Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/56—Labware specially adapted for transferring fluids
  • B01L3/563—Joints or fittings ; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
  • B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
  • B01L2200/027—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details for microfluidic devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
  • B01L2300/06—Auxiliary integrated devices, integrated components
  • B01L2300/0672—Integrated piercing tool
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
  • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
  • B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
  • B01L2400/0487—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure fluid pressure, pneumatics

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for introducing a liquid sample into a microfluidic system, which is provided in particular for fluidic connection to a diagnostic unit with a Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) system.
• LOC Lab-on-a-Chip
• LOC Lab-on-a-Chip
• Patient sample is placed in a disposable cartridge (without LOC system), which in turn is fluidly coupled to a diagnostic unit with the LOC system.
• a diagnostic unit with the LOC system.
• those patient samples are to be considered which are present in a liquid form, such as, for example, as a solution in sputum and lavage, as a urine sample or in blood samples in so-called blood collection tubes.
• the patient sample should be filled into the cartridge without loss of sample or laboratory contamination if possible. In the case of liquid solutions, this has so far mainly been achieved by pipetting into an opening in the cartridge.
• W0201 1/049718 discloses the input of liquid blood into the input port.
• the disadvantage here is the high manual effort for transferring the sample and a possible risk of confusion or contact of the medical staff with the liquid sample during the transfer.
• the device defined in claim 1 for introducing a liquid sample into a microfluidic system has the advantage that those previously required for the transfer of a liquid sample into the cartridge according to the prior art various manual steps to transfer the sample from the patient
• the gist of the present invention is to realize a direct transfer of a liquid sample of a patient from the sample container into the cartridge for a LOC, in which the sample container is first inserted directly into the cartridge, which is preferably designed as a disposable adapter component, and subsequently taken through an opening element of the cartridge, the liquid sample from the interior of the sample container, so that it can be made available to the LOC for further processing.
• the cartridge which is preferably designed as a disposable adapter component
• the present invention is now able to ensure processing of the liquid sample only after the cartridge has been loaded into the diagnostic device to
• the present adapter component in the region of the first predetermined receiving position has a limiting element, which forms a first stop in the direction of the opening element, wherein at the first predetermined
• the liquid sample is removed from the liquid sample
• sample container taken in the region of its septum, if this has such. In principle, however, the removal of the liquid sample at any point with respect to the sample container, if it is suitable for this purpose.
• the external plunger is preferred to the
• Diagnostic unit and is arranged by an associated actuator of the
• Diagnostic unit operated so that this relatively expensive module does not have to be disposed of together with the disposable cartridge, but is permanently available. The operator inserts the sample container up to the first one
• predetermined receiving position which is formed by the limiting element in the manner of a stop, in the receiving portion, wherein the septum of the
• the plunger pushes the sample container on the opening element, the septum is pierced and the liquid sample can then be transferred into the channel system of the cartridge.
• Opening element may be formed in the manner of a first hollow needle, and the at least one channel is fluidly connected to a second hollow needle, which is arranged at a distance from the first hollow needle. Then, the liquid sample from the sample container by emptying or sucking the sample container inside the cartridge during operation in the diagnostic unit can be done, the liquid sample can be sucked in this way only to the level of the hollow needle tip.
• the transfer of the sample container from the first predetermined pickup position to the second predetermined pickup position within the pickup section can be accomplished by rotating the sample container.
• This type of transfer forms an alternative to the above-described transfer by means of an external plunger and can advantageously realize, for example, a bayonet closure, which is formed by the sample container and the receiving portion.
• Sample container is first manually inserted into the cartridge up to the first predetermined picking position by the operator, then moved by (slight) indentation of the sample container for elastic deformation of the restricting member toward the opening member and then manually by the operator up to the second predetermined picking position Turning the sample container further inserted into the receiving section inside.
• Opening element may be formed such that it slits the sample container at least in sections when transferred to the second predetermined receiving position.
