DE102016124723A1 - Storage device for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage device for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples. It is provided that the storage device (1) a thermally insulated storage container (2) with a container cover (4), a above the container ceiling (4) arranged lock (41) with a working space (42) and a handling unit (7) for transport a sample carrier (9) between the working space (42) and the storage container (2), wherein the handling unit (7) carries a carriage (11) along a vertical transport axis (A) between the storage container (2) and the working space (42) is movable and has a horizontally movable gripping means (12) which can be brought into releasable engagement with the sample carrier (9); and - in the storage container (2) at least two storage units (6) are arranged, each having a vertically extending shaft (8), wherein the shafts (8) of the storage units (6) are arranged equidistant from the vertical transport axis (A) and on the shafts (8) sample carrier (9) can be releasably secured.

Description

The invention relates to a storage device for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples. It further relates to a method of storing samples using this device.

Biological samples, such as bone marrow, stem cells, sperm cells, or tissues, can be preserved for long periods of time when stored at temperatures well below freezing. In particular, storage at temperatures of -140 ° C or less, the so-called cryogenic storage, ensures effective and permanent preservation of samples, even over periods of several decades. However, the technical requirements for the devices required for cryogenic storage are high. The devices, which are typically intended to hold a large number of samples, must provide for maintenance of the cold chain, even when samples are removed from the device or placed in the device. The storage and retrieval of samples in these devices thus requires special handling devices that allow samples to be introduced into or removed from a refrigerated storage container without affecting the cooling of the samples already in the storage container.

Typically, the samples are placed in sample vessels for preservation, such as vials, goblets, straws, umbilical cord blood cassettes. The sample containers are then placed on sample carriers, also referred to as trays, at a predetermined position. The tray may have a record grid that provides columns (X-axis) and rows (Y-axis). The trays, in turn, may carry an identifier, such as a bar code. The trays are sometimes introduced into racks. A rack can accommodate multiple trays that are typically stacked in the rack. In a storage container more racks can be introduced next to each other usually. The storage container is usually a super vacuum insulated container. For this purpose, the container may have a double jacket made of stainless steel, wherein between the two shells of the double jacket vacuum is formed. The refrigerant used is predominantly liquid nitrogen, so that temperatures of -196 ° C. can be achieved in the storage container by evaporating the liquid nitrogen.

Known devices for cryogenic storage of biological samples usually provide for automated storage and retrieval of samples in the storage container. Manual handling of the samples is thus avoided. Manual handling involves high risks because samples contained in the storage container can be exposed to higher temperatures and there is a risk of confusion resulting from incorrect assignment of the samples and their storage locations. The height of the storage containers is limited because the manual handling of the samples requires the accessibility of the samples to a plant operator, which is possible only over a certain container height. Finally, a sufficiently large space must be provided above the storage room in order to be able to lead the rack, which contains the tray containing the sample vessel containing the sample, upwards out of the storage container.

In devices with an automated storage and retrieval of samples, a separate transfer chamber is usually provided, which is arranged above the storage container and usually cooled. DE 10 2004 053 170 B4 provides a cooled receiving and dispensing chamber located above the storage chamber. By means of a manually driven mechanism sample containers can be transferred from the receiving and dispensing chamber in the storage chamber. There they are stored in trays that are attached to a vertical shaft. EP 1 543 278 B1 and DE 10 2011 012 887 B4 require receiving and dispensing chambers whose size is determined not only by the dimensions of the sample container, but also by components of the means for transferring sample containers between the storage chamber and the receiving and dispensing chamber. In both cases, the height of the receiving and dispensing chamber is equal to the height of the storage chambers. Another variant of this design is in US 9,151,770 B2 described. There, the rack must be lifted from the bottom of the storage chamber into a transfer chamber in order to be able to remove a sample container from the storage chamber.

However, the height of spaces in which the storage devices are set up for the cryogenic storage of biological samples is limited. The required according to the prior art height of the receiving and dispensing chambers or transfer chambers thus limits the height of the storage chambers. This limits the usability of the space for the placement of storage devices.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a storage device is to be specified which has a small footprint.

This object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 14. expedient Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the features of the subclaims.

• - die Handhabungseinheit einen Schlitten trägt, der entlang einer vertikalen Transportachse zwischen dem Lagerungsbehälter und dem Arbeitsraum beweglich ist und ein in horizontaler Richtung bewegliches Greifmittel aufweist, das in lösbaren Eingriff mit dem Probenträger gebracht werden kann; und
• - in dem Lagerungsbehälter zumindest zwei Lagerungseinheiten angeordnet sind, die jeweils eine vertikal verlaufende Welle aufweisen, wobei die Wellen der Lagerungseinheiten äquidistant von der vertikalen Transportachse angeordnet sind und an den Wellen Probenträger lösbar befestigt werden können.

According to the invention, a storage device for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples, is provided. The storage device has a thermally insulated storage container with a container cover, a lock arranged above the container cover with a working space and a handling unit for transporting a sample carrier between the working space and the storage container. It is envisaged that

• - The handling unit carries a carriage which is movable along a vertical transport axis between the storage container and the working space and having a horizontally movable gripping means which can be brought into releasable engagement with the sample carrier; and
• - In the storage container at least two storage units are arranged, each having a vertically extending shaft, wherein the waves of the storage units are arranged equidistant from the vertical transport axis and can be releasably secured to the waves sample carrier.

The vertical transport axis may be a vertical axis of rotation of the handling unit.

The storage container according to the invention may have a symmetrical horizontal cross section, preferably a circular cross section. In this case, the vertical transport axis lie on the vertical longitudinal axis of the storage container.

