EP2989437A1

EP2989437A1 - Device for preparing biological samples

Info

Publication number: EP2989437A1
Application number: EP14726695.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Broyer; Laurent Veron; Hervé ROSTAING
Original assignee: Biomerieux SA
Current assignee: Biomerieux SA
Priority date: 2013-04-24
Filing date: 2014-04-22
Publication date: 2016-03-02
Also published as: JP2016518604A; WO2014174203A4; FR3005163A1; US20160040115A1; FR3005164B1; US9957473B2; JP6606062B2; FR3005164A1; WO2014174203A1

Abstract

A device for preparing biological samples comprising a fixed support of which the base extends in a first plane, a filtration block that can be removable, said filtration block comprising a collecting tank that itself comprises a filtering means extending in a second plane and dividing said collecting tank into a collection area and a suction area, the suction area being designed to be connected to a suction means, the second plane of the filtering means being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE PREPARATION OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLE

The field of the present invention is that of microbiological analysis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for the preparation of biological sample for microbiological diagnosis. Vacuum filtration is conventionally used in laboratories. It is used in two ways:

• to clarify a sample. The filtrate is then kept and the filter discarded,

Or to collect and concentrate particles or microorganisms of interest present in a liquid sample. In this second case, the filtrate is discarded, the concentrate (also called retentate) and / or the filter are preserved.

One known device of the state of the art is the Buchner funnel. Such a device is shown in FIG. It comprises a funnel in which is arranged transversely a perforated plate. The funnel is sealed in the neck of a vacuum flask with a stopper. The vacuum flask is connected to a suction source. On the perforated plate is a filter paper moistened so that particles in a liquid poured on the upper part of the paper can be retained during suction. The filtered liquid, or filtrate, is collected in the vial.

Such a device has several disadvantages. Indeed, the filter can clog quickly if the liquid contains too much particles or microorganisms which can prevent filtration of the entire volume. On the other hand, the large filtration area, necessary to be able to filter a sufficient quantity of sample, may require the use of a large volume of liquid for the complete resuspension of the microorganisms retained on the filter, which not allow to have an optimal concentration ratio. After filtering the sample with this device, the collection of particles of interest or microorganisms retained on the filter paper is difficult and requires the use of a swab manually. Swab recovery automatically is not easy to achieve in a reproducible manner. In addition, this type of device has a second disadvantageous release yield if the concentrate, especially bacterial, must be delivered in liquid form for the purposes of the analysis protocol. Finally, during the steps of washing the filter or taking microorganisms with a pipette, the dispensed liquid spreads over the entire surface of the filter, so it is difficult to aspirate it again. As a result, the sequence of a filtration protocol using this device can not be automated easily. Another device of the prior art, described in the patent application US 2007/0298451 A1, comprises a lower filtration unit and a higher filtration unit. The upper filtration unit comprises a cylindrical wall of a first diameter and a cylindrical wall of a smaller diameter connected by a transverse part. On the transverse part is arranged a perforated plate and a filtration membrane. The lower filtration unit comprises a cylindrical wall of a first diameter and a cylindrical wall of a smaller diameter connected by a transverse part. On the transverse part is arranged a perforated plate and a filtration membrane. A cylindrical wall of still smaller diameter is disposed downstream of the perforated plate and connected to the lower filtration block by a transverse portion, so as to connect a suction source to the device.

The upper filter block is pushed onto the lower filter block. The membrane of the upper filtration block has a higher porosity than the membrane of the lower filtration block. Therefore, by pouring a liquid sample on the membrane of the upper filter block and activating the suction source, it is filtered a first and a second time.

Although this device may have a better filtration efficiency, including progressive filtration, the dispensed liquid spreads over the entire surface of both membranes, making collection difficult. In addition, a blockage, even partial, of one or more membranes (s) can cause a loss of load during suction and slow down or even prevent filtration.

The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art.

A first object of the present invention is thus to provide a biological sample treatment device for collecting the microorganisms contained in the sample by removing constituents of the matrix of the latter. Such constituents may be dissolved salts, proteins, crystals, mucous, human cells, or others.

A second object of the invention is to provide a biological sample treatment device for rapid purification of microbial content for subsequent analysis as well as washing of the filter or collection membrane.

A third object of the invention is to provide a biological sample treatment device for both concentrating microorganisms on the surface of the filter or the collection membrane and for resuspending the microorganisms thus concentrated, in one volume. limited buffer. A fourth object of the invention is to provide a biological sample processing device so that the steps of the processing protocol using the device can be performed in a fully automated manner by a suitable pipetting robot (eg Hamilton Robotics Starlet). ), also called a pipetting robot.

These objectives, among others, are achieved by the present invention which concerns first of all a device for the preparation of a biological sample comprising:

A fixed support whose base extends in a first plane,

A filter unit that can be removable, said filtration unit comprising a collection tank that itself comprises a wall and a filtration means, the filtration means extending in a second plane and dividing said collection tank into a zone; and a suction zone, the suction zone being adapted to be connected to a suction means, the second plane of the filter means being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support.

Alternatively, the present invention relates to a device for the preparation of biological sample comprising:

A fixed support whose base extends in a first plane,

A filter unit that can be removable, said filtration unit comprising a collection tank which itself comprises a filtration means extending in a second plane and dividing said collection tank into a collection zone and a suction zone; , the suction zone being adapted to be connected to a suction means, the second plane of the filtering means being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support.

By biological sample is meant a liquid sample, likely to contain one or more constituents of interest, such as urine, blood cultures, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, .... These constituents of interest may be microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria, or micro-vesicles or exosomes.

Alternatively, the subject of the invention is a device for the preparation of a biological sample comprising:

A fixed support whose base extends in a first plane,

A filter unit that can be removable, said filtration unit comprising a collection tank itself having a filtration means extending in a second plane and dividing said collection reservoir into a collection zone and a suction zone, the suction zone being adapted to connected to a suction means, the second plane of the filtering means being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support, the filtration unit further comprises a pre-filtration tank that can be removable, said prefiltration tank comprising a filtration means dividing the prefiltration tank into a collection zone and a suction zone, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank being in fluid communication with the collection area of the collection tank.

A fixed support whose base extends in a first plane,

· A filter unit that can be removable,

said filtration unit comprising a collection tank itself comprising a wall and a filtering means, the filtering means extending in a second plane and dividing said collection tank into a collection zone and a suction zone, the suction zone being adapted to be connected to a suction means, the second plane of the filtering means being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support, the filtration unit further comprises a prefiltration reservoir which can be removable, said prefiltration tank comprising a filtration means dividing the prefiltration tank into a collection zone and a suction zone, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank being in fluid communication with the collection zone of the collection tank .

Alternatively, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank is adapted to be connected to a second suction means.

Advantageously, the wall of the collection tank in the collection zone is partly inclined or ogival-shaped.

