Centrifugal machine and washing method of the same

Abstract

To provide a centrifugal machine for washing a reaction vessel unit, and a washing method of the same.SOLUTION: A centrifugal machine comprises a rotor and a rotor chamber. In the rotor chamber, the rotor is arranged and mounted. The rotor has a reception region for receiving a reaction vessel unit. The rotor chamber is defined by a housing, the housing has an outlet for causing liquid discharged from a reaction vessel to exit, and an inlet for filling washing liquid in the rotor chamber. Therefore, when the rotor rotates, the rotor 2 is at least partially immersed in the washing liquid, the washing liquid is distributed into the rotor chamber, and / or the inlet is designed so that when the washing liquid is supplied by the rotating rotor, the washing liquid is distributed into the rotor chamber 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit having a rotor and a rotor chamber, wherein the rotor is disposed in the rotor chamber and mounted rotatably, and the rotor includes a receiving area for receiving the reaction vessel unit. Further, the present invention relates to a cleaning method for such a centrifuge.

Background Art

[0002] European Patent Application Publication No. 937502 A2 describes a method of handling a microtiter plate, in which the microtiter plate is cleaned by centrifugation. For this purpose, the microtiter plate is placed in a rotating housing via a conveyor belt such that the openings of the microtiter plate are directed away from the axis of rotation.

[0003] International Publication No. 2015 / 018878 A1 discloses another centrifuge including elastic arms capable of pulling a microtiter plate into or pushing it out of the rotor of the centrifuge. This rotor has a very short distance from the surrounding housing and the grooves arranged in the lower region. This short portion aims to feed the liquid leaked from the reaction vessel into the grooves by the resulting circulating air, and then pump it out. Due to the small distance, there is a risk that the liquid level will be above the grooves. This may cause the rotor to sink into the liquid when rotating. This is particularly important when the liquid is a cleaning solution containing a detergent. This is because the rotor will then strike the liquid to generate foam. This foam can quickly fill most of the volume of the rotor and escape through the door. Also, the foaming material cannot be successfully pumped out by the described pump, but rather remains in the rotor chamber or the grooves. The close proximity of the rotor to the grooves is mainly due to the cylindrical shape of the rotor chamber selected to generate the desired circulating air.

[0004] In the cylindrical rotor chamber of a centrifuge, it is known that a circulating airflow is generated by the rotating rotor. In this regard, see U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007 / 0037684A1, German Patent Publication No. 10355179A1, German Patent No. 1033446, European Patent Publication No. 2705903A1, and German Patent Publication No. 2404036.

[0005] International Publication No. 2018 / 234420A1 discloses another centrifuge for cleaning reaction vessel units. This centrifuge includes a rotor and a rotor chamber, the rotor being rotatably mounted within the rotor chamber. The reaction vessel units are inserted into the centrifuge with their openings facing outward, so that as the rotor rotates, the reagents inside are pushed out of each reaction vessel. This allows the reaction vessels to be cleaned substantially without residue. This centrifuge may have a dispensing unit, which includes a plurality of dispensing nozzles. The dispensing nozzles are preferably arranged in a line, which extends laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the reaction vessel units between loading and unloading the centrifuge. The nozzles of the dispensing unit are positioned adjacent to the openings for loading and unloading the reaction vessel units into and out of the centrifuge.

[0006] Another centrifuge is disclosed in International Publication No. 2017 / 125598A1, which this centrifuge has a loading / unloading device, in which the reaction vessel unit is positioned by a rigid sliding rod.

[0007] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 102175855A discloses a fully automatic 360° plate washing machine. The rotating shaft of this machine extends parallel to the horizontal plane, enabling multiple plates to be washed simultaneously within a single housing, thereby increasing efficiency and significantly reducing costs.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 4,953,575 relates to a cleaning apparatus for cuvettes. For this purpose, the cuvettes are placed in a holder within a rotor. By rotating the rotor, the liquid is removed from the cuvettes. The disclosed centrifuge housing has an opening at its lowest point from which the removed liquid can exit the housing.

[0009] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-264927 discloses an apparatus including a drum in which microtiter plates can be arranged. The drum can be loaded with a plurality of microtiter plates, which then rotate around a horizontal rotation axis. The microtiter plates are loaded into the drum such that their openings face inward towards the drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 937502A2 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2015 / 018878A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0037684A1 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Application Publication No. 10355179A1 [Patent Document 5] German Patent No. 1033446 [Patent Document 6] European Patent Application Publication No. 2705903A1 [Patent Document 7] German Patent Application Publication No. 2404036 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 2018 / 234420A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 9] International Publication No. 2017 / 125598A1 Pamphlet [Patent Document 10] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 102175855A Specification [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent No. 4,953,575 [Patent Document 12] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-264927 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention relates to a centrifuge for cleaning reaction vessel units, comprising a rotor and a rotor chamber, wherein the rotor is rotatably mounted within the rotor chamber, and contamination should be avoided by the centrifuge, with the objective of creating a centrifuge capable of reliable long-term operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This objective is addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are specified in each dependent claim.

