Pierceable cap having piercing extensions

Inventors

Livingston, Dwight • Diemert, Dustin • Lentz, Ammon David

Assignees

BD Diagnostics

Abstract

A pierceable cap maybe used for containing sample specimens during storage and transport. The pierceable cap may prevent unwanted escape of sample specimen before transfer with a transfer device. The pierceable cap may fit over a vessel. An access port in the pierceable cap may allow passage of a tip of a transfer device though the pierceable cap. Multiple frangible layers maybe disposed across the access port. One or more extensions proximate to a lower frangible layer may rotate around one or more coupling regions during insertion of the transfer device. The movement of the one or more extensions may pierce the lower frangible layer to create airways and allow air to escape from a vessel at a reduced velocity. Upper frangible layers may prevent escape of materials from spaces intermediate between the lower frangible layer and the upper frangible layers.

Core Innovation

The invention is a pierceable sampling cap for a sealed vessel that includes a shell having an access port configured to allow passage of at least part of a transfer device, wherein the transfer device transfers a sample specimen. A lower frangible layer is disposed across the access port to prevent transfer of the sample specimen through the access port prior to insertion of the at least part of the transfer device through the access port, and the lower frangible layer is secured within the shell using a peripheral groove.

One or more upper frangible layers are disposed across the access port to prevent transfer of the sample specimen through the access port after insertion of the at least part of the transfer device through the lower frangible layer. One or more extensions are disposed between the lower frangible layer and the one or more upper frangible layers such that, upon application of pressure from the transfer device, the one or more extensions move and pierce the lower frangible layer.

During insertion, movement of the extensions forms airways and vents for low-velocity air escape to reduce aerosols and bubbles and maintain pipetting accuracy. In additional embodiments, the lower frangible layer includes pre-formed scoring and/or slits, and optional venting features such as peripheral vents and labyrinth-type vent paths. Upper frangible layers may act as a barrier to prevent liquid escape and may be vented or flush with a top of the shell.

Claims Coverage

The document includes four independent claims. The claims focus on a staged pierceable closure using a lower frangible layer and one or more upper frangible layers across an access port, with movement of extensions that pierce the lower frangible layer under pressure from a transfer device, together with selected positional, coupling, scoring, and venting limitations.

Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a pierceable cap that blocks specimen transfer with a lower frangible layer before insertion and with one or more upper frangible layers after insertion, while one or more extensions mechanically move and pierce the lower frangible layer in response to pressure from the transfer device. Dependent claim sets refine the structure by specifying peripheral grooves, pre-formed scoring, flush positioning of the access port and/or upper frangible layers, and coupling regions for extensions between the frangible layers.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications