Capillary Storage System

A cryo-storage device for biological samples provides a capillary holder, a capillary tube, and a container. A supporting body of the capillary holder has a bottom surface to which a plurality of legs are perimetrically connected, and a top surface to which a handle is connected. Traversing through the supporting body is a plurality of holes, designed to receive capillary tubes. The capillary holder can be placed in a sample tube, such that capillary tubes traverse through one of the plurality of holes and gather sample from the well of the sample tube through capillary action. By providing multiple capillary tubes, a sample can quickly be divided, aiding the storage, freezing, and thawing process. The container has a lateral surface which holds a plurality of supports. The capillary holders have two lips which are placed on the supports, allowing a number of capillary holders to be stored in the container.

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Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/866,653 filed on Aug. 16, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a storage device for samples using micro capillary separation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system for the cryo-storage of valuable biological samples, such as RNA, Protein and DNA solutions. Samples used for research are often prepared and tailored specifically for the experiment. The preparation is done in advance of the experiment, sometimes days ahead. Often, a large amount of sample is produced or obtained so that several experiments can be run using the same batch of sample. These prepared samples are frozen until needed. When an experiment requires the samples for use, they are removed from storage and thawed. The necessary amount of sample can then be taken, with the remainder being refrozen and returned to storage for future use.

Though the above method is commonly used during the course of research, there are several drawbacks. For one, the entire stored sample must be thawed and refrozen each time it is required for use. This adds time to the preparation process of an experiment as a sample might need to be removed half an hour or even an hour before it is fully thawed and ready for use. While some samples can be heated for a quicker thawing process, many degrade if exposed to rapid temperature changes and thus are not suited to accelerated thawing. Furthermore, because the entire sample must be thawed and frozen regardless of how much sample is actually needed for use, the sample often undergoes several cycles of freezing and thawing. The physical features of many samples are very vulnerable to the freeze-thaw process, with the resulting degradation potentially affecting experimental results. While a researcher can aliquot the sample into different tubes to avoid this issue, such a process is time consuming and requires a large amount of frozen storage resources. There exists a need for a convenient, quick, and compact method of separating and freezing biological samples.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a capillary holder device that supports capillary tubes in a sample tube, allowing the sample to be quickly divided amongst the capillary tubes through capillary action. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container for efficiently storing the capillary holder during distribution and pre-use storage. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination of capillary holder and capillary tubes that automatically separates a sample into smaller amounts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capillary holder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the capillary holder of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the capillary holder and a capillary tube of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the capillary holder and two capillary tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the capillary holder and three capillary tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the capillary holder and four capillary tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the capillary holder and the capillary tube of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the capillary holder and the capillary tube of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the capillary holder and the capillary tube of the present invention, being positioned in a sample tube.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container provided for storage of the capillary holders and capillary tubes, with the lid displayed in dotted line.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the container provided for storage of the capillary holders and capillary tubes, with the lid displayed in dotted line.

 DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is an apparatus for use with and storage of capillary action tools. The present invention comprises at least one capillary holder 1, at least one capillary tube 2, and a container 3. The capillary holders 1 are stored in the container 3 prior to use, where they are easily accessed once needed. The capillary tube 2, which can be provided as a single unit or a group, is designed to be held with the capillary holder 1 during use. During the process of using the present invention, the capillary holder 1 is removed from the container 3 and is then placed into a sample tube 4, allowing the supported capillary tubes 2 to collect part of the sample through capillary action. The capillary holder 1 and the corresponding capillary tubes 2, which are now housed within the sample tube 4, can then be placed in a freezer or other similar device for cold storage. When the sample is needed for use, the appropriate number of capillary tubes 2, stored in the sample tube 4, can be removed from freezer and quickly thawed for use. This is an improvement over the current process of freezing the unseparated contents of an entire sample tube 4, which must then be completely thawed even if only a small amount of sample is desired for use. The present invention maintains a high quality of sample by negating the need for constantly thawing and refreezing the entire sample every time an experiment needs to be run.

