DISPENSER GUIDES
The invention features devices, systems, and methods for introducing a sample (e.g., a biological sample, e.g., a blood sample) into a reaction vessel to maximize the effectiveness and/or reproducibility of introducing the sample (e.g., a biological sample, e.g., a blood sample).
1 . A device comprising a hollow member comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion having a greater mean inner diameter than the bottom portion, wherein the top portion is sized and configured to receive the neck of a pipettor equipped with a pipette tip, and wherein the bottom portion is configured to couple with a reaction vessel.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the internal volume of the top portion is greater than the internal volume of the bottom portion.
3 . The device of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the top portion comprises a tapered internal surface.
4 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 3 , the hollow member comprising an internal stop element through which the pipette tip can be positioned within the reaction vessel.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein the internal stop element is configured to position the pipette tip at a specified location within the lumen of the reaction vessel.
6 . The device of claim 4 or 5 , wherein the internal stop element comprises an inner lip.
7 . The device of any one of claims 4 - 6 , wherein the internal stop element is tapered.
8 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 7 , wherein the hollow member is configured to retain fluid when coupled to the reaction vessel cap.
9 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 8 , further comprising a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to couple the reaction vessel with the bottom portion.
10 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 8 , wherein the sleeve is permanently attached to the bottom portion at a sleeve joint.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the sleeve joint is a glued joint.
12 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 8 , wherein the sleeve is configured to reversibly engage the bottom portion at a sleeve joint.
13 . The device of claim 10 or 12 , wherein the sleeve joint is a snap-fit joint.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the sleeve joint is a screw-fit joint.
15 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 14 , wherein the reaction vessel is supported within the sleeve.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein all or a portion of the reaction vessel is displaced below the bottom of the sleeve when supported within the sleeve.
17 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 16 , wherein the rim of the reaction vessel is fitted with a reaction vessel cap.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the sleeve is configured to reversibly engage the reaction vessel or the reaction vessel cap at a vessel joint.
19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the vessel joint is a screw-fit joint or a snap-fit joint.
20 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 19 , wherein a central portion of the reaction vessel cap is configured to permit passage of the pipette tip therethrough.
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the passage of the pipette tip is a puncture.
22 . The device of any one of claims 17 - 21 , wherein the reaction vessel cap is configured to retain gas, vapor, or heat prior to positioning the pipette tip in the reaction vessel.
23 . The device of any one of claims 17 - 22 , wherein the reaction vessel cap is configured to retain gas, vapor, or heat after positioning the pipette tip in the reaction vessel.
24 . The device of any one of claims 17 - 23 , wherein the central portion of the reaction vessel cap comprises santoprene.
25 . The device of any one of claims 17 - 23 , wherein the central portion of the reaction vessel cap comprises silicone.
26 . The device of any one of claims 17 - 23 , wherein the central portion of the reaction vessel cap comprises foil.
27 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 26 , wherein the hollow member comprises plastic.
28 . The device of claim 27 , wherein the plastic is polypropylene.
29 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 28 , wherein the hollow member comprises an outer lip for positioning the device within a holder.
30 . The device of claim 29 , wherein the outer lip is configured to contact a staging element for positioning the device within a magnetic resonance instrument.
31 . The device of claim 30 , wherein the staging element is configured to lock the device into place within the magnetic resonance instrument.
32 . The device of any one of claims 29 - 31 , wherein the outer lip is configured to contact an ejection mechanism.
33 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 32 , further comprising a keying element configured to interface with an electronic system.
34 . The device of claim 33 , wherein the electronic system comprises a robotic arm.
35 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 34 , wherein the hollow member is connected to a capped reaction vessel.
36 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 35 , wherein the device is for use in a blood clotting assay.
37 . The device of any one of claims 1 - 36 , wherein the device is for use in an endotoxin detection assay.
38 . A system comprising the hollow member of any one of claims 1 - 37 , wherein a pipettor equipped with a pipette tip is within the hollow member.
39 . The system of claim 38 , further comprising a capped reaction vessel connected to the hollow member, wherein the pipette tip is within a reaction vessel.
40 . The system of claim 38 or 39 , wherein the capped reaction vessel contains an agent to induce clotting of a dispensed blood sample.
41 . A method for loading a magnetic resonance instrument, the method comprising positioning the device of any one of claims 1 - 37 onto a stage, wherein the magnetic resonance instrument comprises the stage.
42 . A method for preparing a sample, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the device of any one of claims 1 - 37 onto a stage, wherein a magnetic resonance instrument comprises the stage;
(b) inserting into the hollow member a pipettor equipped with a pipette tip containing the sample;
(c) contacting the pipettor with an internal wall of the hollow member; and
(d) dispensing the sample into a reaction vessel.
43 . The method of claim 42 , further comprising contacting the pipettor or the pipette tip with a stop element.
44 . The method of claim 43 , further comprising puncturing a cap of the reaction vessel.
45 . The method of any one of claims 41 - 44 , wherein the dispensing is automatic.
46 . The method of any one or claims 41 - 45 , further comprising measuring one or more parameters associated with hemostasis or blood clotting.