SAMPLE ACQUIRING DEVICE HOLDER FOR A HOUSING OF AN ANLYSIS APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to a sample acquiring device holder (3) for a housing (2) of an analysis apparatus (1). The sample acquiring device holder (3) may comprise an activating element (5) and a reception recess (11) for receiving a sample acquiring device (4). A first portion (10) of the activating element (5) may protrude into the reception recess (11), if the activating element (5) is in a non-activating position. The activating element (5) may be adapted to be moved into an activating position by the sample acquiring device (4), if the sample acquiring device (4) is inserted into an intended measurement position within the reception recess (11). The activating element (5) may be adapted to activate a measurement triggering element (15), if the activating element (5) is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element (15) activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus (1).

Claims

1. A microcuvette holder for a housing of an analysis apparatus, the microcuvette holder comprising: an activating element and a reception recess for receiving a microcuvette, wherein a first portion of the activating element protrudes into the reception recess, if the activating element is in a non-activating position, wherein the activating element is adapted to be moved into an activating position by the microcuvette, if the microcuvette is inserted into an intended measurement position within the reception recess, and wherein the activating element is adapted to activate a measurement triggering element by movement of the activating element laterally, if the activating element is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus wherein the activating element comprises an arm shaped element, wherein a first end portion of the arm shaped element protrudes into the reception recess, and wherein an elbow portion of the arm shaped element is adapted to activate the measurement triggering element by pushing, if the arm shaped element is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus wherein the microcuvette holder is removably accommodated within a recess of the housing.

2. The microcuvette holder according to claim 1, wherein the microcuvette holder comprises a reception part forming the reception recess for receiving the microcuvette, and wherein the activating element is attached to the reception part of the microcuvette holder in a one-piece manner, wherein the reception part comprises a shoulder part whereto the activating element is attached.

3. The microcuvette holder according to claim 2, wherein the reception part and the activating element are made of the same plastic material.

4. The microcuvette holder according to claim 1, wherein the activating element comprises a first plastic material and a second plastic material different from the first plastic material.

5. The microcuvette holder according to claim 1,wherein the microcuvette holder comprises a microcuvette reception part forming the reception recess for receiving the microcuvette, and wherein the activating element is pivotably attached to the reception part.

6. The microcuvette holder according to claim 5, wherein the activating element is pivotably attached to the reception part by means of a hinge, and wherein the microcuvette reception part and the activating element are made of the same plastic material.

7. The microcuvette holder according to claim 5, wherein a metal pin is attached to the microcuvette reception part, wherein the activating element is made of a plastic material and comprises a recess corresponding to the size and shape of the pin, and wherein the pin is inserted into the recess such that the activating element is pivotably attached to the microcuvette reception part.

8. The microcuvette holder according to one of the claim 1, wherein the microcuvette holder comprises a reception part forming the reception recess for receiving the microcuvette, wherein the activating element is made of a metal material, and wherein the activating element is attached to the microcuvette reception part.

9. The microcuvette holder according to one of the claim 1, the microcuvette holder further comprising a guiding structure, wherein the guiding structure is adapted for inserting the microcuvette into the intended measurement position within the reception recess, such that the microcuvette protrudes out of the microcuvette holder and out of the analysis apparatus, if the microcuvette is in its intended measurement position within the reception recess.

10. An analysis apparatus comprising a housing, a microcuvette holder according to claim 1, and a measurement triggering element, wherein the microcuvette holder is adapted to be removably accommodated within a recess of the housing such that the activating element of the microcuvette holder is adapted to activate the measurement triggering element by pushing, if the activating element is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus.

11. The analysis appratus according to claim 10, wherein the analysis apparatus is adapted to analyse a blood sample which is stored within a microcuvette inserted within the reception recess of the microcuvette holder.

12. The analysis apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the analysis apparatus is adapted to conduct a quantitative hemoglobin determination in undilute, unhemolyzed whole blood.

13. The analysis apparatus according to claim 10, the analysis apparatus further comprising a magnet detecting element, wherein the magnet detecting element is adapted to detect a magnet of the microcuvette holder, and wherein the analysis apparatus is ready for a measurement, when the microcuvette holder is arranged within the recess of the housing.

14. A method for analysing a blood sample which is stored within a microcuvette, the method comprising: providing an analysis apparatus according to claim 10, inserting the microcuvette holder of the analysis apparatus into the housing of the analysis apparatus, wherein the microcuvette holder is removably accommodated within a recess of the housing, providing a microcuvette in which a blood sample is stored, and inserting the microcuvette into the intended measurement position within the reception recess of the microcuvette holder, thereby moving the activating element of the microcuvette holder into its activating position by the microcuvette, such that the activating element activates the measurement triggering element of the analysis apparatus by movement of the activating element laterally, such that the measurement triggering element activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus.

16. The analysis apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the measurement triggering element is a button.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0029] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference sign.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 1, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 3, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 5, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 7, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0039] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 9, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0040] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device in a holder being in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention, wherein the sample acquiring device is not in an intended measurement position within the holder yet.