The capillary holder 1 comprises a supporting body 11, a plurality of holes 12, a handle 13, and a plurality of legs 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The supporting body 11, which serves as the main framework of the capillary holder 1, is traversed through by the plurality of holes 12. Visible in FIG. 1-FIG. 4, the plurality of holes 12 are radially positioned around the handle 13, which itself is connected adjacent to the supporting body 11. Connected to adjacent to the supporting body 11, opposite the handle 13, is the plurality of legs 14. The plurality of legs 14 are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5. The plurality of holes 12 are used to secure capillary tubes 2, such that each capillary tube 2 traverses through a respective hole 121 from the plurality of holes 12, as shown in FIG. 4. The supporting body 11 allows the capillary holder 1 to be securely inserted into a sample tube 4, where it is held up by the plurality of legs 14. The plurality of legs 14 raise the supporting body 11 high enough so that any received capillary tubes 2 can be held in the sample tube 4 without tipping over due to being top heavy. The legs 14 also provide clearance which allows the capillary tubes 2 to be inserted into the bottom of the sample tube 4. In combination with the plurality of holes 12, the supporting body 11 is capable of bracing the capillary tubes 2 and keeping them steady.

The supporting body 11 itself comprises a top surface 111 and a bottom surface 112, as depicted in FIG. 5. The handle 13 is centrally connected to the top surface 111, providing a convenient and balanced point from which a user can lift the capillary holder 1. The plurality of legs 14 are further defined as being perimetrically connected to the bottom surface 112. The plurality of holes 12 traverse into the top surface 111 and out of the bottom surface 112, such that any received capillary tubes 2 are held in a generally vertical orientation.

In the preferred embodiment, the supporting body 11 is cylindrical. This is because sample tubes 4 are generally tubular in nature and thus a cylindrical supporting body 11 is ideal for being inserted into a sample tube 4. By using a cylindrical supporting body 11, the capillary holder 1 can be sized to match a specific size of sample tube 4, allowing for a flush fit between the cylindrical supporting body 11 and the sample tube 4. Meanwhile, the opening of each of the plurality of holes 12 is larger than the capillary tube 2. This allows the orientation of the capillary tube 2 to be adjusted, which is beneficial if a small amount of sample is left in the center of the sample tube 4. The capillary tube 2 can be slightly angled in order to contact and draw (through capillary action) the sample remaining in the center of the sample tube 4.

Additionally, the plurality of legs 14 comprises a first leg 141 and a second leg 142 in the preferred embodiment. The first leg 141 and the second leg 142 are positioned opposite each other around the supporting body 11, providing the minimum amount of support necessary to hold the supporting body 11 upright. Because the supporting body 11 is inserted into a sample tube 4, the walls of the sample tube 4 brace the capillary holder 1 in position, negating the need for additional legs 14. In another embodiment, to allow the capillary holder 1 to support itself in a freestanding position, the plurality of legs 14 would need to comprise at least one additional leg forming a tripod structure which is self supporting. The placement of the first leg 141 and the second leg 142 are illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D, and FIG. 5.

The capillary tubes 2 used with the present invention comprise a first end 21, a second end 22, and a grip 23, which are shown in FIG. 3A-FIG. 3D, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. The first end 21 and second end 22 are positioned opposite each other along the capillary body, forming the elongated shape of the capillary tube 2. At the first end 21, a grip 23 is adjacently connected, serving as a convenient surface for a person to grasp. The grip 23 and the first end 21 are positioned adjacent to the top surface 111, such that the grip 23 rests upon the top surface 111. This prevents the capillary tube 2 from falling through its respective hole 121 while simultaneously making the capillary tube 2 easier to grab and move. The second end 22, which intakes samples through capillary action, is positioned in the bottom of a sample tube 4 holder, in the “well” 41 region, as shown in FIG. 6. The well 41 is the curved or tapered end of a sample tube 4, which serves to pool low levels of samples in an area that is easily accessed by a pipette tip or similar accessory, e.g. the capillary tube 2. By placing the capillary tube 2 in a respective hole 121 from the capillary holder 1, the grip 23 rests atop the top surface 111, preventing the capillary tube 2 from falling through the respective hole 121 while allowing the second end 22 to be held in the well 41 of the sample tube 4.

The combination of the capillary holder 1 and the capillary tube 2 allow samples from a test tube to be easily and quickly divided into smaller amounts, each stored in an individual capillary tube 2. The capillary tubes 2 used can be designed for various volumes, even as low as 1 or 2 μl. As a result, the contents of a sample tube 4 are made more accessible for future use, by dividing the sample into smaller amounts which are quicker to thaw and premeasured to a desired amount. For example, provided a 100 μl sample split into twenty 5 μl capillary tubes 2, an experiment calling for 10 μl of sample would only need to take out two capillary tubes 2 to thaw instead of the entire 100 μl sample tube 4. Examples of the capillary holder 1 of the present invention with multiple capillary tubes 2 are provided in FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D. These illustrations show two, three, and four capillary tubes 2, respectively.

To facilitate storage and distribution of the capillary holder 1 and the capillary tubes 2 it holds, the present invention utilizes the container 3, as depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This container 3 comprises a lateral surface 31 and a plurality of capillary holder supports 32. The lateral surface 31 acts as the wall of the container 3, as well as a mounting point for the plurality of capillary holder supports 32. The plurality of capillary holder supports 32 are positioned interior to the lateral surface 31, and connected across the lateral surface 31. Effectively, the plurality of capillary holder supports 32 form horizontal beams that run the length of the container 3. The plurality of capillary holder supports 32 are designed to suspend the capillary holders 1 in the container 3. To assist with this, the capillary holder 1 further comprises a first lip 15 and a second lip 16, which are positioned adjacent to the supporting body 11. The first lip 15 and the second lip 16 are connected to the perimeter of the supporting body 11, positioned opposite each other around the supporting body 11. The first lip 15 and second lip 16 are positioned such that an imaginary line connecting them would evenly bisect the supporting body 11. This placement allows the first lip 15 and the second lip 16 to be supported by the plurality of capillary holder supports 32, resulting in the capillary holder 1 itself being suspended in the container 3. To allow this, the plurality of capillary holder 1 supports 32 comprises an arbitrary support 321 and a adjacent support 322. More specifically, the first lip 15 is positioned atop an arbitrary support 321 from the plurality of capillary holder supports 32, while the second lip 16 is positioned atop an adjacent support 322 from the plurality of supports 32. Resultantly, the capillary holder 1 is positioned between the arbitrary support 321 and the adjacent support 322. To allow an arbitrary support 321 and an adjacent support 322 to suspend more than one capillary holder 1, the plurality of capillary holder supports 32 are parallel to each other. Thus, a group of capillary holders 1 can be placed along the length of arbitrary support 321 and the adjacent support 322. By providing a plurality of capillary holder supports 32 which are also parallel, the container 3 is able to efficiently store a large number of capillary supports 32.

Rounding out the present invention, the container 3 further comprises a lid 33. The lid 33 is positioned atop the container 3, forming an enclosed area within the container 3. The provision of the lid 33 helps maintain an isolated and sterile, if desired, environment for pre-use storage of the capillary holders 1 and capillary tubes 2. Potentially the lid 33 can be foldably connected to a top edge of the lateral surface 31, effectively joining the lid 33 and container 3 together. This is in contrast to a removable lid 33, which simply fits over the lateral surface 31, with a rim that fits over the outer part of the lateral surface 31 and helps to form a better seal between the lid 33 and the container 3. By providing a tight seal, the combination of the lid 33 and the container 3 helps maintain an ideal storage environment inside the container 3. While the present invention requires a minimum of two capillary holder supports 32 (to act as the arbitrary support 321 and adjacent support 322), any number of additional capillary holder supports 32 can be provided, allowing the capillary holders 1 to be provided in a variety of lot sizes deemed most useful or marketable. The space between an arbitrary support 321 and an adjacent support 322 is wide enough to fit the supporting body 11 of the capillary holder 1 in between, but close enough that the first lip 15 and the second lip 16 can rest upon the supports 32, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. Correspondingly, the width of the box can be as wide or as narrow as necessary to hold the plurality of capillary supports 32. The length of the container 3 can be as long as reasonably desired, limited only by the need for the container 3 to be ergonomic and easily carried and transported. The height of the container 3 only needs to be as high as the height of the capillary holders 1. While an oblong shape is most efficient for the container 3, the container 3 could be any shape desired as long as the plurality of capillary holder supports 32 can be connected parallel to each other within the container 3.

