Device, system and method processing a sample

• US 10,315,195 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambridge Enterprises Limited, Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Cambridge Enterprises Limited, Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Helen Hwai-an, Dineva, Magda Anastassova, Wisniewski, Craig Alan, Stankus, Phillip John
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett, Lore R
• Application Number:
  US15/783,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20180036726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/04 Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0621 Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/045 whereby the whole cover is slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0663 Whole sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0861 Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices

Abstract

A device for the processing of a sample comprises a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample and a plurality of reagent chambers. The reagent chambers have openings defined in the location apparatus. The processing chamber is movable relative to the reagent chambers to enable sequential communication with each reagent chamber in turn.

Claims

1. A method of processing a sample in a device, the device having a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening, one or more reagent chambers, each reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the one or more reagent chambers to enable sequential communication between the processing chamber and each reagent chamber, such that each reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening, and a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of each reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the one or more reagent chambers from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the one or more reagent chambers, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the one or more reagent chambers, so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample, the method comprising the steps of:

loading the sample into the processing chamber,

moving the processing chamber relative to the one or more reagent chambers, and

introducing a reagent into the processing chamber from a reagent chamber.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the step of moving the processing chamber after loading the sample is such that the sealing apparatus seals the sample from the external environment.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of disposing of the device after analysing the sample.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the sample is a biological sample.

5. A method according to claim 1 in which there are between two and five reagent chambers, each containing a reagent that is introduced into the processing chamber during processing.

6. A method according to claim 5 in which there are three or four reagent chambers.

7. A method according to claim 1 in which the processing chamber is pre-loaded with a reagent.

8. A method according to claim 1 additionally further comprising at least one step of incubating the sample in the processing chamber at predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time.

9. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a mixing steps subsequent to introduction of the reagent.

10. A method according to claim 1 in which the processing involves an amplification step to amplify a nucleic acid in the sample.

11. A method according to claim 1 in which the device further comprises an analyser chamber for containing an analyser for analysing the sample after processing, the analyser chamber having an associated opening defined in the device such that it communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening.

12. A method according to claim 11 in which the resulting processed sample is analysed by an analyser contained in the analyser chamber of the device.

13. A method according to claim 12 in which the analyser is a test-strip that contacts the processed sample to conduct the analysis.

14. A method according claim 12 in which the analysis step involves the detection of a nucleic acid present in the sample.

15. A method according to claim 12 in which a post analysis treatment is carried out on the sample to neutralise previous processing reactions or to deactivate amplified product for priming of new amplification reactions.

16. A method according to claim 12 in which the analyser chamber is pre-loaded with an analyser.

17. A method according to claim 11 in which a wall of the analyser chamber is substantially transparent.

18. A method according to claim 1 in which the location apparatus comprises the sealing apparatus.

19. A method according to claim 1 in which the location apparatus comprises a bottom portion and a top portion movable relative to the bottom portion.

20. A method according to claim 1 in which there is a single reagent chamber.

21. A method according to claim 1 in which the processing chamber is movable between a plurality of discrete positions or stations and in at least some of these positions the processing chamber opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with a reagent chamber opening.

22. A method according to claim 1 in which the reagent is a freeze-dried or lyophilised reagent.

23. A method according to claim 1 in which the reagent is a liquid reagent.

24. A method according to claim 1 in which a reagent chamber is pre-loaded with the reagent.

25. A method of processing a sample in a device, the device having a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening, a plurality of reagent chambers, each reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the reagent chambers to enable sequential communication between the processing chamber and each reagent chamber, such that each reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening, and a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of each reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the reagent chambers from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the reagent chambers, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chambers, so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample, the method comprising the steps of:

loading the sample into the processing chamber,

moving the processing chamber relative to the reagent chambers, and

introducing a first reagent into the processing chamber from a first reagent chamber.

26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising moving the processing chamber relative to the plurality of reagent chambers and introducing a second reagent into the processing chamber from a second reagent chamber.

27. A method of processing a sample in a device, the device having a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample having an opening, a reagent chamber having an associated opening defined in the location apparatus, the processing chamber being movable relative to the reagent chamber to enable communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chamber, such that the reagent chamber communicates with the processing chamber when its associated opening is disposed in overlapping relationship with the processing chamber opening, and a sealing apparatus comprising a seal element which forms a circumferential seal around the opening of the processing chamber and the associated opening of the reagent chamber, which seals the processing chamber and the reagent chamber from the external environment throughout movement of the processing chamber relative to the reagent chamber, and throughout the communication between the processing chamber and the reagent chamber, so that the sample cannot escape from the device during processing of the sample, the method comprising the steps of:

loading the sample into the processing chamber,

moving the processing chamber relative to the reagent chamber, and

introducing a first reagent into the processing chamber from the reagent chamber.