PCR sample preparation holder and method

• US 20040214200A1
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Detection Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Detection-Edgewood, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Lisa, Clasen, Eric Scott, Brown, Drew Chapman, Holmes, Carrie Lynn, Pallo, Richard Karl, Rello, Michael Joseph, Howland, Tiffany
• Granted Patent: US 7,238,520 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/082 Handling hazardous material
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 7/52 with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples amplification or hybridisation processes per se C12Q1/68; controlling sequential reactions for synthesis B01J19/0046
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising

Abstract

A simplified Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) sample preparation apparatus and method of using a PCR sample preparation for both liquid and dry samples. A portable apparatus comprising a handle removably attached to a wand assembly. The handle includes a cover and a swab with an absorbent material. The wand assembly includes a buffer container for a buffer that is ruptured by a spike when the holder is inserted into the wand assembly. The apparatus may include a waste container removably attached to a tube comprising a plunger, a safety clip to prevent the plunger from depressing, and a port for introduction of a liquid sample. A filter on the waste container collects a specimen of the liquid sample for preparation as described above.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preparing samples for Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis comprising:

a handle having a chamber;

a swab attached to an end of the handle, wherein the swab includes a stabilized reagent in the chamber and a sample tube extending from an end of the chamber;

a wand assembly including a buffer container at an end of a shaft and a stand at another end of the shaft; and

wherein the handle is configured to be attached to the wand assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buffer container includes a film covering one end of the container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spike positioned in the wand assembly and configured to rupture the buffer container to allow a buffer to exit the buffer container and flow into the chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes vents.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle removably attaches to the wand assembly by the swab inserting into the shaft of the wand assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a cover of the handle is configured to detach from the swab when the swab is attached to the wand assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wand assembly includes an extendable grip.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand is configured to attach to a slot in a hand-held detector for biological materials.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and wand assembly are configured to be portable.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an absorbent material attached at an end of the swab.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the absorbent material is held in place by a retaining ring.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a mesh covers the absorbent material.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mesh underneath the absorbent material.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the absorbent material comprises IsoCode paper.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a safety clip removably attached to the plunger and configured to prevent the plunger from depressing during introduction of a liquid sample into the port.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the waste container includes a vent.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a handgrip on the waste container, wherein the handgrip is configured to mate with a gloved hand.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured to be portable for use in the field.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the waste container includes a well for attaching the tube to the waste container.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the waste container includes Watersorb.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the well is configured to receive a swab mounted on a handle, wherein the swab is adapted to collect a specimen of a prepared sample.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a buffer compartment at an end of the plunger;

and a spike positioned in the tube so that the spike ruptures the buffer compartment when the plunger is depressed.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a filter positioned in the well to receive a buffer and the liquid sample, wherein the filter is adapted to collect a specimen of the prepared liquid sample.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

sealing the chamber by fully inserting a swab of the handle into the wand assembly;

extending a grip on the wand;

removing a cover on the swab, and “

whipping”

the wand twice;

retracting the grip on the wand; and

inserting the wand into a hand-held detector for biological materials.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the buffer container is ruptured by rupturing a film covering one end of the container.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the absorbent material comprises IsoCode paper.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the absorbent material is covered by a mesh.

30. The method of claim 22 further comprising a mesh under the absorbent material.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the swab with the substantially-dry sample thereon is tested with a biological sampling method comprising the following steps:

providing a handle containing an absorbent material and stabilized reagent and wiping the absorbent material over a test surface; and

providing a wand assembly and inserting the handle into the wand assembly, thereby rupturing a buffer container to enable a buffer to be released through the absorbent material and into a chamber for mixing with the reagent and filling a sample tube.

15. An apparatus for preparing liquid samples comprising:

a waste container,

a tube with a port for introduction of a liquid sample and a plunger for pushing the liquid sample into the waste container; and

wherein the tube is removably attached to the waste container.

25. A biological sampling method for dry and/or processed samples, comprising the following steps:

providing a handle containing an absorbent material and stabilized reagent and wiping the absorbent material over a test surface; and

providing a wand assembly and inserting the handle into the wand assembly, thereby rupturing a buffer container to enable a buffer to be released through the absorbent material and into a chamber for mixing with the reagent and filling a sample tube.

31. A biological sampling method for liquid samples comprising the following steps:

providing a waste container having a plunger and a port, and introducing the liquid sample into the port;

removing a safety clip and depressing the plunger up to a stop on the plunger, to concentrate particles in the liquid sample onto a filter, such that a spike ruptures a liquid container and the plunger pumps a buffer through the filter and into the waste container to wash inhibitors off the particles, and such that a sample collects on the filter;

removing the plunger and discarding the plunger; and

providing a swab and inserting the swab to pick up the sample from the filter in the waste container.