CPC C12M 45/02 (2013.01) [C12M 41/12 (2013.01); C12M 45/06 (2013.01); C12M 45/09 (2013.01); C12M 45/20 (2013.01); C12N 1/066 (2013.01); G01N 1/286 (2013.01); G01N 1/31 (2013.01); G01N 1/4077 (2013.01); G01N 2001/4088 (2013.01)] | 42 Claims |
1. A system comprising:
(a) an instrument comprising:
(i) one or more cartridge interfaces, each configured to engage a cartridge and comprising one or more fluid ports;
(ii) a fluidics subsystem comprising:
(1) one or more sources of liquids and/or gasses;
(2) one or more fluid lines communicating with the sources and with fluid ports in the cartridge interface; and
(3) one or more pumps configured to move liquids and/or gasses from the sources into and/or out of the one or more fluid ports;
(iii) a subsystem comprising an actuator to that engages and actuates a tissue disruptor in a cartridge engaged with a cartridge interface; and
(b) one or more cartridges, each engaged with one of the cartridge interfaces, wherein at least one cartridge comprises:
(i) one or more cartridge ports communicating with at least one of the fluid ports in the cartridge interface;
(ii) a preprocessing chamber comprising a bottom surface and an opening and, positioned in the opening, a tissue disruptor configured for mechanical disruption of tissue, wherein the tissue disruptor comprises a plunger comprising a shaft and a head, wherein the plunger is configured to rotate and be raised or lowered within the preprocessing chamber, wherein the plunger comprises a coupler to engage the actuator,
wherein the head (l) has a circumference which, when the head moves within the preprocessing chamber, provides a gap between the head and a wall of the preprocessing chamber between about 25 microns and 400 microns, and (II) comprises grinding teeth for disrupting tissue;
and
(iii) a processing chamber communicating with the preprocessing chamber, and with one or more cartridge ports and configured to collect a suspension of biological material from the preprocessing chamber.
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