sample container

Abstract

This invention provides a sample container, including a container body with a accommodating space for accommodating samples. The container body comprises a top body, a bottom body, and a deformable waist body, connected to the bottom body via the deformable waist body. The deformable waist body has an initial state and a deformed state. The accommodating space has a first volume V1 when the deformable waist body is in the initial state and a second volume V2 when the deformable waist body is in the deformed state, where V2 > V1. Based on the deformable waist body, this invention allows the container body to have a variable volume, and in the deformed state, it can accommodate more solution. Therefore, when using the sample container for rare cell or rare nucleic acid extraction, the deformable waist body state can be set according to different extraction stages to meet the accommodating requirements of different sample solution volumes, eliminating the need for multiple container replacements, thereby improving extraction efficiency and reducing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and more particularly to a sample container. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most samples are extracted and contained using various sample containers such as bottles and tubes. However, these containers are generally of fixed volume, which causes many inconveniences, especially when extracting rare cells or rare nucleic acids. Due to the small cell or nucleic acid content, fixed-volume sample containers cannot hold a large amount of sample, requiring the replacement with larger-volume containers. However, using large-volume containers to hold regular samples often results in waste of regular samples. Therefore, multiple replacements of sample containers are often required during nucleic acid or cell extraction, leading to low efficiency and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, in order to at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a sample container, the technical solution of which is as follows.

[0004] A sample container includes a container body having a accommodating space capable of accommodating a sample. The container body includes a top body, a bottom body, and a deformable waist body. The top body and the bottom body are connected through the deformable waist body. The deformable waist body has an initial state and a deformed state. The accommodating space has a first volume V1 when the deformable waist body is in the initial state and a second volume V2 when the deformable waist body is in the deformed state, where V2 > V1.

[0005] In one embodiment, the deformable waist body is elastic to be able to stretch or contract relative to the top body; or, the deformable waist body has a folding structure to be able to unfold or fold relative to the top body.

[0006] In one embodiment, the container body has an inner surface on which a functional membrane layer is formed.

[0007] In one embodiment, the deformable waist body is cylindrical or conical when it is in the deformed state.

[0008] In one embodiment, the top body has a through hole communicating with the accommodating space to form a top opening on the container body, and a cover capable of sealing the top opening is detachably connected to the top body.

[0009] In one embodiment, a neck body is provided between the top body and the deformable waist body, and a first force-bearing portion is formed between the top body and the neck body.

[0010] In one embodiment, a leg body is provided between the deformable waist body and the bottom body.

[0011] In one possible implementation, V1:V2 = 1:10 to 1:1000.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom body is straight, V-shaped, or U-shaped.

[0013] In one embodiment, a second force-bearing portion is formed on the middle portion of the bottom body.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] Based on the deformable waist body, the container body has a variable volume and can hold more solution when the deformable waist body is in the deformed state. Thus, when the sample container is used for the extraction of rare cells or rare nucleic acids, the deformable waist body state can be set according to different extraction stages to meet the requirements for accommodating different volumes of sample solution. The requirements can be met without changing the container multiple times, thereby improving extraction efficiency and reducing costs.

[0016] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings by way of example, not limitation, in which:

[0018] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0019] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a sample container according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in its initial state);

[0020] Figure 2 A structural diagram of a sample container according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in the deformed state);

[0021] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the process of a sample container according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 A structural diagram of a sample container according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in its initial state);

[0023] Figure 5 A structural diagram of a sample container according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in the deformed state);

[0024] Figure 6 A structural diagram of a sample container according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in its initial state);

[0025] Figure 7 A structural diagram of a sample container according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown (the deformable waist body is in the deformed state).

[0026] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0027] 10. Container body; 101. Accommodation space; 11. Top body; 111. Through hole; 12. Bottom body; 13. Deformable waist body; 14. Cover body; 15. Neck body; 16. First force-bearing part; 17. Leg body; 18. Second force-bearing part; 21. Magnetic rod sleeve; 22. Magnetic rod. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] The sample container of the present invention is mainly used to contain biological samples and is applicable to the extraction of nucleic acid samples or cell samples such as oral swabs, urogenital swabs, cell suspensions, tissue suspensions, saliva, urine and water samples, with nucleic acid samples as an example.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sample container includes a container body 10, which has a accommodating space 101 capable of accommodating a sample. The accommodating space 101 is a variable volume space. Specifically, the container body 10 includes a top body 11, a bottom body 12, and a deformable waist body 13. The top body 11 and the bottom body 12 are connected through the deformable waist body 13. The deformable waist body 13 has an initial state and a deformed state. When the deformable waist body 13 is in the initial state, the accommodating space 101 has a first volume V1 (e.g., ...). Figure 1 As shown), when the deformable waist body 13 is in the deformed state, it has a second volume V2 (as shown). Figure 2 As shown), V2 > V1.

