Multi-chamber lid device with reagent port

Abstract

A lid device for a multi-chamber container. The cover device has a top cover hingedly attached to the bottom cap. The top cap includes one or more openings for filling a fluid of the plurality of channels extending from the bottom cap. The lower bottom cap includes a welding feature for welding to the multi-chamber container. The bottom cap also includes one or more auxiliary ports for injecting a reagent when the lid device is in a closed configuration sealingly attached to the multi-chamber sample container.

Description

Background Art

[0001] In the sample testing industry, multi-chamber containers with hinged lids are used. These lids may have multiple filling ports, typically one for each chamber of the container. In particular, this enables each chamber of the container to be filled simultaneously.

[0002] Usually, this lid is molded by polymer material, and then for example is fixed to container by ultrasonic welding.The unique physical property and user requirements of this multi-chamber lid device cause difficulty in both manufacture and use.Usually, this lid is suitable for use with specific container and reagent filling system, and has limited versatility in use, for example, this lid does not allow user to add third party reagent usually.The application solves these problems and other problems. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some embodiments of the present application provide a device comprising: a top cover having a main opening, wherein the top cover comprises a hinged end and a snap-fit ​​end; and a bottom cap hingedly attached to the top cover, the bottom cap comprising an upper side and a lower side. The lower side comprises an interface feature for sealingly coupling with a multi-chamber container, while the top side comprises a plurality of channels and openings to facilitate automated use of the cover and container, and also comprises an auxiliary port allowing a user to add a third-party reagent.

[0004] The underside of the bottom cap may include a lower main surface, an outermost edge extending downward from the lower main surface. A plurality of outermost edge alignment features may extend downward from the lower main surface. A continuous external welding ridge may extend downward from the lower side between the outermost edge and the alignment feature. A plurality of walls may define a separate chamber for each of a plurality of channels. The plurality of walls may extend from the bottom surface of the cap. An internal welding pattern may extend from the end of the wall and from the lower main surface. The internal welding pattern may be patterned so that each chamber defined by the plurality of walls is surrounded by the internal welding pattern. In the open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and in the closed configuration, the top cover engages with the bottom cap. In the closed configuration, the snap fit end of the top cover engages with the snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom cap, and the central cylindrical portion having a top opening is fitted into the main opening of the top cover.

[0005] Some embodiments of the present application provide a device, the device comprising: a top cover having a plurality of openings, wherein the top cover comprises a hinged end and a snap-fit ​​end. The bottom cap may be hingedly attached to the top cover. The bottom cap may include an upper side and a lower side. The upper side may include a plurality of chimneys extending upward from the lower surface of the upper side. Each chimney may include a channel extending to the opening at the top of the chimney, wherein each chimney is matched with the corresponding opening of the top cover. The bottom cap also includes at least one auxiliary port, the auxiliary port having an opening larger than the opening at the top of each chimney, and the auxiliary port is arranged at a position corresponding to the opening of the top cover. When the cover device is in a closed configuration and is sealedly attached to the multi-chamber sample box, the auxiliary port allows the user to inject a third-party reagent. In some embodiments, the auxiliary port is an opening arranged on the upper side and substantially flush with the top surface of the upper side of the bottom cap. In some embodiments, the port is a non-circular shape (e.g., square, pie, triangle). In some embodiments, the port opening is larger than the corresponding opening in the top cover.

[0006] The underside of the bottom cap may include a lower main surface. The outermost edge may extend downwardly from the lower main surface. A plurality of outermost edge alignment features may extend downwardly from the lower main surface. The alignment feature may be adjacent to the outermost edge. A continuous external weld ridge may extend downwardly from the underside between the outermost edge and the alignment feature. An internal weld pattern may extend from the end of the wall and from the lower main surface so that the internal weld pattern does not extend together with any wall extending from the lower main surface. In an open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and in a closed configuration, the top cover is engaged with the bottom cap. In a closed configuration, a snap fit end of the top cover engages a snap portion of the outermost edge of the underside of the bottom cap.

[0007] In some embodiments, the multi-chamber container can be connected to a bottom cap, wherein the corresponding edges of the multi-chamber container are welded to the outermost welding ridges and the inner welding pattern so that each chamber of the multi-chamber container is fluid-tight to each other at the connection between the multi-chamber container and the bottom cap.

