DE102021204571A1 - Dosing head and dosing system for receiving and dosing a medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (100) with a dosing head (110) for receiving and dosing a medium and a connecting piece (150), the dosing head (110) having a media access, an output terminal (114), a media outlet (118, 119) and the Fluid lines (116, 117) connecting media access to the media outlet (118, 119), wherein the output terminal (114) has a connecting structure (130) for receiving and a locking element (170) for releasably fixing of a connecting piece (150), wherein the Connection piece (150) has a fluid channel (152, 153) and a connection structure (154), wherein the connection structure (130) of the output terminal (114) and the connection structure (154) of the connection piece (150) can be plugged into one another in an insertion direction (156). and in the inserted state of the fluid channel (152, 153) and the media outlet (118, 119) communicate fluidly, wherein the locking element (170) from a locking position to a Release position and vice versa is arranged transferrable, and wherein the locking element (170) in the locking position locks the connecting piece (150) in the plugged-in state and releases it in the release position.

Description

The invention relates to a dosing system with a dosing head for receiving and dosing a medium, which has a media access, one or more output terminals, each with a media outlet, and fluid lines connecting the media access to the media outlet of the one or the media outlets of the multiple output terminals.

The invention can be classified both in the field of pipetting heads and in the field of fluidic lab-on-chip systems.

There are known pipettes and multi-channel pipettes that work on the reciprocating principle. Problems associated with this are that the use of such pipettes is limited to given volumes, so that different types of pipettes must be used for different volumes, which in turn accommodate different sizes of pipette tips. In other words, a single multi-channel pipette or a single multi-channel pipette head is not sufficient for the exact pipetting of liquids with different volumes. This makes the use of these types of pipettes, in particular multi-channel pipettes, expensive in automated pipetting systems. These reciprocating pipettes are also fixed at a specific pressure level, so the pressure cannot be varied.

Dosing heads of the type mentioned solve these problems. As an example, reference is made to the disclosure document DE 10 2020 201 143 A1 referred. It describes a dosing device with a dosing channel system that extends between a fluid feed opening and a plurality of fluid discharge openings. The fluid to be dosed is fed in via the fluid feed opening and can be dispensed again in a dosed manner via the fluid dispensing openings. It was also recognized as possible in principle to equip the metering channel system with a plurality of fluid feed openings in order to enable simultaneous multiple feeding of the fluid to be metered or different fluids that can be mixed within the metering channel system. In this way, the metered dispensing of a fluid into carrier substrates, for example into so-called microtiter plates, is made possible in a partially automated and efficient manner.

From Scripture EP 3 189 897 B1 a hand-held reciprocating pipette with interchangeable pipette tips is known, which has an ejection mechanism for removing the pipette tips. An ejection mechanism is used for this purpose with a slide that can be moved linearly relative to a pipette receptacle and is designed to push the pipette tip from the pipette receptacle when it is actuated. To actuate the ejection mechanism, an external device is provided, which acts on an operating element of the ejection mechanism provided specifically for this purpose. In this way, a semi-automatic pipette tip ejection is realized.

Neither the known dosing heads nor the pipettes and multi-channel pipettes described above allow liquids to be drained in individual channels at different times. Also, no pipette systems are known from the prior art in which different pipette tips would be used or could be ejected by means of automatic pipette tip ejection mechanisms. The known dosing or pipette systems are therefore suitable for universal use only to a limited extent.

In contrast to the dispensing of fluids in microtiter plates, the fluidics in the control of microfluidic lab-on-chip systems are mainly operated via at least one syringe pump or similar built into an operator device. Fluidic interfaces for connecting a microfluidic chip, here also subsumed under the more general term “analysis cartridge”, are usually permanently installed in the operator device. For example, positioning pins and a mechanism for positioning the chip and sealing the interface are necessary for the reliable connection of the operator device with the microfluidic cartridge. Many chip systems have a complex infrastructure for dividing samples or reagents, as well as mixed structures and other functional structural units (including valves). The fluidic interfaces and the chip structure are therefore complex. Process flows to be processed for complex protocols are complex and error-prone, e.g. Partly not feasible either, especially if large sample volumes are to be assumed, which are subsequently processed in the system to form small analyte volumes. Production is time-consuming and expensive. In particular, the automated equipping of the chip system with reagents is difficult. H. recurring processes are designed. In this respect, there is a lack of flexibility.

These and numerous other problems are solved by the invention, which can therefore be used in a significantly expanded field of tasks. Accordingly, the task is to provide a highly automatable dosing system for a wide range of applications.

