| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample. |
| 主权项 |
1. A disposable ultra-filtration apparatus for automatic preparation of an ultra-filtrate from a sample, the apparatus comprising a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge and a disposable pipetting tip,
the disposable ultra-filtration cartridge including
a top end having a top face, the top face comprising at least one opening, the at least one opening providing an ultra-filtrate chamber vent;a bottom end for supporting the disposable ultra-filtration cartridge in an upright position in cooperation with a cartridge rack;a filtration chamber comprising (i) a membrane having a retentate side, a filtrate side, and pores of a predetermined pore size, (ii) a sample inlet for sealably engaging the disposable pipetting tip containing the sample, (iii) a retentate outlet, (iv) an ultra-filtrate chamber having an interior space defined substantially by the filtrate side of the membrane and an ultra-filtrate outlet for the ultra-filtrate to flow out of the ultra-filtrate chamber, and (v) the ultra-filtrate chamber vent for air to flow into the ultra-filtrate chamber when the ultra-filtrate flows out of the ultra-filtrate outlet;a dead-end channel having an open end and a sealed end, wherein the open end is coincident with the retentate outlet; andan ultra-filtrate reservoir at the bottom end for collecting the ultra-filtrate when the ultra-filtrate flows out of the ultra-filtrate outlet; wherein the disposable pipetting tip includes a piston movable in a first direction by applying a force to pressurize trapped air in the dead-end channel; such that when the force is relaxed, the piston is movable in a second direction by the pressurized trapped air in the dead-end channel, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. |
