Device for isolating an analyte from a sample, and methods of use

1. A device, comprising:

a rigid body having a first face and a second face, and defining within said first face:

a first cavity having an outlet, a second cavity, and a third cavity,

a first flow path positioned between and connecting the outlet of the first cavity and the second cavity,

said outlet comprising a constricted region between said first cavity and said first flow path, wherein the outlet constricted region is more narrow than the first flow path, and

a second flow path positioned between and connecting the second cavity and the third cavity, the second flow path comprising an upper and a lower surface and a barrier region having a top surface which is above the level of the lower surface of the second flow path;

wherein the first flow path is contiguous with the second flow path;

a wall member secured to at least a portion of the first face of the rigid body, said wall member disposed over the first cavity, the second cavity, and the third cavity, thereby defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, the third chamber having a width and a length, wherein the length is greater than the width; and

one or more inlet ports in direct communication with at least the first chamber and the third chamber for introduction of one or more water-miscible liquid reagents into each of the first and third chambers.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second flow path is in communication with said first flow path and first cavity only via said second cavity.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein said barrier region in said second flow path is disposed closer to the second chamber than to the third chamber along the second flow path.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inlet ports comprise two separate ports, one positioned for access to the first chamber and a second positioned for access to the third chamber.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first flow path is defined by an upper ledge and a lower ledge, said lower ledge creating said constricted region between said first cavity and said first flow path.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a narrowing channel connecting said second flow path to said third chamber, said channel having its narrowest point adjacent said third chamber.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second and third chambers contains a water-miscible liquid reagent.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the first chamber contains a reagent capable of cell lysis, the second chamber contains an aqueous wash solution, and the third chamber contains an elution medium.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein said second flow path contains a water-immiscible fluid substance.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the first flow path contains or is filled with said aqueous wash solution.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber further contains a plurality of solid carrier particles.

12. A method for extracting an analyte from a sample, comprising:

providing a device according to claim 1 ,

introducing a water-miscible liquid reagent into each of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber, wherein each chamber receives a different reagent, and wherein an amount of the reagent introduced into the second chamber is sufficient to fill the second chamber and the first flow path;

introducing, if not already present in the first chamber, a plurality of solid phase carrier particles capable of associating with said analyte;

introducing said sample into the first chamber;

dispensing a water-immiscible substance into the second flow path, wherein the water-immiscible substance contacts the liquid reagent in the first flow path and the liquid reagent in the third chamber, forming first and second fluid interfaces, respectively; and

transferring via an externally applied force, the plurality of solid phase carrier particles in the first chamber into the first flow path, into the second chamber, into the second flow path, and into the third chamber, whereby said moving transfers the solid phase carrier particles and any associated analyte, thereby extracting the analyte from the sample.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said first and second interfaces remain essentially stationary during said transferring of said solid phase carrier particles.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein water-miscible/water-immiscible fluid interfaces formed when said water-miscible and water-immiscible fluids are introduced and dispensed remain essentially stationary during said transferring of said solid phase carrier particles.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first chamber contains a reagent capable of cell lysis, the second chamber contains an aqueous wash solution, and the third chamber contains an elution medium.