Gen-probe, Inc.

Other

Mordi I Iheme

Daniel L Kacian

Bruce W Anderson

Nick Mark Carter

Gus G Tseo

Shirley J Johnson

Mark R Kennedy

Kathleen A Dickey

Janice J Clymer

A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when the cap is penetrated by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between penetrating the cap and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap has been penetrated.

Method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device

A cap having a plurality of rib structures situated on an inner wall of the cap to facilitate the formation of air passageways as the cap is penetrated by a pipette tip. The air passageways aid in venting air from a fluid-holding vessel closed with the cap.

Penetrable cap having rib structures

A cap having a plurality of spaced-apart grooves in a downwardly tapered inner wall of the cap to facilitate the formation of air passageways as the cap is penetrated by a pipette tip. The air passageways aid in venting air from a fluid-holding vessel closed with the cap.

Pierceable cap having spaced-apart grooves

A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device

Method for obtaining a fluid from a collection device assembled to isolate a specimen retrieval device from the pathway of a fluid transfer device used to penetrate a cap of the collection device and to draw and remove the fluid from the collection device for analysis.

Method for accessing the contents of a closed vessel containing a specimen retrieval device

A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and a fluid-holding vessel in fixed association. The method includes penetrating one or more materials of the cap with an air displacement pipette, thereby forming one or more passageways for venting air displaced from within the collection device, where the pipette includes structure for forming the one or more passageways. A fluid present in the vessel is drawn into the pipette before the pipette is removed from the collection device.

Method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device with a modified pipette tip

A cap for use in forming a sealed container with a fluid-holding vessel. The cap includes a downwardly tapered inner wall having a plurality of radially extending striations for improving the penetrability of the cap and for facilitating the formation of air passageways.

Striated cap

Method for obtaining a fluid sample from a collection device which includes assembling cap and fluid-holding vessel components of the collection device to contain and isolate a specimen retrieval device adjacent a side wall of the vessel. 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 a fluid transfer device into or out of the assembled collection device. The fluid transfer device is used to draw and remove a fluid substance from the collection device for analysis.

A cap comprising a generally conical wall positioned beneath an opening in the cap and having a plurality of striations formed therein to facilitate penetration of the cap by a fluid transfer device.

Sealed collection device having striated cap

A collection device comprising an open-ended vessel for receiving and holding a fluid substance and a cap configured to position a specimen retrieval device along an inner surface of the vessel when the cap is fixedly associated the vessel.

Collection device

Method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel

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.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Mordi I Iheme