Patent Publication Number: US-10758211-B2

Title: Container and cap for a biological specimen

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/788,970, filed Jul. 1, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/672,205, filed on Nov. 8, 2012, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/557,011, filed Nov. 8, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a container, an assembly, a system, and a method for collecting a biological specimen, such as cytological samples. 
     Specimen containers, such as vials and associated caps, are routinely used for collecting biological specimens, such as cytological samples. For example, a biological specimen may be obtained from the cervix or vagina using a brush in conjunction with a pap smear test to screen for and detect cervical cancer, pre-cancerous lesions, atypical cells, and other cytological categories. The brush may then be placed in the vial so as to transfer the sample into the vial for subsequent processing and analysis (e.g., vortex mixing, aspiration, and slide analysis). In some instances, the brush is detachable and left in the vial. 
     Undesirable materials, however, such as mucous, may adhere to the brush when obtaining the sample, thereby being deposited in the vial, which can interfere with subsequent processing. As such, a need exists for an apparatus configured to minimize the interference from undesirable materials, such as mucous, that facilitates the collection and processing of a biological sample. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a container, an assembly, a system, and a method for collecting a biological specimen. In one embodiment, a container for collecting a biological specimen is provided. The container may include a peripheral wall extending from a base, wherein the peripheral wall and base define an interior surface and an exterior surface. The container may further include a longitudinal tower disposed within the container, wherein the tower forms a partition within the container to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber therein, wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. In some embodiments, the container may include an insert disposed within the container opposite the base, the insert comprising at least a first opening and a second opening defined therein, wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to the second chamber and is further configured to engage a specimen collecting device to thereby leave a portion of the specimen collecting device within the second chamber, and wherein the first opening is configured to provide access to the first chamber and is further configured to receive a syringe therein for accessing the biological specimen. 
     In some embodiments, the container may further comprise a notch defined in the exterior surface and configured to position the apparatus in subsequent processing. The container may further include a tower disposed within the container such that the first chamber is located approximately radially opposite from the notch. In some embodiments, the tower may further comprise a base edge adjacent to the base and at least two longitudinal edges extending therefrom and to the insert, wherein the base edge and the at least two longitudinal edges do not contact the interior surface of the peripheral wall. According to some embodiments, the base may be sloped downwards towards the base edge of the tower. 
     According to some embodiments, the first and second chambers may be in fluid communication with one another along the entire length of the at least two longitudinal edges of the tower. In some embodiments, the insert may be integrally formed with the interior surface of the peripheral wall of the container. The top edge of the tower may be coupled to the insert. In some embodiments, the first chamber may have a volume smaller than the volume of the second chamber. In some embodiments, the peripheral wall may be cylindrical in shape. Further, the longitudinal tower may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the peripheral wall. In some embodiments, the first and second openings of the insert might not be in fluid communication with one another. 
     In some embodiments, a system for collecting a biological specimen is provided. The system may comprise a container for collecting a biological specimen comprising a peripheral wall extending from a base, wherein the peripheral wall and the base define an interior surface and an exterior surface. The system may further include a longitudinal tower disposed within the container, wherein the tower forms a partition within the container to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber therein, wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. In some embodiments, the system may include an insert disposed within the container opposite the base, the insert comprising at least a first opening and a second opening defined therein, wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to the second chamber and is further configured to engage a specimen collecting device to thereby leave a portion of the specimen collecting device within the second chamber, and wherein the first opening is configured to provide access to the first chamber and is further configured to receive a syringe therein for accessing the biological specimen. According to some embodiments, the system may further include a cap configured to cover the first and second openings and sealingly engage the peripheral wall, the cap including at least one engageable member configured to be engaged for securing and unsecuring the cap to the container. 
     In some embodiments, the system may include a specimen collecting device configured to obtain a biological specimen from a patient and transfer the biological specimen to the container. In addition, the specimen collecting device may include a container having a peripheral wall that further comprises a flange and a threaded exterior surface disposed opposite from the base. The container may include a notch defined by the exterior surface and configured to position the system in subsequent processing. According to some embodiments, the tower may further comprise a base edge adjacent to the base and at least two longitudinal edges extending therefrom and to the insert, wherein the base edge and at least the two longitudinal edges do not contact the interior surface of the peripheral wall. The base may be sloped downwards towards the base edge. In some embodiments, the first and second chambers may be in fluid communication with one another along the entire length of the at least two longitudinal edges. 
