EP2532428B1 - Cartridge, centrifuge and method for mixing a first and a second component - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The basis for many biochemical processes is the mixing of different liquids. The mixing of the liquids takes place here regularly in a mixing chamber.

For example, the document describes WO 2007066783 (see also US 2009/0269854 A1 ) a microchip comprising a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber contains particles which are moved under the action of a centrifugal force.

The publication " Batch-mode mixing on centrifugal microfluidic platforms ", Grumann et al., Lab Chip, 5, pp. 560-565, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2005 describes a disc having a plurality of mixing chambers. The mixing chambers are filled with magnetic particles. The magnetic particles are reciprocated by means of permanent magnets disposed along a circular path to mix liquids in the mixing chambers as the disk rotates.

From the post-published European patent application EP 2514515 A1 is a cartridge with a first drum, which has a first chamber, and known with an adjusting device. The adjusting device is configured to rotate the first drum about the central axis thereof when the centrifugal force exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby conductively connecting the first chamber to a second chamber, the first and / or second chambers being formed as a mixing chamber is. From the dissertation of Markus Grumann with the title " Readout of Diagnostic Assays on a Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform ", University of Freiburg im Breisgau, October 30, 2005 (see also XP 002691220) is a microfluidic disk with a mixing chamber, which is pre-filled with magnetic balls known. The magnetic balls are moved under the influence of a time-varying magnetic field.

Advantages of the invention

The cartridge defined in claim 1, the centrifuge defined in claim 10 and the method defined in claim 14 have the advantage over conventional solutions that the cartridge with the first and second components is inserted into the centrifuge and thereafter the components under the action the electromagnetic force can be easily mixed. This can be done at a constant or varying speed, that is, mixing can occur regardless of the speed and the centrifugal force acting thereon.

From the dependent claims, advantageous embodiments of the invention.

"Component" in this case means a liquid, a gas or a particle. By the "first and second component", only two different states of the same substance may be meant: For example, the first component may be formed as a clumped portion and the second component as a liquid portion of the same substance.

"Electromagnetic force" in this case means the force acting on an electrically charged material in an electric field or a magnet, in particular permanent magnets, or a current-carrying conductor, in particular coil, in a magnetic field.

The "means for generating the electromagnetic force" may be formed as a permanent magnet, coil or capacitance. The corresponding magnetic fields are a field strength of typically 10 - 300 mT.

In the present case, "electromagnetic particles" are understood as meaning particles which comprise an electrically charged material or a magnetic or a magnetizable material, for example iron or nickel.

According to the invention, the cartridge further comprises: a first drum having a first chamber, an adjusting device adapted to rotate the first drum about the central axis thereof when the centrifugal force exceeds a predetermined threshold to thereby separate the first chamber with a second one Conductive chamber to connect, wherein the first and / or second chamber is formed as the mixing chamber. Advantageously, the first and / or second component can thus be transferred between the first and second chambers, with appropriate selection of the rotational speed of a rotor of a centrifuge with the cartridge. Depending on whether the first and / or second chamber is formed as a mixing chamber, the corresponding components in the first and / or second chamber can be effectively mixed. By "conductive" is meant liquid, gas and / or particle-conducting in the present case.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the adjusting device comprises a first bevel, which cooperates with a second bevel of the first drum to this from a first position in which this is in a form-fitting manner with a housing of the cartridge in the rotational direction about the central axis, to spend in a second position along the central axis and against the action of a return means in which the positive connection is canceled and the first drum rotates about the central axis. Thus, a simple mechanism is provided for adjusting the first drum about at least two defined positions in the rotational direction about the central axis.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the second chamber and / or a third chamber of the first drum with respect to the center axis upstream or downstream, wherein preferably the first chamber by means of the adjustment either with the second chamber or the third chamber is conductively connected. The mixing chamber can thus be the first drum forward and / or downstream or also provided in the first drum itself. In addition, the mixing chamber can preferably be optionally connected to different further chambers as required.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, a second drum, which has the second chamber, and / or a third drum, which has the third chamber. In the same way, however, the second drum may also have the second chamber and the third chamber, for example. The same applies to the third drum. By providing a plurality of drums, in particular a plurality of chambers, which are adjusted to one another, a wide variety of processes can be carried out automatically by means of the cartridge.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, this further comprises a means for generating the electromagnetic force. Characterized in that the means is part of the cartridge, the agent can be matched to a respective type of cartridge and securely connected to the corresponding cartridge. For example, the means may be formed as a coil or permanent magnet.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the means is integrated in a housing of the cartridge, in the first, second and / or third drum. As a result, the agent can be easily arranged in the mixing chamber.

According to a further embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the mixing chamber comprises a flexible membrane, which divides the container into a first and a second volume, wherein in the first volume, the at least one first and second component and in the second volume, the electromagnetic particles can be received are, by means of the electromagnetic particles under the action of the electromagnetic force, the membrane is deformable to mix the at least one first and second component. As a result, the particles are separated at any time from the first and second components, so that the particles can also be formed from, for example, non-sterile materials.

According to a further embodiment, the cartridge according to the invention further comprises the first and second components and the electromagnetic particles, wherein the first component is designed as a biochemical probe and the second component as a capture molecule, which binds the biochemical probe, wherein the electromagnetic particles, the first or second Wear component. As a result, the catcher molecules bind to the biochemical probes within a very short time.

According to a further embodiment of the centrifuge according to the invention, the at least one means is adapted to generate an electromagnetic force which acts counter to the centrifugal force, perpendicular to the centrifugal force and / or in the same direction as the centrifugal force. As a result, different mixing effects can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment of the centrifuge according to the invention at least a first and a second means are provided, wherein the first means on one side and the second means on the other side of a circular path along which the cartridge is movable during centrifugation, is arranged, and the first and second means are spaced apart along the circular path. Thus, the particles can be easily reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the circular path.

According to a further embodiment of the centrifuge according to the invention, the at least one means in a housing of the centrifuge, in particular in a bottom and / or cover thereof, integrated. This results in a simple structure.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the electromagnetic force changes while the cartridge is being centrifuged. The electromagnetic force may change with respect to its magnitude and / or direction.

Short description of the drawing

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.

Figur 1

schematisch einen Schnitt durch eine Kartusche gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figuren 2A-2G

perspektivische Ansichten verschiedener Bauteile der Kartusche aus Figur 1;

Figuren 3A-3E

verschiedene Betriebszustände der Kartusche aus Figur 1;

Figuren 4A-4E

Detailansichten einer Verstelleinrichtung entsprechend den verschiedenen Betriebszuständen aus Figur 3A-3E;

Figur 5

in einem Schnitt die Mischkammer aus Figur 1 samt weiterer Elemente;

Figuren 6A und 6B

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Zentrifuge gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung bzw. eine schematische Seitenansicht der Zentrifuge; und

Figuren 7A und 7B

eine Variante gegenüber dem Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 5, wobei zwei unterschiedliche Zustände gezeigt sind.

Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically a section through a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2A-2G

perspective views of various components of the cartridge FIG. 1 ;

Figures 3A-3E

different operating conditions of the cartridge FIG. 1 ;

Figures 4A-4E

Detail views of an adjustment according to the different operating conditions Figure 3A-3E ;

FIG. 5

in a section of the mixing chamber FIG. 1 including other elements;

Figures 6A and 6B

a schematic plan view of a centrifuge according to an embodiment of the present invention and a schematic side view of the centrifuge; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B

a variant over the embodiment according to FIG. 5 , where two different states are shown.

In the figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally identical elements, unless indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows in a sectional view a cartridge 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cartridge 100 includes a housing 102 in the form of a tube. For example, the housing 102 may be a 15 mL centrifuge tube, 1.5 mL, or 2 mL

Eppendorf tube or alternatively as a microtiter plate (e.g., 20 pL per well). The longitudinal axis of the housing 102 is designated 104.

In the housing 102, for example, a first drum 108, a second drum 106 and a third drum 110 are accommodated. The drums 106, 108, 110 are arranged one behind the other and with their respective central axes coaxial with the longitudinal axis 104.

The housing 102 is formed closed at its one end 112. Between the closed end 112 and the adjacent to this third drum 110, a return means, for example in the form of a spring 114 is arranged. The spring 114 may be in the form of a coil spring or a polymer, in particular an elastomer. The other end 116 of the housing 102 is closed by means of a closure 118. Preferably, the closure 118 may be removed to remove the drums 106, 108, 110 from the housing 102.

According to another embodiment, the spring 114 is disposed between the shutter 118 and the drum 106 so that the spring 114 is stretched to generate a restoring force. Other arrangements of the spring 114 are conceivable.

A respective drum 106, 108, 110 may have one or more chambers:

For example, the second drum 106 includes a plurality of reagent chambers 120 and another chamber 122 for receiving a sample, such as a blood sample, taken from a patient.

The first drum 108 connected downstream of the second drum 106 comprises a mixing chamber 124 in which the reagents from the chambers 120 are mixed with the sample from the chamber 122. In addition, the first drum 108 includes, for example, another chamber 126 in which the mixture from the mixing chamber 124 is separated into a liquid and a solid phase 128 and 130, respectively.

The third drum 110, which is in turn connected downstream of the first drum 108, comprises a chamber 132 for receiving a waste product 134 from the chamber 126. Furthermore, the third drum 110 comprises a further chamber 136 for receiving the desired end product 138.

The cartridge 100 has an outer geometry so that it can be used in a receptacle of a rotor of a centrifuge, in particular in a receptacle of a swing-bucket rotor or fixed-angle rotor of a centrifuge. During centrifugation, the cartridge 100 is moved by one in FIG. 1 schematically indicated pivot point 140 rotated at high speed. The pivot point 140 lies on the longitudinal axis 104, so that a corresponding centrifugal force 142 along the longitudinal axis 104 acts on each component of the cartridge 100.

The goal is now that various processes within the cartridge 100 are controlled by means of suitable control of the rotational speed. For example, the mixing chamber 124 is first to be fluidly connected to the chamber 122 to receive the sample from the chamber 122. Thereafter, the mixing chamber 124 is to be connected to the chambers 120 to receive the reagents from these. Subsequently, the reagents and the sample are to be mixed in the mixing chamber 124. Similarly, the processes in chambers 126, 132 and 136 should also be controlled.

The Figures 2A-2G perspective view of various components of the cartridge 100 from FIG. 1 , Based on Figures 2A-2G in particular an adjusting device 300 (see FIG. 3A ) which enables the partly speed-dependent control of the above-mentioned processes.

As in FIG. 2A shown, the housing 102 on its inside projections 200. The projections 200 are radially from the housing inner wall 202 toward the longitudinal axis 104. The projections 200 form between them slots 204 which extend along the longitudinal axis 104. The projections 200 are formed at their one end in each case with a slope 206. The slopes 206 face away from the pivot point 140 during operation of the centrifuge with the cartridge 100.

FIG. 2B shows the end 112 of the housing 102, which is formed according to this embodiment as a removable cap. The end 112 has at its inner periphery a plurality of grooves 208 which extend along the longitudinal axis 104.

Figure 2C shows the second drum 106 with the chambers 120, 122. The drum 106 has on its outer wall 210 a plurality of projections 212 which are different from the Outer wall 210 extend radially outward. In the assembled state of the cartridge 100, the projections 212 of the drum 106 engage in the slots 204 of the housing 102. As a result, a rotation of the drum 106 is locked about the longitudinal axis 104. However, the drum 106 is slidable along the longitudinal axis 104 in the slots 204. The second drum 106 furthermore has on its outer wall 210, in particular on its end 214 facing the first drum 108, a crown-like contour 216 which comprises a multiplicity of bevels 218, 220. Two bevels 218, 220 each form a point of the crown-like contour 216. The ramps 218, 220 also face away from the pivot point 140 during operation of the centrifuge with the cartridge 100.

FIG. 2D shows a view of the second drum 106 from Figure 2C from underneath. The underside 222 of the drum 106 assigned to the end 214 has a plurality of openings 224 in order to connect the chambers 120, 122 to the mixing chamber 124 of the first drum 108 in liquid, gas and / or particle form (hereinafter "conductive"). Alternatively or additionally, the openings 224 may also conductively connect the chambers 120, 122 to the chamber 126 of the first drum 108. A respective conductive connection is determined by the position of a respective opening 224 with respect to the chambers 124, 126. This position is achieved by rotating the first drum 108 relative to the drum 106, as will be explained in more detail later.