The object is achieved according to one aspect of the invention by a dosing system with a dosing head for receiving and dosing a medium and at least one connector, the dosing head having a media access, one or more output terminals, each with a media outlet and the media access with the media outlet of one or the Has fluid lines connecting media outlets of the multiple output terminals, wherein the one or more output terminals each have a connecting structure for receiving and a locking element for releasably fixing a connecting piece in each case, wherein the connecting piece has a fluid channel and a connecting structure, wherein the connecting structure of the output terminal and the connecting structure of the connecting piece can be plugged into one another in an insertion direction and the fluid channel and the media outlet communicate fluidically in the inserted state, the locking element being in and/or on the outlet eterminal is arranged transferrable from a locking position to a release position and vice versa, and wherein the locking element in the locking position locks the connecting piece in the plugged-in state and releases it in the release position.

The dosing head can be set up to dispense different media. This includes reagents or also transport media, such as air, or rinsing media. From a functional point of view, one of the media can be used as an actuator and one or the other can be consumable media. Irrespective of the media function and the state of aggregation, the terms dosing, distribution, moving, transporting or even conveying are used here for the conveyance of the media through the fluidic structure.

Preparatory work outside of the microfluidic cartridge can be carried out in units between 1-10,000 μL in the dosing head according to the invention. With the same dosing head, volumes on the microfluidic cartridge can then be processed in much smaller volumes of typically 10 - 500 µL. The volumes to be moved per process step are therefore preferably in the range of less than 10 ml, when operating a microfluidic cartridge preferably less than or equal to 1 ml and greater than or equal to 1 μL. In the dosing head according to the invention, the smallest structure sizes of the fluid structure transverse to the direction of flow are less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, particularly preferably less than 1 mm.

The dosing head has a substrate, for example made of a polymer material, metal, non-ferrous metal, silicon, glass or ceramic, in which the fluid lines are formed as channels. The output terminals are preferably integrally formed on the substrate. For example, the dosing head can be manufactured using embossing, injection molding or deep-drawing technology or using additive manufacturing processes (3D printing). Optionally, the fluidic structures can also be drilled in sections or incorporated into the substrate material by means of eroding processes.

Media inlets, media outlets and fluid lines are in contact with the media and are summarized here in addition to other media-carrying elements under the term fluidic structure. The functional unit of the dosing head around the media outlets is called the output terminal.

The dosing head can be used, for example, as a single or multi-channel pipette. However, its application is not limited to liquid transfer with pipette tips. Rather, the dosing head can also be equipped with other connecting elements via the connection piece. Accordingly, the connection piece is set up to accommodate a connecting element. Examples of possible connecting elements are: sealing elements, in particular sealing rings, pipette tips, capillaries, dosing needles, cannulas, Luer connectors, channel openings with sealing elements, nozzles or microfluidic head adapters. The media are dispensed from the dosing head into a connected carrier substrate, such as a microtiter plate, or a microfluidic cartridge via the connecting element. A connection element between one or preferably several connection terminals and one or preferably several inlets of a microfluidic cartridge is referred to as a head adapter. Accordingly, it is specifically adapted for use with a specific microfluidic cartridge. An elastomer seal or a molded elastic sealing element, for example in the form of a sealing lip, or simply a conical or flat sealing surface can be considered as the sealing element for the duct opening.

If it is provided that the dosing head has a plurality of connection terminals and these can be controlled separately from one another, it can also be equipped with different connection elements at the same time and/or remain partially unequipped.

The invention creates the basis for a universal application of the dosing head and in particular for a plurality of different fluidic connection options between the dosing head and a carrier substrate, such as a microtiter plate or with a microfluidic cartridge, depending on which application the dosing head is currently serving. In this respect, the connecting piece not only serves as a universal adapter for accommodating a large number of connecting elements, but at the same time ensures that the ejection function works reliably independently of the respective connecting element.

The connection structures of the output terminal and the connection piece are first of all insertion aids that facilitate the insertion of the connection piece into the output terminal or vice versa and ensure a fluidic connection between the fluid channel of the connection piece and the media outlet of the output terminal by means of a certain positive fit. The locking element is an element arranged to be movable between at least two positions in and/or on the output terminal, with the function of either holding the connection piece on the output terminal or releasing it for the purpose of changing. The locking element can be integrally (monolithically) connected to the output terminal. For example, it can be movably arranged on this by means of a solid joint. It can also be designed as an elastic snap connection. Alternatively, the locking element can be designed as a separate component.

The locking element is preferably arranged in and/or on the output terminal so that it can be transferred from the release position to an ejection position, the locking element comprising an ejection means which is set up to move the connecting piece counter to the insertion direction when transferring to the ejection position.

Thus, the locking element also embodies an ejector, which moves the connection piece (including the connecting element) after use in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, and thus actively ejects it. This is particularly advantageous if the connection piece does not detach from the output terminal solely due to gravity, for example due to adhesion or clamping despite release.

Furthermore, the output terminal preferably has a first sealing element and the connecting piece has a second sealing element, with the first and the second sealing element being pressed against one another in a fluid-tight manner in the locking position. The first sealing element can be, for example, a sealing surface or a sealing lip or an elastomeric seal which, in the connected state, bears against a complementary sealing element of the second sealing element, or vice versa.

