US 2016/0097049 A1Published application

System and method for collecting a sample of nucleic acid

AssigneeOccam Biolabs, Inc.

InventorMingwei QIAN

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Abstract

A system for collecting and shipping a sample of nucleic acid, the system comprising a receptacle, a removable cap for the receptacle having a breather port and sample connection port, and a filter column removably attached to the inside of the receptacle cap in fluid communication with the sample connection port and containing a substrate for collecting the nucleic acid. A sample collection container interlocks to the sample collection port. A shipping container, closeable by a lid, is configured to detach the filter column from the receptacle cap and contain the column for shipping. Methods for collecting samples using the system preferably include a dehydrating wash step, such as with ethanol, and placement of a dessicant in the shipping container, so that nucleic acid samples can be transported under ambient, non-climate-controlled conditions, with stability for at least up to 4 weeks, ideal for collecting samples from undeveloped regions.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A system for collecting a sample of nucleic acid, the system comprising:

a receptacle defining an internal volume;
a removable cap for the receptacle, the cap having an internal side facing the internal volume of the receptacle and an external side facing away from the internal volume, the cap comprising a breather port communicating between the internal side and the external side and a sample connection port communicating between the internal side and the external side, the sample connection port comprising a first interlocking component for releasably locking the sample connection port to a cooperating second interlocking component, the internal side of the cap comprising a connection interface in fluid communication with the sample connection port;
a filter column adapted to be removably attached to the connection interface of the receptacle cap, the filter column having an open first end, an open second end, and an internal passage therebetween containing a substrate for collecting the nucleic acid;
a sample collection container comprising the second interlocking component adapted to connect to the first interlocking component of the sample collection port in the receptacle cap;
a shipping container having an open end and defining a volume adapted to contain the filter column, the shipping container adapted to releasably engage the filter column for detaching it from the connection interface of the receptacle cap, the shipping container further comprising a removable lid for temporarily sealing the filter column within the shipping container.

2 more elements

A method for collecting a sample of nucleic acid, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a collection system comprising
i) receptacle defining an internal volume;
ii) a removable cap for the receptacle, the cap having an internal side facing the internal volume of the receptacle and an external side facing away from the internal volume, the cap comprising a breather port communicating between the internal side and the external side and a sample connection port communicating between the internal side and the external side, the sample connection port comprising first means for releasably locking the sample connection port to cooperating second means, the internal side of the cap comprising a connection interface in fluid communication with the sample connection port;
iii) a filter column removably attached to the connection interface of the receptacle cap, the filter column having an open first end, an open second end, and an internal passage therebetween containing a substrate for collecting the nucleic acid;
iv) a sample collection container comprising the second means adapted to connect to the first means of the sample collection port receptacle cap;
v) a shipping container having an open end and defining a volume adapted to contain the filter column, the shipping container adapted to releasably engage the filter column for detaching it from the connection interface of the receptacle cap, the shipping container further comprising a removable lid for temporarily sealing the filter column within the shipping container;
(b) collecting a volume of sample-containing fluid in the sample collection container;
(c) connecting the sample collection container to the receptacle via the sample collection port;
(d) passing the volume of sample-containing fluid from the sample collection container through the filter column, thereby collecting the sample on the substrate and collecting a reminder in the receptacle;
(e) placing the shipping container open end over the filter column, engaging the filter column with the shipping container, and detaching the filter column from the receptacle cap;
(f) temporarily sealing the shipping container with the removable lid.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/892,709Filed 23 May 2014
Priority: 24 May 2013
Published: 7 Apr 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

C12N 15/1017
Extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples, e.g. pure separation or isolation methods; Conditions, buffers or apparatuses…
B01L 3/502
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
B01L 3/508
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: rigid containers without fluid transport within
B65B 7/28
Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons: by applying…