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-9410115-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatuses, kits, and methods for portable sample disruption (e.g., for encouraging cell lysis).
Core Innovation
The present disclosure provides apparatuses, kits, and methods for portable sample disruption, for example for encouraging cell lysis. Embodiments of the apparatuses comprise a body defining a chamber having a first end and a second end configured to permit a container 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.
The background identifies degradation and contamination of biological samples as obstacles to scientific study and as particularly problematic in highly sensitive molecular-analysis techniques, and notes that cryogenic freezing and limiting exposure to high temperature are generally impractical for collection of biological samples in the field. The present apparatuses, kits, and methods address these issues by providing portable, battery-powered and/or compact apparatuses for disrupting cell samples in the field to permit rapid processing of a sample into a stabilizing buffer that can prevent or reduce sample degradation, to avoid or reduce the likelihood of contamination, and to be easily transportable and efficient to operate in the field.
Claims Coverage
Independent claims identified: 1, 9, and 13. The claims disclose 7 main inventive features extracted below.
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.
Device with a reciprocating piston coupled to the body to vary chamber volume
A device having a piston such that the volume of the chamber is configured to be varied by reciprocating the piston between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the body is coupled to the device, and the piston is configured to be reciprocated to vibrate a container disposed in the chamber.
Cap coupled to the body to cover the chamber second end
A cap coupled to the body such that the cap covers the second end of the chamber, the cap functioning with the body and device so that reciprocation of the piston will vibrate a container disposed in the chamber.
Threaded cap and body for adjustable chamber length
The body comprises threads and the cap comprises corresponding threads for coupling the cap to the body, and the cap is configured to be rotated in order to adjust the length of the chamber between an innermost and an outermost position of the cap.
Retractable protrusion biased toward the body and corresponding body indents to resist cap rotation
The cap comprises a retractable protrusion biased in a bias direction toward at least a portion of the body when the cap is coupled to the body; the body comprises a plurality of indents; and the cap is rotatable to adjust the length of the chamber to positions at which the retractable protrusion extends into one of the indents of the body to resist rotation of the cap relative to the body.
Providing and activating an apparatus to vibrate a container in the chamber
A method feature comprising providing an apparatus comprising a body and a cap with the body coupled to a device having a piston such that the volume of the chamber is varied by reciprocating the piston, disposing a container in the chamber, coupling the cap to the body, and activating the device to vibrate the container.
Mechanically disrupting a cell sample to release nucleic acid by activating a battery-powered device
A method comprising mechanically disrupting a cell sample disposed in a container such that nucleic acid is released from cells in the sample, where mechanically disrupting includes inserting the container into the chamber, coupling the cap to the chamber via threads, and activating a battery-powered device of an apparatus to cause reciprocation of a piston to vibrate the container.
The independent claims disclose a portable apparatus system centered on a chambered body coupled to a piston-driven device to vibrate a container, a cap with threaded adjustment and a retractable protrusion interacting with body indents to resist rotation, and corresponding methods of providing, adjusting, and activating the apparatus to vibrate containers and mechanically disrupt cell samples.
Stated Advantages
Permits rapid processing of a sample into a stabilizing buffer that can prevent or reduce sample degradation.
Permits rapid processing in a way that avoids or reduces the likelihood of contamination outside of a laboratory setting.
Provides an apparatus that is easily transportable and efficient to operate in the field (portable, hand-held, battery-powered).
Documented Applications
Portable or in-field sample disruption for encouraging cell lysis and vigorous cell disruption outside of a laboratory setting.
Mechanically disrupting a cell sample disposed in a container such that nucleic acid is released from cells in the sample.
Processing samples including yeast, bacteria, plant, soil, fecal matter, and biological tissue for preservation and analysis.
Use in field sample collection contexts such as forensics and environmental science to enable rapid processing and to reduce degradation and contamination during transport.
Kits and sample preparation for DNA and RNA testing, including embodiments that may include vials, lysis beads, lysis solutions, an instruction manual, a battery, and a battery charger.
Interested in licensing this patent?