Vortex generator for agitation of fluids during sample preparation
AssigneeSiemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
InventorsAlex Hofai Lee, Daniel Chu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, vortex generator assembly and method for automated cell lysis and nucleic acid purification and processing. The vortex generator assembly includes sample holder having a lysis well, at least one wash well, and an elution well. The vortex generator assembly also includes a sample holder cover having a plurality of vibration rods for creating a vortex in the wells of the sample holder. The apparatus includes motor operating a rotating cam to cause the vibration rods to vibrate and create the vortex in a well holding fluid and magnetic beads, wherein the vortexing speed is sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction between the beads and disperse the beads in solution, to collect nucleic acids such as DNA.
Claims7
A sample lysis and nucleic acid extraction apparatus, comprising:
- (i) a base for retaining a vortex generator assembly, the vortex generator assembly comprising:
- a sample holder comprising a body member forming a channel extending from a first end to an opposite second end of the sample holder, the sample holder further comprising a first plurality of wells extending in a downwardly direction from a floor of the channel, each well having an interior volume;
- and
- a sample holder cover comprising a base member comprising a floor extending from a first end to an opposite end of the sample holder cover and a second plurality of vibration rods extending in a downwardly direction from the floor of the base member into the interior volume of a corresponding one of the plurality of wells when the base member is inserted into the channel;
- (ii) a rotating cam attached to a motor and configured to impart vibrational movement to one or more of the second plurality of vibration rods;
- and
- (iii) a horizontal actuator attached to the motor and configured to selectively impart horizontal movement of the motor between adjacent rods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.