Vitrification device and method for preparing sample
AssigneeNexpring US Opco Inc.
InventorsSabrina C. Lin, Hsiao-Tzu Ni
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are devices and related methods for rapidly freezing a sample using, for example, liquid nitrogen. The device includes an input portion with an input port, a sample chamber, a waste reservoir in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a filtering mechanism that selectively allows a fluid introduced through the input port to pass through the sample chamber and into the waste reservoir, while retaining a sample within the sample chamber. The sample chamber, waste reservoir, and filtering mechanism are configured to draw fluid from the sample chamber through the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir via capillary action.
Claims18
A vitrification device comprising:
- an input portion with an input port;
- a sample chamber coupled to the input port, wherein the sample chamber comprises a magnet configured to engage a magnet of an additional vitrification device;
- a waste reservoir coupled to the sample chamber and in fluid communication with the sample chamber such that the sample chamber is between the input port and the waste reservoir;
- and
- a filtering mechanism positioned between the sample chamber and the waste reservoir such that the filtering mechanism is arranged to retain a sample within the sample chamber while allowing a fluid introduced through the input port to pass through the sample chamber, across the filtering mechanism, and into the waste reservoir;
- wherein the sample chamber, waste reservoir, and filtering mechanism are configured to draw fluid from the sample chamber through the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir via capillary action.
A vitrification device comprising:
- an input portion with an input port;
- a sample chamber coupled to the input port:
- a waste reservoir coupled to the sample chamber and in fluid communication with the sample chamber such that the sample chamber is between the input port and the waste reservoir;
- and
- a filtering mechanism positioned between the sample chamber and the waste reservoir such that the filtering mechanism is arranged to retain a sample within the sample chamber while allowing a fluid introduced through the input port to pass through the sample chamber, across the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir;
- wherein the sample chamber, waste reservoir, and filtering mechanism are configured to draw fluid from the sample chamber through the filtering mechanism and into the waste reservoir via capillary action;
- wherein the filtering mechanism comprises a filtration grate positioned on an island between the sample chamber and an input portion of the waste reservoir, the island comprising a U-shaped capture pocket configured to capture and retain the sample, the vitrification device further comprising a bypass channel on a side of the island and extending between the sample chamber and the input portion of the waste reservoir.
A method for preparing a sample, comprising:
- delivering a sample into a sample chamber of a vitrification device and adjacent a filtering mechanism separating the sample chamber from a waste reservoir of the vitrification device, wherein the filtering mechanism is coupled to the sample chamber;
- and
- treating the sample with a first fluid by receiving the first fluid via an input port, pushing the first fluid from the input port, through the sample chamber, across the filtering mechanism, and into the waste reservoir with a fluidic force, while the filtering mechanism retains the sample within the sample chamber;
- wherein pushing the first fluid into the waste reservoir initiates capillary action in the filtering mechanism resulting in the capillary action drawing subsequent fluids through the sample chamber and into the waste reservoir;
- wherein the filtering mechanism comprises a filtration grate positioned on an island between the sample chamber and an input portion of the waste reservoir, the island comprising a U-shaped capture pocket configured to capture and retain the sample, the vitrification device further comprising a bypass channel on a side of the island and extending between the sample chamber and the input portion of the waste reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.