Sample receiving device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sample receiving device having a placement device (1) and a receptacle (2). The receptacle (2) has a cavity (3) which is open on one side and which is closed by a lid (4), such that the cavity (3) is separated from the environment by the lid (4), and the placement device (1) has: a base body (8) which comprises a sample container (5) with an outlet opening (6); and an opening element (7). The opening element (7) is configured such that the lid can be penetrated by the opening element (7) by pressing the opening element (7) onto the lid (4), and the placement device (1) can be placed and fixed to the receptacle (2) such that the sample container (5) having the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are arranged in the cavity (3), the sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged facing away from the base body (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample receiving device, in particular to a sample receiving device used for sample analysis in the medical, pharmaceutical or biological fields. Background Art

[0002] Sample analysis usually requires various analysis steps to be performed on a specific amount of liquid sample. In addition to receiving the expected amount of sample, it is also necessary to avoid contaminating the sample and bringing it into contact with substances or substrates (i.e. reagents) required for the analysis. Solutions in this regard are already known from the prior art. Thus, from document DE 10 2019 204633 A1, a device for receiving and processing a liquid sample is known, but it may be complicated to use because, for example, a second container may be required to receive the device containing the sample. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a sample receiving device which avoids these disadvantages and which is mechanically stable and easy to use.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous configurations and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The sample receiving device comprises a placing device as a first part and a receiver as a second part. The receiver is constructed as a cavity with an opening on one side, wherein the cavity is closed or can be closed by a cover. The cover separates the cavity from the environment. The placing device comprises a substrate and an opening element, wherein the substrate is provided with a sample container with an outlet opening. The opening element is constructed so that the cover can be penetrated by the opening element or by the opening element by pressing the opening element onto the cover. The placing device can be placed and fixed on the receiver so that the sample container and its outlet opening and the opening element are arranged in the cavity. When the sample container and the opening element are placed on the receiver, they are arranged to point in the same direction away from the substrate.

[0006] The sample to be analyzed can be received and stored in a sample container. By pressing the opening element, i.e. by applying a force on the cover by the opening element and penetrating the cover due to the applied pressure or the applied force, the cover can be broken, thereby allowing access to the cavity of the receiver. Since the receiver is open on one side, after placing or fixing the placement device introduced into the cavity, the sample is protected on all sides by the receiver or substrate, which is usually closed. On the one hand, the sample can be safely held and transported under this configuration, but on the other hand, chemical reactions can also take place between the sample and the substances already contained in the receiver. In this state, the opening element (also called an opener) and the sample container are arranged to point away from the substrate and usually point in the same direction (this should be understood in particular to mean that the opening element and the sample container are on the same side of the substrate), which not only clearly specifies the direction of the insertion movement, so that the two elements move in the same direction and are easy to operate, but also provides a mechanically stable connection and a compact structure.

[0007] It can be provided that the sample holder is constructed in one piece with the opening element. Such a connection, also called a one-piece construction, in which the two elements are connected to each other in a materially bonded manner, is a particularly simple construction.

[0008] Alternatively, however, the opening element and the sample holder can also be constructed in two parts, wherein the sample holder can usually be inserted into or received in a recess of the opening element. This multi-part construction offers greater flexibility, for example, different materials can now be used for the opening element and the sample holder, as opposed to a single-part construction. In particular, the opening element and the sample container can be connected to each other by a form fit or force fit or a friction push-in connection.

[0009] The sample container and the opening element can be arranged or oriented concentrically and / or parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the placement device. This results in a particularly simple structure, in which the direction of the force for penetrating the cover is clearly defined by the arrangement along the longitudinal axis and the application of the force should also be carried out along this longitudinal axis.

[0010] However, it can also be provided that, in addition to the sample container, an additional container can also be arranged, which can be arranged or oriented at right angles to the opening element, so as to receive the sample portion that the sample container may not be able to receive. In particular, when the opening element is used in the opening process, the sample amount that may have moved to an unexpected position and may be contaminated due to the force applied at that time can be safely stored in the additional container. The additional container is usually connected to the sample container and is constructed as a tunnel or channel. In this case, "at right angles" refers in particular to the longitudinal axis of the additional container forming an angle of 85 ° to 95 °, preferably 87 ° to 93 °, and particularly preferably just 90 ° with the longitudinal axis of the sample container. The additional container can thus be connected to the sample container, i.e., a continuous cavity is formed.

[0011] The sample to be collected is usually a liquid sample, i.e. the sample container is usually configured to receive a liquid sample. The sample itself is usually provided in a sample amount in the microliter range, i.e. the sample container is configured to receive and hold a sample amount in the range of 0.5 μl to 100 μl. The claimed device can therefore be regarded as a mass-produced or disposable article for reproducibly receiving a sample, by means of which the sample can be subjected to a number of different analytical steps, such as mixing with a substance.

[0012] The lid itself is preferably in the form of a sealing plate or a sealing film. The fact that the receiver is in the form of a main body with an opening on one side and has an internal cavity means that the receiver can not only keep the placement device, but also before the placement device is inserted, that is, when the lid is intact, the receiver can also accommodate the substance or material required for analysis in its cavity. Therefore, the cavity (also referred to as a hollow space) is usually in the form of a reservoir for accommodating reagents. By providing a reagent or another substance in a sealed reservoir, any contamination of the reagent and also the pollution of the environment can be avoided. Therefore, in particular, hazardous substances, such as biohazardous substances or carcinogens, can be safely transported and handled without uncontrolled contact with the environment. The cavity as a reservoir can also be filled and emptied at different positions. This means that all related substances (i.e. samples and reagents) are stored and mixed in a single cavity, thereby reducing size, complexity and cost. Due to reduced complexity, faster mixing can be achieved, and this fact also reduces sample losses caused by evaporation.

[0013] The cavity can be filled or hold solid, liquid or gaseous substances, in particular one or more fluids, such as flowable liquids, free-flowing or granular solids (e.g. powders, particles or agglomerates), or mixtures thereof. However, it can also hold viscous substances, such as gels or pastes or solid substances, which can be flushed out of the cavity by the sample or other liquids.

[0014] The opening element may have a blunt end or a bevel end for penetrating the cover. In this case, the blunt end is particularly defined as an end having an end face, the surface normal of which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the opening element or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening element, while the surface normal of the bevel end is usually inclined at a fixed angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Typically, the opening element has a bevel end facing away from the base body, which is preferably inclined at an angle of 0.1° to 89°, particularly preferably 45° to 60°, in particular exactly 60° (i.e. the surface normal of the end forms this angle with the longitudinal axis).

[0015] The opening element can also have a tip, a thorn, a spike and / or a blade, so that the lid can be cut more easily. Preferably, at least one tip, a thorn or a piercer is arranged at the point of the opening element that first contacts with the lid when the opening element is pressed. The blade is preferably arranged at the edge of the opening element surface or the end of the opening element. The blade can be configured to have a single-sided or double-sided, flat, spherical, hollow or concave cutting geometry in particular. In addition, it can also be specified that the blade comprises cutting teeth or a micro-bevel, which achieves a clean cut.

[0016] The opening element may be shaped to be complementary to an opening of the receptacle closed by the cover, ie the opening element may be shaped to fit particularly precisely into the opening.

[0017] The sample container can be configured as a hollow body, in particular a capillary, which is configured to absorb a defined amount of sample by capillary forces. However, the sample container can also be configured as a pipette, a sponge or a dropper.

[0018] For ease of operation, it can be provided that the placement device comprises a gripping device, by which the placement device can be gripped or grasped. The gripping device is usually arranged on the side of the substrate facing away from the sample container and the opening element. In addition, the sample container can also have an additional container as a cavity, which is formed in the substrate and is configured to receive a larger amount of sample when necessary. In particular, the cavity is configured to receive the sample when the sample leaves the sample container when the lid is opened. Preferably, the distance between one of these cavities and one end of the sample container facing the substrate is between 0.01 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm, to ensure a compact but mechanically stable structure.

[0019] A fastening and release device may be provided on one or both of the elements for fastening the placement device to the receiver. Thus, the placement device may be fixed to the receiver in such a way that a relative movement of the two components is blocked and can only be released after a release device is activated. The fastening and release device may be configured, for example, as a locking device with a releasable click or snap mechanism, or as a screw connection with a locking mechanism (e.g. a pin, a peg, a clamp or a lever) which releases the relative movement of the two components only after being removed or activated. The release device can usually only be operated manually.

[0020] The placement device and the receiver as well as the cover are generally made of a material that enables long-term storage of samples or other substances, i.e. is chemically or heat-resistant and, if necessary, protects the samples from environmental influences such as UV radiation, moisture or oxygen. The mentioned components can be made of plastic, for example a thermoplastic material (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, cycloolefin polymers or copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polyamide (especially nylon), polyoxymethylene or polyacrylic acid), or a thermosetting plastic (such as epoxy resin, polyurethane or phenolic resin). The receiver and the placement device are preferably manufactured using an injection molding process, but can also be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing or sintering, lamination, extrusion, gluing, milling, machining or ablation.

