Abstract
The invention relates to an incubation system (26) comprising a preferably multilayered carrier (1) and a container (27). The carrier (1) is received in the container (27) in such a way that the container (27) and the carrier (1) are in fluid communication via at least one interface. Furthermore, the carrier (1) is fastened to the container (27) in such a way that the at least one interface for fluid exchange between the container (27) and the carrier (1) is tight.
Claims
1. Incubation system (26) comprising a preferably multilayered carrier (1), a container (27) wherein the carrier (1) is received in the container (27) in such a way that the container (27) and the carrier (1) are in fluid communication via at least one interface and the carrier (1) is fastened to the container (27) in such a way that the at least one interface for fluid exchange between the container (27) and the carrier (1) is tight.
2. Incubation system (26) according to claim 1, comprising a clamping element (42), wherein the carrier (1) is arranged between the container (27) and the clamping element in such a way that the carrier (1) is fastened to the container (27) by a clamping force.
3. Incubation system (26) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a cover for closing the container (27), wherein the cover forms an incubation chamber with the container (27), wherein the incubation chamber preferably has the dimensions of a 96-well plate, but at least the width and length of the 96-well plate, wherein the cover is preferably in fluid communication with the container (27) and/or with the carrier (1), wherein, preferably, the interfaces for fluid exchange between the cover and the container (27) and/or between the cover and the carrier (1) are tight.
4. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one layer (36) has an interface opening which is arranged at the boundary with another layer (37) and allows the fluid exchange between the layers.
5. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (1) has at least one reservoir (2).
6. Incubation system (26) according to the preceding claim, comprising a first connecting channel (3) which connects the incubation chamber to the reservoir (2) which is located in one layer (36), and a second connecting channel (4) which connects the reservoir (2) to another layer (37).
7. Incubation system (26) according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the reservoir (2) has a reservoir opening (5) and preferably a reservoir closure (12) for closing the reservoir opening (5), which reservoir closure is in particular such that repeated opening and closing is possible.
8. Incubation system (26) according to the preceding claim, comprising a partial closure (17) for partially closing the reservoir opening (5), whereby a remaining opening (18) remains which is closed by the reservoir closure (12) and wherein a sealing element (19), preferably an O-ring, is arranged between the partial closure (17) and the reservoir closure (12) in order to seal the remaining opening (18).
9. Incubation system (26) according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first connecting channel (3) has an interface opening (6) which is part of the interface between the incubation chamber and the layer (36) in which the reservoir (2) is located, and the second connecting channel (4) has an interface opening (7) which is part of an interface between the layer (36) in which the reservoir (2) is located and the other layer (37), wherein the interface openings (6, 7) are on different planes (8, 9).
10. Incubation system (26) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the interface opening of the first connecting channel (3) is closed by a closure element (15), wherein the closure element (15) has a certain permeability.
11. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims 6 to 10, wherein the container (27) has a first container channel (29), which is in fluid communication with the first connecting channel (3), and a second container channel, and the carrier (1) has one carrier channel (21) which is in fluid communication with the second container channel but not with the first connecting channel (3).
12. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the incubation chamber has at least one sensor, for example a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor, and/or an actuator, preferably a heating element, a cooling element, or a light source.
13. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the incubation chamber, in particular the container (2), has a distribution plate (28) which connects the incubation chamber channels, preferably the container channels (29), to carrier channels (3, 4, 21) via distribution plate channels (28).
14. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (27) has an electrical and/or pneumatic interface for checking the secure closing of the cover and/or has an electrical interface for checking the precise fit of the carrier (1) into the container (27).
15. Incubation system (26) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit for regulating variables in the incubation chamber and the carrier (1), wherein the control unit is connected electrically, pneumatically, and/or hydraulically to the incubation chamber and is in fluid communication with the incubation chamber and the carrier (1), wherein the regulation takes place in particular by means of the at least one sensor and the at least one actuator.
Description
[0058] The invention is explained below with reference to figures. The figures show embodiments of the invention only by way of example. In the drawings:
[0059] FIG. 1 is a section of a carrier in the sectional view,
[0060] FIG. 2 shows a carrier according to FIG. 1, which is supplemented by further elements,
[0061] FIG. 3 shows a carrier according to FIG. 1, which is supplemented by a closure element,
[0062] FIG. 4 shows a carrier according to FIG. 1, which is supplemented by further elements,
[0063] FIG. 5 is another section of a carrier in the sectional view,
[0064] FIG. 6 is a section of an incubation system in the sectional view,
[0065] FIG. 7 shows a carrier in top view,
[0066] FIG. 8 shows the carrier according to FIG. 7, in which further planes are visible,
[0067] FIG. 9 shows a carrier in the sectional view,
[0068] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an incubation system,
[0069] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an incubation system.
[0070] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a carrier 1 in the sectional view. A part of the carrier 1 in which the reservoir 2 is located can be seen. In addition to the reservoir 2, the carrier 1 comprises a first connecting channel 3 which is used to connect the incubation chamber to the reservoir 2. As will be explained later with reference to FIG. 6, the carrier is arranged in a container and the container is in fluid communication with the carrier. A container channel is connected to the first connecting channel via a distribution channel. The carrier further comprises a second connecting channel 4 which is intended to connect the reservoir 2 to another layer. The reservoir 2 has a reservoir opening 5. The first connecting channel 3 has an interface opening 6 which is part of the interface between the incubation chamber and the reservoir layer (first interface opening). Furthermore, the second connecting channel has an interface opening 7 which is part of an interface between the reservoir layer and the other layer (second interface opening). The first interface opening 6 lies on a first plane 8 and the second interface opening 7 lies on a second plane 9. The first plane 8 and the second plane 9 are different planes. The axis 10 of the reservoir and the axis 11 of the second interface opening are different. They are parallel.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows the carrier 1 according to FIG. 1, which is supplemented by further elements. The carrier 1 thus has a reservoir closure 12 which allows the reservoir 2 to be opened and closed repeatedly. A fluid 13 of a first type (primary fluid) can be introduced into the reservoir 2 via the first interface opening 6 and the first connecting channel 3. The left double arrow indicates that the primary fluid 13 can flow in both directions. A fluid 14 of a second type (secondary fluid) is located in the reservoir 2. The right double arrow also indicates the possible flow directions here. The direction in which the secondary fluid 14 flows can be determined by adjusting the pressure in the reservoir through the primary fluid 13. If, for example, the pressure P1 is greater than the pressure P2, the secondary fluid 14 flows out of the reservoir 2 via the second interface opening 7.
[0072] FIG. 3 shows the carrier 1 from FIG. 1, which is supplemented by a closure element 15. The closure element closes the first interface opening 6. It has a certain permeability that allows the primary fluid 13 to pass through, but prevents the secondary fluid 14 from passing through. In this way, the loss of part of the secondary fluid 14 through vaporization thereof is prevented.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows the carrier 1 from FIG. 1, which is supplemented by further elements. On the one hand, the first interface opening 6 is provided with a sealing element 16. The sealing element 16 is an O-ring. Furthermore, the reservoir 2 (as in FIG. 2) is provided with a reservoir closure 12. In contrast to FIG. 2, the carrier 1 has a partial closure 17 for partially closing the reservoir opening 5, whereby a remaining opening 18 remains. A sealing element 19 is arranged between the reservoir closure 12 and partial closure 17 in the region around the remaining opening. The sealing element 19 is an O-ring. This closure construction has the advantage that lower sealing forces have to be applied and that the reservoir opening 5 can be sealed more securely. Furthermore, an anti-evaporation fluid 20 is located in the reservoir 2 to avoid evaporation of the secondary fluid 14. The anti-evaporation fluid 20 has a lower density than the secondary fluid 14 and is immiscible therewith.
