WO2004008107A1

WO2004008107A1 - Receiving device for samples

Info

Publication number: WO2004008107A1
Application number: PCT/AT2003/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael W. Dahm; Robert C. Phelps
Original assignee: Hexal Pharma Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-15
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: ATA10732002A; AT411334B; AU2003243805A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving device (1) for samples, consisting of a sample chamber element (2) having an upper side (3) and an opposite lower side (4). Openings (7) pertaining to a plurality of sample chambers (5) are distributed over said upper side (3), the lateral walls (6) of the sample chambers extending from the upper side (3) in the direction of the lower side (4) to a centrifugation surface (8). Said openings (7) are arranged opposite observation fields (10) which are open or closed in the centrifugation surface (8). Said centrifugation surface (8) can be bent, or is bent, in an at least approximately concave manner. A radius (12) of a curvature of the centrifugation surface (8) is at least approximately the same size at least in the region of the observation fields (10), at least for sample chambers (5) which are adjacently arranged along the curvature of the centrifugation surface (8).

Description

Sampling device

The invention relates to a receiving device for samples, consisting of a sample chamber element, with a top side and a bottom side opposite this, the openings distributed over the top side of a plurality of sample chambers, the side walls of which extend from the top side toward the bottom side up to a centrifugation surface , and open or closed observation fields are arranged opposite to the openings in the centrifugation surface, a holding device for using such a device with a frame, the side walls of which surround a cross section in the former, an insert for a holding device for using the Aumahmevev device, with a first Surface and a second, gelαiimmed surface arranged opposite this, wherein the first surface is designed to abut a surface of a holding device, a rotor hanger for a centrifuge for use for Aufii Ahmed device, with a rotating body with a lateral surface and a centrifugation system formed therefrom.

To examine samples, it is very often necessary to separate individual components from them. Centrifugation is a frequently used method for liquid samples whose components have different densities. In a special application of centrifugation - the so-called cytocentrifugation - cells or their components are centrifuged from samples of biological origin onto an observation field for the purpose of a subsequent microscopic observation, this observation field usually being formed by a glass slide. A cylindrical vessel is arranged on the specimen slide forming the base in conventional cytocells.

Such a centrifugation chamber is known for example from DE 91 07 153 Ul. The centrifugation chamber disclosed therein has, at least on the outer circumference of the vessel, an absorbent body which rests on a lower part which holds the specimen slide. Excess liquid is to be sucked up by this absorbent body, so that the cells centrifuged onto the slide after centrifugation are at least approximately dry for further processing. The lower part according to this DE-Ul can be clamped onto the upper part by means of a clamping device. This clamping device can consist of an external thread on the upper part and a thread assigned to it on the lower part or by a Bayonet lock to be formed. This enables the slide to be removed from the centrifugation chamber after centrifugation, which makes it easier to handle for the subsequent microscopy.

In addition to the absorbent body disclosed in this DE-Ul, there are also so-called filter cards, such as those e.g. are known from DE 33 19 678 AI or WO 93/08895 AI, use. These filters have a passage opening for centrifuging the cells in the area of the future microscopic observation field. A cytocentrifugation device is also known from the latter WO-AI, in which a plurality of liquid chambers are arranged on the rotor, with which a more uniform distribution of the cells on the slide should be achieved for better adhesion of the cells thereon.

A disadvantage of these systems known from the prior art is that an increase in the sample throughput is only insufficiently possible or that only a few cell sediments or sediments of cell components can be produced simultaneously with these.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device with which the production of cell sediments or sediments from cell components can be accelerated with the aid of cyto-centrifugation, both by manual and by automated methods, and thus the sample throughput can be increased.

This object of the invention is achieved independently in each case by a receiving device mentioned at the outset, in which the centrifugation surface can be bent and / or bent at least approximately concavely, a radius of curvature of the centrifugation surface at least in the region of the observation fields at least for sample chambers arranged alongside one another along the curvature of the centrifugation surface is at least approximately the same size, or by means of a holding device mentioned at the outset, an insert for a holding device and a rotor hanger, which make it possible to maintain the said curvature of the holding device during centrifugation, and by a centrifugation system which the holding device and the Holding device or the insert or the rotor hanger comprises. The advantage here is that a receiving device designed in this way not only allows a higher sample throughput, in that several samples can be centrifuged simultaneously with only one receiving device, but rather also that the cell or cell constituent sediments are centrifuged evenly distributed over the entire area of the observation fields. This is achieved primarily through the concave curvature, the K-curvature being adapted to the cross-section of the centrifuge. This ensures that the sample is not displaced to the edge area of the sample chambers in comparison to flat rigid recording devices, which generally results in an undesired overlay of cells or cell components due to an enrichment of the sedimentation material at the edge, which makes microscopic evaluation difficult or possibly impossible , The uniform distribution of the cells or cell components over the entire area of the observation field is achieved with the aid of the invention, since the cells or cell components are centrifuged uniformly and perpendicularly onto the observation fields. In this context, perpendicular means that the rotor axis, viewed from the center of rotation of the centrifuge in the direction of the receiving chambers, is not only at least approximately perpendicular to each point of the observation field within an observation field, but rather this condition also applies to sample chambers lying along the curvature , Thus, the force relationships prevail at least approximately in all sample chambers. The advantage of the bendable variant is that the filling of the sample chambers or the handling of the aum device outside of the centrifuge is comparable to that with a conventional flat receiving device, for example a microtiter plate, in that the bendable lifting device according to the invention is in the unloaded state is even. The holding device or the insert or the rotor hanger enables easy handling of the receiving device and a secure hold of the concavely curved position of the receiving device. In addition, the receiving device can thus be brought into the shape intended for centrifugation outside the centrifuge, as a result of which laborious handling within the centrifuge is eliminated. Furthermore, the Aumahmevomchtung is given a corresponding hold during centrifugation, so that it does not return to its original shape due to the declining centrifugal force when braking the centrifuge motor. Furthermore, conventional table top centrifuges can be easily converted for the receiving device according to the invention, so that expensive investments for new centrifuges are not required. By appropriate variation, these can also be quickly and easily adapted to different sizes of holding devices on the one hand and centrifuge sizes on the other. According to an embodiment variant, it is provided that the sample chambers of the aumahmevomchtung are cylindrical, which enables a high density of sample chambers on the sample chamber element and, in addition, a sufficient sample volume, in particular for samples with a low cell proportion or proportion of cell components, can be made available.

The sample chamber element of the Aumahmevomchtung can be plate-shaped, which improves the manageability of the same and thus also increases the automatability, in particular by robot systems due to the better graspability of plate-shaped elements, and in particular can also fall back on common laboratory robots that already, e.g. when using microtiter plates.

In this case, the sample chambers of the Aumahmevomchtung can be formed as depressions in the sample chamber element, so that no additional handling, in particular by attaching specimens to form the bottom of the receiving device, is necessary, and in particular the automatability can also be increased further, since receiving devices designed in this way can also be used in pipetting machines can be used for automatic sample feeding. Of course, these depressions can in turn be cylindrical.

It is also possible for the sample chambers of the acquisition device to be arranged at intersection points of an orthogonal grid and to form rows and columns perpendicular thereto. On the one hand, it is possible to use existing tools from injection molding technology, which are available in particular from microtiter plate production, and on the other hand, especially if a standardized orthogonal grid is used, to use existing software routines from automatic laboratory machines, in particular automatic pipetting machines, to find specific ones To use sample chambers so that such a pick-up device can be used immediately in a laboratory with a high degree of automation without any effort.

The fields of observation of the capturing device, ie the bottoms thereof, can be formed by specimen slides. In this embodiment variant, the centrifugation area also coincides the underside of the sample chamber element, so that essentially the sample chamber element according to the invention has two opposite openings of the sample chamber according to this embodiment. Such recording devices can be used in particular in small laboratories with conventional equipment, and the observation fields can be adapted to the needs or wishes of the user of the recording device by using a wide variety of specimen slides, for example glass-clear, colored, matted in the observation field, etc. Of course, this design variant is also possible for use in the routine operation of a large laboratory with laboratory automation.

In a further development of the embodiment variant of the invention just mentioned, it is provided that the plate-shaped sample chamber element in the direction of the underside below the sample chambers and at least approximately parallel to the underside has groove-shaped recesses for receiving the specimen slides, these recesses - viewed in cross section - each from a side wall of a sample chamber in the direction of the adjacent sample chamber. This enables simple mounting of the specimen slides by pushing them into the groove-shaped recesses underneath the sample chambers, so that there is no need to laboriously manipulate them. Mixing of the preparation when removing the slide can also be done by snap connections, e.g. by clipping.

It is also advantageous if the specimen slides are spaced apart from the side walls of the sample chambers, i.e. the end faces of which are arranged in the groove-shaped recesses, since on the one hand the insertion of a filter material, for example a filter cardboard, and on the other hand the insertion or arrangement of a sealant such as e.g. a sealing ring between the side wall of the sample chamber and the slide is possible.

On the other hand, the specimen slide can also be sealingly connected, in particular glued, to the side wall of the sample chamber, as a result of which there is firm cohesion.

It is also possible that the slides form the bottoms of several sample chambers in one column, which not only reduces the assembly effort, but also also several samples, for example line or line constituent sediments on a slide for a subsequent processing and observation of the cells or cell components can be centrifuged, for example to carry out a series of analyzes from one and the same original sample.

According to an embodiment, it is provided that the side walls of the sample chambers of the receiving device are connected to one another only via webs. This not only saves material in the manufacture of the receiving device, but it can also be made possible by this frame-like design of the receiving device a higher flexibility to achieve the concave curvature, so that materials with principally higher strength can be used, and thereby in turn Handling outside the centrifuge is improved by this higher strength, particularly with regard to the use of the receiving device with laboratory robots. In addition, it is also possible for grippers of a laboratory robot to intervene in the free spaces between the sample chambers, as a result of which simple gripper systems of automation devices can be used, and thus the transportability of the pick-up devices with such automation devices is also improved.

Particularly in the case of a plate-shaped design of the sample chamber element, i.e. that these receiving devices, with the exception of the openings of the sample chambers, have no gaps, it is advantageous if regions between adjacent sample chambers are provided with a taper, which extend from the top or bottom towards the bottom or top of the sample chamber element. This can increase the flexibility of the Aumahme device.

It is advantageous if two tapers are arranged opposite each other or if, according to a further embodiment variant, the tapers are wedge-shaped, so that the required concavity is achieved without great effort and without destroying the receiving chamber.

According to a variant, it is provided that at least regions between the sample chambers arranged alongside one another along the K-curvature of the centrifugation surface are formed from an elastically deformable material, so that the concave curvature of the receiving device can in turn be achieved more easily. Between the columns of the orthogonal grid of the sample chamber element, predetermined breaking points for separating the columns can be formed, which in particular can be formed by the tapering or can be arranged at these points. If necessary, this enables the columns to be separated for subsequent analysis steps or sample preparation steps.

The side walls of the sample chambers can on the one hand protrude above the top side and on the other hand can be arranged recessed relative to the underside, whereby stackability of the receiving devices is made possible by the engagement of the underside of a receiving device in the upper side of a further receiving device, in particular the side walls of the sample chambers.

In particular when the receiving device is designed as a frame-shaped element, i.e. if, as already explained above, the sample chambers are connected to one another only via webs, the respective outer sample chambers can be surrounded by a frame, which in turn is connected to these outer sample chambers at least via webs. This enables a higher stability of the receiving device designed in this way.

The side walls of the frame in the area of the upper side can be slightly shorter than the side walls of the frame in the area of the lower side, which in turn enables stackability by corresponding engagement of the underside of the frame in the upper side of the frame of a further receiving device.

However, it can also be provided that the sample chambers arranged in columns can be used separately from other columns in the frame, so that a wide variety of columns, i.e. Strips of sample chambers can be used in a common frame, for example with sample chambers of the most varied volumes, so that the device can be individualized and adapted to user needs.

The sample chamber element of the receiving device is preferably designed as a microtiter plate according to the SBS standard with dimensions in accordance with the recommendations of the SBS. that a standardized system can be made available to the user of the receiving device.

According to a further development of the holding device, it is provided that the inner cross-section can be adapted to different sizes of holding devices according to the invention by means of inserts which can be inserted into the frame, as a result of which the variability of the holding device can be increased.

These inserts of guide elements can be guided and held on the inner surface of the side walls of the frame, for example by tongue and groove connections, which can be conical, which improves the stability of the holding device, particularly during transport outside of a centrifuge can.

It is also possible, however, that tensioning devices, such as e.g. Springs, webs or the like are arranged with which the receiving device according to the invention can be held in the concavely curved position or can be brought into it. In particular, it is possible that these tensioning devices are guided through the frame in a rest position and are arranged outside, thereby making it easier to insert the receiving device into the frame. If the tensioning devices are correspondingly pre-tensioned in the rest position, the effort required for the concave bending of the pick-up device can also be facilitated.

It is advantageous if the holding device is designed as a rotor hanger for a centrifuge and, according to a further embodiment variant of the holding device, holding elements, such as e.g. Grooves for the holder are arranged on a centrifuge rotor, since they can thus be used directly in a centrifuge without further components, which is particularly advantageous with regard to the automation of such systems, since no additional assembly effort is required when inserting the holding device into the centrifuge ,

According to a development of the insert according to the invention for a holding device, the latter has on at least one side wall a tensioning device with which the inventive appropriate receiving device against the concavely curved surface can be clamped. On the one hand, this simplifies the assembly of the receiving device in the insert and, on the other hand, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of receiving devices one above the other on the insert and to give these sandwich-like arrangements a corresponding hold.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Each shows in a schematically simplified representation:

1 shows a first embodiment variant of a receiving device according to the invention in its curved position and arranged on an insert according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the Aun device in its design as a plate-shaped sample chamber element.

3 shows the frame-like embodiment variant of the receiving device with sample chambers connected via webs;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of receiving devices according to the invention with object carriers guided in grooves (left part) or clips (right part);

5 shows the arrangement of a plurality of receiving devices one above the other on an insert according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment variant of the receiving device according to FIG. 5, in a side view;

7 shows a holding device according to the invention in plan view with the receiving device inserted;

FIG. 8 shows a plate-like embodiment variant of the receiving device with a curvature of the centrifugation surface that is already preset in the factory; FIG. 9 shows an embodiment variant of the receiving device according to FIG. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a rotor hanger according to the invention with attached receiving devices.

In the introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names. The location information selected in the description, e.g. above, below, laterally, etc. refer to the figure described and illustrated immediately and are to be transferred analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

1 shows a first embodiment variant of a receiving device 1 according to the invention for samples, in particular liquids. This mounting device 1 is intended in particular for use in centrifuges for the separation of individual sample components from the samples, preferably for cytocentrifugation, it being known that cells or cell components from a biological sample, for example brain and spinal cord fluid, bone marrow samples, blood, urine or Generally body fluids or from primary and cell line cells or their components cultivated in liquid nutrient solutions are separated. As examples, the use of the recording device for the enrichment and detection of tumor cells from body fluids or in liquid nutrient solutions primary and cell lines, cells or their components, for the examination of vascular damage, such as bleeding from the meninges, for the detection of Infectious diseases, such as meningitis and AIDS, for the detection of neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or damage caused by environmental factors, such as Lead poisoning.

The receiving device 1 of the embodiment variant shown here consists of a sample chamber element 2 with an upper side 3 and an opposite lower side 4. In the sample chamber element 2, a plurality of sample chambers 5 are arranged, the side walls 6 extend from an opening 7 in the top 3 of the Probenka merelementes 2 towards the bottom 4 to a centrifugation surface 8.

This centrifugation surface 8 - shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 - represents an imaginary surface which, in the embodiment according to Fig. 1, within the sample chamber element 2, i.e. is arranged between the top 3 and the bottom 4. The centrifugation surface 8 is at the level of the bottoms 9 of several sample chambers 5 when the sample chamber element 2 is flat. In other words, the floors 9, which simultaneously form observation fields 10, are arranged in the centrifugation surface 8.

The observation fields 10, that is to say the bottoms 9 of the sample chambers 5, are those areas within the sample chambers 5 on which sample components to be examined, such as cells or their components, are to be centrifuged.

If necessary, several centrifugation surfaces 8 are arranged within the sample chamber element 2, namely if the sample chambers 5 have a different height 11, i.e. the side walls 6 have a different length, so that their observation fields are arranged in the sample chamber element 2 at a different distance from the underside 4. For each centrifugation surface 8, however, the condition must be met that it is at least approximately concavely bendable and / or bent, a radius 12 of a curvature of the centrifugation surface (s) 8 at least in the area of the observation fields 10 for along the curvature of the centrifugation surface (s) 8 sample chambers 5 arranged next to one another is at least approximately the same size. In this context, “approximately the same size” is to be interpreted in such a way that the radii 12 for points within one and in adjacent sample chambers 5, ie for all sample chambers 5 whose observation fields 10 lie in a common centrifugation surface 8, preferably not more than 20% deviate from one another by more than 15%, in particular not more than 10%, and the lower limit is the ideal case with a deviation of 0%, as shown in FIG. 1 with reference to this first embodiment of the pick-up device 1.

Slight deviations are permitted within the specified ranges. As will be clarified in the further embodiment variants of the invention, this is due to a floor 9, which is not curved but rather flat, of the sample chambers 5 However, slight deviations have no effect on the centrifugation result, that is to say that there are no superimpositions of cells or cell components on the observation fields 10, provided, of course, that the cell concentration or the concentration of the cell components is selected accordingly, since "no superimposition" in the What is meant by the invention is that the sample components to be centrifuged do not accumulate in an edge region of the sample chambers 5 on the observation fields 10, that is to say in the transition region from the observation field 10 to the side wall 6 of a sample chamber 5, as is the case with flat pick-up devices with several sample chambers when they are used If, for example, a conventional microtiter plate, which is also known to have several sample chambers, were inserted and centrifuged in a rotor suspension of a table centrifuge, the rotor axis, which is shown in FIG. 1 is symbolized by the radius beam and does not refer to the true geometric conditions of the rotor, ie an actual rotor axis, not at least approximately vertically on all points of the centrifugation surface 8, in particular the observation fields 10. This means that the sample components, for example the cells or cell components, are centrifuged onto the centrifugation surface 8 at an oblique angle and unevenly. The resulting overlay of cells or cell components makes microscopic evaluation of the sediments more difficult or possibly impossible.

To prevent this, according to the invention, as already stated, the sample chamber element 2 is bent concavely in such a way that all points on the centrifugation surface 8, in particular within the observation fields 10, lie on a circular path that is described by the centrifugation surface 8 during centrifugation (in Top view seen in FIG. 1, since, of course, due to the flat design of the receiving device 1, a circular path is not described, but rather the centrifugation surface 8 defines the lateral surface of a rotationally symmetrical cylinder during centrifugation).

The sample chamber element 2 according to FIG. 1 is plate-shaped. Plate-shaped means that the sample chamber element 2 forms a continuous layer with corresponding cutouts for the sample chambers 5. The sample chamber element 2 is preferably in the dimensions of a microtiter plate in accordance with the recommendations of the SBS Manufactured, but deviating dimensions are also possible, which can be adapted to the individual needs of the user of the inventive recording device 1. In particular, the sample chamber element 2 can also have other cross-sectional shapes, for example square, polygonal, etc., in addition to a rectangular cross-section (viewed in plan view).

In a preferred embodiment, the sample chambers 5 are arranged at intersection points 13 of an orthogonal grid 14 in columns 15 and rows 16, as shown in broken lines in FIG. Here, too, another arrangement of the sample chambers 5 is possible, for example in order to achieve a higher density, a hexagonal arrangement in the manner of a layer of the densest possible spherical packing.