Advantageously, the wall of the collection zone of the collection tank is partly inclined or ogival-shaped. Advantageously, the wall of the collection tank in the collection zone is rigid. Advantageously, the filtering means of the collection reservoir comprises at least one membrane with a porosity of between 0.02 and 1.5μη "ΐ, preferably between 0.02 and Ι μηη, more preferably between 0.02 and Ο, δμηη. , even more preferentially between 0.02 μηη and 0.45 μηη

Advantageously, the filtration means of the collection reservoir comprises at least one membrane with a porosity of between 0.02 μηη and 0.45 μηη.

Advantageously, the filtration means of the prefiltration tank comprises at least one porosity filter of between 5 μηη and 1,000 μηη, preferably between 5 μηη and 100 μπι.

Alternatively, the filtration means of the prefiltration tank comprises a stack of filters.

Alternatively, the filtration means of the prefiltration tank comprises a stack of filters of increasing porosity from the suction zone of the prefiltration tank to the collection zone of the prefiltration tank. For this purpose, the filtration means of the prefiltration tank comprises or consists of a stack of prefilters of increasing porosity in order from bottom to top, the prefilter placed at the top being the first to receive the liquid.

Advantageously, the second plane of the filtering means of the collection tank is inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support at an angle of between 10 ° and 60 °, preferably between 20 ° and 50 °, of preferably between 25 ° and 45 °, more preferably equal to 30 °.

Alternatively, the collection reservoir comprises an upper portion and a lower portion cooperating to maintain the filtration means of the collection tank

Alternatively, the prefiltration tank comprises an upper part and a lower part cooperating to maintain the filtering means of the prefiltration tank

Alternatively, the prefiltration tank comprises means capable of cooperating with a pipette robot tool such as a pipette holder or a swab holder. Alternatively, the filtration unit further comprises a third filtering container that can be removable, said third filtration tank comprising a filtration means dividing the third filtration tank into a collection zone and a suction zone, the collection zone of the third filtration tank being in fluid communication with the suction zone of the collection tank.

Advantageously, the suction means is a suction / discharge means.

By means of suction / discharge means any means capable of passing a liquid from the collection area of the collection tank to the suction zone of the suction collection tank and possibly the suction zone of the reservoir. collection to the collection area of the collection tank by backflow. The advantage of the backflow is in particular to be able to resuspend in a liquid a portion of the concentrate of constituents of interest (also called retentate) from the biological sample by detaching from the filtration means. A succession of suction and discharge stages also makes it possible to improve the concentration of the concentrate in the collection zone, more particularly in a preferential zone. This suction / discharge operation can therefore be performed several times. This suction / discharge operation can be carried out by adding a buffer, for example a carbonate buffer or water, in particular to carry out a washing.

Advantageously, the second suction means that can be connected to the suction zone of the prefiltration tank is a suction / discharge means. Advantageously, the suction means is replaced by means for placing the collection tank and / or the prefiltration tank and / or the filtration tank in overpressure. The pressurizing means is therefore adapted to be connected to the collection zone of the collection tank and / or the prefiltration tank and / or the filtration tank. Advantageously, the second suction means is replaced by a second means for overpressuring the collection tank and / or the prefiltration tank. The second means of overpressure is adapted for this purpose to be connected to the collection zone of the collection tank and / or the prefiltration tank.

Advantageously, the collection tank and / or the prefiltration tank and / or the filtration tank is closed by a closure means. Even more advantageously, said closure means is pierceable by a robotic robot tool, such as a pipette, a swab, a pipette holder, a swab holder, a gripping tool such as a forceps or directly by the tip of a pipetting channel integrated in the robot.

Alternatively, said closure means is removable by a robotic robot tool, for example a gripping tool such as a clamp, a pipette holder or a swab holder.

The invention also relates to the use of a device according to any one of the various embodiments presented for the treatment of a biological sample. The subject of the invention is also a method for treating a biological sample using a device according to any one of the various embodiments presented, comprising the following steps:

• deposit the biological sample on the collection tank filtering means

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the collection tank, using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank

• collect microorganisms on the collection tank filtering means

Alternatively, the subject of the invention is a method for treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to the invention comprising the following steps:

Deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the prefiltration tank,

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the prefiltration tank so as to deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the collection tank using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank,

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the collection tank with the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank,

· Collect the microorganisms on the filtering means of the collection tank.

Alternatively, the subject of the invention is a method of treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to the invention comprising the following steps:

Deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the prefiltration tank, • aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the prefiltration tank so as to deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the collection tank using the second suction means connected to the suction zone the prefiltration tank,

Collect the microorganisms on the filtering means of the collection tank.

Alternatively, the subject of the invention is a method for treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to the invention as described above, further comprising a step consisting of:

• discharge the biological sample through the filtration means of the collection tank using the suction / discharge means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank,

Alternatively, the subject of the invention is a method of treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to the invention as described above, including the step of:

Collecting the microorganisms on the filtering means of the collection tank, and replaced by a step of:

Collect the microorganisms on the filtration means of the collection tank in a preferential collection area.

The invented device allows easy access to the filtration means of the collection tank, for example to the membrane, in order to carry out washes or collect microorganisms, for example by resuspension by pipette or by swabbing.

The inclination of the second plane in which the filtering means of the collection tank extends with respect to the plane of the base of the fixed support can be obtained by the geometry of the fixed support on which the filtration unit is arranged and / or by inclination of the filtration means. For example, the fixed support may comprise a plane inclined relative to its base, the latter being horizontal, the filtration unit being disposed on this inclined plane and the filtering means of the collection tank s' extending in a plane parallel to this inclined plane. With this inclination, when the liquid is dispensed, from the filtration means of the prefiltration tank and / or directly on the filtering means and / or by suction / discharge, it flows naturally on the filtering means, where it can possibly be sucked again, in a preferential collection area.

The inclination of the second plane in which the filtering means of the collection tank extends relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support is fixed throughout the filtration step. The shape of the wall of the collection tank makes it possible, in cooperation with the inclination of the second plane in which the filtration means extends, to promote the retention of the biological sample in a preferential collection zone when the latter is dispensed in the collection tank. This preferential zone corresponding to the lower part of the filtration means. This preferential zone contains, following a filtration step, the majority of the concentrate of microorganisms or constituents of interest present in the biological sample. The suction zone is thus defined by the second plane of the filtration means is the wall of the collection tank so that the filter means is the wall of the collection tank are in contact in the preferred area. The advantage of this contact is to avoid the formation of dead volumes where a liquid portion of the biological sample could stagnate after the filtration step. Another advantage of this contact and of this preferential zone is to favor the retention of the biological sample in a delimited and predictable zone, which favors a higher recovery efficiency by a robotic robot automaton that does not have a vision system. in particular a vision system for locating a bacterial carpet on the surface of the filtration means. The geometry of this preferential zone can be modified according to the angle formed between the filtration means and the wall of the collection tank. This angle can be closed (acute) to create a localized but deep or open (obtuse) preferential zone to limit the depth of the preferential zone while enlarging the area covered by said zone for the same volume of liquid contained in this zone. The angle formed between the filtration means and the wall of the collection reservoir in the preferred zone is thus between 10 and 170 degrees, preferably between 30 and 150 degrees, preferably between 50 and 130 degrees, preferably between 70 and 120 degrees, more preferably between 80 and 100 degrees, more preferably between 50 and 70 degrees. Even more preferably the angle is 90 degrees. Even more preferably the angle is 60 degrees.

