an inner tube having an end region axially movable within the outer tube, the method comprising:
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placing the inner tube in a piercing position, wherein an end of the inner tube is retracted from the proximal end of the outer tube;
piercing the seal with the proximal end of the outer tube; and
placing the inner tube in a transmission position, wherein an end of the inner tube in the end region extends axially beyond the proximal end of the outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification