Patent Publication Number: US-7585662-B2

Title: Container for an analysis chip

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a receptacle for accommodating an analysis chip, e.g., chip for the molecular analysis, and a device for accommodating such a receptacle. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Modern analysis, especially in the fields of medicine and biology, relies on increasingly compact analysis methods. In this connection, analysis chips are used, in the use of which the analysis steps are performed on the surface of an analysis chip. This surface mostly has a chemically active layer which, during the analysis procedure, is brought into contact with an analysis medium, a possible reaction of the analysis medium with the chip surface then being evaluated with the aid of suitable measuring methods. The analysis chip is able to have a densely packed array of fields which contain various chemical substances. Using this, then, permits a plurality of individual analyses on a single analysis chip. 
     The small-dimensioned chemically active structure of the analysis chip and the high requirements of carrying out an analysis process generally make the analysis chip very sensitive to external influences. Thus, even a slight contamination of the chip surface, such as a finger-print, is sufficient to make the analysis chip useless for rendering a meaningful analysis. 
     For this reason, analysis chips are manufactured and delivered under conditions of strict cleanliness. In particular, the analysis chips have to be carefully packed and protected from contamination, e.g., for transport and storage purposes. The analysis chips then have to be unpacked again for an analysis and brought into an analytical environment, the chip surface having to be reliably protected from contamination. 
     The above-named requirements for handling the analysis chips present a problem in practice, and make working with analysis chips rather difficult. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective repackaging which will protect the sensitive chip surface from external influences and make possible the safe and simple handling of the analysis chip. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for the safe and simple handling of the repackaging along with the analysis chip. 
     SUMMARY 
     This object is attained by providing a receptacle according to the present invention, which has a housing including an accommodation for an analysis chip, into which the analysis chip is firmly installed, as well as access to an analysis medium, so that removing the analysis chip from the receptacle for the purpose of an analysis procedure is not necessary. This simplifies the handling of the analysis chip. The receptacle according to the present invention also has a movable protector, which, in a closed position, e.g., during a transport or storage procedure, covers the access for the analysis medium to the analysis chip which is present in the receptacle, and uncovers the access in an open position for the analysis medium during the analysis process. This reliably protects the access for the analysis medium, and consequently also the surface of the analysis chip, from external influences such as soiling. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle has at least one additional opening area for checking the analysis chip, which opening is preferably designed as a window for an optical measuring method. This makes unnecessary the removal of the analysis chip from the receptacle for the purpose of evaluating the analytical process. In this context, the movable protector is designed in such a way that the additional opening area is also covered by a closing position of the protector. This avoids damage to the opening area by external influences, such as scratches, and with that, possible errors when reading out analysis results. Thereby, the meaningfulness of the analysis procedure is increased overall. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protector is a sliding protector which is slidingly supported along a guideway. This achieves an especially simple and easy-to-implement protective mechanism. 
     According to one further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, between the protector and the receptacle housing, the receptacle has a seal which may be made of a non-woven fabric. This ensures that the access of the receptacle to the analysis chip is also protected from small particles such as dust. 
     According to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle housing has a coding region, which may be optically or mechanically scanned. This permits implementing a safety measure which prevents a mix-up of the analysis chips. 
     According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle housing has a recess which clearly establishes the spatial orientation of the receptacle. This avoids that the analysis chip is put into the analysis device in a wrong way and thereby the entire analysis process is endangered. 
     The device for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention has an accommodation region adapted to the receptacle, as well as a mechanism that brings the sliding protector of the receptacle from a closed position to an open position. The accommodating region, which may be designed as a drawer, makes possible simple and precise conveyance of the receptacle to an analysis device formed inside the device. The mechanism for opening the sliding protector of the receptacle, which may be designed as a pin, only uncovers the accesses to the analysis chip inside the device, so that these accesses, and consequently also the analysis chip itself, are protected from external influences which, for example, could have an effect on the analysis chip or its accesses, when the receptacle is mounted in the device with the sliding protector already open. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention, in the accommodating region of the device, a structural part may be designed in such a way that the structural part engages the recess on the receptacle housing. This ensures a clear position of the receptacle inside the accommodating device. 
