# US 2014/0193848 A1 · Sample vial cap and sample vial for use in preparing cytological specimen and method of preparing cytological specimen > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193848 A1 - Document ID: US20140193848A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/737,778 - Filed: 2013-01-09 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: Hologic, Inc. - Applicants: Hologic, Inc. - Inventors: Howard B. Kaufman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193848A1 ## CPC - B01L 3/508: {Rigid containers without fluid transport within} - B01L 3/50825: {Closing or opening means, corks, bungs} - B01L 2300/044: pierceable, e.g. films, membranes - B01L 2300/06: Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components - G01N 2035/0403: {Sample carriers with closing or sealing means} - G01N 2035/0405: {manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - 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 cap configured for use with a specimen container includes a cap body having a top surface defining an opening therethrough, a torque pattern disposed on the top surface of the cap body, and a pierceable and self-resealing membrane disposed across the opening, where, when the membrane is intact or resealed, the membrane forms a fluid-tight seal across the opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cap configured for use with a specimen container, the cap comprising: a cap body having a top surface defining an opening therethrough; a torque pattern disposed on the top surface of the cap body; and a pierceable and self-resealing membrane disposed across the opening, wherein, when the membrane is intact or resealed, the membrane forms a fluid-tight seal across the opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the top surface defines the opening approximately in a center of the torque pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the membrane and the opening are configured such that, when the cap is attached to a specimen container, an interior of the specimen container is accessible through the membrane and cap opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the membrane is configured to self-seal a tear therein by returning opposite edges of the tear to a substantially contiguous closed condition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises an elastomeric material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cap of claim 1, wherein the torque pattern comprises a plurality of radially disposed ribs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The cap of claim 6, wherein the torque pattern comprises six, radially disposed, substantially equally-spaced apart ribs. ### Claim 8 A sample vial for use in an automated test apparatus, comprising: a vial body comprising an outer surface, with at least one anti-rotation lug disposed about the vial body outer surface; a cap removably attachable to the vial body, said cap comprising a cap body having a top surface defining an opening therethrough, a torque pattern disposed on the top surface of the cap, and a pierceable and self-resealing membrane disposed across the opening, wherein, when the membrane is intact or resealed, the membrane forms a fluid-tight seal across the opening; and a seal disposed between an interior of the vial body and the cap so as to be capable of forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween when the membrane is intact or resealed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the top surface defines the opening approximately in a center of the torque pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the vial body, cap, and seal are configured such that the interior of the vial body is accessible without removing the cap from the vial body by piercing the membrane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the membrane is configured to self-seal a tear therein by returning opposite edges of the tear to a substantially contiguous closed condition. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the membrane comprises an elastomeric material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the torque pattern comprises a plurality of radially disposed ribs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the vial body, cap, and seal are configured such that a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cap and the interior of the vial body is formed when between about 5 and 50 inch-pounds of torque is applied to the cap relative to the vial body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sample vial of claim 14, wherein the vial body, cap, and seal are configured such that a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cap and the interior of the vial body is formed when about 20 inch-pounds of torque is applied to the cap relative to the vial body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the cap comprises a first alignment marker, wherein the vial body comprises a second alignment marker, and wherein the first and second alignment markers indicate a fluid-tight seal when aligned. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sample vial of claim 16, wherein the vial body, cap, and seal are configured such that, when the first marker is aligned with the second marker, the cap may be removed from the vial body by applying less than about 25 inch-pounds of torque to the cap relative to the vial body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The sample vial of claim 8, wherein the cap further comprises a first screw thread, wherein the vial body further comprises a second mating screw thread, and wherein the cap and the vial body are releasably engagable by an interaction between the first screw thread and the second mating screw thread. ### Claim 19 A method of accessing a fluid in a biological specimen container without removing a cap attached thereto or creating a permanent opening in the cap, the method comprising: applying torque to a torque pattern disposed on a top surface of the cap to confirm a fluid-tight seal exists between the cap and an interior region of the container; piercing a membrane disposed on the cap with an elongate member; accessing the fluid inside the biological specimen container through the membrane using the elongate member; and removing the elongate member from the membrane to thereby allow the membrane to self-reseal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising accessing the fluid through the elongate member without contaminating an outer surface of the biological specimen container with the fluid.