     According to some embodiments, the insert may be integrally formed with the interior surface of the peripheral wall of the container. The top edge of the tower may be coupled to the insert. In some embodiments, the longitudinal tower may extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the peripheral wall. The system may further include an insert comprising a first and second opening defined therein, wherein the first and second openings are not in direct fluid communication with one another. In some embodiments, the cap including at least one engageable member configured to be engaged by a chuck for securing and unsecuring the cap to the container may include an engageable member comprising a plurality of fingers equally-spaced around and extending inwards from the circumference of the cap. The plurality of fingers may be configured to be engaged by a chuck for securing and unsecuring the cap to the container. According to some embodiments, the cap may comprise a central portion that is configured to be pierceable by a piercing instrument. 
     According to some embodiments, a method for collecting a biologic specimen is provided. The method may include obtaining a biological specimen with a biological specimen device. The method may further include inserting the biological specimen device into a container, the container comprising a peripheral wall extending from a base, wherein the peripheral wall and the base define an interior surface and an exterior surface. In some embodiments, the container may include a longitudinal tower disposed within the container, wherein the tower forms a partition within the container to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber therein, wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. According to some embodiments, the container may further include an insert disposed within the container opposite the base, wherein the insert comprises at least a first opening and a second opening defined therein, wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to the second chamber and is further configured to engage a specimen collecting device to thereby leave a portion of the specimen collecting device within the second chamber, and wherein the first opening is configured to provide access to the first chamber and is further configured to receive a syringe therein for accessing the biological specimen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a specimen container assembly configured for collecting a biological specimen according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a container configured for receiving and storing a biological specimen according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the container shown in  FIG. 2  according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a container configured for receiving and storing a biological specimen according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the container shown in  FIG. 4  according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a specimen container engaged with a sampling apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a specimen container engaged with a sampling apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6C  illustrates a specimen container engaged with a sampling apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cap according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cap engaged with a chuck configured to disengage the cap from the specimen container according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a sectional view of the cap engaged with a chuck shown in  FIG. 8  according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a sectional view of the specimen container assembly configured for collecting a biological specimen according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a specimen container engaged with a specimen collection device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The terms top, bottom, side, up, down, upwards, downwards, vertical, horizontal, and the like, to the extent used herein, do not imply a required limitation in all embodiments of the present invention, but rather are used herein to help describe relative direction and/or orientation in the example embodiments illustrated in the figures. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention generally provide for an assembly for collecting, identifying, storing and preventing contamination of a biological sample, wherein the assembly generally includes a specimen container and a cap. For example, a specimen container may be configured to receive a biological sample therein from a specimen collection device, such as a brush or swab. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may facilitate the collection and/or storage of a biological sample within the container, such as a cytological sample obtained from the cervix and/or vagina with a specimen collection device. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may provide for the reduction in contamination of a biological specimen by providing a closed environment for storing the biological specimen. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to provide accurate and efficient sample access, handling, and/or identification, such as during automated processes. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 1  illustrates a specimen sample container assembly  10  that includes a container or vial  100  and a cap  200 . According to one embodiment, the vial  100  and cap  200  may be configured to engage one another so as to collect, store, seal and/or preserve the specimen within the vial. Specifically, the cap  200  may be configured to be removably coupled to the vial  100  such that when the cap is coupled with the vial, the vial and cap create a closed and/or sealed environment preventing the contamination of a biological specimen stored therein. As such,  FIG. 1  illustrates the specimen sample container assembly  10  according to one embodiment, wherein the vial  100  and cap  200  are secureably coupled to one another creating such a closed and/or sealed environment. In some embodiments, the vial  100  may include a base  102  and a perimeter wall  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The perimeter wall  104  may extend vertically from the base  102  and define an interior surface  106  and an exterior surface  108 . Although  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment where the perimeter wall  104  may be cylindrical in shape, one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the perimeter wall may include a variety of shapes. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention that includes a vial  100  having a flange  110  and a threaded surface  112  disposed on the exterior surface  108  defined by the perimeter wall  104  of the vial. According to one embodiment, the threaded surface  112  may be disposed vertically above the flange  110 . The flange  110  and the threaded surface  112  may be configured to engage and secure the cap  200  to the vial  100 . Although a threaded engagement between the vial  100  and cap  200  is described, it is understood that other engagement mechanisms may be employed, such as a snap, slotted, or twist-fit connection. 
     In some embodiments, the vial  100  may further include an alignment feature, such as a notch  114 . According to some embodiments, the notch  114  may be defined, in part, by the perimeter wall  104  of the vial  100 . In another embodiment, the notch  114  may be additionally defined, in part, by the base  102  of the vial  100 . The notch  114  may be vertically disposed proximate to an end of the vial  100  opposite from the threaded surface  112  and/or flange  110 . In some embodiments, the notch  114  may provide for orienting the vial  100  in subsequent automated processing, such as for loading the vial in a tray, accessing the contents of the vial and/or the like. For example, the notch  114  may be engaged by a corresponding engagement feature in a tray such that each vial  100  placed within the tray is oriented in a similar direction. 