The first and second sealing elements are particularly preferably arranged so as to enclose corresponding openings of the media outlet and of the fluid channel. This form of sealing has the particular advantage that with two media outlets and two corresponding fluid channels, the two fluid lines are sealed separately and the media do not mix at the interface.

Furthermore, the first and second sealing elements are preferably sealing elements that act axially in the direction of insertion. Due to the lack of clamping, axial seals have the advantage over radial seals or conical seals that the connecting piece can be detached more easily from the output terminal in the release position.

An advantageous further development provides that the connection structure of the connection piece comprises a cylindrical shank and the connection structure of the output terminal comprises a corresponding cylindrical bore into which the shank can be inserted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the locking element is guided in a displaceable manner along a guide line transversely to the direction of insertion between the locking position and the release position. This is a translatory movement. Another embodiment provides a rotary guide, with the locking element forming a type of rotary switch.

The locking element preferably comprises at least two bolts extending along the guide line and the output terminal at least two corresponding guides in each case, in which the bolts are displaceably guided. As a result, the locking element is moved linearly along the guide and is better secured against tilting by a double guide.

The at least two latches in the locking position are preferably arranged in a fork-like manner encompassing the shaft, which provides the prerequisite for a symmetrical application of force when pressing in the locking position and when ejecting.

It is also advantageous if the connection structure of the connection piece has an undercut and at least one bolt is arranged engaging the undercut in the locking position. The undercut of the connecting piece is a constructive element which interacts with the locking element in the locking position in a form-fitting manner, the connecting piece does not come out of the receptacle, ie the connecting structure of the Output terminals, can be removed. The undercut can be designed, for example, in the form of a groove, a bore or other opening, a projection or a shoulder in the connection structure, in particular in the shaft

Preferably, at least one bolt has a pressing cam which protrudes in the direction of insertion and which acts on the undercut in the locking position. The pressure cam is so pronounced that it presses the sealing element of the connecting piece against the sealing element of the output terminal with elastic deformation by introducing force in the direction of insertion via the undercut in the connecting piece. One of the sealing elements or the locking bar or the pressure cam itself can be deformed, depending on how the deformability of the individual elements is designed. What is decisive is that the connecting piece is coupled to the output terminal in a fluid-tight manner in this way in the locking position. A correspondingly acting pressure cam could also be formed in a rotary locking element, for example in the form of an eccentric.

Also advantageously, at least one bolt has an ejection cam that protrudes counter to the insertion direction and forms the ejection means. In a similar way to the pressure cam, the ejection cam interacts with a surface (height, end face, etc.) of the connection piece and applies a force counter to the insertion direction, which moves the connection piece counter to the insertion direction and thus actively ejects it. A correspondingly acting ejection cam could also be formed on a rotary locking element, for example in the form of an eccentric.

Particularly preferably, the pressing cam and the ejection cam are offset from one another along the guide line. In the case of a rotary-guided locking element, the pressure cam and the ejection cam would have to be angularly offset.

Furthermore, the locking element preferably comprises four bolts extending along the guide line and spanning four parallel edges of a rectangular cuboid, and the output terminal comprises four corresponding guides in each case, in which the bolts are displaceably guided. This ensures an even better defined guidance in two spatial directions. Two of the four bars particularly preferably define a first plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion and the other two of the four bars define a second plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion, with the first plane facing the connecting piece in relation to the direction of insertion and the second plane facing the dosing head at a distance from it .

In this case, the two bars defining the first plane each have the pressing cam protruding in the direction of insertion and the two bars defining the second plane each have the ejection cam protruding counter to the direction of insertion.

The connection piece particularly preferably has a universal receptacle on a side facing away from the connection structure of the connection piece, which is set up to accommodate at least two connection elements with different connection structures.

In principle, the connecting piece is suitable for accommodating a connecting element in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, it has a sealing element which can be formed by a sealing surface or a sealing lip or an elastomeric seal which, in the connected state, bears against a complementary sealing element of the connecting element. The connection piece can, for example, comprise a truncated cone-shaped attachment as a receptacle, onto which a pipette tip with a complementary inner surface can be attached directly in a fluid-tight manner. A seal is then achieved across the abutting cone surfaces. The connecting piece can also have a bore or a conical countersink as a receptacle into which, for example, a cannula with a complementary outer surface can be inserted in a fluid-tight manner. As a rule, the cone of the sealing surfaces of the connecting piece on the one hand and the connecting element on the other hand is designed in such a way that the connecting element is fixed in a non-positive manner by clamping on or in the respective receptacle of the output terminal or the connecting piece.

In the case of a universal receptacle, the connecting piece comprises a plurality of different sealing surfaces of this type for receiving connecting elements with different sealing surfaces in a fluid-tight manner.

