Adapter for a centrifuge sample container as well as adapter group and centrifugation system

Abstract

Adapter (20) for inserting a sample container (11) into a centrifuge cup (40), comprising - a cup-like base body (21) which defines a cavity (25) for receiving the sample container (11) and has a bottom region (24) and a side wall region (22) adjoining the bottom region, the upper edge of which defines the opening edge (27) of the cavity (25), and - a loading opening (26) through which the sample container (11) can be inserted into the cavity (25) and which is delimited by the opening edge (27), wherein in the side wall region (22) of the base body (21) there is at least one parting line (23) which extends from the opening edge (27) in the direction of the base region (24) and which allows, by applying a force, the side wall region (22) to be widened from an initial position (P1) to an expanded position (P2) in such a way that the opening edge (27) has a larger circumference compared to the initial position (P1), characterized by that the side wall region (22) has two edge regions (220, 221) separated from one another by the parting line (23), which at least in the starting position (P1) lie radially one above the other and overlap in the circumferential direction (U) and thus form an overlap region (222) such that the parting line (23) lies between the overlapping edge regions (220, 221) viewed in the radial direction, wherein the edge regions (220, 221) are designed such that they overlap over the entire length of the parting line (23) in the side wall region (22) even in the widened position (P2).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an adapter for a sample container of a centrifuge. Sample containers, for example blood bags, are containers used in a centrifuge to collect and separate samples. In a centrifuge, mixtures of substances are separated using high acceleration forces. For this purpose, the mixture of substances is placed in a sample container and then rotated so that centrifugal forces cause separation processes within the sample container. This can, for example, separate individual liquids from one another or separate particles from a liquid. Due to the high acceleration values, high forces act on the sample container and its contents, so sample containers must be particularly mechanically stable or stabilized.

[0002] There are various designs for sample containers, so adapters are used to adapt the various geometries of the sample containers to a centrifuge bucket. The adapter holds the sample containers, and the adapter is inserted into a centrifuge bucket. This, in turn, is mounted on a centrifuge rotor, which is driven during a centrifugation process.

[0003] For cost and weight reasons, it is also desirable to make the sample containers used for sample collection as thin-walled as possible. However, this reduces the stability of the sample containers – often to the point where they can no longer support themselves. This problem also occurs with sample containers designed as bags or bag systems, such as those used for centrifuging blood. In such sample containers, adapters also serve to support the containers and keep them in shape. An adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 with hinged side panels that are attached to the main adapter parts by hooks is known from DE 10 2004 056 620 A1.

[0004] Furthermore, ever larger sample containers are being used to make centrifugation more efficient. Each centrifugation process requires a predetermined amount of time, so the largest possible sample containers are used to save time and costs. However, the high acceleration forces during centrifugation release enormous forces that act on both the sample container and the adapter. This can result in the sample container and adapter becoming deformed, making it difficult or impossible to separate them. There can also be an increased risk of injury when removing the sample container because the sample container and adapter have become firmly deformed into one another and can no longer be easily separated. Finally, there is a risk that the deformed sample container cannot be used again, which in turn increases centrifugation costs.Because of these risks, it is common practice to limit the acceleration of sample containers with larger volumes, which in turn reduces the separation performance.

[0005] German patent application DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes an adapter for sample containers which has a separation or expansion joint in its side wall. This allows the adapter to be widened for easy removal of the sample container, which has the advantage of simplifying the separation of the adapter and sample container and reducing the risk of damage to the sample container. Conversely, this makes it possible to centrifuge sample containers with larger volumes, even at high acceleration. However, it has been shown that when centrifuging sample containers with a more complex geometry or with attachments, such as tubes, the sample container or its attached parts can become caught in the separation joints of the adapter, damaging the sample container during centrifugation or complicating the removal process.This adverse effect of the separation joints can occur, for example, when centrifuging blood bag systems in which several blood bags connected by tubes are centrifuged together.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an adapter for a sample container which provides all the advantages of the centrifuge adapter described in the German patent application DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, while at the same time reducing the risk of damage to the sample container by the separation joints during centrifugation and removal.

