Multicapillary device for sample preparation

Abstract

A multicapillary sample preparation device, especially useful for handling biological samples, comprising a plurality of uniform capillary tubes coated with a stationary phase, and arranged in a monolithic element. The multicapillary device is suitable for attachment to a pipette, micropipette, syringe, or other analytical or sample preparation instrument.

1 . A sample preparation device, especially useful for handling biological samples, comprising: 
 (a) an element for receiving a sample at an upper end thereof and discharging a concentrated, purified, or separated sample at a lower end of the element, said element defining a cavity;    (b) a plurality of capillary tubes arranged within said cavity, each capillary tube defining an inner bore having an inner wall and first and second openings; and    (c) a housing of substantially cylindrical or conical configuration for retaining the multicapillary element, said housing being suitable for attachment to a sample preparation or analytical instrument.    
     
     
         2 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  wherein a stationary phase is deposited on the inner wall of said capillary tubes without an intermediary constituent.  
     
     
         3 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2  wherein the inner bore of said capillary tubes is unobstructed by said stationary phase; and 
 the stationary phase comprises a thickness that is correlated with the radius of individual capillary tubes for high efficiency.    
     
     
         4 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2  or  3  wherein the stationary phase is insoluble.  
     
     
         5 . The sample preparation device of  claim 4  wherein the insoluble stationary phase is chemically bonded to the inner wall of said capillary tubes.  
     
     
         6 . The sample preparation device of  claim 4  wherein the insoluble stationary phase is cross-linked to the inner wall of said capillary tubes.  
     
     
         7 . The sample preparation device of  claim 4  wherein the insoluble stationary phase is both cross-linked and chemically bonded to the inner wall of said capillary tubes.  
     
     
         8 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2  or  3  wherein the thickness of said stationary phase coating is proportional to the radius of said capillary tubes in power n, where n is greater than  1 .  
     
     
         9 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2  or  3  wherein the following relationship holds:  
           d   f ( r )= c   f   ·r   n    where d f =insoluble stationary phase thickness; c f =constant; r=capillary radius; and n>1.    
     
     
         10 . A sample preparation device, especially useful for handling biological samples, comprising: 
 (a) an element for receiving a sample at an upper end thereof and discharging a concentrated, purified, or separated sample at a lower end of the element, said element defining a cavity;    (b) a plurality of capillary tubes arranged within said cavity, each capillary tube defining an inner bore having an inner wall and first and second openings, said capillary inner wall having an imperforate structure;    (c) a housing of substantially cylindrical or conical configuration for retaining the multicapillary element, said housing being suitable for attachment to a sample preparation or analytical instrument; and    (d) wherein the imperforate structure of said capillary inner wall prevents the sample from diffusing from one capillary tube to another during separation.    
     
     
         11 . The sample preparation device of  claim 10  wherein a stationary phase is deposited on the imperforate inner wall of said capillary tubes without an intermediary constituent.  
     
     
         12 . The sample preparation device of  claim 11  wherein the inner bore of said capillary tubes is unobstructed by said stationary phase; and 
 the stationary phase comprises a thickness that is correlated with the radius of individual capillary tubes for high efficiency.    
     
     
         13 . The sample preparation device of  claim 11  or  12  wherein the stationary phase is insoluble so as to prevent discharge of said stationary phase into a mobile phase during separation.  
     
     
         14 . The sample preparation device of  claim 2  or  3  wherein the following relationship holds:  
           d   f ( r )= c   f   ·r   n    where d f =insoluble stationary phase thickness; c f =constant; r =capillary radius; and n>1.    
     
     
         15 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein said multicapillary element is formed of fused silica, glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or polyetheretherketone.  
     
     
         16 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein an inner diameter of one or more of said capillary tubes is in the range of about 0.1 μm to about 200 μm.  
     
     
         17 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein an outer diameter of said multicapillary element is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 20 mm.  
     
     
         18 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein a length of said multicapillary element is in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 250 mm.  
     
     
         19 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein a volume of said housing is in the range of about 0.1 μL to about 100 mL.  
     
     
         20 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein said housing is formed of polyolefin, polyetheretherketone, glass, fused silica, ceramic, or stainless steel.  
     
     
         21 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein the inner wall of said capillary tubes includes particles of inert material for increasing surface area of the tubes.  
     
     
         22 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein the inner wall of said capillary tubes includes a nodular surface for increasing surface area of the tubes.  
     
     
         23 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein said sample comprises a protein, peptide, polynucleotide, biopolymer, virus, spore, cell, microorganism, nucleic acid, or other biological specimen.  
     
     
         24 . The sample preparation device of  claim 1  or  10  wherein said housing comprises a tip, pipette, micropipette, or syringe.  
     
     
         25 . A method of preparing a sample preparation device, especially useful for handling biological samples, comprising: 
 (a) introducing a stationary phase solution into an element containing a plurality of capillary tubes for receiving a sample at a first end of the element and discharging a separated sample at a second end of the element;    (b) simultaneously exposing the element to an environment that facilitates evaporation of the solution;    (c) cross-linking or chemically bonding the stationary phase to the interior of said capillary tubes; and    (d) wherein the stationary phase comprises a thickness that is correlated with the radius of individual capillary tubes for high efficiency.