Filtration column assembly for diagnostic assay system

1. A filtration column assembly for use in combination with a disposable cartridge of a diagnostic assay system, comprising:

a column matrix material configured to filter a fluid sample;

a tubular column configured to sealably engage a filtration chamber of the disposable cartridge and defining: (i) a column cavity receiving the column matrix material, (ii) a first end having an opening for receiving the fluid sample and configured to retain the column matrix material, and (iii) a second end having an opening to dispense a filtered fluid sample from the column cavity; and

a cap configured to be inserted into the second end of the tubular column, and define a passageway to direct the sample fluid from the second end of the tubular column into a collection cavity disposed adjacent the filtration chamber.

2. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the column matrix material is stored in a dry condition prior to use and configured to fill the column cavity of the tubular column upon hydration by the fluid sample.

3. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the column matrix material is configured to trap a small molecule material while allowing the passage of a large molecule material through the matrix material.

4. The filtration column assembly of claim 3 wherein the small molecule material is sodium and the large molecule material is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)).

5. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the column matrix is configured to remove materials from the group of: phosphates, sodium and polysaccharides.

6. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the cap restricts the volume of the filtered fluid sample which may collect above the column matrix material due to the effects of surface tension.

7. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular column includes a filter configured to retain one end of the column matrix material, and wherein the cap includes a filter configured to retain another end of the column matrix material and allows the passage of molecules larger than those trapped by the column matrix material.

8. The filtration column assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular column includes an effluent opening disposed through a wall of the tubular column, and wherein the cap includes a annular rim and a fluid guide, the annular rim configured to be inserted into the opening in the second end of the tubular column and having an effluent opening aligned with the opening in the wall of the tubular column, the fluid guide receiving the filtered fluid sample from the aligned effluent openings to direct the filtered fluid sample into the collection chamber of the disposable cartridge.

9. The filtration column assembly of claim 8 wherein the annular rim includes an opening in fluid communication with a gap in the tubular column to vent a region between the cap and the column matrix material to facilitate fluid flow through the aligned effluent openings.

10. A disposable cartridge for a portable assay diagnostic system, comprising:

a filtration chamber in fluid communication with a first port disposed through a wall in the disposable cartridge;

a collection chamber adjacent the filtration chamber and in fluid communication with a second port disposed through a wall in the disposable cartridge; and

a filtration column assembly comprising a column matrix material, a tubular column defining a column cavity to receive the column matrix material, and a cap directing a filtered fluid sample from the tubular column into the collection chamber,

wherein the cap is configured to restrict the volume of the filtered fluid sample collecting above the column matrix material.

11. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein the filtration and collection chambers are separated by a sidewall, wherein the sidewall has a height dimension which is less than the height dimension of the tubular column, and wherein the tubular column is configured to sealably engage the filtration chamber to allow fluid to flow up through the tubular column of the filtration column assembly above the height dimension of the sidewall.

12. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein the tubular column defines a first end configured to retain one end of the column matrix material and an opening for receiving a fluid sample through the first port of the filtration chamber, and a second end having an opening to dispense the filtered fluid sample into the collection chamber, the filtered fluid sample being retrieved through the second port of the disposable cartridge.

13. The disposable cartridge of claim 12 wherein the filtration chamber includes a plurality of raised surfaces to facilitate flow of the fluid sample from the first port into the first end of the tubular column.

14. The filtration column assembly of claim 10 wherein the cap includes a filter configured to retain the other end of the column matrix material and allows the passage of molecules larger than those trapped by the column matrix material.

15. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein tubular column includes a filter configured to retain an end of the column matrix material, and wherein the cap is configured to be inserted into the second end of the tubular column, retain the other end of the column matrix material, and define a passageway to direct the sample fluid from the tubular column into the collection chamber.

16. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein the tubular column includes an effluent opening disposed through a wall of the tubular column, and wherein the cap includes a annular rim and a fluid guide, the annular rim configured to be inserted into the opening in the second end of the tubular column and having an effluent opening aligned with the opening in the wall of the tubular column, the fluid guide receiving the filtered fluid sample from the aligned effluent openings to direct the filtered fluid sample into the collection chamber of the disposable cartridge.

17. The disposable cartridge of claim 8 wherein the annular rim of the cap includes an opening in fluid communication with a gap in the tubular column to vent a region between the cap and the column matrix material facilitating fluid flow through the aligned effluent openings.

18. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein the column matrix material is stored in a dry condition prior to use and configured to fill the column cavity upon hydration by the fluid sample.

19. The disposable cartridge of claim 10 wherein the column matrix material is configured to trap a small molecule material while allowing the passage of a large molecule material through the matrix material.

20. The disposable cartridge of claim 19 wherein the small molecule material is sodium and the large molecule material is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)).