| 摘要 |
Assemblies and methods are provided for mixing a sample and a buffer. A sample/buffer mixing assembly includes a sample collection chamber, a buffer chamber containing a buffer, a mixing chamber, and one or more plungers. The sample collection chamber is in fluid communication with a sample collection interface device. The mixing chamber includes a sample port adjacent the sample collection chamber, and a buffer port adjacent the buffer chamber. The plungers are in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber and the buffer chamber, and can be moved to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port, and the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the buffer port. In this manner, the dispensed sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution within the mixing chamber. The plungers can include a buffer dispense plunger that is movable within the buffer chamber towards the buffer port to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber under positive pressure via the buffer port. The plungers can also include a sample dispense plunger that is movable within the mixing chamber away from the sample port to dispense the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port. The sample/buffer mixing assembly can be automated by mechanically coupling drive assemblies to the sample and buffer dispense plungers. To ensure that the sample and buffer are mixed, a ferrous element can be provided within the mixing chamber, and a mixing motor can be magnetically coupled to the ferrous element to agitate the buffered sample solution. The sample/buffer mixing assembly can also be used to mix saliva and buffer, in which case, the sample collection chamber is a saliva collection chamber.
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