Sample container holding and / or transporting device

Abstract

To provide a sample container holding and / or transporting device with an aperture in which sample containers of different diameters can be held in a reliable and secure manner.SOLUTION: The disclosure relates to a sample container holding and / or transporting device 1 having an aperture 10 with a longitudinal axis A, the aperture 10 being configured for receiving a sample container, where a biasing structure 2 is provided in the aperture 10 and comprises a plurality of elastically deflectable nubs 20, where the nubs 20 are distributed spatially discretely along the longitudinal axis of the aperture 10. The disclosure further relates to use of a structure having the nubs 20 as the biasing structure in the sample container holding and / or transporting device 1, and to a laboratory automation system comprising the sample container holding and / or transporting device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample vessel holding and / or transport device, particularly for use in or with a laboratory automation system. The present invention further relates to the use of a structure having a protrusion as a biasing structure in a sample vessel holding and / or transport device, and to a laboratory automation system comprising the sample vessel holding and / or transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] A laboratory automation system includes multiple pre-analytical, analytical, and / or post-analytical stations where samples, such as blood, saliva, swabs, and other specimens collected from the human body and / or cultures, are processed. It is generally known to provide various containers, such as test tubes or vials, for containing samples. Test tubes are also referred to as sample tubes. In the context of this application, containers, such as test tubes or vials, for containing samples are referred to as sample containers.

[0003] Sample vessel holding and / or transport devices are, for example, trays for storing and / or distributing multiple sample vessels in a laboratory automation system, racks or holders for holding sample vessels while processing samples in a laboratory automation system, and / or racks or holders for holding sample vessels while collecting and / or manually preparing samples for subsequent analysis.

[0004] Typically, laboratory automation systems handle different types of sample containers, especially test tubes and / or vials of different diameters. Therefore, it is known to provide openings in sample container holding and / or transport devices with biasing structures, especially springs, that interact with the sample containers to center them within the openings and / or to press them against inelastic counterparts inside the openings. Examples of sample container holding and / or transport devices are shown, for example, in German Patent Application Publication No. 44 09 772, European Patent Application Publication No. 0 940 183, and / or U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,122. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample vessel holding and / or transport device having an opening in which sample vessels of different diameters can be reliably and safely held.

[0006] This object is solved by a sample vessel holding and / or transport device having the features of claim 1, by the use of a biasing structure having the features of claim 8, and by a laboratory automation system having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a sample vessel holding and / or transport device having an opening with a longitudinal axis configured to receive a sample vessel, wherein the opening is provided with a biasing structure, the biasing structure comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions, the protrusions being spatially separated and distributed along the longitudinal axis of the opening.

[0008] According to a second aspect, there is provided the use of a structure having a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions as a biasing structure in a sample vessel holding and / or transport device having an opening with a longitudinal axis, the structure being configured to be arranged within the opening so that the protrusions are spatially separated and distributed along the longitudinal axis of the opening.

[0009] According to a third aspect, there is provided a laboratory automation system comprising a sample vessel holding and / or transport device having an opening with a longitudinal axis configured to receive a sample vessel, wherein a biasing structure is provided within the opening, the biasing structure comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions, the protrusions being spatially separated and distributed along the longitudinal axis of the opening.

[0010] Throughout this specification and the following claims, the indefinite article "a" or "an" means "one or more." In particular, in embodiments, the sample vessel holding and / or transport device has several openings. The openings in embodiments are arranged in a single row or in a matrix having several rows.

[0011] When a sample vessel is inserted into an opening provided with a biasing structure having multiple protrusions, the protrusions deflect, allowing sample vessels of different diameters to be securely held within the opening. The biasing force exerted by the biasing structure can be tailored to a particular application of the sample vessel holding and / or transport device by, among other things, selecting the number of protrusions, the density of the arrangement of the protrusions, the size of the protrusions, particularly their length and / or diameter, and / or the material of the protrusions.

[0012] In an embodiment, the protrusions are made from a natural material having a Young's modulus that allows for elastic deflection to apply a biasing force. In another embodiment, thin metal protrusions are provided having a spring constant that allows for elastic deflection to apply a biasing force. In other embodiments, the protrusions are made from a synthetic material. In an embodiment, the protrusions are made from silicone. Silicone has the advantage of being able to withstand high temperatures for sterilization, being very durable, and retaining its shape and flexibility under extreme conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of silicone protrusions. For example, in other embodiments, the protrusions are made from a polymer material such as, but not limited to, a polyethylene material.

[0013] In embodiments of the sample vessel holding and / or transport device, the opening has a rectilinear cylindrical shape with a circular or polygonal, in particular triangular or rectangular, cross section.