In the storage container at least two storage units are arranged. However, the number of storage units can also be larger. For example, three, four, five or six storage units may be arranged in the storage container. Preferably, the waves of the storage units are arranged equidistant from each other. In addition, the waves of the storage units are arranged equidistant from the vertical transport axis. The vertical transport axis forms a central vertical axis. From this central vertical axis, the shafts of the bearing unit are arranged spaced in the radial direction. The vertical transport axis lies between the shafts of the storage units and thus not at the edge of the storage container.

In the container ceiling of the storage container, a transfer opening may be formed, which connects the storage container with the working space of the lock. Through the transfer opening, the vertical transport axis can run. The working space of the lock, in particular its longitudinal axis, can thus lie on the vertical longitudinal axis of the storage container. The lock may have a side wall in which an access opening is formed to the working space. Via the access opening, sample carriers can be introduced into the working space for storage in the storage container or sample carriers which have been transferred from the storage container into the working space by means of the handling unit can be removed from the working space. The access opening is expediently closable, for example by means of a bulkhead or a door.

The storage device according to the invention allows the transport of a sample carrier between a transfer position and a storage position. The sample carrier is in the transfer position when it is in the working space of the lock. The sample carrier, however, is in its storage position when it is in a predetermined storage unit at a predetermined position on a shaft of the storage unit.

The device according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that no additional space above the storage container is required to remove a rack or a part of a rack from the storage container. Also, the handling unit for removing a sample carrier from a storage unit requires, apart from the working space of the lock, hardly any space above the storage container. The device according to the invention is characterized by a compact design. All movements of the handling unit take place in the storage container and in the working space of the lock. An additional chamber into which sample carriers must first be transferred, if they are introduced from the working space of the lock into the storage container or transferred from the storage container into the working space of the lock, is not required.

The compact, space-saving design of the storage device according to the invention is also achieved by the central arrangement of the vertical transport axis in the storage container. The central arrangement of the vertical transport axis makes it possible to achieve a plurality of storage units by means of a handling unit. For this purpose, it may be provided that the handling unit has a guide element rotatable about a vertical axis and extending from the storage container into the working space. This vertical axis may be the axis of rotation of the handling unit. The guide element may be, for example, a shaft or a carrier. The longitudinal axes of these elements should be on the axis of rotation of the handling units. The shaft or carrier may support the carriage and permit rotation of the carriage about a vertical axis, such as the axis of rotation.

By means of the handling unit according to the invention, a sample carrier can be transported in the vertical direction, rotated about a vertical axis and moved in the horizontal direction. A rotation of the sample carrier about a horizontal axis by means of the handling unit is not provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is a carrier. The carrier may be a longitudinal body whose longitudinal axis extends in the vertical direction, and on which at least one vertically extending first rail is guided, which guides the carriage. The carrier may comprise a second vertically extending rail which is parallel to the first rail. The carriage may be mounted on the first and the second rail via bearings. Advantageously, the first rail and the second rail are formed on the longitudinal edges of the carrier. The longitudinal body can have one or more side walls which delimit an inner space which is open in the radial direction via a longitudinal opening. At least one of the side walls may extend in the vertical direction. The carriage can be arranged in the interior. The gripping means can be guided through the longitudinal opening. It can be provided that the longitudinal body is a half-tube whose longitudinal axis extends in the vertical direction.

If the longitudinal body has one or more side walls, it can be provided that the side wall or the side walls of the longitudinal body extend from a first longitudinal edge to a second longitudinal edge. The longitudinal opening can be formed between the two longitudinal edges. At the first longitudinal edge, the first rail for guiding the carriage may be formed. At the second longitudinal edge may be formed a second rail for guiding the carriage.

In order to be able to effect a vertical movement of the carrier about the axis of rotation of the handling unit, a drive unit and a bearing unit for the carrier can be provided. Preferably, the drive unit and the bearing unit for the carrier are arranged outside the storage container and outside the lock. For example, the drive unit and the bearing unit for the carrier can be arranged on the upper side of the lock.

It can be provided that the drive unit for the carrier can effect a rotation of the carrier from a zero position by an angle of rotation of 0 ° to 360 °. For example, the drive unit for the carrier may cause the carrier to rotate from zero to an angle of rotation of 72 °, 144 °, 216 °, 288 ° or 360 °. A rotation of the carrier from the zero position by a rotation angle of greater than 360 ° is possible. It can be provided that the handling unit has a sensor for determining the position of the carrier. This sensor, which is also referred to below as the position-determining sensor, can determine the position of the carrier before its rotation by means of the drive unit. It can be provided that the position of the carrier before its rotation is the zero position.

For vertical movement of the carriage, the handling unit can have a carriage drive unit which has a drive motor arranged outside the storage container and the lock. The carriage drive unit may further comprise a drive linkage extending from the drive motor through the working space of the lock into the storage container to the carriage. The handling unit may include a rack extending in the vertical direction and engaged by a gear rotatably mounted on the carriage and driven by the carriage drive unit.

The handling unit can have a gripping means guide rail for guiding the gripping means in the horizontal direction, wherein the gripping means guide rail is fixed to the carriage and has a horizontal axis extending in the longitudinal axis, on which a rotor is movable, which has engagement means for a sample carrier. It can be provided that the rotor is movable by means of a gripping means drive unit in the horizontal direction. The gripping means drive unit may comprise a crank handle linkage.

In a preferred embodiment of the handling unit according to the invention, it is provided that all drives are arranged outside the storage container and the lock. Likewise, it is preferred that all sensors, including the position-determining sensor, are arranged outside the storage container and the lock.

The handling unit required for transport of the sample carriers is located, apart from a part of the carrier which extends into the working space of the lock, and the drive unit and the storage unit for the carrier, which are located outside the interior of the storage container and the working space of the lock. within the storage container. The mechanics of the handling unit required for transport, in particular the carriage and the gripping means are thus exposed to the same climatic conditions as the storage units and the sample carriers stored there. This is especially true for the temperature prevailing in the storage container. The storage temperature is preferably at temperatures below 0 ° C, more preferably at temperatures between -196 ° C and -150 ° C.