[0013] The centrifuge (centrifuge) for cleaning a reaction vessel unit according to the present invention includes a rotor and a rotor chamber, the rotor being positioned and mounted (installed) within the rotor chamber, the rotor including a receiving area for receiving the reaction vessel unit. The rotor chamber is defined by a housing which has a drain for removing liquid discharged from the reaction vessel and an inlet for filling the rotor chamber with a cleaning solution, the cleaning solution being distributed into the rotor chamber by the rotation of the rotor.

[0014] Therefore, the cleaning solution can be supplied to this centrifuge and distributed into the rotor chamber. The rotor is used here to distribute the cleaning solution. This will be discussed in more detail below in the description of the process of cleaning the centrifuge.

[0015] When the rotor rotates, the rotor is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution, the cleaning solution can be distributed into the rotor chamber, and / or this intake is designed such that the cleaning solution is distributed into the rotor chamber when the cleaning solution is supplied through the rotating rotor. Thereby, the cleaning solution can come into contact with the rotor and be distributed by the centrifugal force generated by the rotor, and / or be entrained by the air flow generated by the rotor and thus be distributed.

[0016] When cleaning the reaction vessel unit in a centrifuge, at that time, the content of the reaction vessel is discharged from the reaction vessel unit, but residues of the reaction vessel content may remain in the rotor chamber and be transferred to another reaction vessel unit. This is particularly important when chemical or biological samples are contained in the reaction vessel unit. In the case of biological samples, even a single molecule transferred to another reaction vessel unit, for example, a part of a DNA strand, can be an unacceptable contaminant.

[0017] Such centrifuges for cleaning reaction vessel units are currently being used with great success. However, they need to be cleaned regularly. The design of the centrifuge according to the present invention enables independent or automatic cleaning of the centrifuge. Thereby, the centrifuge becomes part of an automated process and can undergo a cleaning process from time to time without the need for manual intervention by an operator. For example, this centrifuge can be cleaned several times in a working cycle that lasts for several hours without the need for manual intervention. This is a significant advantage compared to conventional centrifuges for cleaning reaction vessel units.

[0018] The outlet of the housing can also form an inlet. For example, the opening of the housing that forms the outlet or inlet may be connected to a fluid line having a branch such that the fluid line branches into an inlet line and an outlet line. The outlet line is designed to discharge fluid, and the inlet line is designed to supply fluid. The outlet line has a shut-off element for shutting off the outlet line. When the outlet line is shut off by the shut-off element, fluid or a cleaning solution can be supplied through the inlet line without flowing through the outlet line and is supplied exclusively to the rotor chamber.

[0019] The shut-off element can be a valve or, preferably, an automatically operating hose clamp if at least a part of the outlet line is designed as a hose. This hose clamp can be provided with an actuator for automatically operating it. This actuator can be designed as an eccentric or as an electric or pneumatic piston mechanism.

[0020] The inlet line can also be fluidly connected to a dispensing device integrated into the centrifuge, thereby enabling the cleaning solution to be supplied to the inlet line by the dispensing device. In such an embodiment of the centrifuge, the dispensing device has both the function of dispensing a solution into the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit and the function of supplying a cleaning solution to the rotor chamber.

[0021] The drain described above may include a suction pump and a siphon, which is designed so that when the suction pump is not operating, liquid with a fill level below a predetermined fill level remains in the rotor chamber. In this way, the non-operation of the suction pump can ensure that the cleaning solution present in the rotor chamber remains in the rotor chamber, provided that the level of the cleaning solution does not exceed the predetermined fill level. This predetermined fill level is preferably selected so that the rotor is immersed in the liquid while rotating and at least partially transports the liquid. Thus, the siphon forms a shutoff element that blocks the outlet line up to a specific fill level when the suction pump is not operating.

[0022] A level sensor can be installed in the rotor chamber to detect the filling level. This level sensor can be an ultrasonic sensor that scans the surface of the liquid. It is useful to rotate the rotor to a position that does not interfere with the measurement. The filling level can also be determined by one or more temperature sensors mounted on the inner surface of the housing and used to measure a specific level of the liquid.