[0008] In some embodiments, the main opening of the top cover comprises a circular opening. The circular opening may be defined by a raised portion, or may itself be a raised cylindrical feature extending from the bottom cap.

[0009] In some embodiments, the top cover includes a second side portion and a first side portion extending between the hinge end and the snap fit end. In some embodiments, the snap fit portion extends along a majority of the front end of the cover device. In some embodiments, the snap fit end includes a straight snap portion that deviates from the curved portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the hinged end of the top cover includes a first hinge and a second hinge, each hinge being displaced from the first side and the second side toward the middle. In some embodiments, the hinged end of the top cover includes only a single hinge.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top cover includes a cylindrical wall extending downwardly from the uppermost top cover surface, and the cylindrical wall defines a main opening. In some embodiments, the top cover includes a bottom top cover surface opposite to the uppermost top cover surface, and the cylindrical wall extends through the bottom top cover surface. In some embodiments, the top cover includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom top cover surface.

[0012] In some implementations, the plurality of outermost edge alignment features on the underside of the bottom cap include curved walls extending away from the outermost edge.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of walls on the underside of the bottom cap defining the separate chambers form a central cylindrical chamber and a plurality of petal-shaped chambers extending from the central cylindrical chamber. In some embodiments, the plurality of walls defining the separate chambers further form a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers. In some embodiments, the plurality of walls defining the separate chambers share a uniform wall thickness.

[0014] In some embodiments, the inner weld pattern (ie, ridges or energy directors) comprises a triangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the continuous outer weld pattern (ie, ridges or energy directors) comprises a triangular cross-section.

[0015] Another aspect of the present application includes a method for reacting or measuring in a fluid container disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes the lysis of a cell or microorganism. In some embodiments, the method includes preparing a sample in a fluid cartridge to separate or purify an analyte of interest. In some embodiments, the method includes detecting an analyte of interest. In some embodiments, the analyte of interest is selected from cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the method includes using an enzyme or binding moiety. Another aspect of the present application includes a method for filling a fluid container with a liquid reagent, wherein the fluid container cooperates with a lid disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes filling one or more chambers of a fluid cartridge with a reagent.

[0016] It will be appreciated that the auxiliary port features described herein may be incorporated into any cap device described herein or in any application incorporated herein by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1A A perspective view of a cover device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0018] Figure 1B Shows the positioning according to the open configuration Figure 1A A perspective view of the top side of the cover device.

[0019] Figure 1CShown in open configuration Figure 1A A perspective view of the bottom side of the cover device.

[0020] Figure 1D Shown in open configuration Figure 1A An enlarged top view of the cover device.

[0021] Figure 1E Shows the open configuration Figure 1A An enlarged bottom view of the cover device.

[0022] Figure 1F Shows the open configuration Figure 1A An enlarged side view of the cover device.

[0023] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D Shows Figure 1A An enlarged detailed view of the various features of the cover device.

[0024] Figure 3 A cover device assembly process according to some embodiments is shown.

[0025] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G Various views of a cover device according to some embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1A A perspective view of a cover device 100 is shown. The cover device 100 includes a top cover 102 connected to a bottom cap 104 by a hinge (not shown in this view). The top cover 102 has an upper surface 106 defining a main opening 108, which is shown as a circle. The main opening 108 is disposed at the center of a circular portion, which also includes a plurality of openings 110 around the main opening, which are also shown as a circle. The upper surface 106 may also define other contours, openings, channels, and holes.

[0027] The top cap 102 includes a snap fit end 112 having features defining an overhang feature that "snaps" onto a portion of the bottom cap 104. The snap fit end 112 is characterized by a curved profile leading to a bulbous end 114, which in turn leads to non-parallel sides 116. The non-parallel sides connect to an articulated end 118 having a straight profile. A center portion 107 having a generally circular shape surrounds a smaller circular portion having a plurality of openings defined therein. In some embodiments, when the top cap 102 is closed, the center portion 107 is slightly recessed, and the smaller circular portion is further recessed relative to the upper surface 106.

[0028] Figure 1BThe top cover 102 and bottom cap 104 are shown deployed in an open configuration, wherein the top cover 102 is hinged away from the bottom cap 104 by hinge 105. The figure shows a bottom-facing surface 122 of the top cover 102, from which a main cylindrical wall 124 of the main opening 108 extends. An inner wall surface 126 extends from and defines the periphery of the bottom-facing surface 122. A bottom edge surface 128 is located on top of the inner wall surface.

[0029] The snap-fit ​​end 112 extends downwardly from the bottom-facing surface 122 with the inner wall surface 126 (and through the inner wall surface 126). The outer curved wall 132 and the inner curved wall 134 define the crescent shape of the snap-fit ​​end. A hollow chamber is dug between the outer curved wall 132 and the inner curved wall 134 to help maintain a constant wall thickness throughout the process. The curvature of the inner curved wall 134 is interrupted by a flexible convex piece 136 located in the center. The flexible convex piece 136 has a straight edge for docking with a corresponding straight portion 137 of the bottom cap 104. In this embodiment, the flexible convex piece 136 of the snap-fit ​​end 112 extends across most of the inner front end of the top cover. Existing devices that have been found to utilize curved convex piece edges are unsatisfactory in providing sufficient snap-fit.

[0030] The lower surface 138 may include one or more openings, such as fill holes 140, which may be shaped as keyholes. The channels are arranged in an orbital pattern around a central channel 143; however, the openings may be defined in other arrangements as desired.

[0031] A plurality of chimney portions 402 (with channels) protrude into the opening 110 in the top cover when closed. Each chimney portion includes a channel and a top opening. The plurality of chimney portions 402 surround a central raised circular opening 143 having a raised lip or cylindrical feature that protrudes into the main opening 108 of the top cover when closed. The bottom cap 104 also includes one or more auxiliary ports 144 having an opening larger than the top opening of the plurality of chimney portions. On the other hand, the auxiliary port is larger than the corresponding hole in the top cover, while the opening in the chimney portion is smaller than the corresponding hole in the top cover. In this embodiment, the bottom cap includes a single auxiliary port, although it is understood that additional auxiliary ports may be included. In this embodiment, the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular (e.g., pie-shaped) in shape and is substantially flush with the top surface 138 of the bottom cap, so that when the top cover is closed, any portion of the auxiliary port will not protrude into the corresponding opening 110 directly above the auxiliary port 144. This allows for additional clearance to allow a user to inject a third party agent through the auxiliary port, such as with a needle or pipette. In some embodiments, the at least one auxiliary opening is configured to allow insertion of a needle or pipette of 0.14" or less.

[0032] Figure 1C A bottom view of the underside of the bottom cap 104 is shown, which includes an underside major surface 150. An outermost edge 152a extends downwardly from the underside major surface 150 to form an outer wall 152b. The outer wall 152b is nearly continuous around the perimeter of the bottom cap 104, with an interruption near the hinge.

[0033] In some embodiments, edge alignment features are provided along each side of the lower major surface 150 and in close proximity to the outer wall 152b. The edge alignment features provide buttresses for aligning the walls of the multi-chamber fluid container with the bottom cap 104. One or both or any portion of the walls 152a / b may be used as edge alignment features. Figure 3 A typical fluid container suitable for use with the can be seen in . The alignment wall extends from the edge alignment features, and in some cases extends between the edge alignment features, providing a further engagement point against the wall of the fluid container.

[0034] Between the edge alignment features and the outer wall 152b, the raised welding ridge 156 is continuous around the perimeter of the bottom cap 104. When secured in an appropriate manner, the edge alignment features and the alignment wall prevent the bottom cap 104 from over-rotating relative to the fluid container, thereby aligning the raised welding ridge 156 of the bottom cap 104 with a weldable feature (e.g., the edge of the wall) of the bottom container.

[0035] A plurality of walls 158 extend from the central portion of the lower main surface 150. These walls are arranged in a petal shape around a central cylinder to form a pattern. Here, the wall 158 is formed into six petals. A raised welding pattern 160 is located on the top edge of the wall 158. The raised ridges 159 between the petals serve as energy guides to isolate the chamber formed by the wall 158. The raised welding pattern 160 is connected to the welding ridges 156. In this way, four fluid regions are produced outside the petals. When the fluid container and the bottom cap 104 are welded by the raised welding pattern 160 and the welding ridges 156, the sub-containers in the bottom container are fluidly isolated from each other (at least at the interface between the fluid container and the bottom cap 104).

