Sample receiving device and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sample receiving device having a setting-down means (1) and a receiver (2). The receiver (2) has a cavity (3) that is open on one side and closed by a cover (4), and the cavity (3) is shielded from the surroundings by the cover (4). The setting-down means (1) has a base body (8) having a sample container (5) and an outlet opening (6), and an opening element (7). The opening element (7) is configured such that the cover (4) can be penetrated by the opening element (7) by pressing the opening element (7) against the cover (4). The setting-down means (1) can be placed and fixed on the receiver (2) such that the sample container (5) having the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are disposed within the cavity (3). The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged so as to face in a direction away from the base body (8) when the setting-down means is placed on the receiver (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample receiving device for sample analysis, particularly in the fields of medicine, pharmacy or biology.

Background Art

[0002] In sample analysis, it is often necessary to subject a specific amount of a liquid sample to various analysis steps. In addition to receiving the intended amount of the sample, it is also essential not to contaminate the sample and to bring it into contact with substances or substrates necessary for the analysis, i.e., reagents. Solutions for this are already known from the prior art. Thus, a device for receiving and handling a liquid sample is known from document DE10 2019 204 633 A1, but this will be complicated to use because, for example, a second container is required to receive the device containing the sample.

[0003] Accordingly, the present invention is based on the problem of proposing a sample receiving device that avoids these drawbacks, is mechanically stable and easy to use.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the device according to claim 1. Advantageous configurations and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The sample receiving device comprises a setting-down means as a first part and a receiver as a second part. The receiver is configured to have a cavity with one side open, and the cavity can be or is closed by a cover. The cover shields the cavity from the environment. The setting-down means comprises a base body and an opening element, and the base body comprises a sample container having an outlet opening. The opening element is configured to be able to penetrate the cover by or with the opening element by pressing the opening element against the cover. The setting-down means can be placed and fixed on the receiver such that the sample container having the outlet opening and the opening element are arranged within the cavity. The sample container and the opening element are arranged such that when placed on the receiver, they point in a direction away from the base body in the same direction.

[0006] The sample to be analyzed can be received and stored in the sample container. By pressing the opening element, i.e., applying a force to the cover via the opening element and causing the cover to be penetrated by the applied pressure or force, the cover can be broken, and thus access to the cavity of the receiver can be established. Since the receiver is open on one side and the sample is typically protected on all sides by the receiver or the base body which is typically closed after the setting-down means introduced into the cavity is placed and fixed, on the one hand, the sample can be safely held and transported in this configuration, but on the other hand, a chemical reaction can also occur between the sample and the substances already contained in the receiver. In this state, both the opening element, also called an opener, and the sample container are typically arranged facing in the same direction (in particular, it is understood to mean that the opening element and the sample container are on the same side of the base body) such that they point in a direction away from the base body, so a clearly defined insertion operation in which the two elements move in the same direction is specified, which is not only easy to perform but also provides a mechanically stable connection and a compact structure.

[0007] The sample holder may be integrally formed with the opening element. This connection in which the two elements are connected to each other in a method of material adhesion is also called an integral structure and is particularly simple in structure.

[0008] However, alternatively, the aperture element and the sample holder can also be configured separately, where the sample holder can typically be inserted into or received within the recess of the aperture element. This separate configuration provides greater flexibility, for example, different materials can be used for the aperture element and the sample holder, unlike an integral structure. In particular, the aperture element and the sample container can be connected to each other by a form fit or a force fit or a friction push-through connection.

[0009] The sample container and the aperture element can be arranged or oriented concentrically and / or parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the setting-down means. This results in a particularly simple structure where the direction of the force passing through the cover is clearly defined by the arrangement along the longitudinal axis, and the application of the force is also performed along this longitudinal axis.

[0010] However, in order to receive sample portions that may not be received by the sample container, an additional container can be arranged, similar to the sample container, perpendicular to the aperture element, and can be arranged or oriented. In particular, when the aperture element is used during the opening process, the additional container can safely store the amount of sample that may be moved to an unintended position and contaminated by the forces acting at that time. This additional container is typically connected to the sample container and is configured in a tunnel-like or channel-like shape. In this context, "perpendicular" particularly means that the longitudinal axis of the additional container forms an angle between 85° and 95°, preferably between 87° and 93°, and particularly preferably exactly 90° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sample container. The additional container can here be connected to the sample container, i.e., a continuous cavity can be formed.

