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Patent 3152154 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 3152154
(54) English Title: MULTI-CHAMBERED LID APPARATUS WITH REAGENT PORT
(54) French Title: APPAREIL DE COUVERCLE A CHAMBRES MULTIPLES AVEC ORIFICE DE REACTIF
Status: Application Compliant
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B01L 3/00 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • JORDAN, PAUL (United States of America)
  • KURSE, ROHAN (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • CEPHEID
(71) Applicants :
  • CEPHEID (United States of America)
(74) Agent: BENOIT & COTE INC.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2019-09-23
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2021-04-01
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US2019/052483
(87) International Publication Number: WO 2021061096
(85) National Entry: 2022-03-22

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

A lid apparatus for a multi-chambered container. The lid apparatus has a top-lid that is hingedly attached to a bottom-cap. The top-lid includes one or more openings for fluid filling multiple passages that extend from the bottom-cap. A lower bottom-cap includes welding features for welding to the multi-chambered container. The bottom-cap further includes one or more auxiliary ports for injecting a reagent when the lid apparatus is in a closed configuration sealingly attached to the multi-chambered sample container.


French Abstract

Appareil de couvercle pour récipient à chambres multiples. L'appareil de couvercle possède un couvercle supérieur fixé à un chapeau inférieur. Le couvercle supérieur comprend une ou plusieurs ouvertures pour remplir le fluide de multiples passages qui s'étendent depuis le chapeau inférieur. Un chapeau inférieur comprend des éléments de soudage pour soudage au récipient à chambres multiples. Le chapeau inférieur comprend en outre un ou plusieurs orifices auxiliaires pour injecter un réactif lorsque l'appareil de couvercle est dans une configuration fermée fixée de manière étanche au récipient d'échantillon à chambres multiples.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An apparatus comprising:
a top lid having a major opening, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end
and a
snap-fit end; and
a bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid so as to move between an open
configuration and closed configuration, the bottom-cap comprising an upper
side and a lower
side, wherein the upper side comprises:
a plurality of chimneys upwardly extending from a lower surface of the
upper side, wherein each chimney includes a passage extending to a top opening
and each
chimney mates with a corresponding opening of the top lid, and
at least one auxiliary port having an opening larger than each top opening
of the plurality of chimneys to facilitate fluid-injection of a reagent
therethrough when the top lid
and bottom-cap are in the closed configuration;
wherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:
a lower side main surface;
an outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface;
a continuous outer welding ridge extending downward from the lower side
between the outermost edge and the alignment features; and
a plurality of walls defining separate cavities for each opening of the
plurality of chimneys and the at least one auxiliary port.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of chimneys
protmdes through a corresponding opening of the top lid when closed, and the
at least one
auxiliary port is defined within the lower surface of the upper-side of the
bottom-cap such that no
part of the auxiliary port protrudes into the corresponding opening of the top
lid when in the
closed configuration.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary port is
about
flush with the lower surface of the upper side of the bottom-cap.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliaty port is non-
circular.
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5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one auxiliary port has a
triangle, wedge, or pie-shape.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary port is
configured to allow insertion of a needle or pipette of 0.14" or less.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, where the bottom-cap further comprises one or
more additional auxiliary ports configured to allow injection of one or more
additional reagents
therethrough.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower side of the bottom-cap
includes a wall extending therefrom and surrounding the auxiliary port, the
wall being of the
same shape as the auxiliary port.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inner welding pattern
extending from ends of the walls and from the lower side main surface, the
inner welding pattern
being patterned such that each cavity defined by the plurality of walls is
surrounded by the inner
welding pattern.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in an open configuration the top lid
is
hinged away from the bottom-cap, and wherein in a closed configuration the top
lid is engaged
with the bottom-cap, wherein in the closed configuration the snap-fit end of
the top lid engages a
snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a multi-chambered
container
connected to the bottom-cap, wherein corresponding edges of the multi-
chambered container are
welded to the outermost welding ridge and inner welding pattern such that the
chambers of the
multi-chambered container are fluidically sealed from one another at the
connection between the
multi-chambered container and the bottom-cap.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the major opening of the top lid
comprises a circular opening.