Preferably, the filtration means is the wall of the collection tank are in contact over the entire surface of the filtration means. The advantage of this contact over the entire surface of the filtration means is to limit the adhesion on the wall of any debris contained in the biological sample and to simplify the process of filtering the biological sample, which may be be distributed anywhere in the collection area of the collection tank, especially on the wall or directly on the filtering means.

As the collection buffer jets are delivered, the microorganisms concentrate towards the lower part of the filtration means forming, for example, a closed angle with the wall of the collection reservoir. A bacterial concentrate can for example be recovered without significant loss of volume (volume recovered from 300 to 700 μΙ), relative to the volume of collection buffer dispensed (volume 400 to 1000 μΙ), a factor of 10 to 20 relative to the volume. initial biological sample. The inclination of the second plane of the filtration means relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support may be between 10 ° and 60 °, preferably between 20 ° and 50 °, preferably between 25 ° and 45 °, more preferably equal to 30 °.

The device according to the invention is easily usable with an automated pipettor also called pipetting robot. For this purpose, the wall of the collection tank is adapted to be able to present vertically a pipette robot tool, such as a pipette or a swab, in line with the entire surface of the filtering means of the collection tank directly after or during filtration step. The interest is not to have to move the device, the collection tank and / or the filtration means to collect the concentrate of constituents of interest. Another advantage is to be able to collect by abrasion or detachment the concentrate of constituents of interest, such as microorganisms, deposited on all or part of the filtration means after filtration, by means of a swab. This geometry also facilitates pipetting and / or swabbing operations, manual and / or automatic, especially directly after or during the filtration step. Thus, the shape of the wall of the collection tank is adapted so that an operator or a pipetting robot can access the entire surface of the filtering means of the collection tank, in particular in the vertical of said filtering means. A pipetting robot indeed has a pipette moving in translation in three degrees of freedom and not allowing to perform complex movements or to present a pipette other than vertically.

This access to the entire surface of the filtering means of the collection tank thus makes it possible to dispense a liquid on an area of the filtration means of the collection tank of a powerful jet and then to suck up the same liquid in order to be able to re-dispense it powerfully on another area of the filtering means of the collection tank. A series of about twenty dispensing / re-aspirations can thus be performed in order to concentrate and then harvest the constituents of interest retained on the entire surface of the filtration means of the collection tank. The inclination of the collection tank also allows the collection liquid to be located in the preferential collection area by limiting the volume losses that a horizontal filtration system would generate.

Advantageously, the wall of the collection tank may have at least one inclined or ogival-shaped part adapted to be able to vertically present a pipette, in line with the concentrate of constituents of interest, in particular microorganisms, the concentrate being mostly located in the preferential zone. This geometry also facilitates pipetting and / or swabbing operations, manual and / or automatic, in particular by avoiding striking the wall of the collection tank. The advantage of such a device is that it can be used, on the same type of device, for different types of biological samples (urine, blood cultures, etc.) of different volumes (10 ml to 1 ml), selecting a treatment protocol adapted to the biological sample considered. Thus, for blood cultures, the protocol is a selective lysis followed by a single filtration on a filtering means, for example a membrane. For clinical urine, the protocol consists of prefiltration on the filtration means of the prefiltration tank, followed by filtration on the filtering means of the collection tank, for example on a membrane. The two protocols can advantageously be followed by one or more washing steps of the bacterial concentrate, using suitable washing solutions. Moreover, for an approach of Identification Typing Resistance Virulence (ITRV) of microorganisms, such as bacteria, by ElectronSpray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI) technology, disposing of the microorganisms in liquid suspension is more practical for the continuation of the protocol (lysis followed by protein extraction or lysis followed by tryptic protein digestion).

The advantage of such a device is also to be disposable. The materials used for its realization being inexpensive, the device and / or the filtration unit and / or the prefiltration tank may be disposable for the treatment of a sample. Even more advantageously, the filtration unit is removable. Even more advantageously, the filtration unit is removable and disposable.

The prefiltration tank can also be removable. Advantageously, the prefiltration tank is removable and disposable.

The device can also be used for automatic plate preparation

MALDI-TOF after extraction of microorganisms from biological samples. The microorganisms can for example be collected directly on the filtration means of the collection tank by a robotic tool to be deposited on a MALDI-TOF plate or used for the preparation of a concentrated and calibrated suspension of microorganisms. In the same way, the microorganisms can be arranged in a liquid suspension which will be centrifuged in order to be able to recover a pellet of microorganisms. This pellet of microorganisms will then be deposited on a MALDI-TOF plate.

The aims and advantages of the device according to the present invention will be better understood in the light of the nonlimiting examples which follow, with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a device of the prior art

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional representation of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a filter unit on a fixed support inclined at 30 °.

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional representation of the filter unit, according to the first embodiment.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic bottom view of the filter block, according to the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the filter unit, according to the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective representation of the fixed support inclined at 30 °, according to the first embodiment.

Figure 8 is a photograph of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective representation of a second embodiment of the device comprising a slider support.

Figure 10 is a schematic sectional representation of the second embodiment of the device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation in section of Detail A of the second embodiment of the device, as represented in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional representation of Detail B of the second embodiment of the device, as shown in FIG.

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the prefilter holder of the second embodiment of the device.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective and in section of the second embodiment of the device having the suction flows "A" and "B". FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective and in section of the second embodiment of the device without the pre-filtration stage having the suction flow "B" in this use.

Figure 16 is a schematic sectional representation of the second embodiment of the device without the prefiltration stage, combined with a pipetting device.

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating the pre-filtration rates obtained using the device according to the invention for the treatment of different samples of inoculated urine.

Figure 18 shows three graphs showing the detection in ESI-MS of specific peptides of the inoculated species in blood culture bottles compared to a negative control (sterile blood cultures). This figure 18 illustrates an experiment using the device according to the invention for the treatment of samples of inoculated blood cultures.

According to a first embodiment, the collection tank is accessible without removing the prefiltration tank. The device according to the invention can thus be placed in a pipetting robot, which will discharge the biological sample into the pre-filtration tank if pre-filtration is necessary, or in the collection tank if filtration is sufficient. Such a device is therefore able to process biological samples of different kinds, such as urine or blood, without having to manipulate the prefiltration reservoir. When the prefiltration tank is not removed from the device, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank is in fluid communication with the collection area of the collection tank.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 100 is composed of a fixed support 1 inclined at 30 ° on which is installed a filtering unit 2 that can be removable. The filtration unit 2 comprises a filtration means also called prefilter or a stack of prefilters 3 contained in a pre-filtration tank 4 and which clarifies the solutions to be filtered without retaining the microorganisms. The filtration unit also comprises a collection tank 5 with a filtration means, for example a membrane 6 disposed in the bottom of the tank. Alternatively, the angle of 30 ° between the plane along which the filtering means of the collection tank extends and the plane of the base 1 of the fixed support 1 is obtained by an inclination of the fixed support 1 and / or the block filtration 2 and / or the membrane 6. Alternatively, the collection reservoir 5 has at least one wall of which at least a portion is inclined 1 January. The collection tank 5 is closed by a sealing means. This sealing means is for example constituted by a lidding film 50, as shown in FIG. 2. This lidding film makes it possible to maintain a low pressure state downstream of the prefilter (s) during the operation. filtration of complex media such as urine. The lidding film 50 may be a self-adhesive film, in particular of the oriented bi-axial polypropylene (BOPP) type, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester (PE), aluminum / PE type. Such a sticker film can be taken off easily by an operator or by means of an automaton. Alternatively, the film can be welded to the filtration unit 2 by any appropriate means (ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, etc.). Such a film is then drilled for a suitable tool, which can cooperate with the toolholder of an automaton. Advantageously, a suitable tool is a pipette robot tool, such as a pipette door, a swab holder, a gripping tool such as a clamp or directly through the tip of a pipetting channel integrated in the robot.

Advantageously, the device and / or the filtration unit and / or the prefiltration tank may be disposable. Even more advantageously, the filtration unit is removable. Even more advantageously, the filtration unit is removable and disposable.

The prefiltration tank can also be removable. Advantageously, the prefiltration tank is removable and disposable. According to an alternative, the closure means may be constituted by a piece of plastic lid type having a suitable opening mechanism, to ensure the necessary seal when positioned on the collection tank 5, for generate the low pressure state while allowing when it is relieved to be able to access the collection tank.

With reference to FIG. 4, the device is connected to a vacuum suction system (for example a pump), not shown, and a bin that collects the filtered liquids. The suction is made through the suction ports of the prefilter 7 and the membrane 8 located on the fixed support 1.

· The seal between the filtration unit 2 and the fixed support 1 can be obtained by any appropriate means. In the embodiment shown, the filtration unit 2 is screwed onto the fixed support 1 and a seal, not shown, is placed between the filtration unit 2 and the fixed support 1

• A valve, not shown, allows to manage the protocol by aspirating either at the prefilter 3, or at the membrane 6 (or in continuous suction downstream of the membrane and alternating suction downstream of the prefilter). The valve can be integrated into the vacuum suction system or be an integral part of the filtration device. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the filtration unit 2 can be removable. In this case, the suction orifice of the prefilter 7 is in fluid communication with the suction zone of the prefiltration tank 4 via an orifice 71 on the filtration unit 2 when it is disposed on the fixed support 1. Similarly, when the filtration unit 2 is disposed on the fixed support 1, the suction port 8 of the membrane communicates with the open portion 81 of the collection tank 5 it even in fluid communication with the suction zone of the collection tank 5.

With reference to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the collection reservoir 5 has at least one wall of which at least one part 1 1 is inclined.

In order to carry out a prefiltration step of a sample using the first embodiment of the device according to the invention and with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a valve, not shown, makes it possible to manage the protocol by sucking, either downstream of the prefilter 3, either downstream of the membrane (either continuous suction downstream of the membrane and alternating suction downstream of the prefilter).

The liquid to be treated, for example urine, is pipetted into the prefiltration tank 4 above the prefilter 3. The vacuum pump is turned on. The valve is set to suck through the prefilter 3 via the suction port of the prefilter 7 and, if appropriate, the orifice 71. Once the pre-filtered liquid, it is naturally directed by the geometry of the device and stored above the retention membrane of the microorganisms 6. The prefiltered liquid and passes through an intermediate reservoir 9, disposed between the prefilter 3 and the reservoir 5, as shown in Figure 5.

In order to carry out a filtration step of a sample on the membrane 6 and with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve is set to suck at said membrane 6 via the suction orifice of the membrane 8 and, where appropriate, the opening portion 81 of the collection tank 5. The microorganisms are collected on the membrane 6. The porosity of this membrane is less than the diameter of the microorganisms to be collected. Preferably, the porosity is between 0.22 and 0.45 μηη. The membrane can be washed to purify the microorganisms. Advantageously, the wall of the collection tank 5 comprises at least one inclined part 1 1 or at least one ogival-shaped part. This shape of the wall makes it possible, in cooperation with the inclination of the membrane 6, to favor the retention of the microorganisms in a preferential zone corresponding to the lower part of the filtration means 3. This part then forms an acute angle between the means of filtration 3 and the wall of the collection tank 5. Thus, in a subsequent step of recovery of microorganisms, resuspension in a reduced volume of liquid and more easily achievable including automatically. Accessibility to this area is also improved. Advantageously, this retention of microorganisms in a preferential zone makes it possible to locate the microorganisms in a delimited and predictable zone, which favors a higher recovery efficiency by a PLC that does not have a vision system for locating a bacterial mat on the surface of the membrane.

Following this filtration step on the membrane 6 and with reference to Figure 8, the vacuum pump is extinguished in order to reduce the pressure downstream of the membrane 6 at atmospheric pressure. The microorganisms then adhere to the membrane 6 and can be recovered / collected in various ways and in a nonlimiting manner:

• by resuspending the pipette 10 with a liquid by dispensing the latter over a zone of the membrane of a powerful jet and then sucking the same liquid in order to powerfully re-dispense on another area of the membrane. A series of about twenty dispensations / re-aspirations is carried out in order to harvest the bacteria retained on all the zones of the membrane. The inclination of the collection tank allows the collection liquid to be located in the preferred collection area by limiting the volume losses that would result from a horizontal filtration system (rapid ejection of a liquid, for example a neutral buffer or solvent ), see Figure 8. For this purpose, the collection reservoir 5 advantageously has at least one wall, at least a portion of which is inclined to 1 1 so as to allow the pipette 10 presented vertically to collect microorganisms collected on the entire surface of the membrane 6, without hitting the wall of the collection tank 5;

· By swabbing the surface of the membrane 6: either with a swab alone or with a device combining a pipetting cone comprising a swab at its end. Such a device comprises a pipetting cone, the open end of which sucks the liquid, is enveloped by the porous portion of a swab. The advantage of such a device is to be able to suck the liquid through the pipetting cone, through the porous portion of the swab, then to come into contact with the membrane, or any filtration means of the collection tank to "peel off" the microorganism concentrate by abrasion, this operation not being feasible with the conventional end of a pipetting cone; · By directly recovering membrane 6 and resuspended in a tube or direct lysis of microorganisms. The membrane 6 is then removably mounted in the collection tank 5;

• Rinsing: arrival of the liquid through the rear face of the membrane 6. The rear face of the membrane being the face facing the suction port of the membrane 8 and optionally the discharge portion 81 of the reservoir 5. Alternately, the liquid (neutral buffer, buffer containing detergents or solvent) is deposited on the membrane 6 in the collection tank 5, sucked, then discharged by the rear face of the membrane 6. This discharge suction operation can be performed repeatedly.

