Sample concentrator and method of use
The present disclosure provides an assembly for preparing a sample for analysis. The assembly comprises a hollow body comprising first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending therebetween; a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway; and a closure comprising a third opening and a chamber, the closure being slideably engaged with the outlet. The chamber and the outlet are dimensioned so that the outlet is sealingly engaged with the chamber. A method of using the assembly to detect a microorganism is also provided.
1. A method, comprising:
depositing a liquid sample suspected of containing a microorganism into a first opening of a hollow body of a sample-preparation device, the sample-preparation device comprising:
the hollow body, which comprises the first opening, an outlet with a second opening, and a fluid pathway extending between the first opening and the second opening; and
a filter element operatively interposed in the fluid pathway;
passing the liquid sample through the filter element to retain the microorganism;
urging the outlet into a chamber configured to sealingly receive the outlet, the chamber containing a back-flush liquid;
wherein urging the outlet into the chamber comprises urging the outlet into the chamber to an extent sufficient to cause the back-flush liquid to pass from the chamber through the filter element and into the outlet; and
removing a portion of the back-flush liquid from the outlet and analyzing the portion to detect a presence or an absence of the microorganism.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising passing the liquid sample through a prefilter.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the passing the liquid sample through a prefilter comprises passing the liquid sample through a prefilter that is disposed in the sample-preparation device.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the filter element with a reagent to facilitate permeabilization of the microorganism.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the reagent to facilitate permeabilization of the microorganism comprises a cell lysis reagent.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
after urging the outlet into the chamber and before analyzing the portion of the back-flush liquid, removing the outlet from the chamber.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the back-flush liquid with the filter element for a period of time.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the back-flush liquid comprises the reagent to facilitate permeabilization of the microorganism.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein analyzing the portion comprises detecting an analyte, wherein detecting the analyte comprises culturing the microorganism or detecting a biomolecule.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein detecting the biomolecule comprises detecting a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, or a polysaccharide.