     In some embodiments, the vial  100  may further include a tower  120  that extends upwardly from the base  102  of the vial, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . According to some embodiments, the tower  120  may be configured to partition the interior volume of the vial  100  into two separate chambers. Specifically, the tower  120  may partially define a first chamber  130  and a second chamber  132  within the vial  100 , wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. According to some embodiments, the interior surface  106  of the perimeter wall  104  of the vial  100  may cooperate with the tower  120  to further define the first and second chambers  130 ,  132 . Thus, the interior surface  106  and tower  120  may collectively define the first and second chambers  130 ,  132 . In some embodiments, the first chamber  130  may be disposed approximately radially opposite from the notch  114 . Accordingly, when the vial  100  is aligned in a particular orientation via the notch  114 , the first chamber  130  will always be disposed in a known position such that access to the first chamber during, for example, aspiration or mixing of a biological specimen within the first chamber, will be efficient, repeatable and/or accurate. In some embodiments, the first chamber  130  may have a volume smaller than the volume of the second chamber  132 . However, it is understood that the volumes of the first and second chambers  130 ,  132  could be the same or about the same, or the second chamber may have a smaller volume than the first chamber in some circumstances. 
     The tower  120  may include a top edge  122 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the tower  120  may include at least one longitudinal edge  126 . For example, the tower  120  may have a pair of longitudinal edges on opposite sides thereof, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the tower  120  may include a base edge  124  (see e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 6A-6C ). At least one longitudinal edge  126  may extend vertically upward from the base edge  124  of the tower  120 . In some embodiments, the base edge  124  of the tower may be spaced apart from the interior surface  106  of the perimeter wall  104  such that the base edge does not contact the perimeter wall. Thus, the base edge  124  of the tower  120  may be formed or otherwise coupled to a base interior surface  134  of the vial  100  but not the interior surface  106 . According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the longitudinal edge  126  may be spaced apart from the interior surface  106  of the perimeter wall  104  of the vial  100  so as to define at least one opening  118  between the first and second chambers  130 ,  132 .  FIG. 3  illustrates that an opening  118  may be defined along each longitudinal edge  126 . As such, the at least one opening  118  provides for fluid communication between the first and second chambers  130 ,  132 . In some embodiments, the entire length of the longitudinal edge  126  may be spaced apart from the interior surface  106  of the perimeter wall  104  such that the opening  118  also extends along the entire length of the longitudinal edge. Accordingly, the first chamber  130  and the second chamber  132  may be in fluid communication with one another along the entire length of the longitudinal edge  126 . 
     Accordingly, a specimen collection device  360 , such as a brush, may be placed within the second chamber  132  such that the vial  100  receives a biological specimen therein, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In some embodiments, the brush may include a detachable brush head  362  that may be configured to detach from the specimen collection device and remain within the second chamber  132  of the vial  100 . According to one embodiment, the tower  120  may be configured to provide access for accessing the biological specimen via the first chamber  130  without contacting the detachable brush head of a specimen collection device disposed within the second chamber  132  of the vial  100 . 
