WO2021038040A1 - Dispositif de manipulation d'échantillon - Google Patents

Dispositif de manipulation d'échantillon Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021038040A1
WO2021038040A1 PCT/EP2020/074080 EP2020074080W WO2021038040A1 WO 2021038040 A1 WO2021038040 A1 WO 2021038040A1 EP 2020074080 W EP2020074080 W EP 2020074080W WO 2021038040 A1 WO2021038040 A1 WO 2021038040A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reservoir
cap
sample
opening
handling device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/074080
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Karolien De Wael
Els DU BOIS
Joren VAN LOON
Mats DE JONG
Original Assignee
Universiteit Antwerpen
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
Application filed by Universiteit Antwerpen filed Critical Universiteit Antwerpen
Publication of WO2021038040A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021038040A1/fr

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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
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/05—Stirrers
    • B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
    • B01F27/112—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/21—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders characterised by their rotating shafts
    • B01F27/2123—Shafts with both stirring means and feeding or discharging means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
    • B01F33/501—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use
    • B01F33/5011—Movable mixing devices, i.e. readily shifted or displaced from one place to another, e.g. portable during use portable during use, e.g. hand-held
    • B01F33/50111—Small portable bottles, flasks, vials, e.g. with means for mixing ingredients or for homogenizing their content, e.g. by hand shaking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/713—Feed mechanisms comprising breaking packages or parts thereof, e.g. piercing or opening sealing elements between compartments or cartridges
    • B01F35/7139—Removing separation walls, plugs which close off the different compartments, e.g. by rotation or axially sliding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/716—Feed mechanisms characterised by the relative arrangement of the containers for feeding or mixing the components
    • B01F35/7161—Feed mechanisms characterised by the relative arrangement of the containers for feeding or mixing the components the containers being connected coaxially before contacting the contents
    • 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
    • B01L3/52—Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent
    • B01L3/523—Containers specially adapted for storing or dispensing a reagent with means for closing or opening
    • 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
    • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
    • B01L2200/0621—Control of the sequence of chambers filled or emptied
    • 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
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0832—Geometry, shape and general structure cylindrical, tube shaped
    • 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
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
    • B01L2300/0867—Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
    • 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
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
    • B01L2300/087—Multiple sequential chambers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of sample handling devices and more in particular to devices for preparing a sample for analyte detection.
  • a typical procedure involves collecting the sample, bringing the sample to a laboratory, preparing the sample (e.g. by mixing it with an appropriate solvent or electrolyte), than analysing the sample with an appropriate technique (such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or an electrochemical technique).
  • an appropriate technique such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or an electrochemical technique.
  • Electrochemical techniques offer an alternative for on-site screening of illicit drugs.
  • existing electrochemical procedures remain relatively tedious and require many manipulations. They involve wearing gloves for manipulating the sample, collecting and weighting a predetermined amount of sample with a spatula, placing the predetermined amount of sample in a recipient and pouring in that recipient a predetermined volume of electrolyte, mixing the sample with the electrolyte, taking a volume of mixture with a pipette, carefully placing a drop of mixture on a screen-printed electrode so that it covers well the whole electrode, inserting the electrode in a potentiostat, connecting a smartphone to the potentiostat and waiting for the smartphone to analyze the acquired data.
  • WO 02/058845 describes a reaction vessel for performing processes or reactions therein, in particular amperometric immunoassays. There is however still a need in the art for devices simplifying the on-site handling of samples.
  • the present invention relates to a sample handling device comprising a housing containing: a. a reservoir for containing a liquid, the reservoir comprising an opening for rotatably coupling with a cap, b. the cap comprising: i. a coupling element for coupling the cap with a motor so that a rotational and translational movement can be given to the cap, ii. a first side adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner, and iii. a second side, opposite to the first side, comprising a mixing implement, and c.
  • a mixing chamber fluidly connected with the reservoir when the reservoir is open, comprising an inlet for a sample
  • the housing comprises a first opening for permitting the coupling of the motor with the coupling element, and a second opening for giving the sample access to the inlet.
  • the present invention relates to a cap comprising: i. a coupling element for coupling the cap with a motor so that a rotational and translational movement can be given to the cap, ii. a first side adapted for rotatably coupling with an opening of a reservoir so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner, and iii. a second side, opposite to the first side, comprising a mixing implement.
  • the present invention relates to the sample handling device of any embodiment of the first aspect for handling a sample containing a narcotic such as cocaine.
  • devices of the present invention are compact and relatively inexpensive.
  • devices according to embodiments of the present invention are low-cost. This has the side-advantage that devices according to embodiments of the present invention can be consumables that do not need to be washed, thereby avoiding risk of contaminations from one analysis to the next.
  • the devices according to embodiments of the present invention can be light and small enough to be effortlessly carried around by the user.
  • the device can measure from 3 to 30 cm and/or weights from 15 to 750 g, preferably from 5 to 20 cm and/or weights from 25 to 500 g.
  • embodiments of the present invention can be used on-site.
  • embodiments of the present invention can be used in unprotected environments that can be exposed to intense sunlight, high heat, freezing cold, high wind, rain, or an unstable ground (such as in a moving vehicle).
  • Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 are schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention and of a motor for interacting therewith.
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the device shown in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing more details of a sampling unit present in embodiments of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 shows four different implementations of detection units in devices according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • top, bottom, and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
  • Coupled should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only.
  • the terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.
  • the scope of the expression “a device A coupled to a device B” should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means.
  • Coupled may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.
  • the present invention relates to a sample handling device comprising a housing containing: a. a reservoir for containing a liquid, the reservoir comprising an opening for rotatably coupling with a cap, b. the cap comprising: i. a coupling element for coupling the cap with a motor so that a rotational and translational movement can be given to the cap, ii. a first side adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner, and iii. a second side, opposite to the first side, comprising a mixing implement, and c.
  • a mixing chamber fluidly connected with the reservoir when the reservoir is open, comprising an inlet for a sample
  • the housing comprises a first opening for permitting the coupling of the motor with the coupling element (e.g. by giving the motor access to the coupling element or to an intermediate element, such as a leadscrew, coupled to the coupling element), and a second opening for giving the sample access to the inlet.
  • the device of the present invention is suitable for handling both liquid and solid samples.
  • the device of the present invention is useful for any sample that need to be mixed with a liquid prior to analysis. This includes samples susceptible of containing antibiotics or drug of abuses such a cocaine, amongst many others.
  • the device of the present invention provides an easy procedure for mixing a predetermined amount of sample with a predetermined amount of liquid, with limited human intervention.
  • the device comprises a housing containing various elements of the device.
  • the housing also protects the sample from environmental factors such as sunshine, wind, rain, cold, heat, etc.
  • the housing, and the elements it contains, can each independently be made of any material but are preferably made of a rigid material.
  • a rigid material assures that the housing and each element contained therein perform their function in a reliable way.
  • the material used is preferably inert to the liquid used and to the type of sample analysed. Similarly, the material used is preferably not absorbing the liquid used or the sample analysed.
  • at least one and preferably all of the housing and of any elements contained therein may be made of a rigid plastic material. Plastic materials are usually light, cheap, and easy to shape.
  • at least one and preferably all of the housing and of any elements contained therein may be made of a thermoplastic material. Thermoplastic materials are particularly easy to shape and can be easily produced in large numbers.
  • At least a portion of the mixing chamber and at least a portion of the housing overlapping with said portion of the mixing chamber may be made of a material transparent to a range of wavelength suitable for optical detection (e.g. to allow Raman detection, e.g. in the near infrared).
  • This has the advantage of allowing identification of analytes in the mixing chamber through the housing and said chamber without a need for removing the handled sample from the chamber.
  • at least one and preferably all of the housing and of any elements contained therein may be made of a material which is transparent to a range of wavelength suitable for optical detection (e.g. to allow Raman detection in the near infrared).
  • At least one and preferably all of the housing and of any elements contained therein may be made of polypropylene.
  • Polypropylene has the advantage of being sufficiently transparent to near infra red radiations to allow identification by Raman of analytes in the mixing chamber through the housing and said mixing chamber. It is furthermore particularly cheap, easy to mass produce, can be sterilized for reuse, and can be recycled. It is furthermore inert to many liquids and in particular to electrolytes typically used in electrochemical detections.
  • the housing contains a reservoir.
  • the reservoir is typically water-tight. It is in any case tight to the liquid it is meant to contain. It is meant to contain a liquid to be mixed with the sample.
  • the reservoir has a predetermined volume.
  • It has an opening for rotatably coupling with a cap so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the reservoir may comprise or contain means for allowing coupling of a motor with the coupling element. This is typically the case when, in use, the reservoir is situated between the motor and the cap.
  • the reservoir may comprise an inner channel which inside is not in contact with the liquid in the reservoir when this liquid is present. This channel, when present, gives the motor access to the coupling element by providing a space in which the motor shaft can be inserted. This embodiment is not illustrated in the figures.
  • the reservoir may contain a linkage, such as a leadscrew, for coupling the coupling element to the motor.
  • the motor does not form part of the device. This permits the device to be disposable and the motor to be reused. However, in embodiments, the motor may be part of the device. In embodiments, the motor comprises a shaft having a longitudinal axis around which the motor can rotate the shaft.
  • the reservoir may comprise a flange at a side opposite to the opening for rotatably coupling with the cap.
  • the flange is advantageous as it allows blocking the reservoir in place in the housing.
  • the housing may have a widening at the end comprising the first opening and the flange may fit in the widening but not in the rest of the housing, thereby preventing the reservoir from penetrating further in the housing.
  • the reservoir can be formed in one piece or can be formed of a plurality of pieces.
  • it can be formed of the following pieces: a main body, which defines the volume of liquid that can be stored, an adaptor that can be attached to the main body, e.g. releasably attached to the main body, and a closing plate for closing the reservoir on the side opposite the adaptor.
  • the adaptor can be releasably attached to the main body by rotatably mating therewith.
  • the adaptor can have two opposite sides, one side for attaching to the main body of the reservoir and one side for coupling rotatably with the cap.
  • the main body may be closed on one side by the combination of the adaptor and the cap, and on the other side by a combination of a linkage and a closing plate.
  • the closing plate may have two sides, one side facing toward the reservoir and one side facing away from the reservoir.
  • the closing plate may have two centrally located and communicating openings.
  • the opening on the side facing toward the reservoir may be the larger of both openings.
  • the opening on the side facing toward the reservoir may be adapted to fit with the linkage, by pressure fitting or otherwise, and to close that opening in a liquid- tight manner.
  • the opening in the side facing away from the reservoir may be the smaller of both openings and may be adapted to give the motor access to the linkage.
  • the leadscrew when the linkage is a leadscrew, the leadscrew may have a tip for engaging with the coupling element and a drive recess for engaging with the motor shaft.
  • the opening of the closing plate on the side facing toward the reservoir may be the larger of both openings and may be adapted to fit with the part of the leadscrew comprising the drive recess, by pressure fitting or otherwise, and to close that opening in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the opening in the side facing away from the reservoir may be the smaller of both openings and may be adapted to give the shaft of the motor access to the drive recess of the leadscrew.
  • the closing plate may be attached or releasably attachable to the first opening of the housing.
  • the widening in the housing may comprise a thread and the periphery of the closing plate may comprise a matching thread.
  • the closing plate comes in contact with the reservoir, and in particular with its flange, thereby closing the reservoir in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the reservoir may contain the liquid meant to be mixed with the sample. This is advantageous because by inserting the liquid in the reservoir during the assembly process of the product, the users do not have to handle it, which eliminates the risk of spill, contamination, and leaking. Having the liquid present in the reservoir makes the device more fool-proof, easier to use, and requiring less training or extensive manuals.
  • the liquid may be a suitable solvent for the sample.
  • the liquid may be an electrolyte.