Figure 2E shows a lancing device 226, which in FIG. 1 not shown. Lancing device 226 includes a plate 228 having one or more spikes 230 disposed adjacent to an opening 232 in plate 228, respectively. The mandrels 230 serve to control a respective opening 224 in the underside 222 of the second drum 106 in a controlled manner, whereupon in particular liquid flows from the corresponding chamber 120, 122 through the opening 232 into the chambers 124 or 126.

Figure 2F shows the first drum 108 with the chambers 124, 126. At the bottom 234 of the chamber 126, for example, an opening 236 for a conductive connection of the chamber 126 with the chambers 132, 136 of the third drum 110 is provided. The first drum 108 has a plurality of projections 240 on its outer wall 238. The protrusions 240 are configured to engage the slots 204 (as well as the protrusions 212 of the second drum 106). As long as the projections 240 are engaged with the slots 240, rotation of the first drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is disabled.

However, the projections 240 together with the drum 108 are movable along the longitudinal axis 104 in the slots 204. The projections 240 have bevels 242, which point in the direction of the pivot point 140 during operation of the centrifuge with the cartridge 100 and are formed corresponding to the bevels 206 and 220.

FIG. 2G shows the third drum 110 with the chambers 132, 136. The drum 110 has projections 244 which project from the outer wall 246 of the drum 110 respectively. The projections 244 are adapted to engage the grooves 208 of the end 112 so that the drum 110 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction 104 in the grooves 208. A rotation of the drum 110 about the longitudinal axis 104 is thus locked.

The Figures 3A-3E show several operating conditions during operation of the cartridge 100 FIG. 1 , wherein an additional drum 302 is shown, but this is not relevant in the present case. The Figures 4A-4E correspond respectively with the Figures 3A-3E and illustrate the movement of the ramps 206, 218, 220, 242 relative to each other. In addition, however, it should be noted that FIG. 3B shows an operating state of the cartridge 100 which is more advanced than that in FIG FIG. 4B shown condition. In the Figures 3A-3E For example, the housing 102 is shown partially transparent to reveal the interior.

The projections 200, the slots 204, the bevels 206, the projections 212, the bevels 218, 220, the projections 240 and the bevels 242 form in conjunction with the return spring 114, the above-mentioned adjusting device 300 for defined rotation of the first drum 108 relative to the further drums 106, 110 about the longitudinal axis 104.

The FIGS. 3A and 4A show a first position in which the projections 240 of the first drum 108 engage in the slots 204 and thus a rotation of the drum 108 is locked about the longitudinal axis 104. If the rotational speed of the centrifuge is increased, then the second drum 106 pushes, by means of the bevels 220 of the contour 216, onto the bevels 242 of the first drum 108 against the action of the spring 114, compressing the spring 114. As a result, the first drum 108 moves in a direction away from the pivot point 140 as indicated by the corresponding arrows in FIGS FIGS. 4A and 4B indicated. This movement is continued until the protrusions 240 disengage from the protrusions 200. In this second position, rotation of the first drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is enabled, as in FIG FIG. 4C illustrated. Due to the interaction of the ramps 220 and 242, which are aligned at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis 104, for example, results in a force component, which automatically rotates the first drum 108 when it comes to the second position, as by in FIG. 4C indicated by arrows pointing to the left.

If the speed is now reduced again, which is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the centrifugal force, the spring 114 presses the first drum 108 by means of the third drum 110 again in the direction of the pivot point 140. As a result, the second drum 106 together with their bevels 220 also back in Direction of the pivot point 140 moves, whereby the bevels 242 of the first drum 108 come to rest against the bevels 206 of the housing 102 and slide along this while performing a further rotational movement of the first drum 108 in a third position, as in Figures 4D and 4E shown. In the third position, the projections 240 of the first drum 108 are again located in the slots 204 of the housing 102, so that further rotation of the drum 108 about the longitudinal axis 104 is again locked.

The process described above may be repeated as many times as desired to rotate the first drum 108 in a defined manner relative to the other drums 106 and 110.

FIG. 5 shows in a section of the mixing chamber 124 from FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, it would also be possible to form one of the chambers 120, 122 of the second drum 106 or one of the chambers 132, 136 of the third drum 110, which are upstream of the first drum 108, corresponding to the mixing chamber 124.

The mixing chamber 124 comprises a container 500 for receiving at least two components 502, 504. These are preferably those components which are provided by means of the second drum 106, for example by means of one or more of the chambers 120, 122. For example, the components 502, 504 may be designed as reagents or samples, in particular blood samples. FIG. 5 shows the container 500 as it contains a mixture of two liquids 502, 504. The liquids 502, 504 may have the same or a different density. The volume of liquid that can be received in the container 500 is typically up to 3 mL.

The mixing chamber 124 further comprises magnetic particles 506. The particles 506 may already be arranged in the mixing chamber 124 before the start of the centrifuging, for example, even before the cartridge 100 is inserted into the centrifuge. Alternatively, the particles 506 may be held in one or more chambers 120, 122 of the second drum 106 and initiated in a speed controlled manner at some time. In that regard, reference is made to the preceding, where the operation of the adjusting device 300 is described. Further, the particles 506 may be held in one or more of the chambers 120, 122 together with one of the liquids 502, 504, and later communicated together into the mixing chamber 124 (eg, the liquid 502 with the particles 506) by means of the adjustment device 300. Still further, for example, the particles 506 may be delivered from the chamber 120 before or after a blood sample has been introduced from the chamber 122 into the mixing chamber 124.

The particles 506 preferably have a permanent magnetic material, for example iron. More preferably, the particles 506 have a density which is greater than that of the liquids 502, 504. The particles 506 typically have a diameter of about 200 μm.

The centrifuge or cartridge 100 has a means 508 for generating a magnetic force 510 which acts on a respective particle 506. The means 508 is preferably designed as a permanent magnet, coil or capacitor. The means 508 is arranged in the present embodiment radially inward with respect to the mixing chamber 124 and the cartridge 100, respectively. An arrangement of the means 508 radially outward would be possible.

The generated magnetic force 510 preferably varies with time. This can be achieved, for example, once by the means 508 generating a temporally varying magnetic field. For this purpose, the means 508 is designed, for example, as a coil, which is suitably energized by means of a control device. In this case, the coil 508 may be a stationary part of the centrifuge. Alternatively, the coil 508 may be moved, for example, integrated into the rotor of the centrifuge, into a special rotor holder, into the cartridge 100, into the first drum 108 or into the container 500, and in particular powered wirelessly. Furthermore, the means 508 may be configured to generate a temporally constant magnetic field, wherein the mixing chamber 124 together with the particles 506 is moved relative thereto. For this purpose, the means 508 is for example as Permanent magnet formed. In this case, the means 508 deflects the particles 506 whenever the cartridge 100 passes the means 508 in its orbit.

According to the embodiment according to FIG. 5 the means 508 is formed as a coil. The magnetic force generated by the coil 508 by means of the control device acts against the centrifugal force 142 and exceeds it, for example, periodically. In particular, and due to the fact that the particles 506 have a higher density than the liquids 502, 504, the particles 506 reciprocate along the longitudinal axis 104 of the cartridge 100 in the liquids 502, 504, which is because of adjusting flows also leads to a movement of the particles 506 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 104.

Alternatively, the movement of the particles 508 can also be controlled exclusively by means of the coil 508. That is, the coil 508 generates a magnetic force 510 that acts alternately against the centrifugal force 142 and in the direction of the centrifugal force 142. In this case, the density of the particles 506 as well as the strength of the centrifugal force 142 plays no role or only an insignificant role.

In addition to mixing the liquids 502, 504, the method described can also be used to accelerate biochemical binding processes. In the mixing chamber 124 is then at least one liquid 502 containing at least one type of biochemical probe (e.g., DNA, antigens, antibodies, proteins, cells, gene sequences, amino acids). On the particles 506 is a type of capture molecule (e.g., DNA, antigens, antibodies, proteins, cells, gene sequences, amino acids) which binds precisely to this type of biochemical probe. As a result of the movement of the particles 506 through the liquid 502, an accelerated loading of the particles 506 with the biochemical probes takes place.

In another embodiment, the mixing of liquids 502, 504 and the binding of biochemical probes to the surface of a respective particle 506 take place in one process step.

FIG. 6A shows a schematic plan view of a centrifuge 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B schematically shows a side view of the centrifuge 600. The cartridge 100 is - except for the mixing chamber 124 - for simplicity in FIG. 6B not shown.

