EP0722136A2 - Thermostatised shaker - Google Patents

Thermostatised shaker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0722136A2
EP0722136A2 EP96100107A EP96100107A EP0722136A2 EP 0722136 A2 EP0722136 A2 EP 0722136A2 EP 96100107 A EP96100107 A EP 96100107A EP 96100107 A EP96100107 A EP 96100107A EP 0722136 A2 EP0722136 A2 EP 0722136A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
metal block
shaker
block thermostat
sample
thermostat
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96100107A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0722136A3 (en
Inventor
Joachim Schulz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE19512835A external-priority patent/DE19512835C2/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0722136A2 publication Critical patent/EP0722136A2/en
Publication of EP0722136A3 publication Critical patent/EP0722136A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
    • B01F31/20—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
    • B01F31/27—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes the vibrations being caused by electromagnets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
    • B01F31/20—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes
    • B01F31/275—Mixing the contents of independent containers, e.g. test tubes with means for transporting test tubes to and from the stirring device

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a metal block thermostat combination with a shaker for use in laboratories for biochemical, biotechnological and medical research as well as for diagnosis and also for quality assurance of biotechnological productions, e.g. in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.
  • the invention is used in the analysis of very small quantities, often in solution of volumes in the microliter range, such as in the implementation of enzymatically catalyzed synthesis and cleavage reactions of high molecular weight substances, e.g. DNA and proteins that require high temperature precision and gentle mixing of the reaction components, whereby damage to the sensitive enzyme molecules by shear forces must also be avoided.
  • high molecular weight substances e.g. DNA and proteins that require high temperature precision and gentle mixing of the reaction components, whereby damage to the sensitive enzyme molecules by shear forces must also be avoided.
  • the invention can also be used to carry out lengthy solution processes and reactions of salts and high-molecular organic substances and to carry out extractions in the microliter range, where slow, continuous mixing of solutions with different phase formation is important in order to achieve an increase in the yield.
  • the molecular forces in the sample vessel can be overcome from a certain limit, but the stronger, periodically successive movement impulses prevent defined, reproducible control of the undesired shear effect in the sample.
  • the problem of the invention is to create a shaker with a heated metal block for temperature control and for holding sample vessels, which enables gentle, gentle and effective mixing of sensitive high-molecular biochemical substances and, in particular, the creation of harmful shear forces on the molecules of the sample vessels Avoids substances.
  • a shaker metal block thermostat is designed as an electromechanically drivable linear shaker, the stroke and frequency and intensity of which are infinitely adjustable, as well as in time intervals, in single shock pulses and in the intensity of the single shock pulses by means of a known per se
  • the program circuit can be controlled manually or automatically and the sample container holder on or above the metal block thermostat with the sample containers is mechanically guided independently of the shaking mobility of the metal block thermostat and can be raised manually or by means of a program control known per se and locked in any stroke position.
  • the lifting height and also the temporal lifting sequence and the duration of the locking can be regulated.
  • the horizontal, linear single shock pulses can also be exerted on the metal block thermostats which are at a standstill and the sample vessel carrier is raised.
  • the bores for the sample vessels in the metal block thermostat of the linear shaker can be chamfered, rounded or bordered with an elastic plastic on their upper edge.
  • the metal block thermostat assumes a defined central position with respect to the raised sample vessel carrier, which can be elastically locked by at least one resilient element.
  • the electromechanical drive of the linear shaker can be a tapping mechanism, in particular for generating individual pulses that are infinitely adjustable in their intensity or their impact energy, the tapping mechanism of which hits the linearly movable and linearly sprung metal block thermostats or the sample vessel carrier with the lifting mechanism extended, in the same direction.
  • the advantages of the solution according to the invention are that gentle, gentle reaction impulses can be transferred to the sensitive high-molecular biochemical substances in the sample vessels by means of individual impulses which can be precisely defined in their impact energy.
  • the thermal shaker according to the invention thus makes it possible to mechanize or automate a manual flicking of each sample vessel with the fingers and also to make the impact energy reproducible at any time in a precisely defined manner. It is also advantageous that the mechanization of this flipping process means that the sample vessels are only raised for a very short time and only a very short distance, and not even completely out of the holes in the metal block thermostat with the sample vessel carrier.
  • the thermal shaker according to the invention is of compact design and is equipped with a control panel.
  • the compact design makes it easy to change the location of the device, e.g. into a laminar box for operation under sterile conditions.
  • the invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.
  • the metal block thermostat with sample vessel support and sample vessels of a thermal shaker is shown schematically with FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 shows in the drawing the metal block thermostat of a thermal shaker with a raised sample vessel carrier and sample vessels.
  • the metal block thermostat 3 is arranged shake-proof on the electromechanically driven guide plate 4 of the thermal shaker. In the metal block thermostat 3 there are bores conforming to the sample vessels 1, here for conical Eppendorf tups.
  • the metal block thermostat 3 assumes a certain central position fixed by the resilient elements 8, in which the holes in the metal block thermostat 3 are aligned with the openings for the sample vessels 1 in the sample vessel carrier 2.
  • the sample vessel carrier 2 Independently of the linearly horizontally movable guide plate 4 with the metal block thermostat 3 located thereon, the sample vessel carrier 2, which can be moved up and down by means of the sample vessel carrier lifting mechanism 7, is arranged above it.
  • the lifting mechanism 7 is designed such that the sample vessel carrier 2 rests on the metal block thermostat 3 in the fully lowered working state and is positively connected to it, the lifting mechanism 7 being uncoupled from the sample vessel carrier.
  • the lifting movements of the lifting mechanism 7 take place when the shaking mechanism 6 is at a standstill.
  • All movement sequences can be preselected by means of program switching and can be controlled automatically.
  • sample vessels 1 in the form of conical Eppendorf tubes are first introduced into the sample vessel carrier 2.
  • the sample vessel carrier 2 can be located outside the thermal shaker or can already be placed in the sample vessel carrier lifting mechanism 7 on or above the metal block thermostat 3.
  • the operating parameters such as temperature control, stroke, frequency and time intervals for the shaking process can now be selected by means of a program connection, and the shaking process can then be carried out.
  • the program sequence can also be selected such that the sample vessel carrier 2 with the sample vessels 1 is not completely lifted out of the metal block thermostat 3 and remains in such a position when the shaking mechanism 6 is in the middle position by means of the sample vessel lifting mechanism 7 / or is locked so that an annular gap 5 is formed between them and the bore in the metal block thermostat as a result of the conically shaped sample vessels 1.
  • a defined single shock pulse is then triggered on the metal block thermostat 3 directly or on the guide plate 4 via the shaking stroke mechanism 6 against the resilient element 8 so that the upper edge of the bore in the metal block thermostat 3 briefly touches or carries along the conical wall of the sample vessel 1 and thus realized a snap-on effect.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

