JP6691377B2 - Equipment for storage of fluid containers - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is in the field of analytical sample processing and relates to a device for storage of fluid containers. The invention further relates to a system for fluid pipetting comprising such a storage device.

  In automated clinical analyzers, liquid samples such as body fluids can be tested by various diagnostic methods. The demand for providing a variety of analytical functions is strong, and in view of improving efficiency in sample processing, current analyzers often process samples with high throughput. As a result, current analyzer reagent consumption is high, which can be achieved by pre-loading the analyzer with the appropriate number of reagent containers or by performing frequent manual reloading operations. . In the former case, the analyzer can be used in a comfortable stand-alone mode, but a larger number of reagent containers requires more storage space, increasing the overall size of the analyzer. In the latter case, the analyzer can be small and compact, but frequent reloading operations are required. In view of the increasing tendency to introduce small and compact analyzers, when operating the analyzer in routine routines, there is an advantage between the number of reagent containers stored and the frequency of manual reloading operations. Must be able to find a good trade-off. As a result, current clinical analyzers often have supplemental storage space for reagent containers, such as disclosed in US Pat.

  In current analyzers, automated sample processing often involves the transfer of precise amounts of reagents to the sample by pipette. In typical pipetting, the pipette is lowered into the reagent container until the pipette tip is immersed in the reagent and can be aspirated, then raised to move the pipette to a position where the reagent can be added to the sample. . To provide the pipette with free access to reagents, the reagent container, which is normally closed by the container lid, is opened by removing the lid from the container opening, or the pipette tip is inserted through the lid. To be done. Removal of the lid takes extra time and it is often desirable to penetrate the lid with a pipette tip due to the fact that the reagents are exposed to the environment until the container is closed again. However, in automatic pipetting, when the pipette is withdrawn from the reagent container, the reagent container is likely to be lifted due to the frictional force created between the upwardly moving pipette tip and the lid. As a result, the position of the reagent container can be changed, which may impede further pipetting and even collisions between the pipette and the reagent container.

European Patent Application Publication No. 1498734

  The present disclosure addresses the above issues. An improved device for the storage of fluid containers is provided, which allows high throughput processing of samples without the need to frequently refill unused reagent containers, and safe and reliable pipetting of reagents. Guarantee. These and further objects are achieved by the device according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described by the dependent claims.

  As used herein, the term “fluid container” relates to any container having at least one compartment for containing a fluid such as, but not limited to, a reagent for processing a sample. In particular, the fluid container may have a plurality of separate compartments, for example aligned, that contain fluids that may be similar or different to each other. Each fluid compartment is closed by a lid configured to be pierced by a pipette tip such as, but not limited to, a metal needle, which lid is referred to below as a "penetrable lid". In particular, in one embodiment the fluid container comprises one or more fluid compartments each closed by a lid, the lid being made of a pierceable material, for example an elastomeric material such as a rubber septum. The lid may have a recess on the upper side.

  According to a first aspect, an apparatus for storage of a fluid container, presented below also as “apparatus”, is presented. The device comprises at least one storage location having a plurality of storage locations configured to store a fluid container, such as, but not limited to, a reagent container. In particular, the storage location is provided with one or more storage levels, each extending in a plane in which a first direction and a second direction are perpendicular to a second direction. The one or more storage levels are stacked in a third direction that is orthogonal to the first and second directions. Each storage level may extend, for example, in a horizontal plane, with two or more storage levels being stacked in a vertical relationship to each other. Furthermore, the storage location comprises a storage level, referred to below as "pipette storage level", which is configured for pipetting of the fluid contained in at least one fluid container stored in the storage level. In one embodiment, the pipette storage level is the highest (highest) storage level of the storage location, just above the other storage levels.

  Each storage level has a plurality of storage locations each configured to store at least one fluid container, the storage locations being arranged in a one-dimensional array or a two-dimensional array. Therefore, at each storage level, the fluid containers may be arranged in one or more rows in succession with respect to each other. In one embodiment, each row extends in the first direction and the rows are arranged one after the other along the second direction. Specifically, each storage location comprises a container holder configured to releasably hold at least one fluid container. The storage location can also be thought of as a fluid container rack.

  The storage device is further movable at least with respect to the storage location and automatically operates the fluid containers with respect to at least the storage location so that each fluid container can be transferred from one storage location to another. It contains a handler that is configured to do (manipulate).

  According to one embodiment, the storage position at the pipette storage level comprises a leaf spring, the leaf spring biasing the fluid container against the container holder, i.e. the spring generated by the leaf spring. The fluid container is arranged so as to be pressed against the container holding portion by the force of generation. In one embodiment, the leaf spring is arranged to press the fluid container in the same direction as the one or more pipettes may be separated from the fluid container, eg, a third direction (eg, vertical direction). In one embodiment, the leaf spring is arranged to contact the upper side of the fluid container in the storage position, and the upper side of the fluid container is provided with one or more pierceable lids depending on the number of fluid compartments. There is. In particular, the leaf spring is provided with at least one through hole arranged to provide the pipette with access to the pierceable lid of the fluid container.

  Thus, due to the compact packaging of the fluid container as detailed above, the device allows for the refilling of unused fluid containers even when the reagent consumption in processing liquid samples is relatively high. It can be manufactured advantageously compact in size without the need for frequent reloading operations. Furthermore, since each fluid container at the pipette storage level is securely fixed to the storage position by being pressed against the container holding portion by the elastic force of the leaf spring, the fluid container is Especially when the pipette tip penetrating the lid is pulled out from the fluid container, its position is reliably maintained.

  In one embodiment, each leaf spring comprises a plurality of through holes arranged to provide one or more pipettes with access to a corresponding number of pierceable lids of a fluid container. Fluids can be pipetted simultaneously into multiple fluid compartments of a fluid container to increase the speed and efficiency of sample processing. In one embodiment, the plurality of leaf springs are formed by a piece of element such as, but not limited to, a steel plate. Manufacturing and installation are facilitated thereby.

  In one embodiment, the device comprises a device housing and each leaf spring to provide access to one or more pipettes from outside the device housing to one or more pierceable lids of a fluid container. One or a plurality of through-holes are arranged corresponding to the holes of the apparatus housing. Thus, on the one hand, the storage location is isolated from the environment in order to obtain an at least partially closed storage space which protects the fluid contained in the fluid container and allows cooling of the fluid. On the other hand, pipetting on a fluid container stored at the pipette storage level can be performed without the need to remove the fluid container from the storage location.

  In one embodiment, the handler includes a leaf spring in the storage position so as to act against the resilient force of the leaf spring when the handler is in the transfer position for transferring the fluid container to or from the storage position. A projection configured to engage the. Thus, the fluid container can be easily placed in and removed from the storage position without the need to use additional devices to counteract the spring force of the leaf springs to provide access to the storage position. Can be done. As a result, the material and cost for manufacturing the device can be advantageously saved due to the fact that the handler has a dual function.

  In one embodiment, the leaf spring has a curved shape, for example folded up or down with respect to the fluid container held in the storage position to form the at least one contact, the leaf spring being , The at least one contact portion is configured to directly contact the fluid container fixed in the storage position by the leaf spring, and the contact portion projects toward the fluid container (for example, the upper side of the fluid container). . Further, the protrusions of the handler resist the resilient force of the leaf spring when the handler is moved to or maintained in the transfer position for transferring the fluid container to or away from the storage position. Configured to engage a leaf spring, and can easily engage a leaf spring projecting from the upper side of the fluid container.

  In one embodiment, the free end of the leaf spring is directed toward the handler in a transfer position for transferring the fluid container to or away from the storage position for engagement with a protrusion on the handler. ) It projects. Therefore, the protrusions of the handler can be engaged particularly easily and reliably with the leaf spring.

  In one embodiment, the storage position container retainer mates with the storage position fluid container to prevent movement of the fluid container in a transfer direction that transfers the fluid container to or away from the storage position by the handler. A protrusion configured to be engaged. Therefore, the fluid container can be fixed in the transport direction by the container holder. As a result, the fluid container can be securely fixed to the storage position together with the elastic force of the leaf spring that presses the fluid container against the container holding portion.