• the opening element is preferably designed in the manner of a knife, which penetrates by means of at least one blade, the septum of the sample container and / or a portion of the sample container, so that an opening for the liquid sample to the at least one channel of the adapter component is formed ,
• the opening member may act transversely to the thickness direction of the sample container so as to provide at least a line-shaped opening of the sample container.
• the contour of the knife for generating the opening in the sample container can be designed as desired.
• the opening in the sample container can be produced by means of a punched out.
• Opening element to be integrally formed together with a hollow needle.
• a particularly simple structure for the opening element is realized.
• the tip of the hollow needle is then arranged above the upper side of the opening element.
• the integrally formed opening element may be substantially congruent with the longitudinal axis of the
• the liquid sample from the sample container in the present receiving portion can be both by means of the external plunger and by rotating, starting from the first predetermined
• Opening element and the hollow needle are each designed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical, and during the transfer of the sample container, starting from the first predetermined receiving position to the second predetermined
• the pickup position first pierces the hollow needle the sample container and then slits the opening element on the sample container.
• the opening element here for example in the form of a knife, and the hollow needle designed rotationally symmetrical, it is possible to use the sample container by means of a bayonet closure in the
• the hollow needle pierces in particular the septum of the sample container centrally and then the bayonet closure can be inserted into the receiving portion.
• the opening member cuts through the septum or sample container and creates a second opening, i. next to the first opening, which was first formed by the action of the hollow needle.
• a recess in the adapter component for receiving the liquid sample from the sample container may be formed in the region of the opening element, which is fluidically connected to the at least one channel.
• the recess serves as a reservoir, in which the liquid sample collects after opening the sample container, in order subsequently to be pumped via the at least one channel for processing in the diagnostic unit.
• Opening element caused opening is pushed out of the sample container and then flows into the recess.
• Sample container realized by a hollow needle is preferably inserted into the septum or the sample container, through which the gaseous medium, here preferably air, can be pumped into the interior of the sample container, while due to the second opening, which was caused by the opening element to Exit of the liquid sample is available.
• the septum in the sample container points towards the orifice member or bottom of the sample container, to allow the introduced air to collect in the top of the sample container.
• FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a device for introducing a liquid sample into a microfluidic system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a device for introducing a liquid sample into a microfluidic system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a device for introducing a liquid sample (not shown) in a microfluidic system (not shown) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• the device has a
• Adapter component 10 which is preferably formed from a multi-layer structure (not shown).
• a multi-layer structure not shown.
• an upper component (not shown) and a lower component (not shown) are used, wherein
• Intermediate channels 20, 25 are formed, which are provided for the fluidic connection of the adapter component 10 with the microfluidic system.
• Components may consist of polymers, for example of thermoplastic polymers such as PC (polycarbonate), COC (Cylco-olefin copolymer), COP (cyclo-olefin polymer), PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene).
• thermoplastic polymers such as PC (polycarbonate), COC (Cylco-olefin copolymer), COP (cyclo-olefin polymer), PE (polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene).
• PC polycarbonate
• COC Cylco-olefin copolymer
• COP cyclo-olefin polymer
• PE polyethylene
• PP polypropylene
• the adapter component 10 has on its upper side a receiving portion 30 which essentially by a receiving element 31 and a in the
• Adapter component 10 formed projection 45 is formed.
• Receiving section 30 is provided for guiding and receiving a sample container 40, and has at its lower end a limiting element 50, which is formed in the manner of an elastic lip, which deforms elastically under the action of force.
• the limiting element 50 serves to position the sample container 40 after insertion of the sample container 40 in the receiving portion 30 in a first predetermined receiving position, wherein the sample container 40 is received in the longitudinal direction of the receiving portion 30.
• Fig. 1 shows the
• Sample container 40 in the first predetermined receiving position, in which the liquid sample of the patient is still stored in the interior of the sample container 40 and their removal is not yet possible in the adapter component 10 into it.
• the sample container 40 has on its underside a screw cap 41, which surrounds the region of the underside of the sample container 40 cylindrical.
• the screw cap 41 in turn has a septum 42 which is arranged in the middle region of the screw cap 41.
