System and method for preparing samples

1. A method for preparing samples to test for an analyte of interest, the method comprising:

providing a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent;

providing a sample preparation system comprising a deformable freestanding liner, and a freestanding container that is more rigid than the deformable freestanding liner;

positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir defined by the deformable freestanding liner;

positioning the deformable freestanding liner in the freestanding container;

removing a sample from the sample preparation system by applying pressure to the deformable freestanding liner; and

analyzing the sample for the analyte of interest.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample preparation system comprises a disposable portion comprising a lid coupled to the deformable freestanding liner, and further comprising removing the disposable portion of the sample preparation system from the freestanding container, and disposing of the disposable portion.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample preparation system further comprises a lid, the method further comprising coupling the lid to at least one of the deformable freestanding liner and the freestanding container.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising filtering the liquid composition to form a filtrate, wherein removing a sample from the sample preparation system includes removing at least a portion of at least one of the liquid composition and the filtrate, and wherein removing at least a portion of the filtrate occurs during the filtering step.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deformable freestanding liner includes a first sidewall and the freestanding container includes a second sidewall, and further comprising agitating the liquid composition, wherein agitating the liquid composition includes positioning an obstruction between the first sidewall and the second sidewall when the deformable freestanding liner is positioned in the freestanding container.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising agitating the liquid composition.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the freestanding container includes an aperture formed therein, and wherein applying pressure to the deformable freestanding liner includes applying pressure to the deformable freestanding liner via the aperture in the freestanding container.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deformable freestanding liner includes a base, wherein the freestanding container includes a base comprising an aperture defined therein, and wherein applying pressure to the deformable freestanding liner includes applying pressure to the base of the deformable freestanding liner via the aperture in the base of the freestanding container.

9. The method of claim 1 , positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir defined by the deformable freestanding liner includes at least one of:

positioning the source comprising the diluent in the reservoir,

adding the source and the diluent to the reservoir simultaneously,

adding the source to the reservoir prior to adding the diluent to the reservoir,

adding the diluent to the reservoir prior to adding the source to the reservoir, and

combining the source and the diluent to form a liquid composition, and adding the liquid composition to the reservoir.

10. A sample preparation system comprising:

a deformable freestanding liner comprising a first reservoir;

a freestanding container comprising a second reservoir, the freestanding container being more rigid than the deformable freestanding liner, the second reservoir dimensioned to receive the deformable freestanding liner, the freestanding container including a base comprising an aperture formed therein through which the deformable freestanding liner can be accessed;

a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent, the liquid composition positioned in the first reservoir; and

a sampling port positioned in fluid communication with at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir, the sampling port configured to allow removal of a sample from the first reservoir.

11. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , further comprising a filter positioned in fluid communication with at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir, the filter adapted to form a filtrate from the liquid composition, and wherein the sample includes at least a portion of at least one of the liquid composition and the filtrate.

12. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , further comprising a lid, wherein the lid is adapted to be coupled to at least one of the deformable freestanding liner and the freestanding container.

13. The sample preparation system of claim 12 , wherein the sample preparation system comprises a disposable portion comprising the lid coupled to the deformable freestanding liner.

14. The sample preparation system of claim 12 , further comprising a filter in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the filter is substantially planar and coupled to an inner surface of the lid.

15. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , wherein the analyte of interest includes at least one of a microorganism, a biomolecule, a chemical, a metal ion, a metal-ion-containing complex, and combinations thereof.

16. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , wherein the source comprises the diluent.

17. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , wherein the diluent includes at least one of a surfactant, a rheological agent, an antimicrobial neutralizer, a nutrient, a pH buffering agent, an enzyme, an indicator molecule, sterile water, an organic solvent, and a combination thereof.

18. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , further comprising a filter coupled to the sampling port, the filter adapted to form a filtrate from the liquid composition, wherein the sample includes at least a portion of the filtrate.

19. The sample preparation system of claim 10 , wherein the deformable freestanding liner comprises a relatively rigid base and a relatively deformable sidewall.

20. A method for preparing samples to test for an analyte of interest, the method comprising:

providing a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent;

providing a sample preparation system comprising a deformable freestanding liner, and a freestanding container that is more rigid than the deformable freestanding liner, wherein the deformable freestanding liner includes a first sidewall and the freestanding container includes a second sidewall;

positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir defined by the deformable freestanding liner;

positioning the deformable freestanding liner in the freestanding container;

agitating the liquid composition, wherein agitating the liquid composition includes positioning an obstruction between the first sidewall and the second sidewall when the deformable freestanding liner is positioned in the freestanding container;

removing a sample from the sample preparation system; and

analyzing the sample for the analyte of interest.