In addition to the sealing element, the connecting piece can also comprise a latching element which interacts with a complementary latching element on the connecting element in such a way that the connecting element is held positively on the connecting piece in the connected state. Where such latching elements are present, the terms "universal receptacle" and "connecting structure" each include both the sealing elements and those latching elements.

An advantageous development provides that the one or more output terminals each have at least two fluidically separate media outlets and that the connecting piece has at least two fluidically separate fluid channels, wherein in the inserted state each of the at least two fluid channels communicates fluidly with one of the at least two media outlets. Because the one or more output terminals each have at least two media outlets, different terminals can, for example, output different media at the same time and/or sequentially different media.

In this case, the output terminal also preferably has a first sealing element and the connecting piece has a second sealing element, the first and second sealing elements being pressed against one another in a fluid-tight manner in the locking position and the first and second sealing elements having corresponding openings of each media outlet of the at least two media outlets and each Fluid channel of the at least two fluid channels are arranged separately enclosing. As a result, the fluids or media present at the media outlets can be transported in a fluidically separated manner up to the opening of the fluid channels into the connecting elements.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece optionally has a functional element integrated into the fluid channel, in particular an actively controllable element for manipulating and/or detecting the medium, a passive mixing structure, an activatable mixer, a heating device, a cooling device, a passive or controllable magnet , an electrode, a temperature sensor and/or a means for holding back an inflow of fluids from the microfluidic cartridge into the dosing head.

The means integrated in the connection piece for holding back an inflow of fluids from the microfluidic cartridge into the dosing head means that this means is associated with the connection piece designed for single use and is disposed of with the connection piece after use. This further reduces the risk of contamination. In addition or as an alternative to the connection piece, however, the output terminal and/or the connecting element can also have means for holding back an inflow of fluids through the media outlets into the dosing head. This would reduce the probability of a fluid contaminated, for example with the sample to be examined, entering each stage from the connecting element via the connecting piece to the dosing head. Since both the connecting element and the connection piece are designed for single use, it is only decisive that the sample to be analyzed must never get from the microfluidic cartridge, which is also designed for single use, to the dosing head, whereas consumable media in the dosing head or in the connecting element promptly premixed and then metered out.

The output terminal and the locking element are preferably set up for the automatic release of a connecting piece. For example, a spindle drive, a lifting magnet or the like can be considered as a drive. The drive can be located in the dosing head itself or externally.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a dosing head for receiving and dosing a medium as part of the dosing system described above, which dosing head has a media access, one or more output terminals with a media outlet and the media access with the media outlet of one or the media outlets of the has fluid lines connecting multiple output terminals, wherein the one or more output terminals each have a connecting structure for receiving and a locking element for releasably fixing a connecting piece in each case, wherein the connecting structure is set up to receive the connecting piece in an insertion direction, with the locking element in the output terminal along a Guide line is guided transversely to the insertion direction between a locking position and a release position.

Likewise, the object is achieved according to a further aspect of the invention by a connecting piece as part of the dosing system described above, the connecting piece having a fluid channel, a connecting structure for connection to an output terminal of a dosing head and a sealing surface for a connecting element. As stated above, the connecting element is preferably selected from the group consisting of a pipette tip, capillary, dosing needle, cannula, Luer connector, channel opening with sealing element, nozzle and microfluidic head adapter.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Dosiersystems mit Dosierkopf und eingesetzten Anschlussstücken;
• 2 der Dosierkopf gemäß 1 mit herausgenommenen Anschlusstücken;
• 3 eine vergrößerte Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Ausgabeterminals im seitlichen Schnitt;
• 4 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Ausgabeterminals gemäß 5 in der Ansicht von unten;
• 5 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Anschlussstückes;
• 6 ein zu dem Dosierkopf gehöriges Verriegelungselement;
• 7 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines zweiten Anschlussstückes;
• 8 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines dritten Anschlussstückes;
• 9 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines vierten Anschlussstückes;
• 10 das Anschlussstück gemäß 10 mit Verbindungselement;
• 11 ein fünftes Anschlussstück mit Verbindungselement;
• 12 ein sechstes Anschlussstück mit Verbindungselement und
• 13 das sechste Anschlussstück gemäß 12 mit angeschlossener mikrofluidischer Kartusche.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it:

• 1 an embodiment of a dosing system with dosing head and used connectors;
• 2 the dosing head according to 1 with connectors removed;
• 3 Figure 14 is an enlarged side sectional view of one embodiment of a dispensing terminal;
• 4 an enlarged view of the output terminal according to FIG 5 in bottom view;
• 5 an enlarged view of the connector;
• 6 a locking element associated with the dosing head;
• 7 an enlarged view of a second fitting;
• 8th an enlarged view of a third fitting;
• 9 an enlarged view of a fourth fitting;
• 10 the connector according to 10 with connecting element;
• 11 a fifth connector fitting;
• 12 a sixth connector with connecting element and
• 13 the sixth connector according to 12 with connected microfluidic cartridge.

