Devices for motile sperm separation

Abstract

Device ( 10, 110 ) for separating motile sperm from a sample ( 100, 200 ), comprises a vessel ( 15, 115 ) having an inlet port ( 20, 120 ), an outlet port ( 35, 135 ) which is initially closed, a medium ( 40, 140 ) into which motile sperm in the sample ( 100, 200 ) can migrate into the vessel ( 15, 115 ) via the inlet ( 20, 120 ), and an actuator (50, 150), the operation of which opens the outlet ( 35, 135 ), thereby allowing the medium ( 40, 140 ) to flow out of the vessel ( 15, 115 ) through the outlet ( 35, 135 ). The medium ( 40, 140 ) in the vessel ( 15, 115 ) is initially prevented from flowing through the outlet ( 35, 135 ), thus allowing an incubation period which allows motile sperm sufficient time to migrate from the sample ( 100, 200 ) into the medium ( 40, 140 ) before the medium ( 40, 140 ) leaves the vessel ( 35, 135 ). The device ( 10, 110 ) preferably comprises a spermatozoa detector in communication with the outlet. In devices for separating sperm, capillary flow takes place through non-fibrous material, such as the space between sheets ( 81 a and 81 b; 181 a and 181 b ) of closely-juxtaposed material. A device for separating motile and non-motile sperm includes a temperature sensor, a heat source ( 70, 170 ) and, optionally, a temperature regulator.

1 . A device for separating and detecting motile spermatozoa in a liquid sample, the device having: 
 a sample separation vessel comprising:(a) a sample inlet port, which is initially closed or sealed;    (b) a separation medium into which motile spermatozoa in the sample can flow via the sample inlet port    (c) an actuator operable to open the sample inlet port    a spermatozoa detection zone, integral with the device, in which the presence of spermatozoa can be detected.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is the open end of a cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spermatozoa flow by capillary action through a non-fibrous material.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spermatozoa are labelled with a fluorescent tag.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of motile spermatozoa in the sample.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the visible signal is visible from the exterior of the device.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a receptacle for the sample.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a foil cutter.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a battery.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a heat source.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a temperature sensor and a heat source.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device also includes temperature regulation means.  
   
   
       14 . A device for separating and detecting motile spermatozoa in a liquid sample, wherein the device includes a temperature sensor and a heat source.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising temperature regulation means.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device has a sample separation vessel and a spermatozoa detection zone.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the sample separation vessel comprises: (a) a sample inlet port, which is initially closed or sealed; (b) a separation medium into which motile spermatozoa in the sample can flow via the sample inlet port; and (c) an actuator operable to open the sample inlet port.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the inlet port is the open end of a cylinder.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the spermatozoa flow by capillary action through a non-fibrous material.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the spermatozoa are labelled with a fluorescent tag.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of motile spermatozoa in the sample.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the visible signal is visible from the exterior of the device.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device includes a foil cutter.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device includes a battery.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device includes a receptacle for the sample.  
   
   
       26 . In a device for separating and detecting motile spermatozoa in a liquid sample, the improvement consisting of including a temperature sensor and a heat source in the device.  
   
   
       27 . A device for separating and detecting motile spermatozoa in a liquid sample, wherein sperm flow by capillary action takes place through non-fibrous material.  
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device has a sample separation vessel and a spermatozoa detection zone.  
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the sample separation vessel comprises: (a) a sample inlet port, which is initially closed or sealed; (b) a separation medium into which motile spermatozoa in the sample can flow via the sample inlet port; and (c) an actuator operable to open the sample inlet port.  
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the inlet port is the open end of a cylinder.  
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the spermatozoa are labelled with a fluorescent tag.  
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of motile spermatozoa in the sample.  
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the visible signal is visible from the exterior of the device.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device further comprises a receptacle for the sample.  
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device includes a foil cutter.  
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device includes a battery.  
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the device includes a temperature sensor and a heat source.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the device also includes temperature regulation means.  
   
   
       39 . In a device for separating and detecting motile spermatozoa in a liquid sample, wherein spermatozoa flow by capillary action, the improvement consisting of having the spermatozoa flow through non-fibrous material.