Biofluid collection and filtration device
The present specification discloses filtration devices for processing a biofluid sample, methods of purifying a biofluid sample using the disclosed filtration devices, and systems comprising components of the filtration devices. The filtration device generally includes a collection container, a quantitative container, a filter, and a plunger slidably inserted through a plunger attachment. In a first configuration, the quantitative container is axially slidably inserted within the collection chamber, with fluid communication between the quantitative chamber and the collection chamber provided through the filter. In a second configuration, the filter and the collection container are separated from the quantitative container, the plunger attachment is fitted to the quantitative chamber open end with at least a portion of the plunger positioned within the quantitative chamber.
1. A filtration device for collecting a biofluid sample, the filtration device comprising:
a collection container having a collection chamber therein, the collection chamber having a collection chamber open end opposite a sample collection opening;
a filter;
a quantitative container having a quantitative chamber therein, the quantitative container having a quantitative chamber open end opposite a leak-tight base; and
a plunger slidably inserted through a plunger attachment;
wherein, in a first configuration, the quantitative container is axially slidably inserted within the collection chamber, with fluid communication between the quantitative chamber and the collection chamber provided through the filter;
and wherein, in a second configuration, the filter and the collection container are separated from the quantitative container, the plunger attachment is fitted to the quantitative chamber open end with at least a portion of the plunger positioned within the quantitative chamber.
2. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter is mounted on a filter device body with a port formed through the filter device body for fluidly communicating between the quantitative chamber and atmosphere.
3. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the second configuration, a needle is inserted through the base.
4. The filtration device according to claim 3 , wherein the needle further comprises a needle filter.
5. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the collection container is designed to have flexible walls.
6. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the collection container is designed to have rigid walls.
7. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the quantitative container is configured to move into the collection chamber upon the application of force.
8. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the plunger is configured to move into the quantitative chamber upon the application of force.
9. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the plunger further includes a channel formed therethrough, the channel fluidly communicating between the quantitative chamber and atmosphere through a check valve for permitting air and/or a fluid to enter the quantitative chamber.
10. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the collection container includes a collection chamber cap attached to the collection container.
11. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the collection container includes a collection chamber cap detachable from the collection container.
12. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the filter has a pore size range between 0.2 μm to about 50.0 μm.
13. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the quantitative chamber has a volume range between 0.5 mL to about 5.0 mL.
14. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the quantitative chamber has a volume of 1 mL.
15. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the quantitative chamber further comprises a quantitative chamber dispenser.
16. A method of processing a biofluid sample using a filtration device as defined in claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
a) depositing a biofluid sample into the collection chamber of the filtration device; and
b) applying a force to the filtration device whereby the biofluid sample passes through the filter of the collection chamber, a defined volume of filtered biofluid sample is collected in the quantitative chamber, and a retained biofluid sample remains in the collection chamber.
17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
c) removing the quantitative sample comprising the filtered biofluid sample;
d) attaching a plunger device comprising a plunger and a channel to the quantitative chamber; and
e) processing the filtered biofluid sample by the addition of suitable reagents using the channel.
18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
f) attaching the needle device comprising a needle and porous filter to the quantitative chamber; and
g) expelling the processes filtered biofluid sample from the quantitative chamber into a collection tube using the plunger.
19. A system for processing a biofluid sample, the system comprising a filtration device as defined in claim 1 .