The sample chamber element 2 can furthermore be designed as a 12-chamber or preferably 24-chamber plate, the sample chambers 5 being able to be distributed over four columns 15 and three rows 16 or four columns 15 and six rows 16, for example. However, a different number of sample chambers 5 per sample chamber element 2 is also possible, for example the number thereof can be determined by the formula 3 × 2 ″ or 2 ⁿ , where n is a natural number, that is to say, for example, 48, 96, 128, 384 sample chambers 5 are arranged , preferably again within an orthogonal grid corresponding to the arrangement on a microtiter plate according to the SBS standard, is preferably designed as a microtiter plate with dimensions in accordance with the recommendations of the SBS.

The sample chambers 5 are formed as depressions in the sample chamber element 2, in particular in the form of a hollow cylinder and with a circular cross section, their openings 7, as already mentioned, being arranged in the top side 3 of the sample chamber element 2. Other cross-sectional shapes are also possible, e.g. square, hexagonal, diamond-shaped, dodecahedron-shaped or general polygonal. Furthermore, the side walls 6 of the sample chambers 5 can have a conical shape that tapers in the direction of the bases 9.

The sample chamber element 2 according to FIG. 1 represents the ideal case, ie that all points on the centrifugation surface 8 have the same radius 12 of the concave curvature. Starting from a center of rotation 17 of a centrifuge (in Fig. 1 not shown) dimensioned. This ideal case is achieved in that the sample chamber element 2 is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene, so that the exact concave adaptation of the centrifugation surface 8 to the circular path already mentioned, which describes it during the centrifugation, is possible. In the initial state, that is to say in particular while the sample chamber 5 is being filled with the samples, the sample chamber element 2 is flat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving device 1 is held by an insert 18 for a holding device 19, in particular during centrifugation. For this purpose, this insert 18 has a first surface 20, which is designed to bear against the holding device 19, for example flat, and a second curved surface 21 opposite it, this second surface 21 being concavely curved such that the centrifugation surface 8 of the receiving device 1 has an at least approximately concave curvature, a radius of the curvature of the centrifugation surface 8 being at least approximately the same size, at least in the region of the observation fields 10, for sample chambers 5 arranged alongside the curvature of the centrifugation surface 8, i.e. in the ideal case according to FIG. 1, this radius in each Point on the centrifugation surface 8 is the same size.

The first surface 20 does not have to be flat, but can orientate itself to the corresponding design of the surface of the holding device 19 which is in contact with the first surface 20.

The insert 18 is connected according to Fig. 1 via connecting elements 22, e.g. Screws with the holding device 19, firmly connected. However, tongue and groove connections between the insert 18 and the holding device 19 are also conceivable. In any case, there should be a corresponding cohesion of the insert 18 with the holding device 19.

The holding device 19 can be designed as a rotor hanger for a centrifuge and can be fastened to a rotor arm of the centrifuge, for example by means of corresponding articulated arrangements known from the prior art for rotor hanger for centrifuges, so that the rotating hanger can swing out during centrifugation due to the centrifugal force. This makes it possible to rotate these rotary hangers, in particular the on the arranged receiving device 1, with the openings of the sample chambers facing upwards, in the centrifuge, so that additional devices for covering the openings 7 of the sample chambers 5 in order to prevent the samples from flowing out of the sample chambers 5 can be dispensed with.

Around the pick-up device 1, i.e. the centrifugation surface 8, since of course only this must have the corresponding curvature, and thus, as will be shown, the pick-up device 1, i.e. the sample chamber element 2, in principle also of a different design, can be held in the concavely curved working position or placed in it, clamping elements 23 are arranged on the insert 18. These clamping elements 23 can e.g. formed as a bracket or clips and articulated laterally to the insert 18, as shown in Fig. 1, with a corresponding articulated connection, a corresponding preload, e.g. via spring elements, is possible to press the underside 4 against the surface 21 of the insert 18. The clamping elements 23 can be formed over a large area and e.g. These clamping elements 23 extend over a width 24 of the sample chamber element 2 (shown in FIG. 2) or can be designed as more or less thin brackets. It is possible for a plurality of clamping elements 23 to be arranged over the width 24 and, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, a further clamping element 23 can also be arranged in an apex region 25 of the sample chamber element 2, as a result of which the apex region is also preloaded against the insert and thus the safety of maintaining the concave curvature is increased. However, due to the elasticity of the material for the sample chamber element 2 according to FIG. 1, this is not absolutely necessary, since the sample chamber element 2 can be pressed automatically against the surface 21 of the insert 18 during centrifugation due to the prevailing centrifugal forces. For less elastic materials, however, the arrangement of the further clamping element 23 in the apex region 25 has proven to be advantageous.

Other mounts of the receiving device in the insert or on the insert 18 are also possible. Thus, the sample chamber element 2 in the area of the underside 4 can have lateral, in particular in the area of the width 24 or its entire length, spring-like projections which can engage in corresponding groove-shaped recesses in the insert in the area below the surface 21, so that after the concave bending of the Sample chamber element 2 this can be inserted into the grooves and thus fixed accordingly is. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if these webs are arranged as an angular profile, for example with a rectangular cross-section with the same leg length or as an L-profile at least in some regions, for example in the corner areas of the test chamber element 2, one leg in the course of the underside 4 and the leg, which is at least approximately rectangular, protrudes from this underside 4, so that the underside 4 is enlarged by this leg length both in length and in width, and thus an overlap of sample chamber element 2 arranged one on top of the other in the area of the orthogonally Bottom 4 protruding legs with the side walls of the sample chamber element 2 and thus the stackability is made possible.

By varying the concavity of the second surface 21 of the insert 18, such as, if necessary, varying the dimensioning of the insert 18, it is possible to adapt it individually to different sizes of centrifuges, so that a pick-up device designed in accordance with the above explanations can also be used for a wide variety of centrifuge sizes. This is particularly so because the flexibility of the material for the sample chamber element 2 can be selected such that it can be adapted as desired to different radii 12 of the curvature of the centrifugation surface 8 via the insert 18 due to the elasticity of the material.

Another embodiment variant of the receiving device 1 is shown in FIG. 2. This is again in the form of a plate-shaped sample chamber element 2 with preferably cylindrical sample chambers 5 formed therein.

As already described, the sample chambers 5 are arranged in an orthogonal grid 14 in columns 15 and rows 16. The areas 26, between the columns 15, are provided with tapers 27. According to the embodiment according to FIG. 2, two tapers 27 are arranged opposite each other, one running from the top 3 of the sample chamber element 2 in the direction of the bottom 4 and one from the bottom 4 in the direction of the top 3. In a preferred embodiment, the tapers 27 are wedge-shaped and extend over the entire width 24 of the sample chamber element 2. Other shapes, for example with a rectangular cross section, with a round cross section or rounded cross section, etc., are of course possible. With the help of these tapers 27, it is possible to curve the centrifugation surface 8 at least approximately concavely in the manner described. Due to a smaller wall thickness 28 of the sample chamber element 2 in the area between two opposing taperings 27, the force required for this is correspondingly less or it is possible to use other materials, in particular plastics, preferably a thermoplastic polymer, such as polystyrene, for the sample chamber element 2 to be used, especially those with lower elastic properties, as has been described for FIG. 1. This is particularly so because in the area of the tapering there is no need for material displacement in the area of the bottom 4 or material expansion in the area of the top 3.