[0023] The above-mentioned inlet can be positioned above the rotor's axis of rotation so that the cleaning solution can come into contact with the rotor when it is supplied. The rotor may, of course, be positioned so as not to come into contact with the cleaning solution carried by the inlet, for example, by being aligned vertically. Thus, the cleaning fluid supplied is transported by a rotating rotor, especially a high-speed rotating rotor, and distributed into the rotor chamber. Even a low speed of a few rpm is sufficient for this distribution. Typically, the rotor rotates at a speed of at least 10 rpm or at least 50 rpm or more. The rotor should not rotate faster than 100 rpm when the cleaning solution is introduced into the rotor chamber to a predetermined level so that the rotor can be immersed in the cleaning solution. On the other hand, if the cleaning solution is introduced into the rotor chamber by means of vaporization, for example, without accumulating at the bottom of the rotor chamber, the rotor can also be operated at a higher speed, for example, at least 100 rpm. In this case, speeds of at least 500 rpm or at least 1000 rpm may also be appropriate.

[0024] The inlet may also have one or more nozzles for spraying (atoming) the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber. The cleaning solution sprayed in this way can then be evenly distributed within the rotor chamber by rotating the rotor.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for cleaning a centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, the centrifuge comprising a rotor and a rotor chamber, wherein the rotor is positioned and rotatably mounted within the rotor chamber, and the rotor includes a receiving area for receiving a reaction vessel unit. The procedure involves the following steps: A step of filling the rotor chamber with cleaning solution to at least a predetermined level, so that when the rotor rotates, the rotor is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution, and / or supplying the cleaning solution to the rotor chamber so that the cleaning solution can come into contact with the rotor and / or the cleaning solution is introduced into a region of the rotor chamber that is carried by the airflow as the rotor rotates. The process involves rotating / moving the rotor to distribute the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber, A step to remove the cleaning solution from the rotor chamber.

[0026] Once the cleaning solution is removed, contaminants in the rotor chamber are carried away. The cleaning solution can be drained out through the drain and thus removed from the rotor chamber. This can be controlled, for example, by opening a shut-off element in the drain pipe.

[0027] The rotor has two functions in such a centrifuge. On the one hand, the rotor plays a role in emptying the reaction vessel unit by discharging the contents from the individual reaction vessels of the reaction vessel unit by rotating the rotor. On the other hand, the rotor also works to distribute the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber, thus ensuring even and reliable cleaning of the rotor chamber. On the one hand, the distribution of the cleaning solution can be achieved by the rotor, which is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution and carries the cleaning solution during rotation. However, the cleaning solution may be supplied so that the cleaning solution is carried directly by the rotor or carried with the airflow generated by the rotor and distributed into the rotor chamber. This is especially true when the cleaning solution is sprayed into the rotor chamber, in which case the mist of the cleaning solution is evenly distributed into the rotor chamber by rotating the rotor.

[0028] The cleaning solution may be, for example, a non-foaming cleaning solution containing formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde. Such a non-foaming cleaning solution can flow out of the rotor chamber on its own without further action. The rotation of the rotor may also serve to propel the cleaning solution to the drain and remove it from the rotor chamber. However, the cleaning solution can also flow out automatically when the rotor is stationary, provided the drain pipe is not correspondingly blocked.

[0029] The cleaning solution may also be a foaming cleaning solution, particularly one containing a surfactant. When this cleaning solution is distributed through the rotor, it foams within the rotor chamber. To remove the foamed cleaning solution, a foam-dissolving solution, for example, containing alcohol, can be supplied to the rotor chamber. This breaks down the foam and allows it to drain out. The drainage or removal of the cleaning solution from the rotor chamber can, in this case as well, be assisted by rotating the rotor.

[0030] A single foam-decomposing solution can be distributed into the rotor chamber during or after supply by rotating the rotor, thereby effectively distributing the foam-decomposing solution within the rotor chamber.

[0031] This process can utilize the centrifuge described earlier.

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail below, using the drawings as an example. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a part of the centrifuge housing. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing shown in Figure 1, seen from a diagonal front view. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing. [Figure 4a]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a centrifuge according to the first embodiment, having the housing portion shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4b] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a centrifuge according to a second embodiment, having the housing portion shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] The centrifuge (centrifuge) 1 (Figure 4a) according to the present invention comprises a rotor 2, a housing 3, and a drive device 4 for rotating the rotor 2 around a rotation axis 5.

[0035] The rotor has at least one receiving area 6 for receiving a reaction vessel unit 7. The reaction vessel unit 7 is typically a microtiter plate. Such microtiter plates can be designed with different numbers of reaction vessels. Microtiter plates with 6 to 4096 reaction vessels are common, with microtiter plates with 96, 384, or 1536 reaction vessels being the most common versions. In the case of microtiter plates with 384 or 1536 reaction vessels, the individual reaction vessels are so thin that liquid usually adheres to them by capillary force alone, and therefore, even if such a microtiter plate is placed with its opening facing downwards, the liquid will not flow out. This is not true for microtiter plates with fewer reaction vessels, because each reaction vessel is larger. Such a reaction vessel unit 7 can be inserted into the receiving area 6 alone or on a carrier unit. Preferably, a carrier unit having coupling elements that can be coupled to an loading / unloading device 8 is used. Such loading and unloading devices are described, for example, in German Patent Application Publication No. 102016101163. This is described in more detail below.

[0036] The housing 3 defines the rotor chamber 9. In this embodiment, the region of the housing 3 defining the rotor chamber 9 is formed by the lower shell 10, the upper shell 11, the front end wall 12, and the rear end wall 13. There is a further portion of the housing adjacent to the rear end wall, but this is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The front end wall 12 and the rear end wall 13 each house ball bearings 14 on which the continuous shaft 15 of the rotor 2 is rotatably mounted. The centerline of the shaft 15 forms the axis of rotation 5. The axis of rotation 5 extends parallel to the mounting surface 16 formed by the lower surface of the lower shell 10.

[0038] The rear end of the shaft 15 is connected to the drive unit 4. Further portions of the housing adjacent to the rear end of the housing include the drive unit 17, the loading / unloading device 8, and a central control unit (not shown) that controls all components of the centrifuge 1.

[0039] A balcony 18 is attached to the outside of the front wall 12 for bringing in the reaction vessel unit 7. At the height of the balcony 18, an loading / unloading opening 19 is provided in the front wall 12, through which the reaction vessel unit 7 can be inserted into and then pushed out of the rotor chamber 9. A rotating door 20 is provided in the loading / unloading opening 19 to close the rotor chamber.

[0040] Adjacent to this door 20, a dispensing unit 39 having several dispensing nozzles 40 and / or an optical detection unit in particular in the form of a line scan camera can be provided.

[0041] The loading / unloading device 8 has a slide rod (not shown) which can move horizontally through the rotor chamber 9, with its free end passing through a passage opening 21 in the rear end wall 13. The loading / unloading device 8 has a linear drive for this purpose, so that the slide rod can move linearly along its longitudinal direction. The slide rod has a coupling element at its free end, which can be coupled to a corresponding coupling element on the carrier unit or reaction vessel unit 7, so that the carrier unit or reaction vessel unit having a reaction vessel unit can be moved directly by moving the slide rod from the balcony 18 through the loading / unloading opening 19 into the rotor chamber 9, in which case the rotor 2 is positioned so that the receiving area 6 is adjacent to the loading / unloading opening 19 so that the carrier unit or reaction vessel unit is moved into the receiving area 6 of the rotor 2. The coupling between the slide rod and the carrier unit or reaction vessel unit 7 can be released so that the carrier unit or reaction vessel unit can move freely within the rotor 2, so that the rotor can rotate with this unit.

[0042] The carrier unit or reaction vessel unit 7 can be pushed out of the receiving area 6 of the rotor 2 by the slide rod of the loading / unloading device 8 and returned to the balcony 18 through the loading / unloading opening 19. On the balcony 18, the reaction vessel unit 7 can be removed, for example, by a robot.

[0043] The lower shell 10 has a channel 22 extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 5. The channel 22 extends from the rear end wall 13 to the front end wall 12 and is inclined or sloped toward the front (Figure 4a). An outlet opening 23 is formed on the front side of the lower shell 10, and there is an outlet opening 23 in front of the channel 22 into which the channel 22 flows. A connecting pivot 24 is located at the outlet opening 23 to which a hose 25 can be connected. The hose 25 generally opens into a receiving container (not shown) into which the liquid discharged from the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit 7 in the centrifuge 1 is received. This container preferably has a vent opening, or the hose extends through the container with some clearance so that the liquid exiting the centrifuge through the hose 25 does not generate any back pressure inside the container.

[0044] The lower shell 10 has inner surfaces adjacent to the channel 22, each of which is inclined outward from the upper edge of the channel 22 (Figure 2). Thus, these inner surfaces form a funnel 26, hereafter referred to as the funnel surface 27. The funnel surface 27 is inclined at an angle of approximately 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal. Being substantially planar means that the funnel surface has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5m, preferably greater than 1m. In this embodiment, the funnel surface 27 extends laterally beyond the region of the rotor 2, even when the rotor 2 is in a horizontal position.