[0011] The sample taken is typically a liquid sample, i.e., the sample container is generally configured to receive a liquid sample. The sample itself is typically provided as a sample volume in the microliter range, i.e., the sample container is configured to receive and hold a sample volume in the range of 0.5 microliters to 100 microliters. Thus, the device according to the claims can be regarded as a mass-produced or disposable article for reproducibly receiving a sample, thereby enabling access to a plurality of different analysis steps such as mixing the sample with a substance.

[0012] The cover itself is preferably in the form of a sealing plate or a sealing film. The fact that the receiver is in the form of a body open on one side with an intervening cavity means that the receiver can not only hold the receiver but also contain substances or materials necessary for analysis within that cavity before the container is inserted, i.e., when the cover is intact. The cavity, also referred to as a hollow space, is thus typically in the form of a reservoir containing a reagent. By supplying the reagent or another substance into a sealed reservoir, contamination of the reagent and environmental contamination can be avoided. In particular, harmful substances such as biologically harmful substances and carcinogenic substances can be safely transported and handled without uncontrolled contact with the environment in this way. The cavity as a reservoir can also be filled and emptied at different locations. This means that all relevant substances (i.e., the sample and the reagent) are stored and mixed within a single cavity, reducing size, complexity, and cost. The fact that reduced complexity enables faster mixing also reduces sample loss due to evaporation.

[0013] The cavity can be filled or hold solids, liquids or gaseous substances, especially fluids or several fluids, such as a fluid liquid, a fluid or granular solid, such as a powder, granule or aggregate, or a mixture thereof, etc. However, it can also hold viscous substances such as gels, pastes or solid substances that can be washed out of the cavity by a sample or another liquid.

[0014] The opening element can have a blunt end or a beveled end for penetrating the cover. In this case, the blunt end is defined in particular as the end having an end face, the normal of which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the opener or parallel to the longitudinal axis, and in the case of the beveled end, the normal of the face is inclined by a fixed angle with respect to this longitudinal axis. Typically, the opening element preferably has a beveled end with an angle between 0.1° and 89°, particularly preferably between 45° and 60°, and particularly precisely 60° (i.e., the normal of the end face of the end forms this angle with the longitudinal axis).

[0015] The opening element can also have a tip, a pricker, a penetrating spike and / or a cutting edge in order to cut the cover more easily. Preferably, at least one tip, pricker or penetration part is arranged at the point of the opening element that first contacts the cover when the opening element is pushed. The cutting edge is preferably arranged at the edge of the surface of the opening element or at the end of the opening element. The cutting edge can in particular be configured to have a single-sided or double-sided, flat, spherical, hollow or concave cutting shape. In addition, a cutting edge with cutting teeth or micro-bevels enabling particularly clean cutting can also be provided.

[0016] The opening element can have a shape complementary to the opening of the receiver closed by the cover. That is, the opening element can be formed in particular to fit exactly into this opening.

[0017] The sample container can be configured as a hollow body, in particular as a capillary, which is configured to take in a specified amount of sample by capillary action. However, the sample container can also be configured as a pipette, a sponge or a dropper.

[0018] To facilitate handling, the setting-down means can comprise a holding device that can hold or grip. The holding device is generally arranged on the side of the base opposite to the sample container and the opening element. Further, the sample container can also have an additional container in the form of a cavity formed in the base and configured to receive a larger amount of sample if necessary. In particular, this cavity is configured to receive the sample if the sample leaves the sample container while the cover is open. Preferably, to ensure a compact but mechanically stable structure, the distance from one end of the sample container facing the base to one of these cavities is between 0.01 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm.

[0019] To fix the setting-down means to the receiver, fixing and releasing devices can be provided on one or both of said elements. In this way, the setting-down means can be fixed to the receiver such that the relative movement of the two components is blocked and it is only released after the releasing device is actuated. The fixing and releasing devices can be configured, for example, as a latch device with a releasable click or snap mechanism, or as a screw connection with a locking mechanism such as a pin, peg, dowel or lever, which release the relative movement of the two components only after being removed or actuated. The releasing device is usually only operable manually.

