DE102005044021A1 - Laboratory tempering device with top - Google Patents

Abstract

A laboratory temperature control device (1) with an upper side (2) which can be brought to certain temperatures and which has depressions (7) which are adapted to vessels of a first type is characterized in that an adapter (14, 44, 64) is provided which is designed to be thermally conductive at least perpendicular to the plane of the upper side (2) of the laboratory temperature control device (1), which on its underside is adapted to make flat contact with the upper side (2) of the laboratory temperature control device (1) and which is on its upper side for flat contacting of vessels ( 9, 49) of a second type.

Description

The The invention relates to a laboratory tempering device in the preamble of claim 1 type.

Generic Labortemperiereinrichtungen are eg from the US 5,525,300 A. known. They are used to hold laboratory samples at certain temperatures. The laboratory samples are arranged in containers, which are arranged with parts of their outer surface in large-area thermal contact in the wells. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of vessels combined into a plate, so-called microtiter plates with their vessels projecting downwards from the plate into a plurality of wells of the laboratory tempering device, for which purpose the grid dimension of the wells must match the grid dimension of the vessels of the plate.

As specified in the aforementioned document, generic Labortemperiereinrichtungen be designed to be on the entire top, ie in all wells to maintain the same temperatures as well as to over the Level of the top to form a temperature gradient, so that in different wells different temperatures be set. Generic laboratory tempering are in particular for implementation PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is used, even with gradient formation to optimize the PCR.

adversely in the known generic Laboratory tempering is the fact that the vessels in terms their shape to achieve a good thermal contact exactly in the wells have to fit and at vessel plates match the grid got to. Be different vessel sizes or Plates with different raster dimensions used, so must another adapted laboratory tempering be used, or must in a known manner a laboratory tempering be used, in which the top is interchangeable, what with considerable effort and costs.

Also the DE 19646115 A1 shows a generic construction having in one embodiment in the top of closely nested pits of different sizes, so that two different vessel sizes and two different grid can be used. However, other vessel sizes and rasters are not possible here either.

The The object of the present invention consists in a generic laboratory tempering device the use of different vessel sizes and plate grid on easy Way to enable.

These Task is solved with the feature of claim 1.

According to the invention Laboratory tempering device provided with an adapter which on its underside the top of Laborortemperiereinrichtung to surface heat contact customized is and the heat transported to its top, to other vessels to surface heat contact customized is. On the top of the adapter so can vessels or Plates of a second kind in surface heat contact to be taken while the adapter on its underside of the top of the laboratory tempering device customized is that in itself for whole other vessels or Grid of a first type is formed. That's the way it is possible, a generic laboratory tempering by simply embroidering adapters for tempering others Vessels or to retrofit plates with different rasters.

Of the Adapter could Be designed so that it has a simple flat bottom the top over contacted the wells away. Advantageously, however, are the Features of claim 2 provided. Here, the contact takes place the top of the laboratory tempering devices in their wells, in the elevations on the underside of the adapter in good heat-conducting, large area contact intervention. As a result, the heat transfer between the laboratory tempering takes place and the adapter at the locations of the recesses where the set Target temperatures are kept particularly accurate. It also gives characterized by positive engagement the elevations in the wells a firm grip of the adapter.

there Advantageously, the features of claim 3 are provided, according to which several bumps at the bottom of the adapter in one row of wells of the laboratory tempering fit. For full-surface placement of a Laboratory tempering are thus several adapters line by line to arrange.

Advantageously, the laboratory tempering device generates a temperature gradient, advantageously according to claim 5, transversely to the lines. The rows are thus at different temperatures, which are transmitted separately upwards by the adapters arranged line by line. In this way the vessels become the second Type that contact the top of the adapters, also line by line to different temperatures according to the set gradient brought.

In younger Increasingly, crystallization plates are being used, in which Vessels crystallization processes occur. In particular, crystallization plates are used for the determination of proteins by X-ray diffraction on a lattice made by crystallization, e.g. in genetic research. For lack of suitable laboratory tempering devices for crystallization plates However, until now their exact temperature control is very problematic. Advantageously, therefore, the features of claim 6 are provided. That way you can Critallization plates with appropriately designed adapters usual Laboratory tempering equipment as available in the laboratory, very simple and precise be tempered. It is also possible to form a Temperature gradients to optimize the crystallization temperatures, what not possible yet was.

crystallization plates are in a great variety of forms commercially available, e.g. depending on the crystallization method, e.g. "Hanging Drop" or "Sitting Drop". The crystallization vessels are easier with the "hanging drop" method and at the "Sitting Drop "method something more complicated shape. They are crystallization plates with close together nested crystallization vessels known and those with from a common base plate down individually in the side Distance hanging Crystallization vessels. at the latter embodiment are advantageous the features of the claim 7 provided, wherein the Kri stallisationsgefäße from the wells of the Adapters included laterally be such that temperature differences within the crystallization vessel, the distracting could affect the process of crystallization.

at a crystallization plate with closely spaced crystallization vessels for the "sitting drop" method in which smooth between vascular lines There are continuous grooves which are open to the bottom advantageous provided the features of claim 8.