[0036] Figure 1D A top view of the cover device in an open configuration is shown, wherein the pin locations for injection molding are indicated by dashed circles (see arrows). As shown, the opening 142a in the chimney portion 142 is significantly smaller than the opening in the auxiliary port 144. In addition, the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular and has no chimney portion, so that the auxiliary port 144 can occupy the available space to provide additional clearance.

[0037] In some embodiments, the opening of the auxiliary port 144 may have an area that is approximately 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 125% or 150% or more than the opening in each corresponding chimney portion. By providing an auxiliary port that is substantially larger than the chimney portion opening, it is allowed for the user to more easily inject a third-party reagent such as a needle or a pipette, which passes through the port when the cover is closed. Because the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular and does not extend into the corresponding opening in the cover, this allows a larger gap so that the needle or pipette can be inserted or tilted through the opening to inject the reagent and can be easily removed afterwards. In contrast, inserting a needle or pipette into a circular opening can produce a friction fit so that the needle or pipette becomes stuck when the reagent is injected into the port. This friction fit can also cause an increase in pressure, thereby hindering the pressurized injection of the fluid. The particular shape of a triangle, wedge or pie as shown in the embodiment shown in the figures is advantageous because it allows for an enlarged non-circular opening, but still fits between adjacent chimney portions and within the petal-shaped cavity defined, such as Figure 1E As shown in the bottom view shown.

[0038] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D Shows Figure 1A Detailed views of various features of the cover assembly. Figure 2A A detailed view of hinge 105 is shown. Hinge 105 includes a thinned portion having a thickness t and an inside bending radius. The thickness is thin enough to allow bending between the connected parts, for example, thickness t is in the range of 0.01-0.05", 0.01-0.03", or 0.01-0.02", such as 0.015"±0.001". The inside diameter R1 can be in the range of 0.01-0.05", 0.01-0.04", such as about 0.03"±0.01". It is understood that various other types of hinge designs can also be used. Figure 2B A detailed view of an auxiliary port 144 disposed between adjacent chimney portions 142 is shown. In some embodiments, the curved portion of the wedge extends along an arc of an angle α1 in any of the following ranges: 75-120 degrees, 80-110 degrees, and 90-110 degrees, for example, approximately 97±5 degrees. In some embodiments, the wedge is sized to accommodate an opening having at least a diameter d in the range of 0.1-0.5", 0.1-0.3", or 0.1-0.2", for example, a diameter of approximately 0.139"±0.05". Figure 2CA cross section CC is shown showing the structure and dimensions of a welding ridge 156 disposed within a channel 157 that is sized to accommodate a corresponding raised edge of a sample container to facilitate sealing when the welding ridge is welded to the raised edge of the sample container. In this embodiment, the radius R2 of the apex of the welding ridge is about 0.005" or less, such as 0.002" or less, and the slope of the sidewall of the welding ridge is determined by arc a2, which may be in the range of 40-110 degrees, 50-90 degrees, or 50-80 degrees, such as about 60±10 degrees. The height h1 of the welding ridge 156 may be about 0.05" or less, for example, about 0.022"±0.01", and the height h2 of the side wall of the channel 157 is greater than the height h1 of the welding ridge, for example, h2 may be 0.02" or greater, 0.03" or greater, 0.04" or greater, 0.05" or greater, or greater. For example, about 0.05"±0.02". The total width of the ridge 156 within the channel is w, and the total width w may be in the range of 0.01-0.05" or 0.02-0.04", for example, about 0.025"±0.01". It should be understood that although certain dimensions are shown for the above-mentioned features, these concepts are not limited to this, as these features can be any suitable dimensions required for a particular cover configuration. For example, the above-mentioned dimensions can be determined relative to each other and can be appropriately scaled based on the size of the cover.

[0039] Figure 2D An enlarged view of a raised weld pattern 160 having a triangular cross-section is shown. This shape acts as an "energy director" when ultrasonic energy is applied to the cap device 100 to weld the raised weld pattern 160 (and raised weld ridges 156 shaped in the same manner) to a container. The cap device 100 is characterized in that the entire device has a uniform wall thickness, except for the raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156, both of which are triangular in shape. Thus, preferably, energy is directed to the tip of the triangle, which contacts the edge of the container, thereby causing the triangular raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156 to fuse to the wall of the container.

