ASSEMBLY OF SAMPLE VESSEL AND MEASUREMENT ELECTRONIC UNIT

Abstract

An assembly made up of a sample vessel having at least one sample chamber for accommodating a sample, at least one electrically operated measuring sensor connected detachably or non-detachably to the sample vessel during the production of the sample vessel, and using which at least one in particular biological, chemical, and/or physical parameter of a sample located in the sample chamber is measurable, and at least two contact elements connected to the measuring sensor via electrical lines connected to the sample vessel, and made up of a measurement electronic unit for operating the measuring sensor and for wirelessly passing on measurement signals of the measuring sensor to a remote receiving unit, wherein the measurement electronic unit is detachably electrically connected to the two contact elements of the sample vessel and detachably fastened on the sample vessel, in particular by fastening one or the housing thereof on the sample vessel.

Claims

1. An assembly of comprising: a sample vessel (10), which has at least one sample chamber (12) for accommodating a sample; at least one electrically operated measuring sensor (15), which is connected detachably or non-detachably to the sample vessel (10), in particular during the production of the sample vessel (10), and using which at least one in particular biological, chemical, and/or physical parameter of a sample located in the sample chamber (12) is measurable; and at least two contact elements, which are connected to the measuring sensor (15) via electrical lines connected to the sample vessel (10), and made up of a measurement electronic unit (11) for operating the measuring sensor (15) and for wirelessly passing on measurement signals of the measuring sensor (15) to a remote receiving unit, wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) is detachably electrically connected to the two contact elements of the sample vessel (10), and wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) is detachably fastened on the sample vessel (10), in particular by fastening one or the housing thereof on the sample vessel (10).

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) has contact elements adapted to the contact elements of the sample vessel (10), which are each brought into contact with one of the contact elements of the sample vessel (10) to form an electrically conductive connection.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detachable electrical connection between the respective contact means of the sample vessel (10) and the respective contact means of the measurement electronic unit (11) is based in each case on a form fit and/or friction lock between the contact elements, and/or in that the respective contact means of the sample vessel (10) and the respective contact means of the measurement electronic unit (11) press against one another with contact to form the electrical connection.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measuring sensor (15) is part of a film sensor, which is detachably or non-detachably connected to the sample vessel (10), in particular during the production thereof, and preferably has multiple measuring sensors (15).

5. The assembly as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that claim 1, wherein the sample vessel (10) has a sample vessel body, in which the sample chamber (12) is formed, wherein the sample vessel body is formed from a film sensor comprising the measuring sensor (15), preferably from a film sensor which was formed in a thermoforming process to form the sample vessel body.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sample vessel (10) has a preferably injection-molded sample vessel body made of plastic or a sample vessel body made of glass, in which the sample chamber (12) is formed.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the film sensor forms the bottom of the sample vessel (10) and/or the sample chamber (12), and/or in that the film sensor is attached non-detachably or detachably to the sample vessel body of the sample vessel (10), in particular to its lower side, preferably while forming the bottom of the sample chamber (12).

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sample vessel (10) has multiple separate sample chambers (12), to each of which a separate measuring sensor (15) is assigned, in particular one measuring sensor (15) in each case of the film sensor, which has multiple measuring sensors (15) and preferably in each case forms the bottom of the respective sample chamber (12) here.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bottom of the, multiple or each sample chamber (12) of the sample vessel (10) is formed by the film sensor, in particular by an area of the film sensor in which the measuring sensor (15) is located, so that it can contact a sample located in the sample chamber (12).

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sample chamber (12) is formed by a cavity, which, while forming an opening of the sample chamber (12) in an outer side of the sample body, in particular in an outer side of a/the bottom of the sample body, extends through the sample body up to this outer side, and in that this opening of the sample chamber (12) in the outer side of the sample body is covered liquid-tight by the film sensor.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the film sensor is fastened detachably, in particular by means of detachable adhesive, or non-detachably on this outer side of the sample body, and in that the film sensor partially or completely covers this outer side, in particular while covering all sample chamber openings in this outer side.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the film sensor, in particular a large-area side thereof, preferably a side of the film sensor facing away from the outer side of the sample body, forms an outer side of the sample vessel (10).

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) has an ND converter for converting analog signals of the measuring sensor (15) into digital signals and/or a transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting signals, in particular of the measuring sensor (15), to a remote receiving unit, in particular by means of radio, and/or an electronic microchip.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sample vessel (10) has an ID code uniquely identifying the sample vessel (10), in particular a data matrix code.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) has a detection device for automatic, in particular wireless detection of the ID code.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for the detachable fastening of the measurement electronic unit (11) on the sample vessel (10), at least one connecting means arranged on the measurement electronic unit (11), in particular on its housing, interacts with the sample vessel (10), in particular with a connecting means arranged on the sample vessel (10), preferably while forming a detachable form fit and/or friction lock.

17. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sample vessel (10) has a receptacle area, in which the contact elements are arranged and in which the measurement electronic unit (11) is fitted, in particular in such a way that an outer side of the measurement electronic unit (11), in particular an outer side of one or the housing of the measurement electronic unit (11), does not protrude outward in relation to the outer sides of the sample vessel (10) adjoining the receptacle area.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement electronic unit (11) has one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the surroundings of the measurement electronic unit (11), in particular the temperature, the movement, the humidity, and/or the pressure of the (gaseous) medium surrounding the measurement electronic unit (11), in particular the surrounding air and/or the ambient brightness.

19. A sample vessel for an assembly, which has at least one sample chamber (12) for accommodating a sample, a measuring sensor (15), which is connected detachably or non-detachably to the sample vessel (10), and using which at least one parameter of a sample located in the sample chamber (12) is measurable, and at least two contact elements, which are connected to the measuring sensor (15) via electrical lines connected to the sample vessel (10), wherein the contact elements are detachably electrically connectable to the measurement electronic unit (11) and wherein the sample vessel (10) is designed in such a way that the measurement electronic unit (11) is detachably fastenable on the sample vessel (10).

20. (canceled)

21. A measurement electronic unit for an assembly for operating a measuring sensor (15) of a sample vessel (10) and for wirelessly passing on measurement signals thereof to a remote receiving unit, comprising a measurement electronic unit (11) that is detachably electrically connectable to two contact elements of the sample vessel (10) and wherein the measurement electronic unit (11), in particular a housing thereof, is detachably fastenable on the sample vessel (10).

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the figures:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a sample vessel and a film sensor of the sample vessel of an assembly according to the invention in an exploded view, in a viewpoint diagonally from below;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the sample vessel and the film sensor in an exploded view, in a viewpoint diagonally from above;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a view similar to FIG. 1, but having film sensor fastened on the sample vessel;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a view similar to FIG. 2, supplemented with a measurement electronic unit for the sample vessel of the assembly according to the invention, specifically in a state in which the measurement electronic unit is not connected to the sample vessel; and

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 4, but in a state of the measurement electronic unit fastened on the sample vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] An embodiment according to the invention of a sample vessel 10 and a measurement electronic unit 11, which together form a or the assembly according to the invention, is shown in the figures.

[0039] The sample vessel 10 is schematically shown as a cuboid block in the present case, in which individual sample chambers 12 spaced apart from one another are arranged. The sample chambers 12 are used to accommodate samples, such as biological samples, for example cells or the like. However, greatly varying other types of samples can also be used. The type of the samples is not important according to the invention.

[0040] In the present case, the sample chambers 12 are hollow-cylindrical continuous recesses from an upper side 14a to a lower side 14b in a sample vessel body 13 of the sample vessel 10. These recesses accordingly extend in the present case from the upper side 14a of the sample vessel body 13 to the lower side 14b. It is obvious that the sample chambers 12 can also be formed differently. For example, it is also conceivable that the sample vessel 10 only has one sample chamber 12.

[0041] Each sample chamber 12 is assigned a separate, electrically operated measuring sensor 15, which can detect one or more parameters of a sample located in the respective sample chamber 12. These can be greatly varying types of biological, chemical, and/or physical parameters, the precise nature thereof is not important. For example, the temperature or the impedance of the sample could be measured.

[0042] In the present case, the individual measuring sensors 15 arranged in a grid are part of a film sensor 16.

[0043] The film sensor 16 has a film blank 17, in particular made up of two or more layers connected to one another, to which electrical lines or conductor tracks 18 are connected. These can be embedded in a known manner, for example, between two film layers.

[0044] Electrical contact elements 19 of the film sensor 16, formed in the present case as contact surfaces, are connected to the conductor tracks 18.

[0045] Two contact elements 19 are respectively assigned to each measuring sensor 15.

[0046] The entire film sensor 16 is fastened by means of detachable adhesive on the lower side 14b of the sample vessel body 13. In the present case, it forms the bottom or an outer side of the sample vessel 10, cf. FIGS. 3 to 5 (in the fastened state of the film).

[0047] The film sensor 16 is formed and arranged on the lower side 14b of the sample vessel body 13 in such a way that one measuring sensor 15 of the plurality of the measuring sensors 15 of the film sensor 16 is respectively assigned to each sample chamber 12.

