Fluidic autosampler and incubator

Abstract

Provided are devices for automated analysis of one or more samples in single or multi-well plates or vessels, wherein the process of automated analysis comprises automated flow, wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in a sample vessel, and wherein the devices comprise an assembly of components that enable processing of a sample for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments. Automated flow may comprise systems for moving samples including vacuum systems, pressure-based systems, pneumatic systems, pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragms, or syringes. The devices may comprise an assembly of components that enable movement in X, Y, and Z dimensions, as well as switches, microfluidic tubing, well plate block, electronic pressure controllers, pneumatic or fluidic mixing devices, components for fluid handling, sampling vessels, and mechanical components for translating or transporting system components.

1 . A device for automated analysis of one or more samples,
 wherein the process of automated analysis comprises automated flow,   wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in a sample vessel, and   wherein the device comprises an assembly of components that enable processing of a sample for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein automated flow comprises systems for moving samples including vacuum systems, pressure-based systems, pneumatic systems, pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragms, or syringes. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the samples comprise polymer, metal, glass, or alloy based particles, biological cells, plant cells (algal cells or others), prokaryotic cells (bacteria), eukaryotic cells, yeast, fungus, mold cells, red blood cells, neurons, egg cell (ovum), spermatozoa, white blood cells, basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, platelets, vesicles, exosomes, stromal cells, multicellular constructs such as spheroids, mesenchymal cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as subcellular components including nuclei, mitochondria, or chloroplasts. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments comprises measuring optical force, laser force cytology, automated microscopy, capillary electrophoresis, single cell droplet microfluidics, single cell genomics, sequencing devices, mass spectrometry, and nucleic acid or protein analysis, amplification, or modification. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly of components comprise motors in X, Y, and Z dimensions, limited switches, microfluidic tubing, well plate block, electronic pressure controllers, pneumatic or fluidic mixing devices with or without temperature control, components for fluid handling, sampling vessels with or without temperature control, mechanical components for translating sampling vessels or other system components. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is present in single well, single vial, or multi-well plate. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein processing of a sample comprises activities selected from the group consisting of: selecting a flow rate for the liquid or particles to be delivered to a fluidic and/or particle based instrument, mixing the contents of a sample, incubating the sample, heating the sample, cooling the sample, sterilizing the sample, creating a seal against a vial or well-plate containing a sample, adding reagents such as biochemicals or other biological components such as cells to the sample for a defined period. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a component that penetrates a seal to access the sample headspace and liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the components for fluid handling comprise:
 an outer tube that fits within a sample vessel,   one or more discrete inner tubes that fit within the diameter of the outer tube,   a connection to one or more destination vessels that are fluidically connected to the sampling vessel,   one or more separate systems for moving fluid in or out of the sampling vessel in a controlled manner.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a valve is used to preferentially drive fluid into one or more of the inner tubes or prevent fluid from entering one or more of the inner tubes 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the system for moving fluid is a vacuum system, a pressure-based system, or a pump such as a peristaltic, diaphragm, syringe, or other type. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the inner tube(s) is (are) connected to the outer tube in a reversible manner using a connector such as a fitting, sheath, ferrule, or other housing, or in a permanent manner, through the use of glue, epoxy, cement or other adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the inner tubes are connected to one or more reservoirs of fluids that can be delivered to the sampling vessel or other vessels within the system. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the fluids delivered are used to detach adherent cells growing in the sample device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a mechanism for monitoring flow, such as a flow meter. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the flow meter is used to calculate the amount of fluid removed from or delivered into the sample vessel or any other vessel or container connected to the system. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the activity of sterilizing the sample, comprises creating a sterile field within a sampling device comprising one or more light sources capable of sterilizing surface through the generation of ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         18 . A method for automated analysis of one or more samples using a device and implementing the steps of:
 moving the samples using automated flow,   wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in a sample vessel, and   wherein the device comprises an assembly of components that enable processing of a sample for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein automated flow comprises systems for moving samples including vacuum systems, pressure-based systems, pneumatic systems, pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragms, or syringes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the assembly of components comprise motors in X, Y, and Z dimensions, limited switches, microfluidic tubing, well plate block, electronic pressure controllers, pneumatic or fluidic mixing devices with or without temperature control, components for fluid handling, sampling vessels with or without temperature control, mechanical components for translating sampling vessels or other system components. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the components for fluid handling comprise:
 an outer tube that fits within a sample vessel,   one or more discrete inner tubes that fit within the diameter of the outer tube,   a connection to one or more destination vessels that are fluidically connected to the sampling vessel,   one or more separate systems for moving fluid in or out of the sampling vessel in a controlled manner.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein processing of a sample comprises activities selected from the group consisting of: selecting a flow rate for the liquid or particles to be delivered to a fluidic and/or particle based instrument, mixing the contents of a sample, incubating the sample, heating the sample, cooling the sample, sterilizing the sample, creating a seal against a vial or well-plate containing a sample, adding reagents such as biochemicals or other biological components such as cells to the sample for a defined period.