[0045] From the outer edge of the funnel 26 or the funnel surface 27, the inner surface of the lower shell 10 extends almost vertically upward. Thus, they form a vertical surface 28.

[0046] The upper shell 11 is attached to the upper edge of the lower shell 10 and has a semicircular channel-like cross-section. The inner surface of the upper shell 11 meets flush with the vertical surface 28. Therefore, the cross-section of the housing 3 is not cylindrical, but only has cylindrical curvature in the upper region of the shell 11, while the lower shell 10 has a funnel-shaped cross-section and terminates in the channel 22. The channel 22 is slightly recessed downward from the funnel-shaped lower shell 10 and has two nearly vertically positioned side walls 37a, 37b. The channel itself is formed at an angle to allow the liquid inside to drain out.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 11 are made of metal. The inner surfaces of the lower shell 10 and the upper shell 11 are coated with a smooth plastic layer, so that the liquid released from the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit 7 flows rapidly along the inner surface and is guided by the funnel 26 into the channel 22, where it exits from the rotor chamber 9. The plastic layer is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0048] The upper edge of the funnel 22 is spaced at least 1.32 times the maximum radius of the rotor 2 from the axis of rotation. This creates a free space within the funnel 26 that does not touch the rotor 2 during one rotation. The liquid can accumulate in this free space. Figure 2 shows the highest level 29 of liquid that can accumulate in the funnel 26 without contacting the rotor. This makes it possible, in the case of a large-capacity reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit 7, to empty the main portion of the liquid inside at once and collect it in the funnel 26, so that the liquid can then gradually flow out through the outlet opening 23.

[0049] Furthermore, because the distance of channel 22 from the rotor is large and therefore the cross-section is large, the airflow generated by the rotor during rotation is lowest in this region, and thus the liquid can settle at the bottom of the funnel, i.e., channel 22, and flow out of channel 22 through the outlet opening 23. Due to the low flow velocity, there is little risk of the liquid located in the funnel-shaped region adjacent to channel 22 being pushed upward by the airflow.

[0050] Since the channel is defined by nearly vertical side walls 37a and 37b, even if an airflow is generated in the direction of rotation 38, the airflow cannot expel the liquid from the channel. Therefore, the liquid is temporarily trapped within the channel 22 and can only exit through the outlet opening 23. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the airflow can collide with the side wall 37a located downstream of the channel 22 in the direction of rotor rotation 38. However, since the side wall 37a is nearly perpendicular to the direction of flow, the fluid in the channel can no longer return to the rotor chamber. In principle, any channel with a nearly perpendicular side wall downstream of the channel 22 in the direction of rotation 38 would suffice. However, for manufacturing purposes, it is advantageous to manufacture a channel having two nearly vertical side walls 37a and 37b.

[0051] This formation of the funnel 26 and channel 22 eliminates the need to use a suction pump.

[0052] The dispensing unit 30, which can also be called a dispensing head, has a plurality of dispensing nozzles 31 arranged in a straight line with their openings facing downward. The dispensing unit 30 is connected to a reagent line 32 through which reagents are supplied to the dispensing unit 30, and the reagents are then dispensed downward through the individual dispensing nozzles 31. Essentially, the dispensing unit has a function known from International Publication No. 2018 / 234420A1, which allows the reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit 7 to be filled with reagents as the reaction vessel unit 7 is moved by the loading / unloading device 8 through the dispensing unit 30.

[0053] In a first embodiment of the present invention (Figure 4a), the balcony 18 is formed in the area below the dispensing unit 30, as shown in Figure 4a, and includes an upwardly opening channel 33 into which reagents dispensed by the dispensing nozzle 31 are collected when the reaction vessel unit 7 is not positioned below the dispensing nozzle 31. The channel 33 is connected in communication with a recovery pipe 34, and the reagents collected in the channel 33 flow out through the recovery pipe 34. The recovery hose 34 opens into the hose 25 at a branch 35. With respect to the rotor chamber 9, starting from the branch 35, the recovery hose forms an inlet line, and the hose 25 forms an outlet line for discharging liquid from the rotor chamber 9. A shut-off element 36 is located in the hose 25 downstream of the branch 35, thereby shutting off the passage of the hose 25. The shut-off element 36 can preferably be an electrically operated valve for opening and closing the passage of the hose. The shut-off element may also be a hose clamp, which can be opened and closed, for example, by an actuator or by an eccentric.