[0007] The problem is solved with an adapter for a sample container having the features of claim 1. Preferred developments are described in the dependent claims. Furthermore, the problem is solved with an adapter group having the features of claim 13 and a centrifugation system having the features of claim 14.

[0008] In its broadest aspect, the invention therefore relates to an adapter for inserting a sample container into a centrifuge cup, comprising a cup-like base body that defines a cavity for receiving the sample container and has a base region and a side wall region adjoining the base region, the upper edge of which defines the opening edge of the cavity, and a loading opening through which the sample container can be inserted into the cavity and which is delimited by the opening edge. At least one parting line is present in the side wall region of the base body, which extends from the opening edge toward the base region and which allows the side wall region to be expanded from an initial position to an expanded position by applying a force such that the opening edge has a larger circumference than the initial position.The side wall region has two edge regions separated from one another by the parting line, which at least in the initial position lie radially one above the other and overlap in the circumferential direction and thus form an overlap region such that the parting line lies between the overlapping edge regions when viewed in the radial direction, wherein the edge regions are designed such that they overlap over the entire length of the parting line in the side wall region even in the expanded position.

[0009] Compared to the prior art described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, the adapter according to the invention differs primarily in an improved design of the parting lines and the overlap area present, at least in the starting position. These improvements have the particular purpose of protecting the sample container during loading and removal of the adapter from the sample container, as well as during centrifugation, thus preventing damage to the sample container. In terms of shape and construction, the adapter therefore basically corresponds to the adapter described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, with the difference that the edge regions of the side wall region of the adapter according to the invention adjacent to a parting line lie radially one above the other and overlap in the circumferential direction.In the adapter described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, the edge regions of the adapter side wall are adjacent to one another with their front edges and are separated from one another in the circumferential direction by the parting line. In the adapter according to the invention, on the other hand, the parting line, viewed in the radial direction, lies between the overlapping edge regions, which, viewed in the circumferential direction of the adapter, represent lateral end regions of the side wall region of the adapter base body. If, for example, an adapter according to the invention is viewed in the region of a parting line in the radial direction from the inside to the outside, the first and second edge regions lie one behind the other, separated by the parting line. The edge regions are pushed over one another in the circumferential direction, at least in the starting position, in such a way that the front edges of the edge regions point away from one another in the overlapping region.

[0010] The overlap area reduces the risk of parts of a sample container (such as a section of a blood bag) or parts connected to the sample container (such as tubes connecting blood bags within a blood bag system) protruding from the adapter cavity or becoming caught, wedged, or jammed in the separation joint. This significantly increases the protection of the sample container against damage, both during centrifugation and during loading and unloading of the adapter. Even large-volume sample containers, for example, from 100 to 3000 milliliters, with very thin container walls can be centrifuged without the risk of damage.

[0011] To further protect the sample container from damage, the adapter according to the invention can have further preferred features. For example, it is expedient for the aforementioned edge regions to overlap not only at specific points in the initial position, but along the entire length of the parting line. In this case, the side wall region of the base body is closed to the outside at every point along the parting line in the circumferential direction. Thus, there is no longer a radially open gap in the side wall into which parts of a sample container could enter and be damaged, as described above.

[0012] As already described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, in principle, one parting line—which then results in two overlapping edge regions—can be sufficient in the adapter according to the invention. This parting line is expediently designed with regard to its course in the side wall region and its extent to enable easy removal and insertion of sample containers into the adapter cavity. Preferably, the parting line runs from the opening edge into the base region, i.e., one end extends beyond the lower end of the side wall region facing away from the loading opening. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter according to the invention has more than one parting line, particularly preferably two parting lines, which are expediently arranged on opposite sides of the adapter.Preferably, an overlapping area with two overlapping side wall edge areas is present in the area of ​​each of the parting lines, wherein the overlap is present at least in the initial position of the adapter.

