CENTRIFUGE INSERT

Abstract

A centrifuge insert is provided which is not only suited for one type of sample container or sample carrier but for at least two geometrically different elements from the group consisting of sample container and sample carrier. This achieves that the same centrifuge insert can be used for different sample containers or sample carriers. This provides space savings, in particular in the lab. Furthermore acquisition cost is reduced, and handling is accelerated by reducing manual complexity which increases lab through put.

Claims

1. A centrifuge insert for receiving one or plural elements from a group consisting of sample container and sample carrier in a centrifuge rotor of a laboratory centrifuge that is configured as a swing out rotor, wherein the centrifuge insert is adapted to receive at least one first element which has a circular or oval cross section at least in portions or at least one second element which has a polygonal cross section at least in portions.

2. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first element is a sample container, a sample beaker, a sample tube, a reaction vessel, a centrifuge vessel, a flask, a micro reaction vessel or a cell culture vessel and includes a conically configured base section.

3. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert is configured to receive the at least one element in a form locking manner, or wherein a base configuration of receivers of the centrifuge insert is adapted to a base configuration of sample containers or sample carriers to be received and has a flat, conical or cambered contour.

4. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert is configured modular with a base element and at least one supplemental element wherein the supplemental element is pluggable into the base element or pluggable onto the base element, and wherein a plug connection configured as a groove and key connection is formable between the base element and the supplemental element.

5. The centrifuge insert according to claim 4, wherein the supplemental element includes at least one first receiver for the at least one first element, or wherein the supplemental element includes an external geometry which forms at least one second receiver for the at least one first element in cooperation with a corresponding interior geometry of the base element.

6. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert is configured to laterally fix the at least one first element or the at least one second element.

7. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least one bar or protrusion which is adapted to laterally envelop at least one of the at least one first element and the at least one second element at least partially, or wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least one recess or groove which is adapted to laterally envelop at least one of the at least one first element and the at least one second element at least partially, wherein the centrifuge insert is adapted to receive the at least one first element by plugging into corresponding receivers of the centrifuge insert or to carry the at least one second element, wherein the at least one second element is laterally fixed on a base surface by form locking.

8. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least two supports which are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to laterally support at least one supplemental element or the at least one second element, or at least two supplemental elements or second elements that are stacked on top of each other.

9. The centrifuge insert according to claim 8, wherein the at least two supports include interlocking connection elements which are adapted to provide an interlocking connection between the at least two supports and the at least one supplemental element or the at least one second element.

10. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the centrifuge insert includes grips for gripping the centrifuge insert, wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least two grips which are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to laterally support at least one supplemental element or the at least one second element, or at least two supplemental elements or second elements that are stacked on top of each other.

11. The centrifuge insert according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second element is a sample carrier, a plate shaped element configured as a micro plate, a micro titer plate, a PCR plate or a deep well plate with plural receivers for samples.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Features and additional advantages of the instant invention are subsequently described based on advantageous embodiments with reference to drawing figures, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates the base element of the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to a first advantageous embodiment in a perspective view;

[0036] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two supplemental elements for the base element of the centrifuge insert according to FIG. 1 in perspective views;

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates the centrifuge insert according the invention according to FIG. 1 in a first application in a perspective view;

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a second application in a perspective view;

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a third application in a perspective view;

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a laboratory centrifuge with a centrifuge rotor and the centrifuge insert arranged therein in a perspective view;

[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to a second advantageous embodiment in a perspective view;

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 7 in a first application in a perspective view;

[0043] FIGS. 9A, 9B illustrate the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 7 in a second application in a perspective view and in a side view;

[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates the base element and the supplemental element of the centrifuge insert according to the invention in a third advantageous embodiment in a perspective view;

[0045] FIG. 11 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 10 in a first application in a perspective view;

[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 10 in second application in a perspective view;

[0047] FIG. 13 illustrates the centrifuge insert according to the invention according to FIG. 1 0 in a third application in a perspective view; and

[0048] FIG. 14A, 14B, 14C illustrate receivers of centrifuge inserts according to the invention cooperating with sample containers received therein a cross-sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a first advantageous embodiment of the centrifuge insert 10 according to the invention in various views.

[0050] More precisely, FIG. 1 illustrates the base element 12 of the centrifuge insert 10. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two supplemental elements 14, 16 for the base element 12, and FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate various combination options of the base element 12 and the supplemental elements 14, 16 and applications resulting therefrom.

[0051] It is evident that the base element 12 essentially has an octagonal cross-section and a central recess 18 which corresponds with six cylinder segment-shaped recesses 20 that are evenly spaced along the circumference. A vertically extending groove 22 is arranged between two adjacent recesses 20 and recessed upward with respect to the central recess 18. Instead of the octagonal cross-section also a different cross-section can be provided.

[0052] At both outsides 24, 26 of the octagonal cross-section there are bars 28, 30 which protrude upward vertically relative to the base surface 32 of the base element 12. Furthermore, there are opposite bars 34, 34, 34 that are arranged on the base surface 32 wherein the bars 28, 30, 34, 34, 34 enclose a rectangular portion between each other which is configured to receive a rectangular cross-section of a second element or a sample carrier in a form-locking manner. Recesses 29, 31 are arranged in front of the bars 28, 30 with reference to the base surface 32, and grooves 35, 35, 35 are arranged in front of the bars 34, 34, 34.

[0053] Last but not least grips 36 are provided which extend vertically upward from the base surface 32 and which respectively include a semi-cylindrical space 38 and a cover surface 40 on top. Thus, a handle 36 is provided for gripping the centrifuge insert 10, which can be gripped particularly reliably through the spaces 38.

[0054] Below the base surface 32 there is an edge 42 wherein the outside walls 44 of the central recess 18 and of the recesses 20 are radially recessed relative to the edge 42,

[0055] FIG. 2A illustrates a first supplemental element 14 for the base element 12 which is essentially configured as a hollow cylinder with a wall 46 wherein outward protruding ribs 48 extend from the wall 46 with equidistant, radial spacing. The wall 46 thus has an outer circumference which is fitted to the inner circumference of the central recess 18. The ribs 48 taper in a downward direction into a point and become flatter and thus correspond to the grooves 22 and which also become narrower and flatter from the base surface 32. Thus, a clamping effect is obtained when inserting the supplemental element 14 into the base element 12 so that the supplemental element 14 is reliably retained by friction and form locking in the base element 12.

[0056] Through the configuration as a hollow cylinder of the supplemental element 14 an axial recess 59 is formed which can receive a circular cross section of a first element or of a sample container in a form locking manner,

[0057] FIG. 2B illustrates a second supplemental element 16 for the base element 12 wherein the second supplemental element is essentially configured star-shaped. In the center there is an axial receiver 60 and at the end there are six cylinder segment shaped recesses 62 arranged with equidistant spacing, wherein bars 64 extend between the recesses 62 and wherein ribs 66 according to FIG. 2A are arranged on the bars 64. The ribs 66 in turn can engage the grooves 22 of the base element 12 with a fit so that a clamping effect is obtained when the supplemental element 16 is inserted into the base element 12 so that the supplemental element 16 is reliably retained in the base element 12.

[0058] It is furthermore evident that the recesses 62 taper downward into a conical shape 68, wherein this shape corresponds with conical tapers 70 of the recesses 20. Thus, receivers 72 (c.f. FIG. 4) are formed after inserting the supplemental element 16 into the base element 12 which taper conically in the downward direction and are thus configured for sample containers with a base portion that tapers conically. The axial receiver 60 has exactly the same geometry so that seven identical receivers 60, 72 are provided.

[0059] In FIG. 3 the centrifuge insert 10a according to the invention is configured as a combination of the base element 12 and the supplemental element 14 and illustrated in a swingout beaker 110 of an only partially illustrated swing out rotor 108 of a laboratory centrifuge 100. Thus, an individual sample holder 74 can be centrifuged which is configured in an exemplary manner as a wide neck bottle with a volume of 250 ml. Since the axial receiver 59 has a width that is adapted to a circular cross section of the sample container 74, the sample container 74 is received in the centrifuge insert 10a in a safe form locking manner.

[0060] In FIG. 4 the centrifuge insert 10b is configured as a combination of a base element 12 and supplemental element 16 and illustrated in the swing out beaker 110 of a partially illustrated swing out rotor 108 of a laboratory centrifuge 100. Thus, individual sample holders 76 can be centrifuged that are configured as sample tubes with a volume of 50 ml. Since the recesses 60, 72 have a width that is adapted to the circular cross section of the sample containers 76 the sample containers 76 are received in the centrifuge insert 10b in a form locking manner and thus safely received.

[0061] In FIG. 5 the centrifuge insert 10c according to the invention is configured as a combination of the base element 12 and the supplemental element 14 and illustrated in the swing out beaker 110 of a partially illustrated swing-out rotor 108 of a laboratory centrifuge 100. Thus, e.g., individual sample carriers 78 can be centrifuged which are configured as microtiter plates. Since the rectangular portion that is enveloped by the bars 28, 30, 34, 34, 34 is adapted to the essentially rectangular base surface 80 of the microtiter plate 78 and the edge 82 of the base surface 80 can penetrate into the grooves 35, 35, 35 and into the recesses 29, 31 the microtiter plate 78 is fixed laterally in a form-locking manner at the centrifuge insert 10c and thus reliably received (thus, also FIG. 9B which illustrates a similar interaction). In this application also the supplemental element 16 can be inserted or no supplemental element 14, 16 is inserted, however, the sample carrier 78 is always laterally supported in a reliable manner.

[0062] As an alternative to this embodiment also the supplemental element 16 can be inserted into the base element 12. However, no supplemental element 14, 16 has to be inserted into the base element 12 since the sample carrier 78 is supported on the base surface 32 so that the base element 12 can form the centrifuge insert 10 already by itself.

[0063] FIG. 6 illustrates the centrifuge insert 10a according to the invention in cooperation with a laboratory centrifuge 100 in a perspective view. It is evident that the laboratory centrifuge 100 includes a housing 102 with a cover 104 that is configured to close the sample cavity 106 in which a motor driven non-illustrated centrifuge 108 is arranged. The centrifuge rotor 108 is configured as a swing-out rotor and includes centrifuge beakers 10 which are configured to pivot away from the rotation axis D, thus in an outward direction during the centrifugation. Centrifuge inserts 10a according to the invention are received in the centrifuge beakers 110.

[0064] FIGS. 7 through 9B illustrate a second advantageous embodiment of he centrifuge insert 100 in various views.

[0065] It is evident that the centrifuge insert 200 differs from the centrifuge insert 10 in that the base element 202 with the grips 204 is configured without a central receiver for receiving supplemental elements. Instead, nine identical receivers 206 are arranged directly in the base element 202, which correspond in principle to the receivers 60, 72 of the centrifuge insert 10a and are configured with identical inner diameters.

[0066] Also here upward protruding bars 210, 212, 214, 216 are provided on a base surface 208 wherein the upward protruding bars envelop a rectangular surface. Simultaneously recesses 211, 213 and grooves 215, 217, 218, 219 are provided.

[0067] Contrary to the centrifuge insert 10 the grips 204 are not symmetrically arranged with reference to the bars 210, 212 or slightly offset so that they can be arranged between two receivers 206. Thus, the grip function of the grips 204 is not impaired since they are still symmetrically arranged with reference to the center of mass which is arranged in a center of the central receiver 206.

[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates the centrifuge insert 200 according to the invention in a first application where it receives nine sample containers 220 which are configured as sample tubes with a capacity of 50 ml and can thus be centrifuged in the laboratory centrifuge 100. Since the receivers 206 have a width that is adapted to the circular cross-section of the sample containers 220 the sample container 220 are received in the centrifuge insert 200 in a form-locking and thus safe manner.

[0069] In FIGS. 9A and 9B the centrifuge insert 200 according to the invention is illustrated in two views in a second application of the receiver of a sample container 222 which is configured as a microtiter plate. Since the rectangular portion that is enveloped by the bars 210, 212, 214, 216 is adapted to the essentially rectangular base surface 224 of the microtiter plate 222 and the edge 226 penetrates into the recesses 211, 213 and grooves 215, 217, 218, 219 the microtiter plate 222 is fixed laterally in a form-locking manner at the centrifuge insert 200 and thus reliably received as evident in particular from FIG. 9B. Additionally, a snap-locking connection or interlocked connection can be provided between the bars 210, 214, 216 and the edge 226 in order to fix the sample carrier 222 also vertically.

[0070] FIGS. 10 through 13 illustrate a third advantageous embodiment of the centrifuge insert 300 in various views.