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13, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein
the top lid comprises a first lateral side
and a second lateral side extending between the hinged end and the snap-fit
end.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinged end of the top lid
comprises
a first hinge and a second hinge, each being laterally displaced from the
first and second lateral
sides.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snap-fit end comprises a snap
portion displaced off of a curved portion that extends along a majority of the
front side of the lid
apparatus.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is dimensioned to
allow injection of a reagent therethrough into a chamber of a multi-chambered
container when
the lid apparatus is in the closed configuration and sealingly attached to the
multi-chambered
container.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls defining
separate
cavities form a central cylindrical cavity and a plurality of petal shaped
cavities extending from
the central cylindrical cavity.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of walls defining
separate
cavities further form a plurality of wedge shaped cavities.
19 An apparatus comprising:
a top lid having a plurality of openings, wherein the top lid includes a
hinged end
and a snap-fit end; and
a bottom-cap hingedly attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an
upper
side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises:
a plurality of openings, each having a surrounding lip upwardly extending
from a lower surface of the upper side, wherein each opening is smaller than
and mates
with a corresponding opening of the top lid, and
at least one auxiliary port disposed between opening of the plurality of
openings and having an opening larger than a corresponding opening of the top
lid to
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facilitate injection of an additional reagent therethrough when the lid
apparatus is in the
closed configuration and sealingly attached to a multi-chambered container;
wherein the lower side of the bottom-cap comprises:
a lower side main surface;
an outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface;
a continuous outer welding ridge extending downward from the lower side
between the outermost edge and the alignment features; and
an inner welding pattern extending from ends of the walls and from the
lower side main surface, wherein the inner welding pattern is not coextensive
with any
walls that extend from the lower side main surface,
wherein in an open configuration the top lid is hinged away from the bottom-
cap,
and wherein in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the bottom-
cap, wherein in the
closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of
the outermost edge
of the lower side of the bottom-cap.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein
the at least one auxiliary port
comprises a non-circular shape.
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Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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MULTI-CHAMBERED LID APPARATUS WITH REAGENT PORT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Multi-chambered containers having hinged lids are used in the sample
testing industry.
These lids can have a plurality of filling ports, typically one for each
chamber of a container.
This enables, inter alia, a simultaneous filling of each chamber of the
container.
[0002] Often, such lids are molded out of a polymer material, and then secured
to a container,
e.g. by ultrasonic welding. The unique physical properties and user
requirements for such multi-
chambered lid apparatus has resulted in difficulties, both in the manufacture
and use thereof
Often, such lids are suited for use with a particular container and reagent
filling system and have
limited versatility in use, for example, such lids typically do not allow for
the addition of third-
party reagents by a user. The instant invention addresses these and other
concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus with a top lid
having a major
opening, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and a
bottom-cap hingedly
attached to the top lid, the bottom-cap comprising an upper side and a lower
side. The lower side
includes interfacing features for sealingly coupling with a multi-chambered
container, while the
top side includes a plurality of passages and openings to facilitate automated
use of the lid and
container, and further includes an auxiliary port to allow addition of a third-
party reagent by a
user.
[0004] The lower side of the bottom-cap may comprise a lower side main
surface, an
outermost edge extending downward from the lower side main surface. A
plurality of outermost
edge alignment features may extend downward from the lower side main surface.
A continuous
outer welding ridge may extend downward from the lower side between the
outermost edge and
the alignment features. A plurality of walls can define separate cavities for
each passage of the
plurality of passages. The plurality of walls can extend from a bottom surface
of the lid. An
inner welding pattern can extend from ends of the walls and from the lower
side main surface.
The inner welding pattern may be patterned such that each cavity defined by
the plurality of
walls is surrounded by the inner welding pattern. In an open configuration the
top lid is hinged
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away from the bottom-cap, and in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged
with the bottom-
cap. In the closed configuration, the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a
snap portion of the
outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom-cap and a central cylindrical
with top opening fits
into the major opening of the top lid.
100051 Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus having a top lid
having a
plurality of openings, wherein the top lid includes a hinged end and a snap-
fit end. A bottom-cap
can be hingedly attached to the top lid. The bottom-cap can comprise an upper
side and a lower
side. The upper side can comprise a plurality of chimneys upwardly extending
from a lower
surface of the upper side. Each chimney can include a passage that extends to
an opening at the
top of the chimney, wherein each chimney mates with a corresponding opening of
the top lid.