[0013] However, there is a risk of damage to the sample container not only when the adapter is in its starting position, but also when the adapter is in an expanded position or is being returned from the expanded position to its starting position. To counteract this risk, the edge regions are expediently designed so that, even in the expanded position, for example when loading the adapter, they still overlap along as large a section as possible and preferably over the entire length of the parting line in the side wall area. When the adapter is expanded, which is usually done by manually pulling the side walls apart, the edge regions in the area adjacent to the opening edge are pulled apart further than in the lower area of ​​the parting line. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the overlap area in the starting position therefore increases in the circumferential direction over the length orThe vertical extension of the joint extends toward the opening edge. This results, for example, in a wedge-shaped overlap area. This ensures that the adapter has a circumferentially closed side wall area even when expanded, thus offering the best possible protection for the sample container against damage caused by pinching. If the joint extends into the base area of ​​the adapter, it is sufficient for the overlap area to be present in the side wall area of ​​the adapter. However, it is also possible for the overlap area to continue into the base area.

[0014] It is also advisable to keep the radial distance between the two overlapping edge regions so small, at least in the initial position, that no parts of the sample container can enter the overlapping area of ​​the edge regions. It is particularly advantageous if, in the initial position, the edge regions are directly adjacent to one another in the radial direction, particularly preferably along the entire length of the joint.

[0015] The risk of a part of the sample container penetrating the overlapping area and being damaged in the process can be further reduced by attaching the overlapping edge regions to one another so that they can move relative to one another or by accommodating one another. The attachment can be such that the edge regions are prevented from being pulled apart in the radial direction. Alternatively or additionally, the adapter can also be designed such that excessive widening of the opening edge beyond an amount sufficient for convenient insertion and removal of the sample container from the adapter cavity is prevented. In a preferred embodiment, for example, one of two edge regions is fork-shaped along a side edge so that the fork-shaped first edge region can accommodate the second edge region. At least in the initial position, the second edge region then engages in the fork-shaped first edge region.This shields the sample container from the joint and simultaneously provides additional stability to the adapter's side wall in the joint area. The forked first edge simultaneously serves as a guide for the second edge during the adapter's expansion and contraction, ensuring these movements are guided, simplifying handling.

[0016] To prevent the adapter from being expanded to a greater extent than necessary due to excessive force being pulled apart, the adapter can have a movement-limiting device that prevents excessive spreading, which could result in the edge regions no longer overlapping and the sample container thus being exposed to an increased risk of damage. To prevent such unintentional excessive expansion, it is advisable to thicken the edges of the edge regions in the described embodiment with a fork-shaped first edge region. Specifically, one or both edges of the fork-shaped first edge region as well as the edge of the second edge region that engages the first edge region are thickened, whereby a thickening over partial sections of the respective edges can be sufficient.Particularly preferably, however, these thickened portions extend along the entire length of the interlocking edge areas. In this way, the thickened edge of the second edge area engages with the forked first edge area. The side wall can then be pulled apart without great effort until the thickened edge areas touch each other. This stop position is dimensioned so that removal and insertion of the sample containers is easily possible. At this point, the force required to expand the adapter beyond this point increases dramatically, which the user registers haptically during manual expansion. This prevents the two edge areas from being pulled apart inadvertently, noticeably simplifies proper handling of the adapter, and effectively protects the sample container.

[0017] In addition to protecting the sample container from damage in the separation joint, a further aspect of the present invention is ensuring the stability of the sample container during centrifugation. As already described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1, the internal geometry of the adapter, i.e., the shape and size of the cavity, is based on the external geometry of the sample container to which the adapter is adapted. The better the basic shape of the adapter is adapted to the sample container, the more stability the adapter provides to the sample container during centrifugation. Further preferred features emerge from the fact that a preferred field of application of the present invention is the centrifugation of blood bag systems.

