Automated plunger-based sample/buffer mixing assembly

• US 20030158499A1
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dave Smith, Eric Waltzer, Greg Liang, Mike Smith, Roger Tatum, Thomas J. Foley
• Original Assignee: Dave Smith, Eric Waltzer, Greg Liang, Mike Smith, Roger Tatum, Thomas J. Foley
• Inventors: Liang, Greg, Smith, Dave, Smith, Mike, Waltzer, Eric, Tatum, Roger, Foley, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US10/310,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20030158499A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/573
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0051 for taking saliva or sputum samples devices for receiving spittle A61J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/452 using independent floating stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/81 Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/812 in two or more alternative mixing receptacles, e.g. mixing in one receptacle and dispensing from another receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/713 comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges containers or packages per se B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7137 Piercing, perforating or melting membranes or closures which seal the compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7161 the containers being connected coaxially before contacting the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7163 the containers being connected in a mouth-to-mouth, end-to-end disposition, i.e. the openings are juxtaposed before contacting the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7174 using pistons, plungers or syringes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/754251 reciprocating in the mixing receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/041 Connecting closures to device or container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• 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 3/5023 : with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 : Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 : Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48714 : for determining substances foreign to the organism, e.g. drugs or heavy metals drugs by chemical analysis G01N33/94
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54313 : the carrier being characterised by its particulate form
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 : Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 : involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/98 : involving alcohol, e.g. ethanol in breath
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7036 : Jacketed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 : with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Assemblies and methods are provided for mixing a sample and a buffer. A sample/buffer mixing assembly includes a sample collection chamber, a buffer chamber containing a buffer, a mixing chamber, and one or more plungers. The sample collection chamber is in fluid communication with a sample collection interface device. The mixing chamber includes a sample port adjacent the sample collection chamber, and a buffer port adjacent the buffer chamber. The plungers are in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber and the buffer chamber, and can be moved to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port, and the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the buffer port. In this manner, the dispensed sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution within the mixing chamber. The plungers can include a buffer dispense plunger that is movable within the buffer chamber towards the buffer port to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber under positive pressure via the buffer port. The plungers can also include a sample dispense plunger that is movable within the mixing chamber away from the sample port to dispense the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port. The sample/buffer mixing assembly can be automated by mechanically coupling drive assemblies to the sample and buffer dispense plungers. To ensure that the sample and buffer are mixed, a ferrous element can be provided within the mixing chamber, and a mixing motor can be magnetically coupled to the ferrous element to agitate the buffered sample solution. The sample/buffer mixing assembly can also be used to mix saliva and buffer, in which case, the sample collection chamber is a saliva collection chamber.

Claims

1. A sample/buffer mixing assembly, comprising:

a sample collection chamber in fluid communication with a sample collection interface device, said sample collection chamber being configured for containing sample collected from said sample collection interface device;

a buffer chamber containing a buffer;

a mixing chamber comprising a sample port adjacent said sample collection chamber, and a buffer port adjacent said buffer chamber;

one or more plungers in fluid communication with said sample collection chamber and said buffer chamber, wherein said one or more plungers can be moved to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber via said sample port, and said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber via said buffer port.

2. The mixing assembly of claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a dispense port.

3. The mixing assembly of claim 1, wherein said one or more plungers comprises a plurality of plungers.

4. The mixing assembly of claim 1, wherein said one or more plungers comprises:

a buffer dispense plunger movable within said buffer chamber to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber; and

a sample dispense plunger movable within said mixing chamber to dispense said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber, wherein a buffered sample solution is formed.

5. The mixing assembly of claim 4, wherein said buffer dispense plunger is movable towards said buffer port to dispense said buffer into said mixing chamber under positive pressure via said buffer port, and said sample dispense plunger is movable away from said sample port to dispense said buffer into said mixing chamber under negative pressure via said sample port.

6. The mixing assembly of claim 4, wherein said mixing chamber comprises a dispense port, and further comprising buffered sample dispense plunger movable within said mixing chamber to dispense said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber out through said dispense port.

7. The mixing assembly of claim 6, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger is movable towards said dispense port to dispense said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber out through said dispense port.

8. The mixing assembly of claim 6, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger is disposed between said buffer dispense plunger and said sample dispense plunger.

9. The mixing assembly of claim 8, wherein said buffer port comprises a seal, and said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more styluses for puncturing said seal when said buffered sample dispense plunger is moved towards said buffer port.

10. The mixing assembly of claim 6, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more through ports.

11. The mixing assembly of claim 7, wherein said buffer dispense plunger is configured to mate with said buffered sample dispense plunger, and is movable within said mixing chamber to move said buffered sample dispense plunger towards said dispense port.

12. The mixing assembly of claim 9, wherein said sample dispense plunger is configured to mate with said buffered sample dispense plunger, and is movable within said mixing chamber to move said buffered sample dispense plunger towards said buffer port.

13. The mixing assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more drive assemblies mechanically coupled to said one or more plungers.

14. The mixing assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a ferrous element within said mixing chamber; and

a mixing motor comprising an interface magnetically coupled to said ferrous element.