     According to another embodiment, the vial base  102  may define a base interior surface  134  that also defines the first and second chambers  130 ,  132 . In some embodiments, the base interior surface  134  may be sloped and/or angled towards the tower  120  of the vial  100 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . In some embodiments, the notch  114  may be disposed opposite from the tower  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 10 . As such, the base interior surface  134  may define a downward slope such that the elevation of the base interior surface  134  disposed proximate to the notch  114  has a higher elevation than the base interior surface disposed proximate to the tower  120 . Accordingly, the downward slope of the base interior surface  134  may provide for as much volume of a specimen to be aspirated from the vial  100 , as gravity may assist in encouraging a greater quantity of the biological specimen to be disposed within the first chamber  130  of the vial. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a vial  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The vial  100  includes an insert  140  disposed within the vial. According to some embodiments, the insert  140  may be integrally formed with the interior surface  106  of the peripheral wall  104  of the vial  100 . In some embodiments, the insert  140  may be a separate component engaged or otherwise coupled to the interior surface  106 . According to some embodiments, the insert  140  may be a separate component engaged or otherwise coupled with the tower  120 . In some embodiments, the insert  140  may be integrally formed with the tower  120 , as well as the interior surface  106  of the peripheral wall  104  of the vial  100 . As discussed above, the tower  120  defines one or more openings  118  along the longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, an opening  118  is also defined between the base edge  124  of the tower  120  and the base interior surface  134 . Thus, the tower  120  may not engage the base interior surface  134  when engaged with the insert  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the insert  140  may define at least a first opening  142  and a second opening  144 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . According to some embodiments, the first opening  142  and second opening  144  are not in direct fluid communication with one another. Thus, the insert  140  may define separate openings  142 ,  144  that are only in fluid communication indirectly, such as via one or more openings  118  defined between the tower  120  and the interior surface  106  and base interior surface  134 . Further, the first opening  142  may be configured to provide access to the first chamber  130 , while the second opening  144  may be configured to provide access to the second chamber  132 . In addition, the second opening  144  may be shaped such that a portion of the insert  140  extends between the second opening and the interior surface  106  of the peripheral wall  104  of the vial  100 . As such, the second opening  144  may be configured to receive a specimen collection device, such as a brush, swab and/or the like, therethrough. In addition, in an instance where a specimen collection device  360  includes a detachable portion, such as a brush with a detachable brush head  362 , the second opening  144  may be configured to assist in detaching the detachable portion of the specimen collection device such that the detachable portion of the specimen collection device remains within the second chamber  132 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Specifically, the portion of the insert  140  disposed between the second opening  144  and the interior surface  106  of the peripheral wall  104  may define an engagement surface that provides a resistive force to the detachable portion of the specimen collection device as the specimen collection device is being removed from the second chamber  132 . For example, a brush  360  with a detachable brush head  362  may be inserted through the second opening  144  to provide the specimen sample to the vial  100 . The brush may then be rotated and pulled upwardly so as to engage the insert  140  and detach the brush head within the vial  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the tower  120  may extend vertically to different heights within the vial  100 . In this regard, the tower  120  may extend any desired distance between the base  102  and a top edge of the vial  100 . For example, the tower  120  may extend vertically approximately three-quarters of the length of the vial  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . According to another embodiment, the tower  120  may extend vertically to approximately the length of the vial  100  from the vial base  102  proximate to the flange  110 , such as to a horizontal plane that is co-planar with the flange  110  of the vial, as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C . In addition, the tower  120  may be coupled and/or integrally formed with the insert  140 , while extending from the vial base  102 , as shown in  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6C  illustrates one embodiment where the tower  120  extends from the vial base  102  proximate to the flange  110 , such as to a horizontal plane that is co-planar with the flange  110  of the vial  100  that does not include an insert  140 . According to some embodiments, the tower  120  may extend vertically and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the perimeter wall  104 . In addition, the tower  120  may include a generally C- or U-shaped cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. However, the tower  120  may include different shapes and sizes depending on the particular specimen to be contained and accessed. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cap  200  configured to engage a vial (such as those described above) so as to create a sealed and/or closed environment for storing a biological specimen. Specifically, the cap  200  may include an interior surface  208 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , configured to engage the outer surface  112  of the vial  100  so as to create a closed environment for storing the biological specimen. According to some embodiments, the interior surface of the cap  200  may include a reciprocal threaded interior surface configured to engage the threaded surface  112  of the vial  100 . It is understood that the engagement may be accomplished using other mechanisms as discussed above, and the threaded engagement could be reversed if desired (i.e., the interior surface of the vial may be threaded and configured to engage a reciprocal cap surface, such as a threaded outer cap surface). 
     According to some embodiments, the cap  200  may include a pierceable surface  202 . The pierceable surface  202  may include a portion of the cap  200  that includes a thinner dimension than other portions of the cap. For example, the pierceable surface  202  may be located generally in a central portion of the cap  200 , although one or more pierceable surfaces could be defined to align with the first and/or second chambers  130 ,  132 . As such, the pierceable surface  202  may be configured to be pierced by an instrument, such as a pipette, syringe, needle and/or the like. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pierceable surface  202  may be pierced by an instrument such that a specimen may be aspirated from the vial  100  when the vial and cap  200  are sealingly engaged with one another. Accordingly, the contents of the container  10  may be accessed when the vial  100  and cap  200  are sealingly engaged with one another. In some embodiments, the pierceable surface  202  of the cap  200  may be pierced so as to allow for the introduction of a specimen into the container  10  when the vial  100  and cap are sealingly engaged with one another. In some embodiments, the pierceable surface  202  may be defined to align with the first chamber  130  such that an instrument, such as a syringe, may pierce the pierceable surface, mix the specimen sample, and/or aspirate at least a portion of the specimen without contacting a detachable portion of a specimen collection device, such as a detachable brush head, disposed within the second chamber  132  while the vial and cap are sealingly engaged with one another. 
