Sample tube with integrated mixing plunger head

US10537892B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Illumina, Inc. · US

Inventors

• James Christopher Blake · Village of La Jolla, US
• Umberto Ulmanella · Foster City, US
• Bradley Kent Drews · San Diego, US
• Michael Dai Wang · San Diego, US
• Stephen Wayne Clark · Fort Worth, US
• Michael Adalbert Niziolek · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 13, 2017
• Grant date: Jan 21, 2020
• Expiry date: Feb 7, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01L2400/0478
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices and techniques for providing for enhanced fluid mixing in a sample vial. A plunger head may be removably housed inside of a cap that is attached to a container; the cap may have an opening allowing a shaft, e.g., a probe or sipper shaft, to be inserted into the cap and into the plunger head. The shaft may be used to push the plunger head free of the cap, and then to reciprocate the plunger head within the container to mix the content. Withdrawal of the shaft may then cause the plunger head to disengage from the shaft and remain in the container.