METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING AND/OR CONCENTRATING A SAMPLE
First Claim
1. A system for concentrating a sample, the system comprising:
- a first concentrator, the first concentrator comprising;
a first chamber;
a first semi-permeable membrane positioned within the first chamber, the first membrane having a first sample contacting surface;
an electrode assembly configured to selectively create an electric field across the first membrane to move a sample at least partially through the first chamber, from a starting position to the first sample contacting surface;
a second concentrator positioned downstream of the first concentrator, the second concentrator comprising;
a second chamber, wherein the second chamber is in selective fluid communication with the first chamber;
a second semi-permeable membrane positioned within the second chamber, the second membrane having a second sample contacting surface;
wherein the electrode assembly is also configured to selectively create an electric field across the second membrane to move a sample at least partially through the second chamber from an intermediate position to the second sample contacting surface; and
wherein the area of the first sample contacting surface is greater than the area of the second sample contacting surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for transferring and/or concentrating a sample is provided. The system includes a chamber with a membrane brave positioned within the chamber. An electrode assembly is configured to create an electric field across the membrane to move a charged sample through the chamber such that the sample collects and may concentrate on the membrane. The system may include a plurality of membranes. The system may also include a plurality of microchannels outwardly extending from the channel, where the membrane extends along the plurality of microchannels. Aspects of the invention are also directed to a pipette which may be used to transfer and concentrate a sample on a membrane. Certain embodiments are directed to methods and systems for concentrating a nucleic acid sample.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A system for concentrating a sample, the system comprising:
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a first concentrator, the first concentrator comprising; a first chamber; a first semi-permeable membrane positioned within the first chamber, the first membrane having a first sample contacting surface; an electrode assembly configured to selectively create an electric field across the first membrane to move a sample at least partially through the first chamber, from a starting position to the first sample contacting surface; a second concentrator positioned downstream of the first concentrator, the second concentrator comprising; a second chamber, wherein the second chamber is in selective fluid communication with the first chamber; a second semi-permeable membrane positioned within the second chamber, the second membrane having a second sample contacting surface; wherein the electrode assembly is also configured to selectively create an electric field across the second membrane to move a sample at least partially through the second chamber from an intermediate position to the second sample contacting surface; and wherein the area of the first sample contacting surface is greater than the area of the second sample contacting surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for concentrating a sample, the system comprising:
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a chamber having an inlet port; a plurality of substantially parallel microchannels outwardly extending from the channel; a semi-permeable membrane extending within the chamber, the membrane having a first sample contacting surface, wherein the membrane extends along the plurality of microchannels; an electrode assembly configured to selectively create an electric field through the plurality of microchannels and across the membrane to move a sample at least partially through the chamber, from a starting position to the first sample contacting surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A pipette, comprising:
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a body having a passageway therethrough, the body having a first end and a second end; a semi-permeable membrane positioned within the passageway, the semi-permeable membrane being spaced apart from the first end of the body; an electrolytic buffer solution within the passageway; and a positive electrode positioned at the second end of the body, wherein the positive electrode may selectively create an electric field through the passageway to the first end of the body when used in association with a negative electrode. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of transferring and concentrating a sample, the method comprising acts of:
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providing a pipette having a body with a passageway therethrough, a semi-permeable membrane positioned within the passageway, and an electrolytic buffer solution within the passageway; placing a first end of the pipette in contact with a negatively charged sample contained within a reservoir; and creating an electric field through the passageway of the pipette body such that a first portion of the negatively charged sample is drawn into a first end of the pipette body, whereby the concentration of the first portion of the sample is greater than the concentration of the sample in the reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A system for transferring a sample, the system comprising:
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a first chamber; a first semi-permeable membrane positioned within the first chamber, the first membrane having a first sample contacting surface; an assembly configured to move a sample at least partially through the first chamber, from a starting position to the first sample contacting surface; a second chamber, wherein the second chamber is in selective fluid communication with the first chamber; a second semi-permeable membrane positioned within the second chamber, the second membrane having a second sample contacting surface; wherein the assembly is also configured to move a sample at least partially through the second chamber from an intermediate position to the second sample contacting surface, wherein the assembly includes an electrode assembly configured to selectively create an electric field across the second membrane to move a sample to the second sample contacting surface; and wherein the area of the first sample contacting surface is greater than the area of the second sample contacting surface. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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43. A method of transferring and concentrating a sample, the method comprising acts of:
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providing a chamber with a semi-permeable membrane positioned within the chamber, with the membrane having a sample contacting surface, and a channel opposing the sample contacting surface; placing a negatively charged sample within the chamber; creating an electric field across the membrane such that the negatively charged sample is drawn through the chamber and to the sample contacting surface of the membrane; creating an electric field into the channel opposing the sample contacting surface to move the negatively charged sample away from the sample contacting surface and towards the channel; and creating an electric field between the chamber and the channel to compress the sample in the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification