Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of laboratory apparatus, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[0003] Sample loss and contamination: While centrifuge tubes without an inbuilt filter system are widely used in laboratories, they present several challenges that can complicate sample preparation, increase processing time, and introduce risk to external outcomes. These standard tubes, typically made of propylene and designed for centrifugation, rely on external filtration methods, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors in various applications.
[0004] Separate filtration steps: Our primary challenge is the need for separate filtration steps. After centrifugation, the supernatant often contains particulates, cells, or debris that must be removed before downstream analysis, such as PCR, protein purification, or mass spectrometry. This requires transferring the sample to an external filtration device, such as a syringe filter or vacuum filtration unit. Each transfer increases the risk of sample loss, as small volumes may adhere to pipette tips, filtration membranes, or container walls. For low-yield samples, this loss can significantly impact results, compromising the quantitative assays.
[0005] Sample contamination: Sample contamination is another concern. Multiple handling steps, including pipetting and transferring between tubes, or filtration units, expose the sample to environmental contaminants, like dust, microbes, or aerosols. In sensitive applications, such as RNA isolation or clinical diagnostics, even trace contamination can lead to false-positive or degraded samples. Maintaining sterility during these steps requires meticulous techniques and additional resources, such as laminar flow hoods, and further complicated workflows.
[0006] Risk of filter clogging: The risk of filter clogging is particularly problematic when working with viscous or debris-heavy samples. Such as tissue homogenates or bacterial cultures. Without an inbuilt filter, pre-clarification steps may be necessary, adding complexity to the protocol. If clogging occurs during external filtration, it can lead to sample loss or the need to restart the process, wasting time and resources.
[0007] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components simplifies the process of extracting nucleic acids from cell lysates, reducing the risk of contamination, and improving yield.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components ensures complete recovery of protein filtrate, enhancing the accuracy of downstream analyses such as Western blotting or mass spectrometry.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components facilitates the separation and extraction of plasma or serum from blood samples, improving the efficiency of diagnostic tests.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components enhances the recovery of microbial metabolites, leading to more accurate detection and identification of components.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components improves the reliability of sample preparation in drug screening assays, ensuring accurate results in high-throughput settings.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components enhances the recovery of cellular or subcellular components, leading to more precise assessments of drug toxicity.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components simplifies the filtration of water samples, improving the accuracy of environmental monitoring.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components facilitates the recovery of microbial or chemical components from soil extracts, enhancing the reliability of environmental assessments.
[0018] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0019] The present invention provides Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components. The invention is a novel way of making a centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system, which allows the user to extract filtered material easily without sample loss and tediousness. Further, the novel centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter also saves time of user. The centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter and detachable bottom has the potential to revolutionize sample handling across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Below are some specific applications where this innovative design can provide significant benefits:
[0020] Molecular Biology:
- DNA/RNA Extraction: Simplifies the process of filtering nucleic acids from cell lysates, reducing the risk of contamination and improving yield.
- Protein Purification: Ensures complete recovery of protein filtrates, enhancing the accuracy of downstream analyses such as Western blotting or mass spectrometry.
[0021] Clinical Diagnostics:
- Blood Sample Processing: Facilitates the filtration of plasma or serum from blood samples, improving the efficiency of diagnostic tests.
- Pathogen Detection: Enhances the recovery of microbial cell metabolites, leading to more accurate detection and identification of metabolic components.
[0022] Pharmaceutical Research:
- Drug Development: Improves the reliability of sample preparation in drug screening assays, ensuring accurate results in high-throughput settings by filtering the sample perfectly.
- Toxicology Studies: Enhances the recovery of cellular or subcellular filtrates, leading to more precise assessments of drug toxicity.
[0023] Environmental Science:
- Water Quality Analysis: Simplifies the filtration of water samples, improving the accuracy of environmental monitoring.
- Soil Analysis: Facilitates the recovery of microbial or chemical components from soil extracts, enhancing the reliability of environmental assessments.
[0024] The centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter collects filtrate or purified material after centrifugation, offering a practical and effective solution to these challenges. By simplifying the filtration process, reducing the risk of contamination, and enhancing filtered sample recovery, this new design has the potential to transform sample handling in a wide range of scientific disciplines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0025] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0026] Figure 1: Regular/conventional centrifuge tube; and
[0027] Figure 2 and 3: Centrifuge tube of present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0028] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0029] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0030] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0031] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0032] The present invention provides Multi-chamber centrifuge tube for differential separation of the components.
[0033] Centrifugation is a cornerstone technique in scientific research, clinical diagnostics, and industrial applications. It enables the separation of components within a mixture based on their density, which is important for a variety of analytical and preparative procedures. Despite its widespread use, the process of sample extraction from conventional centrifuge tubes presents significant challenges that can compromise the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of experiments. Figure 1 shows a picture of a conventional centrifuge tube with a lid, where the cell pellet/debris is shown at the bottom, while the supernatant is overlaid on the pellet/debris. During the process of supernatant collection, there is a high possibility of contamination with the settled debris/cells. To overcome this challenge, a novel centrifuge tube having an inbuilt filter is an innovative and practical approach.