  In one embodiment, the storage device has the function of cold storage, ie, is operable to cool the fluid container in the storage position. In particular, the dense packaging of the fluid container may advantageously provide efficient cooling of the fluid container. Moreover, the fluid container is continuously cooled at the pipette storage level so that cooling of the fluid is possible during or even during pipetting, thus prolonging the onboard stability of the fluid. .

  In one embodiment, the storage device includes two storage locations, as detailed above, each having storage locations for storage of fluid containers that are disposed in opposed relation to each other, and a handler. Are arranged between the storage locations in order to automatically transfer the fluid container to the storage locations of at least both storage locations. Such an embodiment advantageously enables a particularly dense packing of the fluid container without the need to provide a separate handler for operating the fluid container, which advantageously saves structural space and cost. to enable. Moreover, with two pipette storage levels, the number of pipettings can be advantageously increased to make the processing of samples faster and more efficient.

  In one embodiment, the storage location is formed of a plurality of modular sub-storage locations that may be added to or removed from the storage location. Such an embodiment advantageously allows easy adaptation of storage size to the particular needs of the user and / or system size.

  In one embodiment, the device further comprises a controller for controlling a handler that operates a fluid container contained in the storage location of the storage and handling device.

  In one embodiment, the storage device is a modular device. As used herein, the term "modular" describes a structural entity that can be used and modified as a component of a larger system for pipetting fluids or processing samples.

  According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a novel system for the pipetting of fluids, hereinafter referred to as “system”, which system involves adding a fluid such as a reagent to a sample. With at least one storage device as described above, which is particularly useful for automated processing of. The system further comprises at least one pipetting device, hereinafter referred to as a "pipettor", which is movable at least with respect to the pipette storage level. In particular, the pipettor comprises at least one pipette configured to pipette a fluid contained in a fluid container stored at a pipette storage level, the pipette including, but not limited to, a metal needle, It has a pipette tip configured to penetrate a (penetrable) lid of a fluid container. The pipettor is configured such that one or more pipettes can be moved toward and away from the fluid container stored at the pipette storage level. In one embodiment, one or more pipettes can be lowered and raised along a third direction (eg, the vertical direction).

  The storage device may be configured as an integral component of the system for pipetting liquids, but is advantageously a module of the system that allows it to be easily adapted to various system sizes. It may be a component of an expression. Modular storage devices include, for example, a module (device) enclosure that surrounds a storage location and a handler, eg, to separate its components from other system components for ease of maintenance work. Good.

  The various embodiments of the apparatus and system of the invention described above may be used independently or in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Other and further objects, features and advantages will be more fully apparent from the description below. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments and, in conjunction with the general description above and the detailed description below, contribute to a more detailed description of the present principles. To do.

3 is a perspective view and an enlarged detail view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for storage of a fluid container according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of details of the device of FIG. 1 showing a storage position without a fluid container. FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3, showing a storage position with a fluid container. FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3, showing a storage position with a pipette penetrating the fluid container and the lid. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the device of FIG. 1, showing engagement of a handler protrusion. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of details of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing engagement of a handler protrusion.

  By way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced are described below. In the following description, reference is made to first to third directions (x, y, z) that are vertically oriented with respect to each other, the first and second directions (x, y) are spread over one side, and the third direction The direction (z) is oriented perpendicular to that plane. In one embodiment, the first and second directions (x, y) extend in a horizontal plane and the third direction (z) is oriented perpendicular to that plane (fall direction).

  Referring to the drawings, an automated system for pipetting a fluid, generally referred to under reference numeral 100, is described. The system 100 is part of a clinical analyzer (eg, a chemical analyzer and / or an immunochemical analyzer) for analyzing a liquid sample to determine the presence / absence of a particular substance in the liquid sample. May be.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, system 100 includes an automated device 1 for storage and operation of a fluid container 2 containing a fluid such as, but not limited to, a reagent that mixes with a liquid sample. As shown, in one embodiment, the storage device 1 comprises four housing side walls 4, a housing top wall 6 and a housing bottom wall 5 that together form an internal space for housing the various device components. It is configured as a functional and structural entity surrounded by the configured device housing 3.