15. The mixing assembly of claim 1, wherein said sample collection chamber comprises a saliva collection chamber, and said sample comprises saliva.

16. A method of buffering a sample, comprising:

dispensing said sample into a mixing chamber via a sample port by moving a sample dispense plunger in fluid communication with said mixing chamber;

dispensing buffer into said mixing chamber via a buffer port by moving a buffer dispense plunger in fluid communication with said mixing chamber; and

mixing said sample with said buffer into said mixing chamber to form a buffered sample solution.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said sample and said buffer are simultaneously dispensed into said mixing chamber.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said sample is dispensed from a sample collection chamber in fluid communication with said sample port, and said buffer is dispensed from a buffer chamber in fluid communication with said buffer port.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising dispensing said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber via a dispense port by moving buffered sample dispense plunger in fluid communication with said mixing chamber.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said sample is dispensed in said mixing chamber by moving said sample dispense plunger within said mixing chamber away from said sample port, and said buffer is dispensed in said mixing chamber by moving said buffer dispense plunger within said buffer chamber towards said buffer port.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said buffered sample solution is dispensed from said mixing chamber by moving said buffered sample dispense plunger within said mixing chamber towards said dispense port.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said sample and said buffer are mixed in said mixing chamber using a motor.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said sample and said buffer are mixed in said mixing chamber by dispensing said sample and said buffer into said mixing chamber.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said buffer port comprises a seal, the method further comprising puncturing said seal prior to dispensing said buffer into said mixing chamber.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein said sample comprises saliva.

36. The mixing assembly of claim 25, further comprising one or more drive assemblies mechanically coupled to said buffer and sample dispense plungers.

37. The mixing assembly of claim 25, further comprising a first drive assembly mechanically coupled to said buffer dispense plunger and a second drive assembly mechanically coupled to said sample dispense plunger.

38. The mixing assembly of claim 25, further comprising:

a ferrous element within said mixing chamber; and

a mixing motor comprising an interface magnetically coupled to said ferrous element.

39. The mixing assembly of claim 25, wherein said buffer port is a longitudinal port and said sample port is a lateral port.

40. The mixing assembly of claim 25, wherein said sample collection chamber comprises a sample collection chamber, and said sample comprises saliva.

26. A sample/buffer mixing assembly, comprising:

a sample collection chamber containing sample;

a buffer chamber containing buffer;

a mixing chamber comprising a buffer port in fluid communication with said buffer chamber, a sample port in fluid communication with said sample collection chamber, a dispense port;

a buffer dispense plunger disposed within said buffer chamber and being movable to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber via said buffer port;

a sample dispense plunger disposed within said mixing chamber and being movable to dispense said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber via said sample port, wherein a buffered sample solution is formed; and

buffered sample dispense plunger disposed within said mixing chamber between said buffer and sample dispense plungers and being movable to dispense said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber via said dispense port.

27. The mixing assembly of claim 26, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises a first thrust surface and an oppositely disposed second thrust surface.

28. The mixing assembly of claim 27, wherein said first thrust surface is adjacent said buffer port and said second thrust surface is adjacent said sample port.

29. The mixing assembly of claim 27, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more through ports extending from said first thrust surface to said second thrust surface.

30. The mixing assembly of claim 27, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises a ferrous element relief for storage of a ferrous element.

31. The mixing assembly of claim 27, wherein said buffer port comprises a seal, and said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more styluses formed on said first thrust surface for puncturing said seal when said buffered sample dispense plunger is moved towards said buffer port.

32. The mixing assembly of claim 27, wherein said mixing chamber is in axial alignment with said buffer chamber.

33. The mixing assembly of claim 32, wherein said buffer dispense plunger comprises a third thrust surface configured to mate with said first thrust surface of said buffered sample dispense plunger, and is movable within said mixing chamber to move said buffered sample dispense plunger towards said dispense port to dispense said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber out through said dispense port.

34. The mixing assembly of claim 33, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more through ports extending from said first thrust surface to said second thrust surface, and said third thrust surface of said buffer dispense plunger comprises one or more plugs that are receivable in said one or more through ports of said buffered sample dispense plunger.

35. The mixing assembly of claim 31, wherein said sample dispense plunger comprises a fourth thrust surface configured to mate with said second thrust surface of said buffered sample dispense plunger, and is movable within said mixing chamber to move said buffered sample dispense plunger towards said buffer port to puncture said seal.

41. A method of mixing a buffer and a sample using a buffer chamber, sample collection chamber, and mixing chambers, said buffer and sample collection chambers being in fluid communication with said mixing chamber via respective buffer and sample ports, said mixing chamber comprising a dispense port, the method comprising:

storing said sample in said sample collection chamber;

storing said buffer in said buffer chamber;

moving a sample dispense plunger within said mixing chamber away from said sample port to dispense said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber,

moving a buffer dispense plunger within said buffer chamber towards said buffer port to dispense said buffer from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber, wherein said buffer and sample form a buffered sample solution; and

moving buffered sample dispense plunger within said mixing chamber towards said dispense port to dispense said buffered sample solution from said mixing chamber out through said dispense port.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said buffer and sample dispense plunger moving steps are performed simultaneously.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising seating said buffered sample dispense plunger against said buffer port prior to said moving of said buffer dispense plunger.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said buffer port comprises a seal, and said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more styluses that puncture said seal when said buffered sample dispense plunger is seated against said buffer port.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises one or more through ports, and wherein said buffer is dispensed from said buffer chamber into said mixing chamber via said one or more through ports.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein said seating of said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises pushing said buffered sample dispense plunger with said sample dispense plunger.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein said moving of said buffered sample dispense plunger comprises pushing said buffered sample dispense plunger with said buffer dispense plunger.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein said buffer and sample dispense plungers are moved using one or more drive assemblies.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein said buffer dispense plunger is moved using a first drive assembly and said second plunger is moved using a second drive assembly.