[0031] See also Figure 3When the sample container of the present invention is used for nucleic acid sample extraction, the nucleic acid sample extraction process is as follows: lysis—adsorption and binding—initial transfer—washing—secondary transfer—elution. Since the sample solution volume to be processed is large during the lysis, adsorption and binding and initial transfer processes, the deformable waist body 13 can be set to the deformed state. During the washing, secondary transfer and elution processes, the sample solution volume to be processed is small, and the deformable waist body 13 can be set to the initial state.

[0032] As can be seen, the sample container is based on the deformable waist body 13, and the container body 10 has a variable volume. When the deformable waist body 13 is in the deformed state, it can hold more solution. Thus, when the sample container is used for the extraction of rare cells or rare nucleic acids, the state of the deformable waist body 13 can be set according to different extraction stages to meet the requirements for holding different volumes of sample solution. The requirements can be met without changing the container multiple times, thereby improving extraction efficiency and reducing costs.

[0033] To enable the deformable waist body 13 to be deformable, in one embodiment of the present invention, the deformable waist body 13 is elastic to allow it to stretch and contract relative to the top body 11. The deformable waist body 13 is made of, for example, an elastic material, and can deform to expand the volume of the accommodating space 101 under the action of external forces (including but not limited to the gravity of the solution added into the accommodating space 101). The deformable waist body 13 may be made of a low-adsorption nucleic acid material, including but not limited to polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororubber, silicone fluororubber, or other elastic materials. Alternatively, after using the above materials, the contact angle of the inner surface of the container can be improved through processes such as surface spraying, surface vapor deposition, and surface modification, thereby improving the hydrophobicity of the inner surface of the container and thus improving the residue of the sample on the container wall.

[0034] The deformable waist body 13 is not limited to being made of an elastic material. In embodiments not shown, the deformable waist body 13 may also have a folding structure to allow it to unfold or fold relative to the top body 11. By providing a folding structure, the container body 10 can also have a variable volume. Since folding structures are common structures, they will not be described in detail here, but it should be understood that in order to prevent solution leakage, the folding structure needs to meet sealing requirements.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the container body 10 has an inner surface, which refers to the surface of the container body 10 located on one side of the accommodating space 101. In order to make the sample container suitable for organic solutions, acidic and alkaline solutions, the container body 10 can be surface-treated with a low-adsorption nucleic acid material, including but not limited to polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororubber, silicone fluororubber, or other elastic materials, to form a functional film layer on the inner surface of the container body 10. In this way, after sterilization and nucleic acid removal treatment, the sample container can form a biological container that is either sterile, or protein-free, or DNA-free (deoxyribonucleic acid), or RNA-free (ribonucleic acid), or RNase-free (ribonuclease), or DNase-free (deoxyribonuclease), or protease-free, or lysozyme-free, or endotoxin-free, thereby improving the hydrophobicity of the inner surface of the container and thus improving the residue of the sample on the container wall.

[0036] See again Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment, the deformable waist body 13 is cylindrical when it is in the deformed state. In this way, after the bottom body 12 is stretched relative to the top body 11, the volume of the accommodating space 101 increases. The external magnetic rod 22 and magnetic rod sleeve 21 can be inserted into the accommodating space 101 and move within the accommodating space 101, such as rotating, moving up and down, or moving left and right, to stir or attract magnetic beads.

[0037] For ease of operation, the top body 11 has a through hole 111 communicating with the accommodating space 101 to form a top opening on the container body 10, and a cover 14 capable of sealing the top opening is detachably connected to the top body 11. The top opening allows the magnetic rod 22 and magnetic rod sleeve 21 to easily extend into the accommodating space 101, and also facilitates the addition of lysis buffer, magnetic beads, washing buffer, elution buffer, etc. Furthermore, the cover 14 effectively prevents the evaporation of biological samples and processing solutions, thus preventing potential aerosol and biological contamination. Alternatively, the sample container can be stored in a sealed bag to further prevent potential aerosol and biological contamination.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, a neck body 15 may be provided between the top body 11 and the deformable waist body 13, and a first force-bearing portion 16 is formed between the top body 11 and the neck body 15. The wall thickness of the neck body 15 may be less than the wall thickness of the top body 11, and the wall thickness of the first force-bearing portion 16 may gradually decrease from the top body 11 to the neck body 15. The maximum thickness of the first force-bearing portion 16 is basically equal to the wall thickness of the top body 11, and the minimum thickness of the first force-bearing portion 16 is basically equal to the wall thickness of the neck body 15. In this way, the top body 11 is transitionally connected to the deformable waist body 13 through the neck body 15, which enables the formed container body 10 to withstand a certain external force. This allows the sample container to not only meet the requirements for accommodating sample solutions of different volumes, but also to have a long service life. Furthermore, based on the setting of the first force-bearing portion 16, it is convenient to apply external force to deform the deformable waist body 13, thereby increasing or decreasing the capacity of the accommodating space 101.