[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates the base element 302 of the centrifuge insert 300 which differs from the base element 202 of the centrifuge insert 200 in that a greater number of receivers 304 is provided in the base surface 306. These receivers 304 are adapted to receive sample containers 308 which are provided as reaction vessels with 5 ml volume, since the receivers 304 have a width that is adapted to a circular cross-section of the sample containers 308 the sample containers 308 are received in the centrifuge insert 300 in a form-locking and thus safe manner (c.f., the first application illustrated in FIG. 11).

[0072] It is furthermore evident that the base surface 302 does not protrude relative to the bottom surface 310 of the base element by the same amount. Therefore, the grips 312 can be configured longer with reference to a particular centrifuge beaker 110 (c.f., FIG. 6). Otherwise, a rectangular surface is also enveloped in case of this base element 302 by bars 314, 316, 318, 318, 318 and recesses 315, 217 and grooves 319, 319, 319.

[0073] FIG. 10 also illustrates a supplemental element 320 which has a base surface 322 and walls 324 that extend downward from the base surface 322 wherein the walls include plural receivers 326 which base surfaces are respectively missing so that the receivers are configured as hollow cylinders with constant cross-section over an entire length. The receivers 326 are adapted to receive sample containers 328 which are provided as sample flasks with 15 ml volume.

[0074] In FIG. 12 it is furthermore evident that the grips 312 engage the recesses 330 of the supplemental element 320 with an outer contour of the grips so that the supplemental element is laterally fixed between the grips 312 and thus also safely arranged at the base element 302 during centrifugation operations. Furthermore, this configuration of the supplemental element 320 provides a threading and positioning aid so that the receivers 326 of the supplemental element can be positioned directly above the receivers 304 of the base element 302. The grips 312 thus simultaneously form supports for the supplemental element 320. Additionally, there could be a snap interlocking between the grips 312 and the supplemental element 320.

[0075] Furthermore, the supplemental element 320 includes annular protrusions 336 at plural locations of its base surface 334 at the receivers 326 which engage recesses 304 of the base element 302 in a form-locking or friction-locking manner. Thus the receivers 304 of the base element 302 include an additional groove 337 into which the annular protrusions 336 are insertable. Thus, an additional lateral fixing of the supplemental element 320 is provided relative to the base element 302. The inner diameters of the receivers 326, 326 of the supplemental element 320 of the receivers 304, 304 of the base element 302 are identical so that a continuous receiver 304, 304, 326, 326 is provided.

[0076] Due to this friction-locking and form-locking connecting of annular protrusions 336 and grooves 337, an additional friction-locking or form-locking with the grips 312 can be omitted.

[0077] The sample containers 328 have a rather great length. Through the continuous configuration of the receivers 304, 304, 326, 326 and the adaptation of their width to the circular cross-section of the sample containers 328, the sample containers 328 are received in a form-locking manner and thus safely in the centrifuge insert 300a which is formed by base element 302 and the supplemental element 320 wherein the sample containers 328 reach into the base element 302 and are laterally supported by the base element 302 as well as by the supplemental element 320 as illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0078] FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of the centrifuge insert 300 wherein a sample carrier 338 configured as a microtiter plate is arranged on the base element 302. Since the rectangular portion that is framed by the bars 314, 316, 318, 318, 318, 318 is adapted to the essentially rectangular base surface 340 of the microtiter plate 338 and the edge 342 penetrates into the recesses 315, 317 and the grooves 319, 319, 319, the microtiter plate 338 is in turn laterally fixed in a form-locking manner at the centrifuge insert 300 and thus safely received,

[0079] In FIGS. 14A, b, c eventually three receivers 400, 410, 420 of centrifuge inserts according to the invention are schematically illustrated in cooperation with respectively received sample containers 402, 412, 422 in a cross-sectional view. It is evident that the base configurations of receivers 400, 410, 420 and sample containers 402, 412, 422 are adapted to each other so that a respective form locking is provided (a distance between the side walls is only illustrated to provide better visibility), so that the sample containers 402, 412, 422 are particularly reliably supported in the receivers. Thus FIG. 14A illustrates a flat base configuration of the respective receiver 400, 410, 420 and sample containers 402, 412, 422 and FIG. 14B illustrates a flat base configuration and FIG. 14C illustrates a conical base configuration.