The various recovery / collection methods may be adapted depending on the microorganisms sought or the type of sample. Indeed, some microorganism concentrate has a very strong adhesion to the membrane. The collection of microorganisms is then impossible by fast ejection of a liquid, the jet of liquid is not powerful enough to take off the concentrate. Only an abrasion technique (using a swab or a pipetting cone wrapped by the porous part of a swab at its end) is then effective to detach the concentrate from the membrane.

A second embodiment is illustrated in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the prefiltration tank must be removed in order to access the collection tank. The prefiltration tank is for example stacked on the collection tank. Such a device is therefore able to process biological samples of different kinds, such as urine or blood, while being compact. When the prefiltration tank is not removed from the device, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank is in fluid communication with the collection area of the collection tank.

In this embodiment, the device is composed of a fixed support 20 on which is installed a filter unit 22 that can be removable. In the embodiment shown, the filtration unit 22 is held on the support 20 by means of two sliders 23. The device is connected to a vacuum suction system (for example a pump), not shown, and a bin that collects filtered liquids. Suction is through the suction ports of the prefilter 24 and the suction port of the membrane 25 located on the fixed support 20. The fixed support 20 thus comprises a plurality of suction orifices forming two circuits. aspiration marked by arrows "A" and "B". The two suction circuits thus make it possible to suck downstream of the membrane and / or downstream of the prefilter independently, via the suction zones of the collection and pre-filtration tanks. Alternatively, if the suction is sufficient downstream of the membrane, the device can be held on the support without the use of slides.

The seal between the filtration unit 22 and the fixed support 20 can be obtained by any means. In the embodiment shown, the filtration unit 22 is held on the fixed support 20 and two O-rings, not shown, are placed between the filtration unit 22 and the fixed support 20 to seal the suction circuits "suction A" and "suction B".

Referring to Figure 10, the filtration unit 22 comprises a filter means, also called prefilter or a stack of prefilters 26, contained in a pre-filtration tank 28 and which clarifies the solutions to be filtered without retaining the microorganisms. The filtration unit 22 also comprises a collection tank 30, a filtration means, for example a membrane 32, disposed in the bottom of the collection tank 30. The membrane 32 is inclined at an angle of 30 ° with respect to the plane formed by the base 200 of the fixed support 20, that is 60 ° relative to the vertical.

Alternatively, the collection reservoir 30 has at least one wall of which at least one portion 34 is inclined or ogival-shaped.

The filter unit 22 can be removable, the suction port of the prefilter 24 then cooperates with a hole 24-i on the filter unit 22. Similarly, the suction port of the membrane 25 cooperates with the part opening of the collection tank 25i.

A valve, not shown (integrated or not in the device), manages the protocol by sucking either downstream of the prefilter 26, or downstream of the membrane 32 (or continuous suction downstream of the membrane 32 and alternately aspirated downstream of prefilter 26.

Referring to Figure 1 1 corresponding to Detail A, the collection reservoir 30 can be made in two assembled parts 36 and 38. In this embodiment, the upper portion 36 and the lower portion 38 cooperate to maintain the membrane 32 in place. position, for example by means of two lugs 40. Advantageously, the two parts 36 and 38 are welded to maintain the membrane.

With reference to FIG. 12 corresponding to Detail B, prefiltration tank 28 can be made in two assembled parts, an upper part 42 and a lower part 44 which serves as a support for pre-filter 26. In this embodiment, the upper part 42 and the pre-filter support 44 cooperate to maintain the prefilter 26 in position. Advantageously and as shown in Figure 14, the upper portion 42 comprises a means 33 engageable with a pipette tool of a pipetting robot. The means 33 may also take a suitable form (for example one or more holes or pin (s)) to be handled automatically by a mechanical element (such as a clamp), a gripping tool for pipetting robot, a pipette door, a swab holder, or directly by the tip of a pipetting channel integrated in the robot. Advantageously, this means 33 may comprise a cylindrical part in which the pipette-holder tool can be inserted and maintained in such a way as to lift the prefiltration reservoir 28 and thus free access to the membrane 32. In a particular embodiment, this cylindrical portion is held by a set of ribs arranged radially on the cylindrical portion so as to define at least one means of access access to the prefilter or stack of prefilters 26. This access means allowing an apparatus such as a pipetting robot to present a tool vertically to the prefilter or the prefilter stack to dispense a liquid therefrom ( eg the sample to be treated) without handling or hitting the upper part 42.

With reference to FIG. 13, the pre-filter support 44 may have projections 46 extending radially with respect to the suction orifice 45 of the pre-filter support 44. The projections 46 are arranged on the face facing the prefilter, to maintain the pre-filter in position while facilitating the flow of the filtrate. Advantageously, the protrusions 46 extend radially with respect to the suction orifice 45 and in one or more concentric circles concentric with the suction orifice 45. The prefilter support 44 makes it possible at the same time to support the prefilter or the stack of prefilters 26 and ensure the sealing of the collection tank during the evacuation of the reservoir, thus allowing the effective passage of the sample through the prefilter or the stack of prefilters 26.

Referring to Fig. 14, a urine sample filtration protocol using the second embodiment of the device comprises the following steps

1 ^st step: Dump urine on the pre-filter 26. In the case of an automated protocol, urine can be discharged by a pipettor robot stand from the vertical pre-filter 26 through the access means the prefilter 42. Alternatively, the urine can be spilled, manually or automatically, directly on the prefilter 26 in the case where the upper portion 42 is not present.

^2nd step: Enable suction "A" through the suction ports 24 and 24- |. The urine passes through the pre-filter 26 and settles on the membrane 32.

^3rd step: Enable suction "B" through the suction ports 25 and 25i. The microorganisms remain on the membrane 32 while the "waste" is sucked into the trash.

4 ^th step: Remove the prefilter tank 28 to reach the diaphragm 32, for example using an automated means such as a robot tool used to manipulate the pipettes.

5 ^th step: Optionally perform one or more washing steps of the membrane and the microorganisms distributing pipetted (manual or automated) of volumes of buffer. 6 ^th step: Retrieve the microorganisms. The microorganisms are then concentrated by the force of gravity and the action of the suction in the lower part of the slope formed by the membrane 32 and the wall of the collection tank 30, the latter advantageously comprising an inclined shape 34 or warhead. The microorganisms are then concentrated in a defined zone, corresponding to the preferential collection zone, to allow the recovery of microorganisms by an automatic pipetting robot in a reduced volume of liquid.

