Reaction vessel unit recovery device and reaction vessel unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recovery device (30) for a reaction vessel unit (21) having a plurality of reaction vessels (37), each of which has an opening (38) in a common opening plane (39), the recovery device (30) being positionable or designed to be positioned opposite the openings (38) of the reaction vessels (37) in a centrifuge (1) and designed to rotate together with the reaction vessel unit (21) during centrifugation, such that liquid exiting the reaction vessels (37) is recovered by the recovery plate (31) due to centrifugal acceleration.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] It is known that a reaction vessel unit, which includes several reaction vessels, such as a microtiter plate (MTP) with wells, is purified by centrifugation: the MTP is picked up onto a rotor in the rotor chamber of a centrifuge with the openings of the reaction vessels facing away from the axis of rotation of the rotor, and centrifuged at speeds of up to several thousand rpm.

[0003] During centrifugation, the contents of the centrifuged reaction vessels are collected by the walls of the rotor chamber. Some of the material remaining on the walls and surfaces of the rotor chamber flows out and collects in the lower area, but they can also drip from above into the MTP in the rotor chamber. If several MTPs are washed one after the other in the centrifuge, there is also a risk of cross-contamination if the centrifuged liquid from one MTP drips into another MTP.

[0004] The rotation of the rotor creates air vortices in all centrifuges. These air vortices form aerosols when liquid contents are expelled from the reaction vessel during the spinning. These are also a source of cross-contamination. Thus, in genomic applications (typically amplification-based, e.g., PCR), aerosols are a driving force for contamination.

[0005] It has also been shown that MTPs washed by centrifuge may still have wet surfaces even after the wells are completely emptied. This may make further use more difficult, for example, if the MTP is subsequently sealed with a film (Folie). The film is typically applied to cover the opening of the well. This may be for sterile intermediate storage of the MTP before further use or after filling with test liquid to isolate the test regimen. However, the wet surface makes it difficult to cover the MTP with a film.

[0006] US Patent No. 5,393,633 discloses a centrifuge in which the housing below the rotor has a drain channel and the inner surface of the housing adjacent the channel forms a funnel that opens into the channel, allowing centrate produced in the rotor chamber to be more easily collected and drained.

[0007] From the patent application DE 10 200 03 133 A1, which has not been published at the time of the present application, it is known to supply a cleaning liquid to the rotor chamber so that the cleaning liquid is distributed in the rotor chamber by rotating the rotor, and thus residues of the centrifuged liquid can be removed from the walls and surfaces of the rotor chamber by regular and frequent rinsing with a cleaning agent.

[0008] Patent Document 3 discloses a centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, in which a gap is provided between the inner surface and the rotor, and the rotation of the rotor generates wind to send the fluid discharged onto the inner surface to a drain, the outlet of which is connected to a suction pump for extracting the fluid.

[0009] For hygiene reasons, relatively frequent cleaning cycles are required, which results in idle times and high operating costs, a procedure that is unavoidable, especially for diagnostic applications. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] DE 102017113583 [Patent Document 2] DE 102021124023 [Patent Document 3] German Utility Model No. 202014010544 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2017 / 125598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] One object of the present invention is to reduce or ensure that the risk of contamination of the reaction vessel unit in the centrifuge is prevented.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to minimize or reliably prevent wetting of the reaction vessel units in the centrifuge.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to minimize the residence time of aerosols in the centrifuge or to prevent their generation.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to minimize the interior surfaces of the housing that can come into contact with the discharged liquid.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to minimize the volume of space through which liquid particles can penetrate.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the effort required to clean the rotor chamber of a centrifuge for an MTP.

[0017] Further objectives of the present invention are to keep the ejected fluid away from all elements of the device, such as the housing, the rotor, the rotor shaft, etc., so as to prevent these parts from being corroded or exposed to other chemical interactions with the ejected fluid, to minimize the costs incurred by surface treatment of the elements of the device for chemical protection, and to accelerate and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0018] One or more of the problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further embodiments are set forth in the respective dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] According to a first aspect of the invention, a collection device for a reaction vessel unit with a plurality of reaction vessels, each having an opening in a common opening plane, is proposed, the collection device comprises a collection plate which is positionable or designed to be positioned opposite the openings of the reaction vessels in a centrifuge and which is designed to rotate together with the reaction vessel unit during centrifugation, and liquid leaking from the reaction vessels is collected by a drain plate due to centrifugal acceleration.

[0020] For the purposes of the present invention, a collection plate is a structure having a surface opposite the opening plane of the reaction vessel. The liquid discharged from the reaction vessel by centrifugal acceleration is collected on the surface and can flow along it under the effect of centrifugal acceleration. In the simplest case, the collection plate can be flat or essentially flat, arranged parallel to the opening plane and open at the edge, in particular at the flank. The collection surface is preferably non-rotatably connected to the unit comprising the rotor and the reaction vessel unit and therefore rotates at the same rotational speed as the rotor. The collection surface can also rotate at a different rotational speed than the rotor. Since the flank edge of the collection plate is radially furthest from the axis of rotation, the collected liquid is driven by centrifugal acceleration from the center of the discharge plate to the flank edge and from there is propelled into the rotor chamber.

[0021] The ends of the rotor which face each other in the axial direction of the rotation axis, and therefore the ends of the reaction receptacle units and the recovery devices arranged thereon, are referred to in the context of the present application as end faces, and the ends of the rotor which face each other transversely to the rotation axis, and the ends of the reaction receptacle units and the recovery devices arranged thereon, are referred to in the context of the present application as flank sides or longitudinal sides. In use, the end faces are arranged transversely to the axis of the rotor, and the flanks or longitudinal sides are arranged parallel to the axis of the rotor.

[0022] In a variant, the collection plate may be curved, twisted or inclined, as long as the collected liquid is directed away from the area opposite the plane of the opening of the reaction vessel. The liquid discharged by the collection plate may be collected on the wall of the rotor chamber. Since the collection plate is arranged opposite the opening of the reaction vessel, the collection plate may also block the liquid dripping from the wall, especially the upper wall, of the rotor chamber, and prevent the reaction vessel unit from being contaminated by the liquid. Even if several reaction vessel units are washed one after the other, cross-contamination can be effectively and easily prevented. The collection device may be reused after cleaning. The collection device may be made of, for example, plastic or metal. Chemicals that decompose or inactivate organic molecules may be used for cleaning, for example, if the material of the collection device can withstand the chemicals. An autoclave may also be used for cleaning, if the material of the collection device can withstand the temperatures used.

[0023] The collection plate can be arranged at an angle to the opening plane so that the collected liquid is discharged axially to the rotation axis of the centrifuge rotor along the inclined collection plate by centrifugal acceleration in the centrifuge. Axial refers to the rotation axis of the centrifuge rotor. In the sense of the present invention, inclination means that the height or distance of the collection plate changes relative to the opening plane of the reaction vessel. The inclination can be continuous or discontinuous (twisted), constant (straight) or variable along its length (curved). The inclination can run from one end of the collection device or reaction vessel unit to the other end (one side) or from the center to both ends (both sides). When the reaction vessel unit is housed in the centrifuge, the opening plane of the reaction vessel is usually parallel to the rotation axis, so the inclination also runs at an angle to the rotation axis. When the collection plate is inclined axially to the opening plane or rotation axis, the collected liquid is forced by centrifugal acceleration along the inclination to one end face of the rotor or rotor chamber, where it can be collected or discharged. The walls of the rotor chamber surrounding the rotor are less likely to be wetted, further reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

[0024] The recovery device can have an absorbent disposed and designed on the recovery plate so as to be able to soak up the recovered liquid.

[0025] Such an absorbent may be, for example, a porous material such as a layer of cellulose, and / or an open-cell foam. Liquid drained from the reaction vessel during centrifugation cannot flow back or drip into the reaction vessel because it is absorbed by the absorbent. Centrifugation forces the liquid into the absorbent, where the capillary action holds the liquid in place.

[0026] Such a recovery device is particularly suitable for centrifuges that are not designed for cleaning reaction vessel units, e.g. centrifuges that are difficult to clean due to poor access to the rotor chamber.

[0027] The collection device may have flanks, which are preferably arranged circumferentially along the end face and the flank side, so that the collection device forms a kind of trough in which liquid discharged from the reaction vessel during centrifugation is collected.

[0028] If the space above the reaction vessel unit in the recovery device is completely closed, the rotor chamber does not come into contact with the liquid and contamination is eliminated in this respect.

[0029] It should be noted that the axial discharge does not exclude a superimposed movement of liquid transverse to the axis of rotation. In other words, the total discharge movement of the liquid in the collection plate is a combination of axial and transverse discharge. It can therefore be advantageous if the flanks of the collection device extending transversely to the axis of rotation are drawn downwards from the collection plate to form an obstacle to the movement of liquid transverse to the axis of rotation. In this way, the collection of the collected liquid at the axial end can be made advantageous by the liquid discharged transversely to the axis also being discharged axially at the downward drawn flanks. This can further improve the concentration of the liquid at one end face.

[0030] In particular, the flanks and end faces of the recovery device can be designed to be flush with the edges of the reaction receptacle unit. In other words, when the reaction receptacle unit with the recovery device is placed on the rotor of a centrifuge, the recovery device thus formed can be used to create a closed recovery space isolated from the rotor chamber. Since the rotor chamber is not wetted or only slightly wetted, the effort required to clean the rotor chamber of the centrifuge for the reaction receptacle unit can be reduced or minimized. Since the recovery device also rotates with the rotor, the air in the rotor chamber does not or only slightly swirls, so wetting of the surfaces of the reaction receptacle unit during centrifugation can be avoided. With little or no vortex formation, aerosol formation in the recovery space is consequently reduced or completely avoided.

[0031] At least one drain opening can be formed in the end face from which the collecting plate stands up. The drain opening is preferably flush or essentially flush with the inside of the collecting plate. The collected and drained liquid can be pushed outwards and collected at the front or further drained. The outer (flank) end is located radially outwards of the centre of the end face during centrifugation, so that the liquid preferably collects there and can best be drained from there. It is therefore advantageous to provide two drain openings at the outer (flank) end of the end face. The drain openings can be in the end face, i.e. axially, or in the flank, i.e. transversely to the axis. An opening in the upper part is also conceivable in principle, but in that case it is necessary to provide means to prevent dripping from above and to avoid contamination.

[0032] The discharge opening can have a spout protruding beyond the end face. Such a spout moves on a circular path during centrifugation. The collected and discharged material can be propelled outward and discharged through the spout into an annular collection channel through which the spout passes. Contamination of the rotor chamber can be more effectively avoided, further reducing the cleaning effort. As explained above, it is advantageous if two discharge openings are provided, each having such a spout.

[0033] In an embodiment, the harvesting device can be arranged loosely, preferably in a form-fitting manner, on the reaction vessel unit. In this case, the harvesting device can be provided separately from the centrifuge. The reaction vessel unit can be prepared for centrifugation outside the centrifuge using the harvesting device.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the harvesting device can be removably connected to the reaction vessel unit. Here again, the harvesting device can be provided separately from the centrifuge. The reaction vessel unit can be prepared for centrifugation in a loss-free manner with the harvesting device. The connection can be, for example, a clip connection, a plug connection, a snap connection or a sliding connection.

[0035] In another embodiment, the harvesting device can be removably connected to the rotor of the centrifuge. In this way, the rotor can be prepared to receive reaction vessel units. The harvesting device can be removed for cleaning and then ready for use again. Advantageously, the rotor can also be washed with the harvesting device removed.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the harvesting device can be integrated with the rotor of the centrifuge, in which case the rotor is ready to receive the reaction vessel unit without further preparation, simplifying the work process in the laboratory. Cleaning of the harvesting device and / or the rotor chamber can be done together or separately by rinsing inside or outside the centrifuge.

[0037] The retrieval device can also be designed in several parts for ease of removal and cleaning.

[0038] In yet a further embodiment, the harvesting device can be connected or connectable to the rotor shaft of the centrifuge. The connection can be, for example, mounted or flanged (on the rotor shaft) in the centrifuge, by a cage or fork-shaped body or a holding bracket that houses the harvesting device, or the harvesting device itself has a bracket that can be mounted on the rotor shaft so that it cannot rotate. Again, the rotor is ready to receive the reaction receptacle unit without further preparation, and there is no need to handle the reaction receptacle unit or the cover on the rotor. The rotor and the harvesting device can be washed separately. This can simplify the work process in the laboratory. The washing can be done by rinsing in the centrifuge or outside (after disassembly from the rotor shaft).

