Plug flow cytometry for high throughput screening and drug discovery

• US 6,638,481 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Science & Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Agency For Science Technology and Research
• Inventors: Sklar, Larry A., Edwards, Bruce S., Kuckuck, Frederick W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): SINES, BRIAN J
• Application Number:
  US09/955,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20020015664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 422/63, 422/62, 422/100, 422/68.1, 422/70, 422/81, 422/82, 738/637.3, 738/63, 738/634.4, 738/634.5, 436/161, 251/12, 251/56, 251/61, 251/281, 251/282, 251/283, 251/286, 251/304, 251/318, 137/247
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4456 With liquid valves or liquid trap seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8667 Reciprocating valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86759 Reciprocating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86879 Reciprocating valve unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114165 with step of insertion or removal from test line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/117497 with a continuously flowing sample or carrier stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for drawing and supplying multiple samples for rapid processing in flow cytometry. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating valve and at least one syringe. The invention is also a method for rapidly processing multiple samples in flow cytometry using the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sample loops for receiving a plurality of samples;

at least one device for moving said plurality of samples into said sample loops;

a reciprocating multi-port valve to alternatively connect said sample loops to a carrier flow tube; and

a flow cytometer connected to said multi-port valve by said carrier flow tube.

2. The Apparatus of claim 1, wherein said Sample loops comprises a length of no more than approximately ten centimeters.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sample loops comprise an internal diameter of between approximately 0.005 to 0.01 inches.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sample loops comprise an internal volume of approximately no more than 5.0 μ

l.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of said sample loops comprises an internal volume of approximately no more than approximately 1.0 μ

l.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises at least two syringes.

7. An apparatus for transferring a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sample loops for receiving a plurality of samples;

at least one device for moving said plurality of samples into said sample loops; and

a reciprocating multi-port valve to alternatively connect said sample loops to a carrier flow tube, wherein said multi-port valve comprises a 2-position eight-port switching and sampling valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus further comprises a flow cytometer connected to said multi-port valve by said carrier flow tube.

8. An apparatus for transferring a plurality of samples, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sample loops for receiving a plurality of samples;

at least one device for moving said plurality of samples into said sample loops; and

a reciprocating multi-port valve to alternatively connect said sample loops to a carrier flow tube, wherein said multi-port valve comprises a 6-port rotating valve comprising four engraved cavities.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said engraved cavities comprise a volume of approximately 0.2 μ

l.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said multi-port valve comprises at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port, at least one transport stream inlet port, and at least one transport stream outlet port.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus further comprises a flow cytometer connected to said multi-port valve by said carrier flow tube.