Sampling Device

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including: a sampling member for acquiring or dispensing a sample; and a supply of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample; in which the device is configured to provide a continuous flow of immiscible fluid enveloping the sampling member.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for sample acquisition comprising:
 a sampling member;   a vessel for containing a sample and an overlay of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample;   wherein a distal end of the sampling member is configured such that it is not removed above the immiscible overlay between sample acquisitions.   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a robotics system that controls movement of the sampling tube. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , further comprising a pump connected to the sampling tube. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 19 , further comprising a liquid bridge that is in a fluid contact with the sampling tube. 
     
     
         23 . A system for sample acquisition comprising:
 a sampling device comprising an outer sheath and a plurality of tubes within the sheath, wherein at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, wherein the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and   a vessel for containing a sample and an overlay of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample;   wherein a distal end of the outer sheath and the tube that acquires the sample are configured to interact with the vessel to acquire the sample without also acquiring a gas.   
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein a distal portion of the outer sheath is filled with the immiscible fluid, continuously immersing a distal portion of the tube that acquires the sample in the immiscible fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein a counter-flow exists between the tube that expels the immiscible fluid and the tube that acquires the sample. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the immiscible fluid is continuously expelled by the at least one tube that expels the immiscible fluid. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the immiscible fluid is continuously taken in by the at least one tube that acquires the sample. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 23 , further comprising at least one robotics system that controls movement of the sampling device, and controls movement of the tube that acquires the sample. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , further comprising a first pump connected to the at least one tube that acquires the sample, and a second pump connected to the at least one tube that expels the immiscible fluid. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 23 , further comprising a liquid bridge that is in fluid contact with the sampling device. 
     
     
         31 . A method for acquiring a sample comprising:
 contacting a sampling member to a vessel containing a sample, wherein the sampling member is enveloped in a fluid that is immiscible with the sample;   acquiring the sample from the vessel, wherein the sample is acquired without the introduction of a gas into the sampling member.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein there is a counter-flow of the immiscible fluid from the exterior of the sampling member to an interior of the sampling member. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the immiscible fluid flows down an exterior of the sampling member, and is taken up an interior of the sampling member. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising flowing the sample to a liquid bridge. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising performing PCR on the sample.