The dosing system 100 according to 1 until 4 comprises a dosing head 110. The dosing head 110 has a substrate 111 in which fluidic structures are formed. In this exemplary embodiment, the fluid structures in the dosing head 110 include two media inlets (not shown) for receiving two media, four output terminals 114 for dispensing the media and the fluid lines 116, 177 connecting the media inlets to the output terminals 114. Each of the output terminals 114 has two fluidic separate media outlets 118, 119, cf. 3 .

This embodiment of the dosing head 110 does not contain any further functional elements and is used solely to distribute two media to the four media outlets 118, 119 of the four output terminals 114. The fluid lines 116, 117 can, for example, be used for the separate output of a transport medium (e.g. air ) and a reagent medium supplied via the second media access.

For the purpose of distribution, a distribution structure is provided in which the fluid lines 116, 117 connected to the media inlets each branch into four line branches each connected to a media outlet 118, 119. For this purpose, the distribution structure comprises three single branches for each fluid line 116, 117, at which the branching fluid lines 116, 117 each split into two line branches. The three single branches in each case are arranged in such a way that in each fluid line 116, 117 two single branches follow one another in the flow direction, as a result of which the m=2 ² line branches are formed at the end.

The dispensing system 100 further includes four identical fittings 150. Each of the fittings 150 serves as an adapter between the output terminals 114 of the dispensing head 110 and a connector (not shown). The connectors are in accordance with 1 inserted in an insertion direction 156 into the output terminals 114 of the dosing head 110 and locked by means of locking elements 170 that are displaceably guided along a guide line 172 in the dosing head 110 . Figure shows the connecting pieces 150 in the plugged-in state.

In 2 the dosing head 110 is shown with connecting pieces 150 pulled out counter to the direction of insertion 156 . For the purpose of removing the connection pieces 150, the locking elements 170 are displaced along the guide line 172 in the direction of the dosing head 110 into a release position.

In this example, the output terminal 114 and the connection piece 150 are designed so that they can be ejected automatically or manually. It is provided that the connecting piece 150 is changed together with the connecting element after use. The interaction between the locking element 170 and the fitting 150 for the purpose of ejection thereof is discussed in connection with FIG 6 illuminated in more detail.

In the 3 and 4 is the output terminal 114 from the 1 and 2 shown in side section or from below. The output terminal 114 has a connection structure 130 for receiving and a locking element (170, not shown here) for releasably fixing the connecting piece 150 on. The connecting structure 130 is formed by a cylinder bore 131 with a coaxial centering pin 132, between which an annular gap 133 is formed. The connector 150 has according to 5 a complementary connecting structure 154 with a projection in the form of a hollow cylinder 155, which forms a cylindrical shaft and can be positively inserted into the annular gap 133 in the insertion direction 156. The centering pin 132 has a centering cone 134 for easier insertion of the connecting piece 150 . Furthermore, the connecting piece 150 has two radially opposite, parallel guide grooves 158 in the outer wall of the hollow cylinder 153 .

The output terminal 114 has two fluidly separate media outlets 118, 119 perpendicular to the plane of the 3 lie in a row. The connecting piece 150 has two corresponding fluid channels 152, 153, which are also fluidically separate, with each fluid channel 152, 153 of the connecting piece 150 communicating fluidly with one of the media outlets 118, 119 of the output terminal 114 in the inserted state.

Furthermore, the output terminal 114 has a recess 138 on its underside for receiving a first sealing element in the form of an oval elastomer disc (not shown). The first sealing element is preferably captively connected to the output terminal. It has two openings which are each completely surrounded by the elastomer material and which correspond to the mouths of the two media outlets 118, 119. On the bottom of the hollow cylinder 155, the connection piece has a second sealing element in the form of a sealing surface 160, which completely surrounds the two openings of the two fluid channels 152, 153 in each case. In this sense, the first and second sealing elements are corresponding openings of each media outlet and each fluid channel separately, i. H. each arranged individually enclosing. If the first and the second sealing element are pressed against one another in a fluid-tight manner in the locking position, they form an axial seal which continues the fluid lines 116, 117 in the dosing head in a fluidically isolated manner from one another in the two fluid channels 152, 153.

The connector 150 serves as an adapter between the output terminal 114 and a connector (not shown). It has different stepped external cross sections 162, 163 for receiving different connecting elements. The connection piece 150 can therefore be referred to as a universal adapter, with the different external cross sections 162, 163 forming a universal receptacle. Complementary conical sealing surfaces 164, 165 serve as the sealing element between the connecting piece 150 and the connecting element. The cone of the sealing surfaces of the connecting piece 150 and the connecting element is designed such that the connecting element is fixed positively on or in the respective receptacle. In addition, each outer cross section is also assigned a latching element in the form of an annular groove 166, 167, which interacts with a complementary latching element in the form of an internal annular bead on the connecting element in such a way that the connecting element is held in the connected state in a form-fitting manner on the connection piece 150.

