WO2017203087A1

WO2017203087A1 - Adapter for the hermetic closure of containers or recipients

Info

Publication number: WO2017203087A1
Application number: PCT/ES2017/070354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aitor EZKERRA FERNÁNDEZ; Diana ENÉRIZ ENÉRIZ; Yaiza BELACORTU PASTOR; Miguel Ángel RONCALÉS POZA
Original assignee: Laboratorios Alpha San Ignacio Pharma S.L. (Alphasip)
Priority date: 2016-05-25
Filing date: 2017-05-25
Publication date: 2017-11-30

Abstract

The present invention provides an adapter for closing recipients, which has a shape compatible with automatic and manual equipment for managing liquids (mainly pipettes or dispensers), which equipment is used in a variety of biological, medical or chemical protocols. The adapter is made from a single part, it not being necessary to use any other type of device or part to produce the closure. In terms of functionality, two parts can be distinguished: an upper part with a cavity through which the end of a pipette is inserted, the geometry of said upper part allowing the adapter to be adjusted and, therefore, the transport thereof to the recipient; and a lower part with or without a cavity, which is inserted into the recipient and, owing to the geometry thereof, produces a hermetic closure.

Description

Adapter for sealing containers or containers

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention specifically relates to utensils or devices normally used in biological or chemical protocols. In particular, to an adapter for closing containers or containers, such as tubes, vials, wells, bottles, cartridges, cameras or channels and with a form compatible with automatic and manual liquid management equipment (mainly pipettes or dispensers) , used in a variety of biological, medical or chemical protocols.

Background of the invention

Biological and chemical protocols often use containers or containers to contain reagents or products of a reaction. During such protocols, it is common for the containers to remain initially open to introduce the reagents. However, it is essential to be able to close the containers tightly when necessary, since the content can be highly sensitive, dangerous, contaminating and / or volatile. Sometimes the reaction conditions can promote evaporation, causing contamination problems, loss of reagents and / or incorrect results.

On many occasions, it is necessary that said reagent introduction protocols be carried out with a pipette or other means of automatic liquid management, in order to preserve cleanliness, reduce human error or maintain a constant process rhythm. On many other occasions, this reagent addition process is performed with a pipette or other means of manual liquid management, in order to avoid contact with hands or gloves, while preserving cleanliness.

The main examples of current closure (septum, membranes, screw caps, caps or compression caps) require that the user place them on the container and exert the closure by applying manual force directly, either by insertion, compression or torsion. Therefore, these closures are not adapted so that the force is exerted by the end of the pipette or other means of dispensing liquids. Likewise, said closures are not adapted to be hooked and transported. by these same means, increasing the complexity of the necessary processes or automatisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems raised in the preceding paragraph, since it provides an adapter for closing said containers with a form compatible with automatic and manual liquid management equipment (mainly pipettes or dispensers), used in a variety of biological, medical or chemical protocols. For this, the adapter has a suspension part (2) (see figures for numerical references of the parts of the adapter) with a cavity (1) compatible with the geometry of the head of the pipette or dispenser, so that it can fit into the same to be transported to the container. Once placed on the container, the adapter can be pushed against the opening of the container, using the pipette, so that the lower part of the closure (3) is inserted into the container and exerts, due to its geometry, a tight seal. Finally, the adapter tightly fitted in the container can be separated from the end of the pipette by the means typically used by these systems, such as ejectors, plungers, overpressure or other direct drive means on the adapter. Subsequently, it is possible to re-fit the end of the pipette into the adapter to transport the adapter / container assembly to the desired area, hooked to the end of the pipette.

Brief description of the figures Figure 1 -. 3D image of the adapter object of the invention, showing the upper part (2) comprising a cavity (1) adapted for the introduction of the pipette end (4) and the lower part, with or without cavity, (3) adapted to the container to close it tightly.

Figure 2-. Pipette end, (a) with the ejector retracted to show the relief where (5) the upper part of the adapter fits; (b) with the ejector displaced in the position of separation of the adapter. Figure 3-. Image of the adapter and container assembly fitted and attached to the end of the pipette. The pipette end is shown in (6), the adapter object of the present invention in (7) and the container in (8). Once separated, the adapter / container assembly has a tight seal. Figure 4-. Description of the closing sequence, first with the adapter fitted in its upper part (3) at the end of the pipette, the container being open, and second with the adapter fitted in the container, exerting a tight seal, and already separated from the Pipette end fitted to the adapter in the container. Figure 5- Image of the adapter assembly (7) and container (8) attached to the end of the pipette (6) for a specific application

Description of the invention

The device object of this invention is an adapter for the sealing of containers or containers. Due to its shape, said adapter can only be manipulated by means of automatic or manual liquid management devices, such as pipettes or dispensers. Such manipulation includes the fitting of the upper part of the adapter to the end of the pipette, its transport to the container, the fitting of the lower part of the adapter in the container for sealing and the release of the upper part of the end adapter. of the pipette. Additionally, it is also possible to transport the adapter / container assembly to the desired area once the seal is made. The main objective of the adapter is to provide a tight seal that prevents evaporation of the reagents contained in the container, preferably, when it is subjected to temperature increases (which may be close to that of boiling, for example, during amplification protocols of nucleic acids).