[0014] The biasing structure is provided in the opening, which means that the biasing structure protrudes at least partially into a space limited by a boundary wall of the opening, and may be located partially outside the opening, for example if the opening is surrounded by a boundary wall having an opening.

[0015] The placement and / or distribution of the protrusions may be selected by one skilled in the art for a particular application and / or shape of the opening, especially in view of the advantageous embodiments below.

[0016] In an embodiment, all of the protrusions are arranged such that in the unloaded state, each protrusion extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening. In one embodiment, the planes on which the protrusions are arranged are equally spaced along the longitudinal axis of the opening. In another embodiment, the planes are unevenly spaced.

[0017] In an embodiment, the biasing structure is derived from a flat, elastically deformable part having a flat base with protrusions protruding in a direction perpendicular to the flat base, and the elastically deformable part is deformed to fit into the opening.

[0018] In some embodiments, all of the projections are arranged in a single row extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening. In this embodiment, the projections force or urge a sample vessel held in the opening in one direction. In some embodiments, the opening away from the projections has a smooth surface against which the sample vessel is pressed. In other embodiments, one or several inelastic counterparts are arranged inside the opening, and the projections press the sample vessel against the counterpart.

[0019] In alternative embodiments, the protrusions are arranged in two or more rows. In one embodiment, the two or more rows have the same length. In an embodiment, the protrusions in two adjacent rows are arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening. In another embodiment, the protrusions are arranged in a staggered pattern, with the protrusions in adjacent rows arranged in different planes. In an embodiment, the rows are evenly distributed around the circumference of the opening, so that a sample vessel held inside the opening is coaxially centered relative to the central axis of the opening. In another embodiment, the protrusions are unevenly distributed, so that a sample vessel held within the opening is pushed in the biasing direction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the distance between the projections in a row or in each row increases or decreases along the longitudinal axis to apply different biasing forces at different heights of the sample vessel. In other embodiments, the projections in a row or in each row are evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis of the opening.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, in embodiments, at least two protrusions disposed in different planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis have different lengths.

[0022] In one embodiment, several protrusions of different lengths are arranged alternately along the longitudinal axis and / or around the circumference of the opening, in which case, depending on its diameter, a sample vessel held inside the opening interacts with all or only some of the protrusions, resulting in different forces being applied to the sample vessel, which forces depend on the diameter of the sample vessel.

[0023] In another embodiment, the length of the or each row of protrusions decreases with insertion depth, such that a gradually decreasing biasing force is applied to a sample container inserted into the opening.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transport device according to a first embodiment, the device having an opening and a biasing structure comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions; [Figure 2] 2 shows a plan view of the opening and biasing structure of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 1 shows a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transport device according to a second embodiment, the device having an opening and a biasing structure comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions; [Figure 4] 10 shows a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transporting device according to a third embodiment, having an opening and a biasing structure comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions; [Figure 5] 10 shows a plan view of an opening having a biasing structure according to a fourth embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 show simplified cross-sectional side and plan views of a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transport device 1 having an opening 10 with a biasing structure 2 comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions 20 according to a first embodiment.

[0027] The opening 10 extends along a longitudinal axis A and is configured to receive a sample container (not shown), such as a test tube or vial. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 10 has a cylindrical top with a circular cross section, and the biasing structure 2 is disposed at the top of the opening 10.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing structure 2 comprises a cylindrical base 22, and the protrusions 20 project from the base 22 such that in the unloaded state shown in Figures 1 and 2, each protrusion 20 extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0029] The biasing structure 2 may for example be obtained from a flat, elastically deformable part having a flat base 22 from which the protrusions 20 project in a direction perpendicular to the flat base 22. This elastically deformable part is deformed to fit into the opening 10.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the protrusions 20 are arranged in several, e.g., twelve, rows 24, with only two rows 24 visible in FIG. 1 . Each row 24 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the opening 10 and, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises several, e.g., six, protrusions 20. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, the rows 24 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the opening 10, the protrusions 20 in each row 24 are evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis A of the opening 10, and all of the protrusions 20 have the same size, i.e., the same diameter and length, and the same shape. Thus, a sample container (not shown) inserted into the opening 10 is held at least essentially aligned with the longitudinal axis A by the biasing force exerted by the protrusions 20. It will be understood that the size, shape, and number of the protrusions 20 are by way of example only and are subject to variation, and that the size, shape, and number of the protrusions 20, as well as the material of the protrusions 20, may be appropriately selected by one skilled in the art for a particular application.