  • the use of an electrolyte enables electrochemical analysis of the sample.
  • the electrolyte may be a buffer.
  • the housing contains a cap.
  • caps typically consist of a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and side walls protruding from the periphery of the bottom surface, thereby forming a hollow defined by the bottom surface and the sidewalls.
  • the internal surface of the sidewall typically comprises a thread.
  • Such caps of the prior art can be described as having a first side and a second side.
  • the first side is composed of the bottom surface and the side walls while the second side is composed of the top surface.
  • the first side can be adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening of a reservoir so that a reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the second side is typically flat.
  • Caps suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention are different from typical caps. They comprise a coupling element and the second side is not a flat top surface but instead comprises a mixing implement. They therefore typically comprise a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, sidewalls protruding from the periphery of the bottom surface, thereby forming a hollow defined by the bottom surface and the sidewalls, a coupling element, and a mixing implement.
  • the cap comprises at least a coupling element, a first side, and a second side.
  • the coupling element is for coupling the cap with a motor so that a rotational and translational movement can be given to the cap.
  • the coupling element may comprise a shaft.
  • the shaft may comprise a drive recess for coupling with a tip rotatably driven by the motor.
  • the shaft of the coupling element is adapted to be coupled via the first opening with the shaft of the motor either directly or indirectly via a leadscrew.
  • the leadscrew is located in the reservoir.
  • the coupling element may be part of the first side or of the second side. It is however preferred to have the coupling element belonging to the first side of the cap so that the first opening for permitting the coupling of the motor with the coupling element do not need to be on the same side of the device as the inlet for the sample, which would complicate the design of the device.
  • the coupling element projects from the bottom surface of the cap. More preferably, the coupling element projects from the middle of the bottom surface of the cap. Most preferably, the coupling element comprises a shaft projecting from the middle of the bottom surface of the cap.
  • the first side of the cap is adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening of the reservoir so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the first side of the cap may comprise a hollow with an internal female thread matching an external male thread present at the opening of the reservoir.
  • the first side of the cap can be adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening of the reservoir by other means, such as for instance by having lugs for mating with a thread present at the opening of the reservoir.
  • the housing has an inner wall comprising a path for guiding the rotational and translational movement of the cap while the cap is adapted to be guided by said path.
  • the path is typically a helical crest protruding from the inner wall of the housing instead of being a groove engraved in it. The reason for this is that it permits the cap to keep rotating, instead of blocking, once the path runs out. This extends the mixing time and hence the efficiency of the mixing.
  • the path may extend in the inner wall for only part of the length thereof in such a way that an essentially rotational movement can follow the rotational and translational movement after an opening of the reservoir.
  • the inner wall of the housing may have a threaded section, comprising the path, in which the cap is translating and rotating due to the action of the motor and the presence of the path, and a smooth runout section in which, after opening of the reservoir, the cap is only rotating due to the action of the motor and the absence of path in this section.
  • the motor is responsible for the rotational movement of the cap, while the path ensures that a translational movement adds to said rotational movement so that the cap can be decoupled from the reservoir by advancing some distance in the housing, thereby opening the container and releasing the liquid.
  • the rotational movement assists in this decoupling and ensures the mixing of the sample with the liquid.
  • the adaptations of the cap so that it can be guided by said path may comprise protrusions extending perpendicularly from the sidewalls of the cap. These protrusions preferably are oriented so that their length is parallel to the helical crest forming the path. These protrusions preferably have a height which is at most equal to the height of the crest forming the path. According to the herein defined first and second sides of the cap, these adaptations are on the first side of the cap.
  • the second side of the cap opposite to the first side, comprises a mixing implement. Any type of implement suitable for mixing upon rotation around the rotation axis of the cap can be used.
  • the mixing implement is typically attached to the top surface of the cap.
  • the mixing implement typically protrudes from the top surface of the cap.
  • the mixing implement mixes the liquid with the sample upon rotational uncoupling of the cap and the reservoir.
