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US 12,023,666 B2Granted
Methods and systems for automated sample processing
AssigneeBiomeme, Inc.
InventorsMarc DeJohn, Christopher Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides devices, systems, methods and kits for processing a sample. In some cases, a sample is processed in preparation for an assay (e.g., polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence-based target detection) by an analytic device. In some cases, the processing is automated. In some cases, the processing is substantially automated. The systems provided herein can comprise a cartridge (e.g., one-time use) and a dock (e.g., re-useable) for receiving the cartridge. In some cases, the devices and systems provided herein are portable.
Claims19
A system for sample processing, comprising:
- a sample chamber comprising a filter configured to capture one or more nucleic acid molecules from a sample in said sample chamber;
- a well fluidly coupled to said sample chamber by a first conduit, said well configured to contain a reagent;
- a fluid flow unit in fluid communication with said first conduit, wherein said fluid flow unit is configured to subject said reagent to flow from said well to said sample chamber;
- an assay tube;
- a cap removably coupled to said assay tube, wherein at least a portion of said cap extends into said assay tube to provide a maximum working volume within said assay tube, wherein said assay tube is in fluid communication with said sample chamber via a second conduit extending through said cap, wherein said cap comprises a self-sealable filter positioned towards an end of an additional conduit extending through said cap, wherein said self-sealable filter is configured to prevent a liquid from said assay tube from entering into said second conduit and said additional conduit under application of a vacuum to said additional conduit when said self-sealable filter comes in contact with said liquid in said assay tube;
- and
- a controller coupled to said fluid flow unit, wherein said controller is configured to receive instructions from a mobile electronic device for processing of said sample, which instructions, when received by said controller from said mobile electronic device, cause said controller to (i) direct said fluid flow unit to subject said reagent to flow from said well along said first conduit to said sample chamber, to provide a solution comprising said reagent and said one or more nucleic acid molecules in said sample chamber, and (ii) direct said fluid flow unit to subject said solution to flow from said sample chamber along said second conduit to said assay tube, such that said assay tube receives at least a portion of said solution.
4 more elements
A method for sample processing, comprising:
- (a) activating a system comprising:
- (i) a sample chamber comprising a filter configured to capture one or more nucleic acid molecules from a sample in said sample chamber;
- (ii) a well fluidly coupled to said sample chamber by a first conduit, wherein said well is configured to contain a reagent;
- (iii) a fluid flow unit in fluid communication with said first conduit, wherein said fluid flow unit is configured to subject said reagent to flow from said well to said sample chamber;
- (iv) an assay tube;
- (v) a cap removably coupled to said assay tube, wherein at least a portion of said cap extends into said assay tube to provide a maximum working volume within said assay tube, wherein said assay tube is in fluid communication with said sample chamber via a second conduit extending through said cap, wherein said cap comprises a self-sealable filter positioned towards an end of an additional conduit extending through said cap, wherein said self-sealable filter is configured to prevent a liquid from said assay tube from entering into said second conduit and said additional conduit under application of a vacuum to said additional conduit when said self-sealable filter comes in contact with said liquid in said assay tube;
- and
- (vi) a controller coupled to said fluid flow unit, wherein said controller is configured to receive instructions from said mobile electronic device for processing of said sample;
- (b) using said controller to receive said instructions from said mobile electronic device;
- and
- (c) in accordance with said instructions, using said controller to (i) direct said fluid flow unit to subject said reagent to flow from said well along said first conduit to said sample chamber, to provide a solution comprising said reagent and said one or more nucleic acid molecules in said sample chamber, and (ii) direct said fluid flow unit to subject said solution to flow from said sample chamber along said second conduit to said assay tube, such that said assay tube receives at least a portion of said solution.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.