SAMPLE TAKING DEVICE, SAMPLE TAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A SAMPLE TAKING DEVICE

Abstract

A sample taking device has an applicator unit for an application of a liquid sample to a first sample card, the applicator unit is in an application state configured for a simultaneous application of the liquid sample to a second sample card.

Claims

1. A sample taking device with an applicator unit for an application of a liquid sample to a first sample card, wherein the applicator unit is in an application state configured for a simultaneous application of the liquid sample to a second sample card.

2. The sample taking device according to claim 1, further comprising a card carrier unit comprising a first holder for the first sample card and a second holder for the second sample card.

3. The sample taking device according to claim 2, wherein the card carrier unit includes a first card carrier element, which comprises the first holder, and a second card carrier element, which is movable relative to the first card carrier element and comprises the second holder.

4. The sample taking device according to claim 3, wherein the second card carrier element is pivotable relative to the first card carrier element by means of at least one hinge of the card carrier unit.

5. The sample taking device according to claim 3, wherein the first card carrier element and the second card carrier element are fixedly connected to each other, in particular in a one-part implementation.

6. The sample taking device according to claim 2, wherein the applicator unit is, at least in the application state, connected to the card carrier unit.

7. The sample taking device according to claim 6, wherein the applicator unit is in the application state arranged at least partly between the first card carrier element and the second card carrier element.

8. The sample taking device according to claim 7, further comprising a fixing unit, which prevents the applicator unit from slipping out of the card carrier unit.

9. The sample taking device according to claim 3, further comprising a closing unit, which fixes a relative position of the first card carrier element with respect to the second card carrier element in the application state.

10. The sample taking device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator unit comprises a first applicator element for an application of the liquid sample to the first sample card and a second applicator element for an application of the liquid sample to the second sample card, the first applicator element and the second applicator element being connected via a separating unit, in particular a film unit, of the applicator unit.

11. The sample taking device according to claim 10, wherein the first applicator element comprises at least one first flow channel and the second applicator element comprises at least one second flow channel, the first flow channel and the second flow channel being at least partly closed by means of the separating unit.

12. The sample taking device according to claim 10, wherein the first applicator element and the second applicator element are realized so as to be identical to each other.

13. The sample taking device at least according to the claim 1, further comprising a transport unit, which is connectable with the applicator unit for a transfer of the liquid sample to the applicator unit.

14. The sample taking device according to claim 13, wherein the transport unit comprises a valve unit, which is configured, during a connection of the transport unit to the applicator unit, to be pressed open by the applicator unit.

15. The sample taking device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator unit comprises at least one blocking valve unit, which is at least configured to optionally block or release at least one of the applications of the liquid sample.

16. The sample taking device according to claim 10, wherein the first applicator element and/or the second applicator element comprises at least one de-aeration channel for a de-aeration of at least one of the flow channels.

17. A sample taking system with a sample taking device according to claim 1, with the first sample card and with the second sample card.

18. A method of operating a sample taking device, in particular according to claim 1, wherein a liquid sample is applied to a first sample card, wherein the liquid sample is in an application state applied simultaneously to a second sample card.

19. A sample taking device with an applicator unit for an application of a liquid sample to a first sample card, the sample taking device further comprising a transport unit, which is connectable with the applicator unit for a transfer of the liquid sample to the applicator unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0054] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings three exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The drawings, the description and the claims contain a plurality of features in combination. Someone skilled in the art will purposefully also consider the features individually and will find further expedient combinations.

[0055] It is shown in:

[0056] FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of a sample taking device with an applicator unit in an application state,

[0057] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of the sample taking device in a further state,

[0058] FIG. 3 a schematic illustration of the applicator unit,

[0059] FIG. 4 an exploded view of the applicator unit,

[0060] FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of a first applicator element of the applicator unit,

[0061] FIG. 6 a schematic illustration of a second applicator element of the applicator unit,

[0062] FIG. 7 a flow chart for a method of operating the sample taking device,

[0063] FIG. 8 a schematic illustration of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a sample taking device, with a transport unit that is separate from an applicator unit.

[0064] FIG. 9 a schematic illustration of the sample taking device with the transport unit that is connected to the applicator unit,

[0065] FIG. 10 a sectional view of the transport unit, and

[0066] FIG. 11 a schematic illustration of a further alternative exemplary embodiment of a sample taking device with an applicator unit comprising at least one blocking valve unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a sample taking device 10 with an applicator unit 12 in an application state. The applicator unit 12 is in the application state configured for a simultaneous application of a liquid sample (not shown) to a first sample card 14 and a second sample card 16.

