Reagent Tube

Abstract

A reagent tube configured with a stellated shaped pattern, on its bottom interior surface, configured to facilitate complete or near-complete withdrawal of fluid from the tube, via a pipette tip. The reagent tube may be used for transporting reagents and for carrying out processing operations on biological samples with the reagents, such as preparing polynucleotides extracted from the sample for amplification.

1 . A reagent tube, comprising:
 a pattern of ridges extending radially and centered at the bottom of the interior surface of the tube.   
     
     
         2 . The tube of  claim 2 , wherein the number of ridges is selected from 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 12. 
     
     
         3 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the ridges do not meet one another at a center of the pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein each of the ridges has a width, wherein the width tapers from a widest point to an apex. 
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 4 , wherein the widest point is closest to a center of the stellated pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 4 , wherein the widest point has a width of 50 microns. 
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein each of the ridges has a height, wherein the height tapers from a highest point to an apex. 
     
     
         8 . The tube of  claim 7 , wherein the highest point is closest to a center of the stellated pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The tube of  claim 7 , wherein the highest point has a height of 25-50 microns. 
     
     
         10 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein each of the ridges has a length, measured as the shortest distance from its widest point to its apex. 
     
     
         11 . The tube of  claim 10 , wherein the length is 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the stellated pattern has a rotation axis of symmetry, the axis disposed perpendicular to the bottom of the tube, and wherein the ridges are disposed symmetrically about the rotation axis. 
     
     
         13 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein the stellated pattern additionally comprises a circular cutout at the center of the bottom of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The tube of  claim 1 , having a volume of 0.3 ml. 
     
     
         15 . The tube of  claim 1 , having a volume of between 0.1 ml to 0.65 ml 
     
     
         16 . The reagent tube of  claim 1 , wherein the stellated pattern is designed to enable liquid to be pipetted out of the tube, with less than 1 microliter of residual volume. 
     
     
         17 . The reagent tube of  claim 1 , where the top of the reagent tube has chamfer edges to reduce expansion of the top rim of the tube during heat sealing of a foil on the top of the tube. 
     
     
         18 . The reagent tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a reagent contained therein, and wherein the tube is sealed on top by a foil. 
     
     
         19 . The reagent tube of  claim 18 , further comprising an identifiable code on the top. 
     
     
         20 . The reagent tube of  claim 18 , wherein the reagent is in liquid or lyophilized form.