[0054] When the blocking element 36 blocks the passage of the hose 25 and the cleaning solution is supplied by the dispensing unit 30 via the recovery hose 34, the cleaning solution flows into the rotor chamber 9 via the hose 25 and the outlet opening 23. At this time, the outlet opening 23 functions as an inlet for the cleaning solution. In principle, it is possible to supply the cleaning solution to the rotor chamber 9 up to the level of the top of the balcony 18. However, it is desirable not to let the cleaning solution overflow into the ball bearing 14 of the shaft 15. The rotor chamber 9 is filled with cleaning solution up to above level 29 (Figure 2), and therefore, when the rotor 2 rotates, the rotor 2 is immersed in the cleaning solution, taking in some of the cleaning solution and distributing it within the rotor chamber 9. In practice, the rotor chamber 9 is shown to be filled up to level 43, as shown in Figure 2. Level 43 is about 5% of the radius of the rotor 2, preferably at least 10% of the radius of the rotor 2, above level 29, which is hardly touched during the rotation of the rotor 2.

[0055] By rotating the rotor 2, the cleaning solution is distributed into the rotor chamber 9, and as a result, all parts of the rotor chamber 9 come into contact with the cleaning solution.

[0056] While the washing solution is being distributed by rotating the rotor 2, the washing solution is continuously replenished via the dispensing unit 30, which can slow down or prevent the washing solution level from dropping.

[0057] If the cleaning solution is sufficiently distributed within the rotor chamber 9, a predetermined time can be waited to allow the cleaning solution to absorb impurities. At this time, the rotor can be stopped, or the rotor can be rotated further to cause continuous swirling of the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber by airflow.

[0058] Once this cleaning process is complete, the locking element 36 opens, and the cleaning solution flows out through the outlet opening 23. This may be assisted by further rotation by the rotor so that the cleaning solution is driven into the channel 22.

[0059] The cleaning process for this rotor chamber 9 can be performed completely automatically and is controlled by a central control unit.

[0060] The cleaning solution used is preferably a non-foaming cleaning solution, such as formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde, which can reliably disinfect the entire rotor chamber 9.

[0061] However, in the case of biological samples, particularly those containing bacteria, it is advantageous if the cleaning solution contains a surfactant, which causes foaming of the cleaning solution when the rotor rotates. The foaming of the cleaning solution causes very rapid and uniform distribution of the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber 9, and for this reason, the rotational speed and / or duration of rotation of the rotor within the rotor chamber 9 can be significantly reduced compared to the distribution of a non-foaming cleaning solution. To completely remove the foamed cleaning solution from the rotor chamber 9 again, a foam-breaking solution is supplied to the rotor chamber 9 via the dispensing unit 30 and the recovery hose 34 and distributed by rotating the rotor 2. As a result, the foam in the rotor chamber collapses, and the cleaning solution flows out of the rotor chamber 9 along with the foam-breaking solution. Such a foam-breaking solution may contain, for example, alcohol. A solution containing alcohol also has the advantage of evaporating very rapidly, resulting in the rotor chamber 9 drying correspondingly quickly.

[0062] A second embodiment of centrifuge 1 (Figure 4b) is designed substantially the same as the first embodiment unless otherwise described below. Therefore, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0063] In the second embodiment, a dispensing unit is not required. At the rear end 13, a supply opening 39 is formed in the upper region of the shaft 15, connected to the reagent line 32 and opening into the rotor chamber 9. In this embodiment, the spray nozzle 40 is positioned at the supply opening 39, and the reagent supplied via the reagent line 32 is sprayed into the rotor chamber 9 using the spray nozzle 40. By supplying the cleaning solution from the supply opening 39, the cleaning solution enters the rotor chamber 9, is sprayed by the spray nozzle 40 into a mist, and this mist is evenly distributed within the rotor chamber 9 by the rotation of the rotor 2. A portion of the cleaning solution settles in the channel 22 and flows out of the rotor chamber 9 through the outlet opening 23 and the hose 25. This allows the cleaning solution to be continuously circulated and discharged within the rotor chamber 9, removing contaminants from the rotor chamber 9. A blocking element 36 can be optionally provided in the hose 25 to block the passage of the hose 25 and retain the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber 9.

[0064] To achieve the most uniform distribution of the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber, it may also be useful to rotate the rotor alternately in different directions during the cleaning process.

[0065] In principle, it is possible not to place the spray nozzle 40 within the supply opening 39. This depends on the dimensions of the rotor chamber, the rotor, and the airflow generated by the rotor during its rotation. Thus, sufficient distribution of the cleaning solution can be achieved by the rotation of the rotor alone and the airflow generated by the rotor, without the need for a spray nozzle. On the other hand, it may be advantageous to provide several supply openings 39, particularly in the upper shell 11, in order to achieve a uniform distribution across the entire width of the rotor chamber 9 in the direction of the rotation axis 5.

