High throughput analysis and sorting, and sampling interface and assembly for high throughput analysis and sorting

Abstract

A method of analyzing and/or sorting selected cells or other biological components, for example for cell-based therapy, includes sampling a sample with an open end of a probe to obtain a fluid stream with the sample in it. The probe with the open end also has a fluid supply to convey fluid to the open end, and a fluid exhaust to convey the fluid stream away from the open end. The method then includes conveying the fluid stream to a flow cytometer and analyzing the fluid stream by flow cytometry; and/or separating it into at least two components. An apparatus with the probe connected to the flow cytometer may support this method. The method can provide for sampling of multiple samples efficiently, in particular to select cells for cell-based therapies.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 : An analysis and/or sorting system, comprising:
 a probe,   a flow cytometer, and   a connection between the probe and the flow cytometer, configured to convey a fluid stream from the probe to the flow cytometer,   wherein the probe comprises an open end, a fluid supply configured to convey a fluid to the open end, and a fluid exhaust configured to convey the fluid stream away from the open end.   
     
     
         22 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid supply and the fluid exhaust are coaxial. 
     
     
         23 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein a width of the probe at its open end is less than 3.3 mm. 
     
     
         24 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein a width of the probe at its open end is less than 1.3 mm. 
     
     
         25 : A method of analyzing or sorting at least one sample with the system of  claim 21 , the method comprising:
 conveying a fluid to the open end of the probe with the fluid supply,   collecting the at least one sample, comprising at least one first component and at least one second component, into the open end of a probe,   removing the fluid stream, comprising the at least one sample and the fluid, from the open end of the probe with the fluid exhaust,   conveying the fluid stream through the connection to the flow cytometer, and   analyzing the fluid stream by flow cytometry, and/or separating the fluid stream into at least a first separated stream comprising the at least one first component and a second separated stream comprising the at least one second component by flow cytometry sorting.   
     
     
         26 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid stream is substantially free of air bubbles, and wherein the fluid stream is substantially free of a gas/liquid interface. 
     
     
         31 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein the system is not configured to transmit a sample to the open end of the probe by directing acoustic energy into the sample. 
     
     
         32 : The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of sample containers. 
     
     
         33 : The system of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of sample containers are wells in a plate or in a plurality of plates. 
     
     
         34 : The system of  claim 21 , further comprising an autosampler configured to move the probe between multiple sampling points and/or to position multiple sampling points for sampling by the probe. 
     
     
         35 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein the flow cytometer is configured to sort components of the fluid stream into at least two containers. 
     
     
         36 : The system of  claim 21 , wherein the flow cytometer is configured to detect a label in a sample in an optical manner. 
     
     
         37 : The system of  claim 36 , wherein the flow cytometer is configured to detect a fluorescent label in a sample. 
     
     
         38 : The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a probe input pump configured to convey the fluid through the fluid supply, and   a probe to flow cytometer pump, configured to convey the fluid stream away from the open end and/or to the flow cytometer.   
     
     
         39 : The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a control system configured to monitor and/or control a flow into the probe and/or a flow between the probe and the flow cytometer. 
     
     
         40 : The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control system comprises at least one flow meter and/or at least one light-based sensor. 
     
     
         41 : The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control system is configured to adjust power to one or more pumps. 
     
     
         42 : The system of  claim 39 , wherein the control system comprises a graphical user interface.