In In the drawings, the invention is for example and schematically shown.

It demonstrate:

1 a section through a laboratory tempering device in a first embodiment,

2 a section along line 2-2 in 1 .

3 a section along line 3-3 in 1 .

4 a section through an adapter of a second embodiment,

5 a plan view of the adapter in section along line 5-5 in 4 and

6 a perspective view of an adapter in a third embodiment.

1 shows in longitudinal section a laboratory tempering direction 1 whose flat top 2 from a thermally well conductive block 3 is formed, which is on ner ner bottom 4 with several tempering elements 5 is occupied areally. In the tempering elements 5 For example, it is about not shown lines electrically supplied Peltier elements, the block 3 can heat or cool as desired. Be the several longitudinally successively arranged tempering 5 operated with different temperatures, so can be in the direction of the arrow 6 , ie in the longitudinal direction of the top 2 on this in the direction of the arrow 6 set a temperature gradient.

In the top 2 the laboratory tempering device 1 are depressions 7 formed, for example, as known from the cited documents, arranged in rows and columns. They serve in a conventional laboratory tempering 1 to vessels of a first kind, so for example, individual vessels containing reaction samples, take in large-area well thermally conductive contact, or in the grid (eg 12 rows and 8 columns) matching microtiter plates, in which from an upper surface hanging vessels formed in the wells 7 fit. In the in 1 illustrated embodiment will be with the laboratory tempering 1 but vessels of another type, vesicles of a crystallization plate 8th tempered in 1 on average and in 3 is shown in plan view.

At the crystallization plate 8th it is a crystallization plate with vessels, which are designed for the "sitting drop" method. The crystallization plate 8th has for this purpose formed in a grid crystallization vessels 9 on, the side by crossed passing partitions 10 are divided, open at the top and one step 11 to be placed on the drops with a protein solution to be crystallized, while in the lower part of the vessel 9 Solvent is arranged. To carry out the crystallization process, which takes a long time, all crystallization vessels 9 with one the entire crystallization plate 8th covering lid 12 locked, like this in 1 is shown. Alternatively, the closure with an adhesive sheet suc gene.

The crystallization plate 8th makes on her the laboratory tempering device 1 facing bottom under the steps 11 in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing according to 1 running, rectangular, downwardly open grooves 13 out.

A precise temperature control of the crystallization vessels 9 the crystallization plate 8th by placing on the top 2 the laboratory tempering device 1 would be difficult for lack of sufficient contact surfaces. There are therefore several in 1 and 2 illustrated adapter 14 provided on its upper side as a rectangular shaped beam 15 are formed, in its cross section, like the 1 shows, exactly to the cross-sectional shape of the groove 13 is adapted. The bars 15 can be so with all-sided large-area and thus good heat-conducting surface contact in the grooves 13 deploy.

At the bottom are the adapters 14 with protruding ridges 16 provided that like 1 shows, in its surface shape exactly the inner surface of the wells 7 in the top 2 the laboratory tempering device 1 are adapted.

As 2 shows are several surveys 16 on an adapter 14 provided, which are arranged linearly in a row corresponding to the grid of depressions 7 in a line of the top 2 the laboratory tempering device 1 equivalent.

1 shows that the adapters 14 with their surveys 16 into the wells 7 are used and with their beams 15 into the grooves 13 the crystallization plate 8th are used. The crystallization plate 8th is therefore large-scale and accurate over the adapter 14 heated, which are formed for this purpose of good thermal conductivity material, such as metal, in which it depends in particular, the heat in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the top 2 the laboratory tempering device 1 to transport.

US 2002/0141905 A1 describes different crystallization plates, wherein the in 2a illustrated construction substantially of the crystallization plate 8th according to 1 equivalent. The 3a to 5c describe crystallization plates of another embodiment, substantially from the crystallization plate 8th differ in that the crystallization vessels have no common partitions, but hang down freely in a lateral distance substantially downwards. Also, such a crystallization plate can be easily supplied with the present invention, as the 4 and 5 demonstrate.

