Tube for chemical, biological or biotechnology matter, tube arrangement, carrier for use in a tube arrangement, use of a tube, and method for forming a tube

Abstract

A tube for chemical, biological or biotechnological matter is provided, wherein the tube has a positioning element, the positioning element shaped for engagement in a corresponding structure provided in a carrier.

Claims

1. Tube arrangement comprising a tube for chemical, biological or biotechnological matter and a carrier, wherein the tube has a positioning element, the positioning element shaped for engagement in an opening provided in the carrier, wherein the tube has an open end and a closed end, wherein the positioning element comprises a projection formed on a bar, the bar extending transverse to the open end of the tube, wherein the opening of the carrier is adapted to receive the projection, wherein the projection is external to the tube and extends parallel to the central axis of the tube from the bar, and wherein the projection extends from the bar to the closed end of the tube.

2. Tube arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a thermal cycler.

3. Tube arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein the carrier is formed to position the plurality of tubes in a straight alignment or a ring-shaped alignment.

4. Tube arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the positioning element is formed as an integral part of the tube.

5. Tube arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the positioning element is formed as an integral part of a cap.

6. Tube arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the positioning element is provided separately from the tube.

7. Method for performing an in vitro amplification measurement, comprising using the tube arrangement according to claim 2 and positioning the tube arrangement in the rotor of the thermal cycler.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1-7 depict embodiments of disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(2) In a preferred embodiment, the tube can be integrally formed with the positioning element reducing the number of steps necessary for the manufacturing of the tube. Further, by providing the tube in a single piece with a positioning element the manufacturing process is simple because no specific alignment for forming the positioning element on the tube is necessary. Further, where the tube comprises a cap, the positioning element can be integrally formed with a cap of the tube. As an alternative, the positioning element can be located as a separate piece on the tube, for example as a collar.

(3) In a preferred embodiment the positioning element of the tube and/or the corresponding structure of the carrier allows for pivoting of the tube. Thus, the positioning element allows for positing the tube in a carrier as well as for pivoting of the tube which reduces the number of elements necessary for handling the tube. In a preferred embodiment, the positioning element is formed as a pivot element which can define a pivot axis for pivoting the tube. Thus, the pivot element can serve as an element for pivoting the tube. Especially, the joint element can be a joint head pivot-mounted in a joint socket of a carrier.

(4) Preferably, the positioning element comprises a projection extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tube body, preferably parallel to the elongate part of the tube. In a preferred embodiment the projection is formed on a bar, the bar extending transverse to the opening of the tube.

(5) In a preferred embodiment, a carrier can be provided, in which more than 3 tubes, especially 4 tubes in a straight alignment or 72 tubes in a ring-shaped alignment can be positioned. Further, the tubes can be in a 96 well plate arrangement. Preferably, the carrier has a circumferential open receptacle for receiving a tube in case that the carrier provides for a straight alignment of tubes. Preferably, the carrier has a circumferential closed receptacle for receiving a tube in case that the carrier provides for a ring-shaped alignment. The carrier can have positioning elements for engagement with respective positioning elements of the tubes. The material used for manufacturing the carrier can be the same as the material used for the tube, however, a material, preferably a plastic, can be chosen which fulfils the requirements with regard to low-cost and mechanical demand.

(6) The term carrier encompasses every structure which allows for positioning of more than 3 tubes in such that the tubes and the carrier can be handled as a unit, especially the carrier can be formed as an adapter. Thus, grabbing the carrier leads to the possibility to handle and/or move or carry the tubes positioned in the carrier. The carrier can be positioned for example in a rotor or similar device of a thermal cycler. The device of the thermal cycler is a known device comprising a plurality of openings each for accommodating one tube. The carrier as an adapter is adapted to the openings of the device. The geometric structure of the carrier can be adapted to the geometric structure of the device. The carrier can be an additional element to the device which can accommodate the tubes in the thermal cycler.

(7) In a preferred embodiment a tube arrangement is provided, or in more than 3 tubes are positioned in a carrier, the carrier being non-unitarily form with the tubes. This tube arrangement allows for the positioning of tubes in a thermal cycler, each tube having the same optical properties with regard to the optical light beam used for investigation of the fluidic sample contained in the tube.

(8) Other objects, features, advantages and aspects of the present application will become parent to those skilled in the art from the following description and dependent claims. It should be understood, however, that the following description, dependent claims and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the application, are given by a way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention will become really apparent to those skilled in the art reading the following.

(9) Examples of the invention will now be described with references to the accompanying drawings in which:

(10) FIG. 1 schematically shows four tubes positioned in a carrier in a perspective view;

(11) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 3 schematically shows a tube positioned in a carrier in a sectional view;

(13) FIG. 4 schematically shows a tube positioned in a carrier supported by a rotor;

(14) FIG. 5 shows the tube positioned in the rotor according to FIG. 4 after pivoting the tube;

(15) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of FIG. 5; and

(16) FIG. 7 shows the carrier according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in an enlarged view.

(17) FIG. 1 shows four tubes 1. The each tube 1 has an open end and a closed end. Each tube 1 has an elongate body in which fluid can be filled. At the open end a bar 2 extends transverse to the open end of the tube 1. As can be further seen in FIG. 2, a projection 3 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongate tube body. The projection 3 is a positioning element for positioning the tube 1 in a carrier 4.

(18) In the carrier 4 shown in FIG. 1 the tubes 1 are in straight alignment. The carrier 4 comprises openings 5. Each opening 5 is adapted and positioned to receive a projection 3. The openings 5 are positioning elements for engagement with a projection 3 of the tubes 1.

(19) Further, the carrier 4 comprises side walls 6. The distance between two adjacent side walls 6 corresponds to the width of a bar 2. Due to the side walls 6 a further or alternative positioning of the tubes 1 with regard to the carrier 4 can be provided.

(20) The tubes 1 shown in FIG. 1 further comprise each a closure or cap 7. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the tube 1, bar 2, projection 3 and cap 7 are integrally formed. The carrier 4 is non-unitarily formed but manufactured in a different step than the tube 1. The tube 1 is positioned in a carrier 4 by alignment of the projection 3 in the opening 5 and/or the bar 2 between two side walls 6.

(21) FIG. 3 schematically shows a tube 1 with a projection 3 as a positioning element positioned in a carrier 4. A blind hole 8 is formed in the carrier 4 for receiving the projection 3. The carrier 4 comprises a joint 9 for pivoting the tube 1 with regard to the carrier 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the joint 9 is provided as an integral hinge. A section 10 spaced apart from a section 11 of the carrier 4 which receives the tube 1 can be mounted or fixed on a rotor of a thermal cycler.

(22) In FIGS. 4 and 5 a tube 1 according to the invention is positioned in a carrier 4 by a positioning element which is used as a pivot element 12. The carrier 4 is positioned in a rotor 14 of a thermal cycler. In FIG. 4 the tube 1 is shown in its initial position. In FIG. 5 the tube is shown in its pivoted position with regard to the rotor 14. Whereas in FIG. 3 it is shown that the carrier 4 comprises a joint for pivoting the tube 1, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 pivoting of the tube 1 is obtained by a movement of an element with regard to the carrier 4 to move or push the tube 1 from the position shown in FIG. 4 into the pivoted position shown in FIG. 5.

(23) The pivot element 12 is integrally formed with the tube 1. The pivot element 12 is formed as a joint head which is positioned in a joint socket 13 of the carrier 4. The tube 1 is held in the pivoted position shown in FIG. 5 by a undercut 15 formed in the carrier 4 (see FIG. 7).