# US 9,040,000 B2 · Sample container with sensor receptacle and methods of use

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- Number: US 9,040,000 B2
- Document ID: US9040000B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/358,932
- Filed: 2012-01-26
- Published: 2013-08-01
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2012-01-26
- Assignees: Heatflow Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Warren L. Dinges
- Inventors: Warren L. Dinges
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040000B2

## CPC

- G01K 1/08: Protective devices, e.g. casings
- B01L 3/50825: {Closing or opening means, corks, bungs}
- G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples}
- B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering
- B01L 2200/147: Employing temperature sensors
- B01L 2300/042: Caps; Plugs
- B01L 2300/047: Additional chamber, reservoir
- B01L 2300/0851: Bottom walls
- B01L 2300/12: Specific details about materials
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE

## Abstract

Devices and methods are described herein that are configured for use in laboratory testing, such as, for example, during a procedure including the monitoring and detection of chemical reactions. For example, the systems and devices described herein can be used during a procedure to monitor and detect polymerase chain reactions (PCR). In some embodiments, a sample container includes a container body that defines an interior volume and has an open end in fluid communication with the interior volume. A cap is sealingly engageable with the open end of the container body. The cap defines a receptacle that is configured to extend within a portion of the interior volume of the container body when the cap is sealingly engaged thereto. The receptacle can receive therein a sensor, such as, a temperature sensor that can monitor the temperature of a sample material disposed within the container body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sample container, comprising:
a container body defining an interior volume and having a first end defining an opening in fluid communication with the interior volume and a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the container body defining a receptacle extending towards the first end,
the receptacle having a closed end, an open end, a tapered portion at the open end configured to guide insertion of a temperature sensor into the receptacle and a substantially constant diameter portion between the tapered portion and the closed end.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, wherein the interior volume is a first interior volume, the opening is a first opening, the receptacle being a first receptacle, the container body defining a second interior volume, a second opening in fluid communication with the second interior volume, and a second receptacle, the sample container further comprising:
a cap including a first cap portion and a second cap portion, the first cap portion being sealingly enagageable with the first opening of the container body, the second cap portion being sealingly engageable with the second opening of the container body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, wherein the container body is formed with a thermally conductive material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, further comprising:
a temperature sensor configured to be received within the receptacle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, wherein the closed end of the receptacle is disposed at substantially a center point of the interior region of the container body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, wherein the substantially constant diameter portion of the receptacle has an aspect ratio defined by a ratio of a length to a width of an inner diameter of the substantially constant diameter portion of the receptacle of at least 1.5:1.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The sample container of claim 1, wherein the substantially constant diameter portion of the receptacle has a first length and the tapered portion has a second length substantially the same as the first length.