SAMPLE CONCENTRATION DEVICES
The present disclosure relates to a concentrator for concentrating, purifying or otherwise isolating one or more target analytes in a fluid matrix, and related methods, using self-wicking materials, such as monoliths. The present disclosure can be used as a point-of need sample preparation device. The self-contained device can be used for the extraction and concentration of specific target molecules, such as nucleic acids.
1 . A method for concentrating an analyte in a fluid matrix, the method comprising:
providing a first concentrator comprising a first self-wicking material, the material comprising a first accumulator, the first accumulator comprising:
a plurality of interface surfaces, and a fluid capacity volume (Vac 1 );
providing a first sink comprising a second self-wicking material, the sink having:
an interface surface, and
a fluid capacity volume (Vfs 1 );
coupling any interface surface of the first accumulator to the interface surface of the first sink, wherein at least one interface surface of the first accumulator and the interface surface of the first sink are in fluid communication and configured to facilitate wicking of fluid across the coupling;
wicking the fluid matrix containing the analyte into the first accumulator through any interface surface of the first accumulator; and
capturing the analyte in the first accumulator.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first self-wicking material has a self-wicking rate of at least 1 cm, and the second self-wicking material has a self-wicking rate of at least 1.8 cm.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
wicking the fluid matrix in excess of the Vac 1 from the first accumulator into the first sink, and
retaining the excess fluid matrix in the first sink.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising
wicking a wash fluid having a volume Vw 1 into the first accumulator through any interface surface of the first accumulator, wherein Vw 1 is greater than Vac 1 .
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
uncoupling the first accumulator from the first sink;
providing a second concentrator comprising a third self-wicking material, the material comprising an second accumulator and a second sink, the second accumulator comprising:
at plurality of interface surfaces, and a fluid capacity volume (Vac 2 );
the second sink comprising a fourth self-wicking material, the second sink having:
an interface surface, and a fluid capacity volume (Vfs 2 ); and
coupling any interface surface of the first accumulator to any interface surface of the second accumulator, wherein the interface surface of the first accumulator and the interface surface of the second accumulator are in fluid communication.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the third self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the fourth self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the third self-wicking material has a self-wicking rate of at least 1 cm, and the fourth self-wicking material has a self-wicking rate of at least 1.8 cm.
11 . The method of claim 7 further comprising:
providing a source of a first elution fluid;
coupling the first elution fluid source to any selected interface surface of the first accumulator;
introducing a first elution fluid having a volume Vef 1 from the first elution fluid source through the selected interface surface of the first accumulator through the second accumulator and into the second sink, wherein Vef 1 is greater than Vac 1 +Vac 2 , and wherein the first elution fluid releases the analyte from the first accumulator; and
capturing the analyte in the second accumulator.
12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
uncoupling the first accumulator from the second accumulator;
uncoupling the second accumulator from the second sink;
providing a source of a second elution fluid;
coupling the second elution fluid source to any selected interface surface of the second accumulator;
introducing a second elution fluid having a volume Vef 2 from the second elution fluid source into the second accumulator through the selected interface surface of the second accumulator, wherein Vef 2 is greater than Vac 2 , and wherein the second elution fluid releases the analyte from the second accumulator; and
collecting the analyte from any other interface surface of the second accumulator.
13 . The method of claim 11 further comprising:
uncoupling the first accumulator from the second accumulator;
uncoupling the second accumulator from the second sink;
providing a matrix absorber comprising a fifth self-wicking material, the matrix absorber having:
an interface surface,
a bypass channel with an outlet, and
a fluid capacity volume (Vma), wherein Vma is smaller than or equal to Vac 2 ;
coupling the interface surface of the matrix absorber to any selected interface surface of the second accumulator, wherein the interface surface of the matrix absorber and the selected interface surface of the second accumulator;
providing a source of a second elution fluid;
coupling the second elution fluid source to any other interface surface of the second accumulator;
introducing a second elution fluid having a volume Vef 2 from the second elution fluid source into the second accumulator through the any other interface surface of the second accumulator, wherein Vef 2 is greater than Vac 2 , and wherein the second elution fluid releases the analyte from the second accumulator; and
collecting the analyte from the bypass channel outlet of the matrix absorber.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fifth self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
15 . A system for concentrating an analyte in a fluid matrix comprising
a first accumulator comprising a first self-wicking material, the accumulator having a plurality of interface surfaces, and a fluid capacity volume (Vac 1 );
a first sink comprising a second self-wicking material, the sink having an interface surface, and a fluid capacity volume (Vfs 1 );
a second accumulator comprising a third self-wicking material, the second accumulator having a plurality of interface surfaces, and a fluid capacity volume (Vac 2 );
a second sink comprising a fourth self-wicking material, the second sink having an interface surface, and a fluid capacity volume (Vfs 2 );
wherein at least one interface surface of the first accumulator and the interface surface of the first sink;
at least one interface surface of the second accumulator and the interface surface of the second sink, and
at least one interface surface of the first accumulator and at least one interface surface of the second accumulator are configured to form respective couplings;
wherein the first and second accumulators have an affinity for the analyte.
16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a first elution fluid configured to release the analyte from the first accumulator.
17 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a second elution fluid configured to release the analyte from the second accumulator.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a matrix absorber, the matrix absorber comprising a filth self-wicking material, the matrix absorber having:
an interface surface,
a bypass channel with an outlet, and
a fluid capacity volume (Vma), wherein Vma is smaller than or equal to Vac 2 ;
wherein the interface surface of the matrix absorber is configured for fluid communication with any interface surface of the accumulator of the second concentrator.
19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first self-wicking material, second self-wicking material, third self-wicking material or fourth self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.
20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the fifth self-wicking material is a porous polymer monolith.