The adapter consists of a single piece, not requiring the use of any other device or part to achieve closure. From the point of view of functionality, two parts can be distinguished: - An upper part with a cavity, through which the end of the pipette is introduced and whose geometry allows adjusting the adapter and, therefore, allows its transport to the container.

- A lower part, with or without a cavity, which is inserted into the container and exerts, due to its geometry, a tight seal.

Said geometry may vary to adapt to different types of containers, closing them in some of the following ways or combination thereof:

- Entering it and exerting pressure on its internal walls

- Covering the outer edges and walls at the open end of the container - Entering it and covering the outer and inner edges and walls at the open end of the container

The geometry of the adapter is ideal for transport, since the diameter of the cavity of the upper part is equal to or slightly smaller than the end of the pipette, preventing the adapter from detaching by gravity. Once the adapter is inserted into the container and it is tightly fitted in it, it is possible to separate it from the end of the pipette by the means typically used by these systems, such as ejectors, plungers, overpressure or other direct drive means on the adapter.

The adapter is shown in Figure 1.

The end of the pipette, prior to fitting the adapter, is shown in Figure 2. This end has reliefs to which the cavity in the upper part of the adapter is adjusted (since its diameter is equal or slightly smaller), allowing its transport without being separated by gravity. This end can also be smooth, so that the adapter fits it because it has a geometry whose dimension is equal to or slightly greater than the dimensions of the end.

The adapter and container assembly, at the time of closure, is shown in Figure 3.

The fitting of the adapter, hooked by its upper part (2) to the end of the pipette, with the container, to which it is hooked by its lower part (3) to effect a tight seal, and its subsequent separation from the end of the pipette, It is shown in Figure 4. Therefore, a first aspect of the invention relates to an adapter for the sealing of containers or containers consisting of a single piece characterized in that it comprises: a. A suspension part (2) with an open cavity (1) that allows the introduction of the end of a manual or automatic pipette (4), or of any other automatic or manual liquid management system or means, comprising a suction hole and liquid dispenser, and having a complementary geometry or a diameter equal to or smaller than the end of the pipette or the liquid management medium, and allowing the head to fit the adapter preventing the adapter from detaching; and b. A lower part (3), with or without a cavity, which is introduced or covers the external and optionally internal edges and walls of the container or container and exerts, due to its geometry, a hermetic seal, where said adapter is of a non-material thermoplastic porous As shown in Figure 1, the upper part of the adapter (2) contains an open cavity (1) where the end of a manual or automatic pipette (4) is inserted. The objective of this cavity is, therefore, the introduction of the end of the pipette so that this end fits into the cavity (1) allowing the adapter to be transported in the pipette (see figures 3 and 4). For this purpose, said cavity must have a complementary geometry or a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the end of the pipette, preventing the adapter from detaching from the pipette during transport. Taking into account that the containers or containers object of this invention (mainly tubes, vials, wells, bottles, cartridges, chambers and channels) have a volume between 2μΙ and 20 ml_, preferably, said cavity will have a diameter between 0 , 5mm and 10mm, or preferably between 5mm and 6mm or between 4mm and 7mm or between 0.5mm and 3mm.

It is noted that in the context of the present invention, "pipette end" means the free end of a pipette or other means of automatic or manual liquid management, which contains the suction and liquid dispensing orifice. In the context of the present invention, the term "prevent the adapter from detaching" is understood as preventing the adapter from separating from the end of the pipette by gravity, rather than by the active means typically used by these systems, such as pushbuttons, plungers, overpressure or other direct drive means on the adapter. For this, the diameter of the cavity (1) of the upper part of the adapter (2) must have a complementary geometry or a diameter equal to or slightly less than that of the point of contact with the end of the pipette, which is between 0, 5mm and 10mm, or preferably between 5mm and 6mm or between 4mm and 7mm or between 0.5mm and 3mm.

Additionally, the adapter of the first aspect of the invention comprises a lower part (3) as shown in Figure 1. Said lower part must allow the container or container to be closed tightly using the pipette or liquid management means attached to the upper part (2) of the adapter. To do this, the closure or adapter can fit and seal the container or container in various ways as explained above. In either case, once the adapter has hermetically closed the container or container, the pipette or liquid management means has to eject the adapter by the active means typically used by these systems, such as ejectors, plungers, overpressure or other means of direct drive on the adapter.