Thermo-vibrator consisting of a combination of vibrator and metal block thermostat (3) for mixing and tempering samples in sample vessels (1), esp. for biochemical laboratories. Vibrator is a single pulse electromechanically driven linear vibrator. Stroke, vibration frequency and individual pulse intensity are freely adjustable. The time interval, pulse rate and pulse intensity may be manually or automatically controlled by an attached sequencer. The sample vessel holder (2), on or above the metal block thermostat (3), is driven mechanically with the sample vessels (1), independent of the vibration motion of the metal block thermostat, and may be raised or lowered manually or via a sequencer and fixed at each height.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Metallblockthermostat-Kombination mit einem Schüttler zur Verwendung in Laboratorien für die biochemische, biotechnologische und medizinische Forschung sowie bei der Diagnose und auch bei der Qualitätssicherung biotechnologischer Produktionen, z.B. bei der Herstellung pharmazeutischer Erzeugnisse.The invention relates to a metal block thermostat combination with a shaker for use in laboratories for biochemical, biotechnological and medical research as well as for diagnosis and also for quality assurance of biotechnological productions, e.g. in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

Die Erfindung wird angewandt bei der Analyse kleinster Stoffmengen, oft in Lösung von Volumina im Mikroliterbereich, wie bei der Durchführung von enzymatisch katalysierten Synthese- und Spaltungsreaktionen von hochmolekularen Stoffen, z.B. DNA und Eiweiße, die eine hohe Temperaturpräzision und eine sanfte Durchmischung der Reaktionskomponenten erfordern, wobei auch eine Schädigung der empfindlichen Enzymmoleküle durch Scherkräfte zu vermeiden ist.The invention is used in the analysis of very small quantities, often in solution of volumes in the microliter range, such as in the implementation of enzymatically catalyzed synthesis and cleavage reactions of high molecular weight substances, e.g. DNA and proteins that require high temperature precision and gentle mixing of the reaction components, whereby damage to the sensitive enzyme molecules by shear forces must also be avoided.

Anwendbar ist die Erfindung auch zur Durchführung langwieriger Lösungsvorgänge und Reaktionen von Salzen und hochmolekularen organischen Substanzen sowie zur Durchführung von Extraktionen im Mikroliterbereich, wo es auf eine langsame kontinuierliche Vermischung von Lösungen mit unterschiedlicher Phasenbildung ankommt, um auch eine Steigerung der Ausbeute zu erreichen.The invention can also be used to carry out lengthy solution processes and reactions of salts and high-molecular organic substances and to carry out extractions in the microliter range, where slow, continuous mixing of solutions with different phase formation is important in order to achieve an increase in the yield.