[0080] Though particular sample containers 74, 76, 220, 308, 328, 402, 412, 422 and sample carriers 78, 222, 338 were described supra, the centrifuge insert according to the invention can also be adapted to other sample containers and sample carriers, in particular with a different geometry and base configuration and/or a different volume of the receiver.

[0081] It is evident from the preceding illustration that the instant invention provides a centrifuge insert 10, 10a, 10b, 200, 300, 300a which can be used for different sample containers 74, 76, 220, 328 or sample carriers 78, 222, 338. This leads to space savings, in particular in the lab. Furthermore, acquisition cost is reduced, and manual labor is reduced which speeds up handling which increases a throughput of the lab.

[0082] Unless state differently all features of the instant invention can be combined with each other freely. Also the features described in the figure description can be freely combined with other features of the invention unless stated differently. Thus, device features of the centrifuge insert can also be used in a context of a method when phrased into method features and method features for using the centrifuge inserted can be phrased into device features.

REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS

[0083] 10, 10a, 10b, 10c First advantageous embodiment of the centrifuge insert according to the invention [0084] 12 Base element of the centrifuge insert [0085] 14, 16 Supplemental element for the base element [0086] 18 Central recess [0087] 20 Cylinder segment shaped recess [0088] 22 Vertically extending groove [0089] 24, 26 Outside [0090] 28, 30 Bar [0091] 32 Base surface of the base element [0092] 34, 34, 34 Bar [0093] 29, 31 Recess [0094] 35, 35, 35 Groove [0095] 36 Handle [0096] 38 Semi cylindrical space [0097] 40 Cover surface 40 [0098] 42 Edge [0099] 44 Outside wall of the central recess 18 and of the recess 20 [0100] 46 Wall of supplemental element 14 [0101] 48 Outside protruding rib [0102] 59 Axial receiver [0103] 60 Axial receiver of supplemental element 16 [0104] 62 Cylinder segment shaped recess [0105] 64 Bar [0106] 66 Rib [0107] 68 Conical taper of recess 62 [0108] 70 Conical taper of recess 20 [0109] 72 Recess [0110] 74 Sample container, wide neck bottle 250 ml [0111] 76 Sample container, sample tube 50 ml [0112] 78 Sample carrier, microtiter plate [0113] 80 Base surface of microtiter plate [0114] 82 Edge of base surface 80 [0115] 100 Laboratory centrifuge [0116] 102 Housing [0117] 104 Cover [0118] 106 Sample cavity [0119] 108 Centrifuge rotor [0120] 110 Centrifuge beaker [0121] 200 Second advantageous embodiment of the centrifuge insert according to the invention [0122] 202 Base element of the centrifuge insert 200 [0123] 204 Grip [0124] 206 Receiver [0125] 208 Base surface [0126] 210, 212, 214, 216 Bar [0127] 211, 213 Recess [0128] 215. 217, 218, 219 Groove [0129] 220, Sample container 50 ml [0130] 222 Sample carrier, microtiter plate [0131] 224 Base surface of microtiter plate 222 [0132] 226 Edge [0133] 300 Third advantageous embodiment of centrifuge insert according to the invention [0134] 302 Base element of centrifuge insert 300 [0135] 304 Receiver [0136] 304 Receiver with annular protrusion 336 [0137] 306 Base surface [0138] 308 Sample container reaction vessel 5 ml [0139] 310 Base surface of base element 302 [0140] 312 Support, handle [0141] 314, 316 318, 318, 318 Bar [0142] 315, 317 Recess [0143] 319, 319, 319 Groove [0144] 320 Supplemental element [0145] 322 Base surface [0146] 324 Wall [0147] 326 Receiver [0148] 326 Receiver with groove 327 [0149] 327 Groove of receiver 326 [0150] 328 Sample container, sample tube 50 ml [0151] 330 Recess of supplemental element 320 [0152] 334 Base surface of supplemental element 320 [0153] 336 Annular protrusion of supplemental element 320 [0154] 338 Sample carrier, microtiter plate [0155] 340 Base surface of microtiter plate 338 [0156] 342 Edge of surface 340 [0157] 400, 410, 420 Receiver of centrifuge inserts [0158] 402, 412, 422 Sample container [0159] D Rotation axis