[0021] The cover is usually made of a water- and gas-impermeable material, in particular a metal (e.g. aluminum), or a non-elastic plastic (i.e. a plastic with an elastic modulus of greater than 0.1 GPa at 20° C.). The thickness of the cover is usually between 5 μm and 200 μm, preferably between 20 μm and 100 μm. The cover can be adhered, laminated or welded to the edge of the cavity, for example to seal the cavity.

[0022] The receiver, at least on its side facing away from the cover, can be constructed to be transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range, i.e. in the wavelength range between 380 nm and 750 nm, so as to enable optical analysis of a sample introduced into the cavity or a reagent reacting with the sample. The term "transparent" is defined here to mean that the receiver absorbs or reflects no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, of the intensity of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

[0023] In a method for receiving and processing a sample using the device, the sample is received in a sample container, a placement device is placed on the receiver so that the cover is penetrated by pressing an opening element onto the cover, and the placement device is placed on the receiver and fixed so that the sample container with an outlet opening and the opening element are arranged in the cavity.

[0024] The method can in particular be carried out using the device, ie the device is designed to carry out the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 15 Provide explanation.

[0026] In the figure:

[0027] Figure 1 An example of a receiver and a placement device is shown in a schematic perspective view;

[0028] Figure 2 The assembled state is shown in cross-section. Figure 1 The receiver and placement device shown;

[0029] Figure 3 With Figure 1 The corresponding views show another example of a placement device and a receiver, wherein the placement device now has a beveled end;

[0030] Figure 4 With Figure 2 The corresponding view shows the assembled Figure 3 The parts shown;

[0031] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a placement device is shown, wherein the sample container is arranged offset from the central axis;

[0032] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 a side cross-sectional view of the placement device shown when placed in a receiver;

[0033] Figure 7 Shown with Figure 4 a corresponding view in which the additional container besides the sample container is arranged at right angles to the opening element;

[0034] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of the placement device shown when inserted into the receiver, which is similar to Figure 6 corresponding;

[0035] Fig. 9 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a multi-part embodiment of a sample receiving device is shown;

[0036] Fig.10 Shown in assembled state Fig. 9 The equipment shown in;

[0037] Fig.11 shows a perspective view of a sample receiving device, wherein the receiver and the opening element are mechanically engaged with each other by a hinge-like connection;

[0038] Fig.12shows a partial perspective cutaway view of an embodiment wherein the receptacle and the opening element are engaged with each other, but the sample container is not yet engaged;

[0039] Fig.13 Shown in assembled state Fig.12 The exemplary embodiment shown;

[0040] Fig.14 A cross-sectional view showing a receiver having multiple chambers; and

[0041] Fig.15 A perspective view of a receiver having multiple cavities is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A sample receiving device for receiving liquid samples in the microliter range is shown in a perspective view. The sample receiving device comprises a placement device 1 and a receiver 2, both of which are made of plastic. The placement device 1 has a central base body 8, on the upper side of which a gripping surface as a gripping device 9 is arranged so that the placement device 1 can be easily gripped and moved with fingers or a machine. On the side of the base body 8 facing away from the gripping device 9, a cylindrical capillary with one side open is arranged as a sample container 5, which extends centrally from the base body 8 along the longitudinal axis of the placement device 1 and is configured to receive a sample. At the end of the sample container 5 facing away from the base body 8, there is an opening element 7, which is opened at the bottom. Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the opening element 7 is circular, but in other exemplary embodiments it can also be replaced by a blade or a piercing spike.

[0043] The receiver 2 is constructed as a cavity, i.e., it has a hollow space inside, which can remain unfilled (i.e., when the sample needs to be protected for transportation), but is usually filled with substances such as reagents. In order to avoid unnecessary contamination of the cavity, one side of the receiver 2 is open, wherein the opening is closed by a covering film as a cover 4. The cover 4 is usually made of a water-impermeable and air-impermeable material, and in the exemplary embodiment shown, is made of an aluminum film with a thickness of 25 μm.

[0044] By placing the placement device 1 on the cover 4 of the receiver 2 and applying pressure to the cover 4, the cover 4 can be penetrated by the opening element 7 so that the sample container 5 enters the cavity. In this way, a purely vertical relative movement can be basically performed along the longitudinal axis of the placement device 1 and the receiver 2, wherein nothing needs to be opened manually. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 are arranged on the same side of the base 8 of the placement device 1, because this allows a compact structure and significantly simplifies the operation. Therefore, the cover 4 can be penetrated, broken or lifted, and the sample is introduced into the receiver 2 with only one movement.