The cartridge 100 together with the chamber 124 is moved in a holder, not shown, of the centrifuge 600 on a circular path 602 about the pivot point 140. The centrifuge 600 has two permanent magnets 508, which are provided in each case stationary and for the sake of better distinction, designated by the reference numerals 604, 606. As in FIG. 6B can be seen, the one permanent magnet 604 below the circular path 602 and the other permanent magnet 606 above the circular path 602 is arranged. For this purpose, for example, the lower permanent magnet 604 is integrated into a bottom 608 of the centrifuge 600 and the upper permanent magnet 606 is integrated into a cover 610 of the centrifuge 600. In addition, the permanent magnets 604, 606 along the circular path 602 in the plan view from FIG. 6A offset from each other. For example, the permanent magnets 604, 606 are in relation to the pivot point 140 opposite.

Now moves the cartridge 100 together with the chamber 124 on the circular path 602 past the permanent magnets 604, 606, they each generate a magnetic force 510, which non-parallel, in particular substantially perpendicular, to the centrifugal force 142 acts on a respective particle 506. By arranging the permanent magnets 604, 606 on different sides of the circular path 602, the magnetic force 510 once passes downward and once upward as the permanent magnets 604, 606 pass, resulting in a corresponding reciprocation of the particles 506 down and up perpendicular to the centrifugal force 142 leads. In particular, the particles 506 thereby move over the entire inner container width 512.

Instead of the permanent magnets 604, 606, it would also be possible, for example, to use coils which are then energized and thereby generate the magnetic force 508 when they are passed by the cartridge 100 or mixing chamber 124.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a variant over the embodiment according to FIG. 5 , where two different states are shown.

The mixing chamber 124 according to FIGS. 7A and 7B comprises a flexible, in particular elastic membrane 700 made of, for example, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer or polyamide. The membrane 700 divides the container 500 into a first volume 702 and a second volume 704. In the first volume 702, the liquids 502, 504 are accommodated. The second volume 704 contains the particles 506 and optionally one Gas 706. Alternatively, the particles 506 may also be provided as a so-called ferrofluid.

The temporally variable magnetic force 510, in cooperation with the centrifugal force 142, now causes the particles 506 to reciprocate with respect to the pivot point 140, that is to say along the longitudinal axis 104, thereby deforming the membrane 700. The membrane 700 thereby acts on the liquids 502, 504 and thus mixes them. FIG. 7A shows a first state in which the magnetic force 510 acts on a respective particle 506, and FIG. 7B shows a second state in which no magnetic force 510 and only the centrifugal force 142 acts on a respective particle 506. In the second state, it is the first and second liquids 502, 504 that deform the membrane 700.

Advantageously, regardless of the rotational speed of the rotor of the centrifuge can thus be mixed in all the above embodiments. For example, can be mixed at constant, increasing or decreasing speed. According to one embodiment, the rotational speed of the centrifuge may be selected such that the corresponding centrifugal force 142 exceeds a predetermined threshold, so that the adjustment device 300 rotates the drum 108 with the mixing chamber 124, whereby the chamber 124 with another chamber 120, 122, 132, 136 is conductively connected. At the same time, the particles 506 are already moving in the container 500 and may thereby mix the components 502, 504 together while one or both components 502, 504 flow into or out of the mixing chamber 124.

Particularly preferably, the embodiments described herein are combined. In particular, this provides for the embodiments according to the FIG. 5 and Figures 6A and 6B such as FIGS. 7A and 7B and Figures 6A and 6B at. Thus, the particles 506 are then reciprocated in the longitudinal direction 104 and perpendicular thereto for each full revolution of the cartridge 100.

Furthermore, the mixing chamber 124 may comprise an obstacle structure, not shown, for example, a sieve or a grid structure, which is adapted, by the action of a centrifugal force (ie when the rotational speed of the centrifuge exceeds a predetermined threshold) through the liquids 502, 504 to move or to be flowed around by the liquids 502, 504 (the latter in the case of a stationary obstacle structure), thereby to mix them.

The housing 102 and the drums 106, 108, 110 may be made of the same or different polymers. The one or more polymers are, in particular, thermoplastics, elastomers or thermoplastic elastomers. Examples are cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer (COC), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or poly (methyl methacrylate) ( PMMA).

