Apparatus for processing a fluid sample

Abstract

An apparatus for processing a fluid sample prior to a nucleic acid amplification an reaction, comprising a platform, a chamber suitable for receiving a sample which is either integrated into the platform or removable from it, a functional capable of moving analyte or reagent or piercing seals of chambers that may reversibly attach to an arm of said apparatus and that may be held on the platform, a sealed chamber comprising a predispensed reagent for use in processing a fluid sample prior to a nucleic acid amplification reaction arranged on the platform, an arm capable of being raised and lowered and including a means for removeably attachin to the functional component such that said component may be raised and lowered the arm, and a means for moving the platform such that a chamber or functional component may be with respect to the arm.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a device for processing a fluid sample and an associated method. Background technique [0002] Fluid samples (eg, clinical samples or environmental samples) may be analyzed for a number of reasons. One area of ​​current interest is the development of a method to efficiently identify biological substances in fluid samples (eg, clinical or environmental samples). Such an approach might facilitate early diagnosis of disease states, which in turn would enable rapid treatment and control of infection, or such an approach might facilitate identification of environmental pollutants, etc. Although nucleic acid amplification, e.g., by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is a useful and widely used method for efficient identification of biological substances in such samples, efforts to Problems have arisen when developed for use in the rapid identification of substances in individual samples in non-laboratory settings such as poin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One of the key issues is that prior to nucleic acid amplification of a typical clinical or environmental sample, the sample itself often needs to be cleaned up and / or concentrated

However, there are some problems associated with these methods

These issues include: These methods are slow, resource intensive, expensive, subject to error, and sample cross-contamination

Also, although this represents some progress in the field of sample processing, however, this device is only suitable for simple sample processing and is therefore not suitable for highly complex multi-step processing, such as those requiring purification and concentration of samples prior to nucleic acid amplification. deal with

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