Sample container cap with centrifugation status indicator device

• US 10,048,284 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Muller, Martin, Weihs, Andreas, Gunzer, Gerhard, Eberhardt, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): GRIFFIN, WALTER DEAN
• Assistant Examiner(s): Liu, Shuyi S
• Application Number:
  US14/699,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 494 10, 494 16, 494 20, 2064591
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/262 by using a centrifuge
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0819 Microarrays; Biochips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/043 magnetic forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5021 Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes centrifuges B04B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 11/04 Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 13/00 Control arrangements specially designed for centrifuges; Programme control of centrifuges control arrangements for feed, charge, or discharge B04B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 15/00 Other accessories for centrifuges
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2009/143 by weight compensation with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2011/046 Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 2013/006 Interface detection or monitoring of separated components
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 7/02 Casings; Lids shock absorbers, vibration dampers F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 7/08 Rotary bowls centrifugal casting machines B22D
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 9/14 : Balancing rotary bowls balancing per se G01M; Schrappers
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 9/146 : Unbalance detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/00 : Manipulators not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 : Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/108 : Devices, e.g. plates, presenting apertures through which the articles project
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/24 : combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/28 : during transit by a single conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/02 : for measuring length, width or thickness G01B11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/08 : for measuring diameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/10 : of objects while moving
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 : for measuring contours or curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 : Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/292 : Light , e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/08 : Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 1/14 : Determining imbalance G01M1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00495 : Centrifuges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0405 : manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0462 : Buffers [FIFO] or stacks [LIFO] for holding carriers between operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0491 : Position sensing, encoding; closed-loop control
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1025 : Fluid level sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1032 : Dilution or aliquotting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/27 : using photo-electric detection G01N21/31 takes precedence; circuits for computing concentration logarithmic circuits G06G7/24; photometric circuits in general G01J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00584 : Control arrangements for automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00732 : Identification of carriers, materials or components in automatic analysers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 : Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1009 : Characterised by arrangements for controlling the aspiration or dispense of liquids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A sample container cap is disclosed. The sample cap container includes a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body. The centrifugation status indicator device includes: a first substance having a first density and a first color, and a second substance having a second density and a second color. The centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged. The first substance can be a gel, and the second substance can include a plurality of particles. The second density is higher than the first density and the second color is different from the first color.

Claims

1. A sample container cap comprising:

a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container; and

a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body, wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises;

a first substance having a first density and a first color, wherein the first substance comprises a gel; and

a second substance having a second density and a second color, wherein the second substance comprises a plurality of particles, wherein the second density is higher than the first density and wherein the second color is different from the first color, and wherein the centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged.

2. The sample container cap of claim 1, wherein the first and second substances are combined after centrifugation but are not combined without centrifugation.

3. The sample container cap of claim 1 wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises a combination of materials that change appearance according to applied centrifugation force and time.

4. The sample container cap of claim 1 wherein the sample cap body is transparent.

5. The sample container cap of claim 4 wherein the sample cap body is cylindrical.

6. The sample container cap of claim 4 wherein the sample cap body comprises a cap thread portion.

7. The sample container cap of claim 1 wherein the sample cap body includes a cylindrical cap thread portion and a cylindrical cap top portion, separated by a circular portion.

8. A sample container cap comprising:

a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container; and

a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body, wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises a pressure sensitive device extending in a first direction and transparent cylindrical elements that contact the pressure sensitive device and that extend perpendicular to the first direction of the pressure sensitive device, wherein the transparent cylindrical elements are configured to press onto the pressure sensitive device during centrifugation.

9. The sample container cap of claim 8 wherein the pressure sensitive device comprises a foil configured to change appearance in response to applied pressure.

10. The sample container cap of claim 9 wherein the foil is configured to change color in response to applied pressure.

11. The sample container cap of claim 8 wherein the pressure sensitive device comprises a pressure sensitive foil.

12. A method comprising:

attaching a sample container cap comprising a sample cap body, and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body, to a sample container body containing a sample; and

centrifuging the sample in the sample container body, wherein the centrifugation status indicator indicates a status of centrifugation, wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises;

a first substance having a first density and a first color, wherein the first substance comprises a gel; and

a second substance having a second density and a second color, wherein the second substance comprises a plurality of particles, wherein the second density is higher than the first density and wherein the second color is different from the first color, and wherein the centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises a combination of materials that change appearance according to applied centrifugation force and time.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sample cap body is transparent.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the sample cap body comprises a cap thread portion.

16. A method comprising:

attaching a sample container cap comprising a sample cap body, and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body, to a sample container body containing a sample; and

centrifuging the sample in the sample container body, wherein the centrifugation status indicator indicates a status of centrifugation, wherein the centrifugation status indicator device comprises a pressure sensitive device and transparent cylindrical elements that are perpendicular to the pressure sensitive device and contact the pressure sensitive device, wherein the transparent cylindrical elements press onto the pressure sensitive device during centrifuging the sample.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the pressure sensitive device comprises a foil configured to change appearance in response to applied pressure.