     According to an additional exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention, for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention, the device includes an optical or a mechanical scanning device for scanning the coding region designed to be on the receptacle housing. In this manner simple evaluation of the coding region of the receptacle is achieved, and consequently the risk of a mix-up with respect to the analysis chip used is clearly reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows details of an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention for accommodating analysis chips. 
         FIG. 2  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment for a mounting support for the accommodation and a seal for the analysis chip in the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting arrangement for an external supply line and a discharge line for an analysis medium in the receptacle housing according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment for a connecting arrangement for an external inlet line and discharge line for an analysis medium in the receptacle housing according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a housing of the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment for the guidance of a sliding protector of the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of a resetting mechanism for a sliding protector provided on a housing of the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a housing of the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a lateral view of the housing of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of the housing of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 8 , with an analysis chip having been set into a recess of the housing. 
         FIG. 11  shows another lateral view of the housing of the receptacle shown in  FIG. 8 , which has openings serving as connections for external supply lines and discharge lines. 
         FIG. 12  shows an exemplary embodiment for a device for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 12  with the sliding protector in a different position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The receptacle according to the present invention for accommodating the analysis chip is shown in  FIG. 1  in detail in connection with the example of a receptacle for accommodating an analysis chip for carrying out a DNA analysis, whose analysis result is investigated with the aid of an optical measuring method. 
     The receptacle shown at the bottom may be used analogously also for chips for the analysis of any type of molecule or biological samples. The measuring method used is moreover not limited to an optical measuring method. 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross section through housing  10  of a receptacle according to the present invention for accommodating an analysis chip  40 . Receptacle housing  10  has a recess  11  adapted to analysis chip  40 , in which recess the analysis chip  40  is fastened. Above and below the analysis chip  40 , receptacle housing  10  has opening regions  12   a ,  12   b , respectively, which are laid out as windows for an optical measuring method. 
     Analysis chip  40  includes two glass plates  41 ,  42 , between which there is a chemically active layer  43 . In lower glass plate  42  several channels  44  are formed, which open out on the upper side of glass plate  42  into meanderingly designed channels  45  within chemically active layer  43 . On the underside of glass plate  42 , each of channels  44  is tightly connected to a channel  20  in receptacle housing  10  by a seal  21 , which is designed as a flat seal. Channels  20  perform the function of supply and discharge line for an analysis medium. Alternatively, seal  21  may also be designed as an adhesive. 
       FIG. 2  shows an additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention, analysis chip  40  being accommodated in housing  10  of the receptacle according to the present invention, analogous to  FIG. 1 . Each channel  44  of lower glass plate  42  is tightly connected in a lower part to one of channels  20  of receptacle  10 , using a ring-shaped sealing element  22 . Above analysis chip  40 , there is a lid  13 , by which analysis chip  40  is pressed against elastic sealing elements  22 . Lid  13  establishes a tight connection to receptacle housing  10 , which connection may be made as an adhesive or a welding. Above analysis chip  40 , lid  13  has an open area  12   c , which is designed to be a window for an optical measuring method. 
     Alternatively, lid  13  may also be connected to receptacle housing  10  via a reversible connection, e.g., using a sealing element and a clamping device, this then making possible a multiple utilization of the receptacle. 
       FIG. 3  shows an example connecting arrangement for an external supply line or discharge line  24  for the analysis medium, having an opening  25  in receptacle housing  10  according to the present invention, provided for the supply and the discharge of the analysis medium. Channel  20  for the analysis medium opens out in the vicinity of opening  25  into an insertion part  23 , which may be made of a metal. Insertion part  23  has a conically formed recess into which a likewise conically formed end section  26  of external supply line and discharge line  24  for the analysis medium penetrates undistortedly in such a way that a tight connection is created over surface  27 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative connecting arrangement for external supply line and discharge line  24  for the analysis medium to channel  20  in receptacle housing  10 , supply line and discharge line  24  having a planar end section  28  which engages with insertion part  23  in such a way that a sealing of the connection is created by encircling edge  29 . 