[0048] A corresponding section of the film sensor 16, in which the respective measuring sensor 15 is arranged, forms the bottom of the sample chamber 12 assigned to it in each case.

[0049] The film sensor 16 can alternatively also be fastened using non-detachable or permanent adhesive on the lower side 14b.

[0050] In the fastened state of the film sensor 16, the contact elements 19 are arranged in an installation or receptacle region 20 of the sample vessel 10, which forms a cutout or a recess in the cuboid sample vessel 10.

[0051] In this receptacle region 20, the measurement electronic unit 11 can be connected, in particular in a form-fitting and/or friction-locked manner, to the sample vessel 10 or the sample vessel body 13.

[0052] Specifically, the measurement electronic unit 11 is fastened in this receptacle region 20 on the sample vessel 10 or the sample vessel body 13. For example, by means of clip connections (not explicitly shown), connecting rails adapted to one another, or various other connecting means which the sample vessel 10/the sample vessel body 13 and/or the measurement electronic unit 11 can have.

[0053] This fastening takes place so that the measurement electronic unit 11 can be detachably fastened on the sample vessel 10.

[0054] Upon the fastening, in each case electrical contact elements (not explicitly shown) of the measurement electronic unit 11 are brought into electrically conductive contact with assigned contact elements 19 of the sample vessel 10 or the film sensor 16 of the sample vessel 10 to form a respective electrical connection.

[0055] In the present case, the measurement electronic unit 11, namely the housing 21 thereof, is adapted to the dimensions of the receptacle region 20, specifically in such a way that an outer side of the housing 21 does not protrude outward in relation to the outer sides of the sample vessel 10 adjoining the receptacle region 20. A particularly compact overall unit of sample vessel 10 and measurement electronic unit 11 is created in this way.

[0056] The measurement electronic unit 11 is used to operate the measuring sensors 15 and to wirelessly transmit the measurement signals originating from the measuring sensors 15, which arise upon measurement of the corresponding parameters of the sample, to a remote receiving unit (not shown). The measurement signals can possibly be transmitted in processed form here.

[0057] The measurement electronic unit 11 can thus have an IC and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. In the measurement mode, the measurement electronic unit 11 can then receive analog measurement signals of the measuring sensors 15, convert them into digital signals, and transmit them wirelessly to the remote receiving unit.

[0058] The remote receiving unit can in this case be, for example, part of a computer device, which comprises an analysis device, using which the received measurement signals are evaluated in a known manner.

[0059] The measurement electronic unit 11 can, for example, have a corresponding radio module (WLAN/Bluetooth etc.) for transmitting the wireless signals. The measurement electronic unit 11 can, of course, also additionally have a corresponding receiver for receiving wireless signals, for example for receiving signals which are used to control the measurement electronic unit 11.

[0060] The measurement electronic unit 11 furthermore has a separate energy supply module, for example a battery or an accumulator, using which the power-consuming components of the measurement electronic unit 11 and, if necessary, the measuring sensors 15 of the film sensor 16 can be supplied with electric current.

[0061] Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to provide a separate power supply unit, for example an electric transformer, to which the measurement electronic unit 11 is connected via electrical cable lines.

[0062] After completion of the measurement mode, both the detachably fastened film sensor 16 and also the detachably fastened measurement electronic unit 11 can be detached from the sample vessel body 13, so that the sample vessel body 13 can either be cleaned in a simple manner or—if it is designed as a disposable article—can be discarded. In particular the (expensive) measurement electronic unit 11 can be used further, however, for another sample vessel 10 of the same or similar construction.

[0063] The film sensor 16 is generally also discarded after being detached from the sample vessel 10. However, it is also conceivable to use the film sensor 16 further and attach it to another sample vessel body 13.

[0064] The measurement electronic unit 11 itself can moreover also have one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters of the surroundings in which the assembly made of sample vessel 10 and measurement electronic unit 11 is respectively located. For example, the ambient temperature, the humidity of the medium surrounding the assembly, the pressure thereof (air pressure), the ambient brightness, etc. could be measured by the sensors of the measurement electronic unit 11.

[0065] As a person skilled in the art recognizes, greatly varying variants of the design of the measurement electronic unit 11 and the sample vessel 10 are conceivable without leaving the inventive concept.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0066] 10 sample vessel

[0067] 11 measurement electronic unit

[0068] 12 sample chamber

[0069] 13 sample vessel body

[0070] 14a upper side

[0071] 14b lower side

[0072] 15 measuring sensor

[0073] 16 film sensor

[0074] 17 film blank

[0075] 18 conductor track

[0076] 19 contact element

[0077] 20 receptacle area

[0078] 21 housing