The bottom-cap further includes at least one auxiliary port having an opening
that is larger than
the openings atop each of the chimneys and is disposed in a location
corresponding to an opening
of the top lid. The auxiliary port allows a user to inject a third-party
reagent when the lid
apparatus is in the closed configuration and sealingly attached to the multi-
chambered sample
cartridge. In some embodiments, the auxiliary port is an opening disposed on
the upper side and
about flush with the top surface of the upper side of the bottom-cap. In some
embodiments, the
port is a non-circular shape (e.g. square, pie-shape, triangular). In some
embodiments, the port
opening is larger than the corresponding opening in the top lid.
[0006] The lower side of the bottom-cap can comprise a lower side main
surface. An
outermost edge can extend downward from the lower side main surface. A
plurality of
outermost edge alignment features can extend downward from the lower side main
surface The
alignment features can be in close vicinity to the outermost edge. A
continuous outer welding
ridge can extend downward from the lower side between the outermost edge and
the alignment
features. An inner welding pattern can extend from ends of the walls and from
the lower side
main surface, such that the inner welding pattern is not coextensive with any
walls that extend
from the lower side main surface. In an open configuration the top lid is
hinged away from the
bottom-cap, and in a closed configuration the top lid is engaged with the
bottom-cap In the
closed configuration the snap-fit end of the top lid engages a snap portion of
the outermost edge
of the lower side of the bottom-cap.
[0007] In some embodiments, a multi-chambered container can be connected to
the bottom-
cap, wherein corresponding edges of the multi-chambered container are welded
to the outermost
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welding ridge and inner welding pattern such that each chamber of the multi-
chambered
container is fluidically sealed from one another at the connection between the
multi-chambered
container and the bottom-cap.
[0008] In some embodiments, the major opening of the top lid comprises a
circular opening
The circular opening can be defined with a raised portion or can itself be a
raised cylindrical
feature extending from the bottom-cap.
[0009] In some embodiments, the top lid comprises a first lateral side and a
second lateral side
extending between the hinged end and the snap-fit end. In some embodiments,
the snap-fit
portion extends along a majority of the front end of the lid apparatus. In
some embodiments, the
snap-fit end comprises a straight snap portion displaced off of a curved
portion.
[0010] In some embodiments, the hinged end of the top lid comprises a first
hinge and a
second hinge, each being medially displaced from the first and second lateral
sides. In some
embodiments, the hinged end of the top lid comprises only a single hinge.
[0011] In some embodiments, the top lid comprises a cylindrical wall extending
downward
from the upper-most top lid surface, the cylindrical wall defining the major
opening. In some
embodiments, the top lid comprises a bottom top lid surface opposite to the
upper-most top lid
surface, the cylindrical wall extending past the bottom top lid surface. In
some embodiments, the
top lid includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom
top lid surface.
[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of outermost edge alignment features
on the lower
side of the bottom-cap comprise curved walls extending away from the outermost
edge.
[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of walls on the lower side of the
bottom cap
defining separate cavities form a central cylindrical cavity and a plurality
of petal shaped cavities
extending from the central cylindrical cavity. In some embodiments, the
plurality of walls
defining separate cavities further form a plurality of wedge shaped cavities.
In some
embodiments, the plurality of walls defining separate cavities share a uniform
wall thickness.
[0014] In some embodiments, the inner welding pattern (i.e., ridge or energy
director)
comprises a triangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the continuous
outer welding
pattern (i.e., ridge or energy director) comprises a triangular cross-section.
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[0015] Another aspect of the invention comprises a method for carrying out a
reaction or an
assay in a fluid container as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the
method comprises lysis
of a cell or microorganism. In some embodiments, the method comprises
preparation of a
sample within a fluid cartridge to isolate or purify an analyte of interest.
In some embodiments,
the method comprises detecting an analyte of interest. In some embodiments,
the analyte of
interest is selected from the group consisting of cells, proteins, and nucleic
acids. In some
embodiments, the method comprises the use of an enzyme or a binding moiety.
