Apparatus and method for cell disruption

• US 8,815,521 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Taylor, Michael T., Pourahmadi, Farzad, McMillan, William A., Chang, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): BOWERS, NATHAN ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US11/234,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,260 Days
• Field of Search: 435/7.2, 435/259, 435/306.1, 435/287.2, 435/288.3, 435/288.5
• US Class Current: 435/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0848 Specific forms of parts of containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• 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 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502761 specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules investigating characteristics of particles G01N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/06 Hydrolysis; Cell lysis; Extraction of intracellular or cell wall material lysis of microorganisms C12N1/06; extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/066 by physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves

Abstract

An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.

Claims

1. A method for disrupting cells or viruses, the method comprising providing a container having a chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a solid wall and comprises a liquid comprising the cells or viruses to be disrupted;

generating pressure waves in the chamber by repeatedly impacting the external surface of the solid wall with a vibrating transducer, wherein the natural frequency of the solid wall is greater than 40 kHz and is greater than the vibrating frequency of the transducer, and wherein the solid wall is a molded plastic part, which has a thickness in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 1.0 mm, and which is dome shaped and convex with respect to the transducer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying to the container or to the transducer a substantially constant force to press together the transducer and the solid wall.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the force is in the range of 2 to 5 lbs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises one or more beads.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises at least 1 filter, wherein the target cells or viruses to be disrupted are captured on the at least one filter as fluid is forced to flow through the chamber.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising agitating the beads in the chamber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibrating frequency of the transducer is 20 to 40 kHz.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein and the vibrating frequency of the transducer is 40 kHz.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the natural frequency of the solid wall is at least 80 kHz.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the natural frequency of the solid wall is at least 160 kHz.