CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.

Provisional Application No. 61/702,730, filed on September 18, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] Provided are devices for recovery of cells from a microfluidic device.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Methods for removing cells retained in a microfluidic chip have involved using a needle and syringe, e.g., either to flush the chip with fluid to force out the cells or to draw out the cells and remaining fluid in the chip. Such methods are neither efficient, quantitative, nor sterile.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, the provided are open-ended conical tubes. In some embodiments, the open-ended conical tubes comprise:

i) a nipple portion, wherein the nipple portion is sized to seal with the interior of a 0.5 mL PCR tube, wherein the nipple portion comprises a narrow orifice;

ii) a conical portion attached to and in fluid communication with the nipple portion, wherein an outer circumferential surface of the conical portion is

perpendicularly attached to a flange having a cylindrical cavity, wherein the cap of the PCR tube fits into the cylindrical cavity in the flange;

iii) a cylindrical portion attached to and in fluid communication with the conical portion and having an axis substantially co-linear with an axis of the conical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises a wide orifice and threads on the outer surface abutting the wide orifice to accommodate a cap for the conical tube,

wherein the conical tube fits into a centrifuge rotor bucket designed to accommodate 50 mL conical tubes. In some embodiments, the conical tubes further comprise a 0.5 mL PCR tube, wherein the nipple portion of the conical tube is sized to seal into the 0.5 mL PCR tube. In some embodiments, the conical tubes further comprise a cap that twists onto the threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion abutting the wide orifice. In some embodiments, the conical tubes further comprise a cap that snaps onto the threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion abutting the wide orifice. In some embodiments, the conical tube is comprised of high-density polyethylene. In some embodiments, the conical tube is produced by a molding process. In some embodiments, the conical tube is produced by a blow molding process. In some embodiments, the cylindrical portion has an inner diameter sized to engage with a micro fluidic chip. In some embodiments, the conical tube further comprises a microfluidic chip inside the tube. In some embodiments, the conical tube is as depicted in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or 5. [0005] In another aspect, provided are methods of collecting cells from a microfluidic chip. In some embodiments, the methods comprise:

a) placing the microfluidic chip into the conical tube of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein an outlet of the microfluidic chip is placed towards the narrow orifice of the nipple portion;

b) centrifuging the microfluidic chip inside of the conical tube; and c) collecting the cells in the 0.5 mL PCR tube sized to seal to the conical tube. In some embodiments, the centrifuging is at about 300 x g or less, e.g., about 200 x g or about 100 x g. In some embodiments, the centrifuging is in a swinging bucket rotor. In some embodiments, the method is performed under sterile conditions. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of refilling the microfluidic chip with an isotonic fluid and repeating steps a) through c).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figures 1 A-B provide a (A) side view and (B) bottom view (4) illustration of a spin elute or open-ended conical tube. [0007] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a spin elute tube, with the flange to the side.

[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a spin elute tube, viewing the flange from the top.

[0009] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the spin elute tube with the adaptor removed.

[0010] Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the spin elute tube attached to a 0.5 mL

PCR tube. [0011] Figure 6 illustrates a spin elute tube attached to a 0.5 mL PCR tube and containing a microfluidic chip in the interior space of the cylindrical portion. An illustrative adaptor cap is also shown.

[0012] Figure 7 illustrates a spin elute containing a microfluidic chip in the interior space of the cylindrical portion. An illustrative adaptor cap is also shown.

[0013] Figure 8 illustrates a spin elute tube attached to a 0.5 mL PCR tube and containing a microfluidic chip in the interior space of the cylindrical portion. An illustrative adaptor cap is also shown.

[0014] Figure 9 illustrates the results of a validation experiment using a spin elute tube to collect cells from a microfluidic chip. 1000 cells were loaded into a microfluidic chip in triplicates and spun out using a spin elute tube into a pellet. The pellet threshold cycle (Ct ) was measured and compared between pelleting cells eluted into a PCR tube from a microfluidic chip using a spin elute tube and pelleting the cells directly (e.g., without processing through microfluidic chip or spin elute tube) into a PCR tube. The PCR based detection was equivalent whether the cells were recovered from the microfluidic chip or directly pelleted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction

[0015] The present application is based, in part, on the development and discovery of a spin elute device to efficiently and quantitatively recover cells retained in a

microfluidic chip. Target cells isolated from whole blood, e.g., via magnetic separation, are retained in the microfluidic chip, whereas non-target cells are washed out of the chip.

Target cells retained in the capture microfluidic chip are recovered out of the capture microfluidic chip and put into a tube or other container for subsequent analysis. The ability to do this is important for all further analysis of the target cell population. In order to recover these cells we designed and developed the spin elute devices described herein to collect the target cells in a simple, sterile and convenient manner that is both efficient and quantitative. The spin elute device works by low speed centrifugation (e.g., about 300 x g or lower). High speed centrifugation could result in trapping of cells in the microfluidic chip.

