Suction device for pipettes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aspirating device (1) for use with pipettes, particularly Pasteur pipettes. The aspirating device comprises a base element (2) with a bore (2a) for insertion of a pipette (5) and a body connected to the base element. The body is hollow and at least the body is made of a flexible material, so that the internal volume of the body (3) is variable. Here, the base element is formed in a polygonal or elliptical shape, so that the shape of the base element is not circular, thereby preventing the aspirating device from rolling on a laboratory workbench, etc.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to an aspiration device for use with a pipette, in particular a Pasteur pipette or a pipette for medical use. [Background technology]

[0002] Pipettes are used in various fields and in everyday life, for example in laboratories, especially in quantitative analysis, for mixing pharmaceutical compositions in pharmacies and hospitals, and for everyday life purposes, for example in delivering nose drops or ear drops. Pipettes are usually made of glass, but can also be made of other materials, for example plastic. Pipettes generally consist of a pipette body (in particular the body of a graduated pipette, which has marks on the pipette body indicating the specific volume, or the body of a Pasteur pipette, which usually has a tip with a small cross section and an upper body with a large cross section) and also a suction device mounted on the pipette body, which is usually made of an elastic material, in particular an elastomer and / or a rubber-like material. The suction device can be connected to the pipette body in an air-tight and liquid-tight manner, but can also be separated from the pipette body.

[0003] The aspirator is squeezed to minimize the volume enclosed by the aspirator, and then releasing the squeeze of the aspirator creates a sub-pressure within the pipette body that allows liquid to be drawn into the pipette.

[0004] Conventional Pasteur pipettes are commonly known in the prior art. They contain a glass pipette body as described above, on which there is a suction device, which is usually designed in a cylindrical or spherical shape and is usually made of a red rubber-like material. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When such pipettes are used in laboratories, they are often simply placed on the bench after use, especially since they may even be reused, for example when the same liquid or a remainder of a liquid has to be transferred again later. However, Pasteur pipettes can easily fall from the bench onto the floor and thereby break into pieces. This is particularly problematic when contaminating or harmful substances have been transported with the Pasteur pipette, and even when useful substances may have been left in the pipette for further use. Serious problems can therefore arise.

[0006] Therefore, the objective technical problem of the present invention is to improve the handling and maneuverability of pipettes, in particular Pasteur pipettes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This objective technical problem is solved by a pipette according to claim 1. Further developments and preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention provides the following aspects, subjects and preferred embodiments, each alone or in combination, which further contribute to solving the objective technical problem of the present invention.

[0009] 1. An aspiration device for use with a pipette, in particular a Pasteur pipette, comprising: The suction device further comprises a base element with a polygonal or elliptical shape, said base element comprising a bore for the insertion of a pipette, in particular a Pasteur pipette, a body connected to the base element, the body having a hollow interior; An aspiration device, wherein at least the body is made of a flexible material such that an internal volume of the body is variable.

[0010] 2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein the base element has a polygonal shape with at least three edges, preferably at least four edges.

[0011] 3. The suction device according to paragraph 1, wherein the base element has a square or star shape, the base being preferably formed in the centre of the square or star.

[0012] 4. The suction device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the flexible material is an elastomer, preferably silicone.

[0013] 5. The suction device according to paragraph 4, wherein the flexible material is a silicone suitable for medical use.

[0014] Such materials may even be sterilized. 6. The suction device of any one of paragraphs 4 or 5, wherein the flexible material is translucent.

[0015] 7. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element and the body are integrally formed.

[0016] 8. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element and the body are made of the same material.

[0017] 9. A suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore in the base element has tapered edges.

[0018] 10. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ribs are integrally formed with the body.

[0019] These ribs are expected to improve the grip and / or tactile sensation of the body by the user.

[0020] 11. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface of the body has a rough surface.

[0021] This also enhances the user's grip and / or tactile sensation of the body. 12. A suction device as described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a lower body portion, a central body portion and an upper body portion, the lower body portion having a cone-like shape and a cross-section that increases with distance from the base portion, the central body portion having a substantially constant cross-section, and the upper body portion having the shape of an ellipsoid segment.

[0022] 13. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central body portion has an oval, elliptical or polygonal cross-section.

[0023] 14. A suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element has a thickness of at least 1 mm and / or at most 8 mm, preferably in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm.

[0024] This allows for excellent handling while inserting the pipette into the aspirator. Furthermore, this allows for excellent stability of the pipette in the aspirator when mounted, i.e. accidental removal of the pipette from the aspirator is prevented.

[0025] 15. A suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer contour of the base element protrudes beyond the outer contour of a portion of the lower body portion connected to the base element, optionally with its greatest outer contour protruding beyond the outer contour of the body.

