Apparatus for and method of processing biological samples

• US 9,808,799 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amshey, Joseph, Bezdek, Daniel, Kahatt, Espir, Khorlin, Alexander, Parsons, Lance, Peterson, Todd, Powers, Timothy, Thacker, Michael, Updyke, Timothy, Zgonc, Kornelija
• Primary Examiner(s): Nagpaul, Jyoti
• Application Number:
  US14/462,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20150044758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• 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 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/088 Channel loops
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/123 Flexible; Elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0481 squeezing of channels or chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0605 check valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• 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 7/00 Heating or cooling apparatus autoclaves B01J3/04; Heat insulating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/527 for microfluidic devices, e.g. used for lab-on-a-chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00306 Housings, cabinets, control panels (details)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1037 Using surface tension, e.g. pins or wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 : Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for automated bioprocessing. Examples of protocols and bioprocessing procedures suitable for the present invention include but are not limited to immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, recombinant protein isolation, nucleic acid separation and isolation, protein labeling, separation and isolation, cell separation and isolation, food safety analysis and automatic bead based separation. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods of western blot processing. Other embodiments include automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for separation, preparation and purification of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA or fragments thereof, including plasmid DNA, genomic DNA, bacterial DNA, viral DNA and any other DNA, and for automated systems, automated devices, automated cartridges and automated methods for processing, separation and purification of proteins, peptides and the like.

Claims

1. A bioprocessing cartridge comprising:

a first bioprocessing chamber, wherein the first bioprocessing chamber includes first solid support, and wherein the first solid support comprises a cell lysate clarification filter;

a second bioprocessing chamber, wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 250 μ

l and about 100 ml and includes a second solid support, wherein the second solid support comprises a plurality of magnetic beads;

a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with the at least one bioprocessing chamber, wherein at least two of the plurality of fluid channels have differentially sized diameters;

at least one access valve, wherein the access valve is placed within a flow path between a fluid connector and one of the plurality of fluid channels, each fluid connector configured to fluidly connect the cartridge to at least one fluid container; and

at least one control fluid connector, wherein the at least one control fluid connector is configured to form a sealed connection with a control fluid manifold and to provide a control fluid to actuate the at least one access valve.

2. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 further comprising a third bioprocessing chamber, wherein the third bioprocessing chamber includes a third solid support, and wherein the third solid support comprises a cell separation filter.

3. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 further comprising at least one slot alignment guide.

4. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 further comprising control fluid channels in fluid communication with the at least one control fluid connector.

5. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the control fluid is air pressure.

6. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the cartridge comprises at least two fluid layers.

7. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 300 μ

l and about 100 ml.

8. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 7 wherein the second bioprocessing chamber has a fluid volume between about 500 μ

l and about 100 ml.

9. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fluid channels has diameters between about 500 μ

m and about 2 mm.

10. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the fluid connector has a diameter between about 250 μ

m and about 2.5 mm.

11. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 1 wherein the fluid connector has a diameter that tapers from a proximal diameter to a distal diameter, and wherein the proximal diameter is larger than the distal diameter.

12. The bioprocessing cartridge of claim 11 wherein the proximal diameter is between about 0.5 mm and about 15 mm, and wherein the distal diameter is between about 10 μ

m and about 10 mm.