  • the mixing implement may comprise fins projecting from the second side of the cap. These fins are typically perpendicular to the top surface of the cap. In embodiments, the fins may be distributed evenly around a rotational axis of the cap. In embodiments, each fin has a longitudinal axis pointing toward the rotational axis of the cap. In some embodiments, each fin may have a height increasing, along its longitudinal axis, toward the rotational axis of the cap. In other words, each fin may have a larger height closer to the center of the cap than farther therefrom.
  • the housing contains a mixing chamber, fluidly connected with the reservoir when the reservoir is open, comprising an inlet for a sample.
  • the mixing chamber is a chamber comprised in the housing. This chamber may form an integral part with the housing.
  • the housing comprises a first opening for permitting the coupling of the motor with the coupling element, and a second opening for giving the sample access to the inlet.
  • the inlet can serve as an outlet for removing the mixture, e.g. with a syringe. Once removed, the mixture can be analyzed by any suitable means.
  • the sample handling device may further comprise a sampling unit adapted for introducing the sample in the mixing chamber through the second opening and the inlet.
  • the sampling unit may comprise a cavity for collecting the sample.
  • the cavity may have a volume of from 0.5 to 10 pi. Such a volume is typically adapted to a reasonable volume for the reservoir so that a proper ratio liquid (from the reservoir)/sample (which can be a solid or a liquid) can be obtained for most analytical techniques.
  • the reservoir may have a volume 500 to 4000 times, preferably from 1000 to 3000 times, yet more preferably from 1500 to 2500 times the volume of the cavity. For instance, for the preparation of a sample for electrochemical analysis of cocaine in a sample, a volume from 1500 to 2500 times the volume of the cavity is preferred. For instance, 1 mg of sample for 2 ml electrolyte or 5 mg of sample for 10 ml electrolyte.
  • the reservoir may have a volume of from 0.25 ml to 40 ml, preferably from 0.5 ml to 20 ml, yet more preferably from 1 ml to 15 ml.
  • the cavity of the sampling unit is typically at the tip of a shaft.
  • a portion of the shaft comprising the cavity preferably has a triangular vertical cross- section for a cross-section taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
  • the tip of the shaft is triangular
  • two out of the three edges running along the shaft from the tip on may have the same length while the remain edge running along the shaft from the tip on may be shorter than the other two. This gives the tip a triangular bevel shape. The shorter the remaining edge is compared with the other two, the larger the bevel angle.
  • a portion of the shaft may be hollow from the tip on, thereby defining the cavity.
  • the sampling unit may be releasably attachable to the second opening.
  • the sampling unit and the second opening may be mutually adapted for rotatably coupling with each other.
  • the sampling unit and the second opening are mutually adapted for rotatably coupling with each other in such a way that a rotational coupling can only occur when the cavity is in the mixing chamber and has completely passed the inlet. This has the advantage of enabling introducing the sample straight in the mixing chamber, thereby preventing spilling thereof; only when the sample has passed the inlet, and in the mixing chamber, can the sampling unit rotate, thereby possibly discharging its content in the mixing chamber.
  • the mixing implement surrounds the cavity without touching it. This has the advantage that the mixing is not prevented by the presence of the sampling unit. This has also the advantage that if any sample remains in the cavity after the rotational coupling of the sampling unit and the second opening, this remaining sample is ideally surrounded by the mixing implement to be efficiently mixed with the liquid from the reservoir.
  • the housing may comprise a protrusion which is adapted to interact with the cavity in order to remove an excess sample collected therein.
  • This protrusion protrudes from an external wall of the housing.
  • the protrusion may have one face protruding at an angle from the external wall of the housing which is larger than 90°. Preferably, this angle may be equal to the bevel angle to allow for more efficient removal of an excess sample.
  • the sample handling device may further comprise a detection unit adapted for allowing the detection of the presence of an analyte in the sample in the mixing chamber.
  • the detection unit may consist of the at least a portion of the mixing chamber and the at least a portion of the housing overlapping with said portion of the mixing chamber that is made of a material transparent to a range of wavelength suitable for optical detection (e.g. to allow Raman detection).
