IP Library › Patent Application 12044152
Patent Application
App. No. 12/044,152

METHOD FOR ACCESSING THE CONTENTS OF AN ASSEMBLY

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/044,152
Abstract

A method for accessing the contents of an assembly that includes a cap in sealing engagement with a fluid-holding vessel. In the method, one or more rib structures on an outer surface of a plastic pipette tip engage the cap as the pipette tip penetrates the cap and enters the assembly. A fluid transfer apparatus operationally associated with the pipette tip draws a fluid from the assembly into the pipette tip. The fluid-holding pipette tip is then removed from the assembly.

Claims (24)

1 . A method for accessing the contents of an assembly comprising a cap in sealing engagement with a fluid-holding vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) fitting a plastic pipette tip onto a fluid transfer apparatus, the pipette tip including one or more rib structures on an outer surface thereof;

(b) penetrating the cap with the pipette tip, whereby the one or more rib structures engage the cap as the pipette tip enters the assembly;

(c) operating the fluid transfer apparatus to draw at least a portion of the contents of the assembly into to the pipette tip; and

(d) removing the fluid-holding pipette tip from the assembly.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pipette tip includes a plurality of the rib structures.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the rib structures extend from a distal end of the pipette tip and have generally longitudinal orientations.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the rib structures extends from an opening at the distal end of the pipette tip.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the distal ends of the rib structures are tapered.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein air passageways are formed adjacent the rib structures during step (b).

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the pipette tip includes at least three rib structures.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the rib structures have generally longitudinal orientations and are equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the pipette tip.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein air passageways are formed adjacent the rib structures during step (b).

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pipette tip contains a filter for inhibiting the passage of an aerosol therethrough.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cap is in threaded engagement with the vessel.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the cap is a molded plastic.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the pipette tip penetrates a generally conical inner wall in the cap in step (b).

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of radially extending striations.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contents of the assembly contain a biological specimen.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the assembly is a collection device.

17 . The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of subjecting the fluid removed from the assembly in step (d) to a nucleic acid-based amplification procedure.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) is facilitated by a lubricant applied to at least one of a top surface of the cap and the outer surface of the pipette tip.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is manually operated.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is a robotic pipettor.