Liquid to liquid biological particle concentrator with disposable fluid path
Inventors
Page, Andrew Edward • Packingham, Zachary A. • Alburty, David Scott • Adolphson, Alec D.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10942097-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.
Core Innovation
The disclosed subject matter relates to a filtration-based biological particle concentrator that rapidly concentrates particles and molecules from a fluid sample. A concentrating pipette tip includes a filter and a permeate draw, and the concentrating pipette tip is inserted into a container holding the fluid sample. A concentrating unit aspirates the fluid sample through the concentrating pipette tip, retaining particles and molecules and directing separated fluid to a permeate stream while enabling a concentrated sample to be collected by a fluid dispenser.
The system provides that the filter and the permeate draw are connected to a single connection point adapted to couple the concentrating pipette tip to the concentrating unit. After aspiration, the concentrated sample is eluted from the filter and dispensed. The disclosure further includes permeate draw and permeate purge functionality connected to the instrument via the single connection point, supporting integrated filter operation within the disposable concentrating pipette tip.
The disclosure addresses flow control, anti-carryover, and filter performance. In particular, it describes anti-carryover via disposable tip replacement and includes sensor and valve features such as a fluid sensor and a permeate valve. It also describes strategies to reduce filter blinding, including high-frequency backpulsing and oscillating tangential flow, and discusses handling of wet/dry behavior of filter regions such as hydrophobic vent portions/layers during operation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. The inventive coverage is focused on a system structure for rapid concentration using a disposable concentrating pipette tip with a filter and permeate draw connected via a single connection point, and a corresponding method using the same single connection-point arrangement to aspirate, elute, and extract a concentrated sample, with a concentrating unit that includes a permeate valve.
Rapid concentration system with disposable concentrating pipette tip and single connection point
A system for rapid concentration of particles and molecules from a fluid sample comprising a container holding the fluid sample; a concentrating pipette tip including a filter and a permeate draw, inserted into the fluid sample container; a concentrating unit adapted to aspirate the fluid sample through the concentrating pipette tip; and a fluid dispenser for collecting a concentrated sample, wherein the fluid sample is aspirated through the concentrating pipette tip, then the concentrated sample is eluted from the filter and dispensed, and wherein the filter and the permeate draw are connected to a single connection point adapted to couple the concentrating pipette tip to the concentrating unit.
Rapid concentration method using a concentrating pipette tip with porous surface and single connection point
A method for rapid concentration of particles and molecules from a fluid sample comprising connecting a concentrating pipette tip to a concentrating unit, the concentrating pipette tip including a porous surface and a permeate draw connected to the concentrating unit via a single connection point, the concentrating unit for aspirating the fluid sample through the concentrating pipette tip and a permeate valve; inserting the concentrating pipette tip into a fluid sample; aspirating the fluid sample through the concentrating pipette tip; eluting a plurality of particles and molecules in the concentrating pipette tip; and extracting a concentrated sample.
Across the independent claims, the central inventive theme is rapid particle and molecule concentration using a disposable concentrating pipette tip containing a filter or porous surface and a permeate draw, with the filter and permeate draw coupled to the concentrating unit via a single connection point. The method claim mirrors the system architecture and includes a concentrating unit with a permeate valve for aspirating, concentrating, eluting, and extracting the concentrated sample.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Concentrating viruses, bacteria, DNA, proteins/toxins, and pathogens, including CDC biothreat agents, from fluid samples.
Concentrating pathogens, bacterial, DNA, protein, and toxin material and processing such as wash, labeling, cell lysis on the retentate, and inhibitor or interferent removal.
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