Collecting device for a reaction vessel unit, and reaction vessel unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a collecting device (30) for a reaction vessel unit (21) that has multiple reaction vessels (37), each of which has a respective opening, said openings lying on a common opening plane. The collecting device (30) has a collecting plate (31) which is designed such that the collecting plate is arranged or can be arranged in a centrifuge (1) so as to lie opposite the openings of the reaction vessels (37) and which is designed such that the collecting plate rotates together with the reaction vessel unit (21) during the centrifuge process and liquid exiting the reaction vessels (37) is collected by the collecting plate (31) on the basis of the centrifugal acceleration.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a collection device for a reaction vessel unit and to a reaction vessel unit.

[0002] It is known that reaction vessel units comprising multiple reaction vessels, such as microtiter plates (MTPs, also known as well plates) with their wells, are purified by centrifugation. In this process, the MTPs are mounted on a rotor in a rotor chamber of a centrifuge such that the openings of the reaction vessels point away from the rotor's axis of rotation, and are centrifuged at speeds of up to several thousand revolutions per minute.

[0003] During centrifugation, the ejected contents of the reaction vessels are collected by a wall of the rotor chamber. Substances remaining on the walls and surfaces of the rotor chamber partially flow off and collect in the lower section, but can also drip down from the top and thus enter a microtransaction plate (MTP) located within the rotor chamber. If several MTPs are purified sequentially in the centrifuge, there is a risk of cross-contamination, as centrifuged material from one MTP can drip into another.

[0004] The rotation of the rotor in every centrifuge creates air vortices. When liquid contents are ejected from the reaction vessels during rotation, these air vortices generate aerosols. These aerosols are also a source of cross-contamination. In genomic applications (typically amplification-based, such as PCR), aerosols are therefore a driving force for contamination.

[0005] It has also been shown that MTPs cleaned in the centrifuge can still be wet on the surface even when the wells are completely empty. This can complicate further use, for example, if the MTPs are subsequently sealed with a film. The film is typically applied by sticking it on to cover the well openings. This can be done for sterile intermediate storage of the MTPs before further use or after filling with a test fluid to isolate the test regime. However, the wet surface makes it difficult to apply the film to the MTPs.

[0006] From DE 10 2017 113 583 A1, a centrifuge is known in which the housing has a drain channel below the rotor and the inner surfaces of the housing adjacent to the channel have a

[0007] Form a funnel that leads into the trough. This allows the centrifugate accumulating in the rotor chamber to be collected and more efficiently removed.

[0008] From DE 10 2021 124 023.9, which was unpublished at the time of this application, it is known to supply a cleaning solution to the rotor chamber in such a way that the cleaning solution is distributed within the rotor chamber by rotating the rotor. Residues of the centrifuged material can thus be removed from the walls and surfaces of the rotor chamber by regular, frequent rinsing with cleaning agents.

[0009] German patent application DE 20 2014 010 544 U1 discloses a centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, in which a gap is provided between the inner surface and a rotor, such that a wind is generated by the rotation of the rotor, which drives the fluid ejected from the inner surface to a drain. The drain is connected to a suction pump for removing the fluid.

[0010] For hygiene reasons, relatively frequent cleaning cycles are required, leading to downtime and high operating costs. This approach will be unavoidable, especially for diagnostic applications.

[0011] One object of the invention is to reduce or reliably prevent the risk of contamination of a reaction vessel unit in a centrifuge.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to minimize or reliably prevent the wetting of a reaction vessel unit in a centrifuge.

[0013] Another objective of the invention is to minimize the residence time of aerosols in the centrifuge or to prevent the occurrence of aerosols.

[0014] Another objective of the invention is to minimize the internal surfaces in the housing that can come into contact with the ejected liquid.

[0015] Another objective of the invention is to minimize the volume of the space into which liquid particles can penetrate.

[0016] Another objective of the invention is to reduce or eliminate the effort required to clean the rotor chamber of a centrifuge for MTP.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to prevent ejected fluid from reaching all elements of the device, such as the housing, the rotor and the rotor shaft, so that these parts do not corrode or are not exposed to other chemical interactions with the ejected fluid, in order to minimize costs incurred by surface treatments of the device elements for chemical protection and to accelerate and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0018] One or more of the problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0019] According to a first aspect of the invention, a collection device for a reaction vessel unit comprising several reaction vessels is proposed, wherein each reaction vessel has an opening located in a common opening plane. The collection device includes a collection plate configured such that it can be arranged, or is arranged, opposite the openings of the reaction vessels in a centrifuge, and is configured such that it rotates with the reaction vessel unit during centrifugation, and that liquid escaping from the reaction vessels is collected by the collection plate due to centrifugal acceleration. The collection plate can be arranged at an angle with respect to the opening plane, so that, due to centrifugal acceleration in the centrifuge, collected liquid is discharged along the angled collection plate in the axial direction of a rotation axis of a centrifuge rotor.The axial direction refers to the rotational axis of a centrifuge rotor. At least one discharge opening is formed on an end wall of the collecting device, towards which the collecting plate rises. The discharge opening has a nozzle that projects beyond the end wall.

[0020] A collecting plate, as defined in the invention, is a structure having a surface opposite the opening plane of the reaction vessels. Liquid ejected from the reaction vessels by centrifugal acceleration can be collected on this surface and flow along it under the influence of the centrifugal force. In the simplest case, the collecting plate can be flat or substantially flat, arranged parallel to the opening plane, and open at the edges, particularly the flanks. The collecting surface is preferably non-rotatably connected to the unit comprising the rotor and the reaction vessel assembly and thus rotates at the same speed as the rotor.Since the flank edges of the collection plate are radially furthest from the axis of rotation, the collected liquid is driven from the center to the flank edges of the collection plate due to centrifugal acceleration and from there flung into the rotor chamber.

[0021] The ends of the rotor, and thus also of the reaction vessel unit and the collection device mounted on it, which are opposite each other in the axial direction of the axis of rotation, are referred to in this application as end faces or end face walls, while those ends of the rotor, the reaction vessel unit, and the collection device mounted on it that are opposite each other transversely to the axis of rotation are referred to in this application as flank sides or longitudinal sides. In practice, the end faces are arranged transversely to the axis of the rotor, and the flank sides or longitudinal sides are arranged parallel to the axis of the rotor.

[0022] In variations, the collection plate can also be curved, bent, or inclined, as long as the collected liquid is directed away from an area opposite the opening plane of the reaction vessels. The liquid discharged by the collection device can be collected on the walls of the rotor chamber. Since the collection plate is positioned opposite the openings of the reaction vessels, it can also catch liquid dripping from a wall, particularly the upper wall, of the rotor chamber and prevent the reaction vessel unit from becoming contaminated. Even when several reaction vessel units are cleaned sequentially, cross-contamination can thus be effectively and easily prevented. The collection device can be reused after cleaning. The collection device can be made of, for example, plastic or metal.For cleaning, chemicals that break down or inactivate organic molecules can be used, provided the material of the collection device is resistant to the chemical. An autoclave can also be used for cleaning, provided the material of the collection device is resistant to the temperatures involved.

[0023] In the context of the invention, "inclined" means that the height or distance of the collection plate relative to the opening plane of the reaction vessels varies. The incline can be continuous or discontinuous (kinked), constant (straight), or variable along its length (curved). It can extend from one end wall of the collection device or reaction vessel unit to the other end wall (one-sided) or from the center to both end walls (two-sided). Since the opening plane of the reaction vessels is generally parallel to the axis of rotation when the reaction vessel unit is mounted in the centrifuge, the incline also runs at an angle to the axis of rotation. Because the collection plate is inclined axially relative to the opening plane or the axis of rotation, the collected liquid is forced along the incline by centrifugal acceleration towards one end wall of the rotor or the reaction vessel unit.The particles are driven into the rotor chamber, where they can be collected or ejected. The wall of the rotor chamber, which surrounds the rotor, is less wetted, thus further reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

[0024] The collecting device may include a suction element that is arranged and designed on the collecting plate in such a way that it can absorb the collected liquid.

[0025] Such an absorbent material can be, for example, a porous material such as a cellulose layer and / or an open-cell foam. The liquid emptied from the reaction vessels during centrifugation can be absorbed by the absorbent material, thus preventing backflow or dripping into the reaction vessels. Centrifugation forces the liquid into the absorbent material, where it is retained by capillary action.

[0026] Such a collection device is particularly suitable for centrifuges that are not designed for cleaning reaction vessel units and whose rotor chamber, for example, is difficult to access and therefore correspondingly expensive to clean.

[0027] The collecting device can have flanks, which are preferably arranged circumferentially along the end walls and flank sides, so that the collecting device forms a kind of trough in which the liquid emptied from the reaction vessels during centrifugation is received.

[0028] If the space above the reaction vessel unit within the collection device is completely closed, the rotor chamber will not come into contact with liquid and contamination is therefore excluded.

[0029] It should be noted that axial drainage does not preclude a superimposed movement of the liquid perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In other words, the overall drainage movement of the liquid at the collection plate represents a combination of axial and perpendicular drainage. Therefore, it can be advantageous if flanks of the collection device running laterally along the axis of rotation are curved downwards from the collection plate to create an obstacle to transverse fluid movement. This can promote the collection of liquid at an axial end by also directing the transversely discharged liquid axially along the downward-curved flanks. This can further improve the concentration of the liquid at an end wall.

[0030] In particular, the flanks and end walls of the collection device can be designed to be flush with the edge of the reaction vessel unit. In other words, when the reaction vessel unit with the collection device is placed on the centrifuge rotor, the collection device, designed in this way, creates a closed collection chamber that is isolated from the rotor chamber. The rotor chamber is not, or only minimally, wetted, thus reducing or minimizing the effort required to clean the rotor chamber of a centrifuge for reaction vessel units. Because the collection device rotates with the rotor, the air in the rotor chamber is not, or only minimally, disturbed, thus preventing wetting of the reaction vessel unit surfaces during centrifugation. With minimal or no turbulence, aerosol formation in the collection chamber is consequently reduced or completely eliminated.

[0031] The discharge opening is preferably flush with, or substantially flush with, the inside of the collection plate. Collected and discharged liquid is forced outwards and can be collected at the end wall or discharged further. Since the outer (flank) ends are located radially further outwards than the center of the end wall during centrifugation, the liquid will preferentially collect there, making it easiest to discharge. Therefore, it is advantageous to have two discharge openings, each located at an outer (flank) end of the end wall. The discharge openings can be located at the end face (axially) or at the flanks (transversely to the axis). An upward opening is also conceivable in principle; however, this would require measures to prevent back-drip from above and to avoid contamination.

[0032] The discharge opening can have a nozzle that projects beyond the end wall. During centrifugation, such a nozzle moves in a circular path. Collected and discharged material is forced outwards and can be discharged through the nozzle into an annular collection trough in which the nozzle runs. This further reduces contamination of the rotor chamber and minimizes cleaning effort. As previously explained, it is advantageous to have two discharge openings, each with such a nozzle.

[0033] In some embodiments, the collection device can be loosely, preferably positively, attached to the reaction vessel unit. The collection device can be provided separately from the centrifuge. The reaction vessel unit can be prepared for centrifugation outside the centrifuge with the collection device attached.

[0034] In further embodiments, the collection device can be detachably connected to the reaction vessel unit. Here, too, the collection device can be provided separately from the centrifuge. The reaction vessel unit can be prepared for centrifugation with the collection device in a way that prevents loss. The connection can be, for example, a clip connection, a plug connection, a snap connection, or a sliding connection.

[0035] In other embodiments, the collection device can be detachably connected to the rotor of a centrifuge. This allows the rotor to be prepared to receive a reaction vessel unit. For cleaning, the collection device can be removed and is then ready for use again. The rotor can also be advantageously cleaned with the collection device removed.

[0036] In further embodiments, the collection device can be integrated with a centrifuge rotor. Here, the rotor is ready to receive a reaction vessel unit without further preparation, simplifying laboratory procedures. Cleaning of the collection device and / or the rotor chamber can be performed together or separately by rinsing cycles in the centrifuge or externally.

[0037] The collection device can also be designed in multiple parts for easy removal and cleaning.

[0038] In further embodiments, the collection device can be connected to, or connectable to, a centrifuge rotor shaft. The connection can be made, for example, by a cage, fork, or retaining bracket that can be mounted or flanged to the centrifuge (on the rotor shaft) and holds the collection device, or the collection device itself can have a boom that can be mounted to the rotor shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. Here, too, the rotor is ready to receive a reaction vessel unit without any further preparation; handling the cover on the reaction vessel unit or on the rotor is unnecessary. The rotor and collection device can be cleaned separately. Laboratory procedures can be simplified. Cleaning can be carried out by rinsing cycles in the centrifuge or (after disassembly from the rotor shaft) externally.