[0039] Furthermore, a leg body 17 is provided between the deformable waist body 13 and the bottom body 12. Preferably, the wall thickness of the leg body 17 is basically equal to the wall thickness of the bottom body 12. In this way, the deformable waist body 13 is connected to the bottom body 12 through the leg body 17, which also enables the formed container body 10 to withstand a certain external force. This allows the sample container to not only meet the requirements for accommodating sample solutions of different volumes, but also to have a long service life.

[0040] Furthermore, a second force-bearing portion 18 can be formed on the middle of the bottom body 12. Preferably, the thickness of the second force-bearing portion 18 is greater than the wall thickness of the bottom body 12, and the width of the second force-bearing portion 18 is greater than the wall thickness of the bottom body 12. Based on the setting of the second force-bearing portion 18, external force can be easily applied to deform the deformable waist body 13, thereby increasing or decreasing the capacity of the accommodating space 101.

[0041] The sample container can be integrally formed by blow molding, injection molding, or compression molding; or the top body 11 and the neck body 15 can be integrally formed to form the top component body, the bottom body 12 and the leg body 17 can be integrally formed to form the bottom component body, and then one end of the deformable waist body 13 is connected to the top component body and the other end is connected to the bottom component body to form the sample container.

[0042] This invention Figures 1 to 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable waist body 13 is cylindrical in its deformed state, but in actual use it is not limited to this. The deformable waist body 13 can also be conical in its deformed state. Specifically, it can be as follows: Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the deformable waist body 13 is a right cone shape when in the deformed state, and can also be as follows: Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the deformable waist body 13 is inverted cone shape when it is in the deformed state.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention Figures 1 to 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom body 12 has a V-shaped cross-section, which facilitates solution collection. However, in practical applications, it is not limited to this; in embodiments not shown, the bottom body 12 can also have a straight or V-shaped cross-section.

[0044] The sample container of the present invention, based on the setting of the deformable waist body, allows for a changeable volume of the accommodating space. The ratio of the volume before the change (i.e., V1) to the volume after the change (i.e., V2) is defined as the volume variation ratio. The volume variation ratio can range from 1:10 to 1:1000, preferably 1:20. Thus, when used for nucleic acid sample extraction or cell sample extraction using the magnetic bead method, the volume of the sample container can be varied by 2 to 20 or even 50 times, thereby accommodating a sufficient amount of solution. Moreover, during the extraction process, different volumes can be set according to different extraction stages, thus enabling compatibility with both ordinary sample extraction and large-volume sample extraction.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0046] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," and "above" are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figures and other components or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms include not only the orientation of the component as depicted in the figures but also different orientations during use or operation. For example, if the components in the figures are inverted as a whole, "above" or "above other components or features" will include cases where the component is "below" or "under" other components or features. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." Furthermore, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this document intends to include all such cases.

[0047] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0048] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0049] The present invention has been described through the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention to the scope of the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sample container for extracting a nucleic acid sample or a cell sample of an oral swab, a urogenital swab, a cell suspension, a tissue suspension, saliva, urine, and water, comprising a container main body having a housing space capable of accommodating a sample, characterized in that, The container body comprises a top body, a bottom body and a deformed waist body, the top body and the bottom body are connected through the deformed waist body, the deformed waist body has an initial state and a deformed state, the accommodating space has a first volume V1 when the deformed waist body is in the initial state and a second volume V2 when the deformed waist body is in the deformed state, V2>V1; V1:V2=1:10~1:1000; The top body and the deformed waist body have a neck body therebetween, the deformed waist body and the bottom body have a leg body therebetween, and the bottom body has a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section; The container body has an inner surface, and a functional film layer is formed on the inner surface, the functional film layer being any one of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, fluororubber and silicone fluororubber; The deformed waist body is elastic to be able to stretch and contract relative to the top body, or the deformed waist body has a folding structure to be able to unfold or fold relative to the top body.

2. The sample container of claim 1, wherein The deformed waist body is in a cylindrical or conical shape when in the deformed state.

3. The sample container of claim 1, wherein, The top body has a through hole communicating with the accommodating space to form a top opening on the container body, and a cover body capable of sealing the top opening is detachably connected to the top body.

4. The sample container of claim 1, wherein, A first force receiving part is formed between the top body and the neck body.

5. The sample container of claim 1, wherein, A second force receiving part is formed on a middle part of the bottom body.

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