The handling unit requires little space, resulting in a better use of the container space for its actual purpose, namely the storage of samples results.

The storage device according to the invention can accommodate a plurality of sample carriers in each storage unit. The sample carriers are conveyed from the storage container into the workspace above the lock. A movement of the sample carrier in the vertical direction takes place only within the storage container and the working space of the lock. The storage units in their entirety can and do not have to be raised in order to remove a sample carrier from a storage unit.

Despite the arrangement of the lock above the storage container storage device according to the invention requires only a small room height. In addition, the handling of the sample carrier within the storage container ensures that the other sample carriers do not leave the storage container, not even for a short time, only to be able to remove a sample carrier from the storage container. Thus, the removal or insertion of a sample carrier into the storage container does not affect the integrity of the sample containers which are already in the storage container.

The storage container has, in addition to the container cover, a container bottom and at least one side wall, which connects the container bottom to the container cover. The underside of the lock adjoins the container ceiling. The lock may have a top and at least one side wall connecting the bottom of the lock to the top thereof, thereby enclosing the work space. In the side wall of the lock, the access opening can be designed for the introduction and removal of sample carriers. The storage device according to the invention may comprise a housing in which the storage container and the lock are arranged.

It can be provided that the waves of the storage units are guided through the container ceiling, wherein each of the shafts is mounted in a storage unit which is arranged outside of the storage container and the lock, for example at the top of the lock. A storage of the shaft in a warehouse, which is located in the storage container is not required. At least in one of the shafts, preferably in all shafts, it may be provided that the end of the shaft, which faces the container bottom, is spaced from the container bottom. It can also be provided that the end of the carrier, which faces the container bottom, is spaced from the container bottom. This leaves a space between the container bottom and the waves of the storage units. This space can serve, for example, for receiving liquid nitrogen or another refrigerant. In this way it is ensured that no bearing components for the shaft or the carrier are arranged in the cryogenic area. The arranged outside the storage container and the lock storage units, however, are easily accessible, which facilitates maintenance of the storage units. It can therefore be provided that one or more, preferably all shafts of the storage units and the carrier extend within the storage container in the direction of the container bottom, without being stored in a storage unit on the container bottom and / or another storage unit in the storage container.

Preferably, drives for the shafts of the storage units are arranged outside of the storage container and the lock. The drives can be arranged above the top of the lock. The drives for the shafts of the storage units should cause a rotation of the waves about their longitudinal axis. It can be provided that a rotation is possible only by certain angle. For example, it may be provided that a rotation is only possible by an angle of 60 ° or integer multiples thereof. Thus, the shaft of a storage unit can only reach certain positions.

On the shaft of a storage unit, the sample carrier can be fastened in a plurality of planes lying one above another in the vertical direction. The levels of a storage unit should be formed equidistant from each other. In one level, several sample carriers can be fastened to the shaft. For this purpose, each of the levels can be divided into equal parts, wherein each part of the level can accommodate a sample carrier. The parts of a layer are also referred to below as storage sectors. If all parts of a level are occupied by sample carriers, the sample carriers together form an annular arrangement around the shaft. The sample carriers expediently have an inner edge facing the shaft and an outer edge facing away from the shaft. The inner edge and the outer edge of a sample carrier are connected by radially extending side edges. The inner edge is narrower than the outer edge Edge. In-plane adjacent sample carriers face each other with one of their side edges. The mutually facing side edges of two adjacent sample carrier may abut each other or be spaced from each other while forming a radially extending from the shaft gap. The number of parts of the plane corresponds to the number of positions that can reach the shaft by their rotation. If, for example, a rotation of the shaft by 60 ° or integer multiples thereof is provided, then a plane has six parts or storage sectors. In other words, the number of sample carriers that can be in one plane corresponds to the number of parts of a plane, which in turn corresponds to the number of positions in which the shaft of the storage unit can be rotated. Conveniently, each level can accommodate the same number of slides.

The outer edges of the sample carriers can form the outer edges of the sample carriers. In this case, the outer edges of the sample carriers, which are arranged in a plane, can be arranged along a circle or circular arc around the shaft of the storage unit.

For releasable attachment of a sample carrier to a shaft holding elements may be formed on the shaft. The holding elements are arranged on the shaft so that the number of holding elements in a plane corresponds to the number of parts of the plane. In this case, the number of holding elements is provided in each level, which corresponds to the number of parts of a plane. One or more holding elements can be provided for each sample carrier. The one or more holding elements, which are provided for releasably securing a sample carrier, are expediently arranged equidistantly around the shaft.

It can be provided that the holding elements engage in corresponding receptacles which are formed on the sample carriers. Appropriately, these recordings are formed on the inner edge of the sample carrier. The holding elements may be hook-like elements, in the sample carrier on their recordings, such as openings, can be hung.

The vertical spacing of the planes is determined by the height of the sample containers. The distance between the levels should be slightly larger than the height of the sample container. In this way, the sample carrier can be lowered, for example, when the sample carriers are attached to a shaft by the sample carrier is hooked into the holding elements. To remove the sample carrier from the shaft then the sample carrier can be raised until the holding elements can be released from the recordings. Subsequently, the sample carrier can be moved in a horizontal direction away from the shaft. The height of the working space of the lock can be so dimensioned that a sample carrier which contains at least one sample container can be introduced into or removed from the working chamber. It can be provided that the height of the working chamber does not exceed twice the height of a sample container.

