METHOD FOR ACCESSING THE CONTENTS OF A CLOSED COLLECTION DEVICE

• US 20080118988A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: KACIAN, Daniel L., CARTER, Nick M., IHEME, Mordi I., ANDERSON, Bruce W., DICKEY, Kathleen A., JOHNSON, Shirley J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,795,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/180
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0275 Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25125 Digestion or removing interfering materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Claims

1. A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and vessel in fixed association, the method comprising the automated steps of:

(a) penetrating a material of the cap with an air displacement pipette;

(b) contacting a fluid contained in the collection device with a distal end of the pipette;

(c) removing the pipette a sufficient distance from the fluid so that one or more air passageways are formed or enlarged between the pipette and the penetrated material, thereby permitting air to be vented from within the collection device;

(d) drawing at least a portion of the fluid into the pipette; and

(e) removing the pipette from the collection device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipette is partially removed from the fluid during step (c).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipette is fully removed from the fluid during step (c).

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the automated step of contacting the fluid after step (c).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipette comprises a conically-shaped pipette tip, the distal end of which contacts the fluid during step (b).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the penetrated material comprises a foil.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the penetrated material comprises a plastic.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the penetrated material is a generally conical inner wall.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the inner wall comprises a plurality of radially extending striations.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein a top surface of the plastic and/or an outer surface of the pipette is contacted with a lubricant.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein a plurality of materials are penetrated during step (a).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cap further comprises a wick interposed between two of the materials penetrated during step (a).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wick comprises a fibrous material.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wick is a pile fabric.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the wick is comprised of a resilient material.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein one of the materials penetrated during step (a) is a foil or plastic film covering the wick.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the wick is constructed and arranged to inhibit the release of an aerosol and/or bubbles from the collection device during the steps of the method.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the wick is constructed and arranged to wipe an outer surface of the pipette as it is being removed from the collection device.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid contains a biological specimen.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid contains a lubricant.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the lubricant is a detergent.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein collection device comprises a specimen retrieval device spaced-apart from the axis of the collection device.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising the automated step of subjecting the fluid removed from the collection to a nucleic acid-based amplification procedure.