ENCLOSED DROPLET SORTER AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

• US 20170299493A1
• Filed: 03/28/2017
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Norton, Pierce O.
• Granted Patent: US 11,609,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0652 Sorting or classification of particles or molecules
• 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: G01N 15/1436 the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1459 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1006 for cytology
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/1452 Adjustment of focus; Alignment

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure include a particle sorting module for sorting components of a sample, such as cells in a biological sample. Particle sorting modules according to certain embodiments include an enclosed housing having an aligner for coupling the housing with a particle sorting system, a flow cell nozzle positioned at the proximal end of the housing, a sample interrogation region in fluid communication with the orifice of the flow cell nozzle and a droplet deflector. A particle sorting system and methods for separating components of a sample as well as kits, including one or more particle sorting module, suitable for coupling with a particle sorting system and for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A particle sorting module comprising:

an enclosed housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a wall therebetween, the wall comprising an aligner for aligning the housing with a particle sorting system;

a flow cell nozzle positioned at the proximal end of housing, the flow cell nozzle comprising an orifice;

a sample interrogation region in fluid communication with the flow cell nozzle orifice; and

a droplet deflector.

2. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, wherein the aligner comprises protrusions.

3. The particle sorting module according to claim 2, wherein the protrusions comprise ball tipped pins.

4. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising two or more sample collection containers.

5. The particle sorting module according to claim 4, wherein the sample collection containers are fastened to the distal end of the housing.

6. The particle sorting module according to claim 5, wherein the sample collection containers are screw threaded with the housing.

7. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising a cuvette positioned in the sample interrogation region.

8. The particle sorting module according to claim 7, wherein the cuvette is co-molded with the housing.

9. The particle sorting module according to claim 7, wherein the cuvette comprises glass.

10. The particle sorting module according to claim 7, wherein the cuvette comprises plastic.

11. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising a sample inlet at the proximal end of the housing.

12. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising a sheath fluid inlet at the proximal end of the housing.

13. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical connectors on the housing.

14. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, further comprising a sample agitator.

15. The particle sorting module according to claim 1, wherein the module is sterile.

16. A system comprising:

a particle sorting module comprising;

an enclosed housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a wall therebetween, the wall comprising an aligner for aligning the housing with a particle sorting system;

a flow cell nozzle positioned at the proximal end of housing, the flow cell nozzle comprising an orifice;

a sample interrogation region in fluid communication with the flow cell nozzle orifice; and

a droplet deflector;

a sample input module fluidically coupled to an inlet at the proximal end of the particle sorting module housing; and

a waste tank fluidically coupled to an outlet from the particle sorting module.

42. The system according to claim 16, further comprising a sheath fluid delivery subsystem.

43. The system according to claim 42, wherein the sheath fluid delivery subsystem comprises a sterile pliant container.

45. The system according to claim 43, wherein the sheath fluid delivery subsystem comprises:

a housing;

a first pliant container and a second pliant container positioned within the housing, wherein;

the first pliant container comprises;

a fluid reservoir; and

a conduit comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is fluidically coupled to the fluid reservoir and the distal end is configured for coupling the conduit to the particle sorting module; and

the second pliant container comprises;

a gas reservoir; and

a port in gaseous communication with the gas reservoir,

wherein the second pliant container is positioned in the housing with the first pliant container and is configured to apply pressure to the fluid reservoir of the first pliant container sufficient to convey fluid from the distal end of the conduit into the particle sorting module.

17-41. -41. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. A method comprising:

irradiating with a light source a sample comprising particles in a flow stream in an interrogation region of a particle sorting module, the particle sorting module comprising;

an enclosed housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a wall therebetween, the wall comprising an aligner for aligning the housing with a particle sorting system;

a flow cell nozzle positioned at the proximal end of housing, the flow cell nozzle comprising an orifice;

a sample interrogation region in fluid communication with the flow cell nozzle orifice; and

a droplet deflector;

detecting light from the sample; and

sorting the particles in the sample into two or more sample collection containers.

48-67. -67. (canceled)