Another aspect
of the invention comprises a method for filling a fluid container with liquid
reagents, wherein the
fluid container is mated with a lid as disclosed herein. In some embodiments,
the method
involves filling one or more chambers of the fluid cartridge with a reagent.
[0016] It is appreciated the auxiliary port feature described herein can be
incorporated into any
of the lid apparatus described herein or described in any applications
incorporated herein by
reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a lid apparatus, according to some
embodiments.
1100181 FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a top side of the lid apparatus of
FIG. 1A
positioned according to an open configuration.
[0019] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the lid
apparatus of FIG. lA in
the open configuration.
[0020] FIG. 1D shows a close-up top view of the lid apparatus of FIG. lA in
the open
configuration.
[0021] FIG. 1E shows a close-up bottom view of the lid apparatus of FIG. lA in
the open
configuration.
[0022] FIG. IF shows a close-up side view of the lid apparatus of FIG. 1A in
the open
configuration.
[0023] FIGS 2A-2D show detailed close-up views of various features of the lid
apparatus of
FIG. 1A.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a lid apparatus assembling process, according to some
embodiment&
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[0025] FIGS. 4A-4H show various views of a lid apparatus, according to some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. lA shows a perspective view of a lid apparatus 100. The apparatus
100 includes a
top lid 102 connected to a bottom-cap 104 by a hinge (not shown in this view).
The top lid 102
has an upper surface 106 that defines a major opening 108, which is shown as
being circular.
The major opening 108 is disposed in a center of a circular portion that
further includes a
plurality of openings 110 surrounding the major opening, which are also shown
as being circular
in shape. The upper surface 106 also may define other contours, openings,
passages, and holes.
[0027] The top lid 102 includes a snap end 112 having features defining an
overhanging
feature that "snaps" over a portion of the bottom-cap 104. The snap-fit end
112 features a
curvilinear profile leading to bulbous ends 114, which in turn lead to non-
parallel sides 116. The
non-parallel sides connect to a hinged-end 118, which has a straight profile.
A central portion
107 having a generally circular shape surrounds a smaller circular portion in
which the plurality
of openings are defined. In some embodiments, the central portion 107 is
slightly recessed and
the smaller circular portion is further recessed relative the upper surface
106 when the top-lid
102 is closed.
[0028] FIG. 1B shows the top-lid 102 and bottom-cap 104 spread apart in an
open
configuration, in which the top-lid 102 is hinged away from the bottom-cap 104
via hinges 105.
A bottom-facing surface 122 of the top lid 102 is shown, from which a major
cylindrical wall
124 of the major opening 108 extends. An inner wall surface 126 extends from
and bounds a
periphery of the bottom-facing surface 122. A bottom edge surface 128 sits
atop the inner wall
surface.
[0029] The snap-fit end 112 extends downwardly with (and past) the inner-wall
surface 126
from the bottom-facing surface 122. An outer-curved wall 132 and an inner-
curved wall 134
define the crescent-like shape of the snap-fit end. A cavity is cored out
between the outer-curved
wall 132 and the inner-curved wall 134 to help maintain a constant wall
thickness throughout.
The curvature of the inner-curved wall 134 is interrupted by a centrally
located flex-tab 136.
The flex-tab 136 has a straight edge for interfacing with a corresponding
straight portion 137 of
the bottom-cap 104, hi this embodiment, the flex-tab 136 of the snap-fit end
112 extends across
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a majority of the inside front end of the top lid. Prior devices utilizing a
curved tab edge have
been found to be unsatisfactory in providing a sufficient snap-fit.
[0030] The lower surface 138 can include one or more openings, such as filling
hole 140,
which can be shaped like a key-hole. The passages are arranged in an orbital
pattern about a
central passage 143; however the openings can be defined in other arrangements
as desired.