[0026] 16. An suction device described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal volume of the body is designed to be able to aspirate the volume of a Pasteur pipette having a length of 150 mm, preferably to be able to aspirate the volume of a Pasteur pipette having a length of 230 mm.

[0027] The Pasteur pipettes described above are standardized. 17. The suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal volume of the main body is designed to be capable of aspirating the volume of a mini- or micropipette having a length of 30 to 100 mm.

[0028] Such pipettes also have standard dimensions and can be used, for example, for the transfer of sperm and egg cells in the laboratory.

[0029] 18. The suction device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction device does not have a valve.

[0030] 19. An suction device described in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction device has no other openings and / or bores other than the bore for inserting the Pasteur pipette.

[0031] 20. A suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element and the lower body portion together have a height of 18 to 30 mm, preferably 20 to 25 mm, more preferably about 23 mm.

[0032] The Pasteur pipette has a section of approximately 23 mm that is separated from the rest of the Pasteur pipette by a groove. This section should be at least partially covered by the pipette bulb.

[0033] 21. The suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element is formed as a cap.

[0034] 22. An aspirator according to paragraph 21, wherein the cap is preferably a screw cap or a snap-fit ​​cap having an internal thread adapted to be screwed or fitted, respectively, onto the bottle.

[0035] 23. A kit comprising an aspirating device according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one pipette, in particular a Pasteur pipette, which is insertable into the bore of the base element of the aspirating device.

[0036] 24. The kit described in paragraph 23, further comprising a blister package, wherein the suction item and the at least one Pasteur pipette are sealed in the blister package.

[0037] 25. The kit of claim 23 or 24, wherein the suction item and the at least one Pasteur pipette are sterilized and sealed in the blister package.

[0038] 26. A kit comprising an aspirator and at least one mini- or micropipette, wherein a Pasteur pipette is insertable into the bore of the base element of the aspirator, the pipette having an overall length of 30 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 40 to 70 mm, most preferably about 60 mm, and / or the tip of the pipette has an inner diameter of about 4 μm to 1000 μm.

[0039] 27. The kit described in paragraph 26, further comprising a blister package, wherein the suction item and the at least one Pasteur pipette are sealed in the blister package.

[0040] 28. The kit of claim 26 or 27, wherein the suction item and the at least one Pasteur pipette are sterilized and sealed in the blister package.

[0041] 29. A vial or bottle, preferably a glass vial or bottle, comprising the suction device according to any one of items 1 to 22 and a pipette body. Effect of the Invention

[0042] The invention provides an aspiration device for the use of pipettes, in particular Pasteur pipettes, which comprises a base element having a polygonal or elliptical shape, the base element comprising a bore for the insertion of a pipette, in particular a Pasteur pipette, and a body formed integrally with the base element, the inside of the body being hollow. The body is made of a flexible material and is therefore squeezable, so that the internal volume of the body is variable and liquid can be aspirated with the pipette. The particular feature of the base element being provided with a polygonal or elliptical shape prevents the pipette from accidentally rolling away when the Pasteur pipette body (generally made of glass) is attached to the aspiration device (made of rubber), and therefore prevents the liquid material in the pipette from spilling out and soiling the laboratory bench if the pipette is placed somewhere, for example on a laboratory bench. It can also be avoided that the pipette rolls off the edge of a table, such as a laboratory bench, and the glass body of the pipette breaks into pieces and scatters. This particularly improves the handling of contaminants or harmful substances transported with the Pasteur pipette, and even the handling of useful substances that may be left in the pipette for further use.

[0043] Since the connection between the base element and the pipette body is air-tight and liquid-tight, the negative pressure in the aspirator can be retained and transferred to the pipette body, which has the added advantage that toxic liquids accidentally drawn into the aspirator do not spill out of the aspirator.

[0044] Preferably, the base element has a polygonal shape with at least three edges, even more preferably at least four edges. Such a shape allows easy manufacturing at very low cost. The base element may even have a star-shaped shape. Furthermore, the flexible material is preferably an elastomer, even more preferably a silicone. It may also be a silicone suitable for medical applications. Such a material is highly resistant to any liquid that may be sucked into the suction device, and furthermore, such a material may be sterilized for medical applications.

[0045] Additionally, the flexible material that the aspirator is made of is preferably transparent, so that a user can see the sample inside the aspirator as liquid is drawn into the aspirator.

[0046] Also, the bore in the base element preferably has tapered edges, which allows a smoother and easier insertion of the glass pipette body into the aspirating device to obtain a ready-to-use pipette device.