[0068] The applicator unit 12 is in the application state configured to create a first sample spot (not shown) on a sample carrier 40 of the first sample card 14 in a sample receiving region 48 of the sample carrier 40, which is marked here. The sample carrier 40 is configured for an absorption of the liquid sample. The sample carrier 40 is implemented of a filter paper. The sample carrier 40 comprises at least one further sample receiving region 42. The same applies correspondingly for the second sample card 16, which is realized identically to the first sample card 14.

[0069] The sample taking device 10 is part of a sample taking system 60 comprising the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16.

[0070] The sample taking device 10 comprises a card carrier unit 18, which comprises a first holder 24 for the first sample card 14 and a second holder 26 for the second sample card 16. The first holder 24 is part of a first card carrier element 34 of the card carrier unit 18. The second holder 26 is part of a second card carrier element 36 of the card carrier unit 18. The first holder 24 and the second holder 26 are realized identically to each other. The first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36 are realized identically to each other. In the following only the first card carrier element 34 and the first holder 24 will be described, which description will correspondingly apply to the second card carrier element 36 and the second holder 26.

[0071] The first sample card 14 is fixed to the first card carrier element 34 by the first holder 24 in such a way that it is separable from the first card carrier element 34. The first card carrier element 34 comprises a card carrier plate element 84. The first sample card 14 is arranged flat on the card carrier plate element 84. The first holder 24 is in the present case formed of a section-wise overhang at a periphery of the card carrier plate element 84. The first sample card 14 is clamped within the holder 24.

[0072] The applicator unit 12 is at least in the application state connected to the card carrier unit 18. The applicator unit 12 is in the application state arranged at least partly between the first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36. The first sample card 14 is in the application state arranged at least partly between the applicator unit 12 and the first card carrier element 34. The second sample card 16 is in the application state arranged at least partly between the applicator unit 12 and the second card carrier element 36. In the application state, the applicator unit 12, the first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36 extend parallel to one another. The applicator unit 12 is in the application state arranged at least largely between the first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36.

[0073] The sample taking device 10 comprises a fixing unit 22, which prevents the applicator unit 12 from slipping out of the card carrier unit 18. The fixing unit 22 forms a form-fit connection between the applicator unit 12 and the card carrier unit 18. The fixing unit 22 comprises at least one applicator holding element 76. In the present case the fixing unit 22 comprises four identically realized applicator holding elements 76, wherein only one applicator holding element 76 is designated. The applicator unit 12 comprises the applicator holding element 76. A peripheral region 86 of the card carrier unit 18 is at least partly accommodated in the applicator holding element 76 in a form-fit manner.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows the sample taking device 10 in a further state, which in particular differs from the application state and from a sampling state, in which the applicator unit 12 is filled with the liquid sample. The second card carrier element 36 is movable relative to the first card carrier element 34. In the present case the second card carrier element 36 is pivotable relative to the first card carrier element 34 by means of a hinge 20 of the card carrier unit 18. The first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36 are fixedly connected to each other via the hinge 20. The hinge 20 is configured for a connection of the first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36, for which an opposed arrangement of the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16 is provided in the application state (see FIG. 1).

[0075] In the present case the first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36 are connected to each other in a one-part implementation. The first card carrier element 34 and the second card carrier element 36 are in the present case connected to each other merely by means of the hinge 20 in a one-part implementation. The hinge 20 is in the present case realized as a film hinge.

[0076] The sample taking device 10 comprises a closing unit 28, which fixes a relative position of the first card carrier element 34 with respect to the second card carrier element 36 in the application state. The closing unit 28 forms a form-fit connection between the applicator unit 12 and the card carrier unit 18. In the present case, the closing unit 28 forms a snap connection between the applicator unit 12 and the card carrier unit 18. The closing unit 28 comprises at least one closing element 78. The applicator unit 12 comprises the closing element 78. The closing unit 28 comprises at least one counter closing element 80. The card carrier unit 18 comprises the counter closing element 80. The counter closing element 80 of the card carrier unit 18 is at least in the application state accommodated at least partly in the closing element 78 in a form-fit manner (see FIG. 1). In the present case the closing unit 28 comprises four identically realized closing elements 78 and four identically realized counter closing elements 80, wherein only one closing element 78 and only one counter closing element 80 have been designated.

[0077] The applicator unit 12 is in the application state connected to the card carrier unit 18 by means of the fixing unit 22 and the closing unit 28 in an immobile manner (see FIG. 1).

[0078] FIG. 3 shows the applicator unit 12 in an enlarged fashion. The applicator unit 12 comprises a first applicator element 44 for the application of the liquid sample to the first sample card 14, and comprises a second applicator element 46 for the application of the liquid sample to the second sample card 16. The first applicator element 44 and the second applicator element 46 are realized identically to each other. In the following only the first applicator element 44 will be described, wherein the same applies correspondingly to the second applicator element 46. The applicator element 44 comprises at least the applicator holding element 76, the closing element 78, an applicator plate element 82 and a stand base 74. In the present case the applicator unit 12 comprises four stand bases 74, wherein only one stand base 74 is designated. The sample taking device 10 is set up by means of the stand bases 74 at least in the application state (see FIG. 1).

