Mosquito salivary gland extraction device and methods of use
Inventors
Taylor, Russell H. • CANEZIN, Amanda • Schrum, Mariah • Iordachita, Iulian • Chirikjian, Gregory • LASKOWSKI, Michelle • CHAKRAVARTY, Sumana • Hoffman, Stephen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10781419-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device and method of use for augmenting the extraction of salivary glands from Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes, where the sporozoite stage of Plasmodium primarily resides. Sporozoites are useful for research as well as for the immunogen in whole parasite vaccines for the prevention of malaria. The device and methods of use disclosed herein greatly increase the rate at which sporozoites can be harvested.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device configured for augmenting extraction of salivary glands from a multiplicity of mosquitoes, where each mosquito has a body, a neck, and a head. The device positions mosquitoes in parallel within a cartridge by using a multiplicity of slots having a given depth and structural slot features that receive individual mosquitoes, with each mosquito oriented so that the head protrudes beyond a front edge of the cartridge.
To separate heads from bodies, the invention includes a cutting assembly coupled to the cartridge, including a movable blade that moves along the front edge of the cartridge to separate the heads from the bodies of the multiplicity of mosquitoes. In certain configurations, the blade is serrate and includes a multiplicity of notches configured to align with the cartridge slots so that mosquito heads and necks pass while mosquito bodies are constrained within the slots.
After separation, the invention uses a squeezer having a movable block extending between the first end and the second end of the cartridge, with fingers configured to extend between the cartridge slots. The squeezer is pressed upon the mosquito bodies so as to extrude mosquito salivary glands from the mosquito bodies, and the device further includes means for collecting the salivary glands.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The inventive features center on parallel cartridge slot positioning of mosquitoes with heads protruding beyond a front edge, head-to-body separation by a movable cutting assembly with blade and notch alignment features, and extrusion of salivary glands by a movable body squeezer with fingers, with collection or receiving features also recited.
Parallel cartridge slot positioning with protruding head
A cartridge with a multiplicity of slots having a given depth positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein each slot is structurally configured to receive one mosquito such that the multiplicity of mosquitoes can be positioned in parallel and each is disposed in one of the slots such that the head of each mosquito is positioned to protrude beyond the front edge.
Movable front-edge blade separation of heads from bodies
A cutting assembly coupled to the cartridge comprising a movable blade extending between the first end and the second end of the cartridge and configured such that the blade moves along the front edge of the cartridge to separate the heads from the bodies of the multiplicity of mosquitoes.
Pressed movable squeezer fingers for salivary gland extrusion
A squeezer comprising a movable block extending between the first end and the second end of the cartridge, the block comprising fingers configured to extend between each cartridge slot, respectively, such that the block is configured to be pressed upon the bodies of the multiplicity of mosquitoes, thereby extruding mosquito salivary glands from the multiplicity of mosquito bodies.
Means for collecting the salivary glands
Means for collecting the salivary glands.
Aligned serrate notch blades for severing head passage with body constraint
A cutting assembly comprising a first blade and a second blade, both blades serrate comprising a multiplicity of notches positioned such that the notches of the two blades align with each other and with the cartridge slots and are configured to receive the mosquitoes such that the mosquito heads pass beyond the cartridge slots and the mosquito bodies are constrained within the slots, and wherein the first blade is further configured to move relative to the second blade along the front edge of the cartridge, thereby separating the heads from the bodies.
Movable body squeezer with fingers within cartridge slots
A movable body squeezer comprising fingers configured to fit within the cartridge slots and extending between the first end and the second end of the cartridge, and configured such that the squeezer can be operably pressed such that the fingers press upon the bodies of the multiplicity of mosquitoes, thereby extruding a multiplicity of mosquito salivary glands from the multiplicity of mosquito bodies.
Platform for receiving separated heads
A platform for receiving the separated heads of the multiplicity of mosquitoes.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive coverage is a multi-mosquito cartridge slot arrangement that holds mosquitoes in parallel with heads protruding beyond a front edge, a cutting assembly that separates heads from bodies using movable blade severing with notch and alignment features, and a movable body squeezer with fingers that press the bodies to extrude salivary glands, with collection of the salivary glands or a platform for receiving separated heads also recited.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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