Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for adsorbing biomolecules from a sample volume comprising: a cut-off filter membrane for filtering and selectively passing components of said sample volume according to size; adsorption membrane means adjacent said cut-off filter membrane for selectively adsorbing said biomolecules; filter holding means having a through passage, said filter holding means for supporting said cut-off filter membrane and said adsorption membrane means, with said adsorption membrane means overlying said cut-off filter membrane; a sample tube for receiving said sample volume; sealing means between said sample tube and said adsorption membrane means such that any component of said sample volume must either pass through said adsorption membrane means, said cut-off filter membrane and said filter holding means, or be retained in said sample tube; force application means for urging said sample volume in said sample tube onto said adsorption membrane means and forcing components of said sample volume through said cut-off filter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for adsorbing biomolecules from a sample volume comprising: a cut-off filter membrane for filtering and selectively passing components of said sample volume according to size; adsorption membrane means adjacent said cut-off filter membrane for selectively adsorbing said biomolecules; filter holding means having a through passage, said filter holding means for supporting said cut-off filter membrane and said adsorption membrane means, with said adsorption membrane means overlying said cut-off filter membrane; a sample tube for receiving said sample volume; sealing means between said sample tube and said adsorption membrane means such that any component of said sample volume must either pass through said adsorption membrane means, said cut-off filter membrane and said filter holding means, or be retained in said sample tube; force application means for urging said sample volume in said sample tube onto said adsorption membrane means and forcing components of said sample volume through said cut-off filter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said adsorption membrane means comprises a material having a affinity for the biomolecule to be adsorbed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sealing means comprises an O-ring and O-ring compression means, said O-ring positioned between said sample tube and said adsorption membrane means, and said O-ring compression means urging said filter holding means, said cut-off filter membrane, said absorption membrane means and said sample tube together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said sample tube is a cylinder and said sealing means comprises a compression means for urging one end of said sample tube against said adsorption membrane means and urging said filter holding means, said cut-off filter membrane, said adsorption membrane means and said sample tube together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said force application means comprises attachment means on said apparatus, said attachment means configured for mounting said apparatus in a centrifugation rotor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for adsorbing biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: urging said sample volume against a biomolecule-adsorbing membrane that is in contact with a cut-off filter membrane such that said sample volume will pass through said biomolecule-absorbing membrane before passing through said cut-off filter membrane.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for adsorbing biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: urging said sample volume against a biomolecule-adsorbing membrane that is in contact with a cut-off filter membrane such that said sample volume will pass through said biomolecule-absorbing membrane before passing through said cut-off filter membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said biomolecules comprise a nucleic acid, further comprising the step of exposing said nucleic acid to a polymerase chain reaction for amplification after said adsorption to said support membrane.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of performing a binding assay for a DNA-binding protein, comprising: urging a sample volume containing said protein against a protein-adsorbing support membrane that is in contact with a cut-off filter membrane such that said sample volume will pass through said protein-adsorbing support membrane before passing through said cut-off filter membrane, thereby leaving said protein bound to said protein-adsorbing support membrane; urging a second sample volume containing DNA against said protein-adsorbing support, thereby binding said DNA to said protein bound to said protein-adsorbing support; removing DNA not specifically bound to said proteins; measuring the amount of DNA bound to said proteins.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of performing a binding assay for a DNA-binding protein, comprising: urging a sample volume containing said protein against a protein-adsorbing support membrane that is in contact with a cut-off filter membrane such that said sample volume will pass through said protein-adsorbing support membrane before passing through said cut-off filter membrane, thereby leaving said protein bound to said protein-adsorbing support membrane; urging a second sample volume containing DNA against said protein-adsorbing support, thereby binding said DNA to said protein bound to said protein-adsorbing support; removing DNA not specifically bound to said proteins; measuring the amount of DNA bound to said proteins.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for binding biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: placing a cut-off filter membrane on a filter base, said filter base having a through passage; placing a biomolecule adsorbing membrane over said cut-off filter membrane; and urging said sample volume against said biomolecule absorbing membrane by centrifugation in a centrifuge apparatus.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for binding biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: placing a cut-off filter membrane on a filter base, said filter base having a through passage; placing a biomolecule adsorbing membrane over said cut-off filter membrane; and urging said sample volume against said biomolecule absorbing membrane by centrifugation in a centrifuge apparatus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for binding biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: placing a cut-off filter membrane on a filter base, said filter base having a through passage; placing a biomolecule adsorbing membrane over said cut-off filter membrane; sealing a sample tube against said biomolecule adsorbing membrane; and introducing said sample volume into said sample tube.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for binding biomolecules from a sample volume comprising the steps of: placing a cut-off filter membrane on a filter base, said filter base having a through passage; placing a biomolecule adsorbing membrane over said cut-off filter membrane; sealing a sample tube against said biomolecule adsorbing membrane; and introducing said sample volume into said sample tube.