Patent ID: 7910343

Claim:
A method of lysing cells or viruses, the method comprising: introducing a sample containing cells or viruses and magnetic beads to a light transmissive, flexible cell lysis tube through a sample inlet at one end of the cell lysis tube; transferring the sample to a specific region of the cell lysis tube by means of a pump connected to the opposite end of the cell lysis tube opposite the sample inlet; sealing the region of the cell lysis tube where the sample is placed with a sealing unit, wherein the sealing unit comprises two rods positioned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cell lysis tube such that the centers of the rods are separated by a distance along the longitudinal axis of the cell lysis tube, such that when the two rods press against the cell lysis tube each end of the specific region is sealed by one of the two rods and removal of the rods from the cell lysis tube reverses the sealing; irradiating the region of the cell lysis tube where the sample is placed with a laser such that lysis of the cells or viruses results; removing the sealing unit from the cell lysis tube; attaching a magnet to the region of the cell lysis tube where the sample is placed to remove the magnetic beads from the sample, wherein denatured protein or cell debris is bound to the magnetic beads; and discharging the sample from the cell lysis tube through the sample inlet by means of the pump.