[0039] The collection device can be designed with a circumferential contour adapted to the shape of the corresponding reaction receptacle unit, so that the collection device can preferably be arranged on the reaction receptacle unit in a snug, particularly snug, circumferential direction. This creates an essentially closed collection space that can only be opened by the discharge opening, so that the atmosphere contained therein is completely entrained during rotation in the centrifuge and there are no turbulences that would cause aerosol formation.

[0040] The recovery device can have a contact contour for contacting a reaction vessel unit having a corresponding complementary contour, and the contact contour and complementary contour are designed such that the recovery device can be placed only at a single or unique position on the reaction vessel unit, such that the combination of the reaction vessel unit and the recovery device can be placed in a centrifuge.

[0041] The contact profile and the complementary profile can thus be assembled according to a key / lock principle. This can ensure that the harvester can only be placed in a specific position relative to the reaction receptacle unit to prevent incorrect placement. For example, the contact profile and the complementary profile can be designed in such a way that if the harvester is not correctly placed on the reaction receptacle unit, it will protrude further upwards on the reaction receptacle unit, so that the combination of the reaction receptacle unit and the harvester will not fit, for example, through a centrifuge opening or into the collection area of ​​the centrifuge rotor. This ensures that the harvester is not inserted and rotated in the centrifuge with an incorrect placement on the reaction receptacle unit.

[0042] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a corresponding reaction receptacle unit is provided having a complementary contour designed to match the contact contour.

[0043] The complementary and contacting profiles may for example be wavy, zigzag or consist of pins and corresponding positioning holes, however any other profile allowing an unambiguous allocation is also possible.

[0044] The reaction vessel unit may also have an asymmetric insertion contour that fits snugly into a corresponding receiving contour of the centrifuge rotor, so that the reaction vessel unit can only be placed in a single position within the rotor.

[0045] One such asymmetric insertion profile is, for example, a web that protrudes laterally along the flank of the reaction vessel unit without engaging a corresponding groove in the rotor. This ensures that the reaction vessel unit can only be inserted into a unique position in the rotor. This also corresponds to the key / lock principle.

[0046] Such a design of the reaction vessel unit is particularly advantageous in combination with the contact contour of the recovery device and the corresponding complementary contour of the reaction vessel unit described above, as well as the discharge opening of the recovery device, since it ensures that the discharge opening is always located on the correct side of the rotor according to which the centrifuge is designed to discharge the liquid.

[0047] Furthermore, the recovery device can have protrusions in the area of ​​the contact contour for contacting the reaction vessel unit, which protrude laterally to be gripped at the back by the guides of the rotor, so that the recovery device and the reaction vessel unit can be fixed in the rotor so that they cannot rotate.

[0048] These protrusions can be, for example, webs that protrude laterally along the flank sides and lie flat on the reactor vessel units.

[0049] However, instead of webs, only a few laterally projecting individual projections or small feet can also be formed and used to guide the rotor.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding reaction receptacle unit has one or more recesses for receiving the corresponding protrusions of the collection device, so that the side of the protrusion facing away from the reaction receptacle unit is flush with the remaining surface of the reaction receptacle unit. Such a design of the reaction receptacle unit makes it possible to arrange reaction receptacle units with and without a collection device in the rotor, where the reaction receptacle units without and with a collection device are gripped backwards by the guides of the rotor with approximately the same small amount of play and are therefore fixed to the rotor so that they cannot rotate. Such a combination of a collection device and a reaction receptacle unit can also be used in a corresponding centrifuge that is not designed to accommodate a collection device. This combination is particularly advantageous in connection with a collection device that does not have an outlet and has an absorbent that seals the inner collection space of the collection device from the rest of the rotor chamber.

[0051] The recovery device and / or the reaction vessel unit are preferably made of polymeric material, in particular they are manufactured as injection molded parts.

[0052] A drainage device may be provided, which is arranged in the rotor chamber of the centrifuge in which the rotor rotates and is designed to collect the liquid drained by the collection device. The collection device may be designed according to the type of liquid drained by the collection device. In particular, the collection device may be designed to collect liquid leaking from a drain opening or spout of the collection device during centrifugation.

[0053] For example, the ejector may have an annular channel that opens into the rotor chamber and is concentric with the axis of rotation, located opposite the ejection opening of the collector. The channel may receive the ejected material from the collector without contaminating the rotor chamber. In particular, the channel may have an annular opening that may accommodate the spout of the collector through which liquid leaks during centrifugation. Even without a spout, the ejected material may enter the channel simply due to the velocity and proper positioning of the liquid.

[0054] The channel of the ejector may be located axially opposite the ejection opening of the collector. In this way, the channel may accommodate a spout that extends axially from the collector and rotates in a circular manner as the rotor rotates. Liquid may be more cleanly and safely collected. Because the channel receives the spout axially outside the end wall of the collector, liquid may pass from the channel over the spout but not over the outer surface of the collector.

[0055] The channel may have an annular opening formed axially towards the rotor chamber, with the annular opening having an undercut radially inwards and / or radially outwards, which means that liquid may be collected more safely and may flow freely and unhindered downwards in the channel, where it may be collected and, if required, drained or removed.

[0056] The liquid can be directly drained from the recovery device to the outside using a drain device formed at the lower end of the recovery device.