Bekannt sind Geräte , die Laborprobengefäße mit Inhalt sowohl temperieren als auch schütteln können.Devices are known which can both temper and shake laboratory sample vessels with contents.

Diese Geräte arbeiten alle nach dem Prinzip eines Kreisschüttlers, womit jedoch im vorgenannten Anwendungsbereich der Erfindung, nämlich im Mikroliterbereich, nur sehr unbefriedigende Durchmischungen von Reaktionskomponenten im Probegefäß realisierbar sind.
   Begründet ist dies damit, daß im Mikroliterbereich die Oberflächenspannung der Probenflüssigkeit zu einer Tropfenbildung im Probengefäß führt und sich durch die kontinuierlich kreisende Bewegung ein eingeschwungener, stationärer Zustand einstellt, wodurch der Tropfen, angetrieben von der Zentrifugalkraft, an die Wandung des Probengefäßes gedrückt wird und dort verbleibt. Dabei findet im Inneren der Probenflüssigkeit keine Durchmischung statt.These devices all work according to the principle of a circular shaker, but only very unsatisfactory mixing of reaction components in the sample vessel can be achieved in the aforementioned application area of the invention, namely in the microliter range.
The reason for this is that, in the microliter range, the surface tension of the sample liquid leads to droplet formation in the sample vessel and a steady, steady state occurs due to the continuously circular motion, whereby the drop, driven by the centrifugal force, is pressed against the wall of the sample vessel and there remains. There is no mixing inside the sample liquid.

Mit einer Erhöhung der Schüttelfrequenz lassen sich zwar ab einer gewissen Grenze die Molekularkräfte im Probengefäß überwinden, womit aber die kräftigeren, periodisch aufeinanderfolgenden Bewegungsimpulse eine definierte, reproduzierbare Beherrschung des unerwünschten Schereffektes in der Probe verhindern.With an increase in the shaking frequency, the molecular forces in the sample vessel can be overcome from a certain limit, but the stronger, periodically successive movement impulses prevent defined, reproducible control of the undesired shear effect in the sample.

Bekannt und üblich ist es in biochemischen und biotechnologischen Laboratorien, die Probengefäße aus dem Metallblockthermostat herauszunehmen und mit den Fingern anzuschnippen, um damit besonders schonend eine Durchmischung der Proben zu bewirken und um damit eine Reaktion auszulösen.It is known and customary in biochemical and biotechnological laboratories to remove the sample vessels from the metal block thermostat and to snap them on with your fingers in order to gently mix the samples and thus trigger a reaction.

Diese manuelle Methode ist sehr arbeitsaufwendig und deshalb insbesondere bei umfangreichen Versuchsreihen nicht effektiv realisierbar.This manual method is very labor-intensive and therefore cannot be effectively implemented, particularly in the case of extensive test series.

Sie führt auch zu einer unzulässig hohen Temperaturdestabilisierung des Probenmaterials.
   Problem der Erfindung ist es, einen Schüttler mit beheizbarem Metallblock zur Temperierung und zur Aufnahme von Probengefäßen zu schaffen, der eine sanfte, schonende und wirkungsvolle Durchmischung von empfindlichen hochmolekularen biochemischen Substanzen ermöglicht und insbesondere das Entstehen von schädlichen Abscherkräften an den Molekülen der in den Probegefäßen befindlichen Substanzen vermeidet.It also leads to an inadmissibly high temperature destabilization of the sample material.
The problem of the invention is to create a shaker with a heated metal block for temperature control and for holding sample vessels, which enables gentle, gentle and effective mixing of sensitive high-molecular biochemical substances and, in particular, the creation of harmful shear forces on the molecules of the sample vessels Avoids substances.

Erfindungsgemäß wird das Problem dadurch gelöst, daß ein Schüttler- Metallblock-Thermostat als elektromechanisch antreibbarer Linearschüttler ausgebildet ist, dessen Hub und dessen Frequenz und dessen Intensität stufenlos einstellbar sind, sowie in Zeitintervallen, in Einzelstoßimpulsen und in der Intensität der Einzelstoßimpulse mittels einer an sich bekannten Programmschaltung manuell oder automatisch steuerbar ist und dessen auf oder über dem Metallblock-Thermostat befindlicher Probengefäßeträger mit den Probengefäßen unabhängig von der Schüttelbeweglichkeit des Metallblock-Thermostaten mechanisch geführt und manuell oder mittels an sich bekannter Programmsteuerung elektrisch anhebbar und in jeder Hubstellung arretierbar ist.
   Mittels der Programmsteuerung ist die Hubhöhe und auch die zeitliche Hubfolge sowie die Dauer der Arretierung regelbar. Die horizontalen, linearen Einzelstoßimpulse können bei im Stillstand befindlichem Metallblock-Thermostaten und angehobenen Probengefäßeträger auch auf diesen ausübbar sein.According to the invention, the problem is solved in that a shaker metal block thermostat is designed as an electromechanically drivable linear shaker, the stroke and frequency and intensity of which are infinitely adjustable, as well as in time intervals, in single shock pulses and in the intensity of the single shock pulses by means of a known per se The program circuit can be controlled manually or automatically and the sample container holder on or above the metal block thermostat with the sample containers is mechanically guided independently of the shaking mobility of the metal block thermostat and can be raised manually or by means of a program control known per se and locked in any stroke position.
With the program control, the lifting height and also the temporal lifting sequence and the duration of the locking can be regulated. The horizontal, linear single shock pulses can also be exerted on the metal block thermostats which are at a standstill and the sample vessel carrier is raised.