The cross section of the taper 27, in particular that in the area of the underside 4 of the sample chamber element 2 can be dimensioned such that the taper side surfaces 29 abut one another in the final concave position. The dimensioning is based in particular on the radius 12 to be set (FIG. 1). This has the advantage that the pick-up device 1 according to the invention can be adapted specifically to a centrifuge type and thus there is no risk of confusion for the user, provided that the user operates several centrifuges with different diameters, since pick-up devices 1 designed in this way do not fit into a corresponding holding device 19 or can be adapted to an insert 18 for a specific centrifuge.

The tapered areas can be designed as predetermined breakpoints, which means e.g. a separation of the columns 15 after centrifugation and thus a column-by-column separation of the samples and consequently a correspondingly easier handling during microscopy can be made possible.

In this embodiment variant, the bottom 9 of the sample chamber element 2 is formed by specimen slides 30. Conventional microscope slides 30 known from microscopy can be used, for example glass or plastic slides. The slide 30 should be transparent to enable microscopy. Furthermore, it is possible, on the one hand, to manufacture the specimen slide 30 again from an elastic material, preferably a thermoplastic polymer or elastomer, such as polystyrene, a transparent silicone membrane, etc., so that adaptation to the required concavity is possible. On the other hand, it is also possible, in particular, since the sample chambers 5 have a relatively small cross-sectional area in the range between 100 mm ² to 400 mm, for example 350 mm ² or 240 mm ² or 190 mm ² or 110 mm ² , and thus a relatively rigid slide 30 can be used, such as glass, since the deviation from the required or desired concavity lies in the tolerance range mentioned above and thus also in this embodiment variant, which deviates from the ideal design, with no superimposition of cells or cell components is to be expected.

In this embodiment variant, the centrifugation surface 8 also coincides with the underside 4 of the sample chamber element 2 and the observation fields 10 are formed in this case when the sample chamber element 2 is delivered through further openings 31 which are arranged opposite the openings 7. The bottom 9 for a sample chamber 5 can e.g. attached by the user or this can of course already be provided by the manufacturer as standard. The slide 30 can be attached by a sealing connection, e.g. gluing the side walls 6, i.e. whose end faces lying in the area of the underside 4 with the specimen slide 30. Of course, larger-area gluing can be carried out, but care must be taken to ensure that the observation fields 10 remain free.

Furthermore, it is possible for suction bodies, such as filter cards, to be arranged between the object carriers 30 and the underside 4 of the sample chamber element 2 (not shown in FIG. 2) or these suction bodies can also be arranged within the sample chambers 5.

The bases 9 of a plurality, in particular all, of the sample chambers 5 lying within a column 15 are preferably formed by a specimen slide 30.

3 shows a further embodiment variant of the pick-up device 1.

It should be noted at this point that individual components of the individual design variants can be transferred to the other design variants, for example the arrangement of specimen carriers 30 on the sample chamber element 2, so that these parts of the description can be transferred accordingly, even if not explicitly in the individual exemplary embodiments with reference to it.

The sample chamber element 2 according to the embodiment variant according to FIG. 3 is of a tapered shape, i.e. that the side walls 6 of the individual sample chambers 5 are connected to the side walls 6 of the immediately adjacent sample chamber 5 only via webs 32. This not only saves material during manufacture, but in turn makes it possible to use firmer materials with low elasticity for this frame-like sample chamber element 2 in order to achieve greater stability in the flat state of the sample chamber element 2. Due to the small wall thickness of the webs 32, the concave Kiii mung is still possible in the sense of the invention. At least the webs 32 between adjacent sample chambers 5 can, however, also be made of an elastomer, which makes it easier to achieve concavity during centrifugation.

In this embodiment variant, the floors 9, i.e. the observation fields 10, which in particular cylindrical sample chambers 5 are formed by specimen slides 30, one specimen slide 30 being assigned to several specimen chambers in a column 15, in particular being sealingly connected to the end faces of the side walls 6 of the specimen chambers 5.

A distance 33 between adjacent specimen slides 30 can be selected such that opposite side edges 34 of adjacent specimen slides touch at least approximately in the curved position of the sample chamber element 2.

It can also be seen from FIG. 3 that the object carriers 30 can have a data carrier 35, for example a one- or two-dimensional bar code or a chip, in particular in transponder technology, which in turn increases the degree of automation when using the recording device 1 according to the invention is made possible by storing sample-specific data on this data carrier. These data can further include, for example, the coordinates of the respective sample chamber 5 in which a specific sample is presented, so that the individual sample chambers 5 can be specifically approached, in particular when the sample chambers 5 are automatically filled with an automatic pipetting device. It can also be used, for example, to process a corresponding analysis protocol stored in software by using specific reagents in predeterminable sample chambers 5. according to the sample presented therein.

In one embodiment variant, it can be provided that the respective outer sample chambers 5 are surrounded by a frame 36, which in turn is connected to the corresponding side walls 6 of the sample chambers 5 via webs 32, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. This frame 36 further increases the strength of the frame-shaped sample chamber element 2, which is particularly advantageous with regard to the use of the sample chamber element 2 with laboratory robots. Instead of connecting the frame 36 via webs 32 to the side walls 6 of the sample chambers 5, the latter can also follow over the entire surface.

It is advantageous if the frame 36 is again designed to stack the receiving devices 1, that is to say, for example, with a rectangular cross-sectional profile, as has already been described above, so that an engagement or an overlap of the corresponding leg of the frame 36 one Pick-up device 1 with the frame, which of course has a certain height, in particular corresponds to the height of the pick-up device as a whole or is longer by this leg length as a result of the leg of the frame projecting from the underside 4 (FIG. 1), ie the side wall of an underlying receiving device 1 is designed to overlap.

In the case of the arrangement of the frame 36, it is also possible for the columns 15 to be generally separate and to be held in the frame via corresponding devices, for example via snap connections or frictional engagement, as is already known from the prior art for microtiter plates. In this way, differently configured columns can be centrifuged together in one frame, which increases the universality of the invention.

The sectional view in side view of a further variant of the receiving device 1 in FIG. 4 shows a plate-shaped sample chamber element 2 with sample chambers 5 arranged in columns and rows.