The step of recovery / collection of microorganisms on the membrane 32 may be performed by the same means as those stated for the first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Referring to Fig. 15, a pre-lysed blood sample filtration protocol using the second embodiment of the device without prefiltration reservoir 28 comprises the following steps

1 ^st step: Dump blood, previously lysed on the membrane 32.

^2nd step: Enable suction "B" through the suction ports 25 and 25i.

The microorganisms remain on the membrane 32 while the "waste" is sucked into the trash.

^3rd step: If necessary carrying out one or more washing steps of the membrane and the microorganisms distributing pipetted (manual or automated) buffer volumes.

4 ^th step: Retrieve the microorganisms.

Referring to Figure 16, the recovery of microorganisms can be done by resuspension with the pipette 48 with a liquid (rapid ejection of the liquid, for example a neutral buffer, buffer with detergents or solvent). For this purpose, the collection reservoir 30 may have at least one wall, at least a portion of which is inclined 34 so as to allow a vertical pipette 48 to collect microorganisms collected over the entire surface of the membrane 32 without striking the reservoir wall 30. Whatever the embodiment envisaged, and in a nonlimiting manner, the device according to the invention may also be used with a swab for the collection of concentrated microorganisms and retained on the filtering means of the collection tank. for example a membrane. The collection by swab can be performed either manually or automatically by adapting the gripping tool of a robotic robot. The device according to the invention also functions with different types of filters used in the prefiltration tank or collection tank, alone or stacked, and different membranes alone or stacked.

For some low-complexity liquids, the prefiltration tank is not useful. The samples are directly deposited above the filtering means of the collection tank, for example on a filtration membrane, more particularly on a membrane of 0.2 μηη of porosity. In the case where the prefiltration tank is not useful, it can be removed by a pipette tool or swab holder for robot pipettor.

Regardless of the embodiment envisaged, and in a nonlimiting manner, filtering materials that can be used as filtering means are given by way of example in Table 1. The size of the pores is adapted according to the size of the debris. filter. The pore size of the material used as a filter medium can be up to 1 mm to filter large debris.

Table 1: Example of filtration materials

The filtration means of the prefiltration tank, also called prefilters or stacks of prefilters used in the device according to the invention are also given below. Alternatively, the materials used as a means of filtering the reservoir of Pre-filtration can be used as a means of filtering the collection tank, alone or stacked.

The device according to the invention, also called dual-filtration device and as described above is here applied to the treatment of inoculated urine. In Comparative Table 2, for each filtering means of the prefiltration tank, 9 ml of a set of mixed urine samples consisting of 10 pathological urinary tubes is introduced onto the filtering means in the prefiltration tank in which is evacuated gently by means of a three-way valve. When the volume has passed through the prefilter (s), the three-way valve is slowly switched to the Filter position to pass the urine through the filtering means of the collection tank, here a 0.45 μηη PES membrane. The valve is returned to the closed position.

The bacterial pellet is washed on the membrane with 1 ml of 50 mM carbonate buffer pH8 (open filter valve) and is then recovered with 400 μl of carbonate buffer (vacuum stopped and device put back to atmospheric pressure); the recovered volume varies from 300 to 400 μΙ. The volume collected was divided into two parts, part of which was used to carry out a protein assay after lysis (P2 lysis protocol).

The polymicrobial urines contained mainly:

- E.aerogenes: 1, 2e7 CFU / mL

- E.coli: 3e6 CFU / mL

- S.aureus: 1 e5 CFU / mL

Comparative Table 2 summarizes the observations made during the tests as well as the results of counting the number of CFUs by counting on bioMérieux chromlD® CPS agar plates and the protein assay results.

Comparative Table 2: Prefilters

Preferably, the stacks of prefilters that can be used as filtration means of the prefiltration tank are:

• 2 ^* VFE + Filtrona

• Whatmann Paper Filter 43 + 1 13 + 4

• Whatmann Paper Filter 40 + 41 +1 13 + 4

• PalIPAD + Cotton

Whatever the embodiment envisaged, and in a nonlimiting manner, the membranes that can be used, in particular as filtering means for the collection tank, and by way of example are:

• Supor PES 800 membrane, (Pall Gelmann)

• Supor PES 450 membrane, (Pall Gelmann)

• Supor PES 200 membrane, (Pall Gelmann)

• Supor 0.2 Mach V membrane (From Nalgen Filtration Unit) • Express 0.45 (Millipore)

• GF / F Glass Fiber Depth Filter (Whatman)

Polymeric membranes with porosities between 0.22 and 1.5μη "ΐ, preferably between 0.22 and Ι μηη, more preferably between 0.22 and Ο, δμηη, even more preferentially between 0.22 and 0.45μηΊ: polypropylene,

Polyethersulfone (PES), Nylon (Polyamide), Polytetrafluoroethylen (PTFE), Polycarbonate, Polyester, or Cellulose (Regenerated Cellulose, Cellulose Acetate, Cellulose Nitrate, Mixed Cellulose Ester).

• Type Anopore membranes (Anodisc) made of aluminum oxide with a porosity of 0.02 μηη (for exosome purification type applications)

Filtration membranes may be low silica materials, polymers, acetate or oxide of alumina by way of example.

The porosity of the filtration means used in the device according to the invention will be easily adapted by those skilled in the art according to the constituents of interest sought in the biological sample.

Whatever the embodiment envisaged, and in a nonlimiting manner, the swabs that can be used in combination with the use of a pipetting cone are:

• swab 1 (VWR) reference 1490241 Flexible swab

· Swab 2 (Texwipe) reference TX745B Hard swab

In this use, the porous portion of the swab is dissociated from the handle to come wrap the opening portion, usually pipetting the liquid, a pipetting cone.

The collection tank filtration means extending in a second plane, can be inclined at an angle other than 30 °, that is between 10 and 60 ° (which corresponds to an angle between 30 to 80 ° relative to the vertical ) with respect to the plane formed by the base of the fixed support. This while allowing the concentration of samples and their collection by a collection means such as a pipette or a swab.

Whatever the embodiment envisaged, and in a nonlimiting manner, the device may be provided with a third reservoir comprising a third filtering means. This is to achieve a new filtration stage for desired compounds whose size is between 0.02 and 0.2 μηη such as micro-vesicles or exosomes. The device and corresponding method can be used to collect microorganisms automatically from urine and blood culture samples as well as to extract small biological elements such as exosomes or microvesicles. The device can thus be used in the field of oncology by allowing for example to concentrate the exosomes (90 nm in diameter), known as cancer marker. The added value is to propose a fast, generic and simple process for extracting exosomes or microvesicles from saliva, serum or plasma samples. In this process, the filtration means of the collection tank is a membrane of porosity 0.02 μηη. Optionally another embodiment comprises a third reservoir containing a third filtering means downstream of the filtering means of the collection reservoir comprising a porosity membrane of 0.02 μηη.