[0016] The microfluidic chip is placed in the device which acts as a carrier. The device is placed in a centrifuge and spun at about 300 rpm for about 30 sec. The cells and the solutions in the capture micro fluidic chip (about 200-250 μΐ) and spun out into a 500 μΐ collection tube attached to the bottom of the device into which the target cells are sedimented or pelleted. A second wash of the capture microfluidic chip is then done and this fluid of the second wash (about 200-250 μΐ) is further collected in the 500 μΐ collection tube.

[0017] The device can be constructed by any means, can be composed of any material which does not bind cells, is strong enough to resist the forces of centrifugation, and is sterile and free from contaminating DNA, R A and proteins.

2. Structural Features of Spin Elute Tube [0018] Generally, the spin elute tubes are designed to fit into a bucket of a swing bucket rotor that accommodates 50 mL conical tubes. Additionally, the spin elute tubes are sized to accommodate microfluidic chips that have been used to separate circulating tumor cells, stem cells or other types of cells. Microfluidic chips for use in the present conical spin elute tubes include without limitation those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,807,454 and 8,263,387, hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Turning to Figure 1, the spin elute tubes comprise a body portion (1) and a cap portion

(3, side view) and (4, bottom view). The body comprises a nipple (7), a conical portion (5), a cylindrical portion (1), and has a wide orifice at the top of the cylindrical portion and a narrow orifice through the nipple portion (7). The outer surface of the section of the cylindrical portion of the tube body that attaches to the cap has threads to allow the cap to fit or seal to the tube body, e.g., by twisting or snapping. As appropriate, the threads may be diagonal or form a spiral to accommodate attachment of the cap by twisting {e.g., Figures 2-4) or be circumferential to accommodate attachment of the cap by snapping {e.g., Figures 5-8). The threads on the body of the tube can be raised ridges or grooves, as appropriate. In embodiments where the tube has raised ridged threads, the cap will have groove threads such that the cap will fit or seal onto the tube. In embodiments where the tube has groove threads, the cap will have raised ridge threads such that the cap will fit or seal onto the tube. The outer surface of the conical portion (5) of the tube that abuts to the nipple (7) has a flange (6) that sticks out perpendicularly from the tube. The flange has a raised circle or cylindrical shape. The nipple has an outer diameter so that it can fit into a standard 0.5 mL PCR tube and form a liquid impermeable seal. The convex surface of the cylindrical shape in the flange is of a size to fit the cap of the 0.5 mL PCR tube snugly enough such that cap remains anchored in the flange during centrifugation. [0019] In varying embodiments, the body of the spin elute tube has a vertical length of about 4.0 to about 4.5 inches, e.g., about 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 inches. The nipple portion of the body has a length and outer surface diameter such that it can fit snugly into a 0.5 mL PCR tube and form a liquid impermeable seal. In varying embodiments, the nipple portion (7) of the tube body has a length in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.3 inches, e.g., about 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, or 0.30 inches, and an outer diameter of in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.3 inches, e.g., about 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, or 0.30 inches. The outer diameter of the nipple region (7) and conical region (5) of the body abutting the nipple is narrow enough to allow for the attachment of a flange (6) perpendicularly to the tube, such that the cap of the PCR tube can plug into the flange and the tube with the flange can fit in the well of the centrifuge bucket. The conical portion (5) of the tube body has a vertical length in the range of about 1.0 inches to about 1.5 inches, e.g., about 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5 inches. In varying embodiments, the angle of the outer surface of the conical portion of the tube in relation to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the tube is between about 30° to about 45°, e.g., about 30°, 35°, 40° or 45°. The cylindrical portion of the tube body can have a vertical length in the range of about 2.2 inches to about 2.8 inches, e.g., about 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 or 2.8 inches. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the tube is in the range of about 1.10 inches to about 1.19 inches, e.g. , 1.10, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 or 1.19 inches. In one embodiment, the vertical length of the body of the tube is about 4.2 inches, the nipple portion having a length and outer diameter of about 0.25 inches, the conical portion having a vertical length of about 1.25 inches and an outer surface angle of about 30°, and the cylindrical portion having a length of about 2.5 inches.

[0020] The cap portion (3) of the tube has threads on its inner surface such that the cap can twist onto the wide orifice at the top of the cylindrical portion. In varying embodiments, the cap has a vertical length of about 1.00 to about 1.10 inches, e.g., about 1.00, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09 or 1.10 inches. The diameter of the cap is sufficiently wider than the cylindrical portion of the tube body so that the cap can twist snugly onto the tube body. [0021] Typically, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the body is smooth and unfeatured, e.g., without topographical features. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the body comprises guides {e.g., raised parallel vertical ridges along the length of the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the tube) for accommodating one or more microfluidic chips or slides in the tube.