[0041] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 11, wherein the sample acquiring device is now in its intended measurement position within the holder.

[0042] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of an analysis apparatus with a sample acquiring device holder being in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention, wherein the holder comprises a magnet and wherein the analysis apparatus comprises a metal bar.

[0043] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a sample acquiring device for being inserted into a holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of a method for analysing a blood sample which is stored within a sample acquiring device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a part of an analysis apparatus 1, a housing 2, a sample acquiring device holder 3 and a sample acquiring device 4. The sample acquiring device holder 3 is removably accommodated within a recess 25 of the housing 2.

[0046] In the shown example, the sample acquiring device 4 is a microcuvette. Thus, the sample acquiring device is referred to as a “microcuvette 4” in the following. Accordingly, the sample acquiring device holder is referred to as a “microcuvette holder 3” in the following. However, the sample acquiring device alternatively also may be e.g. a spectrophotometry cuvette, a sample tube or an EPPENDORF® tube, and especially the sample acquiring device holder 3 may be designed to receive such an alternative sample acquiring device as will be described in the following.

[0047] The microcuvette holder 3 comprises an activating element 5. In the shown example, the activating element comprises an arm shaped element with an upper arm element 6 and a forearm element 7. The upper arm element 6 and the forearm element 7 are connected in an elbow portion 8 of the arm shaped element in a one-piece manner.

[0048] Close to a bottom area 9 of the housing 2, a first end portion 10 of the arm shaped element, in the shown embodiment a distal end portion 10 of the forearm element 7, protrudes into a reception recess 11, which is formed by a reception part 12 of the microcuvette holder 3. The shape and dimensions are designed such that the microcuvette 4 can be pushed into the reception recess 11 to start a measurement and also to be pulled out of the reception recess 11 again.

[0049] In the shown example, a second end portion 13 of the arm shaped element, especially a distal end portion 13 of the upper arm element 6, is connected with an upper part, which may be called a shoulder part 14, of the reception part 12 in a one-piece manner. Although the second end portion 13 of the arm shaped element may be substantially rigidly connected to the shoulder part 14 of the reception part 12 of the microcuvette holder 3, the arm shaped element may be a flexible and elastic part that may be pivoted to some extent around the shoulder part 14.

[0050] The reception part 12 of the microcuvette holder 3 provides a guiding structure 22, in the shown example in form of two inner guiding surfaces each corresponding to an outer side surface 23 of the microcuvette 4 (see also FIG. 14). Alternatively, the guiding structure e.g. may be comprise at least one rail or groove corresponding to a groove respectively rail of the microcuvette 4. The guiding structure 22 is adapted for guiding the microcuvette 4 while the microcuvette 4 is inserted into the intended measurement position within the reception recess 11. In the shown example, the guiding structure 22 is adapted to guide the microcuvette 4 when being inserted into the microcuvette holder 3, such that the microcuvette 4 protrudes out of the microcuvette holder 3 and out of the analysis apparatus 1, if the microcuvette 4 is in its intended measurement position within the reception recess 11, as it is shown in FIG. 2. Thereby, it is enabled that the microcuvette 4 only must be introduced and pushed into the guiding structure of the microcuvette holder 3 until the microcuvette 4 is in its intended position. As will be described in the following, this is sufficient to correctly insert the microcuvette 4 into the measurement apparatus 1 and to start a measurement.

[0051] In the shown example, the microcuvette holder 3 with its arm shaped element and with its reception part 12 is made of a plastic material. In FIG. 1, the microcuvette 4 is not in contact with the distal end portion 10 of the forearm element 7 and is not yet pushed as far into the reception recess 11 as to reach its intended measurement position. The arm shaped element is in a non-activating position, in which the distal end portion 10 of the forearm element 7 is an obstacle which partially blocks the path of the microcuvette 4 on the way to its intended measurement position.

[0052] However, the arm shaped element may be an elastic and flexible part. Thus, the microcuvette 4 can push away the distal end portion 10 of the forearm element 7 in a lateral direction (to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2) when being pushed further into the reception recess 11, as it is shown in FIG. 2, which shows the microcuvette 4 is in its intended measurement position. In particular, the arm shaped element may be pivoted around the shoulder part 14 clockwise according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Thereby, especially the elbow portion 8 may be moved laterally (to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, the elbow portion 8 may push a measurement triggering element, in the shown example a button 15. By pushing the button 15 a measurement of the analysis apparatus 1 may be activated. For sealing the housing 2, a membrane 16 is positioned between the elbow portion 8 and the button 15 in the shown example. Thus, the elbow portion 8 may push the button 15 indirectly via the membrane 16.