50. The method of claim 41, further comprising agitating said buffered sample solution within said mixing chamber using a mixing motor.

51. The method of claim 41, further comprising collecting said sample in said sample collection chamber prior to dispensing said sample from said sample collection chamber into said mixing chamber.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein said sample collection chamber comprises a sample collection chamber, and said sample comprises saliva.

53. A mixing assembly, comprising:

a first chamber containing said first solution;

a second chamber containing said second solution;

a third chamber comprising a first port in fluid communication with said first chamber, a second port in fluid communication with said second chamber, a third port;

a first plunger disposed within said first chamber and being movable to dispense said first solution from said first chamber into said third chamber via said first port;

a second plunger disposed within said third chamber and being movable to dispense said second solution from said second chamber into said third chamber via said second port, wherein a fluid mixture is formed; and

a third plunger disposed within said third chamber between said first and second plungers and being movable to dispense said fluid mixture from said third chamber via said third port.

54. The mixing assembly of claim 53, wherein said third plunger comprises a first thrust surface and an oppositely disposed second thrust surface.

55. The mixing assembly of claim 54, wherein said first thrust surface is adjacent said first port and said second thrust surface is adjacent said second port.

56. The mixing assembly of claim 54, wherein said third plunger comprises one or more through ports extending from said first thrust surface to said second thrust surface.

57. The mixing assembly of claim 54, wherein said third plunger comprises a ferrous element relief for storage of a ferrous element.

58. The mixing assembly of claim 54, wherein said first port comprises a seal, and said third plunger comprises one or more styluses formed on said first thrust surface for puncturing said seal when said third plunger is moved towards said first port.

59. The mixing assembly of claim 54, wherein said third chamber is in axial alignment with said first chamber.

60. The mixing assembly of claim 59, wherein said first plunger comprises a third thrust surface configured to mate with said first thrust surface of said third plunger, and is movable within said third chamber to move said third plunger towards said third port to dispense said fluid mixture from said third chamber out through said third port.

61. The mixing assembly of claim 60, wherein said third plunger comprises one or more through ports extending from said first thrust surface to said second thrust surface, and said third thrust surface of said first plunger comprises one or more plugs that are receivable in said one or more through ports of said third plunger.

62. The mixing assembly of claim 58, wherein said second plunger comprises a fourth thrust surface configured to mate with said second thrust surface of said third plunger, and is movable within said third chamber to move said third plunger towards said first port to puncture said seal.

63. The mixing assembly of claim 53, further comprising one or more motors mechanically coupled to said first and second plungers.

64. The mixing assembly of claim 53, further comprising a first drive assembly mechanically coupled to said first plunger and a second drive assembly mechanically coupled to said second plunger.

65. The mixing assembly of claim 53, further comprising:

a ferrous element within said third chamber; and

a mixing motor comprising an interface magnetically coupled to said ferrous element.

66. The mixing assembly of claim 53, wherein said first port is a longitudinal port and said second port is a lateral port.

67. A method of mixing first and second fluids using first, second, and third chambers, said first and second chambers being in fluid communication with said third chamber via respective first and second ports, said third chamber comprising a third port, the method comprising:

storing said first fluid in said first chamber;

storing said second fluid in said second chamber;

moving a first plunger within said first chamber towards said first port to dispense said first solution from said first chamber into said third chamber;

moving a second plunger within said third chamber away from said second port to dispense said second solution from said second chamber into said third chamber, wherein said first and second fluids form a fluid mixture; and

moving a third plunger within said third chamber towards said third port to dispense said fluid mixture from said third chamber out through said third port.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said first and second plunger moving steps are performed simultaneously.

69. The method of claim 67, further comprising seating said third plunger against said first port prior to said moving of said first plunger.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein said first port comprises a seal, and said third plunger comprises a stylus that punctures said seal when said third plunger is seated against said first port.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein said third plunger comprises one or more through ports, and wherein said first solution is dispensed from said first chamber into said third chamber via said one or more through ports.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein said seating of said third plunger comprises pushing said third plunger with said second plunger.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein said moving of said third plunger comprises pushing said third plunger with said first plunger.

74. The method of claim 67, wherein said first and second plungers are moved using one or more drive assemblies.

75. The method of claim 67, wherein said first plunger is moved using a first drive assembly and said second plunger is moved using a second drive assembly.

76. The method of claim 67, further comprising agitating said fluid mixture using a mixing motor.