Expediently, all sample carriers have the same dimensions. At the lower edges of the sample carriers, a bottom is formed, which extends from the inner edge to the outer edge and from one side edge to the other side edge. The bottom may have openings, for example openings, into which corresponding elements formed on the undersides of the sample containers may engage.

To set the storage temperature in the storage container, a refrigerant, such as liquid nitrogen, can be used. Alternatively or additionally, the cold can also be generated electrically.

Within the storage container, a bottom chamber for receiving liquid nitrogen or another refrigerant may be formed on the container bottom. At least one ceiling chamber for receiving liquid nitrogen or another refrigerant may be formed on the container ceiling. In this case, one of the ceiling chambers may be connected via a line to the bottom chamber. The following describes the use of liquid nitrogen as a refrigerant, even if instead of the liquid nitrogen another refrigerant can be used in the same way.

To generate the cryogenic liquid nitrogen can be evaporated in the storage container. The liquid nitrogen can be evaporated without pressure. For this purpose, liquid nitrogen, whose temperature is about -192 ° C, are fed into the storage container. The nitrogen evaporating in the storage container provides for cooling the sample containers, which are located in the storage container. It can be provided that the storage device according to the invention comprises means for guiding liquid nitrogen into the storage container. In this case, the liquid nitrogen can be guided from a separate supply container via a supply line in the storage container. For opening and closing the supply line, at least one valve may be provided, for example a combination of two solenoid valves and a safety valve.

It can be provided that the liquid nitrogen from the supply tank is first led into one or both ceiling chambers. As soon as the liquid nitrogen in the ceiling chamber (s) reaches a predetermined filling level, it can be guided into the bottom chamber via the respective pipe which connects the ceiling chambers to the floor chamber. For this purpose, it can be provided that one or both ceiling chambers have an overflow. As soon as the predetermined fill level in the cover chamber is reached, liquid nitrogen enters the bottom chamber via the overflow into the pipe, causing the liquid nitrogen to reach the bottom chamber. There may be provided measuring devices for determining the level height in the bottom chamber and / or the ceiling or the chambers. As soon as the level in the bottom chamber reaches a predetermined level, the supply of nitrogen is automatically stopped by closing the supply line. It can also be provided that the supply of nitrogen is automatically stopped by closing the supply line when the liquid nitrogen in the ceiling chamber or chambers exceeds a predetermined filling level. In this way it can be ensured that no liquid nitrogen contacts the sample containers. On the other hand, if the filling level of the nitrogen in the bottom chamber and / or the ceiling chamber (s) falls below a predetermined value, it can be provided that the supply of nitrogen is automatically absorbed via the supply line. This ensures that at any time sufficient refrigerant is present in the storage device according to the invention. For automated filling of the storage tank with liquid nitrogen, the solenoid valve (s) may be opened or closed based on the signals received from the meters. However, it may be provided for safety reasons, a bypass line with a manual valve. The bypass bypasses the solenoid valve or valves that are automatically opened or closed. By opening the manual valve, a supply of the storage container with liquid nitrogen in an emergency can be ensured even if the automatic filling via the solenoid valves fails.

The thermal insulation of the storage container can be achieved by the walls of the storage container are designed as double-walled walls, wherein the two walls are spaced from each other to form a gap. In this space there is negative pressure (vacuum). The pressure difference between the gap and the surrounding atmosphere may be for example 1 bar, which corresponds to a pressure of 10 t / m ² wall surface. To produce the negative pressure of the gap can be evacuated. To prevent the transport of heat by means of radiation, one or more insulating materials, for example a superinsulation (also referred to as "multilayer insulation" (MLI)), a layered composite insulation (LCI) can be used as radiation protection. , Perlite, airgel or others. The lock can be thermally insulated in the same way as the storage container.

The storage device according to the invention may have a control device for controlling the storage units and the handling unit. The control device can be used to control other components of the device according to the invention. The storage device according to the invention may further comprise a data processing unit. The data processing unit can store in which storage sector a specific sample carrier is located and which storage sectors are free. The data processing unit may be connected to the control device via a data connection. By means of the data processing unit can be assigned automatically to which storage sector a sample carrier is to be brought. Furthermore, it can be automatically determined by means of the data processing unit from which storage sector a specific sample carrier is to be taken.

In order to guide a sample carrier from the working space of the lock to the predetermined storage sector of a storage unit in the storage container and to attach it to the shaft of the storage unit, the carriage of the handling unit is guided into the working space. There, the carriage is aligned so that the gripping means faces the access opening in the side wall of the lock. Subsequently, a sample carrier can be attached to the gripping means of the handling unit. The storage unit in which the predetermined storage sector is located is rotated by its shaft until the predetermined storage sector faces the handling unit. The carriage, the gripping means holds the sample carrier, which is to be led to the given storage sector, is guided from the working space of the lock in the storage container, up to the level of the level in which the storage sector is located. The carriage is aligned so that the sample carrier held by the gripping means faces with its inner edge of the storage unit in which the storage sector is located. This can be done by turning the carrier. The gripping means is now moved horizontally in the direction of the storage unit. As soon as the receptacles, which are formed on the inner edge of the sample carrier, engage in the corresponding holding elements of the shaft of the storage unit, so that the sample carrier is fastened to the shaft, the connection becomes dissolved between the gripping means and the sample carrier, for example by the gripping means is slightly lowered by a movement of the carriage along the first rail. Then, the gripping means is guided back in the direction of the carrier of the handling unit. The carriage of the handling unit can then be guided into another plane or the working space or by means of its gripping means - without height change - record another or the same sample carrier from a plane of a storage unit, in the amount he is already.

Rotation of the carriage about a vertical axis may be effected by rotation of the carrier about a vertical axis. The vertical axis about which the carriage can be rotated and the axis of rotation about which the carrier can be rotated can lie on top of one another, ie. H. the axis of rotation of the carriage and the axis of rotation of the carrier are coaxial axes.

