Systems and methods for sample analysis
Inventors
Ferguson, Brian Scott • Shi, Wentao • Kang, Hui • CHOZINSKI, Tyler • WANG, Jinpeng • Gong, Qiang
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11857962-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sample analysis. The system comprises a container. The container comprises a sample receptacle and a cap, and the cap comprises a reservoir for retaining a composition, a first piercing member and a first pierceable barrier for sealing said composition within said reservoir. There is also provided a method for sample analysis.
Core Innovation
A sealed container is provided that includes a sample receptacle and a cap. The cap comprises a reservoir for retaining a composition, and the reservoir is sealed within the reservoir by a first piercing member in combination with a first pierceable barrier. The sample receptacle includes a first open end configured to receive a sample and to be closed by the cap while also receiving the composition.
When the first open end is closed by the cap, the first piercing member and one or more second piercing members disestablish the first pierceable barrier from opposite side of the first pierceable barrier. The cap comprises a wall defining the outer perimeter of the reservoir, where an outer surface of the wall is made from or coated with an elastomeric material for sealingly engagement against an inner surface of the sample receptacle when the first open end is closed.
At least a portion of an interior surface of the sample receptacle that is configured to be in contact with the wall of the cap is made from or coated with an elastomeric material substantially coextensive with the elastomeric material of the outer surface of the wall. The container is configured so that pressure inside the container is greater than atmospheric pressure when the first open end is closed and pressed by the cap.
A further aspect is a method for preparing a sample derived from a subject, where the sample is introduced into the sample receptacle through the first open end and then the first open end is closed irreversibly by attaching a cap to the sample receptacle. The cap comprises the reservoir for retaining the composition, the first piercing member, and the first pierceable barrier, and elastomeric sealing engagement is provided between the cap wall and an interior surface portion of the sample receptacle. Upon closing, the first piercing member and one or more second piercing members effect a force to disestablish the first pierceable barrier from opposite side of the first pierceable barrier.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00012. Together they define a sealed container structure with piercing-and-barrier disestablishment from opposite sides under elastomeric sealing with pressure greater than atmospheric, and a corresponding method that irreversibly closes a subject-derived sample with the same piercing/barrier and elastomeric sealing arrangement (2 inventive feature sets).
Opposite-side piercing to disestablish a pierceable barrier
A first piercing member and one or more second piercing members are configured to disestablish the first pierceable barrier from opposite side of said first pierceable barrier when said first open end is closed by said cap.
Elastomeric cap-wall sealing engagement with sample receptacle interior
An outer surface of said wall is made from or is coated with an elastomeric material for sealingly engagement against an inner surface of said sample receptacle when said first open end is closed by said cap, and an interior surface portion configured to be in contact with said wall of the cap is made from or is coated with an elastomeric material substantially coextensive with said elastomeric material of the outer surface of the wall.
Pressurized above atmospheric upon closure
Pressure inside said container is greater than atmospheric pressure when said first open end is closed and pressed by said cap.
Irreversible closure for preparing a subject-derived sample
Closing said first open end irreversibly by attaching a cap to said sample receptacle such that, when the first open end is closed by said cap, said first piercing member and said one or more second piercing members effect a force to disestablish the first pierceable barrier from opposite side of said first pierceable barrier.
Claim coverage focuses on disestablishing a first pierceable barrier from opposite sides using a first piercing member and one or more second piercing members during cap closure, elastomeric sealing engagement between the cap wall and the sample receptacle interior using substantially coextensive elastomeric materials, and pressure greater than atmospheric upon closure. The method claim additionally requires introducing a subject-derived sample and irreversibly closing the receptacle by attaching the cap, resulting in barrier disestablishment upon closure.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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