System for producing carrier plates for media or sub-modules and corresponding carrier plate

Abstract

The invention discloses a system for producing carrier plates (1) for carrying media and / or sub-modules (7). The carrier plates (1) each have at least two interconnected sub-components (2) with recesses (3) for media and / or space for sub-modules (7). The sub-components (2) belong to a plurality of differently designed sub-components (2) and each have mutually corresponding latching devices (5) on the longitudinal sides (4) of the sub-components, by means of which latching devices two sub-components (2) can in each case be connected to one another. The sub-components (2) connected to one another to form in each case one carrier plate (1) are self-supporting. The invention further relates to a carrier plate (1) which has been produced using the system.

Description

[0001] System for producing carrier plates for media or sub-modules and corresponding carrier plate

[0002] The invention relates to a system for producing carrier plates for holding media and / or sub-modules. The invention also relates to a corresponding carrier plate. The media are, for example, liquids, samples to be analyzed, or other aids for the preparation or analysis of preferably liquid samples. The sub-modules are, for example, functional sub-modules for temperature control of media, particularly samples, or, for example, a magnetic plate for mixing media. Alternatively, the sub-modules are consumable items such as pipette tips or holders for such tips.

[0003] It is known in the art to place several chemical or biological samples on a support for sequential analysis using automated pipetting systems. These supports are, for example, microplates, preferably of a standardized size with a defined number of wells for the samples. Examples include the so-called SBS or SLAS format (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening), which has, for example, 96, 384, or 1536 wells for the samples or sample containers.

[0004] Depending on the design, the samples are contained in individual sample containers, so that the samples are introduced into the carrier indirectly via their respective containers. Alternatively, the samples are picked up from corresponding recesses in the carrier itself.

[0005] The recesses are each dimensioned to fit a specific sample container. However, this means that each container size requires a separate support plate, even if the number of samples to be examined is less than the number of available recesses.

[0006] To solve this problem, WO 2008 / 003338 A1 describes a modular system for producing suitable support plates for each application. For this purpose, individual laboratory vessel inserts are placed into a support frame.

[0007] Systems with individual components arranged in series are disclosed in EP 3 079 820 B1 and WO 2009 / 040082 A1. US 2005 / 0 265 901 A1 discloses a modular support plate. WO 2014 / 081 818 A1 discloses a multi-part sample holder with differently shaped sub-components. US 2013 / 0 331 286 A1 relates to a multi-part sample holder. DE 37 35 708 A1 discloses a multi-part sample holder. DE 102014 102 361 A1 discloses a multi-part support plate with separate connecting elements. EP 4 541 461 A1 discloses a multi-part plate.

[0008] These carrier plates can typically hold not only samples, but also any type of media, such as solvents or rinsing solutions. Therefore, the following discussion generally refers to a carrier plate for media—that is, for samples to be treated or analyzed—as a subset. These media can, in particular, be liquids.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of simplifying the system for producing carrier plates.

[0010] The invention solves the problem by a system for producing carrier plates for carrying media and / or sub-modules, wherein the carrier plates each have at least two - preferably reversibly - interconnected sub-components with recesses for media and / or space for a sub-module, wherein the sub-components belong to a plurality of differently designed sub-components, wherein the sub-components each have corresponding locking devices on their longitudinal sides, via which two sub-components can be connected to each other, and wherein the sub-components are designed and coordinated in such a way that the sub-components connected to each other to form a carrier plate are self-supporting.

[0011] The invention consists in the fact that the subcomponents are designed such that they can form the carrier plate – modular or multi-part – even without a frame. The dimensions and, for example, weight distribution of the subcomponents thus allow a self-supporting unit in the form of the carrier plate to be created by combining at least two subcomponents. The subcomponents can be connected to each other via locking devices located on their longitudinal sides. The carrier plate can accommodate media, media containers (or alternatively, media receptacles) containing media, or just the media containers. Additionally, the resulting carrier plate has space for at least one submodule, which can also be a recess. Depending on the application and design, the submodules can be functional units or subunits, or, for example,Items such as pipette tips in different sizes and dimensions, which are used, for example, in the analysis of samples, washing stations or draining stations for pipette tips, etc.

[0012] In one embodiment, the submodules are permanently connected to the subcomponents. Alternatively, not only are the media reversibly located in the recesses of the subcomponents, but also the submodules themselves, for which appropriately sized recesses or depressions are provided in the subcomponents.

[0013] In one embodiment, the subcomponents essentially have the shape of cuboids. Preferably, the subcomponents have the same height and depth and optionally differ in their width.

[0014] The connection between the subcomponents is designed to be reversible, making it possible to reuse the subcomponents and, for example, connect them with other subcomponents.

[0015] One embodiment consists of locking devices designed for tongue-and-groove connections. In this embodiment, some of the locking devices are designed as raised sections, while others are designed as geometrically corresponding recesses. In one embodiment, at least one subgroup of the components has at least one locking device on each of its longitudinal sides.

[0016] A further embodiment provides that the majority of differently configured subcomponents include edge subcomponents, and that each edge subcomponent has one longitudinal side that is free of locking devices. In this embodiment, special subcomponents are provided that each function as edges of the carrier plate and therefore each lack locking devices on one longitudinal side. These are, in particular, the longitudinal sides that form the outer longitudinal sides of the manufactured carrier plate. Preferably, the first and last subcomponents of the carrier plate are each such edge subcomponent.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, a subgroup of the differently configured subcomponents has locking devices only on one longitudinal side. The majority of the differently configured subcomponents include connecting pieces, and these connecting pieces have locking devices on both longitudinal sides, which serve to connect the subcomponents that only have locking connections on one longitudinal side. In this embodiment, a subgroup of the subcomponents has at least one locking device on only one longitudinal side. Connecting pieces are provided for connecting these subcomponents; each connecting piece has the corresponding locking devices and is inserted between the aforementioned subcomponents. This also results in an entire carrier plate that is free of any external tactile devices.

[0018] The connecting pieces can preferably also additionally contact the subcomponents with locking devices on only one side with the subcomponents with locking devices on both sides.

[0019] One embodiment involves the subcomponents differing from one another in terms of the number of recesses, their dimensions, and / or their arrangement. Depending on the embodiment, the subcomponents thus allow for the accommodation of different media or media containers (e.g., sample containers) and permit the carrier plate to be adapted to the specific application requirements.

[0020] One embodiment provides for at least one adaptation component, which can be inserted into at least one recess of a subcomponent to modify the dimensions of that recess. The adaptation component is, for example, an intermediate shelf, allowing shallower media containers to be accommodated in a recess. In one embodiment, the adaptation component serves as a radius reducer for a recess of a subcomponent. Overall, the adaptation component is thus inserted into at least one recess to, for example, reduce the internal volume of the recess. It therefore adapts the existing recess to the specific application.

[0021] One design involves using a substrate in the form of a microplate. Alternative names include microcell plate or multiwell plate. Any other format can be achieved through alternative designs.

[0022] If the resulting substrate has the format of a microplate, a supplementary embodiment provides that the subcomponents each have a width sufficient to accommodate at least one row of recesses according to a predefined arrangement of recesses on the microplate. Microplates typically have well-defined arrangements of recesses—so-called wells—for media. In this embodiment, the subcomponents are each wide enough to accommodate at least one row of recesses. Integer multiples are also possible. For example, if the microplate has 96 wells with 12 columns and eight rows, the subcomponents can each be an integer divisor of 12, based on the total width of the microplate. Thus, if the microplate has a width X, the widths of the subcomponents can be X / 12, 2X / 12 = X / 6, 3X / 12 = X / 4, and so on.One embodiment provides that at least one component is at least partially made of a sterilizable material. Alternatively or additionally, a component is designed as a single-use component. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, a component serves as a receptacle and / or holder for a sterile component.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention relates to a carrier plate produced using the system described above or below. The embodiments and configurations of the system also apply accordingly to the carrier plate produced therein.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show:

[0025] Fig. 1: Top view of an exploded view of a carrier plate according to a first embodiment

[0026] Fig. 2: a section through an edge sub-component and

[0027] Fig. 3: a top view of a support plate according to a second embodiment.

[0028] The carrier plate 1 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 consists here by way of example of three different sub-components 2, which differ from each other with regard to the recesses 3 for the media vessels - not shown here.

