The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.
1. A method for processing a sample, the method comprising
providing a collection tube containing a sample;
coupling the collection tube to a cartridge at an interface on the cartridge, wherein the interface provides fluidic communication between the cartridge and the collection tube;
introducing a fluid comprising magnetic particles from the cartridge into the collection tube;
binding the magnetic particles to a pathogen in the sample;
transferring the fluid and substantially the entire sample from the tube into a magnetic trap on the cartridge; and
magnetically separating the pathogen from the sample by capturing the magnetic particles within the magnetic trap.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid rinses the tube and mixes with the sample.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface comprises an input member and an output member configured to extend into the tube.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the input member and the output member define a lumen and include a penetrating tip.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring comprises introducing air into the tube.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic particles are conjugated to a binding moiety specific to the target.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the fluid is configured to facilitate binding of one or more of the magnetic particles to the target.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid is a buffer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tube is enclosed except for the communication with the cartridge, and the fluid is introduced to a top portion of the tube such that the fluid rinses the down at least one side of the tube.
10. A method for processing a sample, the method comprising providing a collection tube containing a sample;
coupling the tube to a cartridge at an interface on the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a magnetic trap and is configured to process a sample and the cartridge interface is configured to provide communication between the tube and the cartridge;
introducing a plurality of magnetic capture particles from the cartridge into the tube, thereby allowing a target in the sample to bind to the magnetic capture particles within the tube;
transferring substantially the entire sample and the magnetic capture particles from the tube and into the cartridge;
magnetically separating the target from other components in the sample by capturing the particle-bound target within the magnetic trap.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the interface comprises an input member and an output member configured to extend into the tube.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication between the sample and the cartridge is pneumatic, fluidic, or both.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic capture particles comprise at least one moiety specific for the target.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic capture particles are disposed within a fluid, and the introducing step comprises introducing the fluid containing capture particles from the cartridge into the tube.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the fluid facilitates binding of one or more of the plurality of capture particles to the target.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fluid is a buffer.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tube is enclosed except for the communication with the cartridge, and the fluid containing capture particles is introduced to a top portion of the tube such that the fluid rinses the down at least one side of the tube.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of transferring comprises introducing air into the tube.
19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the sample is a body fluid or tissue.
20. The method of claim 10 , wherein the target is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, virus, a fungus, a cell, a protein, and nucleic acid.