In this embodiment variant as well, the floors 9, ie the observation fields 10 of the sample chambers 5, are formed by specimen slides 30. In this version, these are Riante held and guided in a groove-shaped recess 37 (left part of FIG. 4). Instead of these groove-shaped guides, it is also possible to provide snap-in connections, for example in the manner of a clip connection (right part of FIG. 4). The groove-shaped recess 37 can be arranged below the sample chamber 5 at the level of the centrifugation surface 8, with an extension from the centrifugation surface 8 towards the underside 4 of the sample chamber element 2. A recess height 38 in the direction of the side walls 6 of the sample chamber can correspond to a slide thickness 39 , whereby the slides 30 can be inserted sealingly into these groove-shaped recesses 37. A lateral expansion in the direction perpendicular to the side walls 6 of the sample chambers 5 can also correspond to a slide width 40. On the other hand, it is possible that this lateral extent is larger than the slide width 40, as a result of which the slide 30 can be inserted more easily. In the case of the clip variant, it is also possible to make an area of the frame n near the specimen slides 30 from an elastic material or a material with elastic properties, for example the web in the area of the side end faces of the specimen slides 30.

Furthermore, it is possible for the specimen slides 30 to be arranged at a distance from the end faces of the side walls 6 of the sample chamber 5 assigned to them, that is to say that the recess height 38 is greater than the specimen slide thickness 39, so that, for example, a between the specimen slide 30 and the end face of the side wall 6 Sealing element or a filter element, for example a filter card that can be inserted.

In order to be able to spend the sample chamber element 2 in this embodiment variant in the concave curvature, the sample chamber element 2 is made from at least two different materials, it being pointed out that such a design is also possible with the other embodiment variants of the invention or the corresponding materials of the invention other versions are transferable accordingly. Instead of manufacturing the sample chamber element 2 from different materials, it is also possible to take purely constructive measures, such as Taper or webs to be provided in order to achieve a concave deformation of the sample chamber element 2 during centrifugation.

For this purpose, the sample chamber element 2 is divided into zones, these zones being along of columns 15 (eg Fig. 3) extend. Here, area 41 between adjacent sample chamber gaps are made of an elastic material, for example according to the above statements, whereby the concavity is approximately achieved. The areas of the sample chamber element 2 which lie directly in the area of the specimen slides 30 can consist of a different material, for example a stiffer material, as a result of which the sample chambers 5 can be given appropriate stability. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the ideal concavity is only reached at least approximately, but for the reasons mentioned above, in particular since the specimen slides 30 and the sample chamber 5 can be of correspondingly small dimensions, there are no disadvantages for the user since there is no superimposition of Cells are to be expected, especially since the radius 12 (FIG. 1) deviates from the right angle of the solder from the rotor axis to the center of the observation field 10 by only a few tenths of a degree to the individual points in the side area of the sample chamber 5, ie the observation field 10. incident.

5 shows a sandwich-like arrangement of a plurality of receiving devices 1 according to the invention one above the other, the individual receiving devices 1 being able to be stackable, in accordance with the above explanations, so that the sandwich structure is held together accordingly.

The holding devices 1 are clamped by means of the already mentioned clamping element 23 (according to the embodiment variant FIG. 1) against a holding device surface 42 of the holding device 19 which is concave according to the invention, so that the use according to FIG. 1 can be dispensed with in this embodiment variant. The holding device 19 can in particular be designed again as a rotor hanger for a centrifuge, so that it can be inserted directly into the centrifuge. The tensioning elements 23 are each arranged in the side area of this sandwich-like structure and in particular are connected in an articulated manner to the holding device 19, so that the tensioning elements 23 can be swiveled out, and optionally a tensioning element 23 can in turn be provided in the apex area 25 of the receiving devices 1, which is also articulated with the holding device 19 can be connected.

The receiving device 1 furthest away from the holding device 19 can additionally be removed from a correspondingly designed cover element, for example a cover. covers or this cover element can be formed by a particularly empty receiving device 1. For example, aerosol formation in the centrifuge chamber can be avoided, which is particularly advantageous with regard to infectious samples.

The stackability of the receiving devices 1 can also be achieved in that the side walls 6 of the sample chambers 5 protrude beyond the upper side 3 of the sample chamber element 2 and are arranged in a recessed manner on the sample chamber element 2 with respect to the underside 4, so that the protruding part of the side walls in the case of similarly designed sample chamber elements 2 6 of a receiving device 1 can engage in the corresponding depression on the underside in the region of the side walls 6 of another receiving device 1.

6, which in turn shows a sandwich-like arrangement of a plurality of receiving devices 1 one above the other in a side view, is intended to make it clear once again that it is possible to use these receiving devices 1 only via clamping elements 23 which are located in the apex region 25 (for example FIG attack and which are in particular articulated on the holding device 19, appropriately concave and thus on lateral clamping elements 23, such as this 5 or 5, can be dispensed with. On the other hand, it is to be clarified with FIG. 6 that pick-up devices of different sizes can form this sandwich-like structure. The universal applicability of the holding device 19 on the one hand and on the other hand of the receiving devices 1 and the larger sample throughput thus achieved are to be clarified with a single centrifugation.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment variant of a holding device 19 according to the invention, which is formed by a holding device frame 43. This holding device 19 can also be designed as a rotor hanger and can thus be inserted directly into a centrifuge on the corresponding rotor. For this purpose, a corresponding recess 45, e.g. groove-shaped, can be provided, in which a holding element of the rotor can engage rotatably.

The holding device frame 43 is dimensioned in particular with respect to an inner cross section 46 such that the length dimensions of the inner surfaces of the side walls 44 of the The holding device frame 43 are smaller than the corresponding length dimensions of the cross section of the holding device 1, so that this holding device 1 can only be used in the concavely curved state and thus maintain this concave curvature by the regionally supporting the holding device 1 on the inner surfaces of the side walls 44 of the holding device frame 43 becomes. In particular, the dimensions of the holding device frame 43 are dimensioned such that the radius of the curvature (FIG. 1) of the receiving device 1 corresponds at least approximately to the radius of the circular path already described in the sense of the invention.

In order to make the holding device 19 variable, with regard to different sizes of holding devices 1, holding device inserts 47 can be inserted into the frame, in particular in the inner side regions, as is shown in broken lines in FIG. 7. The inner cross section 46 of the holding device frame 43 can thus be designed to be correspondingly variable. These holder inserts 47 can e.g. be held in the frame via frictional engagement or are corresponding guide and holding elements on these or in inner side walls of the holding device frame 43, e.g. Tongue and groove connections can be arranged.

Furthermore, these holding device inserts 47 or the holding device frame 43 themselves can have corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the side walls 44 for the side regions of the receiving device 1 which are in contact therewith, as a result of which the receiving device 1 can be better held.

