Use of diazolidinyl urea for anti-clumping of biological samples

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for preventing clumping of cells in microfluidic devices by addition of diazolidinyl urea (DU). DU can be added to samples at the time of collection or can be added to samples post-collection. DU can also be pre-added to sample collection devices.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A container for collecting biological samples comprising an effective amount of diazolidinyl urea sufficient for inhibiting cellular aggregation in combination with a non-chelating agent based anti-coagulating agent, wherein the effective amount of diazolidinyl urea is an amount that provides substantial anti-cellular-aggregation activity but insubstantial activity for preserving cells in a biological sample upon mixing with the biological sample 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the volume of the container is from about 0.5 mL to about 50 mL, and wherein the diazolidinyl urea is at a concentration of about 4% to about 60% in the absence of the biological sample. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the non-chelating agent based anti-coagulating agent is acid citrate dextrose. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 8 , further comprising a biological sample. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the diazolidinyl urea is in a solid or liquid form. 
     
     
         13 . A container for collecting biological samples comprising an effective amount of diazolidinyl urea sufficient for inhibiting cellular aggregation, wherein the effective amount of diazolidinyl urea is an amount that provides substantial anti-cellular-aggregation activity but insubstantial activity for preserving cells in a biological sample upon mixing with the biological sample. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising a non-chelating agent based anti-coagulating agent. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising an effective amount of acid citrate dextrose. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising a biological sample. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the diazolidinyl urea is in a solid or liquid form. 
     
     
         18 . A container for collecting biological samples having a size from about 0.5 mL to about 50 mL and diazolidinyl urea in an amount from about 0.02 grams to about 30 grams, wherein the amount of diazolidinyl urea is an amount that provides substantial anti-cellular-aggregation activity but insubstantial activity for preserving cells in a biological sample upon mixing with the biological sample. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 8 , further comprising an instruction for using the container to collect a biological sample. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the diazolidinyl urea is in a solid or liquid form. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 19  wherein the instruction comprises using diazolidinyl urea in the amount of about 0.01% to about 3% upon mixing with the biological sample. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 19  wherein the instruction comprises using diazolidinyl urea in the amount of about 0.1% to about 2.5% upon mixing with the biological sample. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 19  wherein the instruction comprises using diazolidinyl urea in the amount of about 0.2% to about 2% upon mixing with the biological sample.