Sample processing device with resealable process chamber
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsWilliam Bedingham, Gerald S. Deeb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices including resealable film used to define the volume of one or more process chambers in a sample processing device are disclosed. The resealable films provide for controlled puncture, followed by resealing of the puncture site such that the process chamber remains substantially isolated from the surrounding environment. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing sample processing devices using resealable films, as well as methods of transferring sample materials into or out of a process chamber through a resealable film.
Claims35
A sample processing device comprising:
- a body comprising at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;
- resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume;
- and
- friction modifying material on the external surface of the resealable film or friction modifying material incorporated into the resealable film, wherein the incorporated friction modifying material is chosen because it substantially migrates to the external surface of the resealable film.
A sample processing device comprising:
- a body comprising at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;
- and
- resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume, wherein the resealable film comprises plastic material forming a first layer and elastomeric material forming a second layer attached to the first layer.
A method of manufacturing a sample processing device, the method comprising:
- providing a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;
- attaching resealable film to the body, wherein the resealable film comprises an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume;
- and
- providing friction modifying material on the external surface of the resealable film to provide a targeted level of at least one of:
- the friction between the resealable film and a puncturing object, the flexural rigidity of the resealable film, the recovering stress of the resealable film, and the elongation at break of the resealable film.
A method of manufacturing a sample processing device, the method comprising:
- providing a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;
- attaching resealable film to the body, wherein the resealable film comprises an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume;
- and
- providing friction modifying material incorporated into the resealable film, wherein the incorporated friction modifying material is chosen because it substantially migrates to the external surface of the resealable film to provide a targeted level of at least one of:
- the friction between the resealable film and a puncturing object, the flexural rigidity of the resealable film, the recovering stress of the resealable film, and the elongation at break of the resealable film.
A method of transferring sample material, the method comprising:
- providing a sample processing device comprising:
- a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;
- resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume;
- puncturing the resealable film with a fluid transfer device to form an opening in the resealable film;
- inserting the fluid transfer device through the opening in the resealable film, wherein a portion of the fluid transfer device is located within the process chamber volume;
- transferring sample material into or out of the process chamber using the fluid transfer device;
- and
- removing the fluid transfer device from the process chamber, wherein the resealable film reseals the opening after removal of the fluid transfer device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.