Method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device

• US 8,573,072 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2009
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• 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: Anderson, Bruce W., Johnson, Shirley J., Tseo, Gus G., Iheme, Mordi I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mui, Christine T
• Application Number:
  US12/543,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: 422/102
• US Class Current: 73/864.01
• 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 removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when the cap is penetrated by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between penetrating the cap and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap has been penetrated.

Claims

1. A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap fitted onto an open-end of a vessel, the method comprising the automated and ordered steps of:

a) penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device, thereby forming one or more air passageways between the surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device;

b) pausing movement of the fluid transfer device prior to contacting the fluid substance, thereby permitting air to be vented through the air passageways;

c) moving the fluid transfer device into contact with the fluid substance;

d) drawing at least a portion of the fluid substance into the fluid transfer device; and

e) removing the fluid transfer device from the collection device,

wherein the fluid transfer device moves along a generally straight path from step a) to step e).

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

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pipette tip includes one or more ribs extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between at least one of the ribs and the surface of the cap during step a).

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pipette tip includes one or more grooves recessed from an outer surface thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between at least one of the grooves and the surface of the cap during step a).

5. The method of claim 2, wherein, prior to step a), a lubricant is applied to at least a portion of the pipette tip or to the surface of the cap penetrated during step a).

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the cap includes one or more radially extending ribs that contact the fluid transfer device during step a), and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between the ribs and the surface of the cap during step a).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement of the fluid transfer device is paused for at least about 0.5 seconds during step b).

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising withdrawing the fluid transfer device from the surface of the cap between steps a) and c).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the movement of the fluid transfer device is paused for at least about 0.5 seconds during step b).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device moves at a first speed during step a) and a second speed during step c), wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising withdrawing the fluid transfer device from the surface of the cap between steps a) and c).

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the movement of the fluid transfer device is paused for at least about 0.5 seconds during step b).

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising withdrawing the fluid transfer device from the surface of the cap between steps a) and c).

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises a molded plastic having a generally conical inner wall that is penetrated by the fluid transfer device during step a).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of radially extending striations.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising subjecting a target nucleic acid contained in the fluid substance removed in step e) to an amplification procedure.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid transfer device penetrates the approximate center of the cap in step (a), and wherein the fluid transfer device moves along the axis of the collection device from step a) to step e) of the method.

17. A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap fitted onto an open end of a vessel, the method comprising the automated and ordered steps of:

a) penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device moving at a first speed, thereby forming one or more air passageways between the surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device;

b) increasing the speed of the fluid transfer device to a second speed prior to contacting the fluid substance;

c) moving the fluid transfer device into contact with the fluid substance;

d) drawing at least a portion of the fluid substance into the fluid transfer device; and

e) removing the fluid transfer device from the collection device,

wherein the fluid transfer device moves along a generally straight path from step a) to step e).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluid transfer device is a plastic pipette tip.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pipette tip includes one or more ribs extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between at least one of the ribs and the surface of the cap during step a).

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the pipette tip includes one or more grooves recessed from an outer surface thereof, and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between at least one of the grooves and the surface of the cap during step a).

21. The method of claim 18, wherein, prior to step a), a lubricant is applied to at least a portion of the pipette tip or to a surface of the cap penetrated during step a).

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the cap includes one or more radially extending ribs that contact the fluid transfer device during step a), and wherein at least a portion of the air passageways are formed between the ribs and the surface of the cap during step a).

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the cap comprises a molded plastic having a generally conical inner wall, and wherein the inner wall is penetrated by the fluid transfer device during step a).

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of radially extending striations.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the second speed is at least about twice the first speed.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the second speed is at least about five times greater than the first speed.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein second speed is at least about ten times greater than the first speed.

28. The method of claim 17 further comprising withdrawing the fluid transfer device from the surface of the cap between steps a) and b).

29. The method of claim 17 further comprising subjecting a target nucleic acid contained in the fluid substance removed in step e) to an amplification procedure.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the first speed is about 15 mm/s to about 60 mm/s.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the first speed is about 15 mm/s to about 60 mm/s.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first speed is about 15 mm/s to about 60 mm/s.

34. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluid transfer device penetrates the approximate center of the cap in step (a), and wherein the fluid transfer device moves along the axis of the collection device from step a) to step e) of the method.