  In detail, as shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the storage device 1 includes two racks 7 (in an introduction part called a storage place) for storing the fluid container 2, and the two racks 7 are The racks 7 are arranged so as to face each other so as to be separated in the y direction, and each rack 7 is fixed to the housing side wall 4, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, each rack 7 has a plurality of rack levels 8 (in the introductory part called the storage level) arranged one above the other in the vertical z-direction. In one embodiment, each rack level 8 is, for example, releasably secured to the housing side wall 4 and each individual rack level 8 is added to or removed from the rack 7 as desired. It is a modular rack component that enables. As shown, in one embodiment each rack 7 comprises three rack levels 8 that are vertically stacked one above the other. However, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number of rack levels 8 may be envisioned, depending on the particular needs of the user.

  Each rack level 8 provides a plurality of storage positions 9 each having a box-shaped container holder 10 for holding, for example, one fluid container 2. In one embodiment, although not shown, each container holder 10 is configured to hold two or more fluid containers 2. As shown, in one embodiment the storage positions 9 are arranged consecutively with respect to each other in the horizontal x-direction.

  Specifically, in one embodiment, the container holding unit 10 is formed by holding unit side plates 11 that extend in the y direction and the z direction, respectively, and extends from the holding unit side plates 11 in the x direction and the y direction, respectively. Two holding part bottom plates 12 protruding at a right angle are provided. Two adjacent holding part side plates 11 and two holding part bottom plates 12 facing each other form one container holding part 10 for receiving one fluid container 2. The fluid container 2 can be placed on the holder bottom plate 12 and is held in an upright position between the holder side plates 11. Here, the container holder 10 is not particularly adapted to fix the fluid container 2 in the vertical direction, which means that, except for the dimensions of the fluid container 2, the fluid is not particularly adapted to the container holder 10. Allows use of container 2. In the rack 7, the fluid containers 2 may be densely packed, and the space between the adjacent fluid containers 2 may allow the fluid container 2 to slide and move into and out of the container holding portion 10 due to frictional force. As long as it is smaller, it may even disappear. Similarly, the distance in the z direction between the adjacent rack levels 8 can be reduced by appropriately selecting the vertical distance between the rack levels 8 according to the vertical height of the fluid container 2.

  The storage device 1 further comprises a handler 13 for manipulating (manipulating) the fluid container 2 with respect to a storage position 9 arranged between two racks 7. As shown, in one embodiment the handler 13 comprises a positioning device 14 which positions the transfer head 15 in two movement directions (x and z directions) by means of a two rail movement mechanism. The two rail moving mechanism includes a first rail 16 extending in the z direction for guiding the transfer head 15 in the z direction, and a first rail 16 extending in the x direction for guiding the first rail 16. And two rails 17. Therefore, the transfer head 15 is free to move along the x- and z-directions in order to place the handler 13 with the transfer head 15 facing the storage position 9 in a plane that extends in the x-direction and the z-direction, the fluid container The 2 can be moved to or away from the storage position 9, which is referred to below as the "transfer position". The movement mechanism of the two rails can be driven, for example, by a belt drive connected to two electric motors, which are well known to the person skilled in the art and need not be described further here.

  The transfer head 15 is configured to carry at least one fluid container 2 and moves the fluid container 2 carried by the transfer head 15 to the storage position 9 with the transfer head 15 in the transfer position, or A fluid container transfer mechanism 18 is provided that is configured to move the fluid container 2 away from the storage location 9. In particular, in one embodiment the transfer mechanism 18 comprises a push / pull element movable between the holder bottom plates 12 by a transfer head 15, which pushes the fluid container 2 to a storage position 9. Can be engaged with the bottom of the fluid container 2 for gripping, and can also be grippingly engaged with the fluid container 2 in the storage position 9 for moving the fluid container 2 to the transfer head 15. . Therefore, the fluid container 2 can be arbitrarily placed in any container holder 10 in the storage position 9 and can be removed from any container holder 10 by the handler 13.