[0040] Figure 3 The cap device 100 is shown in relation to a fluid container 200. The container 200 includes a plurality of chambers that may be fluidly coupled or uncoupled depending on the location of an internal valve assembly. The chambers are defined by walls extending to the top of the container 200. A weld interface is formed between the cap device 100 and the fluid container 200 such that the chambers are sealed from one another by the weld interface between the raised weld pattern 160 and the weld ridges 156 and the chambers of the container 200.

[0041] The cap device 100 can be welded to the fluid container by an ultrasonic welding horn that engages the cap while the device is mounted on the container 200. The welding horn 210 generally includes a metal cylinder shaped to engage against and around the cap. The welding horn 210 is part of a larger welding device (not shown) that provides energy to the welding horn 210. A commercially available ultrasonic welding device can be obtained from a manufacturer such as Hermann Ultrasonics, Bartlett, IL 60103 or Branson Ultrasonics, a division of Emerson Industrial Automation, Eden Prarie, MN 55344, and the process can use the above device. In some embodiments, the cap device is secured to the fluid container using a gasket or adhesive known to those skilled in the art.

[0042] The cover device 100 and the container can be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, ceramic and / or plastic. Suitable plastics can include thermoplastics, such as polypropylene, which are suitable materials for processing biological samples, but do not have the best welding characteristics. Compared with the existing design requiring 350-500 joules, the cover device 100 overcomes this by having an almost uniform wall thickness throughout the bottom cap 104, which enables the cover device 100 to be welded to the container using a relatively low power of 150 joules. Tests show that although the power setting is low, a good welding penetration depth (13-29‰) can still be achieved. Other suitable polymers that can be used include but are not limited to polyester, polyethylene, polyimide, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.

[0043] In some embodiments, to weld the cap assembly 100 to the fluid container 200, the bottom cap 104 is first brought into contact with the fluid container 200. The outer bottom sidewall and / or edge alignment features and alignment walls prevent the bottom cap 104 from over-rotating relative to the fluid container 200, thereby aligning the raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156 of the bottom cap 104 with the edge of the fluid container 200. After the cap assembly 100 is properly positioned, the welding horn 210 is lowered until the welding horn contacts the cap. Then 150 J of energy is applied to the welding horn for a sufficient time to obtain a welded cap assembly.

[0044] The triangular shape of the raised weld pattern 160 and weld ridges 156 allows energy to be directed preferentially from the upper surface of the lid periphery to the raised weld pattern 160 and weld ridges 156, thereby fusing the raised weld pattern 160 and weld ridges 156 to the fluid container 200. The resulting weld is fluid-tight, so that the chambers of the fluid container 200 are fluid-tight to each other at the connection between the fluid container 200 and the bottom cap 104 (under pressurized conditions).

[0045] The chamber of the fluid container device disclosed herein can accommodate one or more reagents for various purposes. In addition, the user can inject one or more reagents into one or more chambers of the sample container through one or more auxiliary ports of the cover. These reagents can exist in various forms. Non-restrictive exemplary reagent types may include solutions, dry powders or freeze-dried beads. Reagents can be used for different purposes, including but not limited to chemical and / or enzyme reactions, sample preparation and / or detection. Non-restrictive exemplary purposes may include the lysis of cells or microorganisms, the purification or separation of target analytes (e.g., specific cell populations, nucleic acids or proteins), the digestion or modification of nucleic acids or proteins, the amplification of nucleic acids, and / or the detection of target analytes.

[0046] In some embodiments, the reagent present in the chamber of the device can be a lysing agent (such as a detergent) that can cause the breakdown of cell membranes, thereby releasing cellular nucleic acids and proteins for further processing. Lysing agents are formulated differently to effectively lyse specific organisms, such as eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, plant cells, viruses, spores, etc.

[0047] In some embodiments, the reagent can be an antibody, a nucleic acid or other part that specifically binds to a predetermined molecule (e.g., a cell surface antigen, a specific protein or a specific nucleic acid sequence as an expected detection target), and is used to separate, purify or detect related molecules or cells carrying the molecule. Alternatively, the reagent with the desired binding affinity is fixed on a solid matrix in the chamber. Although the antibody or other reagent part can be stably stored in a solution under certain conditions, it is usually lyophilized or freeze-dried for better stability.