[0057] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for cleaning a reaction vessel unit with a plurality of reaction vessels, the reaction vessels each having an opening in a common opening plane, the reaction vessel units being received on a rotor of a centrifuge with their openings facing outwards from the rotation axis of the rotor, the rotor on which the reaction vessel units are arranged being rotated in the centrifuge to centrifuge the liquid contained in the reaction vessels. In a collection device with a collection plate arranged diametrically opposite the opening plane of the reaction vessels and rotating together with the reaction vessel units, the released liquid is collected and discharged along the collection plate. The collection device and / or the centrifuge are preferably designed according to the description of the above aspect of the invention. The method has essentially the same advantages and effects as the collection device and / or the centrifuge described above. The reaction vessel units can be mounted on the rotor in a manner known per se by positive locking elements, such as rail-like clamps, into which the reaction vessel units are pressed. For this purpose, the end walls of the rotor chamber can have loading windows through which the reaction vessel units can be pressed into the rotor chamber and pulled out of the rotor chamber. The use of the harvester and the implementation of the method depend on the type of design and arrangement of the harvester, and may include loosely or fixedly attaching the harvester to the reaction vessel unit before or after the reaction vessel unit is placed on the rotor, detachably or non-detachably attaching the harvester to the rotor before or after (only in the case of detachable attachment) the reaction vessel unit is placed on the rotor, attaching the harvester to the rotor shaft separately from or together with the rotor. For example, the harvester may be permanently attached to the rotor of the centrifuge. In this case, the reaction vessel unit is simply placed in the centrifuge on the rotor under the harvester's collection plate. In other cases, the harvester may be assembled outside the centrifuge and form an assembly with the reaction vessel unit that is loaded and unloaded from the centrifuge together.

[0058] The recovery device can be cleaned after one or more centrifugation processes. The cleaning can be carried out by autoclaving and / or by chemical means and / or by irradiation. Cleaning of the recovery device is simpler and cheaper than cleaning the entire centrifuge or the entire rotor chamber with the rotor. Because a recovery device is provided, the cleaning intervals of the centrifuge itself or of the rotor chamber can be extended, especially if the recovery device forms a closed recovery space in which no or only little liquid enters the rotor chamber itself. The recovery device provided in the rotor chamber of the centrifuge for recovering the liquid discharged from the recovery device can be cleaned by the same or different methods, together with the recovery device or separately from the recovery device. In a particularly simple way, the recovery device can be cleaned by centrifuging the reaction vessel unit filled with a cleaning liquid. The recovery device can also be cleaned via the cleaning liquid emerging from the recovery device.

[0059] The centrifuge rotor chamber can be cleaned after a specified number of centrifugation processes. The cleaning can be done by rinsing with a rinsing solution or by separately cleaning the disassembled parts of the centrifuge adjacent to the rotor chamber. Examples of suitable cleaning methods are autoclaving, chemical agents (biocides) or irradiation. Since a recovery device is provided, the specified number of centrifugation processes followed by cleaning can be more, which means that the cleaning intervals of the centrifuge or the rotor chamber can be extended. The recovery device, which is provided in the rotor chamber to recover the liquid discharged from the recovery device, can be cleaned separately in the same operation or using a different process. Again, the rotor chamber can be cleaned by centrifuging the reaction vessel unit filled with a cleaning liquid. This process is particularly easy to perform if the recovery device is open at the flanks, since the cleaning liquid can easily enter the rotor chamber. If the recovery device is closed, it can be removed from the rotor before the cleaning cycle with the cleaning liquid so that the cleaning liquid can reach the inner walls of the rotor chamber. If the rotor has two receiving positions for the reaction receptacle units, but only one of the receiving positions is equipped with a recovery device forming a closed recovery space, the reaction receptacle units can be placed in the receiving position with the discharge device for washing the reaction receptacle units, but the reaction receptacle units with the washing liquid are placed in the receiving position without the recovery device for washing the rotor chamber. To wash the recovery device in the rotor chamber, the washing liquid can be omitted if the rotor or the discharge device are designed aerodynamically such that the recovery device (e.g. the above-mentioned channel) is washed (blow away) by the air flow generated during rotation.

[0060] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1A] The centrifuge from the outside is shown in side view. [Figure 1B]The centrifuge of FIG. 1A is shown in a front view in the direction of arrow "B" of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1B shows an end view of the inside of the rotor box of the centrifuge of FIGS. 1A and 1B with a reaction vessel unit without a collection device, with the end wall removed. [Diagram 3] The interior of the rotor box of FIG. 2, having a reactor vessel unit and a collection device according to the present invention, is shown in an end cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section indicated by line "III" in FIG. 1A. [Figure 4A] The centrifuge with the hood removed is shown in side view as shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 4B] The centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown in a front view in the direction of arrow "B" of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] The centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown with the hood removed, with the rotor box and elements therein cut along plane "C" in FIG. 4B. [Figure 4D] The rotor box of the centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown in an enlarged view corresponding to section "D" of FIG. 4C. [Figure 4E] The rotor box of FIG. 4A is shown in side view cut along plane "E" of FIG. 4B. [Figure 4F] The centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown in a front view in the direction of arrow "F" of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4G] The centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown in a front view in the direction of arrow "G" of FIG. 4A. [Figure 4H] The centrifuge of FIG. 4A is shown in a front view in the direction of arrow "H" of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] 4B shows a perspective view of the rotor box of the centrifuge of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5B] The rotor box of FIG. 5A is shown in perspective view cut along plane "E" of FIG. 4B. [Figure 6A] 1 shows a perspective view of a rotor shaft, a rotor, a collection device and an assembly having the collection device in a centrifuge in which a reaction vessel unit is housed. [Figure 6B] 6B shows the assembly of FIG. 6A in another perspective view. [Figure 6C] The assembly of FIG. 6A is shown cut along plane "C" of FIG. 4B. [Figure 7A] 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly including a rotor shaft, a rotor and an ejector in a centrifuge in which a reaction vessel unit is housed. [Figure 7B] The assembly of FIG. 7A is shown cut along plane "C" of FIG. 4B. [Figure 8] 1 shows variations (a) to (g) of the profile of a collection plate with reaction vessel units on a rotor in a cross section transverse or perpendicular to the axis of rotation. [Figure 9] 1 shows variations in the contour of a collection plate with a reaction vessel unit on a rotor in an axial cross section along the rotation axis (a) to (h). [Figure 10A] The collector and reaction vessel unit are shown in top view. [Figure 10B] The collector and reaction vessel unit are shown in side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] All graphic representations should be understood to be approximate. Size ratios may be distorted for clarity. Unless otherwise indicated, orientation and position designations refer to normal use of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0063] The centrifuge 1 comprises a drive box 2 and a rotor box 3 resting on a foot 4 (FIGS. 1A, 1B). The drive box 2 houses a drive unit such as an electric motor (details not shown). The drive box 2 comprises a hood 5 which is attached to a support structure of the rotor box 3 by means of screws 6. The support structure may be formed by end walls 7 and by a base 27 and a rear wall 28 of the rotor box 3 (see, for example, FIG. 5A with threaded holes 53 for mounting the hood 5). The hood 5 may have two side walls 13 and a top wall 14, which are formed as individual elements or as a continuous beveled sheet metal structure (see FIG. 2). The side walls 13 and top wall 14 of the hood 5 and the end walls 7, the base 27 and the rear wall 28 of the rotor box 3 define or enclose an interior of the rotor box 3, also called the rotor chamber 29. The end wall 7 has a loading window 8 (see FIG. 1B), through which the interior of the rotor box 3 is accessible for loading the centrifuge with reaction vessel units 21 (FIG. 2), in a manner known per se. The end wall 7 may also have an axial opening 9 (FIG. 1B) which accommodates a rotor shaft 10 of the centrifuge 1 for rotation about a rotation axis 11. The axial opening 9 may also be designed as a bearing seat for a bearing 12 for mounting the rotor shaft, but the rotor shaft may also run freely in the axial opening 9.

