US 12,306,091 B2
Non-absorbent cleaning member with transport arm working end coupling element for use in a sample testing system
Norbert D. Hagen, Carlsbad, CA (US); Byron Knight, San Diego, CA (US); and David Opalsky, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on May 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 15/930,131.
Application 15/930,131 is a continuation of application No. 15/709,200, filed on Sep. 19, 2017, granted, now 10,656,077.
Application 15/709,200 is a continuation of application No. 15/094,227, filed on Apr. 8, 2016, granted, now 9,810,622, issued on Nov. 7, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/145,247, filed on Apr. 9, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0271568 A1, Aug. 27, 2020
Int. Cl. G01N 35/00 (2006.01); B08B 1/00 (2006.01); B08B 9/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/15 (2006.01); G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/15 (2013.01) [B08B 1/00 (2013.01); B08B 9/00 (2013.01); G01N 35/00623 (2013.01); G01N 35/00871 (2013.01); G01N 35/0092 (2013.01); G02B 6/3866 (2013.01); B08B 2240/02 (2013.01); G01N 2021/152 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00277 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.
 
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.