Device for preparing a sample

Abstract

The invention provides a device for preparing a fluid sample, including but not limited to a sample comprising genomic DNA.

1 . A device comprising:
 a body having a chamber with an inlet;   a membrane positioned in the body, the membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein the inlet is positioned on the first side of the membrane, the membrane comprising at least a first zone and a second zone;   a plurality of channels coupled to the bottom of the chamber, wherein the plurality of channels are positioned on the second side of the membrane, wherein each of the plurality of channels extends outwardly from the membrane, the plurality of channels including at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel extends outwardly from the first zone of the membrane, and wherein the second channel extends outwardly from the second zone of the membrane; and   a controller that controls:
 a first flow of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and through the first channel to move desired agents toward the first zone of the membrane; and 
 a second flow of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and through the second channel to allow undesired agents and/or debris to move toward the second zone of the membrane. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is substantially frustoconical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a collar extending upwardly from the chamber inlet, the collar having a passageway extending therethough, wherein the passageway has an inlet configured to receive a sample, wherein the passageway inlet is larger than the chamber inlet. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier that is configured to separate the first zone from the second zone. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the membrane includes a substantially annular shaped portion and the barrier is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the barrier is formed of a weld on the membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises a third channel which extends outwardly from the second zone of the membrane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the third channel is positioned on the second zone of the membrane opposite the second channel. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the collar is integrally formed with the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels are formed into a second body which is formed separately from the chamber body. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber body comprises a plurality of downwardly extending feet spaced around a perimeter of the chamber, with a plurality of passages formed between the feet configured such that fluid can pass from the chamber into the second zone of the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  for use in preparing a nucleic acid sample. 
     
     
         14 . A device comprising:
 a body comprising a chamber with an inlet;   a membrane positioned in the body, the membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein the inlet is positioned on the first side of the membrane, the membrane comprising at least a first zone and a second zone; and   a barrier configured to separate the first zone from the second zone, the first zone configured to receive a first flow of fluid from the inlet to move desired agents toward the first zone of the membrane, and the second zone configured to receive a second flow of fluid from the inlet to allow undesired agents and/or debris to move toward the second zone of the membrane.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of channels coupled to the bottom of the chamber, wherein the plurality of channels are positioned on the second side of the membrane. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane includes a substantially annular shaped portion and the barrier is substantially annular in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the barrier is formed of a weld on the membrane. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises a third channel which extends outwardly from the second zone of the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the third channel is positioned on the second zone of the membrane opposite the second channel. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is substantially frustoconical in shape. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the body further comprises a collar extending upwardly from the chamber inlet, the collar having a passageway therethough, wherein the passageway has an inlet configured to receive a sample, wherein the passageway inlet is larger than the chamber inlet. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 14  for use in preparing a nucleic acid sample. 
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 introducing into the device of  claim 1  a nucleic acid comprising sample;   manipulating the sample with one or more reagents; and   eluting nucleic acid from the device.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of feet spaced around a perimeter of the chamber, with a plurality of passages formed between the feet configured such that fluid can pass from the chamber into the second zone of the membrane. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first zone of the membrane comprises a central portion of the membrane and the second zone of the membrane comprises a peripheral portion of the membrane. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an O-ring positioned at the bottom of the body. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an O-ring positioned at the bottom of the body. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of channels includes at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel extends outwardly from the first zone of the membrane, and wherein the second channel extends outwardly from the second zone of the membrane. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the first zone of the membrane comprises a central portion of the membrane and the second zone of the membrane comprises a peripheral portion of the membrane. 
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 providing a body having a chamber with an inlet;   providing a membrane positioned in the body, the membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein the inlet is positioned on the first side of the membrane, the membrane comprising at least a first zone and a second zone;   providing a barrier configured to separate the first zone from the second zone;   providing a plurality of channels coupled to the bottom of the chamber, wherein the plurality of channels are positioned on the second side of the membrane, wherein each of the plurality of channels extends outwardly from the membrane, the plurality of channels including at least a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel extends outwardly from the first zone of the membrane, and wherein the second channel extends outwardly from the second zone of the membrane;   flowing a first flow of fluid into the chamber from the inlet and through the first channel to move desired toward the first zone of the membrane; and   flowing a second flow into the chamber from the inlet and through the second channel to allow undesired agents and/or debris to move toward the second zone of the membrane.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first zone of the membrane comprises a central portion of the membrane and the second zone of the membrane comprises a peripheral portion of the membrane.