• Sample container 40 take place, the sample container 40 is transferred from the first predetermined receiving position to a second predetermined receiving position within the receiving portion 30 (see the two small arrows below the limiting element 50 in Fig. 1), in which a below the
• Receiving section 30 arranged in the adapter component 10 opening element 60 penetrates the sample container 40 such that the liquid sample of the sample container 40 is in the channel 20 can be transferred.
• the second predetermined receiving position is determined by the projection 45, which contacts the screw cap 41 in the second predetermined receiving position and thus acts as a stop for the sample container 40. Further insertion of the sample container 40 over the second predetermined
• the opening member 60 is formed in the shape of two hollow needles 100, 110, which are fixed inside the adapter component 10 and spaced from each other.
• the transfer of the sample container 40 from the first predetermined pickup position to the second predetermined pickup position is accomplished by means of an external plunger 70 which is part of a diagnostic unit (not shown).
• a large arrow in the region of the plunger 70 indicates the direction of its action on the sample container 40.
• Sample container 40 is generated, which brings the liquid sample located in the sample container 40 to drain via the hollow needle 100 and the channel 20, the discharge channel. From the channel 20, the liquid sample passes for further processing in a coupled LOC (not shown) of the microfluidic system.
• the overpressure in the feed channel 25 may be generated via a pump (not shown) located outside of the adapter component 10, for example in the coupled LOC or as an external component, such as a syringe or peristaltic pump, and may be outside and / or inside the pump
• Adapter component 10 and / or the LOC arranged valves are controlled.
• the overpressure is in the range of 10 to 2500 mbar, and here preferably between 50 and 1000 mbar.
• Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a device for introducing a liquid sample (not shown) into a microfluidic system (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• the device also has a
• Adapter component 10 which is preferably formed from a multi-layer structure (not shown).
• the adapter component 10 shown in FIG. 2 essentially corresponds to the adapter component shown in FIG. 1, but that is
• Adapter component 10 will be described.
• Fig. 2 shows the sample container 40 in the second predetermined receiving position in which the screw cap 41 of the sample container 40 with the projection 45 in contact. Below the projection 45, a seal 120 is formed, which is a
• Receiving portion 30 realized in the adapter component 10. In the area below the receiving portion 30 is a recess 90 in the adapter component 10th
• the opening element 60 is designed such that it slits the sample container 40 at least in sections when it is transferred to the second predetermined receiving position, the opening element 60 being formed integrally together with a hollow needle 80.
• the opening element 60 is in this case formed from a plurality of knives, which are arranged substantially in the region of the upper side of the hollow needle 80 along the outer periphery thereof.
• the integrally formed opening member 60 is arranged substantially congruent with the longitudinal axis of the receiving portion 30.
• the hollow needle 80 is designed analogously to the hollow needle 1 10 according to the embodiment of FIG.
• a positive pressure is applied to a channel 21, the feed channel, which is connected to the hollow needle 80,
• a pneumatic overpressure so that over the hollow needle 80, an overpressure in the sample container 40 is generated, which in the sample container 40 located liquid sample (not shown) for flowing into the recess 90 via a further opening (not shown), which through the Slitting the septum 42 of the sample container 40 is formed when it is transferred to the second predetermined receiving position, and the channel 20, the discharge channel brings.
• Sample container 40 in the second predetermined receiving position in the recess 90 by pumping a gaseous medium, preferably air, through the hollow needle 80, whereby the liquid sample is pushed out of the sample container 40 by the opening caused by the opening member 60 and then into the recess 90 flows.
• a gaseous medium preferably air
• the opening member 60 and the hollow needle 80 are each substantially identical

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
• Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Country Status (5)

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Family Cites Families (11)

• 2013
  • 2013-08-07 DE DE102013215565.4A patent/DE102013215565A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2014
  • 2014-07-24 US US14/910,700 patent/US20160175842A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-07-24 EP EP14742515.1A patent/EP3030348A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-07-24 WO PCT/EP2014/065869 patent/WO2015018644A1/de active Application Filing
  • 2014-07-24 CN CN201480044208.1A patent/CN105408023A/zh active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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