  • the detection unit may be an electrochemical detection unit.
  • the detection unit may comprise electrodes (e.g. a reference electrode, a working electrode, and a counter electrode) exposed to the inside of the mixing chamber.
  • electrodes e.g. a reference electrode, a working electrode, and a counter electrode
  • screen-printed electrodes, or electrodes directly integrated into the mixing chamber may be used.
  • the electrodes are directly electrically connectable to a potentiostat.
  • the electrodes can be electrically connected or connectable to a potentiostat by means of a physical connection with a conducting material.
  • the potentiostat may be part of the device but typically, it is not part of the device so that the device remains cheap to discard.
  • the detection unit may comprise a valve through the housing and the mixing chamber for allowing a mixture formed of the sample and the liquid to be transferred to an external detection apparatus such as a gas chromatograph or a mass spectrometer.
  • the present invention relates to a cap comprising: i. a coupling element for coupling the cap with a motor so that a rotational and translational movement can be given to the cap, ii. a first side adapted for rotatably coupling with an opening of a reservoir so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner, and iii. a second side, opposite to the first side, comprising a mixing implement.
  • any feature of the second aspect may be as correspondingly described for the first aspect.
  • any feature of the cap according to the first aspect can be a feature of the cap according to the second aspect.
  • the present invention relates to the sample handling device of any embodiment of the first aspect for handling a sample containing a narcotic such as cocaine.
  • any feature of the third aspect may be as correspondingly described for the first aspect.
  • any feature of the device according to the first aspect can be a feature of the device according to the third aspect.
  • Fig. 1 shows on the right side a device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention and on the left side a motor (200) for use with the device of the present invention.
  • the motor can be considered as forming part of the device.
  • the motor can be attached to the device.
  • the motor is an entity separated from the device, and the device is adapted to be driven by the motor to open the reservoir (3) and to mix the sample with the liquid.
  • the device of Fig. 1 is shown to comprise a housing (1) containing a reservoir (3) for containing a liquid, the reservoir comprising an opening (not visible in Fig. 1) for rotatably coupling with a cap (9).
  • the reservoir is composed of a main body (3a), an adaptor (3b), and a closing plate (3c).
  • the reservoir further contains a leadscrew (8, see Fig. 2).
  • the leadscrew has a tip (19, see Fig. 4) for engaging with the coupling element and a drive recess (hidden in Fig. 4) for engaging with the motor shaft (7).
  • the adaptor is screwed to the main body and the cap is rotatably coupled to the adaptor.
  • the main body is closed on one side by the combination of the adaptor and the cap, and on the other side by a combination of the leadscrew and the closing plate.
  • the closing plate has two sides, one side facing toward the reservoir and one side facing away from the reservoir.
  • the closing plate has two centrally located and communicating openings.
  • the opening on the side facing toward the reservoir is the larger of both openings.
  • the opening on the side facing toward the reservoir is adapted to pressure fit with the leadscrew and to close that opening in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the opening (17) in the side facing away from the reservoir is the smaller of both openings and is adapted to give the motor access to the drive recess of the leadscrew.
  • the closing plate may be attached or releasably attachable to the first opening of the housing.
  • the widening in the housing may comprise a thread and the periphery of the closing plate may comprise a matching thread.
  • the closing plate comes in contact with the reservoir, and in particular with its flange, thereby closing the reservoir in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the closing plate abuts the left side of the main body to close it while leaving a central opening for giving access to the motor.
  • the cap has a coupling element which is not visible in Fig. 1 and is best visible from Fig. 2.
  • the cap has a first side which is adapted for rotatably coupling with the opening of the adapter so that the reservoir can be closed in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the cap is shown to have protrusions (4) extending perpendicularly from the sidewalls (12) of the cap. The sidewalls form part of a first side of the cap.
  • a mixing implement (11) is visible. The mixing implement is attached to the top surface of the cap. The top surface (13) is better visible in Fig. 2.
  • the mixing implement typically protrudes from the top surface of the cap.
