EXTRACTION CONTAINER

Abstract

An extraction container includes a molded tubular body having openings at opposing first and second end thereof. A base cap is configured to obstruct a base opening disposed at the base of the tubular body. The base cap is integrally molded with the tubular body and connected thereto by a frangible connection. The base cap can be removed by breaking the frangible connection to de-obstruct the second opening. The first base cap and tubular body include integrally molded engagement features to permit the base cap to be reattached to the tubular body to re-obstruct the base opening. A removable foil or polymer seal obstructs a top opening disposed at the top end of the tubular body. A top cap and hinge are integrally molded with the tubular body and configured to re-obstruct the top opening following removal of the seal.

Description

Claims

1. A method comprising: removing a removable seal sealing an access opening of a generally tubular body thereby exposing a liquid disposed within the generally tubular container;combining a sample comprising a target with the exposed liquid thereby forming a liquid mixture of the sample and the liquid within the generally tubular body;resealing the access opening with a lid comprising (i) a dispensing opening and (ii) a securing component that obstructs the dispensing opening and is secured to the lid via a frangible connection;with the access opening resealed with the lid, heating the liquid mixture within the generally tubular container to a temperature of at least about 100° C., wherein the lid and the securing component essentially prevent liquid of the liquid mixture or gas within the generally tubular body from leaking or escaping therefrom during the heating; andafter heating the liquid mixture, opening the dispensing opening by breaking the frangible connection between the securing component and the lid and then dispensing at least some of the liquid mixture from the generally tubular body through the dispensing opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generally tubular container and the lid including the securing component are made of a polymer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing component is a cap and the method further includes resecuring the cap to the lid to reseal the dispensing opening after dispensing the at least some liquid mixture.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes subjecting the at least some dispensed liquid mixture to an assay to determine the presence and/or amount of the target.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the target is indicative of a pathogen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating comprises subjecting the liquid mixture within the generally tubular body to microwave radiation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating comprises heating the liquid mixture to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to lyse bacterial cells within the liquid mixture.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of heating comprises heating the liquid mixture to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to lyse bacterial cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and/or a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the target is indicative of at least one of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and/or a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus and the method further includes subjecting the at least some dispensed liquid mixture to an assay to determine the presence and/or amount of the target.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating step comprises heating the liquid mixture for a period of less than about 200 seconds and more than about 60 seconds.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating step comprises heating the liquid mixture to a temperature that is at least about 115° C. and less than about 150° C.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the total volume of the liquid mixture within the tubular body during the heating step is less than about 50 µL.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the heating step, no more than about 0.5% of the total mass of the liquid mixture present at the start of the heating step escapes or leaks from the tubular body.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, during the heating step, less than about 0.25% of the total mass of the liquid mixture present at the start of the heating step escapes or leaks from the tubular body.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of dispensing comprises squeezing an exterior surface of the tubular body between fingers of a user to increase a gas pressure therein and dispense the at least some liquid mixture through the dispensing opening.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a filter and the step of dispensing comprises passing the at least some liquid mixture through the filter.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid within the tubular body comprises at least one of buffer, universal transport media (UTM), Viral Transport Media (VTM) or lysis medium.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample comprises at least one of saliva, mucous, sputum, or blood.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the removable seal comprises one or more layers comprising a liquid-impermeable metal foil and/or a liquid-impermeable polymer film.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the tubular body defines a multifoil.