Disposable separator/concentrator device and method of use

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for separation and concentration of particles from liquid and fluid samples. In some embodiments, the separation/concentration is achieved by sequential centrifugation steps. In particular, one aspect of the invention relates to a separation/concentration device which comprises at least a first chamber and a second chamber connected by a first valve, whereby operation of the first valve controls the material transfer from the first chamber to the second chamber. In some embodiments, valve operation can be manually, semi-manually or automatically. Other aspects of the invention relate to single- or multi-chambered separation/concentrator devices, and methods and systems for use. Other aspects of the invention relate to devices for operation of the valves, e.g., semi-manual actuation devices, and automatic inertial activation devices and mechanical actuation devices present in purpose-built centrifuges.

1 .- 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A device for separation of particulates from a fluid sample by centrifugation, the device comprising: an upper chamber, a valve comprising a collection reservoir and a collection chamber,
 wherein the upper chamber has an upper inlet for receiving a fluid sample to be processed by the device and a lower outlet for discharging material into the collection reservoir or collection chamber in the valve;   wherein the valve can be operated to move from a first position, to at least a second position and a third position,   wherein when the valve is in the first position, the collection reservoir is open to the upper chamber and can receive material discharged from the lower outlet of the upper chamber,   wherein when the valve is in the second position, the collection chamber is open to the upper chamber and can receive material discharged from the lower outlet of the upper chamber, and   wherein when the valve is in a third position, it forms a seal with the outlet of the upper chamber preventing material in the upper chamber from being discharged into the collection reservoir or collection chamber.   
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein the valve can move to a fourth position, wherein when the valve is in the fourth position, the collection chamber is accessible for collection of the sample in the collection chamber. 
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein the collection chamber is a collection well. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein the valve operation is in a linear motion to move from a first position, to at least a second position and a third position. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 70 , further comprising an O ring located between the lower outlet of the upper chamber and the valve. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein the collection reservoir is a metered groove collection reservoir. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the metered groove collection reservoir collects between 100-500 μl fluid. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein the metered groove collection reservoir collects between 100-250 μl fluid. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 70 , wherein the device is a disposable device or a single-use device. 
     
     
         79 . A method for concentrating particles from a fluid sample using the device of  claim 70 , the method comprising
 (a) centrifuging the device, where the device comprises a fluid sample to be separated in the upper chamber of the device, and the valve is located in a first position such that the collection reservoir is open to the upper chamber,   (b) operating the valve to a third position such that a seal is formed with the outlet of the upper chamber and the collection reservoir or collection chamber, and aspirating fluid from the upper chamber,   (c) operating the valve to the first position such that the collection reservoir is open to the upper chamber, and adding fluid to the upper chamber to resuspend the material in the collection reservoir,   (d) operating the valve to a second position such that the collection chamber is open to the upper chamber and can receive material discharged from the lower outlet of the upper chamber, and centrifuging the device to collect the material in the collection chamber;   (e) optionally, operating the valve to the third position such that a seal is formed with the outlet of the upper chamber and the collection reservoir or collection chamber, and aspirating fluid from the upper chamber,   (f) operating the valve to a fourth position such that the collection chamber is accessible for collection of the sample in the collection chamber, and   (g) collecting the particle material from the collection chamber.   
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the fluid sample is a biological sample. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the method is used for concentration of bacteria from a biological sample. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the method is used for concentration of blood cells from a biological sample.