Liquid to liquid biological particle fractionation and concentration
Inventors
Packingham, Zachary Allen • Page, Andrew Edward • Alburty, David Scott • Graham, Steven Dale • Adolphson, Alec Douglas
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10845277-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides for devices, systems and methods for fractionation and concentration of particles from a fluid sample. This includes a cartridge containing staged filters having porous surface in series of decreasing pore size for capture of particles from a fluid sample; and a permeate pressure source in fluid communication with the cartridge; wherein the particles are eluted from the porous surfaces and dispensed in a reduced fluid volume.
Core Innovation
The invention is a device for fractionation and concentration of particles from a fluid sample. The device includes a cartridge with an inlet port, an outlet port, and alternating layers of plastic spacers and filters arranged serially along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the filters, and each filter has a porous surface in which all pores on a given filter are of a constant size.
The filters are arranged in series of decreasing pore size for capture of particles from the fluid sample. The alternating layers create a plurality of internal volume chambers adjacent each porous surface, and the cartridge directs substantially unidirectional fluid sample flow along the longitudinal axis in each chamber. In a single pass, all fluid sample entering the inlet port passes through the outlet port while particles are retained at a given filter according to particle size and do not pass to a subsequent filter if larger than the pore size of the given filter.
The device further includes a permeate pressure source in fluid communication with the cartridge. A foam injection port at each end of the plurality of internal volume chambers and a retentate port at each opposite end collect eluted material. Particles are eluted tangentially from each porous surface by foam injected by the foam injecting port and collected through the retentate port, and dispensed in a reduced fluid volume.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim (clm-00001) covering a cartridge-based single-pass decreasing pore size fractionation with tangential foam elution and reduced-volume dispensing. The independent claim includes several key inventive elements, with dependent claims refining cartridge-fluidics and specifying compatible filter options and internal flow routing features.
Single-pass, unidirectional decreasing pore size capture
A cartridge directing substantially unidirectional, single pass fluid sample flow along a longitudinal axis through internal chambers, with serially arranged filters of decreasing pore size such that particles are retained at a given filter according to particle size and do not pass to a subsequent filter if larger than the pore size.
Perpendicular flow through constant pore size porous surfaces
Filters positioned so the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the filters, each filter having a porous surface with all pores on a given filter of a constant size.
Internal volume chambers adjacent each porous surface
Alternating layers of plastic spacers and filters positioned serially between the inlet port and outlet port, forming a plurality of internal volume chambers adjacent each porous surface for directing unidirectional fluid sample flow.
Tangential foam elution from each porous surface
Foam injection port at each end of the plurality of internal volume chambers and retentate port at each opposite end, where particles are eluted tangentially from each porous surface by foam injected by the foam injecting port and collected through the retentate port.
Reduced-volume dispensing using elution collection
Dispensing the collected eluted particles in a reduced fluid volume.
Permeate pressure source in communication with the cartridge
A permeate pressure source in fluid communication with the cartridge.
Connecting portion for concentrating unit interface
A connecting portion configured to connect to a concentrating unit.
Filter-to-filter permeate-retentate routing via support flow channel
Filters arranged so that a filter support with flow channel connects the permeate of one filter to the retentate of an adjacent smaller pore filter.
Valved fluidic connections linking internal volumes between filters
Valved fluidic connections that link the internal volume between each of the filters.
Specified selectable filter types
One or more specified filter types selected from flat membrane filters, flat ceramic filters, affinity-based filters, flat depth filters, electrostatically charged filters, or microsieves.
Elution buffer distribution manifold with flow control orifice
An elution buffer distribution manifold with a flow control orifice.
Overall, the claim set centers on serial decreasing pore size filters arranged with perpendicular, unidirectional single-pass flow, combined with tangential foam injection at each chamber for elution from each porous surface and collection through retentate ports into a reduced fluid volume. Dependent claims refine internal flow routing, valving, an interface to a concentrating unit, selectable filter types, and an elution buffer distribution manifold with a flow control orifice.
Stated Advantages
Provides a single-pass capture of size-fractionated particles using substantially unidirectional flow through the cartridge.
Elutes particles tangentially from each porous surface using foam and dispenses the particles in a reduced fluid volume.
Stated performance advantage of seconds vs minutes/hours and low hold-up volume, supporting automation-friendly operation.
Documented Applications
Cascade/band-pass fractionation of biological particles including proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and bacteria.
Examples involving spores including Bacillus atrophaeus spores, Bacillus stereothermophilus spores, and Bacillus anthracis.
Examples involving Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE).
Interested in licensing this patent?