Die Bohrungen für die Probengefäße im Metallblock-Thermostat des Linearschüttlers können an ihrer Oberkante angefast, gerundet oder mit einem elastischen Kunststoff umrandet sein. Im Stillstand der Schüttelmechanik nimmt der Metallblock-Thermostat eine definierte Mittelstellung zum angehobenen Probengefäßträger ein, die durch mindestens ein federndes Element elastisch arretierbar sein kann.The bores for the sample vessels in the metal block thermostat of the linear shaker can be chamfered, rounded or bordered with an elastic plastic on their upper edge. When the shaking mechanism is at a standstill, the metal block thermostat assumes a defined central position with respect to the raised sample vessel carrier, which can be elastically locked by at least one resilient element.

Der elektromechanische Antrieb des Linearschüttlers kann insbesondere zur Erzeugung von in ihrer Intensität bzw. ihrer Stoßenergie stufenlos einstellbaren Einzelimpulsen, ein Klopfwerk sein, dessen Klopfer auf den linear beweglichen und linear gefederten Metallblock-Thermostaten oder auf den Probengefäßeträger bei ausgefahrener Hubwerkmechanik linear gleichgerichtet auftrifft.
   Die Vorzüge der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung bestehen darin, daß sich mittels in ihrer Stoßenergie genau definierbarer Einzelimpulse sanfte, schonende Reaktionsanstöße auf die empfindlichen hochmolekularen biochemischen Stoffe in den Probengefäßen übertragen lassen.The electromechanical drive of the linear shaker can be a tapping mechanism, in particular for generating individual pulses that are infinitely adjustable in their intensity or their impact energy, the tapping mechanism of which hits the linearly movable and linearly sprung metal block thermostats or the sample vessel carrier with the lifting mechanism extended, in the same direction.
The advantages of the solution according to the invention are that gentle, gentle reaction impulses can be transferred to the sensitive high-molecular biochemical substances in the sample vessels by means of individual impulses which can be precisely defined in their impact energy.

Der erfindungsgemäße Thermoschüttler erlaubt damit, ein manuelles, mit den Fingern ausgeübtes Anschnippen eines jeden Probengefäßes zu mechanisieren bzw. zu automatisieren und auch die Stoßenergie genau definiert jederzeit reproduzierbar zu machen.
   Von Vorteil ist dabei auch, daß durch die Mechanisierung dieses Anschnippvorganges die Probengefäße nur sehr kurzzeitig und auch nur ein sehr kurzes Wegstück sowie nicht einmal vollständig aus den Bohrungen im Metallblock-Thermostaten mit dem Probengefäßträger angehoben werden.The thermal shaker according to the invention thus makes it possible to mechanize or automate a manual flicking of each sample vessel with the fingers and also to make the impact energy reproducible at any time in a precisely defined manner.
It is also advantageous that the mechanization of this flipping process means that the sample vessels are only raised for a very short time and only a very short distance, and not even completely out of the holes in the metal block thermostat with the sample vessel carrier.

Auf diese Weise wird auch eine Temperaturkonstanz der Proben in den Probengefäßen besser als auf herkömmliche Weise gewährleistet.
   Dies bedeutet auch eine höhere Sicherheit bei der Versuchsdurchführung im Labor und eine wesentliche Verbesserung der Effektivität der Forschungsarbeit.
   Der erfindungsgemäße Thermoschüttler ist von kompakter Bauart und ist mit einem Bedienpult ausgestattet.In this way, a constant temperature of the samples in the sample vessels is ensured better than in the conventional way.
This also means greater safety when carrying out tests in the laboratory and a significant improvement in the effectiveness of the research work.
The thermal shaker according to the invention is of compact design and is equipped with a control panel.

Er erlaubt bei Verwendung einer Prozessorsteuerung für Temperatur, Zeit und Schüttlermechanik sowie für die Probengefäßeträgerhubmechanik eine hohe Genauigkeit bei der Reproduzierbarkeit der Betriebsparameter und eine einfache Bedienung.When using a processor control for temperature, time and shaker mechanics as well as for the sample carrier lifting mechanism, it allows a high degree of accuracy in the reproducibility of the operating parameters and simple operation.