     In some embodiments, the cap  200  may further include at least one finger  204  configured to be engaged by an engagement member, such as a chuck  250 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . According to some embodiments, the cap  200  may include at least three fingers  204  equally spaced circumferentially around the cap. Specifically, the fingers  204  may be disposed at approximately 0, 120, and 240 degrees around the circumference of the cap  200 . In some embodiments, the chuck  250  may include at least an equal number of chuck fingers  252  configured to engaged the fingers  204  of the cap  200  (e.g., one or more fingers  252 ). As such, the chuck fingers  252  may engage the fingers  204  so as to disengage the cap  200  from the vial  100 . In some embodiments, the chuck fingers  252  may be configured to engage the fingers  204  of the cap  200  by rotating the chuck fingers in a direction opposite from each of the finger openings  206  defined by the respective fingers  204 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the chuck fingers  252  may rotate in a counter-clockwise direction to engage the fingers  204  of the cap  200 , and may rotate in a clockwise direction to disengage the fingers of the cap. In some embodiments, the chuck  250  may be configured to temporarily disengage the cap  200  from the vial  100  while maintaining engagement of the cap, and subsequently re-engage the cap to the vial. According to some embodiments, the chuck  250  may be configured to disengage the cap  200  from the vial  100  in an automated process and re-engage the cap to the vial in another automated process. Specifically, the chuck  250  may be configured to disengage the cap  200  from the vial  100  to allow for a specimen to be placed, removed, processed and/or otherwise handled within the vial. 
     According to some embodiments, the container assembly  10  may further include indicia  370 , such as a label, attached thereto, as shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, the indicia may include a visible identifier for identifying and/or facilitating chain of custody of the container assembly  10 . Specifically, the indicia may include a tear-off portion with identifying information that corresponds to identifying information on the indicia remaining on the container assembly  10 . In some embodiments, the indicia may include a barcode identifier or other identifier on both the portion of the indicia that remains disposed on the container assembly  10  and the tear-off portion of the indicia. Accordingly, the visual identifier, such as the barcode identifier, may assist in maintaining chain-of-custody controls while a specimen sample is tested via an automated processing machine and/or other manual processes. According to some embodiments, the tear-off portion of the indicia may be configured to affix to forms and/or documents to be used for processing and identification. As such, rather than generating labels in a processing center and affixing the labels to both the containers  10  and forms and/or other documents, the containers may be provided to the processing center with the indicia affixed thereto, thereby minimizing potential for mislabeling and other chain-of-custody issues. Although  FIG. 2  illustrates the indicia  370  is shown to be affixed to the container  100 , in some embodiments, the indicia may be affixed to a container cap  200 . In another embodiment, the indicia may be affixed to both the container vial  100  and the container cap  200 . 
     As such, embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages, such as facilitating placement of a specimen and a specimen collection device within the specimen container. For example, according to some embodiments, the insert may facilitate placement of a detachable portion of the specimen collection device within one chamber while a tower disposed within the container allows for accessing the specimen in another chamber without disturbing and/or contacting the detachable portion of the specimen collection device. As such, some embodiments of the present invention may advantageously prevent cross-contamination of a specimen sample and/or may advantageously provide for the collection of the specimen sample without obstruction from a specimen collection device. Moreover, the tower may effectively delineate the container such that a portion of the sample is accessible (e.g., with a syringe) without interference from undesirable materials, such as mucous. 
     In some embodiments, the specimen container assembly may advantageously facilitate the placement of the specimen container within a sample tray configured to receive a number of specimen containers. According to some embodiments, an alignment feature, such as a notch, may be configured such that a specimen container including a notch may only be fully seated within a sample tray when the notch aligns with a reciprocal feature of the sample tray. Accordingly, the specimen container may be disposed correctly within a sample tray only when oriented in a particular fashion. As such, the specimen container may be positioned within the sample tray such that a first chamber for accessing the specimen stored within the container is positioned only at a particular location when the specimen container is fully seated within a sample tray. Thus, the specimen container assembly may advantageously provide a known path for aspirating and/or mixing a specimen sample with a syringe as the specimen container may only be disposed in a particular orientation. 
     Further, some embodiments of the present invention may advantageously provide for efficient capping and de-capping of a specimen container. For example, a container cap may include a plurality of fingers that are configured to engage an engagement member, such as a chuck, such that the container cap may be rotated and/or removed from the specimen container in an automated process. Some embodiments of the present invention may also provide for the engagement member to remain engaged with the container cap after the cap has been removed to facilitate the re-capping of the specimen container after a specimen sample has been aspirated. As such, some embodiments advantageously provide for a specimen container to be sealed with a cap previously engaged with the specimen container to prevent cross-contamination. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.