Focusing chamber

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to devices and methods of use thereof for concentrating, positioning and/or manipulating agents within a fluid, including but not limited to genomic DNA.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of concentrating agents, the method comprising:
 providing a chamber having a porous substrate;   flowing a first fluid flow containing agents into the chamber through a first fluid port and through the porous substrate such that the agents are positioned on the porous substrate;   reversing flow through the first fluid port; and   flowing a second fluid flow into the chamber from a second fluid port out through the first fluid port during the reversing of flow through the first fluid port.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein, during the reversing of flow, a portion of the reversed flow exits the chamber out through the first fluid port and a portion of the reversed flow exits the chamber out through a third fluid port. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising positioning agents on a central portion of the porous substrate. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the agents are nucleic acids. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the agents are DNA. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the step of flowing a first fluid flow into the chamber through the first fluid port is enabled by applying a pressure force above the porous substrate. 
     
     
         32 . A method of concentrating agents, the method comprising:
 providing a chamber having a porous substrate;   flowing a first fluid flow containing agents into the chamber through a first fluid port and through the porous substrate such that the agents are positioned on the porous substrate; and   reversing flow through the first fluid port,   wherein a portion of the reversed flow exits the chamber out through the first fluid port and a portion of the reversed flow exits the chamber out through a second fluid port.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising positioning agents on a central portion of the porous substrate. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the agents are nucleic acids. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the agents are DNA. 
     
     
         36 . A method of concentrating agents, the method comprising:
 providing a chamber having a porous substrate;   flowing a first fluid flow containing agents into the chamber and through the porous substrate such that the agents are positioned on the porous substrate;   flowing a second fluid flow through the chamber, the second fluid flow at least partially surrounding the first fluid flow to direct the first fluid flow and any agents contained therein toward a particular portion of the porous substrate; and   positioning agents on the particular portion of the porous substrate.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 providing a tube that is moveable relative to the chamber;   wherein the step of positioning agents on a particular portion of the porous substrate comprises directing the tube toward the particular portion of the porous substrate and introducing the first fluid flow through the tube.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of flowing a first fluid flow into the chamber comprises flowing the first fluid flow through a first fluid port. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of positioning agents on a particular portion of the porous substrate comprises positioning agents on a central portion of the porous substrate. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein flowing the second fluid flow comprises flowing the second fluid flow through one or more second fluid ports positioned about the porous substrate in the chamber, the second fluid flow completely surrounding the first fluid flow to direct the first fluid flow and any agents contained therein toward the central portion of the porous substrate. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising reversing flow through a first fluid port. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein providing the chamber comprises providing a chamber that includes an open top. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the agents are nucleic acids. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the agents are DNA. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of flowing a first fluid flow into the chamber through is enabled by applying a pressure force above the porous substrate.