[0064] The rotor shaft 10 carries a rotor 20, which is rotatably and fixedly connected to the rotor shaft 10 for rotation inside the rotor box 3 (FIG. 2). For this purpose, the rotor shaft 10 is connected to the output shaft of the drive unit of the centrifuge 1. Alternatively, it is also envisaged that the rotor shaft 10 is an integral part of the output shaft of the drive unit. The rotor 20 is designed to accommodate at least one reaction vessel unit 21, and in the present embodiment the rotor 20 can accommodate two reaction vessel units 21, only one of which is shown in the figures. The rotor 20 has a frame 22, which is of approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and is rotatably and fixedly connected to the rotor shaft 10 or can be fixedly connected thereto. On each of the axially opposite sides of the frame 22, a receiving position 23 for the reaction vessel unit 21 is formed. In an embodiment, only a single receiving position 23 or more than three receiving positions 23 can also be provided. The receiving positions 23 are delimited by two rail-like clamps 24 protruding from the frame 22. The support surface 25 of the reaction receptacle unit 21 is formed on the frame 22 itself, and each opposing surface 26 is formed on a clamp 24 which is formed parallel to the support surface 25 and spaced from the latter so as to fit the height of the reaction receptacle unit 21. The reaction receptacle unit 21 can be placed on or removed from the rotor 20 in a manner known per se through the loading window 8 in the end wall 7 when the rotor 20 is in a position with the receiving position 23 exactly opposite the loading window 8. The loading process can be carried out automatically by a loading device, as known from DE 199 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55. For this purpose, the loading device has an automatically operable displacement rod (not shown) for positioning the reaction receptacle unit.

[0065] The reaction vessel unit 21 is a body with a number of individual reaction vessels 37, which are arranged next to each other in the reaction vessel unit 21 and each have an opening 38 on one side (FIG. 3). The openings 38 are in a common opening plane 39 and point radially outward for cleaning purposes. The clamps 24 in the receiving positions 23 are designed to grip the reaction vessel unit 21 only at the edges, so that the openings 38 of the individual reaction vessels 37 of the reaction vessel unit 21 are exposed. When the rotor 20 rotates around the rotation axis 11 at a suitable rotation speed, the liquid contained in the reaction vessels 37 of the reaction vessel unit 21 can be discharged radially outward. The liquid discharged from the reaction vessel unit 21 is collected by the walls of the rotor chamber 29, in particular the inner side of the side wall 13 and the top wall 14 of the hood 5 as well as the upper width of the base 27, from where it flows downwards and can, if necessary, be collected and discharged, as known per se. The rotation speed for this is several hundreds to several thousand rpm.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a collecting device 30 is provided, which is arranged radially outside the reaction receptacle unit 21 (FIG. 3). The collecting device 30 has a collecting plate 31 arranged opposite the openings 38 of the reaction receptacles 37. The collecting plate 31 extends beyond the dimensions of the rotor 20 both in the width direction w and in the axial direction (direction of the rotation axis 11). In a variant, it may be sufficient if the collecting plate 31 covers at least all the openings 38 of at least the reaction receptacle unit 21 or the reaction receptacles 37 of the reaction receptacle unit 21. When the rotor 20 rotates at a rotation speed suitable for centrifugation, liquid from the reaction receptacles 37 is ejected from the openings 38 under the action of centrifugal force and is intercepted by the collecting plate 31. In the region of the central plane 36, which runs perpendicularly along the rotation axis 11 through the opening plane 39 of the reaction receptacle unit 21, the radial distance r0 of the collecting plate 31 to the rotation axis 11 is minimal, while the radial distance r increases in the width direction r towards the edge 32 of the collecting device. Thus, the centrifugal acceleration also increases towards the edge 32 of the collector 30, and the collected liquid is driven in the width direction w along the surface of the collector plate 31 towards the edge 32. The flank 33 of the collector 30 adjacent to the edge 32 of the collector plate 31 can be opened, so that the liquid driven outwardly is driven further beyond the edge 32 by the centrifugal acceleration and is released into the rotor chamber 29. When the rotor 20 remains in a position where the reaction receptacle unit 21 can be removed via the loading window 8 in the end wall 7, the collector 32 prevents the liquid dripping from the top wall 14 from returning to the reaction receptacle 37, allowing the reaction receptacle unit 21 to be cleanly removed. In this way, cross-contamination processes can be effectively prevented when centrifuging several reaction receptacle units 21 with different fillings.

[0067] If the edge 32 of the collection plate 31 is, on the one hand, arranged laterally offset from the reaction vessel unit 21 and, on the other hand, pulled downwards, i.e. towards the rotor, a drip edge can also be formed, from which liquid can drip off next to the rotor 20 when the rotor 20 is stationary.

[0068] The edge 32 of the collection plate 31 can also be lowered to retain any liquid drained from the reaction receptacle units 21 during rotation and only drip down the sides of the rotor 20 when the rotor comes to a stop. This also significantly reduces wetting of the inner walls of the rotor chamber 29.

[0069] The recovery device 30 may be integral with the rotor 20 or may be attachable to the rotor 20. In particular, the recovery device 30 may be removable from the rotor 20 so as to allow separate cleaning. The recovery device 30 may also be attached to the rotor shaft 10 independently of the rotor 20 (not shown in detail).

