Method and System for Sample Collection, Storage, Preparation and Detection

Abstract

A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.

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         19 . A method for collecting and processing a sample comprising the steps of:
 collecting a sample in a cup, a substance comprising capture particles within an interior of the cup;   capturing with the capture particles at least a portion of the sample;   attracting the capture particles;   moving the capture particles to a processing device;   processing the sample in the processing device.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the processing device is a microfluidic detection cartridge configured for carrying out thermocycling for amplification and detection of nucleic acid. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein processing the sample determines if the sample includes a pathogen in which detection of the nucleic acid determines that the pathogen is present in the sample. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the pathogen is SARS-CoV-2 associated with disease COVID-19. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of moving the capture particles to a processing device comprises moving said substance to an attachment tube received in said processing device, said attachment tube at least partially formed of a heat deformable material and further comprising the steps of:
 heating the heat deformable material for causing the attachment tube to contract for pushing the sample through the attachment tube to said processing device. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the attachment tube comprises one or more reagents, or one or more reagents are added to the inner chamber, and wherein at least one of the sample and the one or more reagents comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the one or more reagents comprises: a) an enzyme, b) a thermostable enzyme, a thermophilic enzyme, a mesophilic enzyme, or a proteolytic enzyme, c) an alkaline proteinase, a serine protease, a metalloproteinase, a neutral proteinase, a threonine proteinase, an aspartate proteinase, a cysteine proteinase, or a cell-wall degrading enzyme, d) a thermostable proteinase derived from a thermophilic  Bacillus  species, or e) cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase, glucouronidase, glucanase, chitinase, laminarinase, lyticase, lysozyme, subtilisin, proteinase K, trypsin,  Bacillus  sp. EA1 proteinase, thermolysin, caldolysin, a Thermus proteinase, or a combination of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein the substance is contained in an openable compartment within an interior of said cup and further comprising a step of:
 piercing with a piercing mechanism the openable compartment for opening the openable compartment to release the substance, the openable component is a blister, the capture particles of the substance comprises magnetic capture beads, wherein upon opening of the openable compartment the magnetic capture beads capture and bind to the at least one portion of the sample. 
 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  further comprising the step of providing a cap, the cap configured to close an opening in the cup, said piercing mechanism is actioned by attachment of said cap to said opening, said piercing mechanism opening said blister. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27  wherein the cap comprises a central extruding portion housing a plunger mounted movably within the central extruding portion, the plunger comprising a base and an upper surface. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23  wherein the step of attracting the capture particles comprises attraction means for attracting the capture particles, the attraction means is a magnet; a base of the plunger is configured to contact said attraction means for moving said attraction means into said attachment tube. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29  wherein said upper surface of said plunger is configured to seal said cup. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29  wherein the cup comprises an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said blister positioned in said upper compartment, said attraction means positioned in or integral with said lower compartment. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 29  wherein the plunger is activated for moving said magnet into the attachment tube. 
     
     
         33 . A sample collection and processing device comprising:
 a cup having an opening configured for collecting a sample within an interior of said cup;   a cap, the cap configured to close the opening in the cup; and   the cap comprises a central extruding portion housing a plunger mounted movably within the central extruding portion,   wherein the base of the plunger is configured to move the sample to an attachment tube, said attachment tube configured for attachment to a processing device.   
     
     
         34 . The sample collection and processing device of  claim 33  wherein the attachment tube is at least partially formed of a heat deformable material. 
     
     
         35 . The sample collection and processing device of  claim 33  wherein the attachment tube comprises one or more reagents, or one or more reagents are added to the inner chamber, and wherein at least one of the sample and the one or more reagents comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         36 . The sample collection and processing device system of  claim 35  wherein the one or more reagents comprises: a) an enzyme, b) a thermostable enzyme, a thermophilic enzyme, a mesophilic enzyme, or a proteolytic enzyme, c) an alkaline proteinase, a serine protease, a metalloproteinase, a neutral proteinase, a threonine proteinase, an aspartate proteinase, a cysteine proteinase, or a cell-wall degrading enzyme, d) a thermostable proteinase derived from a thermophilic  Bacillus  species, or e) cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase, glucouronidase, glucanase, chitinase, laminarinase, lyticase, lysozyme, subtilisin, proteinase K, trypsin,  Bacillus  sp. EA1 proteinase, thermolysin, caldolysin, a Thermus proteinase, or a combination of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The sample collection and processing apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein said processing device is a micro-fluidic cartridge configured for nucleic acid amplification.