[0039] The collection device can be designed with a circumferential contour adapted to the shape of a corresponding reaction vessel unit, so that the collection device can preferably be fitted onto the reaction vessel unit in a form-fitting manner, and in particular in a form-fitting manner all around. This creates a substantially closed collection chamber, which may only be opened by means of the discharge opening, so that when rotating in the centrifuge, the atmosphere contained therein is completely carried along and no turbulence occurs that could cause aerosol formation.

[0040] The collecting device can have a contact contour to contact a reaction vessel unit which has a corresponding complementary contour, wherein the contact contour and the complementary contour are designed such that the collecting device can only be arranged in a single or unique position on the reaction vessel unit, so that the combination of reaction vessel unit and collecting device can be arranged in a centrifuge.

[0041] The contact contour and the complementary contour can thus be assembled according to the lock-and-key principle. This ensures that the collection device can only be positioned in a specific way relative to the reaction vessel unit, preventing incorrect placement. The contact contour and the complementary contour can be designed such that if the collection device is not correctly positioned on the reaction vessel unit, it will protrude further upwards, preventing the combination of reaction vessel unit and collection device from, for example, passing through an opening of the centrifuge or into a collection area of ​​the centrifuge rotor. This ensures that the collection device is not inserted into a centrifuge and rotated if it is incorrectly positioned on the reaction vessel unit.

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, a corresponding reaction vessel unit is provided which has a complementary contour that is designed to match the contact contour.

[0043] The complementary contour and the contact contour can, for example, be wavy, zigzag-shaped, or formed from pins and corresponding receiving holes. However, any other contour is possible that allows for a unique assignment.

[0044] The reaction vessel unit can also have an asymmetrical insertion contour which is adapted to a corresponding receiving contour of a centrifuge rotor in such a form-fitting manner that the reaction vessel unit can only be arranged in a single position in the rotor.

[0045] One example of such an asymmetrical insertion contour is ribs that project laterally along the flanks of the reaction vessel unit without engaging in corresponding grooves of the rotor. This ensures that the reaction vessel unit is inserted into the rotor only in one unambiguous position. This, in turn, corresponds to the lock-and-key principle.

[0046] Such a design of the reaction vessel unit is particularly advantageous in combination with the contact contour of the collecting device explained above and the corresponding complementary contour of the reaction vessel unit as well as the discharge opening of the collecting device, because this ensures that the discharge opening is always arranged on the correct side of the rotor, on which the centrifuge is designed accordingly for draining the liquid.

[0047] Furthermore, the collecting device can have projections in the area of ​​a contact contour for contacting a reaction vessel unit, which protrude laterally in such a way that they can be engaged by guides of a rotor and thus fix the collecting device and the reaction vessel unit in the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0048] These protrusions can, for example, be ribs projecting laterally along the flank side, lying flat on the reaction vessel unit.

[0049] However, it is also possible that instead of the ribs, only some laterally projecting individual protrusions or small feet are formed, which can be gripped from behind to guide the rotor.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, a corresponding reaction vessel unit has one or more recesses for receiving the corresponding projections of the collection device, such that the side of the projections facing away from the reaction vessel unit is flush with the remaining surface of the reaction vessel unit. With such a design of the reaction vessel units, it is possible to arrange the reaction vessel units with and without a collection device in the rotor, wherein the reaction vessel unit without a collection device and the reaction vessel unit with a collection device are engaged by the rotor guide with approximately the same minimal clearance and are thus fixed in the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner. Such a combination of collection device and reaction vessel unit can also be used in corresponding centrifuges that are not inherently designed to accommodate collection devices.This combination is particularly advantageous in conjunction with a collection device comprising a suction medium, which in particular has no discharge opening and hermetically seals the collection space within the collection device from the rest of the rotor chamber.

[0051] The collection device and / or the reaction vessel unit is preferably made of a polymer material. They are particularly manufactured as injection-molded parts.

[0052] A discharge device may be provided, which is arranged in a rotor chamber of the centrifuge in which the rotor rotates and which is designed to collect the liquid discharged from the collection device. The design of the collection device may vary depending on the manner in which the liquid is discharged. In particular, the collection device may be designed to collect liquid that escapes from a discharge opening or spout of the collection device during centrifugation.

[0053] For example, the discharge device can have an annular trough open to the rotor chamber and concentric with the axis of rotation, which is located opposite a discharge opening of the collection device. The trough can receive the collected and discharged substances from the collection device without contaminating the rotor chamber. In particular, the trough can have an annular opening in which a nozzle of the collection device, from which liquid escapes during centrifugation, can be received. Even without a nozzle, the discharged substances can, if necessary, enter the trough simply due to the velocity of the liquid and a suitable arrangement.

[0054] The channel of the discharge device can be positioned axially opposite the discharge opening of the collection device. This allows the channel to accommodate a nozzle that extends axially from the collection device and rotates in a circular motion as the rotor turns. This results in even cleaner and more reliable liquid collection. Because the channel accommodates the nozzle axially outside the end wall of the collection device, liquid can flow from the channel onto the nozzle, but not onto any external surface of the collection device.

[0055] The trough can have an annular opening extending axially towards the rotor chamber, with the annular opening having an undercut extending radially inwards and / or radially outwards. This allows liquids to be collected even more reliably and to flow freely and unimpeded downwards in the trough, where they can be collected and, if necessary, drained or removed.

[0056] A discharge device, which is formed at a lower end of the drainage device, allows liquid to be discharged directly from the collection device to the outside.

[0057] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for cleaning a reaction vessel unit comprising several reaction vessels, each of which has an opening located in a common plane. The reaction vessel unit is mounted on a centrifuge rotor with its openings facing outwards from an axis of rotation of the rotor, and the rotor with the reaction vessel unit mounted thereon is rotated in the centrifuge, so that any liquid contained in the reaction vessels is ejected. The ejected liquid is collected by a collecting device with a collecting plate, which is arranged radially opposite the plane of opening of the reaction vessels and rotates together with the reaction vessel unit, and is then drained along the collecting plate.The collection device and / or centrifuge is preferably designed according to the description of the preceding aspects of the invention. The method exhibits essentially the same advantages and effects as the collection device or centrifuge described above. The reaction vessel unit can be mounted on the rotor in a manner known per se by means of positive-locking elements, such as rail-like clamps, into which the reaction vessel unit is inserted. For this purpose, an end wall of the rotor chamber can have a loading window through which the reaction vessel unit can be inserted into and removed from the rotor chamber.The use of the collection device and the execution of the procedure depend on the design and arrangement of the collection device and may include loose or fixed attachment of the collection device to the reaction vessel assembly before or after the reaction vessel assembly is placed on the rotor; detachable or non-detachable attachment of the collection device to the rotor before or (only in the case of detachable attachment) after the reaction vessel assembly is placed on the rotor; or attachment of the collection device to a rotor shaft of the drive separately or together with the rotor. For example, a collection device may be permanently attached to the rotor of the centrifuge. In this case, the reaction vessel assembly is simply placed in the centrifuge on the rotor under the collection plate of the collection device.In other cases, the collection device and the reaction vessel unit can form an assembly that is assembled outside the centrifuge and loaded into and unloaded from the centrifuge together.

[0058] The collection device can be cleaned after one or more centrifugation cycles. Cleaning can be carried out by autoclaving, chemical agents, and / or irradiation. Cleaning the collection device is simpler and more cost-effective than cleaning the entire centrifuge or the entire rotor chamber with rotor. Because the collection device is provided, cleaning intervals for the centrifuge itself or the rotor chamber can be extended, especially if the collection device forms a sealed collection chamber from which little or no liquid escapes into the rotor chamber. A collection device located within the rotor chamber of the centrifuge to collect liquid diverted from the collection device can be cleaned together with or separately from the collection device using the same or a different method.The collection device can be created in a particularly simple way by centrifuging a reaction vessel unit filled with a cleaning solution. The collection device can also be cleaned by the cleaning solution exiting it.

[0059] The rotor chamber of a centrifuge can be cleaned after a predetermined number of centrifugation cycles. This cleaning can be achieved by rinsing with a cleaning solution or by separately cleaning disassembled parts of the centrifuge that define the rotor chamber. Examples of suitable cleaning methods include autoclaving, chemical agents (biocides), or irradiation. Since a collection device is provided, the predetermined number of centrifugation cycles after which cleaning is required can be greater, thus extending the cleaning intervals for the centrifuge and / or the rotor chamber. A collection device located within the rotor chamber to collect the liquid diverted from the collection device can be cleaned in the same operation or separately using a different method. Here, too, it is possible to clean the rotor chamber by centrifuging a reaction vessel unit filled with a cleaning solution.This procedure is particularly easy to perform if the collection device is open at the sides, as the cleaning solution can then easily enter the rotor chamber. If the collection device is closed, it can be removed from the rotor before the cleaning cycle, allowing the cleaning solution to reach the inner walls of the rotor chamber. If the rotor has two mounting positions for reaction vessel units, but only one of the mounting positions is equipped with a collection device that forms a closed collection chamber, the reaction vessel units can be placed in the mounting position with the discharge device for cleaning, while the reaction vessel unit containing the cleaning solution is placed in the mounting position without the collection device for cleaning the rotor chamber.To clean the collection device in the rotor chamber, a cleaning solution can be dispensed with if the rotor or the discharge device is aerodynamically designed in such a way that the collection device (for example, a trough as described above) is cleaned (blown out) by an airflow generated during rotation.

[0060] Selected embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1A: A centrifuge in a side view from the outside; Figure 1B: The centrifuge of Figure 1A in a frontal view in the direction of arrow "B" in Figure 1A Figure 2 shows the interior of a rotor housing of the centrifuge from Figures 1A, 1B with a reaction vessel unit without a collection device in a front view with the end wall removed; Figure 3 the interior of the rotor housing of Figure 2with a reaction vessel unit and with a collecting device according to the invention in a frontal sectional view corresponding to a Figure 1A Section plane indicated by a line "III"; Figure 4A the centrifuge in a side view accordingly Figure 1A with hood removed; Figure 4B the centrifuge of Figure 4A in a frontal view in the direction of arrow "B" in Figure 4A Figure 4C the centrifuge of Figure 4A with the hood removed, wherein a rotor box and elements contained therein are arranged along a plane "C" in Figure 4B are cut; Figure 4D the rotor housing of the centrifuge made of Figure 4A in an enlarged view corresponding to section "D" in Figure 4C Figure 4 Eden Rotor housing of the Figure 4A cut in a side view along a plane "E" in Figure 4B Figures 4F, 4G, 4H the centrifuge of Figure 4A in a front view in the direction of an arrow "F", "G" and "H" in Figure 4AFigure 5: Rotor housing of the centrifuge made of Figure 4A in a perspective view; Figure 5B the rotor housing made of Figure 5A cut in a perspective view along the plane "E" in Figure 4B Figure 6A shows an assembly with rotor shaft, rotor, collecting device and collecting device in the centrifuge with reaction vessel unit included therein in a perspective view; Figure 6B shows the assembly of Figure 6A in a different perspective view; Figure 6C the assembly of Figure 6A cut along plane "C" in Figure 4B Figure 7A shows an assembly with rotor shaft, rotor and collecting device in the centrifuge with reaction vessel unit included therein in a perspective view; Figure 7B shows the assembly of Figure 7A cut along plane "C" in Figure 4BFigure 8 Variants (a) to (g) of a contour of the collection plate with reaction vessel unit on a rotor in cross-section transverse or perpendicular to the axis of rotation; Figure 9 Variants (a) to (h) of a contour of the collection plate with reaction vessel unit on a rotor in an axial section along the axis of rotation; Figure 10A, 10 Legs Collection device and a reaction vessel unit in a top view and in a side view.

[0061] All drawings are to be understood schematically. Sizes may be distorted for clarity. Unless otherwise stated, directional and positional terms refer to the ordinary use of the invention.

[0062] A centrifuge 1 has a drive housing 2 and a rotor housing 3, which rest on feet 4 ( Figures 1A, 1BThe drive housing 2 contains a drive unit, such as an electric motor (not shown in detail). The drive housing 2 has a cover 5, which is attached to a support structure of the rotor housing 3 by means of screws 6. The support structure can be defined by an end wall 7, a base 27, and a rear wall 28 of the rotor housing 3 (see, for example, [reference]). Figure 5A with screw holes 53 for mounting the hood 5). The hood 5 can have two side walls 13 and an upper wall 14, which are designed as individual elements or as a continuous angled sheet metal structure (see figure). Figure 2 The side walls 13 and the upper wall 14 of the hood 5, as well as the front wall 7, a base 27, and a rear wall 28 of the rotor housing 3, define or enclose an interior space of the rotor housing 3, which is also referred to as a rotor chamber 29. The front wall 7 has a loading window 8 (see figure). Figure 1B), through which an interior of the rotor housing 3 is accessible in order to connect the centrifuge to a reaction vessel unit 21 ( Figure 2 ) to load, as is known in the usual way. The front wall 7 can also have an axle opening 9 ( Figure 1B ), which accommodates a rotor shaft 10 of the centrifuge 1 for rotation about a rotational axis 11. The shaft opening 9 can also be designed as a bearing seat for a bearing 12 for supporting the rotor shaft, but the rotor shaft can also run freely in the shaft opening 9.

[0063] The rotor shaft 10 carries a rotor 20, which is non-rotatably connected to the rotor shaft 10 in order to rotate in an interior of the rotor box 3 ( Figure 2For this purpose, the rotor shaft 10 is connected to an output shaft of the drive unit of the centrifuge 1. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the rotor shaft 10 is an integral part of the output shaft of the drive unit. The rotor 20 is designed to accommodate at least one reaction vessel unit 21; in the present embodiment, the rotor 20 can accommodate two reaction vessel units 21, of which only one is shown in the figure. The rotor 20 has a frame 22, which is approximately cuboid in shape and is rotationally fixed to the rotor shaft 10. On two axially opposite sides of the frame 22, a receiving space 23 for a reaction vessel unit 21 is provided on each side. In embodiment variants, only a single receiving space 23 or more than two receiving spaces 23 may be provided. The receiving space 23 is bounded by two rail-like clamps 24 that project from the frame 22.The frame 22 itself has a support surface 25 for the reaction vessel unit 21, while the clamps 24 have corresponding mating surfaces 26 which are parallel to the support surface 25 and spaced apart from it to fit according to the height of the reaction vessel unit 21. The reaction vessel unit 21 can be placed on or removed from the rotor 20 via the loading window 8 in the end wall 7 in a manner known per se, when the rotor 20 is in a position in which the receiving position 23 is directly opposite the loading window 8. The loading process can be automated using a loading device such as that known from WO 2017 / 125598 A1. For this purpose, the loading device has an automatically actuated sliding rod (not shown) for positioning a reaction vessel unit.

[0064] The reaction vessel unit 21 is a body with a plurality of individual reaction vessels 37, which are arranged next to each other in the reaction vessel unit 21 and each have an opening 38 on one side ( Figure 3The openings 38 lie in a common opening plane 39 and point radially outwards for cleaning purposes. The clamps 24 of the receiving positions 23 are designed such that they grip the reaction vessel unit 21 only at its edges, leaving the openings 38 of the individual reaction vessels 37 of the reaction vessel unit 21 unobstructed. When the rotor 20 rotates about the axis of rotation 11 at a suitable speed, liquids contained in the reaction vessels 37 of the reaction vessel unit 21 can be flung radially outwards. The liquid flung out of the reaction vessel unit 21 can be collected by the walls of the rotor chamber 29, in particular the inner surfaces of the side walls 13 and the upper wall 14 of the hood 5, as well as a portion of the base 27, and from there flow downwards and, if necessary, be collected and discharged in a manner known per se. The rotational speed for this purpose is several hundred to several thousand revolutions per minute.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a collecting device 30 is provided which is arranged radially outside the reaction vessel unit 21 ( Figure 3The collecting device 30 has a collecting plate 31, which is arranged opposite the openings 38 of the reaction vessels 37. The collecting plate 31 extends beyond the dimensions of the rotor 20 both in the lateral direction w and in the axial direction (direction of the axis of rotation 11). In modified versions, it may be sufficient if the collecting plate 31 covers at least the reaction vessel unit 21 or at least all openings 38 of the reaction vessels 37 of the reaction vessel unit 21. When the rotor 20 rotates at a speed suitable for centrifugation, liquid from the reaction vessels 37 is flung through the openings 38 by the effect of the centrifugal force and collected by the collecting plate 31.In the region of a median plane 36, which runs perpendicularly through the opening plane 39 of the reaction vessel unit 21 and along the axis of rotation 11, the radial distance r 0 of the collecting plate 31 to the axis of rotation 11 is smallest, while the radial distance r increases in the lateral direction r towards the edge 32 of the collecting device. Correspondingly, the centrifugal acceleration also increases towards the edge 32 of the collecting device 30, so that the collected liquid is driven along a surface of the collecting plate 31 in the lateral direction w towards the edge 32. A flank 33 of the collecting device 30 adjacent to the edge 32 of the collecting plate 31 can be open, so that the outwardly driven liquid is further propelled beyond the edge 32 by the centrifugal acceleration and ejected into the rotor chamber 29.When the rotor 20 stops in the position in which the reaction vessel unit 21 can be removed via the loading window 8 of the end wall 7, the collection device 32 prevents liquid dripping from the upper wall 14 from flowing back into the reaction vessels 37, thus ensuring that the reaction vessel unit 21 can be removed cleanly. This effectively prevents cross-contamination when centrifuging several reaction vessel units 21 with different contents.

[0066] If the edge 32 of the collecting plate 31 is arranged laterally offset from the reaction vessel unit 21 and is also drawn downwards, i.e. towards the rotor, a drip edge can also be formed from which liquid can drip down next to the rotor 20 when the rotor 20 is at rest.

[0067] The edge 32 of the collection plate 31 can also be drawn down so far that it retains the liquid ejected from the reaction vessel unit 21 during rotation, and this liquid only drips down the side of the rotor 20 when the rotor has come to a standstill. This can also significantly reduce wetting of the inner walls of the rotor chamber 29.

[0068] The collecting device 30 can be integrally formed with the rotor 20 or attached to it or attachable to it. In particular, the collecting device 30 can be removable from the rotor 20 so that it can be cleaned separately. The collecting device 30 can also be attached to the rotor shaft 10 independently of the rotor 20 (not shown in detail).

[0069] In another embodiment, the collecting plate 31 of the collecting device 30 is designed to rise from a front end wall 41 to an opposite rear end wall 42 of the collecting device 30 ( Figures 4A to 7B This embodiment is a preferred modification of the embodiment of Figure 3and makes use of its features, unless otherwise described below. The front end wall 41 is located, viewed axially, on the side of the end wall 7 of the rotor housing 3, and the rear end wall 42 of the collecting device 30 is located, viewed axially, on the side of the rear wall 28 of the rotor housing 3. In other words, the collecting plate 31 has a slope that rises with respect to the axis of rotation 11 of the rotor 20 towards the rear end wall 42 of the collecting device 30 and thus towards the rear wall 28 of the rotor housing 3. An inner surface of the collecting plate 31 forms a deflection angle α with the axis of rotation 11 of the rotor 20 or with the opening plane 39 of a reaction vessel unit 21 mounted on the rotor 20 ( Figures 4A , 4CDuring the centrifugation process at a rotational speed, the liquid trapped on the collection plate 31 is therefore forced along the slope (direction of arrow a in). Figure 4C ) to the rear end wall 42 of the collecting device 30. Two drain openings 43 are formed in the rear end wall 42, to each of which a nozzle 44 projects axially from the rear end wall 42.

[0070] A collection device 40 is provided on the rear wall 28 of the rotor housing 3, which adjoins the drive housing 2. The collection device 40 can be formed integrally with the rear wall 28 or manufactured separately and connected to the rear wall 28. (It should be noted that the collection device can also be shown schematically in Figures 2 and 3(as shown, but not functionally required there.) In the present embodiment, the collecting device 40 is a ring- or disc-shaped structure arranged on an inner side of the rear wall 28. However, the invention is not limited to this shape, and the collecting device 40 can, in principle, have any shape suitable for collecting and draining the liquid.

[0071] On the side facing the rotor 20, i.e., the inside, an annular channel 45 is formed in the collecting device 40. The channel 45 has an annular opening 46 that points axially towards the rotor chamber 29. Behind the annular opening 46, the channel 45 widens radially inwards and radially outwards to form an inner undercut 47 and an outer undercut 48 with the annular opening 46. At its lowest point, the collecting device 40 has a drain 49 which is connected to the channel 45. The two nozzles 44 of the collecting device 30 project through the annular opening 46 into the channel 45. The liquid collected by the collecting device 30 on the collecting plate 31 accumulates under the effect of centrifugal acceleration at the outer (flank-side) ends of the rear end wall 42 of the collecting device 31 in the lateral direction.From there, it flows through the drain openings 43 into the nozzles 44 and is discharged from there into the channel 45. In the channel 45, the liquid can flow downwards and be removed from the rotor chamber 29 through the drain pipe 49.

[0072] Since all the liquid ejected from the reaction vessel unit 21 is collected in the trough 45, the interior of the rotor housing 3 (the rotor chamber 29) remains largely unwetted by the liquid. Only mist generated by turbulence can escape from the trough 45 into the rotor chamber 29 and wet its walls.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the collection device 31 is designed to be flush with the lateral edges of the reaction vessel unit 21 and / or the rotor with flanks 33 or lateral walls, thus forming a substantially enclosed space. This ensures that the atmosphere within the collection device 31 is carried along when the rotor rotates and is not, or only minimally, disturbed. This prevents the formation of aerosols that would otherwise spread within the rotor chamber 29.

[0074] Only if the formation of such a contaminated mist cannot be prevented is it necessary to clean the interior of the rotor housing 3 from time to time. The cleaning intervals can generally be extended considerably compared to a centrifugation process without the collection device 30 and collection device 40. The collection plate 31 reliably protects the reaction vessel unit 21 from any contamination by liquid that may drip from the upper wall 14 of the hood 5.Since the collection device 30 is also closed at the sides 33, it forms a sealed space with the reaction vessel unit 21. This prevents any liquid mist that may be present in the rotor chamber 29 from settling on a surface of the reaction vessel unit 21 and effectively prevents turbulence caused by rotation in the space between the reaction vessel unit 21 and the collection plate 31. Therefore, in this embodiment, the reaction vessel unit 21 can be reliably and completely cleaned by centrifugation using the collection device 30 and is protected from any wetting during the centrifugation process or contamination by falling droplets.

[0075] The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. It is understood that numerous modifications within the scope of protection of the invention are possible. The shape of the collecting plate 31 depends on the desired effects. Figure 8 Figure 8(a) to 8(g) schematically shows several variants 8(a) to 8(g) of a contour of the collection plate 31 with reaction vessel unit 21 in a cross-section (radial section) perpendicular or radial to the axis of rotation 11. Figure 9 Figure 9(a) to 9(h) schematically shows several variants of the contour of the collection plate 31 with reaction vessel unit 21 in an axial section along the axis of rotation 11. It is understood that further variants are conceivable. The cross-sectional shapes of the Figure 8 and 9 They can be combined in any way. They can be designed with open or closed flanks.

[0076] The collecting plate 31 can be oriented in cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation ( Figure 8 ) even ( Figure 8(a)), with a central kink 80 along the axis of rotation ( Figures 8(b), (e) ), with two lateral kinks along the axis of rotation ( Figure 8 (d, g) or arched (c, f), concave when viewed from the outside ( Figures 8(b), (c), (d) ) or convex ( Figures 8(e), (f), (g) ) be trained. As in connection with Figure 2 As described, the centrifugal acceleration in the cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 11 always acts in the direction of the larger radius r; therefore, liquid collected on the inside of the collection plate 31 is also carried out even if the collection plate is flat ( Figure 8(a) ) to the flank-side edges 32. This effect can be intensified by a concave design in which the edges 32 are pulled away from the axis of rotation (upwards) ( Figures 8(b), (c), (d) ), by a convex formation in which the edges 32 are pulled towards the axis of rotation (downwards), but are weakened ( Figures 8(b), (c), (d) ). In the case of a convex shape with a central kink 80 ( Figure 8(e)The collecting plate initially slopes more steeply than a circumference 82 around the axis of rotation. Therefore, liquid can accumulate in the area around the central bend 80 up to a reversal point 83, beyond which the collecting plate 31 slopes more gently than the circumference 82. To avoid this, the shape with two lateral bends 81, located beyond the reversal point 83, is preferable, as this reliably drains the liquid outwards from the central area. Figure 8(g) ). For the same reason, it is advantageous if the curvature of a convexly curved collecting plate 31 ( Figure 8(f) ) the radius of curvature of the collecting plate 31 is greater than the radial distance of the collecting plate 31 at the point closest to the axis, i.e. in the area of ​​the median plane 36.

[0077] In an axial section along the axis of rotation ( Figure 9 ) the collecting plate 31 can be flat, i.e. at the same distance from the axis of rotation 11 ( Figure 9(a)), sloping on one side, i.e. rising from a first end wall 41 to a second end wall 42 ( Figures 9(b)-(d) ), sloping on both sides, i.e. rising towards both end walls 41, 42 ( Figures 9(e)-(g) ) or descending ( Figure 9(h) ) be formed, with the slope being straight in each case ( Figures 9(b), (e), (h) ) or arched ( Figures 9(c), (d), (f), (g) ), concave when viewed from the outside ( Figures 9(d), (e), (f) ) or convex ( Figures 9(c), (g)The axial slope, which rises towards one or both end walls 41, 42, directs fluid along the inner or underside of the collecting plate 31 to the respective end wall 41, 42 towards which the slope rises, due to centrifugal acceleration. The flow velocity can be slowed by a convex shape towards the respective end wall and accelerated by a concave shape. For axially sloped shapes, it is advantageous for the flanks to be closed or at least drawn down sufficiently to impede the flow perpendicular to the axis of rotation, so that the fluid is only directed to the end wall(s) towards which the slope rises, where the fluid can be collected without wetting the rotor chamber.With a single-sided slope, the structural effort required for collecting the liquid is reduced, as a collection device for the diverted liquid only needs to be provided on one side. This is preferably located on a rear wall of the rotor chamber, as the liquid can then be reliably diverted away from the end wall, from which the reaction vessel unit is loaded. For very large quantities of liquid to be diverted, a double-sided slope can be advantageous, as the liquid can then be collected more quickly. A double-sided, rising profile of the collection plate 31, extending from the end walls 41, 42 to a cross-section 90, can concentrate the liquid in a bend 91 at the two flank edges. There, the liquid can be ejected laterally through respective discharge openings.If necessary, a trough-like ring-shaped collecting device can be provided in the rotor chamber in the area of ​​cross-section 90, which collects the liquid ejected there and drains it downwards.

[0078] Other variations are conceivable. For example, the collection device 30 can have a trough shape without additional discharge openings. In this variation, it is advantageous if the collection device 30 is mounted outside the centrifuge 1 on the reaction vessel unit 21, and the reaction vessel unit 21 is loaded into the centrifuge in this manner. In this case, the procedure is modified so that the rotor remains in the lower position at the end of the centrifugation process, so that the collection device 30 comes to rest below the reaction vessel unit 21. The reaction vessel unit 21, with the collection device 30 and the liquid collected therein, is then unloaded through a discharge window (not shown) in the end wall 7 and separated from the collection device 30. The collection device 30 is then emptied of the liquid, cleaned, and prepared for another centrifugation process.With this design, the rotor chamber remains free of the ejected liquid even without an installed collection device. No collection device is required on the rotor itself, and cleaning the rotor chamber and the collection device can be made even simpler.

[0079] It should be noted that the in Figure 2 The embodiment shown corresponds to a combination of the cross-sectional shape 8(a) with the axial section shape 9(a) with open flanks, and the embodiment shown in Figures 3A to 7B corresponds to a combination of the cross-sectional shape 8(a) with the axial section shape 9(b) with closed flanks.

[0080] Another embodiment of a collecting device 30 ( Figure 10A, 10BThe device 30 has a collecting plate 31, which is provided with circumferential flanks 33, so that the collecting device 30 is approximately trough-shaped. Laterally projecting projections 92 are formed on the collecting device 30 at the free edges of the flanks 33. The projections 92 can also be referred to as feet.

[0081] The reaction vessel unit 21, which has several reaction vessels 37, has a circumferential edge region 93 in which corresponding recesses 94 are provided for receiving the projections 92 ( Figure 10BThe recesses 94, which can also be referred to as positioning recesses 94, are designed such that the projections 92 are received therein in such a way that the projections 92, with their upper surface pointing away from the reaction vessel unit 21, are aligned with the upper surface of the remaining area of ​​the edge region 93 of the reaction vessel unit 21. Such a design has the advantage that the reaction vessel unit 21, with or without a collecting device 30, can be arranged in a rotor 20, and the edge region 93 of the reaction vessel unit 21, and optionally the projections or feet 92 of the collecting device 30, are engaged by a guide 95, so that the reaction vessel unit 21, with or without a collecting device 30, is securely fixed against rotation in the rotor 20.

[0082] The projections 92 are arranged unevenly on the two opposing flanks 33. This means that the projections 92 engage in the recess 94 according to the lock-and-key principle only when the collecting device 30 is positioned precisely in a predetermined location or arrangement on the reaction vessel unit 21. Such a configuration of the projections 92 and the recess 94 is particularly advantageous if the collecting device has a discharge opening, which, in particular, serves with an inclined collecting plate 31 to drain the liquid emptied from the reaction vessels 37.

[0083] The projections 92 and the recess 94 thus form a contact contour of the collecting device 30 and a complementary contour of the reaction vessel unit 21, respectively, which ensures a unique assignment of the collecting device 30 to the reaction vessel unit 21, whereby the combination of reaction vessel unit 21 and collecting device 30 can only be arranged in the rotor 20 of the centrifuge if the contact contour and the complementary contour are correctly joined to each other.

[0084] It can also be advantageous to provide a clear arrangement between the reaction vessel unit and the rotor or centrifuge by means of corresponding contours. This ensures that the rotor, the reaction vessel unit, and the collection device are clearly assigned to one another.

[0085] By providing the contact contour of the collecting device or the complementary contour of the reaction vessel unit, it is ensured that the reaction vessels are correctly covered.

[0086] In the Figures 10A, 10B In the illustrated embodiment, however, no discharge opening is provided; instead, the collection device 30 is shaped like a trough. An absorbent material 96 is arranged on the side of the collection plate 31 facing the reaction vessels 37. In the present embodiment, the absorbent material is a cellulose pad. Such cellulose pads can be detachably arranged in the collection device 30 and removed and disposed of after use. The cellulose pads can be provided with an adhesive layer for this purpose. The collection device 30 can also be equipped with locking elements for securing the absorbent material 96.

[0087] In this embodiment, during use, the collecting device 30 and the reaction vessel unit 21 are held together in the rotor 20 on the one hand and fixed in the rotor 20 on the other hand by means of the guide 95, which is designed as an elongated guide rail.

[0088] However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to provide locking devices on both the collection device and the reaction vessel unit, so that both are detachably connected to each other. The locking connection should, however, be sufficiently strong to withstand the centrifugal force occurring in the centrifuge.

[0089] The collection device and the reaction vessel unit are designed for use in a centrifuge. However, they can also be used for manually emptying the reaction vessels of the reaction vessel unit. This applies in particular to the trough-shaped design of the collection device.

[0090] The collection device of the present invention can prevent cross-contamination between reaction vessel units, reduce or completely prevent wetting of the reaction vessel units by aerosols in the rotor chamber (depending on the design of the collection device), and also significantly reduce or completely prevent contamination of the rotor chamber by ejected liquid. The latter can considerably simplify the cleaning of the rotor chamber. If the liquids are completely collected in the trough 45 of the collection device 40 and escape into the rotor chamber is prevented, a closed rotor chamber can optionally be dispensed with. In other words, the end wall 7 and the hood 5, and optionally also the base 27 (unless the latter is required for stability) of the rotor housing 3, can be omitted. This can considerably simplify the loading and unloading process of the rotor 20. Reference symbol list 1 centrifuge 40 discharge device 2 drive box 41 front (first) end wall 3 Rotor box 42 rear (second) end wall 4 Foot 43 Exit opening 5 hood 44 spout 6 screw 45 gutter 7 Front wall 46 Ring opening 8 Loading window 47 inner undercut 9 axle opening 48 outer undercut 10 Rotor shaft 49 drain pipe 11 axis of rotation 50 plate 12 Storage 51 Frame 13 side wall 60 module 14 upper wall 70 module 20 rotor 80 central bend 21 reaction vessel unit 81 lateral bend 22 Frame 82 area 23 Recording area 83 Turning point 24 bracket 84 Surface normal 25 Contact surface 90 Medium cross-section 26 Opposite surface 91 kink 27 base 92 projection 28 back panel 93 Edge area 29 Rotor chamber 94 Exclusion 30 Collection device 95 guide 31 drip tray 96 Absorbent 32 edge 33 flank a Direction of flow 35 edge r radius 36 Middle level r 0 smallest radius 37 reaction vessel w Latitude 38 opening 39 Opening level α Discharge angle

Claims

1. A collecting device (30) for a reaction vessel unit (21) comprising a plurality of reaction vessels (37), the reaction vessels (37) each having an opening (38) lying in a common opening plane (39), the collecting device (30) comprising a collecting plate (31) which is designed such that it can be arranged in a centrifuge (1) so as to be opposite the openings (38) of the reaction vessels (37) and is designed such that it rotates together with the reaction vessel unit (21) during centrifugation and any liquid escaping from the reaction vessels (37) due to centrifugal acceleration is collected by the collecting plate (31), the collecting plate (31) being able to be arranged obliquely with respect to the opening plane (39) in axial direction of a rotational axis (11) of a rotor (20) of the centrifuge (1) so that collected liquid is discharged along the obliquely arranged collecting plate (31) in the axial direction of the rotational axis (11) of the rotor (20) of the centrifuge (1) due to centrifugal acceleration in the centrifuge (1), at least one outlet opening (43) being formed on an end face wall (42) of the collecting device (30), toward which the collecting plate (31) rises, the outlet opening (43) comprising a spout (44) that protrudes beyond the end face wall (42).

2. The collecting device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a suction means which is designed and arranged on the collecting plate in such a way that it can suck up the collected liquid.

3. The collecting device according to claim 2, wherein the suction means is formed from a porous material, such as a cellulose layer, and / or an open-cell foam.

4. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein flanks (33) of the collecting device (30), which run roughly parallel to the rotational axis (11), are extended from the collecting plate (31) toward the reaction vessel unit (21) to form an obstacle to the movement of the liquid transverse to the rotational axis (11).

5. The collecting device (30) according to claim 4, wherein the flanks (33) and the end face walls (41, 42) of the collecting device (30) are formed so as to close off with an edge (35) of the reaction vessel unit (21).

6. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outlet opening (43) is flush or substantially flush with the inner side of the collecting plate (31).

7. The collecting device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting device (30) is designed so as to have a surrounding contour which is adapted to the shape of the reaction vessel unit (21), so that the collecting device can be placed preferably in a form-fitting manner, in particular in a form-fitting manner around the entire circumference.

8. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the collecting device (30) is designed so as to be connectable to the reaction vessel unit (21) in a detachable manner.

9. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the collecting device (30) is designed so as to be connectable to a rotor (20) of a centrifuge (1) in a detachable manner.

10. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the collecting device (30) is integrally formed with a rotor (20) of the centrifuge (1).

11. The collecting device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the collecting device (30) comprises a contact contour for contacting a reaction vessel unit comprising a corresponding complementary contour, the contact contour and the complementary contour being designed such that the collecting device can only be arranged in a single position on the reaction vessel unit, so that the combination consisting of the reaction vessel unit and the collecting device can be arranged in a centrifuge.

12. A reaction vessel unit (21) comprising a plurality of reaction vessels (37), wherein the reaction vessels (37) each have an opening (38) lying in a common opening plane (39), and the reaction vessel unit comprises a complementary contour which is shaped such that the reaction vessel unit can only be arranged in a single position on the collecting device designed according to claim 11, so that the combination consisting of the reaction vessel unit and the collecting device can be arranged in a centrifuge.

13. The reaction vessel unit according to claim 12, wherein the reaction vessel unit comprises an asymmetrical insertion contour which is adapted to a corresponding receiving contour of a rotor of a centrifuge such that the reaction vessel unit can only be arranged in a single position in the rotor.

14. The collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the collecting device comprises projections in the area of a contact contour for contacting a reaction vessel unit, which projections protrude laterally in such a way that guides of a rotor can engage behind them and thus fasten the collecting device and the reaction vessel unit in the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner.

15. The collecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or 14, wherein the collecting device is made of a polymer material and is, in particular, an injection-molded part.

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