[0031] A plurality of chimneys 402 (with passages) that protrude into openings
110 in the top
lid when closed. Each chimney includes a passage and a top opening. The
plurality of chimneys
402 surround a central raised circular opening 143 that has a raised lip or
cylindrical features that
protrudes into the major opening 108 of the top lid when closed. The bottom-
cap 104 further
includes one or more auxiliary ports 144 having an opening larger than the top
openings of the
plurality of chimneys. In another aspect, the auxiliary port is larger than
the corresponding hole
in the top lid, whereas the openings in the chimneys are smaller than the
corresponding holes in
the top lid. In this embodiment, the bottom-cap includes a single auxiliary
port, although it is
appreciated that additional auxiliary ports could be included. In this
embodiment, the auxiliary
port 144 is non-circular (e.g. pie-shape) in shape and is about flush with the
top surface 138 of
the bottom cap such that when the top lid is closed, no portion of the
auxiliary port protrudes into
the respective opening 110 disposed directly over the auxiliary port 144. This
allows additional
clearance to allow a user to inject, such as with a needle or pipette, a third-
patty reagent via the
auxiliary port. In some embodiment, the at least one auxiliary opening is
configured to allow
insertion of a needle or pipette of 0.14" or less.
[0032] FIG. 1C shows a bottom view of the lower-side of bottom-cap 104, which
includes a
lower-side main surface 150. An outer-most edge 152a extends downward from the
lower-side
main surface 150 to form an outer-wall 152b. The outer-wall 152b is nearly
continuous about
the periphery of the bottom-cap 104, with an interruption occurring adjacent
to the hinge.
[0033] In some embodiments, edge alignment features are placed along each side
of the lower-
side main surface 150 and in close proximity to the outer wall 152b. The edge
alignment
features provide buttresses for aligning walls of a multi-chambered fluid
container with the
bottom-cap 104. One or both of the wall 152a/b or any portion thereof can act
as the edge
alignment feature. A typical fluid container suitable for use with the cap can
be seen in Fig. 3.
Alignment walls extend from, and in some cases in-between, the edge alignment
features provide
further engagement points against walls of a fluid container.
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[0034] A raised welding ridge 156 is continuous about the periphery of the
bottom-cap 104,
between the edge alignment features and the outer wall 152b. When seated in a
proper fashion,
the edge alignment features and alignment walls prevent excessive rotation of
the bottom-cap
104 against the fluid container, thus aligning the raised welding ridge 156 of
the bottom-cap 104
with weldable features (e.g., edges of walls) of the bottom container.
[0035] A plurality of walls 158 extend from a central portion of the lower-
side main surface
150. The walls are patterned in a flower petal-like arrangement, about a
central cylinder. Here,
the walls 158 are formed as six petals. A raised welding pattern 160 is
present on the top edges
of the walls 158. Raised ridges 159 between the petals act as energy directors
to isolate the
chambers formed by the walls 158. The raised welding pattern 160 connects to
the welding ridge
156. In this manner, four fluidic zones are created outside the petals. When a
fluid container
and the bottom-cap 104 are welded via the raised welding pattern 160 and
welding ridge 156,
sub-containers within the bottom container are fluidly isolated from one
another (at least at the
interface between the fluid container and the bottom-cap 104).
[0036] FIG. ID shows a top view of the lid apparatus in the open configuration
with the pin
locations for injection molding noted by hashed circles (see arrow). As can be
seen, the
openings 142a in chimneys 142 are considerably smaller than the opening in the
auxiliary port
144. Further, the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular and is without a chimney
such that the
auxiliary port 144 can occupy the available space to provide additional
clearance.
[0037] In some embodiments, the opening of the auxiliary port 144 can have an
area that is
larger than the opening in each respective chimney by about 20%, 30%, 40%,
50%, 60%, 70%,
80%, 90%, 100%, 125%, or 150% or greater. By providing an auxiliary port that
is substantially
larger than the chimney openings allows a user to more easily inject, such as
by a needle or
pipette, a third-party reagent through the port when the lid is closed.
Because the auxiliary port
144 is non-circular and does not protrude into the corresponding opening in
the lid, this allows
even more clearance such that the needle or pipette can be inserted or angled
through the opening
for injection of the reagent and can be readily removed after. In contrast,
inserting needles or
pipettes into a circular opening can create a friction-fit such that the
needle or pipette becomes
stuck when injecting reagent into a port. Such a friction-fit can also lead to
a build-up of
pressure, thereby frustrating pressurized injection of fluid. The particular
shape of a triangle,
wedge or pie-shape, as shown in the depicted embodiment, is advantageous as it
allows for an
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enlarged, non-circular opening, yet still fits between adjacent chimneys and
within the defined
petal shaped chamber, as shown in the bottom view shown in FIG. 1E
[0038] FIG. 2A-2D shows close-up detail views of various features of the lid
assembly in FIG.
