The present invention is directed to methods for the growth, enrichment and isolation of microbes within a sample for further use in presumptive identification of pathogenic bacteria that may therein be contained.

The present invention is directed to methods for the growth, enrichment and isolation of microbes within a sample for further use in presumptive identification of pathogenic bacteria that may therein be contained.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a platform for at least one of capturing, identifying and studying biological materials, and more particularly, to microfluidic channel platforms (for example) for detecting and/or identifying samples containing sperm cells, and isolating and analyzing captured sperm cells for DNA analysis (for example). In some embodiments, such microfluidic platforms integrate imaging technology. Such embodiments provide the ability to at least one of rapidly isolate and quantitate sperm cells from biological mixtures as occur in sexual assault evidence, for example, thereby enhancing identification of suspects in these cases and contributing to the safety of society.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a platform for at least one of capturing, identifying and studying biological materials, and more particularly, to microfluidic channel platforms (for example) for detecting and/or identifying samples containing sperm cells, and isolating and analyzing captured sperm cells for DNA analysis (for example). In some embodiments, such microfluidic platforms integrate imaging technology. Such embodiments provide the ability to at least one of rapidly isolate and quantitate sperm cells from biological mixtures as occur in sexual assault evidence, for example, thereby enhancing identification of suspects in these cases and contributing to the safety of society.

Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided for testing a biological fluid for presence of a biological particulate. The apparatus includes a tube, a plunger sized and shaped to be inserted into and advanced within the tube, and a filter. The apparatus is configured such that as the plunger is advanced within the tube while the biological fluid is within the tube, the biological fluid in the tube is pushed through the filter, thereby trapping, by the filter, the biological particulate present in the biological fluid. The apparatus is shaped so as to define at least one enclosed cavity containing a biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution configured to test for the presence of the biological particulate trapped by the filter. The enclosed cavity is configured to open while the plunger is inside the tube, so as to release the biological particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution within the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A syringe for obtaining nano-sized components from a solution includes a barrel having an interior, a needle extending from one end of the barrel, and a plunger received in the interior at an end of the barrel opposite the needle. A filter cartridge is positioned between the needle and the barrel, wherein the filter cartridge maintains at least one membrane having apertures of two distinct size ranges, and wherein operation of the plunger to draw the solution into the barrel allows for retention of nano-sized components of a size between the two distinct size ranges.

A syringe for obtaining nano-sized components from a solution includes a barrel having an interior, a needle extending from one end of the barrel, and a plunger received in the interior at an end of the barrel opposite the needle. A filter cartridge is positioned between the needle and the barrel, wherein the filter cartridge maintains at least one membrane having apertures of two distinct size ranges, and wherein operation of the plunger to draw the solution into the barrel allows for retention of nano-sized components of a size between the two distinct size ranges.