[0074] FIG. 5 shows another part of the carrier 1 in which a carrier channel 21 is located. The carrier channel 21 is connected to a container channel via a distribution channel. However, the carrier channel 21 is not in fluid communication with the first connecting channel 3 (see, for example, FIG. 1). Thus, the carrier channel 21 is also not in fluid communication with the container channel, which is connected to the first connecting channel via a distribution channel. The carrier channel 21 has an interface opening 22 which is part of the interface between the container and the layer in which the carrier channel is located (carrier channel layer) (third interface opening). Furthermore, the carrier channel 21 has an interface opening 23 which is part of the interface between the carrier channel layer and another layer (fourth interface opening). The third interface opening 22 is closed with a closure element 24 which has a certain permeability. The permeability is such that the closure element 24 allows the passage of a primary fluid 13, but prevents the passage of a secondary fluid 14. A sealing element 25 can be arranged between the carrier channel layer and the distribution plate in order to seal the carrier channel 21. The secondary fluid 14 is located in the carrier channel 21. By introducing the primary fluid 13 via the third interface opening 22 into the carrier channel 21, a pressure can be built up which results in the secondary fluid 14 being moved in the direction of the fourth interface opening 23 and emerging from it. As a result, the secondary fluid 14 can get into another layer of the carrier 1 in order, for example, to actuate (for example to close) a valve in the other layer. A corresponding movement of the primary fluid 13 and thus of the secondary fluid 14 in the opposite direction is also possible (e.g. to open the valve). The third interface opening 22 lies on the first plane 8 and the fourth interface opening 23 lies on the second plane 9.
[0075] FIG. 6 shows a section of an exemplary incubation system 26 in the sectional view. The incubation system 26 has a carrier 1 according to FIG. 4, a container 27, and a distribution plate 28. The container 27 is made of aluminum. One can see, among other things, a container channel 29 and a distribution channel 30, which are in fluid communication with the first connecting channel 3.
[0076] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary carrier 1 in top view. The sections of the carrier in the previous figures can be part of the carrier 1 according to FIG. 7. The carrier 1 has eight reservoirs on the left. The four left reservoirs of the eight reservoirs are filled with a first reservoir fluid 31 and the four right reservoirs of the eight reservoirs are filled with a second reservoir fluid 32. In pairs, two reservoirs have a common first connecting channel 3. A chamber 33 is located in the center. The chamber 33 is preferably filled with water. Four reservoirs 2 are located on the right side, which reservoirs are output reservoirs. They are all connected via a common connecting channel 3. In order to fasten the carrier 1 to the container in such a way that the at least one interface for fluid exchange between the container and the carrier is tight, a clamping surface 34 is provided. A clamping force can be exerted on the clamping surface via a clamping element, which leads to the carrier being fastened to the container according to the invention.
[0077] FIG. 8 shows further elements of the carrier 1, which are shown in dashed lines because they are located in deeper planes of the carrier 1 that are not visible from the outside. Four first connecting channels 3 can be seen on the left. Each first connecting channel 3 is provided to be in fluid communication with a respective container channel 27 (see FIG. 6). Further carrier channels 21 can be seen above and below. Of these, seven carrier channels are valve actuation channels, i.e. they are used to actuate valves. The eighth carrier channel 21 is a common first connecting channel 3 for the output reservoirs, i.e. it is used to subject the four right reservoirs simultaneously to fluid pressure. On the far right, there is a position 35 for an electrical interface. The electrical interface can be used, for example, to check whether the carrier 1 is inserted with an accurate fit in the container.
[0078] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the carrier 1 in the sectional view. The carrier 1 comprises an upper layer 36, a lower layer 37, and a lowermost layer 40. The upper layer comprises partial layers 36a, 36b and 36c, which consist of PMMA and which are connected by means of solvent 38. This is also known as solvent bonding. The upper partial layer 36a has two parts which each form partial closures 17 for partially closing the reservoir openings 5. Two reservoirs 2 are visible, which are located in the middle partial layer 36b. The partial layer 36b further comprises second connecting channels 4. The first connecting channels are not visible in this sectional view. Furthermore, the upper layer 36 comprises a lower partial layer 36c, which has carrier channels which connect the second connecting channels and channels in the lower layer 37 (not visible). The lower layer 37 also comprises three partial layers 37a, 37b and 37c. It forms a multilayered microfluidic system that consists of PDMS. The upper layer and the lower layer are connected via oxygen plasma and a solvent 39. The lower layer 37 is connected to the lowermost view 40, which is preferably a glass plate, via oxygen plasma 41. The glass plate has a thickness between 0.1 and 1 mm.