As further shown in FIG. 7, tensioning devices 48, such as springs, webs or the like, can be arranged on or in the inner surfaces of the holding device frame 43, in particular - viewed in cross section - in the region of the flanks and / or in Vertex region 25 of the receiving device 1, these tensioning devices 48 also being guided in guide devices, as shown in dash-dotted lines in FIG. By means of these tensioning devices 48, the receiving device 1 is prestressed against the corresponding inner surfaces of the side walls 44 of the holding device frame 43 and held in the concavely curved position, or an unintentional removal of the receiving device 1 from the holding device frame 43 can thus also be avoided. 8 shows another embodiment variant of the receiving device 1 according to the invention. This consists of a flat sample chamber element 2, in which in particular cylindrical sample chambers 5 are preferably arranged in columns 15 and rows 16 of an orthogonal grid 14 (FIG. 2). In contrast to the previous embodiment variants, the floors 9, ie the observation fields 10, are already prefabricated in the factory in such a concavely curved manner that the radius conditions according to the invention, as explained above, are met. The observation fields 10 themselves can have the concave curvature or they can also be flat, as is the case, for example, in the embodiment variants with arranged slides and is particularly advantageous for microscopy, so that a flat viewing surface is available. It is therefore no longer necessary in this embodiment variant to bend the Aumahmevomchtung itself correspondingly concave, since, as already mentioned, the centrifugation surface 8 already has the required concavity. It is thus possible to use rigid materials, such as plastics, preferably a thermoplastic polymer, for example polystyrene, polypropylene, for the sample chamber element 2.

In a variant of this, FIG. 9 shows a receiving device 1 with the sample chamber element 2, in which the underside 4 coincides with the centrifugation surface 8 and is already designed to be concave in the factory. In this embodiment variant, the top 3 can be provided with a flat surface or with a curvature.

3 and 2, the observation fields 10 are formed in the factory through the further openings 31, it is possible with this embodiment variant to form bases 9 of the sample chambers 5 by object carriers 30, for example by gluing with those already described the end faces of the side walls 6.

In order to make it easier to fill the sample chamber 5 with the samples in this embodiment variant, it is possible for a holding frame 49, shown in broken lines in FIG. 9, to be arranged on the underside 4 or supports 50, in particular in the side regions of the sample chamber element 2, to enable a flat contact surface of the receiving device 1. Furthermore, it is also possible that, in this embodiment or in the embodiment variant according to FIG. 8, tapering 27 which has already been described is of course formed on the top 3 and / or bottom 4, as a result of which it is possible to achieve that the receiving device 1 already has a certain amount Can have Vorlαümmung, but the final concave curvature according to the invention by the user himself, and thus the exact adaptation to the required radius (Fig. 1).

Furthermore, in these latter two design variants, the columns 15 can also be separated from one another, e.g. Be formed over the previously described predetermined breaking points between columns 15 arranged next to one another in order to in turn facilitate microscopy, in particular to align the observation fields 10 in parallel with the contact area on the microscope.

10 finally shows an embodiment variant of a rotor suspension 51 in the form of a rotationally symmetrical cylinder with a cylinder jacket 52. The tensioning device 48 is articulated on the outside of this cylinder jacket 52 or several of these tensioning devices 48 can be present. The size of these clamping devices 48 can be dimensioned such that they have at least approximately a height 53 of the cylinder jacket 52 and a width 54 corresponds to at least a fraction of the circumference of the cylinder jacket 52.

At least one receiving device 1, preferably several, as shown in FIG. 10, is arranged on the outer surface of the cylinder jacket 52. The attachment can take place on the one hand via the tensioning device 48 which, after the receiving device 1 has been placed on the cylinder jacket surface, prestresses the lifting device 1 and produces the concavity. For this purpose, the clamping device 48 is pivoted in the direction of the cylinder jacket surface in accordance with arrow 55 and is fastened to the cylinder jacket 52 by means of closure devices 56 known from the prior art.

To support this, at least one recess at least the size of the receiving devices 1 can be provided in the surface of the cylinder jacket 52, so that these are at least slightly fixed when inserted into the recess. Since in this embodiment variant the receiving devices 1 are inserted into the rotor hanger 51 standing up, it is advantageous if the sample chamber 5 has a corresponding cover so that the sample liquids cannot escape from the sample chambers 5.

From the devices according to the invention described above, in particular the holding device 1, the holding device 19, the insert 18, and the rotor hanger 51, a corresponding centrifugation system can thus be made available to the user.

Within the scope of this description, it is not possible to present and describe all conceivable embodiment variants of the invention and further embodiment variants of the receiving device 1, which have the features of the independent claims of the present invention, are of course also covered by the scope of protection. It is in particular also possible to dimension the wall thicknesses of the receiving devices 1 in such a way that the concave curvature is also possible for materials with higher strengths.

Furthermore, it should be noted at this point that, of course, in those embodiment variants in which the observation fields 10 are formed by specimen slides 30, these specimen slides 30 can be removed from the sample chamber element 2 after centrifugation for inspection under the microscope from the sample chamber element 2.

After centrifugation, the cells centrifuged onto the observation fields 10 can undergo further processing steps, such as fixation and staining.

As already described, the design of the receiving device 1 as a microtiter plate enables a higher degree of automation. Furthermore, the entire spectrum of current diagnostics, such as, for example, microscopic, immunocytological / immunocytochemical, biochemical and / or molecular biological examinations at the microtiter plate level, is possible with the inventive recording device 1. These microtiter plates allow the person skilled in the art to perform the same manipulations known to him from cytology, with the difference that several samples are processed simultaneously under standardized operating conditions. conditions and can be processed in faster periods.

Microtiter plates which have a glass bottom instead of a plastic bottom are particularly preferred, since glass is better than plastic for various applications, for example for fixing the cells. Instead of glass, coated plastics can also be used, the coating e.g. functionally identical to glass. In general, however, other functional coatings are also possible.

Of course, computer-aided image analysis is also possible with the recording device 1 according to the invention.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the pick-up device according to the invention not only enables sample components to be centrifuged onto the observation fields 10, but also the method of drying centrifugation already known from the prior art, i.e. So the drying of the components is possible.

Analogous to the methods in the field of immunocytology / immunocytochemistry, the molecular biological diagnostic methods can also be carried out on microtite slats, with the difference that after the cells or cell components have been separated, much smaller volumes are processed, and thus microtiter plates up to HTS (High Throughput System ) Microtiter plates or systems based on nanotechnology are used and manipulation by robots or specially designed machines can be carried out under standardized operations in minimal volumes.

