Systems, Methods, And Devices For Automated Nucleic Acid And Protein Isolation

An apparatus for automated purification of a target biomolecule from a biological sample, comprising:

• a casing having an internal compartment configured in size and shape for receiving a purification cartridge;
• optionally, a selectively closable access door providing access to the internal compartment;
• and
• a pump assembly disposed within the internal compartment and configured to provide pumping action through peristaltic motion,
• wherein the purification cartridge is configured to receive from about 5 mL to about 5 L of biological sample.

A system, comprising:

• an automated purification apparatus,
• comprising:
• a casing having an internal compartment configured in size and shape for receiving a purification cartridge;
• wherein the internal compartment comprises a position sensor for determining that the purification cartridge has been fully inserted within the internal compartment;
• optionally, a selectively closable access door providing access to the internal compartment;
• a pump assembly disposed within the internal compartment and configured to provide pumping action through peristaltic motion;
• and
• a clamp mechanism disposed within the internal compartment and configured to move between an open position in which the internal compartment is accessible and a closed position in which the clamp mechanism is clamped against an inserted purification cartridge to enable processing of a biological sample, wherein when in the closed position, the clamp mechanism operates to fluidically seal the purification cartridge by exerting a first external layer and a second external layer of the purification cartridge towards one another.

A fluid release system for holding and selectively releasing a fluid, comprising:

• a flexible gasket;
• a reservoir disposed on a first side of the flexible gasket, the reservoir being configured to hold the fluid;
• a frangible seal disposed between the flexible gasket and the reservoir;
• and
• an actuator disposed on a second side of the flexible gasket, wherein the actuator is operable to deflect the flexible gasket to cause the frangible seal to breach and selectively release the fluid from the reservoir.

A method for automated purification of a target nucleic acid from a biological sample, comprising:

• effecting operation of a system, for automated purification of a target nucleic acid from a biological sample wherein the system comprising a consumable cartridge and an instrument that interfaces with the consumable cartridge, wherein:
• the consumable cartridge of the system receives the biological sample into an input reservoir;
• and
• without further human interaction, the system generates a lysate from the biological sample at a first bioprocessing assembly of the consumable cartridge, the lysate comprising the target nucleic acid;
• receiving a target-nucleic-acid-containing portion of the lysate at a second bioprocessing assembly of the consumable cartridge;
• retaining the target nucleic acid on a nucleic-acid binding filter at the second bioprocessing assembly and eluting a purified form of the target nucleic acid from the nucleic-acid binding filter into an output container.