[0045] Figure 2 The state in which the placing device 1 is inserted into the receiver 2 is shown. Figure 1 Similarly, like features are denoted by like reference numerals. The sample container 5 is now inserted into the cavity 3 of the receptacle 2 and the sample received in the sample container 5 can be released into the cavity 3 through the opening 6 of the sample container 5 or at least react with the substance contained in the cavity 3 by being able to come into contact with the sample via the outlet opening 6 arranged on the sample container 5. The outlet opening 6 is usually located at the end of the sample container 5 facing away from the base body 8, i.e. it is as far away from the base body 8 as possible, in particular Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, in particular, the lower part of the receiver 2 , ie the part facing away from the cover 4 , can be configured to be transparent for radiation in the visible wavelength range for this purpose.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the surface of the base body 8 facing the holding device 9 can be aligned with the edge of the opening of the receiver 2, to which the cover 4 is attached before penetration. Alternatively, the base body 8 itself can also be held outside the cavity 3. In addition, a fastening and release device can also be provided to mechanically firmly connect the receiver 2 and the placement device 1 received by the receiver 2 in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner.

[0047] Furthermore, a constriction may be provided in the sample container 5, which is bent at an angle of 1° to 179° to the sample filling direction, so that on the one hand the sample container 5 can be easily filled with the sample and on the other hand the sample can be securely held and an accidental release of the sample from the sample container 5 can be prevented, in particular during the opening of the lid 4. In general, any angle of bend can be used for this purpose which is not coaxial with the flow direction. As an alternative or in addition to the bent constriction, a constriction may also be provided which acts as a "valve", which increases the flow resistance and thereby prevents the sample from flowing out of the sample container 5, in particular during the opening process. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the placement device 1 is shaped to complement the opening of the receiver 2 closed by the cover 4, i.e. the opening element 7 is shaped to fit the opening particularly precisely or accurately. Since the base body 8 with the holding device 9 also has a closed surface, the cavity 3 can be completely closed by the receiver 2 even after the cover 4 is opened.

[0048] Figure 3 With Figure 1 The corresponding figures show another exemplary embodiment of a sample receiving device, in which the opening element 7 is now, as before, constructed integrally or monolithically with the sample container 5 , but has a beveled end face. Figure 4 With Figure 2The corresponding views show the assembled state of the receiver 2 and the placement device 1. The surface normal of the end face forms an angle of 60° with the longitudinal axis of the placement device 1 and the sample container 5, ie there is a tip with which the cover 4 can be pierced more easily.

[0049] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of the placement device 1 is shown in a sectional view, in which the sample container 5 is no longer arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis, but is spatially offset and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. The outlet opening 6 has a surface normal which is also parallel to the longitudinal axis and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the sample container 5, while the opening element 7, which is still constructed in one piece, has a beveled end face with a tip. In this way, the cover 4 can be easily penetrated without the outlet opening and thus possibly the sample coming into contact with the cover 4. Figure 6 The cross-sectional view shows the Figure 5 Here, the opening element 7 is configured to be longer than the sample container 5 , that is, has a greater length than the sample container 5 .

[0050] Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the placement device 1 is shown, with a side view on the left, a lateral cross-section in the middle and a perspective cutaway view on the right, wherein a capillary-shaped sample container 5 is connected at its end facing away from the outlet opening 6 to an additional container 14 as another cavity, so that more volume is available for drawing the sample. The tunnel-shaped additional container 14 has two opposing outlet openings 13, and its longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the placement device 1 or the sample container 5 and the additional container 14. The orthogonal arrangement is defined here as an angle between 85° and 95°, preferably 90°, between the longitudinal axis of the placement device 1 and the longitudinal axis of the additional container. One or more outlet openings 13 are located at corresponding distances from the end face of the opening element 7 and the outlet opening 6 located on one side of the placement device 1, so that a tunnel-shaped construction becomes possible. Figure 8 Disclosed is that when inserted into the receiver 2 Figure 7 The placement device 1 is shown, in which the placement device 1 and the receiver 2 are flush with each other at their upper sides.