[0020] The setting-down means, the receiver, and the cover are usually made of materials that enable long-term storage of a sample or other substances, i.e., materials that are excellent in chemical or thermal resistance and, if necessary, protect the sample from environmental influences such as ultraviolet rays, moisture, or oxygen. The above components can be made of plastics, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, cycloolefin polymer or copolymer, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, polyamide, especially nylon, polyoxymethylene or polyacrylic thermosetting plastics, or thermosetting plastics such as epoxy, polyurethane or phenolic resin. The receiver and the setting-down means are preferably manufactured using an injection molding process, but can also be manufactured using additional manufacturing techniques such as three-dimensional printing or sintering, lamination, extrusion, adhesion, milling, machining or ablation.

[0021] The cover is usually made of a material that is impermeable to water and air, especially a metal such as aluminum, or a non-elastic plastic, i.e., a plastic having an elastic modulus exceeding 0.1 GPa at 20°C. The thickness of the cover is usually between 5 micrometers and 200 micrometers, preferably between 20 micrometers and 100 micrometers. The cover can be adhered, laminated or welded to the end of the cavity, for example, to seal it.

[0022] The receiver can be configured to be transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range, i.e., in the wavelength range from 380 nm to 750 nm, so that optical analysis of a sample introduced into the cavity or a reagent that reacts with the sample can be performed, at least on the side away from the cover. The term "transparency" is defined here to mean that 20% or less, preferably 10% or less, of the intensity of incidental electromagnetic radiation is absorbed or reflected by the receiver.

[0023] In a method of receiving and handling a sample using the described apparatus, the sample is received within a sample container, and the setting-down means is placed on the receiver such that the cover penetrates by pressing the opening element against the cover, and the setting-down means is placed and fixed on the receiver such that the sample container having an outlet opening and the opening element are disposed within the cavity.

[0024] The described method can be implemented, in particular, using the described apparatus, i.e., the described apparatus is configured to enable the implementation of the described method.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. In the latter case:

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sample receiving device for receiving liquid samples in the microliter range. The sample receiving device includes a set-down means 1 and a receiver 2, both made of plastic. The set-down means 1 has a central base body 8, on the upper side of which a gripping surface is arranged as a holding device 9, allowing the set-down means 1 to be easily gripped and moved by fingers or a machine. On the side of the base body 8 opposite to the holding device 9, a cylindrical capillary container that opens on one side is arranged as the sample container 5. This container extends centrally from the base body 8 along the longitudinal axis of the set-down means 1 and is configured to receive the sample. At the end of the sample container 5 opposite to the base body 8, there is a circular opening element 7 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, but in further exemplary embodiments, this can also be replaced by a blade tip or a through spike.

[0027] The receiver 2 is configured as a cavity which has a hollow space inside. The cavity may remain unfilled if protected transport of the sample is desired, but is typically filled with a substance such as a reagent. To avoid unwanted contamination of the cavity, the receiver 2 is open on one side and its opening is closed with a cover film as the cover 4. The cover 4 is typically made of a material that does not allow water or air to pass through and, in an exemplary embodiment, is made of an aluminum film with a thickness of 25 micrometers.

[0028] By placing the setting-down means 1 on the cover 4 of the receiver 2 and applying pressure to the cover 4, the cover 4 is penetrated by the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 can be inserted into the cavity. In this way, a substantially perpendicular relative movement can be performed along the longitudinal axis of the setting-down means 1 and the receiver 2, and there is nothing that has to be opened manually. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 are arranged on the same side when viewed from the base body 8 of the setting-down means 1, because a compact structure can be realized and handling is very simple. Thereby, in just one operation, the cover 4 can be penetrated, broken through, lifted, and the sample can be introduced into the receiver 2.