[0018] Blood bag systems typically comprise three to four blood bags connected by tubing, as well as filters and / or satellite bags if required. One of these blood bags, also called the whole blood bag, is full to bursting at the start of centrifugation. The remaining blood bags are usually empty and, for centrifugation, are packed together with the tubing and whole blood bag to form a blood bag pack. The tubing and empty blood bags are all on the same side of the whole blood bag. The packed blood bag system is typically taller and wider in the area of ​​the whole blood bag than in the area of ​​the tubing and empty blood bags. For this reason, when centrifuging blood bags, it is preferred that the cross-section of the base body of the adapter and / or the opening edge have a bowl-shaped profile, which roughly corresponds to the profile of an upright blood bag pack when viewed from above.Specifically, the cross-section has at least two straight side wall sections as well as curved side wall sections. The straight side wall sections are particularly suitable for locating the separating joint and thus also the overlapping area, as this allows the adapter to be opened or spread out linearly along a flat side wall section. Particularly preferably, the cross-sectional profile corresponds to a trapezoid with rounded corners, i.e., has four straight side wall sections connected to one another by rounded corners. The blood bag system is then expediently inserted into the adapter such that the whole blood bag is arranged on the wide side of the trapezoid, while the other blood bags and the tubes are arranged towards the narrow side of the trapezoid.Thus, all components of the blood bag system rest firmly against the side wall in the adapter's initial position, providing optimal stabilization. An additional advantage of this basic adapter shape is that other preferred features, such as the forked edge sections described above, can be particularly well combined with it. The forked edge sections, for example, are supported in their function as guide elements by the straight side sections, which simplifies handling of the adapter overall.

[0019] To stabilize the sample container, it is also advantageous for the shape of the adapter's base area to be adapted to the packed blood bag system. Due to the different heights of the whole blood bag and the rest of the blood bag system when packed, the adapter is preferably designed such that a portion of the base area is beveled relative to the remaining portion of the base area and the side wall. In particular, this beveled portion of the base surface runs along a flat side wall section and is inclined upwards from the remaining straight portion of the base area toward the opening edge.When inserting the blood bag system into the adapter, the whole blood bag, which is filled at the beginning of centrifugation, is placed on the flat base section, while the remaining blood bags, tubing, and any filters and / or satellite bags, are placed on the sloped base section according to their lower height. The slope of the base pushes these parts of the blood bag system toward the whole blood bag, which in turn pushes the bag against the adjacent side wall area, thus helping it to remain upright.

[0020] The base body of the adapter can be constructed in one or more parts. In the latter case, the individual parts of the adapter are separated from one another by a continuous parting line. The individual parts are joined together to form the finished adapter. The connection is preferably made in the base area. In particular, it is preferred that the base body is formed from exactly two parts. The connection of the two base body parts preferably allows a certain degree of play between them, for example in the form of a limited folding movement of the base body parts relative to one another. This results in a two-part adapter whose base body parts can be folded apart to a certain extent. Compared to a one-piece adapter, this makes it possible, for example, to reduce the force that must be applied to expand the adapter to a specified extent.A further advantage is the easier production of the individual parts, which have a less complex shape than the complete adapter. This makes production by injection molding from a plastic material particularly easy. Furthermore, the material of the base body is subjected to less stress, thus increasing the service life of the adapter. Compared to a one-piece design, less force acts on the material for the same expansion, which reduces the tendency of the adapter to develop kinks or breakages with frequent use. The connection between the base body parts can be designed, for example, as a snap-in or plug-in connection. If a beveled base area is present, the base body parts are preferably connected to one another in the beveled part of the base area.

[0021] The adapter is divided into individual parts in such a way that approximately equal-sized components are created. In the case of two individual parts, the joint preferably runs along opposite sidewall sections, which are preferably flat. This causes the overlapping areas to move against each other in a scissor-like manner without interfering with each other. This allows the user to easily control the expansion and closing process and is guided by the shape of the adapter itself, further improving the overall handling of the adapter.

[0022] With regard to the preferred material from which the adapter according to the invention and in particular its base body are made, reference can be made to DE 10 2012 013 641 A1. Here too, plastic is preferably used, and in particular an injection-moldable plastic. As already described in DE '641, the adapter can also be designed within the scope of this invention by selecting the shape and / or material so that the side wall region automatically returns to its original position when the force with which the opening edge is expanded is removed. A return to the original position is also understood to mean a return in which, after a return, the circumference of the opening edge of the adapter base body in the initial position differs from the original circumference before expansion by a maximum of ± 10%, preferably at most ± 5%, in particular not more than ± 2% and particularly preferably at most ± 1%.The restoring force acting on the sample container further stabilizes its shape and holds it in position during centrifugation. Furthermore, the adapter's restoring properties facilitate easier handling because the adapter does not need to be manually returned to its original position when needed; instead, this occurs automatically due to the restoring force of the base body, as long as no opposing force prevents the adapter from returning.

[0023] To ensure these recovery properties, the base body is preferably made of a flexurally elastic and, in particular, an elastomeric plastic, as described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1. This can, in principle, be any suitable plastic that has the necessary rigidity to accommodate and stably hold a sample container arranged in the cavity in its initial position, but is simultaneously sufficiently mechanically flexible to be deformed into the expanded position for removal of the sample container and to spring back to its initial position once this expansion force is removed. As mentioned, injection-moldable plastics are preferably used, as this process is particularly suitable for manufacturing the adapter base body.Elastomeric plastics are understood here to mean all elastically deformable plastics, including homopolymers, copolymers, and polymer blends, with or without fillers such as minerals or fibers. The term also includes, in particular, thermoplastic elastomers. Specific examples of suitable and preferred plastics are polyolefins, especially polypropylenes, or polyamides. Blends or copolymers of these plastics can also be used.

[0024] The shape of the adapter base body can also influence its resilience. For example, a curved transition area can be provided between the base and side wall areas of the adapter. This can increase the tension in the expanded state and thus increase the restoring force to the initial position, particularly with a joint extending into the base area. To stiffen the adapter and, if necessary, to increase the resilience properties, reinforcing ribs can be formed on the outside of the base body, as already described in DE 10 2012 013 641 A1. The reinforcing ribs preferably run from the side wall area to the base area. The ribs can easily adapt to the contact surface of the centrifuge cup and can be easily removed from it again.As part of the base body, they can also be made of elastically deformable material, thus providing mechanical damping. Additionally, the reinforcing ribs can serve to define the external geometry of the adapter to enable a better fit between the adapter and the centrifuge bucket without compromising the shape of the adapter's cavity (and thus the fit between the adapter and the sample container arranged in the cavity).

[0025] To facilitate removal of the adapter and to expand it particularly easily, at least one projection, for example in the form of a pin, is expediently provided on an upper edge area of ​​the base body. A side wall section can be easily bent outward at this projection, whereupon the sample container can be removed from the cavity of the adapter. The projection can be formed integrally with the base body or attached to it as a separate part, the former being preferred.

[0026] In a further aspect, the invention relates to an adapter group in which a plurality of adapters according to the invention, preferably two adapters, are combined in order to make the best possible use of the space in a centrifuge bowl. In particular, the outer geometry of the adapter group therefore corresponds to the inner geometry of the centrifuge bowl, for example in that each of two adapters in an adapter group is designed with regard to its outer geometry such that half of this geometry is complementary to the inner geometry of the centrifuge bowl. In order to generally enable easier handling and in particular coordinated insertion of the adapters into the centrifuge bowl, the adapters are preferably connected to at least one connecting element, which is expediently a handle with which the adapters can be particularly easily removed from the centrifuge bowl and inserted into it.

[0027] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a centrifugation system comprising a sample container, an adapter according to the invention or an adapter group according to the invention, and a centrifuge cup. Means for attaching the centrifugation system to the rotor of a centrifuge are provided on the centrifuge cup, which accommodates the adapter or the adapter group. A sample container, which is in particular a blood bag or a blood bag system, is accommodated in the adapter or one of the adapters of the adapter group. The centrifugation system expediently comprises an equal number of sample containers and adapters.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments, so that other combinations and applications are also possible. In the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts, schematically show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an adapter according to the invention in plan view; Fig. 2 the adapter Fig. 1 during loading process in side view; Fig. 3 the loaded adapter Fig. 2 in expanded position in side view and in a detail enlargement in the overlapping area; Fig. 4 an adapter group with the adapter from Fig. 2 when inserted into a centrifuge cup in side view; Fig. 5a a centrifuging system according to the invention, comprising the adapter group of Fig. 4, in side view and Fig. 5b the centrifugation system Fig. 5a under supervision.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an adapter 20 in a top view. The adapter is in the non-expanded starting position P1. It is unloaded, i.e., it does not contain a sample container. The exemplary embodiment of the adapter 20 shown is designed for centrifuging a blood bag system as a sample container. Fig. 2 shows the adapter 20 from Fig. 1 in partially transparent side view when loading with a blood bag system 11.

[0030] The base body 21 of the adapter 20 is cup-shaped and comprises a side wall portion 22 and a base portion 24. Both portions surround a cavity 25, the size and shape of which are designed to precisely accommodate and securely store the blood bag system. The opening edge 27, which forms the upper edge of the side wall portion 22 and defines the loading opening 26 through which the blood bag system is inserted into the cavity 25, as well as the cross-section of the side wall portion, are approximately cup-shaped. As shown in Fig. 1, the shape is roughly a trapezoid with rounded corners. The blood bag system is, as shown in Fig. 2 (see arrow E), with the whole blood bag 110 pushed into the cavity 25 toward the wide side of the trapezoid, while the satellite bags and tubes 111 are oriented toward the narrower side. The base region 24 adjoining the side wall region 22 has two different sections, namely a straight base region 240 and a beveled base region 241, which rises upwards from the straight base region 240 to the opening edge 27. In the loaded state of the adapter 20, in which the blood bag system rests on the base region 24, the whole blood bag 110 comes to rest on the straight base region 240, while the remaining parts 111, which have a lower height, are accommodated on the beveled part 241 of the base region. The parts 111 of the blood bag system 11 are thus pressed against the whole blood bag 110 and in turn press this against the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 vertical sidewall section shown on the right. This ensures that the whole blood bag 110 remains stabilized and upright even during centrifugation.

[0031] To facilitate loading and unloading of the blood bag system 11, the adapter 20 can be removed from the Fig. 1 shown starting position P1 into an expanded position P2 ( Fig. 2 to 4). For this purpose, a parting line is provided which divides the base body 21 into two base body parts 210, 211. The parting line consists of two parting lines 23, 23' which run from the opening edge 27 over the entire height of opposite straight side wall sections 224, 224' into the beveled base area 241, which join in the beveled base area 241 and thus form a continuous parting line. The two separate individual parts 210, 211 are fastened to one another in the area of ​​the base 24 in such a way that they can be moved apart, as indicated by the curved arrow. When the two base body parts 210, 211 are pulled apart, the opening edge 27 enlarges, i.e. the loading opening 26 is in the widened position P2 (cf. Fig. 3) compared to the starting position ( Fig. 1) is enlarged. Nevertheless, even in the expanded position P2, the side wall region 22 of the base body 21 remains closed in the circumferential direction U. This is due to the fact that edge regions 220, 221 projecting over the parting line 23 are provided in the base body, which edge regions lie one above the other in the radial direction R and overlap in the circumferential direction U. The edge regions 220, 221 are designed such that the overlap region 222 exists, on the one hand, over the entire height of the side wall region and, on the other hand, both in the starting position P1 and in the expanded position P2. The overlap of the edge regions 220, 221 is therefore large enough, especially in the region of the opening edge 27, to prevent a gap from forming in the side wall of the base body in a position P2 in which convenient removal of the blood bag system 11 from the adapter 20 is possible.This prevents parts of the blood bag system 11 from becoming trapped and thus damaging it, both in the starting position P1 and in the expanded position P2.

[0032] In the present example, one of the edge regions in the overlap region 222 is designed as a fork-shaped region 223, which accommodates the other edge region 221. This fork-shaped region 223 is formed at least over the entire height of the side wall region 22 and, if appropriate, also in the base region 24. Thus, the edge regions 220, 221 overlap, on the one hand, in the circumferential direction U, whereby the side wall 22 is closed in the circumferential direction U, and, on the other hand, also abut one another in the radial direction R. These two features, in combination, ensure that no parts of the blood bag system 11 to be centrifuged can become jammed in the separating joints 23, 23', thus effectively reducing the risk of damage to the blood bag system 11.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the adapter 20 from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in plan view in the expanded position P2 and loaded with a blood bag system 11. As can be seen, the forked edge region 223 is so wide that the first edge region 221 is still located within the forked region 223 in the expanded position P2, even at the opening edge 27. The overlap area between the edge regions 220 and 221 exists over the entire height of the side wall region 22, even in the expanded position P2. To prevent the adapter from being expanded more than required for convenient adjustment of the blood bag system 11, and in the process, the edge regions from being pulled apart so far that a gap is created between them in the side wall region, the edges 225, 225' of the edge regions can be thickened. This is shown in the enlarged detail A. The edges of the edge region 221' and the forked region 223' have a wedge-shaped cross-section.When the edge region 221' is inserted, its thickened edge 225 engages behind the thickened edges 225' of the fork-shaped region 223', and the edge regions can only be pulled apart with increased force or after deliberately spreading the fork-shaped region 223'. Preferably, the thickened portions extend over the entire height of the side wall region 22. However, it is also possible to provide the thickened portions only in sections along the edges.

[0034] After the sample container in the form of a blood bag system 11 has been placed in the adapter 20, the latter is inserted into a centrifuge cup, which is then attached to the rotor of a centrifuge (not shown) for centrifugation in a manner known per se. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the insertion of the blood bag system 11, accommodated in the adapter 20, into a centrifuge bucket 40. The components are shown in a partially transparent side view. In the case shown, the centrifuge bucket is designed to accommodate two adapters 20, 20', which together form an adapter group 30 according to the invention. The two adapters 20, 20' are placed against each other with their tall, straight side wall sections and are held together by a common handle 31. The handle enables easy insertion of the adapter group 30 in the direction of arrow E into the centrifuge bucket. The unfolded side wall regions of parts 211 and 211' slide along the inner wall of the centrifuge bucket 40 and are pressed inward in the direction of the curved arrows. The adapters 20, 20' are thus returned from the expanded position P2 to the starting position P1.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the adapters 20, 20' could also be designed so that the return from the expanded position to the original position occurs automatically. The adapters, which are generally made of plastic, are in this case made of a plastic that, due to its elastic properties, returns to its original position automatically. The return properties can also be enhanced by appropriately shaping the adapter.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the Fig. 4 with the adapter group now fully inserted into the centrifuge cup. The resulting centrifuge system 50 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 5a in partially transparent side view and in Fig.5b is shown in plan view and comprises a centrifuge bucket 40 and an adapter group 30 with two adapters 20, 20' and the blood bag systems 11, 11' inserted therein. The adapter group 30 with the blood bag systems 11, 11' protrudes not or only slightly beyond the upper edge 41 of the centrifuge bucket 40, so that the latter can be closed with a lid if necessary or, depending on the centrifuge model, a centrifuge lid can be placed over it. The side wall areas and bases of the adapters 20, 20' rest extensively against the inner wall and base of the centrifuge bucket 40 and are thus held in the starting position P1. The blood bag systems are stabilized in an upright position in the adapters 20, 20' and can thus be centrifuged without collapsing.There is no risk of parts of the blood bag systems becoming caught in gaps in the corresponding adapter, as the blood bag systems have circumferentially closed adapter surfaces. The risk of damage to the blood bag systems is therefore minimal.

Claims

[1] Adapter (20) for inserting a sample container (11) into a centrifuge cup (40), comprising - a cup-like base body (21) which defines a cavity (25) for receiving the sample container (11) and has a bottom region (24) and a side wall region (22) adjoining the bottom region, the upper edge of which defines the opening edge (27) of the cavity (25), and - a loading opening (26) through which the sample container (11) can be inserted into the cavity (25) and which is delimited by the opening edge (27), wherein in the side wall region (22) of the base body (21) there is at least one parting line (23) which extends from the opening edge (27) in the direction of the base region (24) and which allows, by applying a force, the side wall region (22) to be widened from an initial position (P1) to an expanded position (P2) in such a way that the opening edge (27) has a larger circumference compared to the initial position (P1), characterized by , that the side wall region (22) has two edge regions (220, 221) separated from one another by the parting line (23), which at least in the starting position (P1) lie radially one above the other and overlap in the circumferential direction (U) and thus form an overlap region (222) such that the parting line (23) lies between the overlapping edge regions (220, 221) viewed in the radial direction, wherein the edge regions (220, 221) are designed such that they overlap over the entire length of the parting line (23) in the side wall region (22) even in the widened position (P2). [2] Adapter (20) according to claim 1, characterized by that the base body (21) is designed in such a way that the side wall region (22) automatically returns to the starting position (P1) when the force is removed. [3] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat one of the edge regions (220) is designed as a fork-shaped region (223) and the other edge region (221) engages in the fork-shaped region (223) at least in the starting position (P1). [4] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the edges (225, 225') of the edge regions (220, 221) are thickened. [5] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the width (B) of the overlapping area (222) in the circumferential direction (U) in the starting position (P1) increases over the length of the parting line (23) towards the opening edge (27). [6] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (21) consists of a flexurally elastic plastic, preferably an elastomeric plastic and in particular a polyolefin, in particular polypropylene, or a polyamide, and in particular an injection-moldable plastic. [7] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the opening edge (27) and / or the cross-section of the base body (21) has a bowl-like profile. [8] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base region (24) comprises a bevelled region (241) which, starting from a straight base region (240), is inclined upwards towards the opening edge (27). [9] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the separating joint (23) extends from the opening edge (27) into the base area (24), in particular into the bevelled area (241) of the base area (24). [10] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that it has two separating joints (23, 23') which are arranged in opposite side wall sections (224, 224'), wherein the side wall sections (224, 224') are preferably each flat. [11] Adapter (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (21) consists of several, in particular two, base body parts (210, 211) which are separated from one another by the parting line (23). [12] Adapter (20) according to claim 11, characterized by that the base body parts (210, 211) are connected to one another in the base region (24) and in particular in the bevelled region (241) of the base region (24). [13] Adapter group (30) comprising at least two adapters (20, 20') according to one of the preceding claims, which are preferably connected to one another by a connecting element (31), in particular a handle. [14] Centrifuging system (50) comprising - a centrifuge cup (40) comprising means for attaching the centrifuging system (50) to the rotor of a centrifuge, - an adapter (20) according to one of claims 1 to 12 accommodated in the centrifuge cup (40) or an adapter group (30) according to claim 13 accommodated in the centrifuge cup (40), and - a sample container, which is in particular a blood bag system (11).

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