1A. FIG. 2A shows a detail view of the hinge 105. Hinge 105 includes a thinned
portion having
a thickness t and an inside curved radius. The thickness is sufficiently thin
to allow flexure
between joined components, for example, a thickness t within a range of 0_01-
0.05", 0.01-0.03",
or 0.01-0.02", for example 0.015" +/- 0.001". The inner radius R1 can be
within a range
between 0.01-0.05", 0.01-0.04", for example about 0.03" +/- 0.01". It is
appreciated that various
other types of hinge designs can also be used. FIG. 2B illustrates a detail
view of the auxiliary
port 144 disposed between adjacent chimneys 142. In some embodiments, the
curved portion of
the wedge extends along an arc of angle al of any of the following ranges: 75-
120 degrees, 80-
110 degrees, and 90-110 degrees, for example, about 97 degrees +/- 5. In some
embodiments,
the wedge is dimensioned to accommodate an opening of at least a diameter d
within a range of
0.1-0.5", 0.1-0.3", or 0.1-0.2", for example, a diameter of about 0.139" +1-
0.05". FIG_ 2C
shows a cross-section C-C illustrating the construction and dimensions of the
welding ridge 156
disposed within a channel 157 dimensioned to receive a corresponding raised
edge of the sample
container to facilitate sealing when the ridge is welded to the raised edge of
the sample container.
In this embodiment, the radius R2 of the apex of the ridge is about 0.005" or
less, for example,
0.002" or less, and the slope of the sidewalls of the ridge is determined by
arc a2, which can be
within a range between 40-110 degrees, 50-90 degrees, or 50-80 degrees, for
example about 60
degrees +1-10. The height hl of the ridge 156 can be about 0.05" or less, for
example about
0.022" +/- 0.01", while the height of the sidewalls of the channel 157 has a
height h2, which is
greater than height hi of the ridge, for example h2 can be 0.02" or greater,
0.03" or greater,
0.04" or greater, 0.05" or greater or greater, for example, about 0.05" +/-
0.02". The overall
width of the ridge 156 within the channel is w, which can be within a range of
0.01-0.05", or
0.02-0.04", for example about 0.025" +/- 0.01". It is appreciated that while
certain dimensions
are shown for the above-noted features, these concepts are not so limited as
these features can be
of any suitable dimension desired for a particular lid configuration. For
example, the above
dimensions can be determined relative each other and scaled appropriately
based on the scale of
the lid.
[0039] FIG. 2D shows a close-up view of the raised welding pattern 160, which
has a
triangular cross-section. This shape acts as a "energy director" when
ultrasonic energy is applied
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to the apparatus 100 in order to weld the raised welding pattern 160 (and
likewise the raised
welding ridge 156, which is shaped in the same manner) to a container. The
apparatus 100
features uniform wall thickness throughout, except for the raised welding
pattern 160 and raised
welding ridge 156, which are both triangular. Thus, energy is preferentially
directed to the tips
of the triangles, which are in contact with edges of the container, resulting
in the fusion of the
triangular raised welding pattern 160 and raised welding ridge 156 to walls of
the container.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows the lid apparatus 100 in relation to a fluid container
200. The container
200 contains a plurality of chambers that can be fluidly coupled or non-
coupled according to the
position of an internal valve assembly. The chambers are defined by walls that
extend to the top
of the container 200. The fused interface between the lid apparatus 100 and
the fluid container
200 is created such that the chambers are sealed off from one another by way
of a welded
interface between the raised welding pattern 160 and welding ridge 156 and the
chambers of the
container 200.