The height adjustment of the carriage can be effected by means of the drive linkage, which is driven via a gear by means of a drive which is arranged outside of the storage container and the lock, for example at the top of the lock. To move the gripping means, a motor may be provided, for example a servomotor. The motor can cause the horizontal movement of the gripping means via a push rod. The servo motor is preferably arranged outside the storage container and the lock, for example at the top of the lock. But it can also be arranged on the carriage, so that they are in the storage container or the lock.

To remove a sample carrier from its storage sector, the storage unit in which the storage sector is located with the sample carrier is rotated by means of its shaft until the storage sector faces the handling unit. The carriage is, unless it is already in this plane, at the level of the level in which the storage sector is located with the sample carrier. In addition, the carriage is aligned by turning the carrier so that it faces the storage sector in which the sample carrier is located. Subsequently, the gripping means is guided horizontally in the direction of the sample carrier until it can engage in the recesses which are formed on the outer edge of the sample carrier. Once the connection between the gripping means and the sample carrier is established, the connection between the inner edge of the sample carrier and the holding elements on the shaft is released, for example by the gripping means being slightly raised by a movement of the carriage along the first rail. Then, the gripping means is guided with the sample carrier back in the direction of the shaft of the handling unit. The carriage of the handling unit is then moved up into the working space. In this case, the carriage is aligned by a rotation of the carrier so that the gripping means faces the access opening in the side wall of the lock. Subsequently, the access opening to the working space can be opened and the sample carrier can be released from the gripping means of the handling unit.

• - sich der Probenträger in der Übergabeposition in dem Arbeitsraum befindet und
• - sich der Probenträger in der Lagerungsposition in einer vorgegebenen Lagerungseinheit an einer vorgegebenen Position an einer Welle der Lagerungseinheit befindet.

According to the invention, a method for storage of samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples, by means of a storage device according to the invention is further provided. In this case, a sample carrier is moved by means of the handling unit between a transfer position in the working space of the lock and a storage position on a storage unit in the storage container, wherein

• - The sample carrier is in the transfer position in the working space and
• - The sample carrier is in the storage position in a predetermined storage unit at a predetermined position on a shaft of the storage unit.

If the handling unit has a support that carries the carriage and allows the carriage to rotate about a vertical axis, then it can be provided that the carriage is rotated about the vertical axis when it is moved between the working space and the storage container.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to insert sample carriers into or out of the storage container without having to guide a rack containing the sample carrier through an opening in the container cover. This makes it possible to better utilize the room height of rooms in which the storage containers according to the invention are placed.

Further details of the method according to the invention have already been described above in connection with the device according to the invention.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Lagerungsvorrichtung von oben;
• 2 eine schematische Seitenansicht der in 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform;
• 3 schematische Schnittdarstellungen der in 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform (3a: Schnitt entlang Schnittlinie A--A von 2; 3b: Schnitt entlang Schnittlinie B--B von 2);
• 4 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der in 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform entlang der Rotationsachse A von 1, wobei nur zwei von fünf Lagerungseinheiten gezeigt sind;
• 5 schematische perspektivische Darstellungen einer Ausführungsform einer Handhabungseinheit (5a: Blickwinkel von oben; 5b: Blickwinkel von unten; 5c: Schnitt durch den Längskörper entlang Schnittlinie A--A ohne Darstellung von Schlitten und Greifmittel);
• 6 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Schlittens und des Greifmittels der in 4 gezeigten Ausführungsform der Handhabungseinheit; und
• 7 eine Ausführungsform eines Probenträgers.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments, which are not intended to limit the invention, with reference to the drawings. Show

• 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the storage device according to the invention from above;
• 2 a schematic side view of in 1 embodiment shown;
• 3 schematic sectional views of the in 1 shown embodiment ( 3a : Section along section line A - A of 2 ; 3b : Section along section line B - B of 2 );
• 4 a schematic sectional view of in 1 shown embodiment along the axis of rotation A of 1 showing only two out of five storage units;
• 5 schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a handling unit ( 5a : Angle from above; 5b : Angle from below; 5c : Section through the longitudinal body along section line A - A without representation of slide and gripping means);
• 6 a schematic perspective view of the carriage and the gripping means of in 4 shown embodiment of the handling unit; and
• 7 an embodiment of a sample carrier.

In the 1 shown embodiment of a storage device according to the invention 1 has a housing 25 in which a storage bin 2 and a lock 41 (see 4 ) are formed. The storage containers 2 and the lock 41 have a circular cross section (see 3a and 3b ; in 1 are to improve the visibility of the lock not and the handling unit only partially shown). The storage bin 2 has a container bottom 3 and a container ceiling 4 that over a coat 5 which is a side wall connected to each other. The lock 41 has a bottom 43 and a top 44 up, over a coat 45 which is a side wall connected to each other. Here is the bottom 43 the lock 41 from the container ceiling 4 of the storage container 2 educated. The lock 41 has a smaller diameter than the storage container 2 on. In the coat 45 is a lockable access opening 46 trained (see 2 ), access to a work space 42 offers. In the container ceiling 4 is a transfer opening 13 formed, which is the interior of the storage container 2 with the workspace 42 the lock 41 combines. The transfer opening 13 may have a circular cross-section. The longitudinal axis of the storage container, the lock 41 and the transfer opening 13 lie on the axis of rotation A. Above the lock 41 , at the top 44 , there is a holding plate 27 , on the - described below - drive units of the storage units 6 and the handling unit 7 and the storage unit of the handling unit 7 are arranged. The tank bottom 3 and the container ceiling 4 can be arched outwards.

