# US 2026/0063518 A1 · Device for trapping rare cells from fluid samples

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- Number: US 2026/0063518 A1
- Document ID: US20260063518A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/824,882
- Filed: 2024-09-04
- Published: 2026-03-05
- Earliest claimed: 2024-09-04
- Inventors: Pradyumna Kedarisetti; Samantha Leier; Frank R. Wuest; Roger J. Zemp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260063518A1

## CPC

- G01N 1/405: {by adsorption or absorption}
- 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)

## Abstract

A system for collecting biomarkers from a fluid stream includes a collection vessel having at least one fluid port that is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fluid stream. The collection vessel defines an inner volume. A 3D scaffold is disposed within the inner volume of the collection vessel. The 3D scaffold is chemically functionalized to bind the biomarkers in the fluid stream, wherein the biomarkers are eukaryotic cells of interest, extracellular vesicles associated with the eukaryotic cells of interest, or combinations thereof. A fluid driver circulates the fluid stream through the collection vessel via the at least one fluid port such that the fluid stream interacts with the 3D scaffold.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for collecting biomarkers from a fluid stream, the system comprising:
a collection vessel having at least one fluid port that is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fluid stream, the collection vessel defining an inner volume;
a 3D scaffold disposed within the inner volume of the collection vessel, the 3D scaffold being chemically functionalized to bind the biomarkers in the fluid stream, wherein the biomarkers are eukaryotic cells of interest, extracellular vesicles associated with the eukaryotic cells of interest, or combinations thereof; and
a fluid driver that is adapted to circulate the fluid stream through the collection vessel via the at least one fluid port such that the fluid stream interacts with the 3D scaffold.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold is chemically functionalized to bind uniquely to the biomarkers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one fluid port is in fluid communication with a bore of a cannula or a lumen of a needle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold comprises beads, fibers, mesoporous structures, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a smallest dimension of the 3D scaffold is larger in size than biological cells in the fluid stream.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a material of the 3D scaffold comprises silica, glass, quartz, polymer plastics, dielectrics, silicon nitride, gallium nitride, polyethylene glycol, ceramics, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold has a volume of at least 1 mL.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold is functionalized by one or more linker chemistries comprising amine-functionalization, thiol-maleimide, or biotin-streptavidin.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold carries targeting compounds that comprise folic acid, RGD peptide, antibodies, peptidomimetics, small molecules, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the 3D scaffold carries targeting compounds that are adapted to bind to EpCAM, EGFR, folate receptors, PSMA, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid driver has a flow rate of at least 1 mL/minute.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the biomarkers are released from the 3D scaffold using an elution buffer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the collection vessel comprises an inlet and an outlet, and wherein the fluid driver draws fluid in via the inlet and exhausts the fluid via the outlet.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid driver draws fluid in and exhausts fluid via a common fluid port.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid driver comprises a fluid pump, a reciprocating plunger, or a variable pressure chamber.

### Claim 16

A method of collecting biomarkers, the method comprising:
connecting at least one fluid port of a collection vessel to a source of fluid, the collection vessel carrying a 3D scaffold within an inner volume defined by the collection vessel, the 3D scaffold being chemically functionalized to bind the biomarkers in a fluid stream, wherein the biomarkers are eukaryotic cells of interest, extracellular vesicles associated with the eukaryotic cells of interest, or combinations thereof;
circulating a fluid stream from the source of fluid through the collection vessel such that the fluid stream interacts with the 3D scaffold and such that the 3D scaffold binds to the biomarkers carried in the fluid stream, wherein at least 10 mL of fluid circulates through the collection vessel;
returning the fluid stream to the source of the fluid; and
releasing the biomarkers from the 3D scaffold into a sample vial.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein connecting the at least one fluid port to a source of fluid comprises using a cannula or a needle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein at least 100 mL is circulated through the collection vessel.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the 3D scaffold is functionalized by one or more linker chemistries comprises amine-functionalization, thiol-maleimide, or biotin-streptavidin.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the 3D scaffold carries targeting compounds that comprise folic acid, RGD peptide, antibodies, peptidomimetics, small molecules, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the 3D scaffold carries targeting compounds that are adapted to bind to EpCAM, EGFR, folate receptors, PSMA, or combinations thereof.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein fluid is circulated through the collection vessel at a rate of at least 1 mL/minute.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of releasing the cells of interest using an elution buffer.

### Claim 24 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the 3D scaffold is chemically functionalized to bind uniquely to the biomarkers such that the sample collected comprises a higher concentration of the biomarkers while maintaining or reducing relative concentrations of background components in the fluid stream.