[0070] In a further embodiment example, the collecting plate 31 of the collecting device 30 is designed to rise from the front end surface 41 of the collecting device 30 to the opposite rear end surface 42 (Figures 4A to 7B). This embodiment example is a preferred variant of the embodiment example of Figure 3 and uses its features unless otherwise stated below. Here, the front end 41 is located on the end wall 7 side of the rotor box 3 as viewed in the axial direction, and the rear end 42 of the collecting device 30 is located on the rear wall 28 side of the rotor box 3 as viewed in the axial direction. In other words, the collecting plate 31 has an inclination designed to rise towards the rear end surface 42 of the collecting device 30 and thus towards the rear wall 28 of the rotor box 3 with respect to the rotation axis 11 of the rotor 20. The inner side of the collecting plate 31 forms a discharge angle α with the rotation axis 11 of the rotor 20 or with the opening plane 39 of the reaction vessel unit 21 held in the rotor 20 (Figures 4A, 4C). Thus, during a centrifugation process at a certain rotation speed, the liquid captured on the collection plate 31 is driven along the incline (arrow direction a in FIG. 4C ) to the rear end 42 of the collection device 30. Two drain openings 43 are formed in the rear end face 42, each of which is connected to a spout 44 protruding axially from the rear end face 42.

[0071] The recovery device 40 is provided on the rear wall 28 of the rotor box 3 adjacent to the drive box 2. The recovery device 40 can be integrally formed with the rear wall 28 or can be manufactured separately and connected to the rear wall 28. (It should be noted that the recovery device is also shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3, but is not functionally required there). In this embodiment, the recovery device 40 is a ring- or disk-shaped structure arranged inside the rear wall 28. However, the invention is not limited to this shape and the recovery device 40 can in principle have any shape suitable for recovering and discharging liquid.

[0072] On the side facing the rotor 20, i.e. on the inside, an annular channel 45 is formed in the collector 40. The channel 45 has an annular opening 46 oriented axially towards the rotor chamber 29. Behind the annular opening 46, the channel 45 widens radially inwards and radially outwards, forming with the annular opening 46 an inner undercut 47 and an outer undercut 48. At its lowest point, the collector 40 has a drain device 49 connected to the channel 45. Two spouts 44 of the collector 30 project into the channel 45 through the annular opening 46. The liquid collected by the collector 30 on the collector plate 31 is collected under the effect of centrifugal acceleration at the end of the rear end 42 of the collector 31 on the widthwise outer (flank) side. From there, it enters the spout 44 through the drain opening 43 and is discharged from there into the channel 45. In the channel 45, the liquid flows downwards and can be removed from the rotor chamber 29 through the drain pipe 49.

[0073] Since all the liquid discharged from the reaction vessel unit 21 is collected in the channel 45, the inside of the rotor box 3 (rotor chamber 29) is hardly wetted by the liquid. Only the mist generated by the turbulent flow can enter the rotor chamber 29 from the channel 45 and wet its walls.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the collector 31 is designed to be flush with the reactor vessel unit 21 and / or the side edge of the rotor with the flank 33 or sidewall, thereby forming a substantially enclosed space. As a result, the atmosphere within the collector 31 is entrained as the rotor rotates and does not swirl or swirl very little. This prevents the formation of aerosols that are distributed into the rotor chamber 29.

[0075] Only when the generation of such contaminating mist cannot be prevented, the inside of the rotor box 3 needs to be cleaned from time to time. In principle, the cleaning intervals can be significantly extended compared to a centrifugation process without the collection device 30 and the collection device 40. The collection plate 31 reliably prevents the contamination of the reaction vessel unit 21 with liquid dripping from the upper wall 14 of the hood 5. Since the collection device 30 is also closed at the flank 33, a closed space is formed between the reaction vessel unit 21 and the collection plate 31, so that the liquid mist that may spread in the rotor chamber 29 does not settle on the surface of the reaction vessel unit 21, and turbulence due to rotation in the space between the reaction vessel unit 21 and the collection plate 31 can be effectively prevented. Therefore, the reaction vessel unit 21 can be reliably and completely cleaned by centrifugation with the collection device 30 of this embodiment example, and can be protected from contamination due to wetting or falling droplets caused by centrifugation.

[0076] The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. It is understood that a wide variety of modifications are possible within the scope of protection of the invention. The shape of the collection plate 31 depends on the desired effect. Figure 8 shows several variants 8(a) to 8(g) of the profile of the collection plate 31 with the reaction receptacle units 21, in a cross section perpendicular or radial to the axis of rotation 11 (radial cross section). Figure 9 shows several variants 9(a) to 9(h) of the profile of the collection plate 31 with the reaction receptacle units 21, in an axial cross section along the axis of rotation 11. It is understood that in each case further variants are conceivable. The cross-sectional shapes of Figures 8 and 9 can be combined as required. They can be designed with open or closed flanks.

[0077] The collecting plate 31 may be flat (FIG. 8(a)) in a cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation (FIG. 8), have one central kink 80 along the axis of rotation (FIG. 8(b), (e)), have two lateral kinks along the axis of rotation (FIG. 8(d, g)), or be curved (c, f) when viewed from the outside, either concavely (FIG. 8(b), (c), (d)) or convexly (FIG. 8(e), (f), (g)). As explained in relation to FIG. 2, the centrifugal acceleration in a cross section transverse to the axis of rotation 11 always acts in the direction of the larger radius r, so that liquid collected inside the collecting plate 31 is driven towards the flank edge 32 even if the collecting plate is flat (FIG. 8(a)). This effect can be enhanced by a concave design, where the edge 32 is pulled (upwards) away from the axis of rotation (Figures 8(b), (c), (d)), but weakened by a convex design, where the edge 32 is pulled (downwards) towards the axis of rotation (Figures 8(b), (c), (d)). In the case of a convex shape with a central kink 80 (Figure 8(e)), the collection plate initially slopes more steeply than the circumference 82 around the axis of rotation. Liquid can therefore pool around the central kink 80 up to the reversal point 83, where the collection plate 31 slopes flatter than the circumference 82. To avoid this, a shape with two lateral kinks 81 located beyond the reversal point 83 is preferred as it ensures that liquid drains outwards from the central region (Figure 8(g)). For the same reason, it is advantageous if the radius of curvature of the recovery plate 31 (Figure 8(f)) is greater than the radial distance of the recovery plate 31 at the point closest to the axis, i.e. in the region of the central surface 36, when the cross-section of the recovery plate 31 is convexly curved.