EXAMPLES OF USE OF THE DEVICE ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION The device according to the invention was tested on two types of samples: urine (clinical and inoculated) and blood cultures (clinical and inoculated)

Part of the experiments aims to estimate the effectiveness of the device to collect and restore microorganisms (microorganism collection performance). A second part of the experiments takes place until the final analysis in mass spectrometry (ESI or MALDI) to identify these microorganisms.

Example 1: Inoculated urine experiments: Results on the three microorganisms in automatic mode

Microorganisms EC (Escherichia coli), SE (Staphilococcus epidermidis) and CA (Candida albicans).

Table 3: Recovery yield (%) of microorganisms E.C, S.E and CA on several replicates.

The yield is defined as the ratio of the amount of microorganisms recovered on the membrane at the end of the protocol on the amount of microorganism introduced into solution on the prefilter.

This experiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, makes it possible to conclude that the device according to the invention is operating correctly. It effectively filters 10 mL of urine and collects a significant fraction of microorganisms.

Example 2: Inoculated healthy urine experiments: on a pipettor automaton (4 parallel devices). Filtration efficiency on microorganisms EC (Escherichia coli) and CA (Candida albicans) for different configurations (volume and distance to the vertical of the filter) resuspension.

Table 4 showing the recovery performance of EC and CA microorganisms on multiple replicates by varying the automated resuspension method.

This experiment concluded on the feasibility of automation of the device and on the impact of the type of resuspension on the recovery efficiency.

Example 3: Experiment with pathological urines: E.coli peptide detection results in LC-ESI MS (MRM mode)

A batch of fifteen pathological urines was treated by double filtration (DF) with the device according to the invention. The filtration means of the prefiltration tank consists of a stack of pre-filters (order from the bottom upwards, the prefilter placed at the top being the first to receive the liquid): nylon 30 um / 2x VFE 5um / filtrona 2 mm or 4 mm (ie 2x2 mm) and filter means of the collection tank a membrane PES 0.45 um (Pall). The sequence of pre-filtration / filtration steps for 6 to 10 mL of urine is carried out at most in 3 minutes. After washing with 1 ml of water, the concentrate was collected by resuspension in 400 μl of carbonate buffer and then subjected to the lysis-digestion protocol (manual version) to be injected into LC-ESI MS with a method of acquisition developed in a non-optimized way to search for peptides found in E.Coli. The MRM method targets 60 peptides, 7 of which are specific to the E. coli species and 9 common to the Enterobacteriaceae family, the remaining 44 must be generic to the Gram-.

Table 5 shows that after the double filtration treatment of urine of very different compositions (amount of white blood cells, red cells, epithelial cells), the specific peptides of E. coli are generally well detected for the urine containing the urine. E.coli species from the identification results on a bioMérieux VITEK®2 automated device provided. For these same urine, the detection of peptides common to enterobacteria is also correct since the species E.coli belongs to this family. Urines u10 and u13 containing bacteria of the enterobacteria family do indeed have peptides specific for this family without the presence of peptides specific for E. coli. U9 urine identified C.Koseri results in the detection of peptides specific for E. coli and peptides common to the Enterobacteriaceae family. This presence of an E. coli population together with C. Koseri colonies is also observed on bioMérieux ChromlD® CPS culture medium.

BioMérieux Results

LC-ESI-MS / MS

MRM method EC5

N peptides

peptides

specific

totals

detected E.coli detected

(/ 60) (max = 7) detected ft *> a s9

59

58

55

48

47

21

27

35

25

Table 5

Table 6 gives the good identification scores of the E. coli species in a first batch of pathological urines.

Table 6

A second batch of pathological urines yielded results confirming the effectiveness of our sample preparation protocol prior to targeted LC-ESI MS assays as shown in Table 7 for the five urine containing E.coli species.

Table 7

Pathological Urine Experience: Identification Results by MALDI-TOF

Fifteen pathological urines were treated by double filtration with the device according to the invention with the filtering means of the prefiltration tank a stack of prefilters (order from bottom to top, the prefilter placed at the top being the first to receive the liquid ): 2x VFE 5um / Filtrona 2mm and as filtration means of the collection tank a membrane PES 0.45um (Pall). After the retention of microorganisms on the membrane, these were washed 1 time with 1 ml of water and then collected by carrying out about thirty aspirations of repressing or dispensing / re-aspirations with 400 μΙ of water. The suspensions obtained were centrifuged for 5 min at 10,000 g to sediment the microorganisms and remove the supernatant. The bacterial pellet was deposited on a MALDI-TOF target before addition of the α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid matrix (HCCA matrix) or with the addition of formic acid (AF), drying then addition of the HCCA matrix. The MALDI-TOF spectra were obtained with a Shimadzu spectrometer controlled by Launchpad (bioMérieux VITEK® MS device). The results of identifications given according to Table 8 were obtained by interrogation of the database "bacteria".

Table 8

B ^* = bi-microbial urine with 2) èces at similar concentrations. The identification results can be presented as follows (see also table

13 types of urine are used:

- 4 sterile,

- 2 mono-microbials,

- 4 bi-microbial (with a majority species),

- And 3 bi-microbial (with two species of similar concentrations)

According to the MALDI target deposition mode (HCCA without AF (Formic Acid) and with AF before the addition of HCCA), 90% and 100% good identification were obtained at the species level (on this panel of 10 urines whose positives are at least 10 ^e 6 CFU / mL).

For the 3 bi-microbials (with two species of close concentrations), only one species can be identified on a deposit at a time.

These results illustrate that a rapid double filtration of crude urine using the device according to the invention allows sufficient purification and collect enough microorganisms for exact identification thereof by MALDI-TOF.

Table 9 Example 4: Inoculated Blood Culture Experiment: Peptide Detection Results in LC-ESI MS (MRM Mode)

The lysis-filtration protocol briefly consists of selective lysis of the blood cells by the action of a buffer containing a surfactant for a short time. The advantage provided by the device described above is its geometry, here an inclination of the filtration means of the collection tank of 30 °, which allows the efficient harvesting of microorganisms by means of a liquid solution leading finally to a bacterial suspension.