[0051] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, a one-step process or a two-step process can be performed. In the one-step process, the sample holder 5 is first introduced into the opening element 7 and then both are inserted into the receiver 2. In the two-step process, the receiver 2 is first opened by the opening element 7 and only then the sample container 5 is inserted. In this case, the flexibility of the sample container 5 used can be increased, for example, a simple sample container 5 such as a pipette, a sponge or a dropper can also be used.

[0052] Fig. 9, shown in a perspective view, the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 can also be constructed in multiple parts. The receiver 2 corresponds to the exemplary embodiment already discussed, but the opening element 7 is now an attachment to the receiver 2, the opening element 7 having a beveled end surface at the end of the tubular element 10. The base body 8 with the sample container 5, which is now constructed as a separate component, can be inserted into the tubular element 10. Therefore, the placement device 1 itself is constructed in two parts, including the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 integral with the base body 8. When in use, the opening element 7 is first placed on the receiver 2, thereby opening the cover 4. Then, the base body 8 with the sample container 5 is inserted into the opening that has been formed. Fig.10 China-Israel Fig. 9 The corresponding views show the assembled state. Although in the case of a one-piece construction the opening element 7 must be longer than the sample container 5 (in order to first reach the cover 4 and penetrate it), this is not absolutely necessary in the case of a two-part construction. Since the opening element 7 can be inserted first into the receptacle 2, the sample container 5 subsequently inserted into the opening element 7 can also be longer than the opening element 7.

[0053] exist Fig.11 In another embodiment shown, in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the corresponding view, Fig.11 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the receiver 2 and the opening element 7 are mechanically connected to each other via a hinge-like connection. As before, after the cover 4 has been penetrated, the sample container 5 can be inserted into the tubular element 10. This state is Fig.12 and Fig.13 Shown in.

[0054] Furthermore, the receiver 2 can also be provided with a plurality of chambers or cavities which are separated from one another by covers. Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of a receiver 2 is shown, in which a further cover 12 is now provided in addition to the cover 4. Thus, in the cavity 3, a first chamber can contain a first substance, while a second cavity 11 formed as a further cavity or hollow space between the cover 4 and the second cover 12 can contain another substance. Thus, when the opening element 7 is inserted, the further cover 12 and the cover 4 are penetrated one after another, and the reagent is mixed only with the sample in the cavity 3.

[0055] like Fig.15 As shown, you can also modify Fig.15 The basic form of the receiver 2 shown on the left side of the figure makes it possible for multiple receivers 2 to be arranged side by side (in Fig.15 In this case, the cavities 3 usually have longitudinal axes that are parallel to one another. The cavities 3 can also have different volumes.

[0056] Features of the various embodiments disclosed only in the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another and claimed separately.

Claims

1. A sample receiving device, comprising: A placement device (1) and a receiver (2), wherein The receiver (2) has a cavity (3) which is open on one side and is closed by a cover (4), so that the cavity (3) is isolated from the environment by the cover (4), and The placement device (1) comprises: a base body (8) comprising a sample container (5) with an outlet opening (6); and an opening element (7), wherein: The opening element (7) is configured such that the cover (4) can be penetrated by the opening element (7) by pressing the opening element (7) onto the cover (4), and The placement device (1) can be placed and fixed on the receiver (2) so that the sample container (5) with the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are arranged in the cavity (3), wherein: When placed on the receptacle (2), the sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged to point away from the base body (8).

2. The sample receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that The sample container (5) is constructed to be integral with the opening element (7).

3. The sample receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are constructed in two parts, and the sample container (5) can be inserted or received in a recess of the opening element (7).

4. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged, can be arranged, or are oriented concentrically or parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the placement device (1).

5. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An additional container (14) connected to the sample container (5) is arranged, can be arranged, or is oriented at right angles to the opening element (7).

6. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cover (4) is in the form of a sealing plate or a sealing film.

7. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cavity (3) is in the form of a reservoir for containing a reagent.

8. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The opening element (7) has a beveled end facing away from the base body (8), which is preferably inclined at an angle of 0.1° to 89°, preferably 45° to 60°, particularly preferably 60°.

9. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The placement device (1) has a holding device (9) which is arranged on a side of the base body (8) facing away from the sample container (5) and the opening element (7).

10. A sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A fastening and releasing device is arranged on the receiver (2) and / or the placement device (1).

11. A method of receiving and processing a sample using the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The sample is placed in the sample container (5), and the placement device (1) is placed on the receiver (2) so that the cover (4) is penetrated by pressing the opening element (7) onto the cover (4), and the placement device (1) is placed and fixed on the receiver (2) so that the sample container (5) with the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are arranged in the cavity (3).

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