DE202008014837U1 - Device for receiving connected reaction spaces - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for arbitrarily modularizing connected reaction spaces containing side flaps, comprising an adhesive-coated fixing frame with round notched respective opposite frame sides for guiding the respective outer vessels of the connected reaction spaces, characterized in that above the adhesion coating an adhesive connection between the underside of the side flaps of the connected Reaction spaces and the top of the fixing frame allows and so any assembly of the device is made possible with connected reaction spaces

Description

The The invention relates to a device for arbitrary modularization of connected reaction spaces, characterized that by a suitable adhesive coating, as well as by round notched opposite frame sides to the guide the outer vessels of the connected reaction spaces any assembly of the Device with connected reaction spaces allows being, taking the compatibility with conventional standard pick-up bags or thermoblocks is maintained and being over the adhesive surface of the device is a permanent one Fixation of the reaction spaces in the device is made possible without the functional use of the reaction spaces adversely affected, and wherein the device on its Self-adhesive side before use with a peelable protective film is provided.

Many bioanalytical detection techniques, such as the implementation of enzyme immunoassays (EIA), classical and real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR), RT-PCR and immuno-PCR (iPCR) require the use of reaction spaces, predominantly connected reaction spaces are used , As examples serve the documents DE 20210900 U1 and US 5545528 A , In many cases, reaction spaces in the standardized microtiter plate format, z. B. Brand GmbH + Co KG Art. No .: 781352 or Hitachi EP 1360008 A1 used with 96, 384 or 1536 cavities, but also single strips in 8-well ( DE 20210900 U1 ) or 12-well format (eg: Roth Art. No. EL74). The latter have the advantage of always being more economical to use, if the number of analysis is low and as a result no complete plates can be filled. However, individual strips have the technological disadvantage in comparison to the PCR plates that they must also be handled individually and consequently require a larger amount of work, for example in the range of 9-88 cavities to be used, for example in the range of 9-88 cavities to be used. As required sequential incubation and washing steps inevitably must consist of many many individual, non-automatable steps. Since, however, especially in the case of the iPCR during the process, a plurality of washing steps must be performed, which is a process of "pouring and refilling" the reaction vessels z. B. with wash buffer, the use of individual strips is rather limited. The same applies to the insertion and removal of reaction vessels from the heating blocks of suitable thermal cycler for PCR applications. Here, too, preferably use one-piece PCR plates application, the disadvantage, however, again in smaller series of measurements in the unused discarded reaction chambers can be seen.

Attempts to Modularize PCR Strips Similar to the NUNC-IMMUNO MODULE (Thermo Fischer Scientific / Nunc Art.No .: 445101, EP 0126392 A2 ) from the field of microtiter plate modules or similar to the patent of the holder of individual PCR tubes ( US 5710381 A ) exist but can only be used to a limited extent for the following reason: All modularization approaches known hitherto are based on various so-called "click mechanisms", ie the reaction spaces organized in strips snap mechanically due to their nature (eg special fold) designed support frame. Thus, only the strips made specifically for associated frames can be modularized, but the modularization of conventionally connected reaction chambers, for example RoboStrips (Cat. No .: 0501000102, AJ Roboscreen GmbH or Cat. No .: 712059 Biozym GmbH), is not possible , This represents a disadvantage for the flexibility in the application of these usually very often used reaction spaces and a restriction for the user. Another disadvantage of the known to the expert possibilities for module formation is the relatively large space requirement of the frame, which just when using so-called. Do not use "low profile" trips on all conventional recessed thermal blocks of appropriate PCR equipment.

task The invention was therefore the disadvantages of the above To eliminate the prior art by using a suitable device for universal modular recording of connected reaction spaces (eg 8-well or 12-well strips), which allows a defined number of reaction spaces too flexible Modules combined and this analogous to a one-piece existing To use microtiter plate.

The problem has been solved according to the features of the claims by using an adhesive-coated fixing frame ( 1 and 2 ), which, by virtue of the particular construction and adhesive coating, allows for bonding between the underside of the side flaps of the connected reaction spaces and the top of the fixture frame, allowing free modularization of conventional single strips. This significantly improves the overall handling of modularly combined reaction spaces and also minimizes the rejection of unused reaction spaces, as is common with PCR plates. This is made possible according to the invention without functionally impairing the surface of the strips essential for the application of sealing foils, and at the same time allowing the use of conventional strips. There with the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated.

The inventive device for arbitrary modularization of connected reaction spaces is characterized that by a suitable adhesive coating, as well as by round notched opposite frame sides to the guide the outer vessels of the connected reaction spaces any assembly allows the device with connected reaction spaces being, taking the compatibility with conventional standard pick-up bags or thermoblocks is maintained and being over the adhesive surface of the device is a permanent one Fixation of the reaction spaces in the device is made possible without the functional use of the reaction spaces adversely affected, and wherein the device on its Self-adhesive side before use with a peelable protective film is provided.

The Frame thickness of the device is preferably between 0.2 and 5 mm.

A Another embodiment is that the device characterized in that the adhesive coating according to the type of connected reaction vessels used preferably on defined areas of the top of the frame is applied and preferably made of thermostable adhesives such as modified acrylate, cyanoacrylate, elastomeric silicone, epoxies etc. exists.