[0066] A pressure nozzle can also be inserted into the supply opening(s) 39. The pressure nozzle is a nozzle that opens when cleaning solution is supplied to it at a predetermined pressure. As a result, the timing of the cleaning solution supply to the rotor chamber can be precisely controlled. The pressure nozzle can also be a spray nozzle.

[0067] Furthermore, in the second embodiment as well, if the blocking element 36 is provided inside the hose 25, a large amount of cleaning solution can be introduced into the rotor chamber 9 through the supply opening 39 until it reaches the filling level corresponding to level 43 in Figure 2. Then, by rotating the rotor, the cleaning solution can be evenly distributed into the rotor chamber 9 as described in the first embodiment above.

[0068] Furthermore, the second embodiment can be modified to form a siphon 41 (Figure 4b), that is, the hose 25 is directed upward by a certain distance from the outlet opening 23 and then deflected downward, so that the liquid flowing into the hose 25 only overcomes the siphon when the liquid level in the rotor chamber 9 reaches the level of the siphon. In such an arrangement of the hose 25, a suction pump 42 may be provided in the hose 25 to completely draw the liquid out of the rotor chamber 9 through the siphon 41 if necessary, or a lifting mechanism may be provided to lift the siphon 41 and lower the hose 25 so that the liquid contained in the hose 25 flows out by gravity alone.

[0069] In the second embodiment, either a non-foaming cleaning solution or a foaming cleaning solution can be supplied. When using a foaming cleaning solution, it is convenient to supply a foam-decomposing solution to the rotor chamber 9 in order to remove the foaming cleaning solution from the rotor chamber 9, as in the first embodiment.

[0070] The above embodiments and modifications demonstrate that the rotor chamber 9 can be cleaned by supplying or discharging a cleaning solution and / or multiple cleaning solutions to or from the rotor chamber 9 in different ways. Common to all embodiments and modifications is the use of a rotor 2, which is inherently present in the centrifuge 1, to evenly distribute the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber 9. The rotational speed and duration of the rotor 2 should be adjusted according to the geometric shape of the rotor interior 9 and the behavior of the cleaning solution. In this case, it may be particularly advantageous (regardless of the structural design of the centrifuge) to rotate the rotor 2 at least once clockwise and at least once counterclockwise in order to obtain the most uniform distribution of the cleaning solution within the rotor chamber 9. If one or more spray nozzles 40 are used, it is desirable to supply the cleaning solution under pressure so that the spray nozzles 40 provide efficient spraying of the cleaning solution.

[0071] The supply and uniform distribution of the washing solution, as well as its removal from the rotor chamber 9, can be performed completely automatically. As a result, the centrifuge 1 can be used in automated manufacturing processes in which many reaction vessel units 7 are repeatedly washed, ensuring that contamination from one reaction vessel unit 7 to another does not occur over a long period of time. The interval for washing the rotor chamber 9 should be adjusted according to the amount and reactivity of the reagents contained in the reaction vessel units 7. For example, such washing operations can be performed at intervals of 10 minutes or less or 60 minutes or less. However, for less reactive reagents and in small quantities, it may be appropriate to perform such washing operations only once a day.

[0072] The above cleaning process can be used to thoroughly disinfect the interior and ensure that contamination by viruses, bacteria, or other infectious agents is prevented.

[0073] In addition, for samples containing DNA, a solvent can be used to destroy the nucleic acid and thus eliminate contamination. These solvents include, for example, perchlorates, strong oxidizing agents, and / or enzymes such as deoxyribonuclease (DNAse).

[0074] In the event of unexpected contamination of the rotor chamber 9, for example, in the case of crushing of the reaction vessel unit 7 during discharge, the system can be completely cleaned without the need to open the interior or the unit.

[0075] The present invention can be concisely summarized as follows.