     Alternatively, the insertion part may be omitted, so that supply line and discharge line  24  directly rests upon and seals housing  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a cross section through housing  10  of the receptacle according to the present invention for analysis chip  40 , a movable protector designed as sliding protector  30  being provided, which includes entire housing  10  of the receptacle. Sliding protector  30  has an elongated opening  37  at least on a partial region of its length along its direction of motion, in which a preferably oblong guiding rail  31  engages with receptacle housing  10  undistortedly, so that sliding protector  30  is guided free of swing. 
       FIG. 6  shows an additional example embodiment of the guiding of sliding protector  30  shown in  FIG. 5 . In this connection, a section of an edge of an opening  38 , that extends over at least a partial section of sliding protector  30 , forms a bent tab  33  which engages in a guiding groove  32  which extends at least over a partial region of receptacle housing  10 , along the direction of motion of sliding protector  30 , and which guides sliding protector  30  free of swing during movement. 
     Alternatively to sliding protector  30 , a movable protector designed in a different fashion may be provided on the receptacle, for example, a protector that is connected via a swivel joint to receptacle housing  10  and is movable in a folding down or folding up fashion, or rotatably. 
     A movable protector designed in accordance with the above characteristics covers, in its closed position, the access to the analysis chip and may be automatically opened by a mechanism within an analysis device. This guarantees a safe handling of the analysis chip outside the analysis device. 
     In one example embodiment of receptacle housing  10  according to the present invention, a resetting mechanism for sliding protector  30  is provided. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in this connection, receptacle housing  10 , in a separate region  50 , has a resetting spring  51 , which is fastened in a corner  53  of receptacle housing  10  and a tab  34  of sliding protector  30  which runs in an elongated opening  52  on a narrow side of receptacle housing  10 .  FIG. 7  shows resetting spring  51  in the closed position of sliding protector  30 . In the open position of sliding protector  30 , resetting spring  51  is stressed, and exercises a resetting force on sliding protector  30 , which independently guides sliding protector  30  back into the closing position again. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view onto housing  10  of the receptacle according to the present invention. To provide a clearer understanding, covered analysis chip  40  is illustrated, which is on the inside of receptacle housing  10 . Sliding protector  30  has an opening  35   a ,  35   b  on its upper side and its lower side, respectively. Openings  35   a ,  35   b  are applied, in this context, in such a way that opening areas  12   a ,  12   b  in receptacle housing  10 , which are located above and below the analysis chip  40 , respectively, and are used as windows for an optical measuring method, are closed in the closing position shown in  FIG. 8 . Sliding protector  30  is able to be guided free of swing into its opening position, from its closing position shown in  FIG. 8 , along guiding rail  31 , opening areas  12   a ,  12   b  being then uncovered in receptacle housing  10  for carrying out an optical measurement through openings  35   a ,  35   b  of sliding protector  30 . 
     In the upper part of  FIG. 8 , receptacle housing  10  has a coding region  14  which is specified in the exemplary embodiment by five holes and is able to be scanned optically or mechanically. This makes it possible to avoid a mix-up of the analysis chips. In the right upper corner of  FIG. 8 , a recess  15  on receptacle housing  10  is shown, which clearly defines the latter&#39;s spatial orientation in the analysis device. 
       FIG. 9  shows a lateral view of housing  10  of the receptacle in  FIG. 8  according to the present invention, sliding protector  30  having an additional opening  36 , which uncovers openings  25  in receptacle housing  10  in the open position of sliding protector  30 , which, in the closed position of sliding protector  30  are covered by the latter and are shown, in  FIG. 9 , only for illustrative purposes. On tab  34  of sliding protector  30 , which engages with elongated opening  52  of receptacle housing  10 , resetting spring  51  is fastened which, in the open position of sliding protector  30 , exercises a resetting force on sliding protector  30 , and guides it back to the closed position. 