[0079] FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of an exemplary incubation system 26. The container 27, the carrier 1, and the clamping element 42 are shown. The carrier 1 can, for example, be the carrier from the previous figures (in particular FIG. 7). The distribution plate 28 is located in the container 27. The bottom of the container 27 is open. The container thus has a bottom opening 43. A microscope can be used, for example, to look into the incubation chamber from the outside through the bottom opening 43. In a preferred embodiment of the incubation system (which is not restricted to the exemplary figures), the underside 44 of the carrier is located on the bottom 45 of the container. Furthermore, preferably (and not restricted to the exemplary figures), the underside of the carrier, which is preferably the underside of the glass plate, lies on the same plane as the underside 48 of the container. The container 27 also has connections 46 for lines (not shown) of the control unit. Ten such connections 46 can be seen. The four vertical and downward arrows indicate a preferred sequence of installation steps: First, the carrier 1 is inserted into the container 27 and then the clamping element 42 is positioned on the carrier 1. The clamping element 42 is fastened to the container 27, for example by means of screws (not shown), so that the carrier 1 is clamped between the clamping element 42 and the container 27. As a result, the carrier 1 is fastened to the container 27 in such a way that the interfaces for fluid exchange between the container (27) and the carrier (1) are tight. The clamping element 42 exerts a clamping force on the clamping surface 34 of the carrier. In this embodiment, the clamping element 42 can be viewed as a cover which, together with the container, forms the incubation chamber.
[0080] FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of an incubation system which differs from that from FIG. 10 in that it has a cover 47 which is not identical to the clamping element 42. The cover 47, together with the container 27, forms the incubation chamber within which the carrier 1 is arranged. Furthermore, FIG. 11 shows the incubation system 26 from the other side than FIG. 10. Fourteen connections 46 for lines of the control unit, which are arranged on the container 27, are therefore shown. Furthermore, two connections 46 for lines of the control unit on the cover 47 are visible.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0081] 1 Carrier [0082] 2 Reservoir [0083] 3 First connecting channel [0084] 4 Second connecting channel [0085] 5 Reservoir opening [0086] 6 First interface opening [0087] 7 Second interface opening [0088] 8 First plane [0089] 9 Second plane [0090] 10 Axis of the reservoir [0091] 11 Axis of the second interface opening [0092] 12 Reservoir closure [0093] 13 Primary fluid [0094] 14 Secondary fluid [0095] 15 Closure element [0096] 16 Sealing element [0097] 17 Partial closure [0098] 18 Remaining opening [0099] 19 Sealing element (reservoir opening) [0100] 20 Anti-evaporation fluid [0101] 21 Carrier channel [0102] 22 Third interface opening [0103] 23 Fourth interface opening [0104] 24 Closure element (third interface opening) [0105] 25 Sealing element (third interface opening) [0106] 26 Incubation system [0107] 27 Container [0108] 28 Distribution plate [0109] 29 Container channel [0110] 30 Distribution channel [0111] 31 First reservoir fluid [0112] 32 Second reservoir fluid [0113] 33 Chamber [0114] 34 Clamping surface [0115] 35 Position for electrical interface [0116] 36 Upper layer of the carrier [0117] 36a Upper partial layer [0118] 36b Middle partial layer [0119] 36c Lower partial layer [0120] 37 Lower layer of the carrier [0121] 37a Upper partial layer [0122] 37b Middle partial layer [0123] 37c Lower partial layer [0124] 38 Solvent [0125] 39 Oxygen and solvents [0126] 40 Glass plate [0127] 41 Oxygen plasma [0128] 42 Clamping element [0129] 43 Container bottom opening [0130] 44 Carrier underside [0131] 45 Container bottom [0132] 46 Connection for lines of the control unit [0133] 47 Cover [0134] 48 Underside of the container
