Apparatus and method for filtering biological samples

1. An apparatus for collection of a suspension sample for filtration comprising:

a sample holder for collecting the suspension sample, said sample holder having an entry end portion, an exit end portion, and a rupturable separating means at said exit end portion;

a filtrate holder for receiving the suspension sample;

a connection conduit having a sample holder connection end for connecting to said sample holder, said connection conduit having a filtrate holder connection end for connecting to said filtrate holder, thereby connecting said sample holder to said filtrate holder and a rupturing device for rupturing said rupturable separating means at said exit end portion of said sample holder, thereby allowing the suspension sample to exit said sample holder; and

a filter mounted in said connection conduit, whereby the suspension sample passes through said filter before entering said filtrate holder.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said rupturable separating means at said exit end portion of said sample holder is a diaphragm normally closing said exit end portion.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said entry end portion of said sample holder is closeable.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said rupturing device for rupturing said diaphragm is a male shaped protrusion, said male shaped protrusion defining a pathway through which the suspension sample exits said sample holder.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said male shaped protrusion is tubular and is formed with an angled edge.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said connection conduit has a filter support mounted therein.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said filtrate holder has a receiving end portion for receiving the filtered suspension sample from said connection conduit.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said filtrate holder is closeable at said receiving end portion, after reception of said filtrate.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a filter media supported by said filter support.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said filter media is conical, and wherein said filter holder defines a generally frusto-conical support wall and a drainage tube at the apex thereof.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said diaphragm is hingedly mounted to said sample holder.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising an angled ledge formed around the interior of said sample holder for receiving said diaphragm.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said support member is formed with connection guides and wherein said connection conduit is formed with mating guides to guide relative movement there between.

14. A method of filtering a suspension sample, comprising the steps of:

collecting a sample in a sample holder, said sample holder having an exit end portion sealed by a closure;

connecting a filtrate holder to said sample holder;

opening said closure;

allowing the suspension sample to flow from said sample holder to a filter and filtering the suspension sample through said filter; and

collecting said filtered sample in said filtrate holder.

15. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising the step of collecting the suspension sample at an entry end portion of said sample holder.

16. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising the step of closing said entry end portion of said sample holder.

17. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising the step of connecting said sample holder to a sample receiving end portion of said connection conduit.

18. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising the step of passing a solution through an inlet, whereby said filter is moistened.

19. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising the step of sealing said inlet, thereby preventing loss of the suspension sample.

20. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising the step of rupturing said diaphragm on a male shaped protrusion of said connection conduit.

21. The method of filtering a suspension sample as claimed in claim 20 , further comprising the step of closing said filtrate holder by a closing device.

22. A connection apparatus for connecting a sample holder and a filtrate holder, comprising:

a connection conduit having a sample holder connection end for connecting said sample holder, said connection conduit having a filtrate holder connection end for connecting said filtrate holder, to connect said sample holder to said filtrate holder;

a filter mounted in said connection conduit, whereby a suspension sample must pass through said filter when passing from said sample holder to said filtrate holder; and

a rupturing means a male shaped protrusion mounted to a support member, said support member is moveably mounted on said connection conduit and is adapted to engage the sample holder connection end.

23. The connection apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , further comprising an inlet in said connection conduit at said filtrate holder connection end, wherein said inlet defines an opening into said connection conduit through which a solution may be passed.

24. The connection apparatus as claimed in claim 23 , wherein said inlet is resealable by a removable stopper.

25. A method of filtering a liquid sample for analysis using a sample holder having an entry end portion and an exit end portion, said exit end portion rupturably sealed, a connection conduit having a sample holder connection end portion and a filtrate holder connection end portion, and a filtrate holder having a receiving end portion, comprising the steps of:

collecting the sample through said entry end portion of said sample holder; attaching said exit end portion of said sample holder to said sample holder connection end portion of said connection conduit;

attaching said receiving end portion of said filtrate holder to said filtrate holder connection end portion of said connection conduit;

rupturing a rupturable seal of said exit end portion of said sample holder, on a male shaped protrusion mounted within said connection conduit;

allowing the sample to flow from said exit end portion of said sample holder through a filter located within said connection conduit;

allowing the filtered sample to exit said connection conduit;

allowing the filtered sample to enter said receiving end portion of said filtrate holder; and

removing said filtrate holder from said connection conduit.

26. An apparatus for collection of a suspension sample for filtration comprising:

a sample holder for collecting a sample, wherein said sample holder has a entry end portion and an exit end portion, said entry end portion of said sample holder being closeable and said exit end portion of said sample holder having a diaphragm normally closing said exit end portion and being rupturable to release said sample;

a filtrate holder for receiving said sample, wherein said filtrate holder has a receiving end portion for receiving said sample, and wherein said filtrate holder is closeable at said receiving end portion;

a connection conduit, wherein said connection conduit has a sample holder connection end for connection to said sample holder and a filtrate holder connection end for connection to said filtrate holder, thereby connecting said sample holder to said filtrate holder;

a support member mounted in said connection conduit;

a rupturing device connected to a support member, said rupturing device for rupturing said diaphragm of said exit end portion of said sample holder, wherein said rupturing device for rupturing said diaphragm is a male shaped protrusion, said male shaped protrusion defining a pathway through which the suspension sample exits said sample holder; and

a filter mounted in said connection conduit, whereby the sample must pass through said filter before entering said filtrate holder.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said connection conduit has an inlet, said inlet defining an opening though which a solution may pass.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein said support member is moveably mounted in said connection conduit.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said exit end portion of said sample holder is closeable whereby said diaphragm is protected from rupture.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein said inlet is resealable.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30 , wherein said sample holder and said filtrate holder have graduated markings inscribed thereon for direct measurement of sample volume.

32. A filtering system kit comprising:

at least one sample holder for collecting a sample, wherein said sample holder has an entry end portion and an exit end portion, said entry end portion of said sample holder being closeable and said exit end portion of said sample holder having a diaphragm normally closing said exit end portion and being rupturable to release said sample;

at least one filtrate holder for receiving said sample, wherein said filtrate holder has a receiving end portion for receiving said sample, and wherein said filtrate holder is closeable at said receiving end portion;

at least one connection conduit, wherein said connection conduit has a sample holder connection end for connection to said sample holder and a filtrate holder connection end for connection to said filtrate holder, thereby connecting said sample holder to said filtrate holder;

a rupturing device in said connection conduit, said rupturing device for rupturing said diaphragm of said exit end portion of said sample holder, wherein said rupturing device for rupturing said diaphragm is a male shaped protrusion, said male shaped protrusion defining a pathway through which said sample exits said sample holder;

at least one filter mountable in said connection conduit, whereby said sample must pass through said filter before entering said filtrate holder;

at least one closure for closing said at least one sample holder and filtrate holder; and

at least one reagent for use in said filtering system.