4 shows the same laboratory tempering device 1 with depressions 7 as in 1 , In these are just like according to 1 adapter 44 used largely the adapters 14 correspond, ie surveys 46 in the grid and the shaping of the depressions 7 are adapted. On their top are the adapters 44 again as a bar 45 formed in the embodiment of the 4 and 5 however depressions 47 have the surface shape adapted to the outer surface of the crystallization vessels 49 a crystallization plate 48 are formed.

6 shows in an alternative embodiment, an adapter 64 that made individual adapters 44 according to 5 exists, which are set side by side standing parallel to each other and in the embodiment with a release layer 65 made of thermally insulating material. That way the adapters can work 44 of the 4 to a plate-shaped adapter 64 be put together, which is manageable as a whole. Will the adapter 64 on a laboratory tempering device 1 according to 1 used in which the gradient 6 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the individual adapters 44 is generated, then ensures the thermally insulating separation layer 65 for that in the individual adapters 44 the desired different temperatures can be adjusted trouble-free.

In the adapter 64 who in 6 can also be the separation layer 65 omitted, so that the adapters in its upper part is formed as a continuous plate made of thermally conductive material. It would be suitable in this form for laboratory tempering devices which are above their top 2 to produce a uniform temperature. However, such an embodiment of an adapter would also be suitable when using a temperature gradient, which then also by appropriate heat flow in the adapter 64 would be generated.

Are each a row of wells 7 supplying adapters 14 ( 1 ) or 44 ( 4 ) used, then connected to the top of the adapter vessels in their arrangement grid in the direction transverse to the extension of the adapter to the grid of the wells 7 in the laboratory tempering device 1 fit. In the other direction, namely in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 14 respectively. 44 However, the above-matched vessels may have a different grid, as the wells 7 , This applies, for example, in the 1 and 3 illustrated example in which the grid of the crystallization vessels 9 in the direction of the arrow 6 with the grid of the pits 7 must be able to deviate in the direction transverse to it.

Will, how to 6 described as an alternative embodiment, an adapter with a continuous plate used with elevations 46 into the wells 7 of the 1 engages, so can on the Top of the adapter recesses, such as the wells 47 be arranged in any grid that completely deviates from the grid of the wells 7 , Also, the vessel shapes to be contacted above may be completely different from the vessel shape that enters the wells 7 fit. It can therefore be adapted to a laboratory tempering device with wells in 8 × 12 grid on a suitably designed adapter a microtiter plate with 16 × 24 grid.

Claims (8)

Laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) with a top side ( 2 ), which can be brought to certain temperatures and the depressions ( 7 ), which are adapted to vessels of a first type, characterized in that an adapter ( 14 . 44 . 64 ) which is at least perpendicular to the plane of the upper side ( 2 ) of the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) is thermally conductive formed on its underside of the top ( 2 ) of the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) is adapted to be in contact with the surface and which at its upper side is used for the planar contact of vessels ( 9 . 49 ) is formed of a second type. Laboratory tempering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter ( 14 . 44 . 64 ) on its underside at least one survey ( 16 . 46 ) having a depression ( 7 ) of the surface ( 2 ) of the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) is adjusted surface contacting. Laboratory tempering device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adapter ( 14 . 44 ) several surveys ( 16 . 46 ), which corresponds to a row of depressions ( 7 ) in the surface ( 2 ) of the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) are adjusted. Laboratory tempering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) for generating a temperature gradient ( 6 ) in the direction of the plane of its surface ( 2 ) is trained. Laboratory tempering device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the temperature gradient ( 6 ) is formed transversely to the lines. Laboratory tempering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper side of the adapter ( 14 . 44 . 64 ) for the surface contacting of crystallization vessels ( 9 . 49 ) a crystallization plate ( 8th . 50 ) is trained. Laboratory tempering device according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper side of the adapter ( 44 . 64 ) Wells ( 47 ), the crystallization vessels ( 49 ) are formed encompassing. Laboratory tempering device according to claims 3 and 6, characterized in that the crystallization plate ( 8th ) on its underside in the direction of the lines of the depressions in the upper side ( 2 ) of the laboratory tempering device ( 1 ) extending grooves ( 13 ) between every two rows of crystallization vessels ( 9 ) and that the top of the adapter ( 14 ) than in its cross section the cross section of the groove ( 13 ) adapted bars ( 15 ) is trained.