# US 6,720,417 B1 · Method and device for refining nucleic acids

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- Number: US 6,720,417 B1
- Document ID: US6720417B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/355,365
- Filed: 1999-07-23
- Granted: 2004-04-13
- Earliest claimed: 1997-01-28
- Assignees: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
- Inventors: Thomas Walter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6720417B1

## CPC

- G01N 1/405: {by adsorption or absorption}
- B01L 3/563: {Joints or fittings; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors}
- B01L 3/5635: {connecting two containers face to face, e.g. comprising a filter}
- C12Q 1/6806: Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence)
- B01L 3/5082: {Test tubes per se}
- B01L 2300/0681: Filter
- B01L 2400/0406: capillary forces
- B01L 2400/049: vacuum
- 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)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- 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

## Abstract

A device for isolating nucleic acids which reduces the transfer of contaminants during nucleic acid isolation methods which is composed of two vessels which are linked by a closing element in which a material that binds nucleic acids is placed. The nucleic acid can for example be bound to the material by tipping the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for isolating nucleic acids from a sample, comprising:
a) taking the sample into a first vessel through an opening in the first vessel,
b) closing the opening in the first vessel with a closing element, wherein the closing element comprises a glass fleece or a membrane comprising metal oxides, metal mixed oxides, silica gel, aluminum oxide, zeolite, titanium oxide or zirconium oxide, in the form of fibres or particles, on a side facing the opening, means for attaching the element on the first vessel and, on an other side, means for attaching the element to a second vessel, and
c) transferring the sample through the material into a second vessel wherein the second vessel is attached on the other side of the closing element, and wherein the sample is transferred by applying an underpressure in the second vessel;
wherein said glass fleece or membrane is not functionalized with ion-exchange substituents.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sample comprises cells, and the method further comprises, after taking the sample into the first vessel, releasing nucleic acids from the cells by lysis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
d) eluting nucleic acids from the nucleic-acid-binding material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
contacting the sample in the first vessel with the material by rotating the first vessel before transferring the sample through the material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vessel has a volume of more than 5 ml.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
d) eluting nucleic acids from the nucleic-acid-binding material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
contacting the sample in the first vessel with the material by rotating the first vessel before transferring the sample through the material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
contacting the sample in the first vessel with the material by rotating the first vessel before transferring the sample through the material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first vessel has a volume of more than 5 ml.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first vessel has a volume of more than 5 ml.

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first vessel has a volume of more than 5 ml.