Dialysis device for separating pathogens from a biological sample

Abstract

A dialysis device to separate pathogens from a biological sample, the dialysis device having a first channel for receiving the biological sample, a second channel, and, a plurality of apertures, wherein, the second channel is fluidically connected to the first channel via the apertures such that the pathogens flow from the first channel to the second channel and larger constituents in the biological sample remain in the first channel.

Description

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS[0001]The following applications have been filed by the Applicant which relate to the present application:GBS001USGBS002USGBS003USGBS005USGBS006USGSR001USGSR002USGAS001USGAS002USGAS003USGAS004USGAS006USGAS007USGAS008USGAS009USGAS010USGAS012USGAS013USGAS014USGAS015USGAS016USGAS017USGAS018USGAS019USGAS020USGAS021USGAS022USGAS023USGAS024USGAS025USGAS026USGAS027USGAS028USGAS030USGAS031USGAS032USGAS033USGAS034USGAS035USGAS036USGAS037USGAS038USGAS039USGAS040USGAS041USGAS042USGAS043USGAS044USGAS045USGAS046USGAS047USGAS048USGAS049USGAS050USGAS054USGAS055USGAS056USGAS057USGAS058USGAS059USGAS060USGAS061USGAS062USGAS063USGAS065USGAS066USGAS067USGAS068USGAS069USGAS070USGAS080USGAS081USGAS082USGAS083USGAS084USGAS085USGAS086USGAS087USGAS088USGAS089USGAS090USGAS091USGAS092USGAS093USGAS094USGAS095USGAS096USGAS097USGAS098USGAS099USGAS100USGAS101USGAS102USGAS103USGAS104USGAS105USGAS106USGAS108USGAS109USGAS110USGAS111USGAS112USGAS113USGAS114USGAS115USGAS117USGAS118USGAS119USGAS1...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0081]The easily usable, mass-producible, and inexpensive multichip lab accepts a biological sample, uses a dialysis chip for separating the pathogens in the sample, and separately processes the nucleic acid content of the pathogens separated from the sample. The dialysis chip functionality extract additional information from the sample and increases the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and dynamic range of the assay system.

[0082]The multichip lab provides for higher modularity. Surface-micromachined chips in the assembly would each be much smaller and disproportionately cheaper that a monolithic chip capable of providing the total functionality of the assembly. Alternatively a large yet cost-effective dialysis chip can provide a high level of dialysis capacity providing for further increased sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and dynamic range for the assay system.

Problems solved by technology

Insufficient stringency can result in a high degree of nonspecific binding.

Excessive stringency can lead to a failure of appropriate binding, which results in diminished sensitivity.

Despite the advantages that molecular diagnostic tests offer, the growth of this type of testing in the clinical laboratory has been slower than expected and remains a minor part of the practice of laboratory medicine.

This is primarily due to the complexity and costs associated with nucleic acid testing compared with tests based on methods not involving nucleic acids.

However, controlling fluid flow through the LOC device, adding reagents, controlling reaction conditions and so on necessitate bulky external plumbing and electronics.

Connecting a LOC device to these external devices effectively restricts the use of LOC devices for molecular diagnostics to the laboratory setting.

The cost of the external equipment and complexity of its operation precludes LOC-based molecular diagnostics as a practical option for point-of-care settings.

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