[0047] Also, the entire suction device is preferably formed in one piece. This allows a ready-to-use component without the need to provide additional means to prevent the pipette from rolling. Firstly, this saves time in the laboratory. Secondly, it reduces the handling of the pipette, since such additional components must be fixedly attached to the pipette.

[0048] Additionally, the entire suction device is preferably made from one material, allowing for low production costs.

[0049] Furthermore, the suction device preferably has ribs integrally formed with the body to improve the user's grip of the body and / or tactile feel. More preferably, the outer surface of the body has a rough surface to further improve tactile feel and ease of use. By such measures, it is less likely that the suction device will slip out of the grip of a user who may be wearing gloves, which may contaminate the surface of the gloves with chemicals having a greasy consistency (e.g. oily substances, lubricants...).

[0050] Furthermore, the suction device preferably does not have any valves and / or has no other openings and / or bores other than the bore for insertion of the pipette, which ensures a simple design of the suction device and allows its easy and cheap manufacture (e.g. in one simple moulding step).

[0051] Further, the body preferably comprises a lower body portion, a central body portion and an upper body portion, the central body portion having a substantially constant cross section having an oval, elliptical or polygonal cross section. Such a flattened shape of the suction device also improves the ease of use of the suction device, as the suction device may be more easily gripped.

[0052] Furthermore, the outer contour of the base element preferably protrudes beyond the outer contour of the part of the lower body part connected to the base element, thus creating an excellent support surface and the suction device being adapted to rest stably on, for example, a laboratory workbench, thus minimizing the risk of it rolling away.

[0053] Also, the fact that the body is preferably composed of a lower body part, a central body part and an upper body part results in a large volume, i.e. an internal volume, of the aspirator, which allows the aspirator to be used also for larger pipettes. For example, Pasteur pipettes with lengths of 150 mm to 230 mm can be obtained, which are standard standards on the market. In particular, for Pasteur pipettes with a length of 230 mm, the specific shape of the aspirator allows the entire volume of the pipette to be utilized, since the aspirator has a large internal volume that allows the liquid to be aspirated into the entire internal volume of the pipette body. The internal volume of the body that allows the liquid to be aspirated into the pipette is mainly the volume of the central body part.

[0054] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is a kit comprising an aspirating device and one Pasteur pipette made of glass, which is inserted into a bore of a base element of the aspirating device, in which case the Pasteur pipette and the aspirating items can even be sterilized and sealed in a blister package, so that they can be easily utilized for medical applications, for example in clinical laboratories or in vitro fertilization.

[0055] The disclosure of the following preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a suction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a suction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 4A] FIG. 3B corresponds to FIG. 3A, but shows the pipette body inserted into the aspirator. [Figure 4B] FIG. 3C corresponds to FIG. 3B, but shows the pipette body inserted into the aspirator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a suction device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the suction device according to FIG. 5 (i.e., the second embodiment of the invention); DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an aspirating device 1 (according to a first embodiment of the invention) with a base element 2 having a square base region and a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The base element 2 is provided with a bore 2a in the center of its base region, which has tapered edges for better insertion of the pipette body. The base element 2 is integrally formed with a body portion 3, which comprises a lower body portion 3a, a central body portion 3b and an upper body portion 3c. The lower body portion 3a has a cone-like shape with a cross section that increases with distance from the base portion 2, the central portion 3b has a substantially constant cross section and an elliptical shape, and the upper body portion 3c has the shape of an ellipsoid segment. All parts of the base element 2 and the body 3 are integrally formed of the same material. FIG. 1 further shows that the outer contour of the base element 2 protrudes from the outer contour of the part of the lower body portion 3a connected to the base element 2. Furthermore, ribs 4 are provided on all three portions of the main body portion 3 (the lower main body portion 3a, the central portion 3b and the upper main body portion 3c).

[0058] FIG. 2 is a top view of the suction device 1, in which only the upper body portion 3c and the base element 2 are visible.

[0059] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the suction device in one direction, in which the shape of the lower body part 3a, the middle body part 3b and the upper body part 3c can be seen precisely. The taper of the bore 2a is also evident from Figure 3A. In this embodiment, the bore is not only tapered, but also has rounded edges.

[0060] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view in the other direction, in which all the details of Figure 3A can be seen, but also ribs 4, which are apparently provided on the long oval-shaped portion of the body to improve grip and tactile sensation.

[0061] FIG. 4A is a view of the same aspirator 1 as in FIG. 3A, but with a pipette body 5 inserted into the aspirator 1. FIG.

[0062] FIG. 4B is a view of the same aspirator 1 as in FIG. 3B, but with a pipette body 5 inserted into the aspirator 1.