The locking element 170 has according to 6 four bolts 174, 175, 176, 177 extending along the guide line 172 transversely to the insertion direction 156 and spanning four parallel edges of a rectangular cuboid. The output terminal 114 comprises four corresponding guides in the form of guide channels 136, in which the bolts 174, 175, 176, 177 are guided in a translatory, i.e. displaceable, manner along the guide line 172 between a locking position, a release position and an ejection position.

Two of the four latches 174, 175 define a first plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion 156, which faces the connecting piece 150 in relation to the direction of insertion 156. In the locking position, the two latches 174, 175 defining the first plane engage in the guide grooves 158 in the outer wall of the hollow cylinder 153 of the connecting piece 150, which correspond when inserted, whereby the locking element 170 locks the connecting piece 150 in place. The other two of the four bars 176, 177 define a second plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion 156, which faces the dosing head 110 in relation to the direction of insertion 156.

The two bars 174 , 175 defining the first plane each have a pressing cam 178 protruding in the direction of insertion 156 and a clearance 180 for the hollow cylinder 155 of the connection piece 150 . In the locking position, the pressure cams 178 engage the downward-pointing surfaces 159 of the guide grooves 158, which form an undercut. The pressure cams 178 are designed in such a way that they press the sealing surface 160 of the connection piece 150 against the output terminal 114 with elastic deformation of the elastomer disk by introducing force in the direction of insertion via the surfaces 159 or undercut in the connection piece 150 . In this way, the fitting 150 is coupled to the dispensing terminal 114 in a fluid-tight manner.

The two latches 176, 177 defining the second plane each have an ejection cam 179 protruding counter to the insertion direction 156. The pressing cams 178 and the ejection cams 179 are arranged offset to one another along the guide line 172 . The ejection cams 179 are designed in such a way that they act on the upward-pointing end face 161 of the connection piece 150 in a manner similar to the pressing cams 178 when the locking element 170 is transferred into the ejection position. The ejection cams 179 introduce a force directed counter to the direction of insertion 156 into the connecting piece 150 , which moves it counter to the direction of insertion 156 . So that the connection piece 150 can be thrown off in the process, the frankings 180 give the Shank or the hollow cylinder 155 of the connecting piece 150 in the ejection position freely.

This in 7 The connecting piece 250 shown has two initially fluidically separate fluid channels 252, 253, with each fluid channel 252, 253 of the connecting piece 250 communicating fluidly with one of the media outlets 118, 119 of the output terminal 114 in the inserted state. With regard to the connecting structure 254, the hollow cylinder 255, the guide grooves 258, the undercut 259, the sealing surface 260, the end face 261 pointing upwards, the stepped external cross sections 262, 263, the conical sealing surfaces 264, 265 and the annular grooves 266 , 267 of identical design to the connection piece 150. It differs in that it has a mixed structure 268 as an integrated functional element in its lower section downstream following the fluid channels 252, 253. In this example, the mixing structure is designed as a so-called Kenics mixer.

This in 8th Connection piece 350 shown is in relation to the fluid channels 352, 353, the connection structure 354, the hollow cylinder 355, the guide grooves 358, the undercut 359, the sealing surface 360, the upward-pointing end face 361, the stepped external cross sections 362, 363, the conical sealing surfaces 364 , 365, the annular grooves 366, 367 and the mixing structure 368 are of identical design to the connection piece 250. It differs in that it also has a temperature sensor 369 as a second integrated functional element adjacent to the fluid channels 352, 353 and in parts to the mixing structure 368.

This in 9 The connecting piece 1050 shown again has two continuously fluidically separate fluid channels 1052, 1053 which, in the inserted state, communicate fluidly with one of the media outlets 118, 119 of the output terminal 114. The connection structure 1054, the hollow cylinder 1055 and the guide grooves 1058, and the sealing surface 1060 is identical to those of the two previous examples according to FIG 7 and 8th . The connection piece 1050 differs from these with regard to the receptacle 1068, which is designed here as a so-called Luer cone and is suitable for accommodating, for example, a dosing needle 1070 as a connecting element, as in 10 is shown.

This in 11 The connector 1250 shown again has an identical connection structure 1254 to all of the examples described above. In contrast to these, it has only one fluid channel 1252 which, in the inserted state, communicates fluidly with one of the media outlets 118, 119 of the output terminal 114. The connecting piece 1250 also differs again with regard to the receptacle 1268, which is designed here as a connecting element to accommodate capillaries 1272.