  • the mixing implement comprises fins (11 ) projecting from the second side of the cap. These fins are perpendicular to the top surface of the cap. They are distributed evenly around a rotational axis of the cap. Each fin has a longitudinal axis pointing toward the rotational axis of the cap.
  • a mixing chamber (14) is shown which is fluidly connected with the reservoir when the reservoir is open.
  • the mixing chamber comprises an inlet (15) for a sample.
  • the sample handling device of Fig. 1 comprises a sampling unit (2) adapted for introducing the sample in the mixing chamber through second opening (16) and the inlet.
  • the sampling unit is best seen in Fig. 5. It comprises a cavity (5) for collecting the sample.
  • the cavity of the sampling unit is at the tip of a shaft (20).
  • a portion of the shaft comprising the cavity has a triangular vertical cross-section for a cross-section taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
  • Two out of the three edges running along the shaft from the tip on have the same length while the remaining edge running along the shaft from the tip on is shorter than the other two. This gives the tip a triangular bevel shape. The shorter the remaining edge is compared with the other two, the larger the bevel angle (a).
  • a portion of the shaft is hollow from the tip on, thereby defining the cavity. Going back to Fig. 1 , the sampling unit is releasably attachable to the second opening.
  • the sampling unit and the second opening are mutually adapted for rotatably coupling with each other. More in particular, the sampling unit is screwed into the second opening of the housing.
  • the sampling unit and the second opening are mutually adapted for rotatably coupling with each other in such a way that a rotational coupling can only occur when the cavity is in the mixing chamber and has completely passed the inlet. This has the advantage of enabling introducing the sample straight in the mixing chamber, thereby preventing spilling thereof; only when the sample has passed the inlet and is in the mixing chamber, can the sampling unit rotate, thereby possibly discharging its content in the mixing chamber.
  • the mixing implement surrounds the cavity without touching it. This is depicted in Figs. 2 and 3. This has the advantage that the mixing is not prevented by the presence of the sampling unit. This has also the advantage that if any sample remains in the cavity after the rotational coupling of the sampling unit and the second opening, this remaining sample is ideally surrounded by the mixing implement to be efficiently mixed with the liquid from the reservoir.
  • the motor On the left of Fig. 1 , the motor is depicted with a shaft 7. On the left side of the housing, an opening in the closing plate is visible. This opening permits the coupling of the motor with the coupling element.
  • the housing comprises a protrusion (6) which is adapted to interact with the cavity of the sampling unit in order to remove an excess sample collected therein.
  • This protrusion protrudes from an external wall of the housing.
  • the protrusion may have one face protruding at an angle from the external wall of the housing which is larger than 90°. Preferably, this angle may be equal to the bevel angle of the tip of the sampling unit to allow for more efficient removal of an excess sample.
  • Fig. 2 shows the motor of Fig. 2 in the same configuration but with an opaque reservoir.
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the device of Figs 1 to 3. From left to right one can see the closing plate, the leadscrew, the main body of the reservoir, the adapter, the cap, the housing, and the sampling unit.
  • Fig. 6 show four implementations of a detector unit (10).
  • Fig. 6(a) is an electrochemical detection unit comprising a screen-printed electrode.
  • Fig. 6(b) is an electrochemical detection unit comprising integrated electrodes. Three electrodes can be observed: the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the counter electrode.
  • Fig. 6(d) shows a transparent window in the housing to allow for optical or colorimetric detection.
  • Fig. 6(c) shows a valve for connecting (e.g. via a tube) to an external analytical tool such as a gas chromatography or a mass spectrometer.
  • the user unscrews the sampling unit (2), overfills the cavity (5) of the sampling unit (2) with a sample.
  • This sample can be a liquid or a solid.
  • the user then removes the excess sample overfilling the cavity (5) by sliding the cavity (5) along the protrusion (6).
  • the user then introduces the sample through the second opening (16) of the housing (1 ) and the inlet (15) of the mixing chamber (14).
  • the user screws the sampling unit (2) to the housing (1 ), thereby discharging all or part of the sample in the mixing chamber (14).