Die kompakte Bauweise ermöglicht einen leichten Standortwechsel des Gerätes z.B. auch in eine Laminarbox zum Betrieb unter Sterilbedingungen.
   Nachstehend wird die Erfindung an einem Ausführungsbeispiel näher erläutert.
   In der Zeichnung ist mit Fig. 1 der Metallblock-Thermostat mit Probengefäßeträger und Probengefäßen eines Thermoschüttlers schematisch dargestellt.The compact design makes it easy to change the location of the device, e.g. into a laminar box for operation under sterile conditions.
The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.
In the drawing, the metal block thermostat with sample vessel support and sample vessels of a thermal shaker is shown schematically with FIG. 1.

Mit Fig. 2 ist in der Zeichnung der Metallblock-Thermostat eines Thermoschüttlers mit angehobenem Probengefäßeträger und Probengefäßen dargestellt.2 shows in the drawing the metal block thermostat of a thermal shaker with a raised sample vessel carrier and sample vessels.

Auf der elektromechanisch angetriebenen Führungsplatte 4 des Thermoschüttlers ist der Metallblock-Thermostat 3 schüttelfest angeordnet. In dem Metallblock-Thermostat 3 befinden sich mit den Probengefäßen 1 gefäßkonforme Bohrungen, hier für konische Eppendorf-Tups.The metal block thermostat 3 is arranged shake-proof on the electromechanically driven guide plate 4 of the thermal shaker. In the metal block thermostat 3 there are bores conforming to the sample vessels 1, here for conical Eppendorf tups.

Bei Stillstand der Schüttelmechanik 6 nimmt der Metallblock-Thermostat 3 eine bestimmte, vom federnden Elementen 8 fixierte Mittelstellung ein , in welcher die Bohrungen im Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 mit den Öffnungen für die Probengefäße 1 im Probengefäßeträger 2 fluchten.When the shaking mechanism 6 is at a standstill, the metal block thermostat 3 assumes a certain central position fixed by the resilient elements 8, in which the holes in the metal block thermostat 3 are aligned with the openings for the sample vessels 1 in the sample vessel carrier 2.

Unabhängig von der linear horizontal beweglichen Führungsplatte 4 mit dem darauf befindlichen Metallblock-Thermostat 3 ist über demselben der mittels Probengefäßeträgerhubmechanik 7 auf-und abbewegliche Probengefäßeträger 2 angeordnet.Independently of the linearly horizontally movable guide plate 4 with the metal block thermostat 3 located thereon, the sample vessel carrier 2, which can be moved up and down by means of the sample vessel carrier lifting mechanism 7, is arranged above it.

Die Hubmechanik 7 ist so gestaltet, daß der Probengefäßeträger 2 im völlig abgesenktem Arbeitszustand auf dem Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 aufliegt und mit diesem formschlüssig verbunden ist wobei die Hubmechanik 7 vom Probengefäßeträger abgekuppelt ist.The lifting mechanism 7 is designed such that the sample vessel carrier 2 rests on the metal block thermostat 3 in the fully lowered working state and is positively connected to it, the lifting mechanism 7 being uncoupled from the sample vessel carrier.

Im angehobenen Arbeitszustand des Probengefäßeträgers 2 ist dieser formschlüssig mit der Hubmechanik 7 verbunden und vom Formschluß mit dem Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 gelöst.When the sample vessel carrier 2 is in the raised working state, the latter is positively connected to the lifting mechanism 7 and released from the positive connection with the metal block thermostat 3.

Die Hubbewegungen der Hubmechanik 7 erfolgen bei Stillstand der Schüttelmechanik 6 .The lifting movements of the lifting mechanism 7 take place when the shaking mechanism 6 is at a standstill.

Alle Bewegungsabläufe sind mittels Programmschaltung vorwählbar und automatisch steuerbar.All movement sequences can be preselected by means of program switching and can be controlled automatically.

Zur Inbetriebnahme des Thermoschüttlers werden zunächst Probengefäße 1 in Form von konischen Eppendorf-Tubs in den Probengefäßeträger 2 eingebracht.To start up the thermal shaker, sample vessels 1 in the form of conical Eppendorf tubes are first introduced into the sample vessel carrier 2.

Der Probengefäßeträger 2 kann sich dabei außerhalb des Thermoschüttlers befinden oder bereits in der Probengefäßeträger hubmechanik 7 auf oder über dem Metallblock-Thermostat 3 plaziert sein.The sample vessel carrier 2 can be located outside the thermal shaker or can already be placed in the sample vessel carrier lifting mechanism 7 on or above the metal block thermostat 3.

