US 12,303,902 B2
Point-of-care diagnostic systems and containers for same
Michael Fletcher, Portland, ME (US); David L. Connolly, Eliot, ME (US); Anne Leavitt, Gorham, ME (US); Matthew M. Furtney, Freeport, ME (US); Christopher Labak, Brookline, NH (US); Christopher Aiston, Mont Vernon, NH (US); and Daniel O'Sullivan, Mont Vernon, NH (US)
Assigned to IDEXX LABORATORIES INC., Westbrook, ME (US)
Filed by IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME (US)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/836,474.
Application 17/836,474 is a continuation of application No. 16/378,483, filed on Apr. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,358,148.
Application 16/378,483 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/941,596, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, granted, now 11,541,396.
Prior Publication US 2022/0339631 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/523 (2013.01) [B01L 3/527 (2013.01); B01L 2200/026 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A container engagement device for engaging a container configured to hold a fluid utilized in a diagnostic process, the container engagement device comprising:
a hub configured to be fixed in a wall, the hub defining a plurality of guide slots;
at least one needle secured to the hub and protruding from the hub, the at least one needle configured to puncture the container;
a needle cover slideably coupled with the hub, the needle cover comprising:
a cap defining at least one aperture corresponding to the at least one needle, and
a plurality of glide posts extending from the cap,
wherein individual glide posts of the plurality of glide posts are positioned at least partially within individual guide slots of the plurality of guide slots of the hub, the plurality of glide posts configured to slide along the plurality of guide slots;
an engagement arm having a base portion secured to the hub and a grasping portion; and
a spring positioned between the hub and the cap of the needle cover, the spring having a first compressed state in which the spring pushes the cap against the grasping portion of the engagement arm such that, in the first compressed state of the spring, the grasping portion grasps the cap and maintains the spring in the first compressed state,
wherein in the first compressed state of the spring, the at least one needle is covered by the cap such that the at least one needle extends from the hub and terminates prior to the at least one aperture of the cap.