  • the user then couples the shaft (7) of the motor (200) to the coupling element (18) of the cap (9) via the leadscrew (8).
  • the cap (9) When actioning the motor (200), the cap (9) rotates and, guided by the guides (10) on the inside wall of the housing (1 ), translates away from the reservoir (2), thereby opening the reservoir (3) and discharging its liquid content in the mixing chamber (14). Simultaneously, the rotation of the cap (9), due to the presence of the mixing implement (11 ) on the second side thereof, mixes the sample with the liquid.
  • the mixture can then be analyzed by one of several ways.
  • One possible way is simply to remove the sampling unit (2) and to use a syringe to remove some mixture from the second opening (16) of the housing. This method, however, involves removing and transferring the sample manually, which involves a risk of sample contamination or spilling. Flereafter are some preferred ways.
  • the device (100) is in a plastic transparent to some electromagnetic radiation, is to directly analyze the sample through the housing (1) and the mixing chamber (14) by an optical technique such as Raman. Yet another possible way, if the device (100) has a window (10) as depicted in Fig. 6(d), is to use that window (10) to analyse the mixture by an optical technique. Yet another possible way, if the device (100) has electrodes (10) exposed to the mixing chamber as depicted in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), is to effectuate an electrochemical analysis of the sample. For instance, a potentiostat can be carried by the user (for instance in a pocket attached to his belt), and the electrodes can be connected to the potentiostat.
  • valve (10) as depicted in Fig. 6(c)
  • an external analytical tool such as a gas chromatograph or a mass spectrometer

Abstract

Un dispositif de manipulation d'échantillon comprenant un boîtier (1) contenant : a. un réservoir (3) pour contenir un liquide, le réservoir (3) comprenant une ouverture pour le couplage rotatif avec un capuchon (9), b. le bouchon (9) comprenant : I. un élément de couplage pour accoupler le capuchon (9) à un moteur de telle sorte qu'un mouvement rotatif et translationnel peut être donné au capuchon (9), ii. un premier côté est conçu pour s'accoupler de manière rotative avec l'ouverture de telle sorte que le réservoir (3) peut être fermé de manière étanche aux liquides, et iii. un second côté, opposé au premier côté, comprend un outil de mélange (11), et c. une chambre de mélange, en communication fluidique avec le réservoir (3) lorsque le réservoir (3) est ouvert, comprenant une entrée pour un échantillon, et le boîtier (1) comprend une première ouverture pour permettre le couplage du moteur avec l'élément de couplage, et une seconde ouverture pour donner l'accès à l'échantillon à l'entrée.
PCT/EP2020/074080 2019-08-30 2020-08-28 Dispositif de manipulation d'échantillon WO2021038040A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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EP19194618.5 2019-08-30
EP19194618 2019-08-30

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WO2021038040A1 true WO2021038040A1 (fr) 2021-03-04

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002058845A2 (fr) * 2001-01-25 2002-08-01 Biopreventive Ltd. Cuve de reaction et systeme incorporant celle-ci
US7270959B2 (en) * 2001-07-25 2007-09-18 Oakville Hong Kong Company Limited Specimen collection container
US20190083975A1 (en) * 2016-03-14 2019-03-21 Diassess Inc. Systems and Methods for Performing Biological Assays
US20190250075A1 (en) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-15 Hangzhou Biotest Biotech Co., Ltd. Apparatus for Collecting Liquid Sample

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002058845A2 (fr) * 2001-01-25 2002-08-01 Biopreventive Ltd. Cuve de reaction et systeme incorporant celle-ci
US7270959B2 (en) * 2001-07-25 2007-09-18 Oakville Hong Kong Company Limited Specimen collection container
US20190083975A1 (en) * 2016-03-14 2019-03-21 Diassess Inc. Systems and Methods for Performing Biological Assays
US20190250075A1 (en) * 2018-02-13 2019-08-15 Hangzhou Biotest Biotech Co., Ltd. Apparatus for Collecting Liquid Sample

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