Patent ID: 11918998
Assignee: BIOMÉRIEUX
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC B  C  G | IPC B  C  G

Claim 0:
1. An assembly for sample preparation comprising:
a separation container configured to separate a sample during centrifugation and extract a portion of the sample for use or testing, the separation container comprising
a body defining an internal chamber, a first opening at a first end of the body, and a second opening at a second end of the body, the second end disposed opposite the first end,
a seal disposed across the first opening,
a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the body and configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample,
a retainer attached to the body and securing the plunger in a predetermined vertical position when engaged to prevent the plunger from piercing the seal during centrifugation, and
a flexible sealing member disposed at the second end of the body, the flexible sealing member at least partially covering the second opening, wherein the plunger is configured to extend at least partially into the flexible sealing member, such that the flexible sealing member is configured to be compressed to actuate the plunger when the retainer is disengaged from the plunger; and

a sample collection vessel configured to removably and sealably engage the separation container proximate to the first end of the body and receive an extracted portion of the sample from the internal chamber of the body via the first opening of the body,
wherein the plunger defines a point at a first distal end of a longitudinal member of the plunger wherein the point is configured to pierce the seal to allow fluid communication between the body of the separation container and the sample collection vessel to extract the portion of the sample from the separation container.