[0029] The state in which this setting-down means 1 is inserted into the receiver 2 is shown in FIG. 2. In this figure, the same features are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the following figures. The sample container 5 is here inserted into the cavity 3 of the receiver 2, and the sample received in the sample container 5 is released into the cavity 3 through the opening 6 of the sample container 5, or at least reacts with the substance accommodated in the cavity 3 by coming into contact with the sample by piercing the outlet opening 6 arranged in the sample container 5. The outlet opening 6 is typically arranged at the end of the sample container 5 so as to face away from the substrate 8, in particular in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, that is, as far away from the substrate 8 as possible. In particular, for this purpose, the lower part of the receiver 2, that is, the part opposite to the cover 4, can be configured to be transparent to radiation in the visible wavelength range.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the surface of the substrate 8 facing the holding device 9 can be aligned with the end of the opening of the receiver 2, where the cover 4 is attached to this end before penetration. Alternatively, the substrate 8 itself can also be left outside the cavity 3. Furthermore, a fixing and releasing device can be provided in order to mechanically and reliably connect the receiver 2 and the setting-down means 1 received by the receiver 2 by a force fit or a form fit connection.

[0031] Furthermore, on the one hand, it is possible to easily fill the sample into the sample container 5, and on the other hand, to securely hold the sample, and in particular to prevent the sample from being unintentionally released from the sample container 5 during the opening process of the cover 4, a constriction bent at an angle between 1° and 179° from the sample filling direction can also be provided in the sample container 5. Generally, a bend at any angle that is not coaxial with the flow direction can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, or in addition to the bent constriction, a constriction can be provided that increases the flow resistance and thus is used as a "valve" to prevent the sample from flowing out of the sample container 5, especially during the opening process. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the set-down means 1 is complementary to the opening of the receiver 2 closed by the cover 4, that is, the opening element 7 is formed to fit particularly precisely or accurately into this opening. Since the substrate 8 with the holding device 9 also has a closed surface, the cavity 3 will be closed on all sides by the receiver 2 even after the cover 4 is opened.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the sample receiving device in a view corresponding to FIG. 1. Here, the opening element 7 is configured as part of or integrally with the sample container 5 as before, but has a beveled end face. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 and shows the assembled state of the receiver 2 and the set-down means 1. The surface normal of the end face forms an angle of 60° with respect to the longitudinal axes of the set-down means 1 and the sample container 5, and the tip is sharpened to facilitate penetration through the cover 4.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the setting-down means 1. The sample container 5 is not arranged centrally along the longitudinal axis but is spatially offset and extends parallel to this longitudinal axis. The outlet opening 6 has a plane normal that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the sample container 5. On the other hand, the integrally formed opening element 7 has a beveled end face with a tip. This makes it easier to penetrate the cover 4 even without an outlet opening, and there is a possibility that the sample may come into contact with the cover 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the setting-down means 1 shown in FIG. 5 is introduced into the receiver 2. Here, the opening element 7 is configured to have a length that is longer than that of the sample container 5, that is, larger than the sample container 5.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the setting-down means 1 where the left is a side view, the center is a cross-sectional view, and the right is a perspective cross-sectional view. The capillary sample container 5 is oriented in a direction away from the outlet opening 6 and its end is further connected to an additional container 14 as a cavity, thereby enabling the use of a larger volume for taking in the sample. The tunnel-shaped additional container 14 has two oppositely directed outlet openings 13, and its longitudinal axis is arranged to be orthogonal to the longitudinal axes of the setting-down means 1 or the sample container 5 and the additional container 14. Here, the orthogonal arrangement is defined as an arrangement where the angle between the longitudinal axis of the setting-down means 1 and the longitudinal axis of the additional container is between 85° and 95°, preferably 90°. One outlet opening 13 or a plurality of outlet openings 13 are located at a corresponding distance from the end face on the setting-down means 1 side of the opening element 7 and the outlet opening 6, enabling a tunnel-shaped configuration. FIG. 8 shows the state where the setting-down means 1 shown in FIG. 7 is inserted into the receiver 2, and the setting-down means 1 and the receiver 2 are flush on the upper side.

[0035] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a one-step process or a two-step process can be executed. In the one-step process, first, the sample holder 5 is introduced into the opening element 7, and both of them are inserted together into the receiver 2. In the two-step process, the receiver 2 is first opened by the opening element 7, and only then is the sample container 5 inserted. In this case, the flexibility of the sample container 5 used can be increased, and for example, a simple sample container 5 such as a pipette, a sponge, or a dropper can also be used.

