Fluidic autosampler and incubator
Provided are devices for automated analysis of one or more samples in single or multi-well plates or vessels, wherein the process of automated analysis comprises automated flow, wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in a sample vessel, and wherein the devices comprise an assembly of components that enable processing of a sample for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments. Automated flow may comprise systems for moving samples including vacuum systems, pressure-based systems, pneumatic systems, pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragms, or syringes. The devices may comprise an assembly of components that enable movement in X, Y, and Z dimensions, as well as switches, microfluidic tubing, well plate block, electronic pressure controllers, pneumatic or fluidic mixing devices, components for fluid handling, sampling vessels, and mechanical components for translating or transporting system components.
1. A device for automated analysis of one or more liquid or particulate samples comprising:
a) a sample vessel configured to contain the one or more liquid or particulate samples, and
b) an assembly of components that enable processing of the one or more liquid or particulate samples for analytical assessment by a fluidic or particle-based instrument;
wherein the assembly of components comprises a fluid handling component that is configured to mix and deliver the one or more liquid or particulate samples and comprises:
i) an outer tube that fits within the sample vessel, and
ii) one or more inner tubes disposed within the outer tube, wherein the one or more inner tubes are configured to deliver the sample of the one or more liquid or particulate samples;
wherein mixing occurs outside of the one or more inner tubes other for sample delivery.
2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a means for generating automated flow of the one or more liquid or particulate samples.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the means for generating automated flow of the one or more liquid or particulate samples comprises a vacuum system, a pressure-based system, a pneumatic system, a pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm, or a syringe.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more liquid or particulate samples comprise a polymeric particle, a metal particle, a glass particle, an alloy particle, a cell, a plant cell, an algal cell, a prokaryotic cell, a bacterium, a eukaryotic cell, a yeast cell, a fungus, a mold cell, a red blood cell, a neuron, an egg cell, a spermatozoa, a white blood cell, a basophil, a neutrophil, an eosinophil, a monocyte, a lymphocyte, a macrophage, a platelet, a vesicle, an exosome, a stromal cell, a multicellular construct, a spheroid, a mesenchymal cell, an induced pluripotent stem cell, a subcellular component, a nucleus, a mitochondrion, a chloroplast, or a combination thereof.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the assembly of components further comprise a motor in an X dimension, a motor in a Y dimension, a motor in a Z dimension, a limited switch, microfluidic tubing, a well plate block, an electronic pressure controller, a temperature controlled pneumatic mixing device, a non-temperature controlled pneumatic mixing device, a temperature controlled fluidic mixing device, a non-temperature controlled fluidic mixing device, a temperature controller for the sample vessel, a mechanical component for translating a component of the assembly of components, a mechanical component for translating the sample vessel, or a combination thereof.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample vessel is a single well, a single vial, or is a well within a multi-well plate.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a component that penetrates a seal to access the one or more liquid or particulate samples, headspace above the sample, or a combination thereof.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid handling component is configured to:
i) withdraw the one or more liquid or particulate samples from the sample vessel,
ii) dispense the one or more liquid or particulate samples into the sample vessel, or
iii) a combination thereof.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid handling component further comprises a valve that is configured to:
i) drive fluid into the discrete inner tube,
ii) prevent fluid from entering the discrete inner tube, or
iii) a combination thereof.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inner tubes is reversibly connected to the outer tube by a connector, a fitting, a sheath, a ferrule, a housing, or a combination thereof.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inner tubes is irreversibly connected to the outer tube by an adhesive.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inner tubes is connected to a fluid reservoir, and wherein the device is configured to deliver a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the sample vessel or to another vessel within the device.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the fluid is configured to detach adherent cells growing in the device.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a flow meter.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to select a flow rate for the one or more liquid or particulate samples to be delivered to fluidic or particle-based instrument, mix contents of the one or more liquid or particulate samples, incubate the one or more liquid or particulate samples, heat the one or more liquid or particulate samples, cool the one or more liquid or particulate samples, sterilize the one or more liquid or particulate samples, create a seal against the sample vessel, add a reagent to the one or more liquid or particulate samples, add a cell to the one or more liquid or particulate samples, or a combination thereof.
16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the device is configured to create a sterile field with ultraviolet light.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of sample vessels configured to contain a plurality of samples from among the one or more liquid or particulate samples.
18. A method for automated analysis of a liquid or particulate samples using the device of claim 1 , comprising:
moving the liquid or particulate sample using automated flow, and
processing the one or more liquid or particulate samples for analytical assessment by the fluidic or particle-based instrument.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the automated flow is performed with a vacuum system, a pressure-based system, a pneumatic system, a pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm, a syringe, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the processing comprises selecting a flow rate of the one or more the liquid or particulate samples, delivering the one or more liquid or particulate samples to the fluidic or particle-based instrument, mixing contents of the one or more liquid or particulate samples, incubating the one or more liquid or particulate samples, heating the one or more liquid or particulate samples, cooling the one or more liquid or particulate samples, sterilizing the one or more liquid or particulate samples, creating a seal against the sample vessel, adding a reagent to the one or more liquid or particulate samples, adding a cell to the one or more liquid or particulate samples, or a combination thereof.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more inner tubes comprise a diameter to improve or modify mixing or sample delivery.