This in 12 The connection piece 1350 shown again has an identical connection structure 1354 to all the examples described above. It also again has two continuously fluidically separate fluid channels 1352, 1353, which in the plugged-in state communicate fluidly with one of the media outlets 118, 119 of the output terminal 114. In contrast to the other examples, it differs again with regard to the receptacle 1368, which is designed here to accommodate an elastomer seal 1374 as a sealing element and a centering element in the form of a hollow-cylindrical centering pin 1376. As in 13 can be seen, the connecting piece 1350 with the elastomeric seal 1374 is placed on the surface of a microfluidic cartridge 1380 in a fluid-tight manner, with the pins 1376 ensuring precise alignment of the openings of the fluid channels 1352, 1353 with the fluid inlets in the cartridge.

Reference List

100

dosing system

110

dosing head

111

substrate

114

output terminal

116

fluid line

117

fluid line

118

media exit

119

media exit

130

connection structure

131

cylinder bore

132

centering pin

133

annular gap

134

centering cone

136

guide channel

138

recess

150

fitting

152

fluid channel

153

fluid channel

154

connection structure

155

hollow cylinder

156

insertion direction

158

guide groove

159

Down-facing surface, undercut

160

sealing surface

161

upward facing face

162

external cross section

163

external cross section

164

sealing surface

165

sealing surface

166

ring groove

167

ring groove

170

locking element

172

leader line

174

bars

175

bars

176

bars

177

bars

178

pressure cam

179

ejection cam

180

clearance

250

fitting

252

fluid channel

253

fluid channel

254

connection structure

255

hollow cylinder

258

guide groove

259

Down-facing surface, undercut

260

sealing surface

261

upward facing face

262

external cross section

263

external cross section

264

sealing surface

265

sealing surface

266

ring groove

267

ring groove

268

mixed structure

350

fitting

352

fluid channel

353

fluid channel

354

connection structure

355

hollow cylinder

358

guide groove

359

Down-facing surface, undercut

360

sealing surface

361

upward facing face

362

external cross section

363

external cross section

364

sealing surface

365

sealing surface

366

ring groove

367

ring groove

368

mixed structure

369

temperature sensor

1050

fitting

1052

fluid channel

1053

fluid channel

1054

connection structure

1055

hollow cylinder

1058

guide groove

1060

sealing surface

1068

Inlet, luer cone

1070

dosing needle

1250

fitting

1252

fluid channel

1254

connection structure

1268

recording

1272

capillary

1350

fitting

1352

fluid channel

1353

fluid channel

1354

connection structure

1355

hollow cylinder

1358

guide groove

1360

sealing surface

1368

recording

1374

Sealing element, elastomer seal

1376

Centering element, centering pin

1380

microfluidic cartridge

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102020201143 A1 [0004]
• EP 3189897 B1 [0005]

Claims (23)

Dosing system (100) with a dosing head (110) for receiving and dosing a medium and at least one connecting piece (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350), wherein the dosing head (110) has a media access, one or more output terminals (114) each with a media outlet (118, 119) and the media access with the media outlet (118, 119) of the one or the media outlets (118, 119) of the several output terminals ( 114) has connecting fluid lines (116, 117), wherein the one or more output terminals (114) each have a connecting structure (130) for receiving and a locking element (170) for releasably fixing a respective connecting piece (150), wherein the fitting (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350) has a fluid channel (152, 153, 252, 253, 352, 353, 1052, 1053, 1252, 1352, 1353) and a connection structure (154, 254, 354 , 1054, 1254, 1354), wherein the connection structure (130) of the output terminal (114) and the connection structure (154, 254, 354, 1054, 1254, 1354) of the connector (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350 ) can be plugged into one another in an insertion direction (156) and in the inserted state the fluid channel (152, 153, 252, 253, 352, 353, 1052, 1053, 1252, 1352, 1353) and the media outlet (118, 119) communicate fluidly, wherein the locking element (170) is arranged in and/or on the output terminal (114) so that it can be transferred from a locking position to a release position and vice versa, and wherein the locking element (170) in the locking position locks the connection piece (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350) in the inserted state and releases it in the release position. Dosing system (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the locking element (170) is arranged in and/or on the output terminal (114) so that it can be transferred from the release position into an ejection position, the locking element (170) comprising an ejection means which is set up for the connection piece (150) during transfer to move into the ejection position counter to the insertion direction (156). Dosing system (100) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the output terminal (114) has a first sealing element and the connection piece (150) has a second sealing element, the first and the second sealing element being pressed against one another in a fluid-tight manner in the locking position. Dosing system (100) according to claim 3 , characterized in that the first and second sealing elements corresponding openings of the media outlet (118, 119) and the fluid channel (152, 153) are arranged enclosing. Dosing system (100) according to claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the first and second sealing elements in the insertion direction (156) are axially acting sealing elements. Dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting structure (154) of the connecting piece (150) comprises a cylindrical shaft and the connecting structure (130) of the output terminal (114) comprises a corresponding cylindrical bore (131) into which the shaft is pluggable. Dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (170) is displaceably guided along a guide line (172) transversely to the insertion direction (156) between the locking position and the release position Dosing system (100) according to claim 7 , characterized in that the locking element (170) comprises at least two bolts (174, 175, 176, 177) extending along the guide line and the output terminal (114) comprises at least two corresponding guides in each case, in which the bolts (174, 175) can be displaced are led. Dosing system (100) according to claim 6 and 8th , characterized in that the at least two bolts (174, 175, 176, 177) are arranged in the locking position, encompassing the shaft like a fork. Dosing system (100) according to one of Claims 8 or 9 , characterized in that the connecting structure (154) of the connection piece (150) has an undercut (159) and at least one latch (174, 175, 176, 177) is arranged engaging the undercut (159) in the locking position. Dosing system (100) according to claim 10 , characterized in that at least one bolt (174, 175, 176, 177) has a pressing cam (178) which projects in the direction of insertion (156) and which acts on the undercut (159) in the locking position. Dosing system (100) according to one of Claims 8 until 11 , characterized in that at least one latch (174, 175, 176, 177) protrudes counter to the insertion direction (156). the ejection cam (179) constituting the ejection means. Dosing system (100) according to claim 11 and 12 , characterized in that the pressing cam (178) and the ejection cam (179) along the guide line (172) are arranged offset to one another. Dosing system (100) according to one of the claims claim 7 until 13 , characterized in that the locking element (170) comprises four bolts (174, 175, 176, 177) extending along the guide line (172) and spanning four parallel edges of a rectangular cuboid, and the output terminal (114) comprises four corresponding guides in each case, in which the bolts (174, 175, 176, 177) are slidably guided. Dosing system (100) according to Claim 14 , characterized in that two of the four bars (174, 175) define a first plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion (156) and the other two of the four bars (176, 177) define a second plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion (156), the first Level relative to the insertion direction (156) facing the connecting piece (150) and spaced therefrom, the second level faces the dosing head (110). Dosing system (100) according to claim 15 , characterized in that the two bars (174, 175) defining the first plane each have a pressing cam (178) protruding in the direction of insertion (156) and in that the two bars (176, 177) defining the second plane each have one against the direction of insertion ( 156) have protruding ejection cams (179). Dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (150) has a universal receptacle on a side facing away from the connection structure (154) of the connection piece (150), which is set up to accommodate at least two connection elements with different connection structures. Dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more output terminals (114) each have at least two fluidically separate media outlets (118, 119) and that the connection piece (150) has at least two fluidically separate fluid channels (152, 153), wherein in the inserted state each of the at least two fluid channels (152, 153) communicates fluidly with one of the at least two media outlets (118, 119). Dosing system (100) according to Claim 18 , characterized in that the output terminal (114) has a first sealing element and the connection piece (150) has a second sealing element, the first and the second sealing element being pressed against one another in a fluid-tight manner in the locking position, and in that the first and second sealing elements have corresponding openings of each media outlet (118, 119) of the at least two media outlets (118, 119) and each fluid channel of the at least two fluid channels (152, 152) are arranged separately enclosing. Dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection piece (150) has a functional element integrated into the fluid channel (152, 153), in particular an actively controllable element, for manipulating and/or detecting the medium, a passive mixing structure, an activatable mixer, a heating device, a cooling device, a passive or controllable magnet, a temperature sensor, an electrode or a means for holding back an inflow of fluids from the microfluidic cartridge into the dosing head (110). Dosing head (110) for receiving and dosing a medium with a media access, one or more output terminals (114) with a media outlet (118, 119) and the media access with the media outlet (118, 119) of one or the media outlets (118, 119) the fluid lines (116, 117) connecting the plurality of output terminals (114), wherein the one or more output terminals (114) each have a connecting structure (130) for receiving and a locking element (170) for releasably fixing a respective connecting piece (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350), wherein the connection structure (130) is set up to receive the connection piece (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350) in an insertion direction (156), the locking element (170) in the output terminal (114) along a guide line (172) transversely to the direction of insertion (156) is displaceably guided between a locking position and a release position. Fitting (150, 250, 350, 1050, 1250, 1350) with a fluid channel (152, 153, 252, 253, 352, 353, 1052, 1053, 1252, 1352, 1353), a connection structure (154, 254, 354, 1054, 1254, 1354) for connection to an output terminal (114) of a dosing head (110) and a sealing element for receiving a connecting element in a fluid-tight manner, selected from the group consisting of pipette tip, capillary (1272), dosing needle (1070), cannula, Luer Connector, channel mouth with Sealing element (1374), nozzle and microfluidic head adapter. Connection piece (150) according to Claim 22 , characterized by a functional element integrated into the fluid channel (152, 153, 252, 253, 352, 353, 1052, 1053, 1252, 1352, 1353), in particular an actively controllable element, for manipulating and/or detecting the medium, a passive Mixing structure (368), an activatable mixer, a heating device, a cooling device, a passive or controllable magnet, a temperature sensor (369), an electrode or a means for retaining an inflow of fluids from the microfluidic cartridge into the dosing head (110).

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