US 6,806,094 B2Granted

Method for removing a fluid substance from a collection device

AssigneeGen-Probe Incorporated

InventorsBruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, II, Gus G. Tseo

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for removing a fluid substance from a collection device containing a specimen retrieval device, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning at least a portion of the specimen retrieval device along an inner surface of a side wall of a vessel having an open end and a closed end by fixedly associating a penetrable cap with the open end of the vessel, wherein the vessel and the cap compose the collection device;
b) penetrating the cap with a fluid transfer device, wherein the position of the specimen retrieval device within the collection device is such that the specimen retrieval device does not substantially interfere with the movement of the fluid transfer device into or out of the vessel;
c) drawing at least a portion of the fluid substance into the fluid transfer device, wherein the fluid substance is contained in the vessel;
and
d) removing the fluid transfer device from the collection device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/821,486Filed 29 Mar 2001 · continuation
Priority: 14 May 1999
Published: US 2001/0041336 A115 Nov 2001
Granted: 19 Oct 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

G01N 35/1079
Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices: with means for…
B01L 3/0275
Burettes; Pipettes: interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
B01L 3/50825
Test tubes per se: closing or opening means, corks, bungs
B01L 3/5029
With fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures: using swabs

Family

Application60/134,265Us provisional application · filed 14 May 1999
Application09/570,124Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 12 May 2000
Application09/675,641Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 29 Sep 2000
Application09/704,210Parent of this continuation · filed 1 Nov 2000
US 2001/0041336 A1Pre-grant publication · published 15 Nov 2001
Application09/704,210Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,716,396 B1Related patent
US 6,806,094 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.