[0041] The lid apparatus 100 can be welded to the fluid container by way of an
ultrasonic
welding horn that interfaces with the lid while the apparatus is seated on the
container 200 The
welding horn 210 generally comprises a metal cylinder shaped to interface
against and around
the lid. The welding horn 210 is part of a greater welding apparatus (not
shown) which provides
energy to the welding horn 210_ A commercially available ultrasonic welding
apparatus is
available from manufactures such as Hermann Ultrasonics, Bartlett, IL 60103 or
Branson
Ultrasonics, a division of Emerson Industrial Automation, Eden Prarie, MN
55344, can be used
in this process. In some embodiments, the lid apparatus is secured to the
fluid container using
gaskets or adhesives well known to persons of skill in the art.
[0042] The lid apparatus 100 and container can be constructed out of any
suitable material,
including but not limited to metals, ceramics, and/or plastics. Suitable
plastics can include
thermal plastics, such as polypropylene, which is a suitable material for
handling biological
specimens, but not possess optimal welding characteristics. The lid apparatus
100 overcomes
this by having nearly uniform wall thickness throughout the bottom-cap 104,
which enables the
apparatus 100 to be welded to the container using relatively low power of 150
J, versus prior
designs which required 350-500 J. Tests have shown that a good weld
penetration depth (13-29
thousandths) occurs despite the lower power setting. Other suitable polymers
that can be used
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include but are not limited to polyester, polyethylene, polyimide, ABS,
polycarbonate, and the
like
100431 In some embodiments, to weld the lid apparatus 100 to the fluid
container 200, the
bottom-cap 104 is first brought into contact with the fluid container 200. The
outer bottom-side
wall and/or the edge alignment features and alignment walls prevent excessive
rotation of the
bottom-cap 104 against the fluid container 200, thus aligning the raised
welding pattern 160 and
raised welding ridge 156 of the bottom-cap 104 with edges of the fluid
container 200. After the
lid apparatus 100 is properly seated, the welding horn 210 is lowered until it
contacts the lid.
150 .1 of energy is then applied to the welding horn for a sufficient time,
resulting in a welded lid
assembly.
100441 The triangular shapes of the raised welding pattern 160 and welding
ridge 156 cause
energy to be preferentially directed from upper surfaces about the lid to the
raised welding
pattern 160 and welding ridge 156, and thereby fuse the raised welding pattern
160 and welding
ridge 156 with the fluid container 200. The resulting weld is fluid-tight,
such the chambers of
the fluid container 200 are fluidically sealed from one another at the
connection between the
fluid container 200 and the bottom-cap 104 (under pressurized conditions).
100451 The chambers of the fluid container apparatus disclosed herein can
contain one or more
reagents for a variety of purposes, Further, a user may inject one or more
reagents into one or
more chambers of the sample container via the one or more auxiliary ports of
the lid. These
reagents maybe present in a variety of forms. Non-limiting exemplary reagent
forms can include
a solution, a dry powder, or a lyophilized bead. The reagents may be intended
for different
purposes including but not limited to chemical and/or enzymatic reactions,
sample preparation,
and/or detection. Non-limiting exemplary purposes can include lysis of cells
or
microorganisms, purification or isolation of an analyte of interest (e.g., a
specific cell population,
a nucleic acid or a protein), digestion or modification of nucleic acids or
proteins, amplification
of nucleic acids, and/or detection of an analyte of interest.
100461 In some embodiments, the reagent present in a chamber of the apparatus
may be a lysis
agent (such as a detergent) that can cause the disintegration of cellular
membrane, thereby
releasing the cellular nucleic acids and proteins for further processing.
Lysis agents are
formulated differently for effectively lysing specific organisms such as
eukaryotic cells,
prokaryotic cells, plant cells, viruses, spores, etc.
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[0047] The reagent in some embodiments may be an antibody, nucleic acid, or
other moiety
that specifically binds a predetermined molecule (e.g., a cell surface
antigen, a specific protein,
or a particular nucleic acid sequence that is the intended detection target)
and is used for the
purpose of separating, purifying, or detecting the pertinent molecule or cells
bearing the
molecule. Optionally the reagent with desired binding affinity is immobilized
on a solid
substrate within the chamber. While an antibody or other reagent moiety may be
stably stored in
a solution under certain conditions, often it is lyophilized or freeze-dried
for better stability.
[0048] In some embodiments, the reagent may be an enzyme that is capable of
digesting a
target molecule (e.g., a protein or nucleic acid), such that further analysis
can be conducted.
