Sample processing device with resealable process chamber

Abstract

Devices including resealable film used to define the volume of one or more process chambers in a sample processing device are disclosed. The resealable films provide for controlled puncture, followed by resealing of the puncture site such that the process chamber remains substantially isolated from the surrounding environment. The present invention also provides methods of manufacturing sample processing devices using resealable films, as well as methods of transferring sample materials into or out of a process chamber through a resealable film.

1 . A sample processing device comprising: 
 a body comprising at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;    resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume; and    friction modifying material on the external surface of the resealable film or friction modifying material incorporated into the resealable film, wherein the incorporated friction modifying material is chosen because it substantially migrates to the external surface of the resealable film.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises silicone.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises adhesive.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the resealable film comprises two outer layers and at least one inner layer forming a core layer between the two outer layers.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and at least one of the outer layers comprises plastic material.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and the two outer layers comprise plastic material.  
     
     
         8 . A sample processing device comprising: 
 a body comprising at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume; and    resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume, wherein the resealable film comprises plastic material forming a first layer and elastomeric material forming a second layer attached to the first layer.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the resealable film comprises a third layer formed of a plastic material, wherein the second layer comprises a core layer located between the first layer and the third layer.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a sample processing device, the method comprising: 
 providing a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;    attaching resealable film to the body, wherein the resealable film comprises an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume; and    providing friction modifying material on the external surface of the resealable film to provide a targeted level of at least one of: the friction between the resealable film and a puncturing object, the flexural rigidity of the resealable film, the recovering stress of the resealable film, and the elongation at break of the resealable film.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises silicone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises adhesive.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the resealable film comprises two outer layers and at least one inner layer forming a core layer between the two outer layers.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and at least one of the outer layers comprises plastic material.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and the two outer layers comprise plastic material.  
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a sample processing device, the method comprising: 
 providing a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;    attaching resealable film to the body, wherein the resealable film comprises an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume; and    providing friction modifying material incorporated into the resealable film, wherein the incorporated friction modifying material is chosen because it substantially migrates to the external surface of the resealable film to provide a targeted level of at least one of: the friction between the resealable film and a puncturing object, the flexural rigidity of the resealable film, the recovering stress of the resealable film, and the elongation at break of the resealable film.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises silicone.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises adhesive.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the resealable film comprises two outer layers and at least one inner layer forming a core layer between the two outer layers.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and at least one of the outer layers comprises plastic material.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and the two outer layers comprise plastic material.  
     
     
         24 . A method of transferring sample material, the method comprising: 
 providing a sample processing device comprising: 
 a body that comprises at least one process chamber comprising a process chamber volume;  
 resealable film attached to the body, the resealable film comprising an internal surface defining a portion of the process chamber volume and an external surface facing away from the process chamber volume;  
   puncturing the resealable film with a fluid transfer device to form an opening in the resealable film;    inserting the fluid transfer device through the opening in the resealable film, wherein a portion of the fluid transfer device is located within the process chamber volume;    transferring sample material into or out of the process chamber using the fluid transfer device; and    removing the fluid transfer device from the process chamber, wherein the resealable film reseals the opening after removal of the fluid transfer device.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the opening comprises a circumference that is less than 20% of the circumference of the fluid transfer device.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fluid transfer device comprises a pipette tip.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fluid transfer device comprises a needle.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the sample material comprises biological sample material.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the resealable film comprises friction modifying material on the external surface of the resealable film or friction modifying material incorporated into the resealable film, wherein the incorporated friction modifying material is chosen because it substantially migrates to the external surface of the resealable film.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises a lubricant.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises silicone.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the friction modifying material comprises adhesive.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the resealable film comprises two outer layers and at least one inner layer forming a core layer between the two outer layers.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and at least one of the outer layers comprises plastic material.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the core layer comprises elastomeric material and the two outer layers comprise plastic material.