Apparatus and methods centrifugal and magnetic sample isolation
Inventors
JIA, Xi-Yu • OLLAR, Samuel Joseph
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11406989-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-09
Expiration Date
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Abstract
Provided herein are devices and methods for sample isolation comprising a planar member configured to rotate around a bearing, and a plurality of apertures positioned at an angle to the planar member. Exemplary embodiments relate generally to the field of sample isolation, and more particularly to sample isolation using centrifugal and magnetic forces.
Core Innovation
Provided herein are devices and methods for sample isolation comprising a planar member configured to rotate around a bearing, and a plurality of apertures positioned at an angle to the planar member. Exemplary embodiments combine both magnetic isolation and centrifugation in one device. Exemplary embodiments include a device for isolating a sample, where the device comprises: a planar member comprising an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a central portion and an outer portion; a bearing positioned in the central portion of the planar member; and a support member proximal to the central portion of the planar member, and the device is configured to allow rotation of the planar member around the support member.
Conventional sample isolation apparatus and methods utilizing magnetic or centrifugal forces suffer notable disadvantages. Typical magnetic separation devices condense magnetic beads along the tube wall closest to the magnet such that some supernatant remains on the beads due to surface tension, which can cause contamination carryover; traditional centrifugation apparatus result in magnetic beads pelleting at the bottom of the centrifuge immersed in the supernatant and the magnetic beads are likely to be aspirated when the supernatant is removed, and accordingly a portion of the sample will be lost during the aspiration process. The exemplary combined magnetic and centrifugation approach is intended to improve the efficiency of sample isolation by allowing for less carry over of supernatant, resulting in cleaner preparation and reduced tube handling.
Claims Coverage
This section reviews 6 inventive features identified across 2 independent claims.
Rotating planar member with bearing assembly
a planar member comprising an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a central portion and an outer portion; a bearing positioned in the central portion of the planar member; and a support member proximal to the central portion of the planar member; the bearing comprises a first bearing race and a second bearing race, wherein the first bearing race and the second bearing race are configured to rotate with respect to each other; the planar member is coupled to the first bearing race of the bearing; the support member is coupled to the second bearing race of the bearing; and the device is configured to allow rotation of the planar member around the support member.
Angled apertures in outer portion
the outer portion of the planar member comprises a plurality of apertures distal to the central portion; each aperture of the plurality of apertures extends through the planar member at an angle to the planar member, wherein the angle to the planar member is between 30 degrees and 50 degrees when measured from a central axis of the aperture to the upper planar surface between the aperture and the central portion.
Magnets positioned between bearing and apertures
the outer portion of the planar member comprises a plurality of magnets positioned such that each magnet in the plurality of magnets is located between the bearing and the aperture in the plurality of apertures.
Planar member with multiple sides and angled outer portion
a planar member comprising a plurality of sides, an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a central portion and an outer portion; the outer portion of the planar member is coupled to the central portion at each side of the planar member; the outer portion of the planar member is coupled to the central portion at an angle between 125 degrees and 145 degrees; the outer portion comprises a plurality of apertures at each side of the planar member; and the device is configured to allow rotation of the planar member around the support member.
Base member with side-aligned magnets and matching apertures
the outer portion comprises eight apertures at each side of the planar member; the base member comprises a plurality of sides equal to the number of sides of the planar member; each side of the base member comprises a plurality of magnets equal to the number of apertures at each side of the planar member; and the base member is configured to support the support member, the bearing and the planar member to allow rotation of the planar member with respect to the support member.
Magnets comprising 52 percent Neodymium
the plurality of magnets comprises 52 percent Neodymium.
The independent claims emphasize a rotatable planar member mounted on a bearing assembly with angled apertures and magnets positioned between the bearing and the apertures, and a multi-sided planar member embodiment with angled outer portions and a correspondingly sided base member having matching magnets, including magnets comprising 52 percent Neodymium.
Stated Advantages
Improve the efficiency of sample isolation by allowing for less carry over of supernatant.
Result in cleaner preparation and reduced tube handling.
Enable removal of excess supernatant held to magnetic beads via centrifugation without disturbing the magnetic bead pellet, thereby reducing carryover between steps.
Documented Applications
Sample isolation using centrifugal and magnetic forces.
Magnetic bead DNA/RNA isolation.
Isolate macromolecules such as genetic material from a solution using magnetic isolation beads (e.g. for DNA/RNA or protein).
A modular biological sample isolation device configured with openings for receiving microcentrifuge tubes or strips of connected microcentrifuge tubes.
Processing samples stored in DNA/RNA Shield.
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