Non-absorbent cleaning member with transport arm working end coupling element for use in a sample testing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12306091-B2
Application number	US-202015930131-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2020
Priority date	Apr 9, 2015
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

A cleaning member including a distal cleaning element and a proximal coupling element, where the coupling element has a proximal end portion dimensioned to form a frictional fit with a working end of an automated transport arm.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cleaning member for use in a sample testing system that includes an automated transport arm having a working end, a test receptacle support structure comprising a test receptacle well having an open bottom end and configured to have a test receptacle seated therein, and an optical fiber having an end positioned proximate to the open bottom end of the test receptacle well, comprising:
a non-absorbent distal cleaning element having an open proximal end, an interior cavity depending from the open proximal end, a distal end surface, and an outer side surface extending form the distal end surface to the open proximal end; and
a proximal coupling element having:
a proximal end portion dimensioned to form a frictional fit with the working end of the automated transport arm, and
a distally projecting extension member comprising a plurality of radially extending protuberances dimensioned to form an interference fit with the distal cleaning element when the extension member is inserted into the interior cavity of the distal cleaning element to join the proximal coupling element to the distal cleaning element,

wherein the outer side surface and the distal end surface of the distal cleaning element define a frustoconical shape configured to be inserted into the test receptacle well such that the outer side surface is configured to attract particulates or other materials on an interior surface of the test receptacle well and the distal end surface is configured to attract particulates or other materials on the end of the optical fiber when the distal cleaning element is inserted into the test receptacle well.

2. The cleaning member of claim 1 , wherein the distal cleaning element has a tacky surface.

3. The cleaning member of claim 2 , wherein the distal cleaning element consists of silicone, platinum cured silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber, or a gel.

4. The cleaning member of claim 1 , wherein the distal cleaning element is configured to statically attract the particulates or other materials on the interior surface of the test receptacle well or the end of the optical fiber.

5. The cleaning member of claim 4 , wherein the distal cleaning element consists of silicon, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester, or polystyrene.

6. The cleaning member of claim 1 , wherein the proximal coupling element includes a ring disposed proximal to the extension member, the ring protruding in a radially outward direction beyond the protuberances of the extension member such that the ring is configured to abut the proximal end of the distal cleaning element when the distal cleaning element is jointed to the proximal coupling element.

7. The cleaning member of claim 6 , wherein the proximal end portion of the proximal coupling element comprises:
an open proximal end; and
a body defining an interior recess depending from the open proximal end of the proximal coupling element.

8. The cleaning member of claim 7 , wherein the ring protrudes from an exterior surface of the body of the proximal end portion.

9. The cleaning member of claim 7 , wherein the proximal end portion of the proximal coupling element includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented linear ribs protruding from an interior surface of the body into the interior recess.

10. The cleaning member of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of linear ribs includes a recessed-bottom portion and a radial-inward apex disposed proximal to the recessed-bottom portion, and a thickness of the linear rib tapers from the radial-inward apex to the recessed bottom portion.

11. A cleaning member for use in a sample testing system that includes an automated transport arm having a working end, a test receptacle support structure comprising a test receptacle well having an open bottom end and configured to have a test receptacle seated therein, and an optical fiber having an end proximate to the open bottom end of the test receptacle well, comprising:
a non-absorbent distal cleaning element having:
an open proximal end,
an interior cavity depending form the open proximal end,
a distal end surface, and
an outer side surface extending form the distal end surface to the open proximal end; and

a proximal coupling element having:
a proximal end portion dimensioned to form a frictional fit with the working end of the automated transport arm,
a distally projecting extension member configured to be inserted into the interior cavity of the distal cleaning element to join the proximal coupling element to the distal cleaning element, and
a ring disposed proximal to the extension member, the ring protruding in a radially outward direction beyond the extension member such that the ring is configured to abut the proximal end of the distal cleaning element when the distal cleaning element is joined to the proximal coupling element,

wherein the outer side surface and the distal end surface of the distal cleaning element define a frustoconical shape configured to be inserted into the test receptacle well such that the outer side surface is configured to attract particulates or other materials on an interior surface of the test receptacle well and the distal end surface is configured to attract particulates or other materials on the end of the optical fiber when the distal cleaning element is inserted into the test receptacle well.

12. The cleaning member of claim 11 , wherein the extension member comprises a radially extending protuberance dimensioned to form an interference fit with the distal cleaning element when the distal cleaning element is joined to the proximal coupling element.

13. The cleaning member of claim 11 , wherein the proximal end portion of the proximal coupling element includes:
an open proximal end, and
a body defining an interior recess depending from the open proximal end of the proximal coupling element.

14. The cleaning member of claim 13 , wherein the ring protrudes form an exterior surface of the body of the proximal end portion.

Assignees

• Gen Probe Inc

Inventors

• Hagen Norbert D
• Knight Byron
• Opalsky David

Classifications

• G01N2035/00277

  Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material) · CPC title

• G01N35/0092

  Scheduling · CPC title

• G01N35/00871

  Communications between instruments or with remote terminals · CPC title

• G01N35/00623

  of instruments · CPC title

• B08B1/00

  Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools (cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B9/00) · CPC title