# US 11,440,000 B2 · Isolation tube with an endcap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,000 B2 - Document ID: US11440000B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/046,292 - Filed: 2018-07-26 - Published: 2019-02-14 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-27 - Assignees: Biomerieux - Applicants: bioMerieux, Inc. - Inventors: Christopher S. Ronsick; Mark S. Wilson; John D. Walsh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440000B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/50215: {using a float to separate phases} - B01L 3/0296: {from piercable tubing, e.g. in extracorporeal blood sampling} - B01L 3/5021: {Test tubes specially adapted for centrifugation purposes} - B01L 3/5082: {Test tubes per se} - B01L 3/50825: {Closing or opening means, corks, bungs} - B04B 5/0414: {comprising test tubes} - C12M 33/02: {by impregnation, e.g. using swabs or loops (fluid transport using swabs B01L3/5029)} - C12M 33/10: {by centrifugation (centrifuges in general B04B); Cyclones (cyclones in general B04C)} - C12M 45/05: {by centrifugation (centrifuges in general B04B)} - C12Q 1/24: Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms - G01N 1/2035: {by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping} - G01N 1/4077: {by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids} - B01L 2200/02: Adapting objects or devices to another - B01L 2200/0652: Sorting or classification of particles or molecules - B01L 2200/0684: Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles - B01L 2200/0689: Sealing - B01L 2300/042: Caps; Plugs - B01L 2300/044: pierceable, e.g. films, membranes - B01L 2300/0672: Integrated piercing tool - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/0832: cylindrical, tube shaped - B01L 2300/0848: Specific forms of parts of containers - B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric - B01L 2400/0409: centrifugal forces - B01L 2400/0478: pistons - B01L 2400/0633: with moving parts - B01L 2400/0683: mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber - B04B 2005/0435: {with adapters for centrifuge tubes or bags} - B04B 2011/046: {Loading, unloading, manipulating sample containers} - G01N 2001/4083: {sedimentation} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method using an assembly, the assembly comprising a separation container comprising a body, the body defining an internal chamber, wherein the body defines an opening at a first end, and wherein the body is configured to receive a sample within the internal chamber, the separation container further comprising a seal attached to the body and disposed across the opening, wherein the seal is configured to seal the opening of the body; the assembly further comprising an end cap; the method comprising: releasably engaging the end cap with the body such that the seal is disposed between the end cap and the body, wherein the end cap is configured to prevent the seal from detaching from the body during centrifugation; centrifuging the assembly; disengaging the end cap from the body; and opening the seal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a sample collecting vessel, the method further comprising: engaging the sample collecting vessel with the body at the opening; and expressing at least a portion of the sample into the sample collecting vessel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the assembly further comprises a plunger comprising a longitudinal member defining a first distal end, a second distal end, and an axis extending between the first distal end and the second distal end, wherein opening the seal comprises opening the seal with the first distal end of the plunger, wherein expressing the pellet comprises depressing the plunger into sealing engagement with a portion of the body to create pressure between the plunger and the seal and expelling the pellet from the opening under the pressure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the end cap is a centrifuge adapter comprising at least one of a flat distal end and a tapered portion configured to engage a centrifuge cup. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body further defines an annular surface around the opening, and wherein the seal is attached to the annular surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the end cap defines a support surface configured to be positioned parallel to the annular surface of the body with the seal being disposed between the support surface and the annular surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a membrane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a foil sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the seal is welded to the body of the separation container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the end cap comprises both a flat distal end and a tapered portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the flat distal end comprises a recess configured to receive a post therein. ### Claim 12 An assembly comprising: a separation container comprising: a body, the body defining an internal chamber, wherein the body defines an opening at a first end, and wherein the body is configured to receive a sample within the internal chamber; and a seal attached to the body and disposed across the opening, wherein the seal is configured to seal the opening of the body; and an end cap disposed at the first end of the body and removably connected to the body, wherein the seal is positioned between the end cap and the body, wherein the end cap is a centrifuge adapter comprising at least one of a flat distal end and a tapered portion configured to engage a centrifuge cup. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a sample collecting vessel; wherein the end cap is configured to be removable; and wherein in an instance in which the end cap is removed, the sample collecting vessel is configured to removably engage the body at the opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a plunger comprising a longitudinal member defining a first distal end, a second distal end, and an axis extending between the first distal end and the second distal end; wherein the plunger is configured to open the seal and express at least a portion of the sample from the opening of the body of the separation container. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, wherein the body further defines an annular surface around the opening, and wherein the seal is attached to the annular surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The assembly of claim 15, wherein the end cap defines a support surface configured to be positioned parallel to the annular surface of the body with the seal being disposed between the support surface and the annular surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, wherein the seal comprises a membrane. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, wherein the seal is welded to the body of the separation container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, wherein the end cap comprises both a flat distal end and a tapered portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The assembly of claim 19, wherein the flat distal end comprises a recess configured to receive a post therein.