[0029] The subcomponents 2 are each connected to one another via their longitudinal sides 4, on which corresponding locking devices 5 are located. Therefore, it is possible to couple the individual subcomponents 2 reversibly. The locking devices 5 shown here consist of raised sections and corresponding recesses.

[0030] The two outer sub-components 2, which thus form the edge of the support plate 1, are edge sub-components 2', each having one longitudinal side 4 without locking devices 5, so that the support plate 1 has a smooth outer contour. The support plate 1 can be made of any size by coupling the corresponding number of sub-components 2 together.

[0031] The subcomponent 2 shown on the right contains an adjustment component 6 to adapt the actual recess of subcomponent 2. This is explained in conjunction with Fig. 2.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the side section through the subcomponent 2 shown on the right in Fig. 1.

[0033] It can be seen that the adaptation component 6 functions here as a kind of intermediate base, allowing even shallower media vessels to be inserted. The adaptation relates alternatively or additionally to the geometry of the vessels; for example, V- or LI-shaped bases are known. Adjustment by the adaptation component 6 is particularly advantageous for media vessels that do not have an upper rim for suspended fixation and thus rest directly on the adaptation component 6. The adaptation is preferably carried out with the consideration that, especially in the case of large-volume media vessels, the base of the reservoir should not be located above the locking device 5, but rather just above the support base.

[0034] The design of the carrier plate 1 of Fig. 3 consists, by way of example, of two sub-components 2, between which a connecting piece 2" is located.

[0035] The two subcomponents 2, like the edge subcomponents 2' of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, have the locking devices 5 only on one longitudinal side 4. The connecting piece 2" is provided for the connection and has corresponding locking devices 5 on both longitudinal sides 4. Here, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, recesses with locking lugs are combined in the locking devices 5.

[0036] It is further indicated that the right-hand sub-component 2, in addition to a recess 3 for, e.g., a medium, also has a sub-module 7. Here, sub-module 7 is, for example, part of a mixing device used in an analyzer, into which the assembled carrier plate 1 is inserted.

[0037] According to a third embodiment - not shown - the two lateral sub-components of the embodiment of Fig. 2 each have grooves, with a third, separate sub-component forming the spring.

[0038] Reference numeral list Carrier plate Subcomponent ' Edge subcomponent “ Connecting piece Recess Long side Locking device Adapting component Submodule

Claims

Patent claims 1. System for producing carrier plates (1) for carrying media and / or sub-modules (7), wherein the carrier plates (1) each have at least two - preferably reversibly - interconnected sub-components (2) with recesses (3) for media and / or space for a sub-module (7), wherein the sub-components (2) belong to a plurality of differently designed sub-components (2), wherein the sub-components (2) each have on their longitudinal sides (4) corresponding locking devices (5) by means of which two sub-components (2) can be connected to each other, and wherein the sub-components (2) are designed and coordinated in such a way that the sub-components (2) connected to each other to form a carrier plate (1) are self-supporting.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the locking devices (5) are designed for tongue and groove connections.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of differently designed sub-components (2) include edge sub-components (2'), and wherein the edge sub-components (2') each have a longitudinal side (4) which is free of locking devices (5).

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a subgroup of the differently configured subcomponents (2) has locking devices (5) only on one longitudinal side (4), wherein the majority of differently configured subcomponents (2) include connecting pieces (2"), and wherein the connecting pieces (2") have locking devices (5) on both of their longitudinal sides (4) which serve to connect the subcomponents (2) having locking connections (5) only on one longitudinal side (4) to each other.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the subcomponents (2) differ from each other with respect to a number of recesses (3).

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the subcomponents (2) differ from each other with respect to the dimensioning of the recesses (3).

7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the subcomponents (2) differ from each other with respect to an arrangement of the recesses (3).

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein furthermore at least one adaptation component (6) is provided, wherein the adaptation component (6) can be inserted into at least one recess (3) of a subcomponent (2) in order to change a dimensioning of the at least one recess (3) of the subcomponent (2).

9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the carrier plate (1 ) has a format of a microplate, and wherein the subcomponents (2) each have a width which allows at least one series of recesses (3) to be accommodated according to a predetermined arrangement of recesses (3) of the microplate.

10. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one component (2) consists at least partially of a sterilizable material.

11. Carrier plate (1) produced with the system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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