The present invention allows for easy and convenient cryo-storage of samples through the use of capillary action. The present invention is capable of being used with any type of sample storage device, the most common of which include sample tubes 4 and micro tubes, e.g. Eppendorf tubes. The aforementioned are only provided as examples, and not meant to limit the type of sample storage device which the present invention can be used in conjunction with. During distribution, shipping, storage, and prior to use, the capillary holders 1 and capillary tubes 2 are held in the container 3, with the first lip 15 and the second lip 16 of each capillary holder being held by a respective arbitrary support 321 and adjacent support 322 of the container 3. Multiple capillary holders 1 can be placed upon the same pair of supports 32, with the total number of capillary holders 1 per pair of supports 32 only being limited by the length of the container 3. After a sample has been collected into a sample tube 4 and is ready for storage, the capillary holder 1 and included capillary tubes 2 are removed from the container 3 and placed inside the sample tube 4. The plurality of legs 14 hold the supporting body 11 up inside the sample tube 4, with the supporting body 11 additionally being braced by the interior walls of the sample tube 4. Once in position, any number of capillary tubes 2 can be placed through the plurality of holes 12, with their second end 22 resting in the well 41 of the sample tube 4. The number and type of capillary tubes 2 used will vary with the desired application. If the sample will be used in small amounts, then a large number of small volume capillary tubes 2 will be used. However, if the sample only needs to be divided into a few relatively large amounts, then a smaller number of larger volume capillary tubes 2 are used. Once in position, the second end 22 of the capillary tube 2 draws sample from the well 41 into the capillary tube 2 through capillary action. In this manner, the sample is transferred from the storage tube into the capillary tubes 2. If more capillary tubes 2 are required than can be held by a single capillary holder 1, then the first capillary holder 1 can be removed from the sample tube 4 and additional capillary holders 1 can be inserted until the desired amount of sample has been transferred to capillary tubes 2.

After the contents of the sample tube 4 have been transferred to the capillary tubes 2, the sample tube 4, along with its corresponding capillary holders 1 capillary tubes 2, is placed in a freezer or similar temperature regulated area for cold storage. It is noted that since the sample has been split up amongst a number of capillary tubes 2, the freezing process is much quicker than when compared to freezing the same volume of sample in a single larger tube.

When the sample is required for use, the sample tube 4 is retrieved from storage, allowing the capillary holder 1 and capillary tubes 2 to be accessed. The necessary amount of sample is obtained by removing a number of capillary tubes 2 whose sum volume is equal to the desired amount of sample. For example, if 15 μl of sample are required and each capillary tube 2 holds 3 μl of sample, then five capillary tubes 2 are removed for use. The capillaries intended for use are set aside, while the sample tube 4, capillary holder 1, and remaining capillary tubes 2 are placed back in cold storage. Similar to the accelerated freezing process, the thawing process is sped up due to the total sample volume being split amongst smaller volume capillary tubes 2 rather than being accumulated and unseparated in the well of a single sample tube 4. As a result, the samples needed for use quickly thaw and become ready for use. This bypasses the sometimes length duration or advanced planning that is required when attempting to thaw samples. As an added bonus, only the exact amount of sample needed is removed to thaw. Often times only a small amount of frozen sample needs to be used, but this requires thawing of the entire sample, adding unnecessary time to the thawing process. This problem is alleviated by the present invention.

As a result of the combination of the capillary holder 1, the capillary tubes 2, and the container 3, the present invention is able to simplify and expedite the storage and retrieval of samples, increasing research efficiency.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A capillary storage system comprises:

an at least one capillary holder;
the at least one capillary holder comprises a supporting body, a plurality of holes, a handle, and a plurality of legs;
the plurality of holes traversing through the supporting body, wherein the plurality of holes begin adjacent to the handle and terminate adjacent to the plurality of legs;
the handle being connected adjacent to the supporting body; and
the plurality of legs being connected adjacent to the supporting body opposite the handle.

2. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the supporting body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface;
the handle being positioned adjacent to the top surface;
the handle being centrally connected to the top surface;
the plurality of legs being perimetrically connected to the bottom surface;
the plurality of holes traversing into the top surface and out of the bottom surface; and
the plurality of holes being radially positioned around the handle.

3. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 2 comprises:

an at least one capillary tube;
the at least one capillary tube traversing through a respective hole from the plurality of holes.
the at least one capillary tube comprises a first end, a second end, and a grip;
the grip being connected adjacent to the first end;
the first end being positioned adjacent to the top surface; and
the second end being positioned opposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned in a well of a sample tube.

4. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the plurality of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg; and
the first leg and the second leg being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body.

5. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the supporting body being cylindrical.

6. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a container;
the container comprises a lateral surface and a plurality of capillary holder supports;
the at least one capillary holder further comprises a first lip and a second lip;
the at least one capillary holder being located within the container;
the plurality of holder supports being parallel to each other;
the plurality of holder supports being positioned interior to the lateral surface;
the plurality of holder supports being connected across the lateral surface; and
the first lip and the second lip being perimetrically connected to the supporting body.

7. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the plurality of capillary holder supports comprises an arbitrary support and an adjacent support;
the at least one capillary holder being positioned between the arbitrary support and the adjacent support;
the first lip and the second lip being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body;
the first lip being positioned atop the arbitrary support; and
the second lip being positioned atop the adjacent support.