[0036] As shown in the perspective view in FIG. 9, the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 can also be configured as a plurality of parts. The receiver 2 corresponds to the exemplary embodiments already discussed, but the opening element 7 is now an attachment to the receiver 2, and the receiver 2 has a beveled end face at the end of the tubular element 10. The base 8 having the sample container 5 configured as a separate part can be inserted into the tubular element 10. The setting-down means 1 itself is thus configured separately and includes the opening element 7 and the sample container 5 integrally formed with the base 8. In use, first, the opening element 7 is placed on the receiver 2, and the cover 4 opens. Next, the base 8 having the sample container 5 is inserted into the created opening. The assembled state is shown in FIG. 10, a figure corresponding to FIG. 9. In the case of an integral structure, the opening element 7 must be longer than the sample container 5 (in order to reach and penetrate the cover 4 first), but this is not necessarily required in the case of a separate structure. Since the opening element 7 can be inserted into the receiver 2 first, the sample container 5 inserted into the opening element 7 later can also be longer than the opening element 7.

[0037] In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 11, which is a figure corresponding to FIGS. 9 and 10, the receiver 2 and the opening element 7 are mechanically coupled to each other by a hinged connection in the example shown in FIG. 11. As described above, after penetrating the cover 4, the sample container 5 can be inserted into the tubular element 10. This state is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0038] Furthermore, the receiver 2 can also include a plurality of chambers or cavities separated from each other by a cover. FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the receiver 2 provided with a cover 12 in addition to the cover 4. Accordingly, within the cavity 3, the first chamber can accommodate the first substance, while the second cavity 11 formed between the cover 4 and the second cover 12 can accommodate another substance as an additional cavity or hollow space. Thus, when the opening element 7 is inserted, it penetrates through the additional cover 12 and then the cover 4 in sequence, and the reagent only mixes with the sample within the cavity 3.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to change the basic form of the receiver 2 shown on the left in FIG. 15 so that a plurality of integrally formed receivers 2 are arranged adjacent to each other (two in the central part of FIG. 15 and three on the right hand). In this case, the cavities 3 typically have longitudinal axes parallel to each other. The cavities 3 can also have different volumes.

[0040] The features of the various embodiments disclosed only in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with each other and claimed individually.

Claims

1. Comprising a setting-down means (1) and a receiver (2), wherein the receiver (2) has a cavity (3) that opens on one side and is closed by a cover (4), and the cavity (3) is shielded from the environment by the cover (4), the setting-down means (1) has a substrate (8) including a sample container (5) having an outlet opening (6), and an opening element (7), the opening element (7) is configured such that the cover (4) can be penetrated by the opening element (7) by pressing the opening element (7) against the cover (4), the setting-down means (1) can be placed and fixed on the receiver (2) such that the sample container (5) having the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are arranged within the cavity (3), the sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged so as to point in a direction away from the substrate (8) when placed on the receiver (2), A sample receiving device.

2. The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are integrally formed, The sample receiving device according to claim 1.

3. The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are separately configured, the sample container (5) can be inserted into or received in a recess of the opening element (7), The sample receiving device according to claim 1.

4. The sample container (5) and the opening element (7) are arranged concentrically, parallelly, or can be arranged or oriented along the longitudinal axis of the setting-down means (1), The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

5. An additional container (14) connected to the sample container (5) is arranged, can be arranged, or is oriented so as to be perpendicular to the opening element (7), The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. The cover (4) is in the form of a sealing plate or a sealing film, The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The cavity (3) is in the form of a reservoir for containing a reagent, The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The opening element (7) has a beveled end facing away from the substrate (8), and the beveled end is preferably angled at an angle of 0.1° or more and 89° or less, preferably 45° or more and 60° or less, particularly preferably 60°, The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The setting-down means (1) has a holding device (9) arranged on the side of the base body (8) facing away from the sample container (5) and the opening element (7). The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Fixing and releasing devices are arranged on the receiver (2) and / or the setting-down means (1). The sample receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A method for receiving and handling a sample using the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, taking in the sample into the sample container (5), placing the setting-down means (1) on the receiver (2) such that the cover (4) penetrates by pressing the opening element (7) against the cover (4), placing and fixing the setting-down means (1) on the receiver (2) such that the sample container (5) having the outlet opening (6) and the opening element (7) are arranged within the cavity (3). Method.

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