Sobald der Probengefäßträger 2 auf dem Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 aufliegt, ist dieser gegenüber der Probengefäßeträgerhubmechanik 7 frei beweglich und mit dem Metallblock-Thermostaten formschlüssig verbunden.As soon as the sample container support 2 rests on the metal block thermostat 3, it can move freely relative to the sample container support mechanism 7 and is positively connected to the metal block thermostat.

Er führt die Schüttelbewegungen des auf der Führungsplatte 4 befindlichen Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 mit aus.He performs the shaking movements of the metal block thermostat 3 located on the guide plate 4.

Mittels einer Programmanschaltung lassen sich jetzt die Betriebsparameter, wie Temperierung, Hub, Frequenz und Zeitintervalle für den Schüttelvorgang vorwählen, und der Schüttelvorgang läßt sich danach ausführen.The operating parameters such as temperature control, stroke, frequency and time intervals for the shaking process can now be selected by means of a program connection, and the shaking process can then be carried out.

Neben diesem Schüttelprogramm bzw. innerhalb dieses Schüttelprogrammes kann der Programmablauf auch so gewählt werden, daß der Probengefäßeträger 2 mit den Probengefäßen 1 bei Stillstand der Schüttelmechanik 6 in Mittelstellung mittels Probengefäßehubmechanik 7 nicht vollständig aus dem Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 herausgehoben wird und in solcher Stellung verbleibt und/oder arretiert wird, so daß sich infolge der konisch geformten Probengefäße 1 zwischen diesen und der Bohrung im Metallblock-Thermostaten ein Ringspalt 5 ausbildet.In addition to this shaking program or within this shaking program, the program sequence can also be selected such that the sample vessel carrier 2 with the sample vessels 1 is not completely lifted out of the metal block thermostat 3 and remains in such a position when the shaking mechanism 6 is in the middle position by means of the sample vessel lifting mechanism 7 / or is locked so that an annular gap 5 is formed between them and the bore in the metal block thermostat as a result of the conically shaped sample vessels 1.

Sodann wird ein definierter Einzelstoßimpuls auf den Metallblock-Thermostaten 3 direkt oder auf die Führungsplatte 4 über die Schüttelhubmechanik 6 gegen das federnde Element 8 so ausgelöst, daß die Oberkante der Bohrung im Metallblock-Thermostat 3 die konische Wandung des Probengefäßes 1 kurzzeitig berührt bzw. mitführt und damit einen Anschnippeffekt realisiert.A defined single shock pulse is then triggered on the metal block thermostat 3 directly or on the guide plate 4 via the shaking stroke mechanism 6 against the resilient element 8 so that the upper edge of the bore in the metal block thermostat 3 briefly touches or carries along the conical wall of the sample vessel 1 and thus realized a snap-on effect.

Mittels dieses Anschnippeffektes wird das manuelle Anschnippen des Probengefäßes 1 mit den Fingern nachgeahmt und damit dieser häufig unverzichtbare Arbeitsgang für eine schonende Reaktionsauslösung bei hochmolekularen, biochemischen Verbindungen mechanisiert und so ausgeführt, daß der Temperaturenabfall in der Probe auf ein Minimum reduziert ist. Durch das kurzfristige Herausheben der Probengefäße aus dem Metallblockthermostaten auf kurzem Weg wird der daraus resultierende Temperaturabfall der Proben minimiert.By means of this snap-on effect, the manual snap-on of the sample vessel 1 is mimicked with the fingers and thus this often indispensable process for gentle reaction initiation in high-molecular, biochemical compounds is mechanized and carried out so that the temperature drop in the sample is reduced to a minimum. By briefly lifting the sample vessels out of the metal block thermostat, the resulting drop in temperature of the samples is minimized.

Claims (6)