  In one embodiment, the storage device 1 is further configured similar to the storage position 9 to allow operation by the handler 13 and at least one input / output to allow manual or automatic loading / unloading of the fluid container 2. Contains the location. In one embodiment, each fluid container 2 has a machine-readable label that can be automatically read by a reader to provide inventory information for the rack 7. Each label on the fluid container 2 may encode, for example, a lot number or any other information suitable for identifying the fluid container 2. Each label may also include additional information such as an expiration date that may be related to the use of the contained reagent. The reader can be fixed, for example, on the transfer head 15, which is not described in more detail in the drawing.

  In the system 100, in one embodiment the interior space of the device 1 is a refrigerator configured to cool the fluid container 2 to be stored. In particular, cooling of the interior space can be provided, for example, by circulating cooling air. Due to the dense packing of the fluid container 2, the cooling is very efficient.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment each rack 7 is a fluid contained in a fluid container 2 in which each storage position 9 is stored, hereinafter referred to as “pipette rack level 19”. With the highest rack level 8 configured to pipette. Each storage position 9 of the pipette rack level 19 is provided with a leaf spring 23 which is arranged so as to urge the fluid container 2 against the container holder 10. In particular, and with particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment the leaf spring 23 presses the fluid container 2 against the container holder 10 by an elastic force (biasing force) generated by the leaf spring 23. It is arranged so as to sandwich the fluid container 2 between the leaf spring 23 and the container holder 10. As shown, in one embodiment, the leaf spring 23 presses the fluid container 2 against the holder bottom plate 12 of the container holder 10. Therefore, with particular reference to FIG. 4, at each storage position 9, the fluid container 2 can be inserted between the leaf spring 23 and the container holder 10 when the fluid container 2 is transferred to the storage position 9, , Is in contact with the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 for fixing the fluid container 2 to the container holding portion 10.

  More specifically, in one embodiment the leaf springs 23 of all storage positions 9 of the same pipette rack level 19 are formed by a piece of sheet 43 made of a metallic material such as, but not limited to, steel, As shown in the enlarged detail view of FIG. 1, the one-piece seat 43 has a spring notch 25 extending in the y direction corresponding to the outer shape of the leaf spring 23 having a common rear band 27, so that the rear band Each leaf spring 23 fixed to 27 can move in the z direction with respect to the other leaf spring 23 in order to generate an elastic force. The rear band 27 extending in the x direction is fixed to the housing side wall 4 by a band fixing element 29 such as, but not limited to, a screw. In one embodiment, the posterior band 27 is provided on the posterior band 27 to ensure that each leaf spring 23 produces a similar resilience when bent upward, for example fixed with the posterior band 27. It is supported by the auxiliary band 28. Therefore, each leaf spring 23 extends away from the housing side wall 4 to which the rear band 27 is fixed. Here, as shown in, for example, FIG. 4, each leaf spring 23 in one embodiment has a shape that is bent (curved) upward, and therefore, the fluid container held in the storage position 9 by the container holding unit 10. A contact portion 30 that projects toward the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 and is in direct contact with the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2. The protruding contact portion 30 is the only part of the leaf spring 23 that has contact with the fluid container 2. As a result, the position of the fluid container 2 can be reliably maintained by the biasing (elastic) force of the leaf spring 23.

  With particular reference to FIG. 3, when not in contact with the fluid container 2, each leaf spring 23 is in a lowered state as compared with the state in which the leaf spring 23 is in contact with the fluid container 2. More specifically, each leaf spring 23 is arranged such that when the fluid container 2 is inserted between the leaf spring 23 and the container holding portion 10, the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 is moved downward by a certain level. It is descending slightly toward. As a result, by inserting the fluid container 2, the elastic force acting on the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 is generated by the leaf spring 23.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and with further reference to FIG. 6, each leaf spring 23 has a nose 31 at its free end 32. Each nose 31 may be engaged with a protrusion 33 on the transfer head 15 of the handler 13. As shown, the protrusions 33 project from the upper portion 34 of the transfer head 15 toward the rack 7 in one embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 in one embodiment, each upper portion 34 has two protrusions 33 facing the rack 7. The protrusions 33 move the transfer head 15 to the storage position 9 in order to push the leaf spring 23 upward (in the z direction) against the elastic force so that the fluid container 2 can be moved to the storage position 9. Leaf spring 23 in storage position 9 when in the transfer position, i.e. when transfer head 15 faces the storage position for moving fluid container 2 towards or away from storage position 9. The nose 31 is arranged so that the protrusion 33 is in contact therewith. More specifically, in the transfer position, the protrusion 33 that comes into contact with the nose 31 holds the leaf spring 23 at a position higher than the position of the leaf spring 23 when there is no contact between the nose 31 and the protrusion 33. The leaf spring 23 loses contact with the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 stored in the storage position 9.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the system 100 further comprises one or more pipettes 21, each having a disposable or reusable pipette tip 22, such as, but not limited to, a metal needle. , A pipette 20 for transferring fluid to and from the fluid container 2 stored in the pipette rack level 19. Here the pipettor 20 can be moved at a position just above the fluid container 2 of the pipette rack level 19 and one or more pipettes 21 can be moved towards or away from the fluid container 2. .

  With particular reference to FIG. 4, in one embodiment each fluid container 2 is placed sequentially relative to one another, which may contain similar or different fluids, such as, but not limited to, reagents according to a user's particular needs. It includes a plurality of separate (fluid) compartments 35. As shown, in one embodiment each fluid container 2 has three fluid compartments 35, which can be embodied as individual vials, bottles, etc. However, it should be understood that each fluid container 2 may include a greater or lesser number of fluid compartments 35, as desired. Each fluid compartment 35 is provided with a lid 36 for closing the upper opening of the fluid compartment 35. The lid 36 may be screwed to the compartment body 37, for example, or the opening of the compartment body 37. 38 may be inserted. When stored in storage position 9, the plurality of fluid compartments 35 are arranged in a row extending in the y direction.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, each lid 36 is configured to be pierced by the pipette tip 22 of the pipette 21. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment the lid 36 of each fluid compartment 35 has an upper side so as to form a conical opening 40 in the upper side 24 of the fluid container 2 that can be penetrated by the pipette tip 22. 24, and has a cone 39 that widens towards the upper side 24. The cone 39 may be made of a plastic material, for example. Further, in one embodiment (not shown), a partition or membrane may be placed in the conical opening 40. Therefore, each fluid container 2 has a plurality of cones 39, the number and arrangement of which correspond to the number and arrangement of the fluid compartments 35.

  With particular reference to FIG. 1, to provide the pipette 21 with access to the fluid compartment 35, each leaf spring 23 has a pipette cutout 26, each configured as a hole in the leaf spring 23. In particular, as shown, in one embodiment the number and arrangement of pipette notches 26 in one leaf spring 23 is such that the lid 36 of the fluid container 2 stored in the associated storage position 9 of the pipette rack level 19. Corresponding to the possible number and arrangement of. In particular, the pipette cutouts 26 are arranged in series one after the other in a row extending in the y-direction. In one embodiment, each pipette cutout 26 is circular. As shown, in one embodiment each pipette notch 26 is slightly oval in shape. Further, referring specifically to FIG. 3, a wall hole 41 is provided in the housing upper wall 6 to provide the pipette 21 with access to the fluid compartment 35. Specifically, as shown, the number and placement of the wall holes 41 in one embodiment corresponds to the possible number and placement of the lids 36 of the fluid containers 2 stored in the storage position 9 of each pipette rack level 19. To do. In particular, the wall holes 41 associated with one storage position 9 are arranged in a row in succession with respect to one another in a row extending in the y-direction. In one embodiment, each wall hole 41 is circular.

  Thus, in the system 100, at least one pipette 21 can be lowered towards the lid 36 of the fluid compartment 35 of the fluid container 2 in the storage position 9 of the pipette rack level 19 of the rack 7 and the pipette tip 22 on the housing. It is moved through both the wall hole 41 of the wall 6 and the pipette notch 26 of the leaf spring 23. By continuing to descend, the pipette tip 22 penetrates the pierceable lid 36 of the fluid compartment 35 to immerse the pipette tip 22 in the fluid contained in the fluid compartment 35 for the purpose of aspirating the fluid. can do. As shown, in one embodiment, a wall hole 41 that corresponds together with the pipette notch 26 of the leaf spring 23 (corresponding to the number and arrangement of the lids 36 of the fluid container 2 stored in the associated storage position 9). By having an access to any fluid compartment 35 by one or more pipettes 21 can occur at any time. In addition, the number (for example, three) of pipettes 21 corresponding to the number (for example, three) of the lids 36 of the fluid container 2 stored in the storage position 9 is applied to the fluid compartment 35 of the fluid container 2 with the fluid. It is also possible to be able to lower it towards the fluid container 2 for pipetting at the same time.

  When withdrawing one or more pipettes 21 from the fluid container 2 in the storage position 9 of the pipette rack level 19, there is usually a frictional force between the pipette 21 and the fluid container 2. If several pipettes 21 are used to pipette the fluid of one fluid container 2 at the same time, the frictional force increases with the number of pipettes 21. Due to the elastic force of the leaf spring 23 acting on the fluid container 2 against the frictional force, the fluid container 2 is not moved in the z direction, and therefore its position is maintained. As a result, further pipetting can easily be performed without the risk of collision between the fluid container 2 and the pipette 21.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the container holder 10 uses a handler 13 to move the fluid container 2 to or from the storage position 9 and away from the storage position 9 movement of the fluid container 2 in a transfer direction. In order to prevent the above, a holding portion projecting portion 42 that can be fitted and engaged with the fluid container 2 is provided at an end portion of each holding portion bottom plate 12. Therefore, the fluid container 2 can be fixed in the transfer direction by the container holder 10. As a result, the fixing of the fluid container 2 can be improved together with the elastic force of the leaf spring 23 that presses the fluid container 2 against the container holding portion 10.

  In one embodiment, the system 100 further includes a controller (not shown), particularly for controlling the operation of the fluid container 2 by the handler 13. The controller may be embodied, for example, as a programmable logic controller that executes a machine-readable program with instructions to perform an operation in accordance with a predetermined processing operation plan. In that case, the control device is electrically connected to the system component that requires control, so that the control device can receive information from different system components and, according to the processing operation plan, not only the storage location 9 but also the input / output. Corresponding control signals for controlling the components including the handler 13 for transferring the fluid container 2 to the output position can be sent.

  As described above, the fluid container 2 in the system 100 may be transferred to and from the storage location 9. In particular, the fluid containers 2 can be transferred by the handler 13 to the storage position 9 of the same rack level 8 and / or between different rack levels 8. In particular, the fluid container 2 may be transferred to the upper pipette rack level 19 of each rack 7 to provide the pipette 21 with free access to the fluid container 2 through the housing top wall 6 and the leaf springs 23. . Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the fluid container 2 from the device 1 to perform pipetting. In particular, as a result, the fluid container 2 can be efficiently cooled before, after and even during pipetting. Furthermore, the separate step of opening the fluid container 2 can be avoided by using a pipette tip 22 which can penetrate the lid 36 of the fluid container 2. The upward movement of the fluid container 2 can be avoided by the elastic force of the leaf spring 23 that opposes the frictional force generated when the pipette 21 is pulled out from the fluid container 2.

  Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically devised.