[0078] In an axial cross section along the axis of rotation (Figure 9), the recovery plate 31 can be flat, i.e. at the same distance from the axis of rotation 11 (Figure 9(a)), inclined on one side, i.e. rising from the first end face 41 towards the second end face 42 (Figures 9(b)-(d)), inclined on both sides, i.e. rising towards both end faces 41, 42 (Figures 9(e)-(g)), or descending (Figure 9(h)), the inclination can be straight (Figures 9(b), (e), (h)) or curved (Figures 9(c), (d), (f), (g)), and when viewed from the outside, concave (Figures 9(d), (e), (f)) or convex (Figures 9(c), (g)), where the inclined shape on both sides can have a kink 91 between the end faces 41, 42. Due to the axial inclination rising towards one or both end faces 41, 42, the liquid is redirected by centrifugal acceleration along the inner or underside of the collection plate 31 towards the respective end face 41, 42 where the inclination rises. The flow velocity can be slowed down by the convex shape towards the respective end face and accelerated by the concave shape. In the case of an axially inclined shape, it makes sense that the flanks are closed or at least drawn down far enough to create an obstacle to the flow across the axis of rotation, so that the liquid is redirected only to the end face where the inclination rises, where it can be collected without wetting the rotor chamber. If the inclination is on one side, less structural effort is required to collect the liquid, since only one side needs to be provided with a collection device for the discharged liquid. This is preferably provided on the rear wall of the rotor chamber, since it can reliably discharge the liquid from the front side where the reaction vessel units are loaded. When discharging very large amounts of liquid, a double-sided inclination can be advantageous, since the liquid can be collected more quickly. The double-sided contour of the collecting plate 31, which rises from the end faces 41, 42 towards the cross section 90, allows the liquid to be concentrated at the two flank edges with kinks 91. In this case, the liquid can be discharged laterally through the respective discharge openings. If necessary, a channel-like annular collecting device can be provided in the rotor chamber in the region of the cross section 90, which collects the discharged liquid therein and discharges it downwards.

[0079] Other variants are also conceivable. For example, the recovery device 30 can have a trough shape without further discharge openings. In this variant, it is advantageous for the recovery device 30 to be attached to the reaction receptacle unit 21 outside the centrifuge 1, which is thus loaded into the centrifuge. In this case, the method should be modified in such a way that the rotor remains in a lower position at the end of the centrifugation process, so that the recovery device 30 comes to rest below the reaction receptacle unit 21, and the recovery device 30 and the reaction receptacle unit 21 with the liquid recovered therein are discharged through a discharge window (not shown in detail) in the end wall 7 and separated from the recovery device 30, which is then freed from the liquid, washed and ready for a further centrifugation process. In such a variant, the rotor chamber remains free of centrifuged liquid, even without a recovery device installed therein. There is no need to provide a recovery device on the rotor, which can further facilitate the cleaning of the rotor chamber and the recovery device.

[0080] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a combination of cross-sectional shape 8(a) with an axial cross-sectional shape 9(a) having an open flank, and the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-7B corresponds to a combination of cross-sectional shape 8(a) with an axial cross-sectional shape 9(b) having a closed flank.

[0081] A further example embodiment of a retrieval device 30 (FIGS. 10A, 10B) has a retrieval plate 31 with a circumferential flank 33 such that the retrieval device 30 is generally trough-shaped. A laterally projecting protrusion 92 is formed on the retrieval device 30 at the free edge of the flank 33. The protrusion 92 may also be referred to as a foot.

[0082] The reaction receptacle unit 21 with a number of reaction receptacles 37 has an edge area 93 in which a corresponding recess 94 is provided for receiving the protrusion 92 (FIG. 10B). The recess 94, which may also be called a positioning recess 94, is designed so that the protrusion 92 is received therein, so that the protrusion 92 is aligned with the upper surface of the remaining area of ​​the edge area 93 of the reaction receptacle unit 21 and is positioned with its upper surface facing away from the reaction receptacle unit 21. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the reaction receptacle unit 21 can be placed on the rotor 20 with or without the collector 30, and that the edge area 93 of the reaction receptacle unit 21 and possibly the protrusion or foot 92 of the collector 30 are engaged behind by the guide 95, so that the reaction receptacle unit 21 with or without the collector 30 is reliably rotationally fixed in the rotor 20.

[0083] The protrusions 92 are arranged biased towards the two opposite flanks 33. As a result, the protrusions 92 engage in the recesses 94 according to a key / lock principle only when the recovery device 30 is placed in a predefined or correct position on the reaction receptacle unit 21. Such a design of the protrusions 92 and recesses 94 is particularly advantageous when the recovery device has a drain opening which is used in particular with an inclined recovery plate 31 for draining the liquid emptied from the reaction receptacle 37.

[0084] In this way, the protrusions 92 and the recesses 94 form a contact contour of the recovery device 30 and a complementary contour of the reaction vessel unit 21, respectively, which results in a clear allocation of the recovery device 30 to the reaction vessel unit 21, and the combination of the reaction vessel unit 21 and the recovery device 30 can be placed in the centrifuge rotor 20 only when the contact contour and the complementary contour are correctly mated.

[0085] It may also be advantageous to provide a clear alignment by corresponding contours between the reaction vessel unit and the rotor or centrifuge, in this way the rotor, the reaction vessel unit and the collection device are clearly assigned to one another.

[0086] By providing a contact profile of the collection device or a complementary profile of the reaction receptacle unit, an accurate covering of the reaction receptacle can be ensured.

[0087] In the embodiment shown in Figures 10A, 10B, however, no discharge opening is provided, but the collecting device 30 is trough-shaped. On the side of the collecting plate 31 facing the reaction vessel 37, an absorbent 96 is arranged. In this embodiment, the absorbing means is a cellulose pad. Such a cellulose pad can be removably arranged in the collecting device 30 and can be removed and disposed of after use. For this purpose, the cellulose pad can be provided with an adhesive layer. Latch elements for fixing the absorbent 96 can also be provided in the collecting device 30.