In the storage container 2 are five storage units 6 and a handling unit 7 arranged. In this case, the handling unit 7 a carrier 10 on, whose longitudinal axis lies on the axis of rotation A. The storage units 6 have vertical waves 8th on. The waves 8th are equidistant from the axis of rotation A and equidistant from each other in the storage container 2 arranged (see 3a ). Are there five storage units 6 in the storage container 2 , so is the distance between the waves 8th the storage units each 72 °. It is in 3a to recognize that the axis of rotation A to which the carrier 10 is rotatable, midway between the waves 8th the storage units 6 lies.

Each storage unit has a vertical shaft 8th on through the container ceiling 4 in the storage container 2 is guided and in the direction of the container bottom 3 extends. This is the end of the wave 8th that the tank bottom 3 facing away from the container bottom 3 spaced. The wave 8th is in a warehouse 19 stored outside the storage container 2 and the lock 3 is arranged on the housing 1. Inside the storage container 2 is not a bearing for the shaft 8th intended. The wave 8th is rotatable about its longitudinal axis B in predetermined positions. For turning the shaft 8th is a drive 26 provided outside the housing 25 on the retaining plate 27 is arranged. By means of the drive 26 can the wave 8th be rotated by a predetermined angle and integer multiples thereof. At the wave 8th are holding elements 20 trained (see 4 ), which allow sample carriers 9 on the waves 8th to fix. The sample carriers 9 can be in several superimposed levels 21 on the shaft 8th be attached (see in particular 4 ). A level 21 can be divided into equal parts, with each part of the plane 21 a sample carrier 9 on the shaft 8th can be arranged. For example, the level 21 be divided into six parts. The levels 21 are circular areas whose circular sectors form the parts. It is in 4 to recognize that the levels shown there 21 divided into six equal parts. In every part of this level 21 can in the storage unit 6 a sample carrier 9 on the shaft 8th be attached, so a total of six sample carrier 9 , The parts of the Eben 21 can through partitions 28 be separated from each other, extending from the shaft 8th , extend in the radial direction. The partitions can move vertically across all levels 21 a storage unit 6 extend (see 1 ).

The carrier 10 the handling unit 7 is a longitudinal body whose longitudinal axis lies on the axis of rotation A (see 4 ). The carrier 10 is rotatable about the rotation axis A. The longitudinal body is designed as a half pipe (see 5a . 5b and 5c ). For this purpose, the longitudinal body has a jacket 101 which is a side wall, a ceiling 102 and a floor 103 on that has an interior 104 limit. In the jacket 101 is a longitudinal opening 105 formed, which are parallel to the rotation axis A from the ground 103 to the ceiling 102 extends. Starting from the axis of rotation A is the interior 104 thus in the radial direction through the longitudinal opening 105 open (see dashed line in 5c ). The vertical edges of the mantle 101 are the first longitudinal edge 106 and the second longitudinal edge 107 , At the first longitudinal edge 106 is the first rail 108 for the sled 11 , on the second longitudinal edge 107 the second rail 109 for the sled 11 educated.

The axis of rotation A is the vertical transport axis of the carriage 11 , The carriage 11 has bearings 110 up, the sled 11 on the rails 108 . 109 hold and move in a vertical direction between the ground 103 and the ceiling 102 allow the longitudinal body. To the sled 11 in the vertical direction, so to move up or down, has the handling unit 7 a drive motor 111 and a drive linkage 112 on. The drive linkage 112 can get through the ceiling 102 of the carrier 10 in its interior 104 up to its bottom 103 extended. The drive linkage 112 may have a vertically arranged rack (not shown). The drive motor 111 can be a servomotor. In one embodiment it can be provided that the drive motor 111 via a bevel gear drive rod 112 drives. This transmits the rotational movement to a pair of bevel gears on the slide 11 , The pair of bevel gears deflects the rotational movement by 90 ° and drives a toothed wheel designed as a spur gear. The spur wheel runs on the rack, as a result of which the rotational movement is converted into a translational movement and the carriage moves in the vertical direction. The drive linkage 112 can in one embodiment on the slide 11 as well as above the ceiling 102 , for example, outside of the housing 25 on the retaining plate 27 (please refer 4 ) are stored with a pair of rollers, each consisting of two V-rollers.

The sled 11 carries a gripping means 12 , For this purpose, the carriage 11 a gripping means guide rail 113 (see also 6 ), extending in the radial direction from the interior 104 of the carrier 10 through the longitudinal opening 105 extends. The gripping means 12 has a rotor 114 on top of the gripper guide rail 113 in the horizontal direction by means of bearings 115 is movably mounted. The horizontal movement of the runner 114 can by means of a crank handle linkage 116 be driven via a drive linkage, a servomotor and an angle planetary gear. The servomotor can be attached to the carriage 11 be arranged. The drive linkage may have a V-profile. At the sled 11 For example, the drive linkage may be supported by a pair of rollers consisting of two V-rollers. The gripping means 12 has one or more engaging means 117 , For example, one or more hook-shaped elements, on, in recesses 35 can engage in the outer edge 32 of the sample carrier 9 are formed, whereby the gripping means 12 the sample carrier 9 attacks (see 6 ).

