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

1. A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and a fluid-holding vessel in fixed association, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) penetrating the cap with a plastic pipette tip having a plurality of ribs extending from an outer surface thereof, whereby the ribs contact a surface of the cap and aid in the formation of air passageways between the surface of the cap and the pipette tip;

(b) drawing a fluid present in the vessel into the pipette tip; and

(c) removing the pipette tip from the collection device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the cap is a plastic material, and wherein an outer surface of the pipette tip and/or a top surface of the plastic material is coated with a lubricant.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein step (a) comprises penetrating a generally conical inner wall extending radially inwardly from a closed side wall of the cap.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of wedge-shaped sections defined by striations formed in a surface of the inner wall.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cap comprises a foil or plastic seal.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the cap further comprises a wick interposed between the seal and the inner wall.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the wick comprises a fibrous material.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the wick is a pile fabric.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the wick is comprised of a resilient material.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the wick is constructed and arranged to inhibit the release of an aerosol and/or bubbles from the collection device during the steps of the method.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the wick is constructed and arranged to wipe an outer surface of the pipette tip as it is being removed from the collection device.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a foil or plastic seal.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid contains a biological specimen.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid contains a lubricant.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the lubricant is a detergent.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein collection device comprises a specimen retrieval device spaced-apart from the axis of the collection device.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of subjecting a nucleic acid present in the fluid removed from the collection device in step (c) to a nucleic acid-based amplification procedure.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ribs have a generally longitudinal orientation on the pipette tip.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the pipette tip comprises at least three ribs.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the distal terminus of one or more of the ribs is no more than about 0.5 inches from a bottom surface at the distal end of the pipette tip.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein one or more of the ribs extend from a distal end of the pipette tip to a proximal end of the pipette tip.

22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the distal terminus of one or more of the ribs is no more than about 0.25 inches from a bottom surface at the distal end of the pipette tip.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein one or more of the ribs extend from a distal end of the pipette tip to a proximal end of the pipette tip.

24. The method of claim 18 , wherein one or more of the ribs are semi-circular in cross-section.

25. The method of claim 18 , wherein the distal terminus of one or more of the ribs is tapered.