Sample preparation module with stepwise pressurization mechanism
Inventors
Shen, Feng • da Costa, Chris • Maamar, Hedia
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10252264-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to fluidic systems for controlling one or more fluids or reagents. These systems can be used in combination with one or more devices for assaying, processing, or storing samples. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for controlled pressure and actuation of fluids.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a sample-preparation module using a housing with an airtight compartment and a single coordinated rotational motion to coordinate stepwise pressurization with selective fluid-path switching. The module includes a central shaft comprising a threaded section and a pressure cap that creates an airtight seal with a gasket engaged with an interior surface of the housing. A central column extending from the inner surface of the pressure cap includes threads configured to engage the threaded section of the central shaft so that rotation produces linear movement of the pressure cap along the central shaft to compress the airtight compartment.
The module further includes a plurality of coaxially arranged layers engaged with the central shaft, with at least one rotor and one stator. The coaxially arranged layers have complementary facing surfaces assembled in a frictional, sealed engagement, and each layer includes passageways with an upstream entry and a downstream outlet capable for successive selective placement in communication to establish plural dedicated flow paths within the assembly. Rotation of the rotor around the central shaft selectively connects passageways of different coaxial layers so that fluid paths are serially formed and disrupted.
In a method of isolating a molecule of interest, reagent layer passageways holding a lysis solution, wash solution, and elution solution are sequentially aligned with upstream entries of passageways in a separation layer occluded by a separation material capable of binding the molecule of interest. Positive pressure is applied by moving the pressure cap toward the coaxially arranged layers to force lysed mixture and subsequent wash and elution solutions through the separation material. The separation step is completed by rotating layers so that the elution solution and molecule of interest are collected in a receiving layer, with waste liquids optionally routed to a waste capture receiving passageway. The disclosed architecture also supports an analytic layer with a microfluidic device, where additional positive pressure can force elution and molecule of interest into the analytic layer passageway, enabling further processing such as amplification.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims, covering both the sample preparation module architecture and an isolating workflow using a multi-layer coaxial, sealed, pressure-generating mechanism with rotationally controlled, serial fluid-path switching. The inventive features include an airtight, compressible compartment driven by coordinated threaded rotation, frictionally sealed coaxially arranged rotor/stator layers with selectively alignable passageways, and method steps that sequentially align reagent, separation, receiving, optional analytic, and waste routing via rotation and positive pressure application.
Threaded pressure-cap compression of an airtight compartment
A housing with an interior surface, a central shaft comprising a threaded section, and a pressure cap having a gasket engaged with the interior surface to create an airtight seal, where a central column extending from the inner surface includes threads engaging the threaded section so that rotation of the central shaft relative to the central column results in movement of the pressure cap linearly along the central shaft to compress an airtight compartment and generate pressure against an upstream surface of a first coaxially arranged layer.
Frictional sealed coaxially arranged rotor/stator layers with selective passageway alignment
A plurality of coaxially arranged layers engaged with the central shaft, with complementary facing surfaces assembled in a frictional, sealed engagement, each layer having passageways with an upstream entry and a downstream outlet capable for successive selective placement in communication to establish plural dedicated flow paths, wherein rotation of the rotor around the central shaft selectively connects passageways of different coaxial layers thereby serially forming and disrupting a plurality of fluid paths.
Sequential isolating method using rotating alignment and positive pressure through an occluded separation material
A method including providing a device with a pressure cap, a central shaft, and coaxially arranged layers including a reagent layer, a separation layer and a receiving layer; loading reagent passageways with a lysis solution, wash solution, and elution solution that are occluded in a first position; forming a lysed mixture; rotating the central shaft to sequentially align reagent outlets with upstream entries in the separation layer occluded by a separation material capable of binding the molecule of interest; moving the pressure cap toward the layers to apply positive pressure and force the lysed mixture and subsequent wash and elution through the separation material; and rotating layers to collect the eluted molecule of interest in the passageway of the receiving layer.
Waste capture routing in a receiving layer
Rotating the separation layer relative to the receiving layer while moving the central shaft so that an occluded outlet of a passageway aligns with the upstream entry of a second passageway in the receiving layer configured to capture waste liquids.
Optional analytic layer with microfluidic device for downstream processing under additional positive pressure
Providing an analytic layer in coaxially arranged layers and, by rotating the central shaft to align an outlet passageway holding the elution solution with an upstream entry in the analytic layer, moving the pressure cap to apply additional positive pressure to force the elution solution and molecule of interest into the analytic layer passageway.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is a coaxially layered, frictionally sealed rotor/stator assembly combined with a threaded, rotationally driven pressure cap that compresses an airtight compartment to generate positive pressure, while rotor rotation serially forms and disrupts dedicated fluid paths. The method claim implements this architecture by sequentially aligning reagent, separation, and receiving layers so lysed mixture, wash, and elution are driven through a separation material that binds the molecule of interest, with optional waste routing and an analytic layer for further downstream processing.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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