[0063] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an aspirator 1 (according to a second embodiment of the invention) with a base element 2 having a square base region and a rectangular parallelepiped shape in the outer contour, so that the base region has a polygonal shape, embracing the above-mentioned advantageous effects. In this case, the base element 2 in the second embodiment is a screw cap with an internal thread also formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A body part 3 is inserted into the screw cap, the body part 3 comprising a lower body part 3a, a central body part 3b and an upper body part 3c. The lower body part 3a has a cone-like shape with a cross section that increases with the distance from the base part 2, the central part 3b has a substantially constant cross section and an elliptical shape, and the upper body part 3c has the shape of an ellipsoid segment. Such an aspirator 1 according to the second embodiment can be used with vials or bottles, preferably glass vials or bottles.

[0064] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the aspirating device 1 shown in Figure 5 (according to a second embodiment of the invention). Here it can be seen that the base element 2, with a square base area and a cuboid outline, further has an internal thread 2b for connection to a thread of a bottle or the like. In this second embodiment, the base element 2 is therefore provided as a screw cap. Any type of pipette body can be inserted into the aspirating device 1 via the bore 2a.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the shape of the base element is not limited to a polygon, an oval, or a square or star shape, all other shapes are possible, it just must not be circular in order to avoid the aspirator rolling over the table. Structured shapes are also possible, for example a combination of a square and a star, or a square or rectangular shape with rounded edges. The effect is that the non-circular shape of the base element avoids the possibility of the aspirator itself and / or the combination of the aspirator and the pipette body rolling over.

[0066] It is further possible that the body portion 3 comprises more portions, for example two or three central body portions having different shapes, and the central portions can be varied in order to vary the volume of the suction device.

[0067] Moreover, the upper body portion 3c does not necessarily have to be an ellipsoid segment: it may be a plate, a pyramid or a cone. Also, instead of the ribs 4, hemispherical protrusions may be provided over the entire surface of the body portion 3.

[0068] Furthermore, the base element 2 may be any form of cap that is connected to the body 3 .

Claims

1. A kit comprising an aspirating device (1) and at least one Pasteur pipette (5), the aspirating device (1) comprising: a base element (2) with a bore (2a) for the insertion of a Pasteur pipette (5), a body (3) connected to the base element (2), the body (3) being hollow; The body (3) is made of a flexible material, so that the internal volume of the body (3) is variable; said base element (2) having a polygonal or elliptical shape, said base element (2) and said body (3) being integrally formed and made of the same material; The outer contour of the base element (2) has a maximum outer contour that protrudes beyond the outer contour of the body (3), A kit, wherein the at least one Pasteur pipette (5) is insertable into the bore (2a) of the base element (2) of the suction device (1).

2. 2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the base element (2) has a polygonal shape with at least three edges or a star shape.

3. 3. The kit according to claim 2, wherein the base element (2) has a polygonal shape with at least four edges.

4. 3. The kit according to claim 2, wherein the bore (2a) is formed in the centre of the polygon or star.

5. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible material is an elastomer.

6. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible material is silicone.

7. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible material is translucent.

8. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bore (2a) in the base element (2) has tapered edges.

9. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ribs (4) are integrally formed with the body (3).

10. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer surface of the body (3) has a rough surface.

11. 11. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body (3) comprises a lower body part (3a), a central body part (3b) and an upper body part (3c), the lower body part (3a) having a cone-like shape and a cross-section that increases with distance from the base element (2), the central body part (3b) having a constant cross-section and / or the upper body part (3c) having the shape of an ellipsoid segment.

12. 12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein said central body portion (3b) has an oval, elliptical or polygonal cross section.

13. 13. The kit according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the base element (2) has a thickness of ≥ 1 mm and ≤ 8 mm.

14. The kit according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the base element (2) has a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm.

15. A kit according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the base element (2) and the lower body portion (3a) together have a height of 18 to 30 mm.

16. A kit according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the base element (2) and the lower body portion (3a) together have a height of 20 to 25 mm.

17. A kit according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the base element (2) and the lower body portion (3a) together have a height of about 23mm.

18. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the suction device does not have a valve.

19. 19. The kit according to claim 18, wherein the suction device has no other openings and / or bores other than the bore (2a) for inserting the Pasteur pipette.

20. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base element (2) is formed as a cap.

21. 21. The kit according to claim 20, wherein the base element (2) is formed as a screw cap or a snap-fit ​​cap adapted to be screwed or fitted, respectively, onto a bottle.

22. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising a blister package, wherein the suction device (1) and the at least one Pasteur pipette (5) are sealed in the blister package.

23. 23. The kit according to claim 22, wherein the at least one Pasteur pipette (5) is sealed in the blister package in a sterile manner.

24. A vial or bottle comprising the kit according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. 25. The vial or bottle of claim 24, wherein the vial or bottle is a glass vial or bottle.

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