Fish DNA sampler

• US 9,737,387 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: De Beers Diamond Jewelers Ltd.
• Original Assignee: The North Umpqua Foundation
• Inventors: Kenny, Garry Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roberts, Herbert K
• Application Number:
  US15/094,715
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 73 1208, 7386323, 7386433, 7386351, 7386352, 7386341, 7386342, 7386434, 7386454
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0021 provided with a jet pump
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/10 in the liquid or fluent state burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/24 Suction devices G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence

Abstract

A system is provided for collecting cellular material from fish for subsequent DNA analysis. A channel includes a sample collection zone. A fluid ejector is directed into the sample collection zone. A fluid collector is communicated with the sample collection zone. A controller is configured to coordinate ejection of a fluid jet from the fluid ejector and collection of a fluid sample by the fluid collector. The fluid jet dislodges cellular material such as scales and mucous from the fish. The fluid collector collects that cellular material in a fluid sample for subsequent DNA analysis.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collecting cellular material from fish, comprising:

a channel in which the fish may swim, the channel including a sample collection zone;

a fluid ejector directed into the sample collection zone;

a fluid collector communicated with the sample collection zone; and

a controller configured to co-ordinate ejection of a fluid jet from the fluid ejector and collection of a fluid sample by the fluid collector,

wherein the apparatus is configured to be at least partially submerged and collect cellular material from the fish under water.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a fish in the sample collection zone, the sensor being communicated with the controller; and

wherein the controller is configured to activate the fluid ejector in response to a signal from the proximity sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the fluid collector comprises a suction device configured to extract the fluid sample from the collection zone.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the fluid collector further comprises a sample container configured to receive and store the fluid sample.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the fluid collector further comprises a filter medium arranged to filter the fluid sample such that the cellular material is retained on the filter medium.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:

the filter medium comprises an elongated tape; and

further comprising an indexing spool configured to index the tape through the fluid collector such that multiple samples of cellular material may be stored on the tape.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the channel has a width and a length;

the channel having first and second longitudinal side walls;

the fluid ejector comprises a plurality of fluid ejection tubes extending into the channel transverse to the length, the tubes being vertically spaced from each other and extending from at least one of the sidewalls.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the channel has an upstream end and a downstream end; and

the fluid collector is located at least in part downstream from the fluid ejector.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a data collection system configured to collect and record data corresponding to fish size and to correlate the data to samples collected by the fluid collector.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to flow fluid through the ejector and through the collector to clear the ejector and collector after collection of a sample.