In the context of the present invention, "hermetic closure" means that the adapter, once inserted into the container and after separating from the end of the pipette or the liquid management medium, exerts a closure that does not allow the passage of gases or liquids between inside and outside (and vice versa).

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the lower part (3) is introduced into the container or container by exerting pressure on the inner walls of the container or container so that a tight seal of said container or container is produced. Preferably, for this purpose the lower part (3) has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, or preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm or between 1 mm and 3 mm, which is adjusted to the container by means of a straight or conical profile with a diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm, between 4 mm and 10 mm, between 0.1 mm and 10mm or between 10mm and 20mm. The penetration depth in the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 7.5 mm and 10 mm, between 4 mm and 7.5 mm, between 4 mm and 10 mm, between 10 mm and 30 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm. The length of the lower part varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 8 mm and 10 mm, between 8 mm and 30 mm, between 4 mm and 8 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm. In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the lower part (3) covers the outer edges and walls of the container or container by exerting pressure on said walls so that a tight seal of said container or container is produced. Preferably, for this purpose the lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm or preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm or between 1 mm and 3mm, which covers the container in its outer part by means of an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20mm or preferably between 4mm and 6mm, between 4mm and 10mm, between 0 , 1mm and 10mm or between 10mm and 20mm. The length of the adapter covering the outer part of the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 0.75 mm and 10 mm, between 0.4 mm and 0.75 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm. The length of the lower part (3) varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 8 mm and 10 mm, between 8 mm and 30 mm, between 4 mm and 8 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm.

In another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the lower part (3) covers the outer and inner edges and walls of the container or container by exerting pressure on said walls so that a tight seal of said container or container is produced. Preferably, for this purpose the lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm or preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm or between 1 mm and 3mm, which covers the container in its external part through an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20mm or preferably between 4mm and 6mm, between 4mm and 10mm, between 0 , 1mm and 10mm or between 10mm and 20mm. The length of the adapter covering the outer part of the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 0.75 mm and 10 mm, between 0.4 mm and 0.75 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm. With respect to the internal part of the container, the lower part of the adapter (3) also has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm or preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, between 0.1 mm and 0.6mm or between 1mm and 3mm, which fits inside the container by means of a straight or conical profile with a diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and between 0.1mm and 20mm or preferably between 4mm and 6mm , between 4mm and 10mm, between 0.1mm and 10mm or between 10mm and 20mm. The penetration depth in the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm or preferably between 7.5 mm and 10 mm, between 4 mm and 7.5 mm, between 4 mm and 10 mm, between 10 mm and 30 mm or between 0.1 mm and 4 mm.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the adapter is characterized in that: to. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm. The section of said cavity can be straight or conical and have a length between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. b. The lower part (3) has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between

0.1 mm and 3 mm, which fits inside the container by means of a straight or conical profile with a diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20 mm. The depth of penetration into the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. The length of the lower part (3) varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. In yet another preferred embodiment, the adapter is characterized in that: a. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm. The section of said cavity can be straight or conical and have a length between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. b. The lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and

3mm, which covers the container in its external part by means of an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20mm. The length of the adapter that covers the outside of the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. The length of the lower part (3) varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. In yet another preferred embodiment, the adapter is characterized in that: a. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm. The section of said cavity can be straight or conical and have a length between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. b. The lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and

3mm, which covers the container in its external part through an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20mm. The length of the adapter that covers the outside of the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. With respect to the internal part of the container, the lower part of the adapter (3) also has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, which fits the container in its internal part by means of a straight profile or conical diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20 mm. The depth of penetration into the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm. The length of the lower part (3) varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm.

Preferably, the upper part (2) of the adapter comprises the following dimensions: A depth of 0.5mm to 20mm, a diameter (external) of 0.6mm to 30mm and a thickness of 0.1mm to 3mm.

It is noted that the material used for the preparation of the adapter must avoid contamination by external agents, leaks or spills of the container or container as well as avoid evaporation of the contents of said container during transport, use or storage. For this purpose the material used must be non-porous, preferably a thermoplastic, more preferably a material selected from the list consisting of Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyvinylchloride Vinyl (PVC), Polyether ketone (PEEK), Cyclic olefin polymers (COP), Cyclic olefin co-polymers (COC), Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), High density polyethylene (HDPE), Polymethylmethaclate (PMMA), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyamides, Polytetrafluorotylene (PTFE), and Polyimides. It is important to emphasize that the material should be among those used preferably in the manufacture of medical and laboratory consumables, so the thermoplastic used would preferably be Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyvinylchloride (PVC), High Polyethylene density (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polyethylene (PE), Cyclic Olefin Polymers (COP) or Cyclic Olefin Co-Polymers (COC). It is important to highlight that the main condition is that the material is little or not porous in order to prevent the pores from retaining the contents of the container or that the vapors escape through them aided by overpressure. This excludes materials such as Silicones, Dimethylpolysiloxane, Polysiloxane, Polyurethane Foams, Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) and Thermoplastic Definite (TPO).