[0088] In this example embodiment, the recovery device 30 and the reaction receptacle unit 21 are held together in use in the rotor 20 by a guide 95 which is designed as an elongated guide rail on the one hand and fixed to the rotor 20 on the other hand.

[0089] However, it is also possible within the scope of the present invention to provide latching means on both the recovery device and the reaction vessel unit so that they are releasably connected to each other, provided that the latching connection is strong enough to withstand the centrifugal forces generated in the centrifuge.

[0090] The harvester and the reaction vessel unit are designed for use in a centrifuge. However, they can also be used for manually emptying the reaction vessels of the reaction vessel unit. This applies in particular to the trough-shaped design of the harvester.

[0091] The recovery device of the invention, depending on the design of the recovery device, can prevent cross-contamination between reaction vessel units, reduce or completely avoid wetting of the reaction vessel units by aerosols in the rotor chamber, and also significantly reduce or completely avoid contamination of the rotor chamber by the discharged liquid. The latter can considerably simplify the cleaning of the rotor chamber. If necessary, a closed rotor chamber can be omitted, if the liquid is completely absorbed in the channel 45 of the recovery device 40 and prevented from leaking into the rotor chamber. In other words, the end walls 7 and the hood 5 of the rotor box 3, and possibly also the base 27 (provided that the latter is not required for stability reasons), can be omitted. This can considerably simplify the loading and unloading process of the rotor 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Centrifuge 2 Drive box 3 Rotor Box 4 Foot 5. Food 6 Screws 7 End Wall 8 Loading Window 9 axis opening 10 rotor shaft 11 Rotation axis 12 Bearings 13 Side wall 14 Upper Wall 20 Rotors 21 Reaction vessel unit 22 Frames 23 Receptor Position 24 Clamp 25 Support surface 26 Opposite Surface 27 Base 28 Back wall 29 Rotor Chamber 30 Recovery device (Auffangvorrichtung) 31 Recovery Plate 32 Edge 33 Frank 35 Edge 36 Center plane 37 Reaction vessel 38 Opening 39 Opening plane 40 Ejection device (Ableitvorrichtung) 41 Front (first) end face 42 Rear (second) end face 43 Drain opening 44 Spout 45 Channels 46 Annular opening 47 Inner Undercut 48 Outer Undercut 49 Drain pipe (Ablaufrohr) 50 Plates 51 Frames 60 Assembly 70 Assembly 80 Central kink 81 Side kink 82 Circumference 83 Reversal Point 84 Surface Normals 90 Central section 91 Kink 92 Protrusion 93 Edge area 94 Recess 95 Guide 96 Absorbent a Discharge direction (Ableitrichtung) r radius r0 minimum radius w Width direction α Discharge angle (Ableitwinkel)

Claims

1. A recovery device (30) for a reaction vessel unit (21) having a plurality of reaction vessels (37), each of the reaction vessels (37) having an opening (38) in a common opening plane (39), the recovery device (30) having a recovery plate (31) that can be arranged or is designed to be arranged opposite the openings (38) of the reaction vessels (37) in a centrifuge (1) and that is designed to rotate together with the reaction vessel unit (21) during centrifugation, and liquid exiting the reaction vessels (37) is recovered by the recovery plate (31) due to centrifugal acceleration.

2. 2. The recovery device (30) of claim 1, wherein the recovery plate (31) is arranged obliquely with respect to the opening plane (39), so that the recovered liquid is discharged along the obliquely arranged recovery plate (31) in the axial direction of the rotation axis (11) of the rotor (20) of the centrifuge (1) due to centrifugal acceleration within the centrifuge (1).

3. 3. The recovery device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an absorbent material disposed and designed on the recovery plate so as to be able to soak up the recovered liquid.

4. The collection device of claim 3 , wherein the absorbent is formed from a porous material such as a cellulose layer and / or an open cell foam.

5. A recovery device (30) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a flank (33) of the recovery device (30), extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (11) and extending from the recovery plate (31) towards the reaction vessel unit (21), is drawn so as to form an obstacle to the movement of the liquid transverse to the axis of rotation (11).

6. 6. The recovery device (30) according to claim 5, wherein the flanks (33) and end faces (41, 42) of the recovery device (30) are designed to be flush with the edges (35) of the reaction vessel units (21).

7. A recovery device (30) as claimed in claim 2 or any one of claims 2 and 3 to 6, wherein at least one discharge opening (43) is formed in an end face (42) from which the recovery plate (31) rises, the discharge opening (43) being preferably flush or substantially flush with the interior of the recovery plate (31).

8. 8. The recovery device (30) of claim 7, wherein the discharge opening (43) has a spout (44) projecting beyond the end face (42).

9. The recovery device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recovery device (30) is formed with a circumferential contour adapted to the shape of the reaction vessel unit (21), so that the recovery device can be preferably mounted in a snug, in particular snug in the circumferential direction.

10. The recovery device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recovery device (30) is designed to be detachably connectable to the reaction vessel unit (21).

11. The recovery device (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery device (30) is designed to be detachably connectable to a rotor (20) of a centrifuge (1).

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

13. The recovery device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the recovery device (30) has a contact contour for contacting a reaction vessel unit having a corresponding complementary contour, and the contact contour and the complementary contour are designed such that the recovery device can be placed in only one position on the reaction vessel unit, so that a combination of the reaction vessel unit and the recovery device can be placed in a centrifuge.

14. A reaction vessel unit (21) having a plurality of reaction vessels (37), each having an opening (38) lying in a common opening plane (39), the reaction vessel units having complementary contours shaped such that the reaction vessel units can be placed in only a single position on the collection device, in particular as formed in claim 13, so that the combination of the reaction vessel unit and the collection device can be placed in a centrifuge.

15. 15. The reaction receptacle unit of claim 14, wherein the reaction receptacle unit has an asymmetric insertion profile that fits snugly into a corresponding receiving profile of a centrifuge rotor, such that the reaction receptacle unit can only be placed in a single position within the rotor.

16. The recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the recovery device has a protrusion in the area of ​​a contact contour for contacting the reaction vessel unit, the protrusion protruding laterally so that it can be engaged at the rear by a guide of a rotor and thus the recovery device and the reaction vessel unit can be fixed in the rotor in a rotationally fixed manner.

17. Retrieval device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or 16, wherein the retrieval device is made from a polymer material, in particular is an injection moulded part.

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