Device, system, and method for selecting a target analyte
This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a specimen. The magnetic gradient may be introduced by a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the pressure gradient may be introduced by a pump which moves within a fluid-primed cannula to create the pressure gradient, thereby drawing the target analyte into the cannula. The picker may also expel the target analyte onto or into a substrate, such as a well plate, after the target analyte has been drawn into the picker by reversing the pressure gradient or removing the magnetic gradient.
1. A system comprising:
a picker including
a pump block including a first end and a second end including a seal;
a piston at least partially housed within the pump block and partially extending through the seal, the pump block to allow translation of the piston relative to the pump block;
a cannula including an adapter end and a tube end, wherein the adapter end connects to the pump block with the tube end extended away from the pump block;
a driver;
a coupling to mate the driver to the piston;
an actuator to move the picker along at least one of the x-, y-, or z-axes; and
a mount to connect to the actuator to attach the picker and the driver to an imaging or detection system.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator has a travel range of 1 nanometer to more than 50 millimeters along the at least one axis.
3. A system comprising:
a picker including
a pump block including a first end and a second end including a seal;
a piston at least partially housed within the pump block and partially extending through the seal, the pump block to allow translation of the piston relative to the pump block;
a cannula including an adapter end and a tube end, wherein the adapter end connects to the pump block with the tube end extended away from the pump block;
a driver;
a coupling to mate the driver to the piston; and
a housing including a travel slot and a screw, the screw to be inserted through the travel slot and screwed into a threaded hole on a side of the pump block to set the maximum permissible travel of the pump block relative to the housing,
wherein the housing supports the driver.
4. A system comprising:
a picker including
a pump block including a first end and a second end including a seal;
a piston at least partially housed within the pump block and partially extending through the seal, the pump block to allow translation of the piston relative to the pump block;
a cannula including an adapter end and a tube end, wherein the adapter end connects to the pump block with the tube end extended away from the pump block;
a driver;
a coupling to mate the driver to the piston; and
a housing including a travel slot and a screw, the screw to be inserted through the travel slot and the screw to be inserted through the travel slot and compressed against a side of the pump block to set the maximum permissible travel of the pump block relative to the housing,
wherein the housing supports the driver.
5. A system comprising:
a picker including
a pump block including a first end and a second end including a seal;
a piston at least partially housed within the pump block and partially extending through the seal, the pump block to allow translation of the piston relative to the pump block;
a cannula including an adapter end and a tube end, wherein the adapter end connects to the pump block with the tube end extended away from the pump block:
a driver;
a coupling to mate the driver to the piston;
an actuator to move the picker along at least one of the x-, y-, or z-axes;
a base to at least partially support the picker; and
a light source on the base to illuminate the tube end of the cannula.
6. A system comprising:
a picker including
a pump block including a first end and a second end including a seal;
a piston at least partially housed within the pump block and partially extending through the seal, the pump block to allow translation of the piston relative to the pump block;
a cannula including an adapter end and a tube end, wherein the adapter end connects to the pump block with the tube end extended away from the pump block;
a driver;
a coupling to mate the driver to the piston;
a base to at least partially support the picker; and
a housing including at least one spring extending to the base to bias and preload threads of the piston to reduce or eliminate change or backlash.