[0079] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the applicator unit 12. The first applicator element 44 and the second applicator element 46 are connected to each other via a separating unit 30 of the applicator unit 12. The separating unit 30 is in the present case realized as a film unit 32 with a double-gluing film 38.

[0080] The first applicator element 44 is moreover connected to the second applicator element 46 via a plug connection (not shown). FIG. 5 shows the first applicator element 44. The first applicator element 44 comprises a plugging element 72 which is, for a friction-fit connection of the first applicator element 44 to the second applicator element 46, configured to be received in a recess 90 of the second applicator element 46 (see FIG. 6). The second applicator element 46 comprises a plugging element 88 which is, for a friction-fit connection of the first applicator element 44 to the second applicator element 46, configured to be received in a recess 70 of the first applicator element 44.

[0081] The first applicator element 44 comprises at least one first flow channel 54 and the second applicator element 46 comprises at least one second flow channel 56 (see FIG. 6), wherein the first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 56 are at least partly closed by means of the separating unit 30 (see FIG. 4). The first flow channel 54 and the second flow channel 56 are configured for a transport of the liquid sample for the application to the first sample card 14 and to the second sample card 16. The first flow channel 54 is realized identically to the second flow channel 56. In the following only the first applicator element 44 and the first flow channel 54 will be described, wherein the same applies correspondingly for the second applicator element 46 and the second flow channel 56.

[0082] The first flow channel 54 has a channel entry 50, at which a liquid source (not shown) of the liquid sample is positioned for a filling of the first flow channel 54 with the liquid sample. The first flow channel 54 has a channel exit 62 arranged below the channel entry 50. The channel exit 62 is formed in a bulge 66 of the first applicator element 44. The bulge 66 of the first applicator element 44 is configured for a contacting of the channel exit 62 with the first sample card 14 (see FIG. 2). The first flow channel 54 is configured to accommodate a quantified volume of the liquid sample. The first flow channel 54 is realized in a curved fashion. The first applicator element 44 comprises at least one further first flow channel 58, which is capable of holding a volume of the liquid sample identical to the first flow channel 54. The further first flow channel 58 is configured to create a further sample spot (not shown) in the further sample receiving region 42 (see FIG. 1).

[0083] FIG. 6 shows the second applicator element 46.

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a method for operating the sample taking device 10. The method comprises a fastening step 100, in which the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16 are fixed to the card carrier unit 18. In a sampling step 102 of the method the liquid sample is received in the applicator unit 12. The method comprises a contacting step 104, in which the card carrier unit 18 is pivoted with respect to the applicator unit 12. In the contacting step 104 a respective contact of the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16 with the applicator unit 12 is established. In an application step 106 of the method, the liquid sample is applied simultaneously to the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16. The method comprises a removal step 108, in which the first sample card 14 and the second sample card 16 are removed out of the sample taking device 10, for example for separate transport and/or for separate storage.

[0085] In an application for the medical field, which is not part of the invention, it would be conceivable that the first applicator element 44 or the second applicator element 46 is realized as a blind plate without channels.

[0086] Two further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. The following description and the drawings are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein with regard to components having the same denomination, in particular to components having the same reference numerals, principally the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiment, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 7, may be referred to. In order to distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letters a and b have been added to the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a sample taking device 10a of a sample taking system 60a. The sample taking device 10a comprises a transport unit 110a which is, for a transfer of a liquid sample (not shown) to an applicator unit 12a, connectable to the applicator unit 12a (see FIG. 9). The transport unit 110a is configured for a transport of the liquid sample between a liquid source (not shown) and the applicator unit 12a. The transport unit 110a is section-wise realized in a tube-shaped manner.

[0088] A first card carrier element 34a is in the present case connected to a second card carrier element 36a via the applicator unit 12a. The first card carrier element 34a and the second card carrier element 36a are connected to the applicator unit 12a in each case via a hinge 20a. A fixing unit 22a is realized integrally with the hinge 20a.

[0089] The first card carrier element 34a comprises a closing element 78a. The second card carrier element 36a comprises a counter closing element 80a. A closing unit 28a with the closing element 78a and the counter closing element 80a is configured for a fixing of the relative position of the first card carrier element 34a with respect to the second card carrier element 36a in the application state. In the present case, the closing unit 28a works like a snap fit.