Thermoschüttler, bestehend aus einer Kombination von Schüttler und Metallblock- Thermostat (3) zum Vermischen und Temperieren von Proben in Probengefäßen (1), insbesondere für biochemische Laboratorien, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Thermoschüttler als elektromechanisch, auch in Einzelimpulsen, antreibbarer Linearschüttler ausgebildet ist, dessenHub, dessen Schüttelfrequenz und dessen Intensität von Einzelstoßimpulsen stufenlos einstellbar sind, sowie in Zeitintervallen, in Einzelstoßimpulsen und in der Intensität der Einzelstoßimpulse mittels einer an sich bekannten Programmschaltung manuell oder automatisch steuerbar ist und dessen, auf oder über dem Metallblock-Thermostat (3) befindlicher, Probengefäßeträger (2) mit dem Probengefäßen(1) unabhängig von der Schüttelbeweglichkeit des Metallblock-Thermostaten (3) mechanisch geführt und manuell oder mittels an sich bekannter Programmsteuerung elektromechanischer anhebbar und absenkbar ist und in jeder Hubstellung arretierbar ist.Thermal shaker, consisting of a combination of shaker and metal block thermostat (3) for mixing and tempering samples in sample vessels (1), in particular for biochemical laboratories, characterized in that a thermal shaker is designed as an electromechanical linear shaker which can also be driven in individual pulses, whose stroke, the shaking frequency and the intensity of single shock pulses are infinitely adjustable, as well as in time intervals, in single shock pulses and in the intensity of the single shock pulses can be controlled manually or automatically by means of a program circuit known per se, and whose control is located on or above the metal block thermostat (3) , Sample container support (2) with the sample container (1) is mechanically guided and can be raised and lowered mechanically or manually or by means of program control known per se, regardless of the shaking mobility of the metal block thermostat (3), and in any stroke position can be locked. Thermoschüttler nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die horizontalen linearen Einzelstoßimpulse bei im Stillstand befindlichen Metallblock-Thermostaten (3) und aus dem Metallblock-Thermostaten (3) angehobenen Probengefäßen (1) mittels einer Stoßmechanik auf den Probengefäßeträger ausübbar sein können.Thermal shaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal linear single shock pulses can be exerted on the sample holder by means of a push mechanism when the metal block thermostats (3) are stationary and the sample containers (1) raised from the metal block thermostat (3). Thermoschüttler nach Anspruch 1 und 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Hubhöhe des Probengefäßeträgers (2), die zeitliche Hubfolge desselben sowie die Dauer dessen Arretierung mittels Programmsteuerung regelbar ist.Thermal shaker according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the lifting height of the sample vessel carrier (2), the temporal stroke sequence thereof and the duration of its arresting can be regulated by means of program control. Thermoschüttler nach Anspruch 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Metallblock-Thermostat (3) bei Stillstand der Schüttelmechanik (6) eine definierte, vorzugsweise Mittelstellung einnimmt, in welcher der Metallblock-Thermostat (3) beweglich mittels mindestens einem federnden Element (8) arretierbar ist.Thermal shaker according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the metal block thermostat (3) assumes a defined, preferably central position when the shaking mechanism (6) is at a standstill, in which the metal block thermostat (3) can move by means of at least one resilient element (8). can be locked. Thermoschüttler nach Anspruch 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bohrungen für die Probengefäße (1) im Metallblock-Thermostat (3) des Linearschüttlers an ihrer Oberkannte angefaßt, gerundet oder mit einem elastischen Kunststoff umrandet sind.Thermal shaker according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bores for the sample vessels (1) in the metal block thermostat (3) of the linear shaker are gripped, rounded or edged with an elastic plastic on their upper edge. Thermoschüttler nach Anspruch 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die auf den Metallblock-Thermostaten (3) einwirkenden Einzelstoßimpulse von einem in der Schüttlermechanik (6) integrierten Klopfwerk oder elektromagnetisch erzeugt werden.Thermal shaker according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the individual shock pulses acting on the metal block thermostat (3) are generated by a tapping mechanism integrated in the shaker mechanism (6) or electromagnetically.
EP96100107A 1995-01-12 1996-01-05 Thermostatised shaker Withdrawn EP0722136A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19500654 1995-01-12
DE19500654 1995-01-12
DE19512835A DE19512835C2 (en) 1995-01-12 1995-04-06 Thermal shaker
DE19512635 1995-04-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0722136A2 true EP0722136A2 (en) 1996-07-17
EP0722136A3 EP0722136A3 (en) 1996-08-28

Family

ID=26011541

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96100107A Withdrawn EP0722136A2 (en) 1995-01-12 1996-01-05 Thermostatised shaker

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0722136A2 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10243209A1 (en) * 2002-03-22 2003-10-02 Endress & Hauser Wetzer Gmbh Device for cooling sampling unit comprises container for receiving sample bottle and/or sample container arranged in sampling unit, cooling unit and vaporizer
WO2004053446A1 (en) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-24 Thermogenic Imaging High throughput microcalorimeter systems and methods
US7276351B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2007-10-02 Seahorse Bioscience Method and device for measuring multiple physiological properties of cells
US8202702B2 (en) 2008-10-14 2012-06-19 Seahorse Bioscience Method and device for measuring extracellular acidification and oxygen consumption rate with higher precision
US8658349B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2014-02-25 Seahorse Bioscience Cell analysis apparatus and method
US10118177B2 (en) 2014-06-02 2018-11-06 Seahorse Bioscience Single column microplate system and carrier for analysis of biological samples
CN109621799A (en) * 2018-12-18 2019-04-16 安徽国泰众信检测技术有限公司 A kind of auxiliary device for vortex oscillator

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6326058B2 (en) 2012-11-13 2018-05-16 アジレント・テクノロジーズ・インクＡｇｉｌｅｎｔ Ｔｅｃｈｎｏｌｏｇｉｅｓ， Ｉｎｃ． Apparatus, insert and method for three-dimensional tissue measurement on controlled media flow