The present invention thus allows a procedure for the semi-automatic or fully automatic detection, for example of tumor cells, in a liquid, the tumor cells being enriched from the body fluid, as described above.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the structure of the receiving device 1, the holding device 19, the insert 18 and the rotor hanger 51 these or their components have been partially shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. The object on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

Above all, the individual in FIGS. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8th; 9; 10 shown embodiments form the subject of independent, inventive solutions. The relevant tasks and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

Receptacle 36 frame sample chamber element 37 recess top side 38 recess height bottom 39 specimen slide thickness specimen chamber 40 specimen slide width side wall 41 area opening 42 mounting device surface centrifugation surface 43 holding device frame bottom 44 side wall observation field 45 recess

Height 46 Cross section Radius 47 Holding device insert Clamp point 48 Clamping device Grid 49 Holding frame Column 50 Column row 51 Rotor suspension Rotation center 52 Cylinder casing Insert 53 Height holding device 54 Wide surface 55 Arrow surface 56 Closing device connecting element Clamping element Width Vertex area Area Tapering Wall thickness Tapering side surface Slide opening Bar spacing Side edge of data carrier

Claims

Patent claims

1. Recording device (1) for samples consisting of a sample chamber element (2), with an upper side (3) and an opposite lower side (4), openings (7) of several sample chambers (5) distributed over the upper side (3). whose side walls (6) extend from the top (3) towards the bottom (4) up to a centrifugation surface (8), and the openings (7) opposite or open in the centrifugation surface (8) observation fields (10 ), characterized in that the centrifugation surface (8) is at least approximately concavely bendable and / or bent, a radius (12) of a curvature of the centrifugation surface (8) at least in the area of the observation fields (10) at least for along the curvature of the Centrifugation surface (8) arranged next to each other sample chamber (5) is at least approximately the same size.

2. Recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample chambers (5) are cylindrical.

3. Recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sample chamber element (2) is plate-shaped.

4. Recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that the sample chambers (5) are formed as depressions in the plate-shaped sample chamber element (2).

5. pick-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sample chambers (5) are arranged at intersection points (13) of an orthogonal grid (14), form rows (16) and columns (15) perpendicular thereto.

6. pick-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sample chambers (5) have bottoms (9) which are formed by a slide (30).

7. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized Draws that the sample chamber element (2) in the direction of the underside (4) below the sample chambers (5) and at least approximately parallel to the underside (4) have groove-shaped recesses (37) for receiving the specimen slides (30), these recesses being (37), viewed in cross section, each extend from a side wall (6) of a sample chamber (5) in the direction of the adjacent sample chamber (5).

8. Recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the specimen slides (30) are arranged spaced apart from the end faces of the side walls (6) of the sample chambers (5).

9. Pick-up device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the specimen slides (30) are sealingly connected, in particular glued, to the end faces of the side walls (6) of the sample chambers (5).

10. Recording device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that a slide (30) forms the bottoms (9) of several sample chambers (5) of a column (15).

11. Recording device according to one of claims 1, 2 and 5 to 10, characterized in that the side walls (6) of the sample canisters (5) are connected to one another only via webs (32).

12. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that areas between adjacent sample chambers are provided with a taper, which extends from the top (3) and / or the bottom (4) towards the bottom (4) and / or top (3) extend.

13. Recording device according to claim 12, characterized in that j e two tapering on the top and bottom (3, 4) are arranged opposite one another.

14. Recording device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the taper (s) is wedge-shaped.

15. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least regions (41) are formed from an elastically deformable material between sample chambers (5) arranged alongside the curvature of the centrifugation surface (8).

16. Pick-up device according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that a predetermined breaking point for separating the columns (15) is formed between the columns (15), in particular formed by the tapering or arranged at this point.

17. Pick-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (6) of the sample chambers (5) protrude beyond the upper side (3) and are arranged in a recessed manner with respect to the underside (4).

18. Pick-up device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case the outer sample chambers (5) are surrounded by a frame (36) which is connected to the outer sample chambers (5) at least via webs (32).

19. Recording device according spoke 18, characterized in that side walls of the frame (36) in the area of the top (3) are slightly shorter than side walls of the frame (36) in the area of the bottom (4).

20. Recording device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the sample chambers (5) arranged in columns (15) can each be inserted into a frame separately from further columns (15).

21. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sample chamber element (2) is designed as a microtiter plate.

22. Holding device for use for a receiving device (1) according to one of the preceding claims with a holding device frame (43), the side walls (6) surround an inner cross section (46), characterized in that the inner cross section (46) is dimensioned in this way that a centrifugation surface (8) of the receiving device. (1) can be bent at least approximately concavely, with a radius (12) of a curvature the centrifugation area (8) in the area of observation fields (10) for sample chambers (5) arranged alongside one another along the curvature of the centrifugation area (8) is at least approximately the same size.

23. Holding device according to claim 22, characterized in that the inner cross section (46) can be adapted to different sizes of holding devices (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 by holding device inserts (47) which can be inserted into the holding device frame (43).

24. Holding device according to claim 23, characterized in that the holding device inserts (47) are guided and held by guide elements on the inner surface of the side walls of the holding device frame (43).

25. Holding device according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that on or in inner surfaces of the side walls of the holding device frame (43) clamping devices, such as e.g. Springs, webs are arranged, which hold the receiving device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 in the concavely curved position.

26. Holding device according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that it is designed as a rotor hanger for a centrifuge.

27. Holding device according to claim 26, characterized in that on outer surfaces of the rotor hanger holding elements, e.g. a groove for which the holding position is arranged on a centrifuge rotor.

28. Insert for a holding device (19) for use for a receiving device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, with a first surface (20) and a second, curved surface (21) arranged opposite this, the first surface ( 20) is designed for bearing against a surface (20) of the holding device, characterized in that the second surface (21) is curved in a concave manner such that a centrifugation surface (8) of the receiving device (1) can be bent at least approximately concavely, a radius (12) a curvature of the centrifugation surface (8) at least in the area of observation fields (10) at least for along the curvature of the centrifugation onsfläche (8) arranged next to each other sample chamber (5) is at least approximately the same size.

29. Use according to claim 28, characterized in that a tensioning element (23) with which the receiving device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 can be tensioned against the concavely curved surface is arranged on at least one side wall.

30. rotor hanger (51) for a centrifuge for use for a receiving device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, with a rotating body with a lateral surface, characterized in that a clamping device 48 is arranged on the rotating body, with which the receiving device ( 1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 can be pretensioned against the lateral surface such that a centrifugation surface (8) of the receiving device (1) can be bent at least approximately concavely, a radius (12) of a curvature of the centrifugation surface (8) at least in the region of observation fields (10) is at least approximately the same size at least for sample chambers (5) arranged alongside the curvature of the centrifugation surface (8).

31. Centrifugation system with a receiving device for samples and with a holding device (19) for the receiving device, characterized in that the receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 21 and the holding device (19) according to one of claims 22 to 30 is formed.