Enhanced sample processing devices, systems and methods

• US 8,481,901 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2011
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DiaSorin S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Bedingham, William, Rajagopal, Raj, Robole, Barry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang, Tu B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh, Amit K
• Application Number:
  US13/214,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20110303657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 219/749, 219/752, 219/754
• US Class Current: 219/749
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0806 Standardised forms, e.g. compact disc [CD] format
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/087 Multiple sequential chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1822 using Peltier elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1861 using radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0661 shape memory polymer valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• 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: B03C 1/30 Combinations with other devices, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 9/16 the charge moving in a circular or arcuate path
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 5/00 Supports, screens, or the like for the charge within the furnace travelling or movable supports F27D3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 : whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 : involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/80 : Apparatus for specific applications stoves or ranges F24C7/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Methods for processing sample materials. Methods of the present disclosure can include providing a device including a process chamber array, the process chamber array including a loading chamber and a process chamber; providing sample material in the process chamber array; moving the sample material within the process chamber array by rotating the device; providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array; providing a magnet proximate the device; and rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during rotation of the device.

Claims

1. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising a process chamber array, wherein the process chamber array comprises a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the process chamber array;

moving the sample material within the process chamber array by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array;

locating a magnet proximate the device, the magnet generating a magnetic field; and

rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material in the process chamber array are intermittently subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during the rotating and moved within the sample material in the process chamber array as the paramagnetic particles are moved through the magnetic field of the magnet,

wherein the magnet does not rotate with the device when the device is rotating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a plurality of the process chamber arrays.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device at varying speeds that comprise at least two cycles of acceleration and deceleration.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the paramagnetic particles move within the process chamber array while the device is rotating.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device through at least two cycles of acceleration and deceleration, and wherein the paramagnetic particles move within the process chamber array while the device is rotating.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the paramagnetic particles within the sample material in the process chamber array are subjected to forces pulling opposite directions intermittently.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein rotating the device comprises rotating the device about an axis of rotation, wherein the magnet is located between the paramagnetic particles and the axis of rotation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the axis of rotation passes through the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnet is fixed when the device is rotating.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample material in the process chamber array comprises residual reaction materials, and wherein the method further comprises using the paramagnetic particles to remove the residual reaction materials from the sample material in the process chamber array.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating facilitates mixing of the paramagnetic particles within the sample material.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material in the process chamber array are intermittently subjected to a strongest portion of the magnetic field of the magnet as the device is rotated.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating comprises rotating the device relative to the magnet.

14. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising a process chamber array that comprises a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the process chamber array;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array;

locating a magnet proximate the device, the magnet generating a magnetic field; and

mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles are intermittently subjected to the magnetic field and intermittently subjected to the magnetic field and moved within the sample material in the process chamber array as the paramagnetic particles are moved through the magnetic field of the magnet,

wherein the magnet does not rotate with the device when the device is rotating.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material inhibits the paramagnetic particles from becoming packed into a portion of the process chamber array.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein locating a magnet proximate the device includes locating the magnet on the opposite side of the device from the direction in which gravity pulls the paramagnetic particles.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein locating a magnet proximate the device includes locating two or more magnets on opposite sides of the device to provide opposing forces on the paramagnetic particles.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein mixing the paramagnetic particles within the sample material by rotating the device includes varying the rotational speed of the device.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the magnet is fixed when the device is rotating.

20. A method of processing sample material comprising:

providing a device comprising a process chamber array, wherein the process chamber array comprises a loading chamber and a process chamber;

providing sample material in the process chamber array;

moving the sample material within the process chamber array by rotating the device;

providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array;

rotating the device; and

locating a magnet proximate the device for generating a magnetic field, wherein the magnet does not rotate with the device when the device is rotating, such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material in the process chamber array are intermittently subjected to the magnetic field and moved into and out of a strongest portion of the magnetic field of the magnet as the device is rotated.