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Publication Number
US-11471889-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sample assembly includes a vial, a vial insert, and a sealing arrangement. The vial insert could be any combination of a sample chamber, a matrix, or a swab breaker configured to be positioned within the vial. The sealing arrangement includes a coupling portion and a cap assembly. The coupling portion defines a mounting channel sized to receive a portion of the vial. The coupling portion is configured to slidably couple to the vial. The cap assembly includes a desiccant cap. The desiccant cap is configured to couple to the vial to selectively form a sterile barrier between the sealing arrangement and the vial.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sample assembly for collecting biological samples. The sample assembly includes a vial defining an internal chamber configured to receive a vial insert, and the vial insert is positioned within the vial as any combination of a sample chamber, a swab breaker assembly, or a matrix.
The sample assembly further includes a sealing arrangement including a coupling portion and a cap assembly. The coupling portion defines a mounting channel sized to receive a portion of the vial and is configured to slidably couple to the vial, and the cap assembly includes a desiccant cap comprising a desiccant cap chamber with desiccant positioned within the desiccant cap chamber.
The desiccant cap is configured to couple to the vial to selectively form a sterile barrier between the sealing arrangement and the vial. The desiccant is positioned above the vial insert and the internal chamber of the vial, and the matrix is configured to separate and capture different components of a sample and is secured within the vial insert by a first compressed ring and a second compressed ring positioned adjacent first and second ends of the vial insert.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims describe three inventive features: a vial and vial insert with a slidably coupled sealing arrangement, a desiccant cap that selectively forms a sterile barrier, and a matrix embodiment secured by compressed rings.
Sample assembly with vial, vial insert, and sterile-barrier sealing arrangement
a vial defining an internal chamber configured to receive a vial insert; a sealing arrangement including a coupling portion and a cap assembly; the coupling portion defining a mounting channel sized to receive a portion of the vial and configured to slidably couple to the vial; and the cap assembly including a desiccant cap with a desiccant cap chamber and desiccant positioned within the chamber, the desiccant cap being configured to couple to the vial to selectively form a sterile barrier between the sealing arrangement and the vial, with the desiccant positioned above the vial insert and the internal chamber of the vial.
Vial insert as sample chamber, swab breaker assembly, or matrix
the vial insert is positioned within the vial and is any combination of a sample chamber, a swab breaker assembly, or a matrix.
Matrix separated and captured by compressed rings
the matrix comprises a first compressed ring and a second compressed ring positioned adjacent first and second ends of the vial insert to secure the matrix within the vial insert, and the matrix is configured to separate and capture different components of a sample.
The claims collectively focus on the vial and vial insert with a slidably coupled sealing arrangement, the desiccant cap that selectively forms a sterile barrier, and the matrix secured by first and second compressed rings to separate and capture sample components.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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