[0022] In varying embodiments, the thickness of the walls of the spin elute tube are in the range of about 0.030 to about 0.10 inches, e.g., 0.030. 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, 0.065, 0.070, 0.075, 0.080, 0.085, 0.090 or 0.10 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness of the walls of the fluid reservoir about 0.050. The thickness of the walls of the spin elute tube can be uniform or varying, as appropriate. The spin elute tubes are generally made of materials that are inert to and which do not bind with or dissolve when contacted with biological fluids, e.g., whole blood, cell suspended in media. In varying embodiments, the fluid reservoirs are made of one or more polymers, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the fluid reservoirs are comprised of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0023] In various embodiments, the spin elute tubes can be formed using a blow- molded process. When formed using a blow molded process, the blow mold comprises an additional portion (2) between the tube body (1) and the tube cap (3). This additional portion is a removable piece that is used during the production process. This additional portion also allows for the slight differential in diameter between the tube body and tube cap that allows the cap to twist onto the body of the tube.

3. Methods of Using Spin Elute Tube [0024] The spin elute tubes find use in efficiently, quantitatively and sterilely collecting cells retained in a microfluidic chip. In varying embodiments, one, two or three microfluidic chips containing fluid and retained cells are placed in a spin elute conical tube, with the fluid outlet of the microfluidic chips oriented towards the narrow orifice or outlet of the spin elute tube nipple portion. The spin elute tubes attached to a 0.5 mL PCR tube and containing the one or more microfluidic chips are placed in a centrifuge rotor bucket that accommodates 50 mL conical tubes. In varying embodiments, the centrifuge has swinging bucket rotors. The centrifuge is run for a short period of time, e.g., about 5 or fewer minutes, e.g., about 4, 3, 2 or 1 minute, at a relatively low centrifuge speed, e.g., about 300 x g or lower, e.g., about 200 x g or 100 x g. Centripetal force causes the fluid and cells retained in the microfluidic chips to flow out of the microfluidic chips, though the narrow orifice of the nipple portion of the spin elute tube and into the 0.5 mL PCR tube attached to the spin elute tube. Optionally, the microfluidic chips can be removed from the spin elute tube, refilled with an isotonic solution (e.g., cell culture media, phosphate buffered saline), and centrifuged again one or more times to remove any cells still remaining in the micro fluidic chip after the first centrifugation. The 0.5 mL PCR tube attached to the spin elute tube can accommodate the volume of two volumes of a micro fluidic chip. EXAMPLES

[0025] The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit the claimed invention.

Example 1

SpinElute Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Flow cell harvest

[0026] This protocol describes the procedures for recovering captured cells from the

Cynvenio CTC Flow cell after processing on the Liquid Biopsy Protocol system.

Materials

1. Elution Buffer (optionally w/ .5% triton)

2. 70% ethanol

Equipment

1. Corning 3750 Thermowell Gold PCR tubes, 0.5mL, Flatcap (Fisher Cat # 07-200-396)

2. Cynvenio SpinElute CTC recovery tube

3. Branson 1510 Sonicating water bath

4. IEC Centra CL3R table top centrifuge

5. Tissue culture petri dish

6. Tygon R-3603 (1/16 in. I.D., 1/8 in. O.D., Wall Thickness: 1/32 in.), 7-10mm lengths (VWR Cat# 63010-232, Fisher cat #: 14-168-111)

7. pi 000 Pipetteman

Protocol

1.1. Ensure all counting and photographing of CTC Flow cell and contents has been completed.

1.2. Apply the PCR tube to the base of the SpinElute recovery tube.

1.3. Snap the cap to SpinElute recovery tube 1.4. Label the PCR tube both lid and side appropriately.

1.5. Place a few drops of 70% ethanol onto the base of a petri dish.

1.6. Place CTC flow cell face up on top of the drop of ethanol.

1.7. Hold petri dish on surface of Branson sonicating water bath and engage sonicator for 15 to 20 seconds to dislodge trapped material, which includes trapped cells and possibly small magnetic particles.

1.8. Remove cap from the SpinElute tube and insert CTC Flow cell waste port first into the tube.

1.9. Recap and centrifuge for lmin at 100 x g with fast accel/decel in a swinging bucket rotor.

1.10. Remove CTC flow cell from SpinElute recovery tube

1.11. Place a 7- 10mm piece of tygon tubing on a pi 000 tip and introduce 2Ί5μΙ _^ Elution buffer into the waste port on a flat surface.

1.12. Place a few drops (~50μ1) of 70% ethanol onto the base of a petri dish.

1.13. Place CTC flow cell face up on top of the drops of Ethanol.

1.14. Hold petri dish on surface of Branson sonicating water bath and engage sonicator for 15 to 20 seconds to dislodge trapped material, which includes trapped cells and possibly small magnetic particles.

1.15. Remove cap from the SpinElute tube and insert CTC Flow cell waste port first into the tube.

1.16. Recap and centrifuge for lmin at 100 x g with fast accel/decel in a swinging bucket rotor.

1.17. Recover PCR tube and replace flat top cap on PCR tube

1.18. Pellet cells in swinging bucket centrifuge at 5000 x g, RT for 10 minutes.

1.19. Decant supernatant with a p200 tip leaving no more than 5μΙ _^ buffer on the cell pellet.

1.20. Freeze pellet at -20°C until pellet is processed using Genomic DNA Recovery Protocol.

1.21. Dispose appropriately of CTC flow cell and SpinElute tube. [0027] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.