The carrier 10 can be rotated about the vertical axis of rotation A. For this purpose, the handling unit 7 a warehouse 22 in which the carrier 10 is mounted rotatably about the vertical axis of rotation A. The warehouse 22 can outside the case 25 , for example, on the holding plate 27 , be arranged (see 1 ). For turning the carrier 10 may be a carrier drive unit 23 be provided, which is a drive motor 119 and a gear that is the carrier 10 drives. The transmission may be a planetary gear and a synchronous belt. It may be a rotation of the wearer 10 be provided by a zero position by a rotation angle between 0 ° and 360 °, including rotations of 72 °, 144 °, 216 °, 288 ° and 360 °. An angle of 72 ° corresponds to the distance between the waves 8th two adjacent storage units 6 , The angles of 144 °, 216 °, 288 ° and 360 ° are multiples of this angle. It can be provided that in the zero position of the carrier 10 the horizontal longitudinal axis of the gripping means guide rail 113 the wave 8th the first storage unit 6 facing, in 72 ° position of the shaft 8th the second storage unit 6 , in 216 ° position of the shaft 8th the third storage unit 6 , in 288 ° position of the shaft 8th the fourth storage unit 6 and in 360 ° position of the shaft 8th the fifth storage unit 6 ,

The floor 103 of the carrier 10 that is the tank bottom 3 is facing, is from the container bottom 3 spaced. The ceiling 102 of the carrier 10 is at the top 44 of the lock 41 in their workspace 42 (please refer 4 ). This extends the carrier 10 from the interior of the storage container 2 in the work dream 42 the lock 41 , The sled 11 the handling unit 7 can along double arrow z at the first and second rail 108 . 109 towards the top 44 ascend the lock or in the direction of the tank bottom 3 of the storage container 2 dismount. The gripping means 12 can in horizontal direction (double arrow x in 4 ) are moved. The gearbox and linkage with which the movement of the carriage 11 and the gripping means 12 is effected in 4 Not shown.

The drive unit 23 of the carrier 10 can be an arcuate, horizontally arranged guide rail 120 have a precise guidance of the wearer 10 ensures. At the two Ends of the guide rail 120 can stops 121 be formed, which is the rotational movement of the wearer 10 limit. The guide rail 120 may be outside of the storage container 2 , for example, on the container ceiling 4 be arranged.

At the tank bottom 3 is in the storage bin 2 a bottom chamber (not shown) is formed which is filled with liquid nitrogen or another refrigerant. The liquid nitrogen or the other refrigerant vaporizes in the storage container 2, whereby the sample containers located in the storage container 2 be refrigerated.

For inserting a sample carrier 9 in the storage device 1 can be proceeded as follows. By means of the data processing unit becomes a free storage sector 24 in a storage level 21 a storage unit 6 in the storage container 2 determined. The determined free storage sector 24 is the default storage sector, ie the storage sector where the sample carrier 9 in the storage container 2 on the shaft 8th a storage unit 6 is to be attached, and at the same time its storage position. The sled 11 will be at the first and second rail 108 . 109 of the carrier 10 the handling unit 7 in the workroom 42 the lock 41 guided. The carrier 10 can be rotated about the axis of rotation A, so that gripping means 12 the access opening 46 in the coat 45 the lock 41 is facing when the carriage 11 in the workroom 42 located. Subsequently, a user can access the access 46 open the sample carrier 9 , which carries one or more sample containers, in the work space 42 bring in and on the engaging means 117 the gripping means 12 Fasten. In this case, the intervention means 117 in recesses 35 one in the outer edge 32 of the sample carrier 9 are formed, whereby the gripping means 12 the sample carrier 9 attacks. The sample carrier 9 is now in his transfer position. The access opening 46 can now be closed.

Meanwhile, storage unit 6 in which the given storage sector 24 is located, by means of her shaft 8th rotated until the given storage sector of the handling unit 7 is facing. The sled 11 , its gripping means 12 the sample carrier 9 stops now at the first and second track 108 . 109 the carrier 10 from the working space 42 through the transfer opening 13 in the storage container 2 led, at the level of the level 21 in which the predetermined storage sector 24 is located. The sled 11 is thereby by a rotation of the carrier 10 about its axis of rotation A aligned so that of the gripping means 12 held sample carrier 9 with its inner edge 31 the storage sector 24 is facing. For this purpose, the carriage by a rotation of the carrier 10 the handling unit 7 turned. The gripping means 12 will now be horizontal in the direction of the shaft 8th the storage unit 6 emotional. Once the shots 34 at the inner edge 31 of the sample carrier 9 are formed, in the corresponding holding elements 20 the wave 8th the storage unit 6 intervene, leaving the sample holder 9 on the shaft 8th is fastened, the connection between the gripping means 12 and the sample carrier 9 solved. The sample carrier 9 is now at its default storage sector 24 and in its storage position. Then the gripping means 12 back in the direction of the carrier 10 the handling unit 7 guided.

For removal of a sample carrier 9 from the storage device 1 can be proceeded as follows. By means of the data processing unit, the storage unit 6 , the storage level 21 and the storage sector 24 determines, at which the sample carrier 9 in the storage container 2 located. That's his storage position. For removal of the sample carrier 9 from his storage sector 24 becomes the storage unit 6 by means of her shaft 8th Turned until the storage sector 24 in which the sample carrier 9 located, the handling unit 7 is facing. The carriage 11 is attached to the first and second rails 108 . 109 of the carrier 10 at the level of level 21, in which the storage sector 24 with the sample carrier 9 located. In addition, the sled 11 by rotation of the carrier 10 aligned about its axis of rotation A so that it is the storage sector 24 in which is the sample carrier 9 is located, facing. Subsequently, the gripping means 12 horizontally in the direction of the sample holder 9 guided until it is in the recesses 35 on the outer edge 32 of the sample carrier 9 are trained, can intervene. Once the connection between the gripping means 12 and the sample carrier 9 is made, the connection between the inner edge 31 of the sample carrier 9 and the holding elements 20 on the shaft 8th solved. Then the gripping means 12 with the sample carrier 9 back in the direction of the carrier 10 the handling unit 7 guided. The sled 11 the handling unit 7 is then at the first and second rail 108 . 109 of the carrier 10 the handling unit 7 through the transfer opening 13 led into the working space 42 of the lock. In addition, the sled 11 by rotation of the carrier 10 about its axis of rotation A aligned so that the gripping means 12 the access opening 46 in the coat 45 the lock 41 is facing. The sample carrier is now in its transfer position. A user can access the access 26 open, the connection between the gripping means 12 and the outer edge 32 of the sample carrier 9 solve and the sample carrier 9 from the workroom 42 remove. Subsequently, the access opening can be closed.