[0053] The analysis apparatus 1 may be adapted to analyse a blood sample which is stored within the microcuvette 4, when the microcuvette 4 is in its intended measurement position within the reception recess 11 of the microcuvette holder 3. The analysis of the blood sample may include a hemoglobin determination, blood glucose determination or a white blood cell count. Especially, the analysis apparatus 1 may be adapted to conduct a quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood as described e.g. in EP 1 456 649 B1 of the applicant. Alternatively, the analysis apparatus may be adapted to analyse plasma, serum, urine, milk, waste water or similar substances which are stored within a sample acquiring device inserted within the reception recess of the sample acquiring device holder.

[0054] The embodiment shown by FIGS. 3 and 4 substantially has the same functionality than that as per FIGS. 1 and 2. Deviating from the embodiment as per FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper arm element 6 as per FIGS. 3 and 4 is thicker. Further in difference, the arm shaped element as per FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a first plastic material, which builds the forearm element 7 and the elbow portion 8. The reception part 12 may be made of the first plastic material, too. Also, the upper arm element 6 may be substantially made of the first plastic material. However, a flexibility portion 17 extending along the upper arm element 6 may be made of a second plastic material which is different from the first plastic material. This second plastic material may contribute to make the arm shaped element more flexible.

[0055] The embodiment shown by FIGS. 5 and 6 substantially has the same functionality than that as per FIGS. 1 and 2. However, according to the embodiment as per FIGS. 5 and 6, the arm shaped element is pivotably attached to the shoulder part 14 of the reception part 12. The upper arm element 6 is pivotably attached to the shoulder part 14 by means of a hinge 18. In the shown embodiment, the hinge 18 is formed by the upper arm element 6 and by the shoulder part 14. The upper arm element 6 forms a shaft 19 and the shoulder part 14 forms a socket 20 for accommodating the shaft. Both the arm shaped element and the reception part 12 can be made of a same plastic material.

[0056] FIGS. 7 and 8 as well as 9 and 10 also show embodiments according to which the arm shaped element is pivotably attached to the shoulder part 14 of the reception part 12 by means of a hinge. However, in the embodiments as per FIGS. 7 to 10, the shoulder part 14 forms a metal pin 19 and upper arm element 6 forms a socket 20 for accommodating the pin. The rest of the arm shaped element and the reception part 12 can be made of a same plastic material.

[0057] FIGS. 11 and 12 show an embodiment, wherein the arm shaped element is made of a metal material. The upper arm element 6 of the arm shaped element is rigidly attached to the shoulder part 14 of the reception part 12. The metal activating element 5 comprises a particularly high stability and elasticity. The metal activating element 5 can be made relatively thin, especially compared to an activating element 5 made of a plastic material as per FIGS. 1 to 10. The reception part 12 can be made of a plastic material.

[0058] FIG. 13 shows another analysis apparatus 1 which substantially has the same functionality than that as per FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, the analysis apparatus as per FIG. 13 may comprise a magnet detecting element, in the shown example in the form of a metal bar 21. In the shown example, the metal bar 21 is accommodated within a recess of the housing 2. Further, the microcuvette holder 3 may comprise a magnet 24. In the shown example, the magnet 24 is accommodated within a recess formed by the reception part 12. FIG. 13 depicts the microcuvette holder 3 being inserted into an intended position within the recess 25 of the housing 2 of the analysis apparatus 1. In this position, the magnet 24 is in vicinity of the metal bar 21, such that a magnetic field of the magnet 24 may be detected by the metal bar. Therefore, by means of the magnet detecting element 21, the analysis apparatus 1 may be adapted to detect the magnet 24 of the microcuvette holder 3, when the microcuvette holder 3 is arranged within the recess 25 of the housing 2. If the analysis apparatus 1 detects this, it may automatically switch over into a modus, in which the analysis apparatus 1 is ready for a measurement.

[0059] FIG. 14 shows a microcuvette 4 suitable and adapted for being used in one of the microcuvette holders 3 and analysis apparatuses as per FIGS. 1 to 13.

[0060] FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of a method for analysing a blood sample which is stored within a sample acquiring device 4. In a first method step 100, an analysis apparatus 1 as per one of the FIGS. 1 to 13 is provided. In a second step 200, a microcuvette holder 3 is inserted into the recess 25 of the housing 2 of the analysis apparatus 1.

[0061] Alternatively, the analysis apparatus 1 may also be provided with the microcuvette holder 3 already being inserted into the recess 25 of the housing 2. In a third step 300, a microcuvette 4 is provided, e.g. a microcuvette 4 as per FIG. 1 to 12 or 14, wherein a blood sample is stored within the microcuvette 4.

[0062] In a fourth step 400, the microcuvette 4 is inserted into the intended position within the reception recess 11 of the microcuvette holder 3. Thereby—as described above—the arm shaped element of the microcuvette holder 3 is brought into its activating position by the microcuvette 4. As a result, the elbow portion 5 pushes the button 15, such that the button 15 activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus 1. The measurement may include an analysis of the blood sample, e.g. a hemoglobin determination, blood glucose determination or a white blood cell count. Especially, the analysis may comprise a quantitative hemoglobin determination in undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood. Such a determination method is described e.g. in EP 1 456 649 B1 of the applicant.