8. The capillary system as claimed in claim 6 comprises:

the container further comprises a lid; and
the lid being positioned atop the lateral surface.

9. A capillary storage system comprises:

an at least one capillary holder;
an at least one capillary tube;
the at least one capillary holder comprises a supporting body, a plurality of holes, a handle, and a plurality of legs;
the supporting body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface;
the plurality of holes traversing through the supporting body, wherein the plurality of holes begin adjacent to the handle and terminate adjacent to the plurality of legs;
the handle being connected adjacent to the supporting body;
the handle being positioned adjacent to the top surface;
the plurality of legs being connected adjacent to the supporting body opposite the handle;
the plurality of legs being perimetrically connected to the bottom surface; and
the at least one capillary tube traversing through a respective hole from the plurality of holes.

10. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the handle being centrally connected to the top surface;
the plurality of holes traversing into the top surface and out of the bottom surface;
the plurality of holes being radially positioned around the handle; and
the supporting body being cylindrical.

11. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the at least one capillary tube comprises a first end, a second end, and a grip;
the grip being connected adjacent to the first end;
the first end being positioned adjacent to the top surface; and
the second end being positioned opposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned in a well of a sample tube.

12. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

the plurality of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg; and
the first leg and the second leg being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body.

13. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 9 comprises:

a container;
the container comprises a lateral surface and a plurality of capillary holder supports;
the at least one capillary holder being located within the container;
the plurality of holder supports being parallel to each other;
the plurality of holder supports being positioned interior to the lateral surface; and
the plurality of holder supports being connected across the lateral surface.

14. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 13 comprises:

the at least one capillary holder further comprises a first lip and a second lip;
the plurality of capillary holder supports comprises an arbitrary support and an adjacent support;
the at least one capillary holder being positioned between the arbitrary support and the adjacent support;
the first lip and the second lip being perimetrically connected to the supporting body;
the first lip and the second lip being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body;
the first lip being positioned atop the arbitrary support; and
the second lip being positioned atop the adjacent support.

15. The capillary system as claimed in claim 13 comprises:

the container further comprises a lid; and
the lid being positioned atop the lateral surface.

16. A capillary storage system comprises:

an at least one capillary holder;
an at least one capillary tube;
a container;
the at least one capillary holder comprises a supporting body, a plurality of holes, a handle, and a plurality of legs;
the supporting body comprises a top surface and a bottom surface;
the container comprises a lateral surface and a plurality of capillary holder supports;
the plurality of holes traversing through the supporting body, wherein the plurality of holes begin adjacent to the handle and terminate adjacent to the plurality of legs;
the handle being connected adjacent to the supporting body;
the handle being positioned adjacent to the top surface;
the plurality of legs being connected adjacent to the supporting body opposite the handle;
the plurality of legs being perimetrically connected to the bottom surface; and
the at least one capillary tube traversing through a respective hole from the plurality of holes.

17. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 16 comprises:

the plurality of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg;
the handle being centrally connected to the top surface;
the plurality of holes traversing into the top surface and out of the bottom surface;
the plurality of holes being radially positioned around the handle;
the supporting body being cylindrical; and
the first leg and the second leg being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body.

18. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 16 comprises:

the container further comprises a lid;
the lid being positioned atop the lateral surface;
the at least one capillary tube comprises a first end, a second end, and a grip;
the grip being connected adjacent to the first end;
the first end being positioned adjacent to the top surface; and
the second end being positioned opposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned in a well of a sample tube.

19. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 16 comprises:

the at least one capillary holder being located within the container;
the plurality of holder supports being parallel to each other;
the plurality of holder supports being positioned interior to the lateral surface; and
the plurality of holder supports being connected across the lateral surface.

20. The capillary storage system as claimed in claim 16 comprises:

the at least one capillary holder further comprises a first lip and a second lip;
the plurality of capillary holder supports comprises an arbitrary support and an adjacent support;
the at least one capillary holder being positioned between the arbitrary support and the adjacent support;
the first lip and the second lip being perimetrically connected to the supporting body;
the first lip and the second lip being positioned opposite each other around the supporting body;
the first lip being positioned atop the arbitrary support; and
the second lip being positioned atop the adjacent support.
Patent History
Publication number: 20150048003
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 19, 2015
Inventor: Xiaomin CAI (College Station, TX)
Application Number: 14/085,150
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Ampule, Capsule, Pellet, Or Granule (206/528)
International Classification: B65D 57/00 (20060101); B65D 81/05 (20060101);