[0090] The applicator unit 12a comprises a projection 124a. The projection 124a protrudes relative to a flat upper edge of the applicator unit 12a. The projection 124a comprises an actuation element 126a. The actuation element 126a is arranged above the remaining projection 124a. With respect to at least one viewing direction, the actuation element 126a is realized narrower than the remaining projection 124a. The actuation element 126a comprises at least one channel entry (not shown).

[0091] FIG. 9 shows the sample taking device 10a in a sampling state. The transport unit 110a is at least in the sampling state connected to the applicator unit 12a. In the sampling state, the transport unit 110a is connected to the applicator unit 12 in a fluid-tight fashion. The transport unit 110a is connectable to the applicator unit 12a in a form-fit and friction-fit manner. For the transfer of the liquid sample to the applicator unit 12a, the transport unit 110a is plugged onto the applicator unit 12a by pressing.

[0092] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the transport unit 110a in a state corresponding to FIG. 8. The transport unit 110a comprises a valve unit 112a which is configured, during a connection of the transport unit 110a to the applicator unit 12a, to be pressed open by the applicator unit 12a.

[0093] The valve unit 112a comprises a valve element 114a. The valve element 114a is in the present case realized as a ball made of metal. The transport unit 110a comprises an outer body 116a. The outer body 116a is section-wise realized in a tube-shaped manner and delimits a receiving region 120a for the liquid sample. The valve unit 112a comprises at least a portion of the outer body 116a.

[0094] In a closed state of the valve unit 112a, the valve element 114a is supported in a form-fit manner in a narrowing 122a in the outer body 116a of the transport unit 110a. The outer body 116a has in the present case valve bulges 118a, wherein only one valve bulge 118a is designated. The valve element 114a can be pressed between the valve bulges 118a by the applicator unit 12a. The liquid sample can be transferred to the applicator unit 12a between the valve bulges 118a. In the present case the valve bulge 118a is realized in a one-part implementation with the outer body 116a.

[0095] The transport unit 110a comprises an applicator unit receiving space 128a which is configured, for a transfer of the liquid sample, to accommodate a portion of the applicator unit 12a. For a transfer of the liquid sample, the applicator unit receiving space 128a is configured to receive the projection 124a (see FIG. 8). The applicator unit receiving space 128a is delimited at least partly by the outer body 116a. A shape of the applicator unit receiving space 128a corresponds at least substantially to a shape of the projection 124a.

[0096] The actuation element 126a is configured for pressing open the valve unit 112a for a contact to the valve element 114a.

[0097] FIG. 11 shows a further sample taking device 10b of a sample taking system 60b. The sample taking device 10b comprises an applicator unit 12b. The applicator unit 12b comprises at least one blocking valve unit 130b. The blocking valve unit 130b is configured for optionally blocking or releasing at least one of at least two applications of a liquid sample. The blocking valve unit 130b comprises at least one blocking valve 132b. The applicator unit 12b comprises at least one first applicator element 44b and a second applicator element 46b. The first applicator element 44b and/or the second applicator element 46b comprises at least the blocking valve 132b of the blocking valve unit 130b. The first applicator element 44b and the second applicator element 46b in each case comprise at least one first flow channel 54b and at least one second flow channel 56b. Viewed in a flow direction, the at least one blocking valve 132b is arranged directly upstream of a channel exit 62b of the first flow channel 54b and/or of the second flow channel 56b. The at least one blocking valve 132b is configured to automatically close when card carrier elements 34b, 36b fold shut. Alternatively or additionally, the applicator unit 12b comprises at least one actuation element which opens and/or closes the blocking valve 132b optionally. The applicator element 132b comprises at least three first flow channels 54b and/or second flow channels 56b, wherein each of the flow channels 54b, 56b comprises a blocking valve 132b at the channel exit 62b.

[0098] The first applicator element 44b and/or the second applicator element 46b comprises at least one de-aeration channel 134b. The de-aeration channel 134b is configured for a de-aeration of at least one of the flow channels 54b, 56b. The de-aeration channel 134b is configured, during an entry of the liquid sample into the first flow channel 54b and/or the second flow channel 56b with at least one closed blocking valve 132b, to respectively de-aerate the first flow channel 54b and/or the second flow channel 56b. Viewed in a flow direction, the de-aeration channel 134b is arranged directly upstream of the blocking valve 132b. The de-aeration channel 134b extends at least substantially toward a channel entry 50b. The de-aeration channel 134b extends towards an upper side of the applicator unit 12b with respect to the orientation of the sample taking device 10b in at least one application state. The first applicator element 44b and/or the applicator element 46b comprises several de-aeration channels 134b, wherein each first flow channel 54b and/or each second flow channel 56b has a de-aeration channel 134b respectively. The de-aeration channels 134b converge to one de-aeration opening. Alternatively, each de-aeration channel 134b has its own de-aeration opening.