[0034] Figure 1: Regular/conventional centrifuge tube, cap of the centrifuge tube [1], tubular body of the centrifuge tube [2], supernatant over the surface of the pellet/debris [3] and pellet/cell debris [4] at the bottom of the centrifuge tube.
[0035] A centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system is an innovative laboratory tool designed to streamline sample preparation, separation, and purification. The traditional centrifugation requires separate filtration steps (if applicable), Often involving external filters or additional equipment, which can be time-consuming and increase the risk of sample loss or contamination. By integrating a filtration mechanism directly into the centrifuge tube, this advanced design enhances efficiency, reduces handling steps, and improves the reliability of experimental outcomes. Figure 2 shows the picture of a novel centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system, where the cell pellet/debris is trapped over the surface of the filter, while over the surface of the bottom, cell/debris-free filtrate is collected.
[0036] Figure 2: Novel centrifuge tube, cap of the centrifuge tube [1], threads of the centrifuge tube [2], upper filter [3] lower filter of the centrifuge tube [4], filter support/holder [5], the bottom can be separated from upper part of tube with lid by simply twisting [6], filtrate at the bottom [7].
[0037] The centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter and detachable bottom, addresses the challenges of separating the pure filtrate through a simple but effective design modification. The detachable bottom offers the advantage of collecting the filtrate comfortably. This innovative tube features a bottom section that can be easily detached after centrifugation, allowing direct access to the filtered and purified material.
[0038] Figure 3: Novel centrifuge tube, cap of the centrifuge tube [1], threads of the centrifuge tube [2], upper filter [3] lower filter of the centrifuge tube [4], filter support/holder [5], the bottom can be separated from upper part of tube with lid by simply twisting [6], filtrate at the bottom [7].
[0039] Our centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system and detachable bottom circumvents these issues entirely. Allowing direct access to the separated filtrate eliminates the possibility of mixing cells/debris with the filtrate. Researchers can simply detach the bottom [6] of the tube to retrieve the filtrate, ensuring that the integrity of the sample is maintained. This direct access not only reduces the risk of contamination but also minimizes sample loss, leading to more reliable and reproducible results.
[0040] This method ensures that the filtrate remains intact and uncontaminated, allowing for complete and accurate recovery. This is particularly beneficial in applications such as metabolite purification, where the integrity of the filtrate is crucial for subsequent analysis.
[0041] Our centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system and detachable bottom streamlines the filtrate extraction. By eliminating the need for subsequent filtration and providing direct access to the filtered sample, the time required for extraction is significantly reduced. This efficiency is critical in high-throughput environments as even slight time savings can drive significant enhancements in productivity.
[0042] Our centrifuge tube with an inbuilt filter system and detachable bottom design offers great versatility. The different filters can be placed in a tube as per one’s requirement to segregate the specific microbes/components based on their size. Moreover, the bottom section can be customized to fit various centrifuge models and accommodate different sample volumes. This adaptability makes the tube suitable for various applications, from basic research to advanced clinical diagnostics. Additionally, the design can be modified to include features such as graduated markings for precise measurements or specialized coatings to reduce sample adhesion.
[0043] To the best of our knowledge, there is no such invention related to a centrifuge tube, where there is an inbuilt filter system, which retains the cells/debris, and allows detachment of the bottom part, by a simple twist of the tube. Researchers can simply detach the bottom of the tube to retrieve the filtrate or the desired layer, ensuring the integrity of the retrieved sample or filtrate is maintained. This direct access not only reduces the risk of contamination but also minimizes the sample loss, leading to more reliable and reproducible results. This approach is not available with the conventional centrifuge tube. In conventional centrifuge tubes, the process of extracting filtrate often involves the use of pipettes. This method, though most sought after, is fraught with potential issues. Pipetting out the sample or filtrate is always associated with the risk of dislodging the pellets/debris, which might contaminate the filtrate/supernatant. This disturbance can lead to the mixing of layers (supernatant and debris), resulting in cross-contamination and loss of sample integrity. For instance, in nucleic acid extraction, even a minor contamination can significantly affect the accuracy of PCR results.
[0044] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
[0045] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We Claim:
1) A centrifuge tube, the centrifuge tube comprising:
a tubular body with an upper part having an inbuilt filter system; and a detachable bottom section configured to fit at the distal end of the tubular body;
wherein said bottom section is configured to provide for direct removal of filtered material after centrifugation, minimizing sample loss and post-centrifugation processing.
2) The centrifuge tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inbuilt filter is placed over the hinge support, wherein the filter is tightly fixed in place with the hinge support on the inner surface of the centrifuge tube, which is configured to provide a positive, leak-free seal during centrifugation.
3) The centrifuge tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure between the tubular body and the bottom portion is a sealing ring or O-ring to ensure fluid-tight integrity upon high-speed spinning.
4) The centrifuge tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube and the filter are fabricated from biocompatible and chemically resistant polymeric material for biological sample applications.
5) The centrifuge tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube further includes a clear or transparent body so that the sample volume and filtrate are visible to the naked eye.
6) The centrifuge tube as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is designed for use with standard laboratory centrifuge rotors so that adapters or holders are unnecessary.