[0031] 3, 4 and 5 show examples of alternative embodiments of biasing structures 2 with protrusions 20 for use in sample vessel holding and / or transport devices 1. FIG.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transporting device 1 having an opening 10 in which a biasing structure 2 includes a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions 25, 26, the protrusions 25, 26 having different lengths and arranged in different planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, first protrusions 25 having a first length and second protrusions 26 having a second length longer than the first length are provided, and the protrusions 25, 26 are arranged alternately in six planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish between the two protrusions 25, 26 and not to indicate a relationship or order. Notably, in the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 25 is arranged in the lowest plane, while in other embodiments, the second protrusion 26 is arranged in the lowest plane. The different lengths of the protrusions 25, 26 may apply different biasing forces to sample vessels of different sizes.

[0033] Figure 4 shows in a simplified cross-sectional side view a portion of a sample vessel holding and / or transport device 1 having an opening 10 in which a biasing structure 2 is provided with a plurality of resiliently deflectable protrusions 20, the protrusions 20 being arranged in different planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and having different lengths. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the length of the protrusions 20 decreases with insertion depth in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 4. Thus, the decreasing length of the protrusions 20 applies a gradually decreasing biasing force to a sample vessel inserted into the opening 10.

[0034] Figure 5 shows in plan view an opening 10 having a biasing structure 2 with only one row 24 of projections 20. The projections 20 cause the sample containers 20 to press against the inner wall of the opening and / or against non-deflectable counterparts 12 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 5).

[0035] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but that various modifications are possible, particularly by combining features of one embodiment with features of another embodiment.

Claims

1. A sample container holding and / or transporting device (1) having an opening (10) having a longitudinal axis (A), wherein the opening (10) is configured to receive a sample container, and a biasing structure (2) is provided within the opening (10), characterized in that the biasing structure (2) comprises a plurality of elastically flexible protrusions (20, 25, 26), and the protrusions (20, 25, 26) are spatially separated and distributed along the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10).

2. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the unloaded state, each projection (20, 25, 26) extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10).

3. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that the biasing structure (2) is obtained from a flat elastically deformable component having a flat base (22), the projection (20) protrudes from the flat base (22) in a direction perpendicular to the flat base (22), and the elastically deformable component is deformed to fit into the opening (10).

4. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projections (20, 25, 26) are arranged in one row (24) or two or more rows (24) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10).

5. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 4, wherein when the protrusions (20, 25, 26) are arranged in two or more rows (24), the rows (24) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the opening.

6. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 4, characterized in that the protrusions (20, 25, 26) of one row (24) or the protrusions (20) of each row (24) are evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening.

7. The sample container holding and / or transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two protrusions (20, 25, 26) arranged in different planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10) have different lengths.

8. The sample container holding and / or transporting device according to claim 7, characterized in that several protrusions (25, 26) of different lengths are alternately arranged along the longitudinal axis (A) and / or along the circumference of the opening (A).

9. The sample container holding and / or transporting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the length of the projection (20) decreases with insertion depth.

10. Use of a structure having a plurality of elastically flexible protrusions (20, 25, 26) as a biasing structure (2) in a sample container holding and / or transporting device (1) having an opening (10) having a longitudinal axis (A), wherein the structure is configured such that the protrusions (20, 25, 26) are arranged within the opening (10) such that they are spatially separated and distributed along the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10).

11. The use of the structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the projections (20, 25, 26) are arranged such that, in the unloaded state, each projection extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A).

12. The use of the structure according to claim 11, characterized in that the structure comprises a flat elastically deformable component having a flat base (22), the projection (20) protruding from the flat base (22) in a direction perpendicular to the flat base (22), and the elastically deformable component being deformed to fit into the opening (10).

13. The use of the structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the projections (20, 25, 26) are arranged in one row (24) or two or more rows (24) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the opening (10).

14. Use of the structure according to claim 13, wherein when the protrusions (20, 25, 26) are arranged in two or more rows (24), the rows (24) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the opening.

15. The use of the structure according to claim 13, characterized in that the rows (24) or the projections (20, 25, 26) of each row (24) are evenly distributed along the longitudinal axis of the opening.

16. The use of the structure according to claim 10, characterized in that at least two protrusions (20, 25, 26) arranged in different planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) have different lengths.

17. The use of the structure according to claim 16, characterized in that projections (25, 26) of different lengths are alternately arranged along the longitudinal axis (A) and / or along the circumference of the opening.

18. The use of the structure according to claim 16, characterized in that the length of the projection (20) decreases with the insertion depth of the opening.

19. A laboratory automation system comprising a sample container holding and / or transporting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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