SEPTUMS AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20140260089A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Luoma, II
• Inventors: Luoma, Robert P. II
• Granted Patent: US 10,456,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/396
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/002 Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means

Abstract

Example apparatus including septums and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a septum that includes a first surface and a membrane coupled to at least a portion of the first surface. In addition, the example septum includes a second surface and ribs extending between the membrane and the second surface.

Claims

1. A septum, comprising:

a first surface;

a membrane coupled to at least a portion of the first surface;

a second surface; and

ribs extending between the membrane and the second surface.

2. The septum of claim 1, wherein the membrane is integral with the first surface.

3. The septum of claim 1, wherein the ribs are in parallel.

4. The septum of claim 1, wherein each rib comprises:

a first end coupled to the membrane; and

a second curved end.

5. The septum of claim 4, wherein the second curved end has a parabolic cross-sectional shape.

6. The septum of claim 1, wherein a first one of the ribs has a first length and a second one of the ribs has a second length, the second length being different than the first length.

7. The septum of claim 1, wherein the ribs form a symmetrical pattern.

8. The septum of claim 1, wherein the ribs form a circular pattern.

9. The septum of claim 1, wherein the membrane forms a seal prior to penetration by a probe.

10. The septum of claim 1, wherein the membrane interconnects the ribs.

11. The septum of claim 1, wherein the membrane is frangible.

12. The septum of claim 1, wherein the first surface is substantially flat.

13. The septum of claim 1, wherein each of the ribs has a depth about one and a half times a distance to an adjacent one of the ribs.

14. The septum of claim 1, wherein each of the ribs has a depth about fifteen times a thickness of the membrane.

15. A apparatus, comprising:

a vessel to contain at least one of a reagent or a sample;

a lid; and

a slotted septum formed in the lid.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the slotted septum comprises a plurality of ribs coupled to a membrane.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs has a curved end.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a cap coupled to the lid, the cap having a neck surrounding the septum.

19. A method comprising:

securing contents of a container with a septum comprising a plurality of ribs and a membrane seal; and

accessing the contents of the container by;

engaging a probe with one of the ribs;

deflecting the probe between two of the ribs; and

piercing the membrane seal between the two of the ribs with the probe.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the deflecting comprises the probe contacting a curved end of one of the ribs and moving between the two of the ribs.