Many known proteases and nucleases are commercially available and can be
chosen for use in
the apparatus of this invention. In other cases, the reagent is an enzyme for
a nucleic acid
amplification reaction, such as a DNA polymerase for a polymerase chain
reaction (PCR), or a
reverse transcriptase for a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
(RT-PCR). Like an
antibody, an enzyme may be maintained in a solution but is often kept in
lyophilized or dried
form in the apparatus of this invention for stability reasons. Typically along
with the enzyme,
other necessary components of the enzymatic reaction such as ingredients of
the reaction buffer,
free deoxyribonucleotides, primers, are also present in the same or a
different chamber, so that
the desired reaction can be constituted quickly when needed.
[0049] In some embodiments, the reagent contains necessary ingredients for a
chemical
reaction, for example, one that is capable of generating a detectable signal
(e.g., optical signal)
for the detection of a particular target analyte. Aside from the components of
an appropriate
reaction buffer, at least one agent that is responsible for producing the
detectable signal is
typically included.
[0050] FIGS. 4A-4H depict various view of a lid apparatus 100 and associated
detail views, in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 4A shows a top perspective view of the
lid apparatus
in the open configuration, and FIG. 5B shows a bottom perspective view of the
lid in the open
configuration. FIG. 4C shows a top side view of the lid in the open
configuration. FIG. 4D
shows another top view of the lid in the open configuration with detail M and
corresponding
detail view. FIG. 4E shows a side view of the lid in the open configuration
with detail A and
corresponding detail view. FIG. 4F shows an underside view of the lid in the
open configuration
with detail C and corresponding detail view. FIG. 4G shows a top side view of
the lid in the
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open configuration and details A, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and corresponding detail
views. It is
appreciated that a lid assembly can include any of these particular details in
isolation, or in any
combination and that any of the features can be replaced with features having
similar
functionality, in accordance with the concepts of the invention described
herein.
[00511 Although the above description shows many specificities and depicts
particular details,
these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,
but merely as
illustrations of some exemplary embodiments. Many possible variations and
modifications to
the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of
this disclosure.
12
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Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

2024-08-01:As part of the Next Generation Patents (NGP) transition, the Canadian Patents Database (CPD) now contains a more detailed Event History, which replicates the Event Log of our new back-office solution.

Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Maintenance Fee Payment Determined Compliant 2024-09-17
Maintenance Request Received 2024-09-17
Inactive: Cover page published 2022-04-26
Compliance Requirements Determined Met 2022-04-12
Letter Sent 2022-04-12
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2022-03-26
Inactive: IPC assigned 2022-03-26
Change of Address or Method of Correspondence Request Received 2022-03-23
Inactive: Single transfer 2022-03-23
Letter sent 2022-03-22
National Entry Requirements Determined Compliant 2022-03-22
Application Received - PCT 2022-03-22
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2021-04-01

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2024-09-17

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - standard 02 2021-09-23 2022-03-22
Basic national fee - standard 2022-03-22
Registration of a document 2022-03-23
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - standard 03 2022-09-23 2022-08-22
MF (application, 4th anniv.) - standard 04 2023-09-25 2023-08-02
MF (application, 5th anniv.) - standard 05 2024-09-23 2024-09-17
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CEPHEID
Past Owners on Record
PAUL JORDAN
ROHAN KURSE
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Claims 2022-03-22 4 133
Description 2022-03-22 12 598
Drawings 2022-03-22 11 401
Abstract 2022-03-22 1 11
Cover Page 2022-04-26 1 75
Representative drawing 2022-04-26 1 41
Description 2022-04-13 12 598
Claims 2022-04-13 4 133
Abstract 2022-04-13 1 11
Drawings 2022-04-13 11 401
Confirmation of electronic submission 2024-09-17 3 78
Courtesy - Certificate of registration (related document(s)) 2022-04-12 1 354
Declaration of entitlement 2022-03-22 1 20
International search report 2022-03-22 2 65
Patent cooperation treaty (PCT) 2022-03-22 1 70
Courtesy - Letter Acknowledging PCT National Phase Entry 2022-03-22 2 44
National entry request 2022-03-22 8 162
Change to the Method of Correspondence 2022-03-23 3 80