     Receptacle housing  10  has a guiding groove  16 , which is provided for an opening mechanism that is developed as a pin  65  in a device according to the present invention for accommodating the receptacle, and with which pin  65  engages and guides sliding protector  30  from the closed position into the open position. 
       FIG. 10  shows a cross section through housing  10  of receptacle  10  according to the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , analysis chip  40  being set into recess  11  of receptacle housing  10 . Above and below analysis chip  40 , receptacle housing  10  has opening regions  12   a ,  12   b , respectively, which are laid out as windows for an optical measuring method. Sliding protector  30  forms a casing enclosing the entire cross section of receptacle housing  10 , whose oblong opening  37  in the right upper part of  FIG. 10  lies closely adjacent to guiding rail  31 , which is formed as an elevation of receptacle housing  10 , so that a swing-free motion of sliding protector  30  is ensured. Openings  25 , developed as connections for external supply lines and discharge lines  24  (not shown) are covered by sliding protector  30  in its closed position. 
       FIG. 11  shows another lateral view of housing  10  of the receptacle according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , having four openings  25  in receptacle housing  10  developed as connections for external supply lines and discharge lines  24  for the analysis medium. For the sake of a better illustration, sliding protector  30  which, corresponding to the embodiment in  FIG. 9 , covers openings  25  in receptacle housing  10  in its closed position, and uncovers it in its open position, is not shown here. 
       FIG. 12  shows a cross section through the device according to the present invention for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention. For this, the device has an opening region  61  in housing  60 , which is on the front side of the device. In this opening region  61  an accommodating device, e.g., developed as a drawer  62 , is stored, whose accommodating region  64  has a depression that is adapted true to shape to receptacle housing  10 , so that the receptacle set into accommodating region  64  has a wobble-free seat. Drawer  62 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , is charged with receptacle housing  10  in an open position. Structural part  63  in drawer  62 , which, corresponding to recess  15 , is formed on receptacle housing  10 , in this context, secures the clear position of receptacle housing  10  within accommodating region  64  of drawer  62 . 
     On the inside of housing  60 , there is a mechanism formed as pin  65 , which, during the closing procedure of drawer  62 , is guided both along a depression  66  in drawer  62  and along guiding groove  16  of receptacle housing  10 , and, in this context, carries sliding protector  30  of receptacle housing  10  along with it, so that the sliding protector is brought from the closed position into the open position. 
       FIG. 13  shows drawer  62  loaded with the receptacle according to the present invention in a closed position, sliding protector  30  of the receptacle having been brought into its open position by firmly installed pin  65  of the device according to the present invention. In this connection, openings  12   a ,  12   b , developed as windows for an optical measuring method, are uncovered in receptacle housing  10  by openings  35   a ,  35   b  of the sliding protector. In the same way, openings  25 , not shown in  FIG. 13 , in receptacle housing  10 , which are developed as connections for the external, and likewise not shown, supply lines and discharge lines  24  for the analysis medium, are uncovered by the sliding protector. 
     A mechanical scanning device  70 , provided for scanning of coding region  14 , which is on receptacle housing  10 , is positioned above or below coding region  14 , and is made up of pins  71 , which, with the aid of a mechanism not described in more detail, engages with the holes provided in coding region  14 . The position of the pins is evaluated in the usual way, which is not described in greater detail below. Alternatively to scanning coding region  14 , an optical scanning device (not shown) may be provided, the scanning device having one or more light sources whose light shines through the holes provided in coding device  14 , and is detected by one or more photosensors, and evaluated by an evaluating device that is not described in greater detail. 
     For this, there may be provided both a scanning device  70  installed on the inside of the device, coding region  14  being supplied only in a closed position of drawer  62  to scanning device  70 , and a scanning device  70  installed on drawer  62 , the evaluation of coding region  14  already taking place in an open position of drawer  62 . 
     A device designed corresponding to the above exemplary embodiment, for accommodating the receptacle according to the present invention, for carrying out an analysis, ensures a safe and precise applying of the analysis chip to the analysis environment, and consequently makes possible reproducible analysis results along with simplified handling of the analysis chip.