Mesoscale sample preparation device and systems for determination and processing of analytes
AssigneeThe Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
InventorsPeter Wilding, Larry J. Kricka
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Abstract
A mesoscale sample preparation device capable of providing microvolume test samples, separated into a cell-enriched fraction and a fraction of reduced cell content, for performing various analyses, such as binding assays, determinations involving polynucleotide amplification and the like. Analytical systems including such devices are also disclosed.
Claims7
A method of separating a target subpopulation of cells in a cell-containing sample fluid comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a solid substrate microfabricated to define a mesoscale sample fluid flow passage in fluid communication with a mesoscale chamber, said chamber and said flow passage being dissimilar in their cross-sectional dimensions, said chamber having a wall portion defining an enclosure in which is disposed an immobilized binding protein specific for a cell membrane-bound protein characteristic of said target population;
- b) passing a cell-containing sample fluid through said enclosure under conditions to permit capture of members of the cell target subpopulation by reversible cell surface protein-immobilized protein binding, while permitting other cells to pass therethrough;
- and
- c) controlling the environment in said enclosure to effect release of said target subpopulation of cells.
A method of separating a first material from a fluid containing a mixture of said first material and other material, comprising:
- providing a mesoscale sample preparation device which comprises a solid substrate microfabricated to define a mesoscale flow channel in fluid communication with a mesoscale chamber, said chamber and said flow passage being dissimilar in their cross-sectional dimensions, said chamber having a wall portion defining an enclosure in which is disposed an immbolized specific binding substance which specifically binds said first material;
- passing said fluid containing said mixture through said enclosure under conditions to permit capture of said first material, while permitting said other material to pass therethrough;
- and
- controlling an environment in said enclosure to effect release of said first material from said specific binding substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.