Cassette for sample preparation

• US 9,624,531 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2015
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luminex Corporation (DiaSorin S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Luminex Corporation (DiaSorin S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Ching, Jesus, Hu, David Hsiang, Yu, Steve Jia Chang, Lee, Phillip You Fai
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, DENNIS MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US14/666,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20150191776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2035/99 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/65 the materials to be mixed being directly submitted to a pulsating movement, e.g. by means of an oscillating piston or air column
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/715 Feeding the components in several steps, e.g. successive steps
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7174 using pistons, plungers or syringes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/90 Heating or cooling systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0647 Handling flowable solids, e.g. microscopic beads, cells, particles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/10 Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0622 distribution valves, valves having multiple inlets and/or outlets, e.g. metering valves, multi-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0633 : with moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0644 : rotary valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0683 : mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
• 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: B01L 7/00 : Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/01 : by addition of magnetic adjuvants
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/286 : disposed at the inner circumference of a recipient, e.g. magnetic drain bolt
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/18 : Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 2201/20 : Magnetic separation of bulk or dry particles in mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1013 : by using magnetic beads
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6806 : Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay C12Q1/6804 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/38 : Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 : Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0407 : Repairing or assembling hydrant [e.g., fireplug, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0413 : Gas or water meter repairing or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0419 : Fluid cleaning or flushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0424 : Liquid cleaning or flushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/10 : Composition for standardization, calibration, simulation, stabilization, preparation or preservation; processes of use in preparation for chemical testing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 : Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 : with formation of a segmented stream
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 : including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of cassettes, each cassette of the plurality of cassettes comprising;

a first chamber comprising an opening configured for receiving a sample into the first chamber, and a removable lid configured to provide access to the opening;

a second chamber;

a third chamber;

a first valve comprising a valve housing defining a first valve opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with the second chamber;

a second valve comprising a valve housing defining a first valve opening in fluid communication with the second chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with the third chamber; and

a plurality of reagent chambers, wherein each of the plurality of reagent chambers comprises a puncturable or sealable member defining at least a portion of a boundary between the plurality of reagent chambers and the first chamber; and

a magazine configured to receive the plurality of cassettes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of reagent chambers comprises a puncturable member, and each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a plunger at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of reagent chambers and configured to puncture the puncturable member when the plunger is moved.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a plunger at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of reagent chambers, the plungers comprising a sealable member configured to prevent leakage between the reagent chambers and the first chamber until the plungers are moved.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a pump comprising an actuator and a nozzle, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the second chamber and the nozzle is disposed at least partially inside the second chamber.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pump is a first pump, and each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a second pump comprising an actuator and a nozzle, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the third chamber and the nozzle is disposed at least partially inside the third chamber.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fourth chamber and a third valve comprising a valve housing defining a first valve opening in fluid communication with the third chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with the fourth chamber.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a positionable magnet configured to be inserted into each of the first and second valves.

8. A system for preparing a plurality of samples of cells, the system comprising:

a plurality of cassettes, each cassette of the plurality of cassettes comprising;

a mixing chamber comprising an opening configured for receiving a sample of cells into the mixing chamber, and a removable lid configured to provide access to the opening;

a first washing chamber;

a first valve comprising a valve housing defining a first, valve opening in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with the first washing chamber;

a second valve comprising a valve housing defining a first valve opening in fluid communication with the first washing chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with a second washing chamber or an elution chamber; and

a plurality of reagent chambers, wherein each of the plurality of reagent chambers comprises a puncturable or sealable member defining at least a portion of a boundary between the plurality of reagent chambers and the mixing chamber, wherein the plurality of reagent chambers contain one or more of a lysis buffer, enzyme, magnetic particles, or chaotropic salt; and

a magazine configured to receive the plurality of cassettes.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of reagent chambers comprises a puncturable member, and each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a plunger at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of reagent chambers and configured to puncture the puncturable member when the plunger is moved.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a plunger at least partially disposed in each of the plurality of reagent chambers, the plungers comprising a sealable member configured to prevent leakage between the reagent chambers and the second chamber until the plungers are moved.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises an actuator and a nozzle, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the first washing chamber and the nozzle is disposed at least partially inside the first washing chamber.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pump is a first pump, and each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a second pump comprising an actuator and a nozzle, wherein the actuator is disposed outside of the second washing chamber or the elution chamber and, the nozzle is disposed at least partially inside the second washing chamber or the elution chamber.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a pump coupled to the mixing chamber, the pump configured to mix a sample of cells and one or more reagents in the mixing chamber.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the second valve opening of the second valve is in fluid communication with the second washing chamber, and each cassette of the plurality of cassettes further comprises a third valve comprising a valve housing defining a first valve opening in fluid communication with the second wash chamber and a second valve opening in fluid communication with the elution chamber.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising a positionable magnet configured to be inserted into each of the first and second valves.