One or both drums 106, 110 may be formed integrally with the housing 102.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments, it is by no means limited thereto, but modifiable in many ways. In particular, it should be pointed out that the embodiments and exemplary embodiments described herein for the cartridge according to the invention can be applied correspondingly to the centrifuge according to the invention and to the method according to the invention for mixing a first and a second component, and vice versa. It is further noted that "a" in the present case does not exclude a plurality.

Claims (14)

1. Cartridge (100) for insertion in a centrifuge (600), said cartridge having a mixing chamber (124), which comprises a container (500) for at least one first and at least one second component (502, 504) and electromagnetic particles, wherein the electromagnetic particles (506) are movable by means of an electromagnetic force (510) to mix the first and second components (502, 504), further having a first drum (108), which has a first chamber (124), and
   a displacement device (300), which is designed to rotate the first drum (108) about the center axis (104) thereof when the centrifugal force (142) exceeds a predetermined threshold value so as to thus connect conductively the first chamber (124) to a second chamber (120, 122), wherein the first and/or second chamber (124) is/are formed as the mixing chamber.
2. Cartridge according to Claim 1, wherein the displacement device (300) comprises a first slanted edge (220), which cooperates with a second slanted edge (242) of the first drum (108) so as to bring the drum out of a first position, in which it engages with a positive fit with a housing (102) of the cartridge (100) in the direction of rotation about the center axis (104), and into a second position along the center axis (104), against the action of a restoring means (114), the positive fit being annulled in said second position and the first drum (108) rotating about the center axis (104).
3. Cartridge according to one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the second chamber (120, 122) and/or a third chamber (132, 136) is/are arranged upstream or downstream of the first drum (108), based on the center axis (104), the first chamber (124) preferably being connectable selectively and conductively to the second chamber (120, 122) or the third chamber (132, 136) by means of the adjustment device (300).
4. Cartridge according to one of Claims 2 or 3, wherein a second drum (106), which has the second chamber (120, 122), and/or a third drum (110), which has the third chamber (132, 136), is/are provided.
5. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a means (508) for producing the electromagnetic force (510).
6. Cartridge according to Claim 5, wherein the means (508) is integrated into a housing (102) of the cartridge (100), into the first, second and/or third drum (106, 108, 110).
7. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing chamber (124) has a flexible membrane (700), which divides the container (500) into a first and a second volume (702, 704), the at least one first and second components (502, 504) being receivable in the first volume (702) and the electromagnetic particles (506) being receivable in the second volume (704), the membrane (700) being deformable by means of the electromagnetic particles (506) under the effect of the electromagnetic force (510) so as to mix the at least one first and second components (502, 504).
8. Cartridge according to one of the preceding claims, further having the first and second components (502, 504) as well as the electromagnetic particles (506), the first component (502) being formed as a biochemical probe and the second component (504) being formed as a receptor molecule, which binds the biochemical probe, the electromagnetic particles (506) carrying the first or second component (502, 504).
9. Centrifuge (600), having
   a cartridge (100) according to one of the preceding claims and
   at least one means (508, 604, 606) for producing the electromagnetic force (510).
10. Centrifuge according to Claim 9, wherein the at least one means (508, 604, 606) is designed to produce an electromagnetic force (510) which acts against the centrifugal force (142), perpendicular to the centrifugal force (142) and/or in the same direction as the centrifugal force (142).
11. Centrifuge according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one first and at least one second means (604, 606) are provided, the first means (606) being arranged on one side of a circular path (602) along which the cartridge (100) is movable during centrifugation, and the second means (604) being arranged on the other side of said circular path (602), and the first and second means (604, 606) being distanced from one another along the circular path (602).
12. Centrifuge according to one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one means (604, 606) is integrated into a housing of the centrifuge (600), in particular into a base (608) and/or cover (610) thereof.
13. Method for mixing at least one first and second component (502, 504) in a cartridge (100), according to one of Claims 1 to 8, said method comprising the following steps:

    filling the container (500) of the mixing chamber (124) with the first and second components (502, 504); and

    producing the electromagnetic force (510), wherein the electromagnetic particles (506) mix together the first and second components (502, 504).
14. Method according to Claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic force (510) changes whilst the cartridge (100) is centrifuged.

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