초록 ▼

The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for separation and concentration of particles from liquid and fluid samples. In some embodiments, the separation/concentration is achieved by sequential centrifugation steps. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a separat

The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for separation and concentration of particles from liquid and fluid samples. In some embodiments, the separation/concentration is achieved by sequential centrifugation steps. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a separation/concentration device which comprises at least a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (103) connected by a first valve (111), whereby operation of the first valve controls the material transfer from the first chamber to the second chamber. In some embodiments, valve operation can be manually, semi-manually or automatically. Other aspects of the invention relate to single- or multi-chambered separation/concentrator devices, and methods and systems for use. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices for operation of the valves, e.g., semi-manual actuation devices, and automatic inertial activation devices and mechanical actuation devices present in purpose-built centrifuges.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for separation of particulates from a fluid sample by centrifugation, the device comprising: a first chamber, the first chamber having an upper inlet for receiving the fluid sample to be processed by the device and a lower outlet for discharging material;a second chamber, the second cham

1. A device for separation of particulates from a fluid sample by centrifugation, the device comprising: a first chamber, the first chamber having an upper inlet for receiving the fluid sample to be processed by the device and a lower outlet for discharging material;a second chamber, the second chamber having an upper inlet for receiving a sample material from a first collection reservoir in a first valve, and a lower outlet for discharging material;a first channel connecting the lower outlet of the first chamber to the upper inlet of the second chamber;the first valve disposed along the first channel, wherein the first valve forms a seal preventing material in the first chamber from flowing in to the second chamber and wherein the first valve comprises the first collection reservoir for collecting particulates from the first chamber,a third chamber, the third chamber having an upper inlet for receiving a sample material from a second collection reservoir in a second valve;a second channel connecting the lower outlet of the second chamber to the upper inlet of the third chamber; andthe second valve disposed along the second channel wherein the second valve forms a seal preventing material in the second chamber from flowing into the third chamber and wherein the second valve comprises the second collection reservoir for collecting particulates from the second chamber. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third chamber is a collection well for collecting the sample material from the second collection reservoir. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third chamber is an indentation located in the surface of a slide or a microscope slide. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third chamber can be removed from the device for analysis of the sample material in the third chamber. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first valve can be operated to move between a first position and a second position in the first channel, and the second valve can be operated to move between a first position and a second position in the second channel, wherein when the first valve is at the first position, the first collection reservoir is open to the first chamber and can receive the material discharged from the lower outlet of the first chamber, and when the first valve is at the second position, the first collection reservoir is open to the upper inlet of the second chamber and can deposit the material into the upper inlet of the second chamber; andwherein when the second valve is at the first position, the second collection reservoir is open to the second chamber and can receive the material discharged from the lower outlet of the second chamber, and when the second valve is at the second position, the second collection reservoir is open to the upper inlet of the third chamber and can deposit the material into the upper inlet of the third chamber. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first valve can be operated to move to a third position in the first channel or the second valve can be operated to move to a third position in the second channel, wherein when the first valve is in the third position in the first channel, the first valve collection reservoir is not open to the outlet of the first chamber and the lower outlet of the first chamber is closed, and in response to centrifugal forces, material accumulates in the lower outlet of the first chamber, andwherein when the second valve is in the third position in the second channel, the second valve collection reservoir is not open to the outlet of the second chamber and the lower outlet of the second chamber is closed, and in response to centrifugal forces, material accumulates in the lower outlet of the second chamber. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first valve or the second valve is a metered valve. 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator sleeve coupled to the first valve, the sleeve actuator, configured to surround the first channel and the first valve, comprising a first cam being adapted to contact the first valve and move the first valve from said first position to said second position when the sleeve actuator is rotated. 9. The device according to claim 5, further comprising an actuator sleeve coupled to the first valve and the second valve, the sleeve actuator configured to surround the first channel, the first valve, the second channel and the second valve, the sleeve actuator comprising a first cam and a second cam, the first cam being adapted to contact the first valve and move the first valve from said first position to said second position when the sleeve actuator is rotated along a first path, and the second cam being adapted to contact the second valve and move the second valve from said first position to said second position when the sleeve actuator is rotated along a second path. 10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the first cam and second cam are orientated in opposite directions, the first cam being adapted to contact the first valve and move the first valve from said first position to said second position when the sleeve actuator is rotated in one direction, and the second cam being adapted to contact the second valve and move the second valve from said first position to said second position when the sleeve actuator is rotated in the opposite direction. 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the actuator further comprises at least one internal stop tab configured to prevent over-rotation of the actuation device. 12. The device according to claim 5, further comprising an actuator coupled to the first valve, the actuator including a piston and an inertial arm movable about a shaft in response to centrifugal forces applied to the device; the arm being adapted to apply a force on said piston causing the piston to displace in an axial direction and move the first valve from said first position to said second position in the first channel. 13. The device according to claim 12 further comprising a spring applying a force on said inertial arm to maintain it in a first position and wherein said centrifugal forces apply a force on said inertial arm to move the inertial arm to a second position such that when the centrifugal force is removed, the inertial arm moves back to the first position and applies a force on the piston causing the piston to displace in an axial direction, contact the first valve, and move the first valve from said first position to said second position. 14. A device according to claim 5 further comprising an actuator coupled to the first valve and second valve, the actuator including a first piston, a second piston, a first inertial arm movable about a shaft in response to centrifugal forces applied to the device and a second inertial arm movable about a shaft in response to centrifugal forces applied to the device; the first arm being adapted to apply a force on said first piston causing the first piston to displace in an axial direction and move the first valve from said first position to said second position and the second arm being adapted to apply a force on said second piston causing the second piston to displace in an axial direction, contact the second valve and move the second valve from said first position to said second position. 15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the actuator further includes an interlock, the interlock preventing the second piston from moving in an axial direction until the first piston has moved in an axial direction. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the first valve or second valve is operated manually. 17. The device of claim 5, wherein the centrifugation is performed in a fixed-angle, a swing-bucket, or purpose-built centrifuge. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the purpose built centrifuge comprises a mechanism with at least one external arm to contact and apply force to the first valve to move the first valve from the first position to the second position in the first channel. 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the purpose built centrifuge further comprises a first mechanism connected to and controls a first external arm and a second mechanism connected to and controls a second external arm, wherein the first mechanism can move the first external arm to contact and apply force to the first valve to move the first valve from the first position to the second position in the first channel, and the second mechanism can move the second external arm to contact and apply force to the second valve to move the second valve from the first position to the second position in the second channel. 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the mechanism is an air cylinder.