Dried reagent strainers and methods for making and using the same
Dried reagent strainers, such as cell strainers are provided. Aspects of the strainers include a body having an opening with a filter positioned in the opening, where the filter includes a dried reagent composition. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the strainers, as well as kits containing the strainers.
1. A strainer, the strainer comprising:
a body configured to mate with an open end of a liquid container and having an opening; and
a filter positioned in the opening, the filter comprising a dried reagent composition comprising a dye.
2. The strainer according to claim 1 , wherein the dye is a polymeric dye.
3. The strainer according to claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises two or more distinctly positioned dried reagent compositions.
4. The strainer according to claim 1 , wherein the dried reagent composition is positioned on only one side of the filter.
5. The strainer according to claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a mesh.
6. The strainer according to claim 1 , wherein the strainer is configured as a cap.
7. The strainer according to claim 6 , wherein the cap is configured to snap fit or screw onto an open end of the liquid container.
8. An assembly comprising:
a liquid container; and
a strainer, the strainer comprising:
a body mated to an open end of the liquid container and having an opening; and
a filter positioned in the opening, the filter comprising a dried reagent composition comprising a dye.
9. The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the liquid container is configured to hold a volume ranging from 0.1 ml to 250 ml.
10. The assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the assembly further comprises a dried reagent composition inside of the liquid container.
11. The assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the dried reagent composition is positioned on an inner surface of the liquid container.
12. The assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the dried reagent composition comprises a dried reagent stably associated with a high surface area solid support.
13. The assembly according to claim 8 further comprising a cover in operable relationship with the filter.
14. The assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the cover is opaque.
15. A method comprising introducing a volume of a liquid into a liquid container through a strainer of an assembly according to claim 8 to produce a reconstituted reagent composition.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the liquid comprises a biological sample.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the biological sample comprises whole blood or a fraction thereof.
18. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises assaying the reconstituted reagent composition.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the assaying comprises flow cytometrically analyzing the reconstituted reagent composition.