Devices, systems, and methods for specimen preparation using capillary and centrifugal forces

Abstract

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for specimen preparation by employing a combination of capillary and centrifugal forces. For example, provided herein are devices, systems, and methods that collect a sample by capillary force, separate components of the collected sample by centrifugal force, and isolate one or more of the separated components by further capillary force.

1 . A device for collecting and/or processing a sample, comprising: a) a sample collection zone comprising a porous membrane; b) a separation zone in fluid communication with said sample collection zone and positioned relative to said sample collection zone such that a centrifugal force applied along an axis of said device moves a collected sample from said sample collection zone to said separation zone; and c) a sample metering zone comprising a porous membrane, said sample metering zone in passive fluid communication with a portion of said separation zone, but not said sample collection zone. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an air vent in fluid communication with said sample collection zone. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an air vent in fluid communication with said sample metering zone. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a discharge channel in fluid communication with said sample metering zone and positioned along said axis such that a centrifugal force applied along said axis moves an aliquot of said sample from said sample metering zone to said discharge channel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises a slit opening between said separation zone and said sample metering zone. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , said device fabricated or molded as a single part having a first side comprising said sample collection zone and said separation zone and a second side comprising said sample metering zone. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , said device comprises two layers: a) a first layer comprising said sample collection zone and said separation zone; and b) a second layer below said first layer, said second layer comprising said sample metering zone. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a third layer disposed between said first layer and said second layer, said third layer comprising said slit opening. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first cover configured to cover said sample collection zone. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second cover configured to cover said sample metering zone, said second cover comprising said air vent in fluid communication with said sample metering zone. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sample metering zone comprises a first branch in fluid communication with said separation zone via said slit opening and a second branch in fluid communication with said discharge channel. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a sample is present in said porous membrane of said sample collection zone. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said porous membrane comprises an anti-coagulant, stabilizing reagent, or assay reagent. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising a device of  claim 1  and a centrifuge. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a collection tube. 
     
     
         16 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising metering a sample or isolating a component of a sample using a device of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises one or more or all of the steps of: a) contacting said porous membrane in said sample collection zone with said sample such that said sample enters said porous membrane via capillary forces; b) applying centrifugal force to said device along said axis to move at least a portion of said sample from said sample collection zone to said separation zone and, optionally, to separate said sample into a first component and a second component c) reducing or stopping said centrifugal force such that said sample or first component in said separation zone moves via capillary force into said sample metering zone; d) applying centrifugal force to said device along said axis to move said sample or first component out of said device through said discharge channel; e) capturing said sample, or first component in a vessel; and f) analyzing said sample or first component. 
     
     
         20 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said sample is a blood sample and said first sample component is plasma. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said first region comprises a porous membrane. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said third region comprises a porous membrane. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said centrifugal force is greater than said capillary force. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled)