Device for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HOCHSCHULE AALEN KOERPERSCHAFT DES OEFFENTLICHEN RECHTS
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing microfluidic valves, particularly those used in capillary electrophoresis, face challenges with high electrical resistance, surface wear, and difficulty in optical detection due to polymer materials, limiting their performance and lifespan under high voltages and preventing efficient separation processes.
A device with a rotating recording element and a rigid holding element, featuring sealed sample volumes within the recording element and optimized sealing surfaces, made from transparent glass for reduced electrical conductivity and enhanced optical detection capabilities, allowing for high-voltage operation and precise liquid transfer.
The device ensures reliable, high-voltage operation with minimized voltage deflections and surface wear, enabling efficient liquid transfer and optical detection, suitable for nanoliter volumes, and facilitating advanced microfluidic applications like capillary electrophoresis and chip-based systems.
Smart Images

Figure EP2024071012_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Device for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system
[0002] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2023 119 806.8, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] The invention relates to a device for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system, comprising a holding element for holding fluid lines and a receiving element for receiving the liquid sample according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.
[0004] DE 10 2011 000 104 discloses a high-pressure switching valve for high-performance liquid chromatography. In contrast to the usual design of such high-pressure switching valves, not only the stator but also the rotor is made of a hard material. The provided wobbling or tilting mounting of the stator or rotor ensures that, despite the use of hard materials, a relatively uniform surface pressure is achieved within the contact surface even during the rotation of the rotor. This is intended to avoid the risk of increased wear due to uneven surface pressure in the contact surface, since hard base bodies in the contact surface hardly deform.
[0005] US 2019 / 0 249 799 A1 describes a rotary valve with a rotor and a stator that are biased toward each other to form a fluid-tight seal. The rotor may have an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support.
[0006] A deflection module with a connecting stator, a base surface channel arranged centrally in the base surface of the connecting stator, shell surface channels and a switching rotor connected by switching axes to an axis coupling and rotatably arranged axially in the connecting stator is known from EP 4 122 604 A2.
[0007] Such devices, which are also referred to as valves in this field, are known, for example, from DE 10 2012 005 2770 A1 or US 6,748,975 B2.
[0008] In addition to its use as an injection valve, this type of valve can also be used to couple multiple separation systems. This also includes microfluidic systems, such as capillary electrophoresis, or chip-based applications. Many established analytical separation techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis, use substances that are incompatible with mass spectrometry, which is preferred for the detection of certain substances. These include non-volatile electrolytes, for example, phosphate- or borate-based ones, additives, polymers, or surfactants. One possible solution to this problem is two- or multi-dimensional capillary electrophoresis. The valves described above are used to couple the two capillary electrophoresis systems or devices. These valves are located in a high electric field (high voltage) necessary for separation.Other microfluidic systems, such as chip-based systems, also require valves to connect two different fluid systems.
[0009] The valves commonly used in analytical chemistry are usually made of metal or polymer materials, making optical detection directly at the valve, for example, using UV / VIS absorption or fluorescence, extremely difficult. Due to the electrical voltages of up to 30,000 volts applied during capillary electrophoresis, combined with field strengths in the range of several hundred to several thousand volts / cm, the electrical resistance of polymer materials has proven critical. Therefore, only comparatively low separation voltages of 10,000 to 15,000 volts can be applied, which significantly slows the separation process, as breakdowns can otherwise occur even at these lower voltages, particularly when a liquid film forms between the two relatively movable parts of the valve.These breakdowns, or voltage jumps, often render a polymer valve unusable within a short period of time. Another disadvantage of valves made of polymer materials is that the surfaces of the components that move relative to each other become scratched very quickly, which limits the valve's tightness and further increases the risk of voltage breakdown. Furthermore, as already mentioned above, the polymer material prevents visual inspection, and optical detection cannot be integrated into the valve, which significantly increases the complexity of the system.
[0010] Various publications describe the application of two-dimensional separations involving capillary electrophoresis. The following publications are merely examples: "Two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-CE-MS): coupling MS-interfering capillary electromigration methods with mass spectrometry" by Johannes Schlecht, Kevin Jooß, and Christian Neusüß, "Heart-cut nano-LC-CZE-MS for the characterization of proteins on the intact level" by Kevin Jooß, Nico Scholz, Jens Meixner, and Christian Neusüß, and "Online top-down mass spectrometric identification of CE(SDS)-separated antibody fragments by two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis" by Jennifer Römer, Alexander Stolz, Steffen Kiessig, Bernd Moritz, and Christian Neusüß.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system, which ensures high tightness and can be operated with high electrical voltages.
[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.
[0013] The device according to the invention for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system has a holding element for holding fluid lines and a receiving element for receiving the liquid sample. The receiving element is rotatable relative to the holding element about a common axis of rotation so that the liquid sample can be moved into a different position for transfer. For this purpose, the receiving element is preferably mounted so that it can rotate about the axis of rotation, while the holding element is rigid. Therefore, the holding element is also referred to as a stator and the receiving element as a rotor. The surface of the receiving element facing the holding element rests at least partially against the holding element in order to create a seal between the holding element and the receiving element. For transferring the liquid sample, the receiving element can have multiple sample volumes.
[0014] According to the invention, the sample volumes run within the material of the receiving element and have only one inlet opening and one outlet opening on the surface of the receiving element facing the holding element. In contrast to known solutions, the entire sample volume is not opened; instead, a channel runs through the receiving element with only one inlet and one outlet opening in the direction of the holding element. In this way, the liquid sample is essentially located entirely within the receiving element and not, as in known solutions, in an area on the surface between the receiving and holding elements. This makes it significantly more difficult for the liquid sample to escape from the respective sample volume, so that the liquid sample is significantly more likely to remain within the sample volume intended for it and not to spread over a large area between the stator and rotor.Ultimately, this minimizes voltage breakdowns and prevents damage to the device. The sample volumes run as a channel at an angle to the contact surface between the receiving element and the holding element in the material of the receiving element. A tangent applied to the sample volume in the area where the respective sample volume enters the receiving element, i.e. at the inlet or outlet opening, can, for example, run orthogonal to the surface of the receiving element, but it can also be a shallower angle. From the inlet opening to the outlet opening, the sample volumes run within the receiving element. As a result, the majority of the sample volumes, with the exception of the very small portions attributable to the inlet or outlet opening, run within the receiving element.The sample volumes therefore do not run horizontally in channels on the surface of the receiving element, but are sealed off from the outside by the material of the receiving element, except for the inlet and outlet openings. This allows the sealing surfaces described in more detail below to be formed individually around the inlet and outlet openings, thus enabling appropriate sealing even with hard materials and significantly reducing the formation of an undesirable liquid film on the sealing surfaces.
[0015] The surface of the receiving element facing the holding element, into which the inlet and outlet openings are recessed, has respective, spatially delimited sealing surfaces for engagement with the holding element in the surrounding areas, as well as recesses between the respective sealing surfaces. The recesses leave raised portions in the non-recessed areas of the surface of the receiving element facing the holding element. These raised portions form the sealing surfaces that, together with the surface of the holding element facing the receiving element, form a seal between the holding element and the receiving element. Furthermore, the recesses spatially delimit the raised portions in the areas surrounding the inlet and outlet openings.The sealing surfaces are the original material of the receiving element, which is very flat and therefore offers optimal conditions for sealing the receiving element against the holding element. This is only possible because the test volumes, as described above, with the exception of the inlet and outlet openings, run completely within the receiving element. This means that a large amount of material from the receiving element can be removed in order to create very small sealing surfaces around the inlet and outlet openings. This design of the sealing surfaces minimizes the contact area between the receiving element and the holding element, which increases the tightness of the components, especially on hard surfaces, and prevents the two components that move relative to each other from seizing up. The recesses between the sealing surfaces also form air channels.Air-filled cavities between the retaining element and the receiving element prevent continuous liquid films and thus voltage breakdowns. This occurs because the recesses absorb any liquid escaping from the inlet or outlet opening, where it can then dry out due to the significantly larger surface area of the recesses compared to the sealing surfaces and cannot reach undesired areas. Finally, the significantly smaller surface area of the sealing surfaces compared to the surface area of the recesses prevents the receiving element from wringing against the retaining element, thus maintaining the ability of the receiving element to rotate relative to the retaining element.
[0016] Ultimately, this results in a device for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system, suitable for smallest volumes in the nanoliter range and enabling the use of high electrical voltages. The device according to the invention, also referred to as a valve, can be used, for example, for coupling two capillary electrophoresis devices, but also as an injection valve for capillary electrophoresis, and more generally for coupling two microfluidic systems.
[0017] In a very advantageous development of the invention, the sealing surfaces can be provided with a greater extent in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction. The use of such sealing surfaces elongated in the circumferential direction takes into account the fact that the receiving element moves in the circumferential direction relative to the receiving element and thus to the fluid lines, while no movement occurs in the radial direction. This ensures sufficient sealing in every relative position of the receiving element with respect to the holding element, while keeping the contact area between the holding element and the receiving element as small as possible.
[0018] To improve the strength of the receiving element in the area of the surface facing the holding element and to avoid damage to the components involved, it can further be provided that the recesses have edge regions that rise toward the surface of the receiving element facing the holding element. Preferably, the edge regions rise relatively gently from the respective center toward the surface, in particular at an angle of no more than 45°.
[0019] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention can consist in the holding element and / or the receiving element being made of a transparent material. The use of a transparent material enables the optical detection of the liquid in the device in the immediate vicinity of the transition point between the holding element and the receiving element, i.e., immediately before the liquid sample is introduced into the sample volume. This eliminates the need for analytical measures and equipment that were previously required due to the detection taking place well before the sample is transferred. This enables simple and, in particular, automated measurements using the device according to the invention.
[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the holding element and / or the receiving element are made of glass. The use of glass as the transparent material for the holding element and / or the receiving element has the advantage that glass is a very hard material and thus results in a durable and, due to its transparency, flexible device that can be equipped with complex functionality. Furthermore, the use of glass makes the device electrically non-conductive and has a high breakdown voltage. In addition, the use of glass allows the respective component to have a very smooth and flat surface, which can increase the tightness in the desired areas, particularly the sealing surfaces mentioned above.As described above, during the production of the sealing surfaces, by removing the material of the receiving element to create the recesses, the surface of the receiving element and thus of the resulting sealing surfaces are not altered, resulting in a very high surface quality. Furthermore, glass has the advantage of being chemically inert, and its surfaces can be chemically modified in known ways. Therefore, it is a frequently used material in separation techniques such as capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. The quick, simple, and reliable separation of liquids in the field of capillary electrophoresis, particularly CE-CE-MS and nanoLC-CE-MS, can be carried out using such a device, allowing these techniques to be easily utilized and applied in a variety of ways.In particular, completely new designs and applications are possible in chip-based microfluidics, also known as lab-on-chip.
[0021] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if an optical detection device for detecting liquid and the substances contained therein is provided within one of the sections of the fluid lines located in the holding element. By means of such an optical detection device, which can operate, for example, with UV absorption or fluorescence spectroscopy, the liquid located in one of the fluid lines and / or in one of the sample volumes can be very easily examined, and in this way, the desired liquid samples can be introduced into the respective sample volumes. By detecting substances in the liquid, the device according to the invention can be controlled in order to specify and / or automate a method for transferring the liquid sample within a microfluidic system of which the device according to the invention forms a part.
[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding element and / or the receiving element can be made of an electrically insulating material. This allows the device to withstand high voltages without causing breakdowns. Furthermore, this design makes it possible to apply a voltage to the liquid, with current flowing exclusively within the liquid and not within the holding element or receiving element made of the electrically insulating material.
[0023] A particularly advantageous development of the invention can consist in producing the sample volumes by means of selective laser etching. Selective laser etching allows the sample volumes to be created within the material of the receiving element, i.e., deep within the material, with great precision. Furthermore, this method makes it possible to obtain very flat surfaces with a roughness in the nanometer range.
[0024] The fluid lines can be attached to the holding element particularly easily if the holding element has several recesses for receiving the fluid lines.
[0025] Furthermore, it can be provided that the fluid lines are accommodated in the recesses by means of respective retaining parts. This eliminates the need for screw connections and the like, and the fluid lines can be installed in a plug-and-play manner, which significantly simplifies the handling of the device according to the invention.
[0026] An improved hold of the fluid lines in the recesses results when the holding parts are made of an elastic material with high friction.
[0027] In order to ensure an additional improved hold of the fluid lines, it can be provided that the recesses have a diameter that varies in the axial direction.
[0028] Furthermore, it can be provided that a layer is applied to at least one of the surfaces of the holding element and / or the receiving element that are in contact with each other and / or that the surface is chemically modified. This may potentially result in an improved seal between the holding element and the receiving element.
[0029] According to a further embodiment, at least one flushing connection can be provided, which is connected to at least one of the recesses between the surface of the holding and receiving element. This allows the at least one recess to be flushed with gas or liquid, for example, to dry any liquid film on the underside of the holding element or to remove deposits that may form. This can reduce the risk of voltage flashovers and, due to the reduced deposits, improve the handling, robustness, and service life of the entire device.
[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the holding element has depressions on its surface facing the receiving element. These can be very small channels, which can run, for example, transversely to the direction of rotation between the receiving element and the holding element. Liquid films can be wiped off in these depressions or channels. The dimensions of the depressions are significantly smaller than the areas around the channel openings of the receiving element. Although there is a risk of material being lost from the sample volumes, since these are then not in continuous contact with the material of the holding element. Nevertheless, these depressions with their very small structures could be helpful in wiping off a liquid film that may form there due to contact with the holding element. This can also help prevent wringing.
[0031] An embodiment of the invention is shown in principle below with reference to the drawing.
[0032] It shows:
[0033] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention;
[0034] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the holding element from Fig. 1;
[0035] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the receiving element from Fig. 1;
[0036] Fig. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; and
[0037] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view along line V of Fig. 1 .
[0038] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a device 1 for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system (not shown). The microfluidic system can, for example, be one or more capillary electrophoresis devices. Furthermore, the device 1 described below is also suitable as an injection valve for capillary electrophoresis. The device 1 can therefore, for example, be arranged between two capillary electrophoresis devices in order to transfer liquid samples from one device to the other. In principle, the device 1 can also be referred to as a valve and is suitable for two- or multi-dimensional capillary electrophoresis separations.
[0039] The device 1 comprises a holding element 2 for holding fluid lines 3 and a receiving element 4 for receiving the liquid sample. The holding element 2 and the receiving element 4 are rotatable relative to each other about a common axis of rotation 5. In the present case, the receiving element 4 is rotatable relative to the holding element 2 by means of a drive device (not shown), for example, an electric motor. Therefore, the holding element 2 can also be referred to as a stator, and the receiving element 4 as a rotor. The electric motor is designed such that it can move the rotor to the desired position relative to the stator.
[0040] Figures 2 and 3 each show a top view of the holding element 2 and the receiving element 4. Figure 4 shows a section through the receiving element 4.
[0041] From the top view of Fig. 3 and in particular from the section of Fig. 4 it can be seen that a surface 4a of the receiving element 4 facing the holding element 2 and at least partially abutting against the same has a plurality of sample volumes 6 for receiving the liquid sample, into which the liquid samples are transferred from the fluid lines 3 in a manner known per se.
[0042] As can be seen from the section in Fig. 4, the sample volumes 6 extend in the manner of channels within the material of the receiving element 4 and have only one inlet opening 6a, visible in the plan view of Fig. 3, and one outlet opening 6b to the surface 4a of the receiving element 4 facing the holding element 2. The sample volumes 6 are preferably produced by selective laser etching. Since this process is known per se, it will not be discussed in detail here.
[0043] Depending on the application, the volume of the sample volumes 6 can vary, for example, by changing the length and / or cross-section of the respective sample volume 6. In an embodiment not shown, a significantly higher number of sample volumes 6 can be integrated into the receiving element 4 in order to specifically isolate separated analytes, each in its own sample loop, and to supply them individually for further analysis, as a collected fraction or online using a second separation dimension. The latter then leads to a two-dimensional multi-heart-cut separation, and with many sample volumes, possibly even to a comprehensive approach. The sample loops should each be surrounded by an electrical insulator and shielded from one another to prevent voltage flashovers.The device 1 described here can ideally ensure this due to the glass material, the small contact surfaces, and the adjacent air space. Furthermore, different sample volumes 6 can also be integrated within one and the same receiving element 4.
[0044] Because only the inlet opening 6a and the outlet opening 6b of the sample volumes 6 are present on the surface 4a of the receiving element 4, the sample volumes 6 essentially run completely within the receiving element 4. In this way, the liquid sample is located in a protected area and cannot reach the surface 4a of the receiving element 4 and thus hardly into the area between the receiving element 4 and the holding element 2. By rotating the receiving element 4 relative to the holding element 2 as described above, the liquid sample can be cut out or separated and transferred. Furthermore, as can also be seen in the plan view of Fig. 3, the surface 4a of the receiving element 4 has respective sealing surfaces 7 in the areas surrounding the inlet opening 6a and the outlet opening 6b, which sealing surfaces serve to bear against the holding element 2.which rest against the holding element 2 when the device 1 is used as intended. Between the sealing surfaces 7, the surface 4a has respective depressions 8, which can again be seen in the section in Fig. 4. In this way, the sealing surfaces 7 are created. These are spatially limited and, in the present case, have a greater extent in the circumferential direction designated by "x" than in the radial direction designated by "y". The term "spatially limited" means that the area occupied by the sealing surfaces 7 on the surface 4a of the receiving element 4 is very small compared to the area of the depressions 8. The size of the sealing surfaces 7 represents a compromise between a good seal between the holding element 2 and the receiving element 4 on the one hand and low friction between these components on the other, and can therefore be selected depending on various factors.Due to the limited size of the sealing surfaces 7 on the surface 4a of the receiving element 4, seizure of the receiving element 4 on the holding element 2 is also prevented.
[0045] Between the sealing surfaces 7, the surface 4a has respective depressions 8, which can again be seen in the section in Fig. 4. This also shows that the bottom of the depressions 8 is not flat. Rather, the depressions 8 have edge regions that rise towards the surface 4a of the receiving element 4. These edge regions have a very slight gradient and form an angle of preferably less than 45° with the surface 4a of the receiving element 4. The receiving element 4 can be pressed against the holding element 2 by means of spring elements or similar devices (not shown) in order to maintain a certain contact pressure and thus increase the tightness between these two components.
[0046] In a manner not shown, at least one flushing connection connected to at least one of the recesses 8 can be provided. It is also possible to connect all of the recesses 8 to individual or a common flushing connection. If, as in the present case, the individual recesses 8 are connected to form a single recess 8, one flushing connection is sufficient for all of the recesses 8. The term "flushing connection" refers to a connection with an inlet and an outlet. Through such a flushing connection, the at least one recess 8 can be flushed with gas or liquid, for example to dry any liquid film on the underside of the holding element 2 or to remove deposits that may have formed.
[0047] The holding element 2 can also have depressions (not shown) on its surface facing the receiving element 4. These can be designed as very small channels that can run transversely to the direction of rotation between the receiving element and the holding element. In such depressions or channels, liquid films can be wiped off and, if necessary, a wringing of the surfaces of the holding element 2 and the receiving element 4 against one another can be prevented. Fig. 5 shows in more detail the accommodation of the capillary-like fluid lines 3 in the holding element 2. It can be seen that the holding element 2 has a plurality of recesses 9 for receiving the fluid lines 3. The fluid lines 3 are received in the recesses 9 by means of respective tubular holding parts 10. The holding parts 10 preferably have a certain elasticity so that they can be pressed into the recesses 9.This pressing reduces the outer diameter of the holding parts 10 and thus also the inner diameter, thereby improving the grip of the fluid lines 3 therein. For this purpose, the holding parts 10 are made of a material that is at least somewhat elastic, preferably a plastic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene or polyetheretherketone.
[0048] In Fig. 5 it can also be seen that the recesses 9 have a slightly enlarged diameter in their inlet region, the side wall of which extends conically into the holding element 2. In this way, the holding parts 10 can be better inserted into the recesses 9. For assembly, the fluid lines 3 are pushed into the holding parts 10, after which the holding parts 10 are inserted into the recesses 9. In this way, a secure hold of the fluid lines 3 in the recesses 9 is ensured. In addition, the recesses 9 can have a diameter that varies slightly in the axial direction in order to ensure an additional improved hold. In particular, in this case the central region of the recesses 9 in the axial direction can have a smaller diameter than the outer regions in the axial direction.
[0049] The holding element 2 and / or the receiving element 4 are preferably made of a transparent material, in particular glass. In the present case, both the holding element 2 and the receiving element 4 are made of the transparent material, in this case glass. In particular, quartz glass, i.e., a glass consisting of pure silicon dioxide, has proven to be a suitable material for the holding element 2 and the receiving element 4.
[0050] If necessary, a layer, such as a hydrophobic layer made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which can serve in particular to seal certain parts or areas of the device 1, can be applied at a suitable location on at least one of the contacting surfaces of the holding element 2 and / or the receiving element 4. Alternatively, the surface can be chemically modified to specifically adapt its properties, for example, to make it hydrophobic.
[0051] Fig. 1 also shows a very schematic illustration of an optical detection device 11, which serves to detect liquid within one of the fluid lines 3. By using the optical detection device 11, a method for transferring the liquid sample within the microfluidic system can be made more precise or automated. If necessary, a different material can be used for the receiving element 4 than for the holding element 2, since the optical detection takes place in the region of the holding element 2 and not in the region of the receiving element 4, so that the receiving element 4 does not necessarily have to be transparent for the purposes of optical detection. Nevertheless, the hardness of glass in particular gives the receiving element 4 the above-mentioned advantageous properties with regard to durability as well as the smooth and flat surface. The electrical insulating effect of glass can also be utilized for the receiving element 4.
Claims
P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. A device (1) for transferring a liquid sample within a microfluidic system, comprising a holding element (2) for holding fluid lines (3) and a receiving element (4) for receiving the liquid sample, wherein the holding element (2) and the receiving element (4) are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis of rotation (5), wherein the receiving element (4) has a surface (4a) facing the holding element (2) which bears against the holding element (2) at least in regions, and wherein the receiving element (4) has a plurality of sample volumes (6) for receiving the liquid sample, characterized in that the sample volumes (6) extend within the material of the receiving element (4) and have only one inlet opening (6a) and one outlet opening (6b) to the surface (4a) of the receiving element (4) facing the holding element (2),and that the surface (4a) of the receiving element (4) facing the holding element (2) has, in the areas surrounding the inlet opening (6a) and the outlet opening (6b), respective spatially limited sealing surfaces (7) for contact with the holding element (2) and respective recesses (8) between the sealing surfaces (7).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing surfaces (7) have a greater extension in the circumferential direction (x) than in the radial direction (y).
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recesses (8) have edge regions which rise in the direction of the surface (4a) of the receiving element (4) facing the holding element (2).
4. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding element (2) and / or the receiving element (4) consist of a transparent material.
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding element (2) and / or the receiving element (4) consist of glass.
6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by an optical detection device (11) for detecting liquid and substances contained therein within one of the sections of the fluid lines (3) located in the holding element (2).
7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding element (2) and / or the receiving element (4) consist of an electrically insulating material.
8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sample volumes (6) are produced by means of selective laser etching.
9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the holding element (2) has a plurality of recesses (9) for receiving the fluid lines (3).
10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the fluid lines (3) are received in the recesses (9) by means of respective holding parts (10).
11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the holding parts (10) consist of an elastic material.
12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the recesses (9) have a diameter varying in the axial direction.
13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a layer is applied to at least one of the surfaces of the holding element (2) and / or the receiving element (4) that are in contact with one another and / or the surface is chemically modified.
14. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by at least one flushing connection which is connected to at least one of the recesses (8).
15. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the holding element (2) has recesses on its surface facing the receiving element (4).