Patent EA-005100-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and device for withdrawing biological samples
Inventor: DITTMANN THOMAS CLAUS
IPC: A61B10/00
Filed: 1998-09-11
Abstract: 1. Method for withdrawing biological samples, characterized by: prelabelling of the sample containers, consecutive numbering thereof, a sample-removing device is loaded with components of a test capsule, one of the loaded parts of the test capsule removes a tissue sample, the sample-removing part of the test capsule is joined together with at least one other part of the test capsule by the removal or during or after the actual removal to [form] a solidly sealed unit, the test capsule, in which subsequent processing steps can be conducted: a device used for the withdrawal of the sample can read the labeling of the sample containers either automatically or this information can be received and processed by the user, data on the identity of the sample to be removed are automatically or manually recorded, the data on the consecutive numbering of the sample vessels are automatically associated with the data on the sample by the removal device, data on the sample vessel number and sample are stored on a common storage medium, the stored data are transmitted to the analytical device by means of direct data transmission from the removal device or from an additional devise or by transport of a data carrier that can be separated. 2. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the tissue sample removal is conducted by punching, shooting, scraping, pinching, guided shooting or by tearing out hairs with one part or parts of a test capsule. 3. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the user of the device conducting the method must enter or confirm data before each or before a series of sample removals. 4. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that a labeling of the animal from which a sample is removed is conducted during or coupled with the actual sample removal. 5. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the labeling can be removed after it has been introduced on the animal only by disrupting or damaging it or damaging the animal. 6. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the labeling serves as a carrier of either -a barcode, -a readable and/or writable integrated circuit, -a magnetic strip, -a transponder, -a transmitter, -a numerical code, -a letter code or -a comparable coding or information carrier system -or a simple color labeling. 7. Method according to claim 1, further characterized in that a test capsule is sealed in a way, which makes it impossible to open the test capsule again without obvious changes to this test capsule. 8. A system for withdrawing biological samples, comprising a sample-removing device, the device makes available a receptacle for receiving test capsule covers, another receptacle for receiving at least one sample container, whereby the sample container and the cover are joined to form the test capsule, sample recording means. 9. A system for withdrawing biological samples, comprising a sample-removing device, the device makes available a receptacle for receiving test capsule covers, another receptacle for receiving at least one sample container, whereby the sample container and the cover are joined to form the test capsule, sample recording means, means for barcode reading. 10. A device for withdrawing biological samples comprising a part of the device bearing at least one test capsule cover, a part bearing at least one test sample container are joined to form a test capsule. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the device comprises a mechanism, which punches or shoots a component of a test capsule by means of a type of firing pin through the tissue, and a trigger mechanism actuating the impact mechanism. 12. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the part is made in the form of at least one magazine for placing covers both individually or in casing, the part for bearing the capsule container is made in the form of at least one magazine for placing containers both individually or in casing, the device is adapted for joint cover and container turn inside a corresponding magazine around an axis, wherein the mechanism for joint cover and container turn is kinematically connected to the trigger mechanism. 13. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that comprises a pinching mechanism for compacting a sampling capsule element and subsequent connection of capsule elements, wherein the pinching mechanism is kinematically connected to the trigger mechanism. 14. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that comprises a scraping mechanism for translation a sampling capsule element and subsequent connection of capsule elements, wherein the scraping mechanism is kinematically connected to the trigger mechanism. 15. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that comprises a hairs tearing out mechanism for simultaneous compression and translation of the sampling capsule element and subsequent connection of capsule elements, wherein the hairs tearing out mechanism is kinematically connected to the trigger mechanism. 16. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that comprises an arrangement for regulating the distance between the part for bearing the capsule cover and the part for bearing the capsule container and adjusting pressure upon said parts. 17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the distance between the part for bearing the capsule cover and the part for bearing the capsule container and pressure upon said parts can be regulated by an adjusting screw. 18. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that comprises a mechanism, which takes the test capsule cover from a magazine (and places it] onto the axis of the firing pin and places the sample container of a magazine on the target side of the device. 19. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the device makes available a possibility for data entry and/or for data output or is coupled to such a device. 20. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that in that the device makes available a mechanism and/or electronic unit, by means of which, data such as the serial number of the sample container or several sample containers linked together in container casing and/or other information which concerns the sample removal. 21. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that makes available a numerical or alphanumerical keyboard and/or a device for receiving or for reading of data. 22. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that makes available a display, in which data that are read in and processed by the device are displayed. 23. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the trigger mechanism is blocked by another mechanism, which is released only by the prior input or confirmation of data. 24. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that makes available a possibility of associating the entered or automatically read- in serial numbers of the test capsules and the entered or automatically read-in information on the animal, whose sample has been taken, and other information concerning the respective sample removal; and -storing these data on a storage medium along with the information on the association of these data. 25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the storage medium is installed rigidly in the device or can be separated from it. 26. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that comprises an electronic unit, by means of which all stored data and information on the association of these data can be transmitted or received in a wireless manner. 27. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that makes available an interface, by means of which a cable connection can be produced for purposes of data transmission from or to the device. 28. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that makes available a mechanism, which introduces a labeling on the animal, which consists either of a simple color label or a self-adhering foil, or an adhering badge or a self-adhering device or one that is rigidly anchored in the tissue, which serves as a carrier either of a barcode, a magnetic strip, or -a transponder, or a transmitter, or a numerical code, or a letter code, or a comparable coding or information carrier system or a simple color labeling. 29. Test capsule for removing a biological sample, characterized in that consists of at least two components one of them is suitable for the purpose of being used directly as the sample remover for removing a biological sample. 30. Test capsule according to claim 29, further characterized in that one or more identical components of such test capsules are linked with one another, the strips or rings that are formed of parts of test capsules can be loaded into the magazine or into an analogous device as units of more than only one such part of a test capsule, the direction in which these strips or rings of several such units are loaded into the device is established by a labeling introduced on only one site of such a strip or ring. 31. Test capsule according to claim 29, characterized in that it has a site, which permits piercing with needles, pins, cannula or comparable devices. 32. Test capsule according to claim 29, characterized in that it comprises one or more parts, which can be separated, in order to remain as a labeling in the tissue of the animal, whose sample was removed. 33. Test capsule according to claim 32, characterized in that one of the parts of the test capsule, which remains in the tissue of the animal whose sample was removed, includes a barcode, the readable and/or writable integrated circuit, a magnetic strip, a transponder, a transmitter, a numerical code, a letter code, or a comparable coding or information carrier system or a simple color or analogous labeling. 34. Test capsule according to claim 29, further characterized in that the test capsule cover has a borehole, a slot, or the like as a sample taker on the side turned away from the sample for attaching a