The Lyse-filtration protocol is as follows:

Filtration is carried out on a 0.2 μηη PES filtration membrane used as a means of filtering the collection tank on the device according to the invention.

o The test portion is 0.8 mL of blood culture which are treated with 0.4 mL of 0.3 M CAPS buffer / 0.45% Brij for 2 minutes followed by filtration for 2 minutes.

o 3 washes with 175 μί of Wash buffer 1 (NaCl 0.45% / Brij 97 0.005%) o 1 wash with 175 μί of Wash buffer 2 (Wash Buffer 2: Brij 97 0.005%) o The collection is done with 200 μί of carbonate buffer by respecting a constant number of aspirations / expulsions (30) or dispensing / re-aspirations (30). Repetition of collection, a 2 ^nd a 3 ^rd and 4 ^th time on the same membrane was also tested. Digestion lysis was done with P2A on a Hamilton pipetting robot. The demonstration was made for E. coli, S. epidermidis and C. albicans with a good detection of the peptides targeted by the MRM method. Figure 18 shows the detection results via the MRM methods adapted to the microorganism inoculated in the bottles of blood cultures. The three graphs show for microorganisms 3 good detection of specific peptides in the positive samples on day ₀ post cultivation (EC1 J _0, EC2 J _0, CA1 J _0, CA2 J _0, CA3 J _0, SE1 J ₀ SE2 J ₀ , SE 3 J ₀ ). A minor number of peptides (2-4) are detected in negative controls (Cneg). The significant difference between the number of peptides detected and the cumulative area between the positive samples and the negative controls indicates that the protocol performed on the device described makes it possible to harvest the bacteria contained in the blood cultures.

Other blood cultures were also treated in the same way but after the collection of the microorganisms, we carried out the protocol _{10 in} order to identify in LC-ESI-MS using the protein profiles. The results presented in Table 10 show that the 8 E. coli blood cultures are well identified in LC-ESI with the Cross-Cor algorithm by querying the urine database but that there is confusion with Shigella if this is the case. base culture that is questioned, the species being close. The four blood cultures with yeasts (C.Albicans) are correctly identified (out of four). Only one blood culture S.epidermidis is well identified (out of four). Despite these few cases of misidentifications, these tests attest to the efficiency of the sample preparation by lysis-filtration carried out on the device according to the invention.

Table 10: Identification Results in LC-ESI MS After Lyse Filtration on the Device as Described and Protein Extraction ₁₀ (Full Scan Mode, Protein Profile)

Alternative method on a urine sample using the device according to the invention

The different steps of the manipulation are given below:

1) On reception, the urine is photographed.

2) Estimation of the volumes in the tubes (compared to a graduated tube)

3) 10 μΙ_ are deposited on bioMérieux ChromlD® CPS agar for verification.

4) 150 μΙ were set aside at 4 ° C to make a spread of 100μΙ_ on COS for 5:00 growth. 5) The remainder of the sample was treated with the device according to the invention. The filtration means of the prefiltration tank consists of a stack of prefilters. The prefilters used being from bottom to top: 1 x VFE 5 μm / Filtrona 2 mm. The filtration means of the collection tank where the bacteria will be recovered is a membrane: PES 0.45 μm (Bread

The volume of filtered urine is between 3 and 6 mL for a filtration time of a few minutes. Concentrate collection is done with 1000 μί of water (Versol).

7) At the end of the manual protocol, 10 μΙ are spread on bioMérieux ChromlD® CPS agar to make it possible to see if the bacterial population is the same between the fraction collected and the starting urine (color of the colonies, polymorphism, comparison counting before / after double filtration).

8) For the remaining volume of the fractions collected, a centrifugation of 5 min 10000g was made to remove the maximum of supernatant (water) and keep a pellet of some μί for MALDI-TOF.

9) The MALDI-TOF plate deposits are made in duplicate according to the terminology of Table 1 1

10) Short culture manipulation of 5:00 is done by depositing 100 μΙ of urine and raking. After 5:00 of growth at 37 ° C, the biofilm is observed. This biofilm is then collected with a 1 μί dose and placed on a MALDI-TOF target.

Table 1 1: Codification of protocols according to the treatment carried out and the MALDI-TOF target deposition mode

HCCA: (α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid): 1 μΙ per spot

AF: (Formic Acid): 0.5μΙ per double filtration spot: treatment with the device according to the invention

Claims

claims

1) Device for the preparation of biological sample comprising:

A fixed support whose base extends in a first plane,

A filter unit that can be removable, said filtration unit comprising a collection tank that itself comprises a wall and a filtration means, the filtration means extending in a second plane and dividing said collection tank into a zone; a collection zone and a suction zone, the suction zone being adapted to be connected to a suction means, characterized in that the second plane of the filtering means is inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support.

2) Device according to claim 1, wherein the filtration unit further comprises a pre-filtration tank being removable, said prefiltration tank comprising a filter means dividing the prefiltration tank into a collection zone and a suction zone , the suction zone of the prefiltration tank being in fluid communication with the collecting zone of the collection tank.

3) Device according to claim 2, the suction zone of the prefiltration tank being adapted to be connected to a second suction means

4) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wall of the collection tank in the collection zone is partly inclined or ogival-shaped

5) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the filtering means of the collection reservoir comprising at least one membrane having a porosity of between 0.02 and 1.5μη "ΐ, preferably between 0.02 and Ι μηη, more preferably between 0.02 and Ο, δμηη, even more preferably between 0.02 μηη and 0.45 μηη 6) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the filtering means of the prefiltration tank comprising at least one porosity filter between 5 μηη and 1,000 μηη, preferably between 5 μηη and 100 μηη.

7) Device according to claim 6, the filtering means of the prefiltration tank comprising a stack of filters 8) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the second plane of the filtration means of the collection tank being inclined relative to the plane of the base of the fixed support at an angle of between 10 ° and 60 °, preferably equal to 30 °

9) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the collection tank comprising an upper portion and a lower portion cooperating to maintain the filtration means of the collection tank

10) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, the prefiltration tank comprising an upper portion and a lower portion cooperating to maintain the filtering means of the prefiltration tank

1 1) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, the prefiltration tank comprising a means capable of cooperating with a robotic robot tool such as a pipette holder or a swab holder.

12) Device according to any one of claims 2 to 1 1, wherein the filter unit further comprises a third removable filter tank, said third filter tank comprising a filter means dividing the third filter tank into a collection zone and a suction zone, the collection zone of the third filtration tank being in fluid communication with the suction zone of the collection tank.

13) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the suction means being a suction / discharge means.

14) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; the wall of the collection tank and the filtering means forming a preferential collection zone.

15) Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for the treatment of a biological sample.

15) A method of treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 comprising the following steps:

• deposit the biological sample on the collection tank filtering means

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the collection tank, using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank • collect microorganisms on the collection tank filtering means

16) A method of treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to any one of claims 2 to 14 comprising the following steps:

• deposit the biological sample on the filtration medium of the reservoir of

pre-filtration,

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the prefiltration tank so as to deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the collection tank using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank

• aspirate the biological sample through the collection tank filtering means using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank

• collect microorganisms on the collection tank filtering means

17) A method of treating a biological sample with the aid of a device according to any one of claims 3 to 14 comprising the following steps:

• deposit the biological sample on the filtration medium of the reservoir of

pre-filtration,

• aspirate the biological sample through the filtration means of the prefiltration tank so as to deposit the biological sample on the filtering means of the collection tank using the second suction means connected to the suction zone of the prefiltration tank suck the biological sample through the filtration means of the collection tank using the suction means connected to the suction zone of the collection tank collect the microorganisms on the filtration means of the reservoir of collection