Apparatus and method for cell, spore, or virus capture and disruption

Abstract

Embodiments disclose an apparatus and methods for biological sample processing enabling isolation and enrichment of microbial or pathogenic constituents from the sample. A vessel for sample containment and extraction is further disclosed for engagement with a transducer capable of efficient sample disruption and lysis. Together these components provide a convenient and inexpensive solution for rapid sample preparation compatible with downstream analysis techniques.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 074,325, filed Nov. 3, 2014, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CELL, SPORE, OR VIRUS CAPTURE AND DISRUPTION,” and the contents of the foregoing application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure is directed generally to inventive apparatus and methods for biological sample processing and analysis. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for sample disruption and lysis.BACKGROUND[0003]Rapid and accurate identification of infectious agents in resource limited settings is considered critical for controlling the prevalence and spread of disease. This is especially the case in high burden areas of the globe where economic and technological limitations constrain efficient disease management. Accurate disease diagnosis and pathogen monitoring may involve obtai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An innovative coupling mechanism and configuration between the sample collector and the transducer provides efficient energy transmission into the sample collector. The transducer configuration permits use of mechanical, vibrational, or cavitation-inducing energy generated for example by lower frequency sonic energy as well as higher frequency ultrasonic energy to be applied to the sample providing improved sample processing performance compared to conventional disruption methods. In various embodiments, use of lower frequency sonic energy desirably results in efficient sample homogenization, lysis and release of bimolecular constituents while reducing undesirable degradation of nucleic acids and / or proteins that may be encountered when applying higher frequency ultrasound to a sample. An at least partially or substantially tapered, infundiblular or conical section of the transducer provides efficient energy transduction into the sample collector. The sample collector may be heated and / or cooled while energy is applied to the sample. A lysing fluid may further be utilized to disrupt the sample and release bimolecular constituents of the sample. A filter integrated into the sample collector may additionally be used to capture and / or separate desired biomolecular constituents.

[0019]In various embodiments, the automated and semi-automated processing capabilities of the system simplify sample preparation and processing protocols. A practical benefit may be realized in an overall reduction in the number of required user operations, interactions, or potential sample exposures as compared to conventional sample processing systems. This may result in lower user training requirements and fewer user-induced failure points. In still other embodiments, the system advantageously provides effective isolation and decontamination of a sample improving overall user safety while at the same time preserving sample integrity, for example by reducing undesirable sample degradation.

Problems solved by technology

This is especially the case in high burden areas of the globe where economic and technological limitations constrain efficient disease management.

For such samples it can be challenging to perform sample collection and biomaterial isolation in a manner compatible with downstream processing and analysis techniques.

Efficiently breaking down sputum, tissue isolates, and other biological samples can be difficult to perform in a safe and effective manner.

Furthermore, low yield isolation protocols may increase the difficulty in detecting the presence of suspected pathogens.

A particular problem exists when attempting to extract and analyze pathogen-identifying nucleic acids from biological samples where the overall amount of the sample or the amount of nucleic acid present in the sample is limited.

This problem is further exacerbated in resource limited settings, such as field applications, rural settings, or in underdeveloped communities and countries where lab facilities and sophisticated lab equipment may not be readily available.

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