7 shows an exemplary sample carrier 9 , The sample carrier 9 has an inner edge 31 and an opposite outer edge 32 on. The inner edge 31 and the outer edge 32 of a slide are by margins 33 connected with each other. The inner edge 31 is narrower than the outer edge 32 , Will the sample carrier 9 from a wave 8th a storage unit 6 held, so the margins extend 33 in the radial direction from the inner edge 31 to the outer edge 32 , At the inner edge 31 are shots 34 trained, in the holding elements 20 the storage units 6 can intervene. At the outer edge 32 are recesses 35 formed, in which the gripping means 12 the handling unit 7 can intervene. At the lower edges of the inner edge 31 , the outer edge 32 and the side edges 33 of the sample carrier 9 is a floor 36 formed, extending from the inner edge 31 to the outer 32 edge and from the one side edge 33 extends to the other side edge 33. The floor has openings 37 on, in the corresponding elements which are formed on the undersides of the sample container, can intervene. The horizontal extent of the sample carrier 9 corresponds approximately to the dimensions of a storage sector 24 , The outer edge 32 of the sample carrier 9 forms its outer edges when the sample carrier 9 on a wave 8th a storage unit 6 is attached. The outer edges of the sample carriers 9 can go along a circle or arc around the shaft 8th a storage unit 6 be arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

storage device

2

storage containers

3

container bottom

4

vessel top

5

coat

6

storage unit

7

handling unit

8th

wave

9

sample carrier

10

carrier

11

carriage

12

gripping means

13

transfer opening

19

camp

20

retaining element

21

level

22

camp

23

Carrier drive unit

24

storage sector

25

casing

26

drive

27

Retaining plate

28

partition wall

31

inner edge

32

outer edge

33

margin

34

admission

35

recess

36

ground

37

opening

41

lock

42

working space

43

bottom

44

top

45

coat

46

access opening

101

coat

102

blanket

103

ground

104

inner space

105

longitudinal opening

106

first longitudinal edge

107

second longitudinal edge

108

first rail

109

second rail

110

camp

111

drive motor

112

drive linkage

113

Gripping means guide rail

114

runner

115

camp

116

Thrust crank linkage

117

engagement means

119

drive motor

120

guide rail

121

attack

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004053170 B4 [0005]
• EP 1543278 B1 [0005]
• DE 102011012887 B4 [0005]
• US 9151770 B2 [0005]

Claims (15)

Storage device for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples, wherein the storage device (1) a thermally insulated storage container (2) with a container cover (4), a above the container ceiling (4) arranged lock (41) with a working space (42) and a handling unit (7) for transporting a sample carrier (9) between the working space (42) and the storage container (2), wherein - The handling unit (7) carries a carriage (11) along a vertical transport axis (A) between the storage container (2) and the working space (42) is movable and in a horizontal direction movable gripping means (12), in releasable Intervention with the sample carrier (9) can be brought; and - In the storage container (2) at least two storage units (6) are arranged, each having a vertically extending shaft (8), wherein the shafts (8) of the storage units (6) are arranged equidistant from the vertical transport axis (A) and at the shafts (8) sample carrier (9) can be releasably secured. Storage device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the storage container (2) has a symmetrical horizontal cross-section. Storage device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , characterized in that the vertical transport axis (A) lies on a vertical longitudinal axis of the storage container (2). Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the storage container (2) three, four, five or six storage units (6) are arranged, whose shafts (8) are arranged equidistant from each other. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the container cover (4) of the storage container (2) a transfer opening (13) is formed, which connects the storage container (2) with the working space (42) of the lock (41) and through which runs the vertical transport axis (A). Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock (41) has a side wall (45) in which an access opening (46) to the working space (42) is formed. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shafts (8) of the storage units (6) are mounted outside of the storage container (2). Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling unit (7) is mounted outside of the storage container (2). Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling unit (7) comprises a shaft or a support (10) which carry the carriage (11) and which allow a rotation of the carriage (11) about a vertical axis. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling unit (7) has a rotatable about the vertical transport axis carrier (10), which is a longitudinal body whose longitudinal axis extends in the vertical direction, and to which at least one vertically extending first rail (108) is formed, which guides the carriage (11). Storage device according to Claim 10 characterized in that the carrier (10) comprises a second vertically extending rail (109) parallel to the first rail (108), the carriage (11) being supported on the first and second rails (108, 109) (110) is stored. Storage device according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 , characterized in that the first rail (108) and the second rails (109) on the longitudinal edges (106, 107) of the carrier (10) are formed. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal body has at least one side wall (101) delimiting an inner space (104) which is open in the radial direction via a longitudinal opening (105), and a carriage (11) in the Interior space (104) is arranged, wherein the gripping means (12) through the longitudinal opening (105) can be guided. A method for storing samples, in particular for the cryogenic storage of biological samples, by means of a storage device according to one of Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that a sample carrier (9) by means of the carriage (11) of the handling unit (7) between a transfer position in the working space (42) of the lock (41) and a storage position on a storage unit (6) in the storage container (2) is moved, wherein - the sample carrier (9) is in the transfer position in the working space (42); and - the sample carrier (9) in the storage position in a predetermined storage unit (6) on a predetermined position on a shaft (8) of the storage unit (6). Method according to Claim 14 characterized in that the handling unit (7) comprises a shaft or support (10) supporting the carriage (11) and allowing rotation of the carriage (11) about a vertical axis, the carriage (11) around the shaft vertical axis is rotated when it is moved between the work dream (42) and the storage container (2).

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