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2504269A1 (en) * 1973-11-14 1976-01-22 Osmo Antero Suovaniemi PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR EXACT PIPETTING OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS
US3944188A (en) * 1974-05-20 1976-03-16 Buchler Instruments Div. Of Searle Analytic Inc. Concentrating vortex shaker
US5112134A (en) * 1984-03-01 1992-05-12 Molecular Devices Corporation Single source multi-site photometric measurement system
US5229074A (en) * 1988-07-25 1993-07-20 Precision Systems, Inc. Automatic multiple-sample multiple-reagent chemical analyzer

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2504269A1 (en) * 1973-11-14 1976-01-22 Osmo Antero Suovaniemi PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR EXACT PIPETTING OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS
US3944188A (en) * 1974-05-20 1976-03-16 Buchler Instruments Div. Of Searle Analytic Inc. Concentrating vortex shaker
US5112134A (en) * 1984-03-01 1992-05-12 Molecular Devices Corporation Single source multi-site photometric measurement system
US5229074A (en) * 1988-07-25 1993-07-20 Precision Systems, Inc. Automatic multiple-sample multiple-reagent chemical analyzer

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10243209A1 (en) * 2002-03-22 2003-10-02 Endress & Hauser Wetzer Gmbh Device for cooling sampling unit comprises container for receiving sample bottle and/or sample container arranged in sampling unit, cooling unit and vaporizer
WO2004053446A1 (en) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-24 Thermogenic Imaging High throughput microcalorimeter systems and methods
US7276351B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2007-10-02 Seahorse Bioscience Method and device for measuring multiple physiological properties of cells
US7638321B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2009-12-29 Seahorse Bioscience, Inc. Method and device for measuring multiple physiological properties of cells
US7851201B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2010-12-14 Seahorse Bioscience, Inc. Method and device for measuring multiple physiological properties of cells
US8697431B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2014-04-15 Seahorse Bioscience, Inc. Method and device for measuring multiple physiological properties of cells
US8658349B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2014-02-25 Seahorse Bioscience Cell analysis apparatus and method
US10359418B2 (en) 2006-07-13 2019-07-23 Seahorse Bioscience Cell analysis apparatus and method
US8202702B2 (en) 2008-10-14 2012-06-19 Seahorse Bioscience Method and device for measuring extracellular acidification and oxygen consumption rate with higher precision
US10118177B2 (en) 2014-06-02 2018-11-06 Seahorse Bioscience Single column microplate system and carrier for analysis of biological samples
CN109621799A (en) * 2018-12-18 2019-04-16 安徽国泰众信检测技术有限公司 A kind of auxiliary device for vortex oscillator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0722136A3 (en) 1996-08-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1101119B1 (en) Dosing head for parallel treatment of a plurality of fluid probes
DE69115674T2 (en) APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
EP1036336B1 (en) Device for electrically triggered micro drop delivery
EP1110609B1 (en) System for sample processing in a multi-chamber device
EP1420875B1 (en) Motion element for small quantities of liquid
DE112012002014B4 (en) Sample processing apparatus, sample processing method and reaction container used in this apparatus and method
EP1081233B1 (en) Sample chamber for liquid treatment of biological samples
DE68910610T2 (en) Automatic vortex mixer.
EP1843854B1 (en) Device and method for the elimination of magnetic or magnetizable particles from a liquid
EP1032839B2 (en) Apparatus for automatic implementation of the pcr method
EP0676643B1 (en) System for contamination-free reaction processes
EP2408563B1 (en) Positioning device for a sample carrier
DE2504269C2 (en)
EP2030689B1 (en) Microplate support with magnets
DE29817223U1 (en) Device for taking up a cell culture
WO2003044537A1 (en) Device and method for treating magnetic particles
EP0722136A2 (en) Thermostatised shaker
EP3564680A1 (en) Sample processing system having a dosing device and thermal cycler
DE60015590T2 (en) A method of treating nucleic acid samples by vibration of a portion of a cartridge wall, system and cartridge for performing the same
DE19512835C2 (en) Thermal shaker
DE29706031U1 (en) Device for tempering and shaking samples in sample vessels
DE9018084U1 (en) Device for processing liquids
DE2953265A1 (en) MINIATURE REACTION VESSEL AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTRODUCING A MICROVOLUME OF LIQUID INTO SUCH VESSEL
DE69901808T2 (en) AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR GENERATING SAMPLES FOR CARRYING OUT CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL REACTIONS IN LIQUID MILIEU
DE4004198A1 (en) Controlling biochemical liq. injection into multiple oocytes - by automatic delivery from valve-controlled cannula

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT CH FR GB LI SE

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT CH FR GB LI SE

EL Fr: translation of claims filed
GBC Gb: translation of claims filed (gb section 78(7)/1977)
17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19961017

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19961128

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20010410