# US 2014/0154731 A1 · System and method for processing samples

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- Number: US 2014/0154731 A1
- Document ID: US20140154731A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/173,157
- Filed: 2014-02-05
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2008-12-19
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154731A1

## CPC

- C12Q 1/02: involving viable microorganisms
- G01N 1/4077: {by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids}
- G01N 35/00029: {provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides (G01N35/028 takes precedence)}
- G01N 2001/4088: {filtration}
- G01N 2035/00148: {Test cards, e.g. Biomerieux or McDonnel multiwell test cards}
- Y10T 436/255: including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
- Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A system and method for processing samples. The system can include a loading chamber, a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber. The system can further include a filter positioned such that at least one of its inlet and its outlet is positioned in the fluid path. The method can include positioning a sample in the loading chamber, filtering the sample in the fluid path to form a concentrated sample and a filtrate, removing the filtrate from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber, moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to the detection chamber, and analyzing at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the detection chamber for an analyte of interest.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for processing samples, the method comprising:
providing a loading chamber;
providing a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber;
providing a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber, wherein the fluid path terminates at the detection chamber, such that the detection chamber includes an inlet but no outlet;
positioning a sample in the loading chamber;
filtering the sample with a filter positioned in the loading chamber to form a concentrated sample on the filter and a filtrate, the filter having an inlet and outlet and positioned such that at least one of the inlet and the outlet is positioned in the fluid path, wherein filtering includes applying a pressure differential across the filter;
removing the filtrate from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber;
moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample from the filter, in the fluid path, to the detection chamber by centrifugation; and
analyzing the at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the detection chamber for an analyte of interest.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising providing enrichment media in the detection chamber prior to moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample from the filter, in the fluid path, to the detection chamber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample from the filter, in the fluid path, to the detection chamber by centrifugation includes moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample to the detection chamber without exposing the concentrated sample to ambience.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet of the filter is positioned in the fluid path and the outlet is positioned such that removing the filtrate from the fluid path includes removing the filtrate via the outlet of the filter and occurs as a result of filtering the sample.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the filter are positioned in the fluid path, such that the filtrate is removed from the fluid path at a location that is downstream of the filter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid path is a primary fluid path and the filter defines a secondary fluid path, and wherein the secondary fluid path is oriented at an angle with respect to the primary fluid path.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising eluting the concentrated sample from the filter in the fluid path.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein providing a detection chamber includes providing a plurality of detection chambers positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, wherein the fluid path terminates at each detection chamber, and wherein moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample from the filter, in the fluid path, to the detection chamber includes moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to each of the plurality of detection chambers.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising inhibiting the concentrated sample in the detection chamber from moving out of the detection chamber.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein inhibiting the concentrated sample in the detection chamber from moving out of the detection chamber includes positioning at least one of an obstruction and a seal in the fluid path upstream of the detection chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the detection chamber is in fluid communication with the loading chamber via a channel, wherein the fluid path is further defined by the channel, and further comprising sealing the channel after moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to the detection chamber.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method any claim 1, further comprising sealing at least a portion of the fluid path that is positioned upstream of the detection chamber after moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample from the filter, in the fluid path, to the detection chamber.

### Claim 13

A system for processing samples, the system comprising:
a loading chamber adapted to receive a sample;
a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber;
a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber, wherein the fluid path terminates at the detection chamber, such that the detection chamber includes an inlet but no outlet;
a filter positioned in the loading chamber and having an inlet and an outlet, the filter positioned such that at least one of the inlet and the outlet is positioned in the fluid path, the filter adapted to filter the sample to form a concentrated sample and a filtrate; and
a filtrate outlet positioned such that the filtrate is removed from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the fluid path is configured to be sealed upstream of the detection chamber.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the detection chamber is one of a plurality of detection chambers, wherein the fluid path terminates at each detection chamber, and wherein the fluid path is configured to be sealed upstream of each detection chamber.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the detection chamber is one of a plurality of detection chambers positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and wherein the loading chamber is one of a plurality of loading chambers, and wherein some of the plurality of detection chambers are positioned in fluid communication with each of the plurality of loading chambers.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, further comprising enrichment media for an analyte of interest that is provided in the detection chamber.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the enrichment media is present in the detection chamber prior to use.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, further comprising a channel positioned in fluid communication between the loading chamber and the detection chamber, the channel further defining at least a portion of the fluid path.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The system of claim 19, wherein the detection chamber is one of a plurality of detection chambers positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and wherein the channel is one of a plurality of channels positioned to fluidly couple the plurality of detection chambers with the loading chamber.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The system of claim 19, wherein the detection chamber is one of a plurality of detection chambers positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and wherein the channel is a primary channel, and further comprising a plurality of secondary channels positioned to fluidly couple the plurality of detection chambers with the primary channel.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the primary channel is configured to be sealed.

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the detection chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of the concentrated sample, and wherein, when at least a portion of the concentrate sample is positioned in the detection chamber, at least a portion of the fluid path upstream of the detection chamber is sealed.