Methods and devices for sample collection and sample separation
Methods and devices are provided for sample collection and sample separation. In one embodiment, a device is provided for use with a formed component liquid sample, the device comprising at least one sample inlet for receiving said sample; at least a first outlet for outputting only a liquid portion of the formed component liquid sample; at least a second outlet for outputting the formed component liquid sample at least a first material mixed therein.
1. A device for use with a formed component liquid sample, the device comprising:
a housing having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening;
a separation material in the housing;
a sample distributor in the housing positioned adjacent a first surface of the separation material;
a sample collector in the housing positioned adjacent a second surface of the separation material;
a first channel in the housing coupled to the first opening;
a second channel in the housing fluidically coupling the first channel to the second opening; and
a third channel in the housing fluidically coupling the first channel to the sample distributor;
wherein the first channel and second channel define an unfiltered fluid pathway between the first opening and the second opening that does not pass through the separation material;
wherein the first channel, the third channel, the sample distributor, the separation material, and the sample collector define a filtered fluid pathway between the first opening and the third opening.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sample distributor is in direct contact with at least one portion of the first surface of the separation material.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the separation material has first filter region and a second filter region of the separation material having pore spacing smaller than pore spacing of the first filter region.
4. The device of claim 2 wherein the sample distributor comprises a plurality of distributor channels arranged in a pattern wherein at least portions of the channels are parallel to one another.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein each of the distributor channels is fluidically coupled to the third channel.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of vents, wherein each of the distributor channels is coupled to one of the vents.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a first portion of separation material in the housing is under compression and at least a second portion of separation material in the housing is under less compression than the first portion.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the separation material comprises an asymmetric porous membrane.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the separation material comprises a mesh.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the separation material comprises a polyethersulfone.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the separation material comprises an asymmetric polyethersulfone.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the separation material comprises polyarylethersulfone.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the separation material comprises an asymmetric polyarylethersulfone.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of separation material comprises a polysulfone.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein the separation material comprises an asymmetric polysulfone.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein the separation material comprises a polysulfone membrane.