Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device

• US 7,795,036 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dickey, Kathleen A., Kacian, Daniel L., Carter, Nick M., Anderson, Bruce W., Iheme, Mordi I., Johnson, Shirley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul; Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US11/874,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20080118988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 422 99-102, 422/63, 422/65, 422/67, 436/177, 436/180, 215247-250
• 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 fluid contents of a closed collection device having a cap and vessel in fixed association, the method comprising the ordered and automated steps of:

(a) penetrating the cap with a pipette tip;

(b) inserting the pipette tip into the collection device;

(c) contacting the fluid contents of the collection device with a distal end of the pipette tip;

(d) at least partially removing the distal end of the pipette tip from the fluid contents so that one or more air passageways are formed or enlarged between the pipette tip and a penetrated surface of the cap, thereby aiding in venting air from within the collection device;

(e) drawing at least a portion of the fluid contents into the pipette tip; and

(f) removing the pipette tip from the collection device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the pipette tip is partially removed from the fluid contents during step (d).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the pipette tip is fully removed from the fluid contents during step (d).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pipette tip is conically-shaped.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the penetrated portion of the cap comprises a foil.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the penetrated portion of the cap comprises a plastic.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the penetrated portion of the cap comprises a generally conical inner wall.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the inner wall comprises a plurality of radially extending striations.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein a top surface of the plastic and/or an outer surface of the pipette tip is contacted with a lubricant.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein a plurality of materials are penetrated during step (a).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cap further comprises a wick interposed between two of the materials penetrated during step (a).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the wick comprises a fibrous material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wick is a pile fabric.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the wick is comprised of a resilient material.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the materials penetrated during step (a) is a foil or plastic film covering the wick.

16. The method of claim 11, 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.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the wick is constructed and arranged to wipe an outer surface of the pipette tip as it is being removed from the collection device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid contents contain a biological specimen.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fluid contents contain a lubricant.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the lubricant is a detergent.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein collection device comprises a specimen retrieval device spaced-apart from the axis of the collection device.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising the automated step of subjecting the fluid removed from the collection to a nucleic acid-based amplification procedure.