Portable sample disruptor apparatus, kits, and methods
Inventors
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Assignees
MemberZymo ResearchZymo ResearchZymo Research is a global biotechnology company specializing in innovative products and services for sample collection, nucleic acid purification, microbiomics, epigenetics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). With over 30 years of experience, Zymo Research is recognized for simplifying complex scientific workflows and providing reliable solutions for life science research, clinical diagnostics, and molecular biology applications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of kits, standards, and services designed to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency in molecular analyses, supporting researchers worldwide.
Zymo Research is a global biotechnology company specializing in innovative products and services for sample collection, nucleic acid purification, microbiomics, epigenetics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). With over 30 years of experience, Zymo Research is recognized for simplifying complex scientific workflows and providing reliable solutions for life science research, clinical diagnostics, and molecular biology applications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of kits, standards, and services designed to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency in molecular analyses, supporting researchers worldwide.
Publication Number
US-9150826-B2
Publication Date
2015-10-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatuses, kits, and methods for portable sample disruption (e.g., for encouraging cell lysis).
Core Innovation
The present disclosure includes embodiments of apparatuses, kits, and methods for portable sample disruption, for example for encouraging cell lysis. Embodiments of the present apparatuses comprise a body defining a chamber having a first end and a second end configured to permit a container (e.g., vial) to be inserted into the chamber, the body configured to be coupled to a device having a piston such that the volume of the chamber can be varied by reciprocating the piston between a retracted position and an extended position, and a cap configured to be coupled to the body such that the cap covers the second end of the chamber, where if the body is coupled to the device, the piston can be reciprocated to vibrate a container disposed in the chamber.
Some embodiments further comprise a resilient member coupled to at least one of the cap and the body such that if a container is vibrated in the chamber, the resilient member is compressed when the piston is in the extended position, and some embodiments include features such as threaded body and cap, a retractable protrusion and indents to resist rotation, a shoulder to limit lateral movement of the container, cap openings to permit fluid communication, and compact body and cap dimensions. Some embodiments include a device having a piston that is battery powered and/or is an auto-hammer, and some kits comprise the apparatus and a battery charger and optionally vials, earplugs, lysis beads, lysis solutions, an instruction manual, and a battery.
Degradation and contamination of biological samples have been obstacles to scientific study and may be particularly problematic in highly sensitive molecular-analysis techniques, and for collection of biological samples in the field use of cryogenic freezing is generally too impractical to be employed. At least some embodiments of the present apparatuses, kits, and methods permit rapid processing of a sample into a stabilizing buffer to prevent or reduce sample degradation, rapid processing in a way that avoids or reduces the likelihood of contamination, and rapid processing with an apparatus that is easily transportable and efficient to operate in the field.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are claim 1 (an apparatus) and claim 3 (a method). The claims recite five main inventive features.
Body defining a chamber to receive a container
A body defining a chamber having a first end and a second end configured to permit a container to be inserted into the chamber.
Containers positioned within the chamber for biological samples
One or more containers positioned within said chamber, said one or more containers for containing a biological sample comprising cells.
Battery-operated mechanical reciprocating vibrator as cell lysing device
A cell lysing device coupled to the body, wherein said cell lysing device consists essentially of a battery operated mechanical reciprocating vibrator configured to vibrate said one or more containers to lyse said cells in the biological sample.
Method of disrupting cell samples by reciprocated vibration
Disrupting a cell sample disposed in a container such that nucleic acid is released from cells in the sample, said disrupting consisting essentially of providing reciprocated vibration to the cell sample by activating a battery-powered mechanical disrupting device of an apparatus.
Optional inclusion of lysis beads and/or a lysis solution in the container
The container optionally including one or more lysis beads and/or a lysis solution.
The independent claims encompass a chambered body to receive containers holding biological cell samples, containers within the chamber, a cell lysing device that is a battery-operated mechanical reciprocating vibrator, a method of disrupting cell samples by reciprocated vibration using a battery-powered mechanical disrupting device, and optional inclusion of lysis beads and/or lysis solution in the container.
Stated Advantages
Rapid processing of a sample into a stabilizing buffer that can prevent or reduce sample degradation.
Rapid processing in a way that avoids or reduces the likelihood of contamination outside of the laboratory setting.
Rapid processing with an apparatus that is easily transportable and efficient to operate in the field.
Documented Applications
Portable sample disruption for encouraging cell lysis.
Mechanically disrupting a cell sample disposed in a container such that nucleic acid is released from cells in the sample.
Field collection and processing of biological samples to prevent or reduce sample degradation and to reduce likelihood of contamination, including applications in forensics and environmental science.
Disruption of samples including yeast, bacteria, plant, soil, fecal matter, and biological tissue (fungal/bacterial, tissue & insect, plant/seed, and the like).
Use with test kits for DNA and RNA testing and sample preparation.
Interested in licensing this patent?