Method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel containing a specimen retrieval device

• US 8,038,967 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kacian, Daniel L., Carter, Nick M., Anderson, Bruce W., Iheme, Mordi I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramdhanie; Bobby
• Application Number:
  US12/766,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20100203547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 422/102, 422500-569
• US Class Current: 422/512
• 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

Method for obtaining a fluid from a collection device assembled to isolate a specimen retrieval device from the pathway of a fluid transfer device used to penetrate a cap of the collection device and to draw and remove the fluid from the collection device for analysis.

Claims

1. A method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel, the method comprising the following ordered steps:

(a) piercing an inner wall of a cap with a fluid transfer device, the cap closing an open end of a vessel, and the inner wall of the cap being configured to position a specimen retrieval device contained within the vessel along a side wall of the vessel, such that an upper end of the specimen retrieval device is positioned between the inner wall of the cap and the side wall of the vessel;

(b) moving the fluid transfer device into the vessel along a fluid transfer device pathway that is laterally spaced from the upper end of the specimen retrieval device;

(c) drawing a fluid contained by the vessel into the fluid transfer device; and

(d) removing the fluid transfer device from the vessel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cap and vessel are in threaded engagement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cap and vessel are each formed of an injection molded plastic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the specimen retrieval device is a swab.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device is a plastic pipette tip.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step (a) requires applying a force of less than about 8 pounds to the cap.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the inner wall has a generally conical shape.

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

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid of step (d) contains a nucleic acid analyte.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of detecting the presence of the nucleic acid analyte.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of amplifying a nucleic acid sequence contained in the nucleic acid analyte.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of detecting the presence of the nucleic acid analyte.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising a wick contained within the cap.

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

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the cap includes a seal for containing the wick in the cap.