Claims (12)

A device (1) for storing a fluid container (2), the device (1) comprising:
At least one storage location (7) provided with one or more storage levels (8) including a pipette storage level (19) configured for fluid pipetting, each storage level (8) being A plurality of storage positions (9), each storage position (9) having a container holder (10) configured to releasably hold at least one fluid container (2), At least one storage location (7),
A handler (13) movable relative to the storage location (7) and configured to automatically transfer the fluid container (2) to at least the storage location (9),
The storage position (9) of the pipette storage level (19) includes a leaf spring (23) arranged to bias the fluid container (2) against the container holder (10). (23) is provided with at least one through hole (26) positioned to provide the pipette (21) with access to the container lid (36) of the fluid container (2) ,
The handler (13) is configured to lock the leaf spring (23) when the handler (13) is in a transfer position for transferring the fluid container (2) to or away from the storage position (9). Device (1) comprising a protrusion (33) configured to contact the leaf spring (23) in the storage position (9) so as to act against elastic force . A device (1) for storing a fluid container (2), the device (1) comprising:
At least one storage location (7) provided with one or more storage levels (8) including a pipette storage level (19) configured for fluid pipetting, each storage level (8) being A plurality of storage positions (9), each storage position (9) having a container holder (10) configured to releasably hold at least one fluid container (2), At least one storage location (7),
A handler (13) movable relative to the storage location (7) and adapted to automatically transfer the fluid container (2) to at least the storage location (9);
Equipped with
The storage position (9) of the pipette storage level (19) includes a leaf spring (23) arranged to bias the fluid container (2) against the container holder (10). (23) is provided with at least one through hole (26) positioned to provide the pipette (21) with access to the container lid (36) of the fluid container (2),
The leaf spring (23) has a curved shape so as to have at least one contact portion (30) for contacting the fluid container (2) in the storage position (9), and the contact portion (30) includes: Device (1) which is curved towards said fluid container (2). The handler (13) is configured to lock the leaf spring (23) when the handler (13) is in a transfer position for transferring the fluid container (2) to or away from the storage position (9). Device (1) according to claim 2 , comprising a projection (33) configured to come into contact with the leaf spring (23) in the storage position (9) so as to act against elastic force. The leaf spring (23) has a curved shape so as to have at least one contact portion (30) for contacting the fluid container (2) in the storage position (9), and the contact portion (30) includes: It is curved toward the fluid container (2), according to claim 1 Symbol mounting (1). The plate free end of the spring (23) (32), said protruding from the storage position (9) for engagement with a projection (33) of the handler (13), according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein Device (1). The device (1) comprises a device housing (3) and the at least one through hole (26) of each leaf spring (23) is provided with the fluid container (2) from outside the device housing (3). 6. Any one of claims 1-5, arranged to correspond to a hole (41) in the device housing (3) to provide access to the pipette (21) to the container lid (36) of the. The device (1) according to item 1. The container holding part (10) of the storage position (9) transfers the fluid container (2) to the storage position (9) or away from the storage position (9) of the fluid container (2) in a transfer direction. in order to prevent the operation, said fluid container (2) and the projecting portion configured to fit engagement is held by the container holding portion (10) comprises a (42), one of the claims 1-6 An apparatus (1) according to item 1. Each storage level (8) extends in a plane (X, Y) and one or more storage levels (8) are stacked in a direction (Z) oriented perpendicular to said plane (X, Y). is, the pipette storage level (19) is above the storage levels (8) a device according to any one of claim 1 to 7 (1). Each leaf spring (23) is arranged to provide one or more pipettes (21) with access to a corresponding number of pierceable lids (36) of the fluid container (2). or a plurality of through holes (26) a device according to any one of claims 1-8 (1). The leaf spring (23) is formed by a cutout piece elements (43) (25) A device according to any one of claim 1 to 9 (1). A system (100) for fluid pipetting, the system (100) comprising:
At least one device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ;
There is at least one pipette (21) movable for at least the pipette storage level (19) and for pipetting a fluid contained in a fluid container (2) stored in said pipette storage level (19). And a pipettor (20) provided,
The pipette (21) is a system (100) having a pipette tip (22) configured to penetrate a lid (36) of the fluid container (2). The system (100) according to claim 11 , wherein the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is a modular system component.

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