[0048] In some embodiments, reagent can be an enzyme capable of digesting target molecules (e.g., proteins or nucleic acids) so that further analysis can be performed. Many known proteases and nucleases are commercially available and can be selected for use in the device of the present application. In other cases, reagent is an enzyme for nucleic acid amplification reaction, such as a DNA polymerase for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or a reverse transcriptase for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Like antibodies, enzymes can be maintained in solution, but for reasons of stability, are usually kept in a lyophilized or dried form in the device of the present application. Usually together with enzymes, other essential components of enzymatic reactions, such as components of reaction buffer, free deoxyribonucleotides, primers are also present in the same or different chambers, so that desired reactions can be quickly constituted when needed.

[0049] In some embodiments, reagents include essential components for chemical reactions, such as components capable of producing detectable signals (e.g., optical signals) for detecting specific target analytes. In addition to the components of appropriate reaction buffers, at least one reagent responsible for producing a detectable signal is generally included.

[0050] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4G Various views and associated enlarged views of a cover device 100 are shown according to some embodiments. Figure 4A A top perspective view showing the cover device in an open configuration, and Figure 4B A bottom perspective view of the cover is shown in an open configuration. Figure 4C A top view of the cover is shown in an open configuration. Figure 4D Another top view showing the lid in an open configuration, Figure 4D With detail M and corresponding enlarged view. Figure 4E shows a side view of the cover in an open configuration, Figure 4E With detail A and corresponding enlarged view. Figure 4F shows a bottom view of the cover in an open configuration, Figure 4F Detail C and the corresponding enlarged view are shown in FIG. Figure 4G A top view of the lid in an open configuration and details A, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and corresponding enlarged views are shown. It should be understood that the lid assembly may include any of these specific details alone or in any combination, and any feature may be replaced with a feature having a similar function, according to the concepts of the present application described herein.

[0051] Although the above description shows many particularities and describes specific details, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present application, but only as illustrations of some exemplary embodiments. After considering the present disclosure, many possible changes and modifications to the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a top cover having a main opening, wherein the top cover includes a hinged end and a snap-fit ​​end; and a bottom cap hingedly attached to the top cover for movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the bottom cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises: a plurality of chimney portions extending upward from the lower surface of the upper side, wherein each chimney portion includes a channel extending to a top opening, and each chimney portion cooperates with a corresponding opening of the top cover, and at least one auxiliary port having an opening larger than each top opening of the plurality of chimney portions to facilitate fluid injection of a reagent through the auxiliary port when the top cap and the bottom cap are in the closed configuration; Wherein, the lower side of the bottom cap comprises: a lower main surface; an outermost edge extending downwardly from the lower major surface; a continuous outer weld ridge extending downwardly from said underside between said outermost edge and an alignment feature; and A plurality of walls define separate chambers for each opening of the plurality of chimneys and the at least one auxiliary port.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When closed, each of the plurality of chimney portions protrudes through a corresponding opening of the top cover, and at least one auxiliary port is defined within a lower surface of an upper side of the bottom cap such that no portion of the auxiliary port protrudes into the corresponding opening of the top cover when in the closed configuration.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one auxiliary port is substantially flush with the lower surface of the upper side of the bottom cap.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one auxiliary port is non-circular.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one auxiliary port has a triangular, wedge-shaped or pie-shaped shape.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one auxiliary port is configured to allow insertion of a 0.14" or smaller needle or pipette.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom cap also includes one or more additional auxiliary ports configured to allow one or more additional reagents to be injected therethrough.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The underside of the bottom cap includes a wall extending therefrom and surrounding the auxiliary port, the wall having the same shape as the auxiliary port.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising an internal weld pattern extending from an end of the wall and from the lower major surface, the internal weld pattern being patterned such that each chamber defined by the plurality of walls is surrounded by the internal weld pattern.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In an open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and wherein in a closed configuration, the top cover is engaged with the bottom cap, wherein in the closed configuration, a snap-fit ​​end of the top cover is engaged with a snap portion of an outermost edge of an underside of the bottom cap.

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