Devices, systems and methods for sample preparation

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.

1 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of detecting the presence of pathogen-identifying material in a biological sample, comprising:
 transporting at least a portion of a biological sample to a vessel, said vessel having a mating socket, an interior portion, and an exterior wall, effective to place said portion of said biological sample into said interior portion of said vessel;   contacting said mating socket with a sample handling system effective to engage said vessel with said sample handling system;   transporting said vessel by said sample handling system to a location adjacent a sonicator;   contacting an exterior wall of said vessel containing said biological sample with said sonicator;   applying ultrasound energy to said wall of the vessel effective to release pathogen-identifying material from a target pathogen in said biological sample; and   detecting the presence of pathogen-identifying material.   
     
     
         41 . The method of detecting the presence of pathogen-identifying material of  claim 40 , wherein said detecting the presence of pathogen-identifying material comprises performing an isothermal assay. 
     
     
         42 . The method of detecting the presence of pathogen-identifying material in a biological sample of  claim 40 , wherein said biological sample comprises a sample selected from blood, urine, sputum, tears, material from a nasal swab, material from a throat swab, material from a cheek swab, and another bodily fluid, excretion, secretion, and tissue obtained from a subject. 
     
     
         43 . A method of measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material in a biological sample, comprising:
 Contacting said biological sample with an automated assay device; and   Measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material in said sample.   wherein said automated assay device comprises a sample handling system; a detector, a vessel holder configured to hold a vessel having a vessel wall, said vessel wall having an external face, said vessel being configured to hold a sample; and a sonicator, wherein said sonicator is configured to contact said external face of said vessel wall effective to disrupt a cell in a sample within said vessel.   
     
     
         44 . The method of measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material of  claim 43 , wherein said measuring an amount of pathogen-identifying material comprises performing an isothermal assay. 
     
     
         45 . The method of measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material of  claim 44 , wherein said contacting step comprises:
 transporting at least a portion of said biological sample to a vessel, said vessel having an interior portion and a vessel wall having an external face, effective to place said portion of said biological sample into said interior portion of said vessel;   contacting said external face of said vessel wall with a sonicator; and   applying ultrasound energy to said vessel wall effective to release pathogen-identifying material from a target pathogen in said biological sample.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said measuring comprises optical detection. 
     
     
         47 . The method of measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material in a biological sample of  claim 44 , wherein said biological sample comprises a sample selected from blood, urine, sputum, tears, material from a nasal swab, material from a throat swab, material from a cheek swab, and another bodily fluid, excretion, secretion, and tissue obtained from a subject. 
     
     
         48 . A method of measuring an amount of a pathogen-identifying material in a biological sample, comprising:
 transporting at least a portion of a biological sample to a vessel, said vessel having a mating socket, an interior portion, and an exterior wall, effective to place said portion of said biological sample into said interior portion of said vessel;   contacting said mating socket with a sample handling system effective to engage said vessel with said sample handling system;   transporting said vessel by said sample handling system to a location adjacent a sonicator;   contacting an exterior wall of said vessel containing said biological sample with said sonicator;   applying ultrasound energy to said wall of the vessel effective to release pathogen-identifying material from a target pathogen in said biological sample; and   measuring the amount of a pathogen-identifying material.   
     
     
         49 - 67 . (canceled)