Apparatus and method for cell disruption

• US 9,943,848 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2015
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cepheid (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Taylor, Michael T., Belgrader, Phillip, Pourahmadi, Farzad, McMillan, William A., Chang, Ronald, Sakai, Stanley H., Ching, Jesus
• Primary Examiner(s): BOWERS, NATHAN ANDREW
• Application Number:
  US14/737,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20150352545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• 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. An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses, the apparatus comprising:

a) a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses, wherein the container includes at least one wall defining the chamber; and

b) a transducer for contacting an external surface of the wall and for vibrating at a frequency sufficient to generate pressure waves in the chamber, wherein the natural frequency of the wall is greater than the vibrating frequency of the transducer, and the vibrating frequency of the transducer is 20 to 40 kHz,

wherein the wall is a plastic molded part with a thickness in the range of about 0.25 mm to about 1.0 mm and is dome-shaped and convex with respect to the transducer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the natural frequency of the wall to the vibrating frequency of the transducer is at least 2:

1.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the natural frequency of the wall to the vibrating frequency of the transducer is at least 4:

1.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall is sufficiently deformable to deflect a distance in the range of 5 to 40 μ

m when the transducer applies a force in the range of 1 to 10 lbs. to the wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall is sufficiently deformable to deflect a distance in the range of 5 to 40 μ

m when the transducer applies a force in the range of 2 to 5 lbs. to the wall.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wall includes stiffening ribs.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ribs extend radially from a central portion of the wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transducer comprises an ultrasonic horn.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support structure for holding the container and the transducer against each other such that the transducer contacts the external surface of the wall and for applying to the container or to the transducer a substantially constant force to press together the transducer and the wall.