Of the Fixing frame according to the invention is used for the modularization of all types of connected reaction spaces, which are constructed such that an adhesive fixation on the fixing frame according to the invention technically feasible. For the production of the device be plastics, preferably thermostable plastics with a Heat resistance of at least 135 ° C used. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the embodiment is as Plastic polycarbonate used. The adhesive coating exists preferably of a contact-adhesive coating, using preferably thermally stable modified acrylates, Cyanoacrylate, elastomeric silicone, or epoxies, either as Spray adhesive or in film form applied to the device will exist. This coating is protected with a peelable protective film, to prevent the glue from drying out and that the device either with other devices in a packaging unit or the packaging material itself glued. The device is Usable after the protective film immediately before removed when the strips were inserted. A negative influence on the heat transfer of the reaction vessels does not exist because commercial strips, even "low-profile" formats, are sufficient Leave space for the use of the frame and thus the reaction spaces fully immersed in the thermal block.

The essence of the invention thus lies in a combination of known elements and new approaches that influence each other and result in their new overall effect the benefit and the desired success, which is that now for the first time a device for individual modularization of connected reaction spaces is provided is also applicable to connected reaction rooms of different manufacturers and 2 ) also on formats deviating from standard microtiter plate format, e.g. For example, the TwinBlock of the Alpha SC (Item No. 3384) from Analytik Jena AG can be used.

Around To apply the fixation frame, you first need a standard recording skirt of the appropriate format, on which the fixing frame congruent with the reception places for the Reaction spaces, with the protected by the protective film Adhesive coating positioned upwards, placed on top. For orientation serve here the round notched frame inside pages, the corresponding the later positions of the reaction spaces, which over the wells for reaction spaces in the standard holding rack are recognizable, can be arranged. Subsequently, the protective film to remove. Now, an individual number of connected reaction spaces be plugged from above into the standard recording skirt, the Frame is not yet fixed to the strips. By simple, easy Raise the frame until it contacts the bottom of the side tabs the connected reaction spaces the frame adheres to the Side tabs, wherein the round notched frame inside the pages straight slot over the guide to the outer Allow reaction spaces of stips. By light Press this bond with your thumb and forefinger On both sides, a stable connection of the connected reaction spaces reached with the frame. The module is now similar to one Microplate usable.

application this fixation framework finds the embodiment in a preferred manner in connection with the implementation of various PCR techniques, in particular fluorescence PCR / RT-PCR and iPCR. Furthermore is an application in all areas where connected reaction spaces the formats described are used, conceivable.

• – Freie Modularisierung von herkömmlichen, in Einzelstrips organisierten Reaktionsräumen
• – Stabile Ausbildung vom Modulen über Adsorption an haftbeschichtete Fixierungsrahmen
• – Deutlich verbessertes handling von modular zusammengesetzten, verbundenen Reaktionsräumen gegenüber Einzelstrips
• – Minimierung der Verluste bezüglich ungenutzter Reaktionsräume
• – Kein Einfluss auf die Stripoberfläche, die für Verschlussfolie benötigt wird
• – Nutzung von Strips verschiedener Hersteller, sofern Seitenlaschen an den verbundenen Reaktionsräumen vorhanden sind
• – Unbegrenzte Anpassungsmöglichkeit der Vorrichtung an verschiedene Formate von Reaktionsräumen

The advantages of the device over the prior art can be summarized as follows:

• - Free modularization of conventional, organized in single strips reaction spaces
• - Stable training of modules via adsorption to adhesive coated fixing frames
• - Significantly improved handling of modular compound, connected reaction spaces compared to single strips
• - Minimizing losses related to unused reaction spaces
• - No influence on the stripping surface, which is needed for closing foil
• - Use of strips from different manufacturers, provided that there are side flaps on the connected reaction chambers
• Unlimited adaptation of the device to different formats of reaction spaces

legends:

1 : Fixing frame for strips of low-profile formats 8 tubes / Strip and 12 tubes / Strip; Material thickness 2 mm, dimensions not binding

2 : Fixing frame adapted to TwinBlock for modularization in Analytik Jena AlphaSC for the acquisition of 6 "low-profile" strips (AJ Roboscreen) with 8 tubes; Material thickness 3 mm, dimensions not binding

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 20210900 U1 [0002, 0002]
• US 5545528 A [0002]
• - EP 1360008 A1 [0002]
• - EP 0126392 A2 [0003]
• US 5710381 A [0003]

Claims (5)

An apparatus for arbitrarily modularizing connected reaction spaces containing side flaps, comprising an adhesive-coated fixing frame with round notched respective opposite frame sides for guiding the respective outer vessels of the connected reaction spaces, characterized in that above the adhesion coating an adhesive connection between the underside of the side flaps of the connected Reaction spaces and the top of the fixing frame allows and so any assembly of the device is made possible with connected reaction spaces Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that they use on their self-adhesive side before using peelable protective film is provided. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized that the fixation frame for connected reaction vessels made of thermostable plastic, preferably polycarbonate. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frame thickness between 0.2 and 5 mm. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adhesive coating according to the type of connected reaction vessels used applied to defined areas of the top of the frame is and of thermostable adhesives, preferably acrylate, cyanoacrylate, elastomeric silicone or epoxies.