[0076] The present invention relates to a centrifuge 1 for cleaning a reaction vessel unit 7, and a method for cleaning such a centrifuge 1. The centrifuge 1 has a rotor 2 and a rotor chamber 9, the rotor being positioned and mounted within the rotor chamber 9, the rotor featuring a receiving area for receiving the reaction vessel unit. The rotor chamber 9 is defined by a housing 3, the housing 3 having an outlet for draining liquid discharged from the reaction vessel and an inlet for filling the rotor chamber 9 with a cleaning solution, so that when the rotor 2 rotates, the rotor 2 is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution, distributing the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber 9, and / or the inlet is designed so that the cleaning solution is distributed into the rotor chamber 9 when the cleaning solution is supplied by the rotating rotor 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Centrifuge 21 Passage opening 2 rotors, 22 channels 3 Housing 23 Outlet opening 4 Drive unit 24 Connection pivot 5 Rotating shaft 25 Hose 6 Acceptance area 26 Funnel 7 Reaction vessel unit 27 Funnel surface 8 Loading / unloading device 28 Vertical surface 9 rotor chambers 29 levels 10 Lower shell 30 Dispensing unit 10a Lower shell 31 Dispensing nozzle 11 Upper shell 32 Reagent lines 11a Upper shell 33 channels 12 Front wall 34 Recovery hose 12a Front wall 35 Branch 13 Rear end wall 36 Barrier element 13a Rear end wall 37a Side wall 14 Ball bearing 37b side wall 15 Shaft 38 Rotation direction 16 Installation surface 39 Supply opening 17 Rotor chamber 40 Sprayer nozzle 18 Balcony 41 Siphon 19 Aeration vent opening 42 Suction pump 20 Doors 43 Level

Claims

1. A centrifuge (1) for washing a reaction vessel unit (7), comprising a rotor (2) and a rotor chamber (9), wherein the rotor (2) is disposed in the rotor chamber (9) and rotatably mounted therein, and the rotor (2) includes a receiving area (6) for receiving the reaction vessel unit (7); the rotor chamber (9) is defined by a housing (3), the housing (3) having an outlet for discharging any liquid discharged from the reaction vessels and an inlet for supplying a cleaning solution to the rotor chamber (9), the cleaning solution being distributed into the rotor chamber (9) by contact with the rotor (2) upon rotation of the rotor (2) without the reaction vessel unit (7), thereby cleaning the rotor chamber (9); The centrifuge (1) has a rotation axis (5) of the rotor (2) extending parallel to a mounting surface (16).

2. 2. Centrifuge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet of the housing (3) also forms the inlet.

3. 3. The centrifuge (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the openings of the housing (3) forming the outlet and the inlet are connected to a liquid line having branches and branching into an inlet line and an outlet line, the outlet line being designed to drain liquid, the inlet line being designed to supply liquid, and the outlet line having a blocking element (36) for blocking the outlet line.

4. 4. The centrifuge (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the inlet line is fluidly connected to a dispensing device integrated in the centrifuge (1), and the inlet line can be supplied with a washing solution by the dispensing device.

5. 3. A centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the outlet comprises a suction pump and a siphon (41), the siphon being designed so that when the suction pump is not activated, liquid having a filling level below a predetermined filling level remains in the rotor chamber (9).

6. 3. Centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a filling level sensor is provided in the rotor chamber (9) for detecting the filling level.

7. 3. A centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inlet is arranged above the rotation axis of the rotor (2) so that the cleaning solution can come into contact with the rotor (2) when supplied.

8. 3. A centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the inlet comprises one or more nozzles for spraying the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber (9).

9. The rotor chamber (9) is filled with the cleaning solution to a predetermined level (43), 3. The centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the rotor (2) is designed such that during rotation the rotor (2) is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution and distributes the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber (9).

10. A method for cleaning a centrifuge (1) for cleaning a reaction vessel unit (7), the centrifuge (1) including a rotor (2) and a rotor chamber (9), the rotor (2) being disposed in the rotor chamber (9) and rotatably mounted therein, the rotor (2) including a receiving area (6) for receiving the reaction vessel unit (7), and the method comprising the steps of: filling the rotor chamber (9) with a cleaning solution at least to a predetermined level (43) so that as the rotor (2) rotates, the rotor (2) is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution and / or supplying the cleaning solution to the rotor chamber (9) so that the cleaning solution can come into contact with the rotor (2) and / or be sprayed into the rotor chamber (9); rotating the rotor (2), thereby distributing the cleaning solution into the rotor chamber (9); removing said cleaning solution from said rotor chamber (9); The manner in which this is carried out.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cleaning solution is a non-foaming cleaning solution, for example containing formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde.

12. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cleaning solution is a foaming cleaning solution, in particular a surfactant-containing cleaning solution, and a foam-dissolving solution, for example containing alcohol, is supplied to the rotor chamber (9) to remove the cleaning solution.

13. 13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that during or after the supply of a foam-breaking solution, the rotor (2) is rotated and the foam-breaking solution is distributed in the rotor chamber (9).

14. 14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a centrifuge (1) according to claim 1 is used.

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