Additionally, it should be taken into account that, although in the present invention it is mainly implemented in pipettes, it can be extended to a variety of liquid or reagent dispensing systems. In this sense, the adapter of the present invention could be resized for that purpose.

A second aspect of the invention refers to the use of the adapter as defined in the first aspect of the invention or in any of its embodiments. preferred, for the tight closing of containers or containers by means of a liquid or reagent dispensing system. Preferably, by the action of a manual or automatic pipette.

Next, and by way of illustration, we exemplify the present invention. Example

In a specific embodiment (see figure 5), the adapter is characterized in that: a. The open cavity (1) has conical geometry throughout its length. At a depth of 3mm its diameter is 5mm, this dimension being slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the contact points. The section of said cavity has a length of 11 mm. The thickness of said cavity is 0.6mm, providing the necessary stiffness at the point of contact to allow said cavity to be inserted into the end of the pipette, in this case automatic, without being able to detach by gravity. b. The lower part (3) has a hollow section, with a thickness of 0.4mm, which fits inside the container thanks to the conical profile it incorporates and a raised area. The dimension of both the conical profile and the relief is greater than the dimension of the conical profile that incorporates the container in that area. The container in the upper area, where the contact area between the adapter and the container takes place has a conical profile between 5.4mm and 6.4mm. The depth of penetration of the adapter into the container is 7.5mm. The length of the bottom part (3) is 8mm.

The example adapter is adapted to a container that can accommodate a total volume of 330μ alber and in which the reaction volume can range between 0.2μί and 127μί. The manufacturing material of this adapter for this specific application is PP.

Claims

one . Adapter for the hermetic closing of containers or containers consisting of a single piece characterized because it comprises: a. An upper part (2) with an open cavity (1) that allows the introduction of the end of a pipette (4) of manual or automatic type and that has a complementary geometry or a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the end of the pipette and allowing the end to fit the adapter preventing the adapter from detaching; and b. A lower part (3), with or without a cavity, which introduces or covers the external and optionally internal edges and walls of the container or container and exerts, due to its geometry, a hermetic seal by pipette action; wherein said adapter is made of a non-porous thermoplastic material.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm.

3. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lower part (3) is introduced into the container or container by exerting pressure on the inner walls of the container or container so that a tight seal of said container is produced or container per pipette action.

4. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lower part (3) covers the outer edges and walls of the container or container by exerting pressure on said walls so as to produce a tight seal of said container or container by pipette action.

5. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the lower part (3) covers the outer and inner edges and walls of the container or container by exerting pressure on said walls so as to produce a hermetic and irreversible seal of said container or container by action of the pipette.

6. The adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that: to. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm; and b. The lower part (3) has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, which is adjusted to the inside of the container by means of a straight or conical profile of diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and comprised between 0.1 mm and 20mm.

7. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that: a. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm; and b. The lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, which covers the container in its external part by means of an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0, 1mm and 20mm.

8. The adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that: a. The open cavity (1) has a diameter between 0.5mm and 10mm, being equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the pipette end at the point of contact, located at a depth between 0.1mm and 30mm and where the section of said cavity can be straight or conical and have a length between 0.1 mm and 30mm; and b. The lower part (3) has a hollow section with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and

3mm, which covers the container in its external part by means of an opening with a straight or conical profile, of a diameter equal to or less than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20mm, where the length of the adapter that covers the external part of the container varies between 0.1 mm and 30 mm and where with respect to the internal part of the container, the lower part of the adapter (3) also has a solid or hollow section, with thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, which fits the container in its internal part by means of a straight or conical profile with a diameter equal to or greater than that of the container and between 0.1 mm and 20 mm.

9. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the upper part (2) comprises the following dimensions: A depth of 0.5mm to 20mm, a diameter (external) of 0.6mm to 30mm and a thickness of 0 , 1 mm to 3mm.

10. The adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material used for the preparation of the adapter is non-porous thermoplastic and selected from the list consisting of: Polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polychloride Vinyl (PVC), Polyether Ketone (PEEK), Cyclic Olefin Polymers (COP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Polyethylene Low density (LDPE), Polyamides, Polytetrafluorotylene (PTFE) and Polyimides.

eleven . Use of the adapter as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, for the sealing of containers or containers using or by means of a liquid or reagent dispensing system.

12. The use according to claim 1 wherein the liquid or reagent dispensing system is a pipette.