Apparatus and method for a lysis of a sample, in particular for an automated and/or controlled lysis of a sample
Inventors
Boos, Andreas • Lüdke, Gerd • Bacher, Johannes
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11447737-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a lysis procedure, in particular for an automated and/or controlled lysis procedure of a sample, in particular a biological sample. The apparatus comprises at least one rotation disc (31), at least one vial holder (90) which is configured to receive a vial (100), wherein the vial holder (90) is arranged on the disc (31), at least one driving device (20) which is configured to rotate the disc (31) and the vial holder (90), at least one heating device (60) which is configured to heat the sample to a determined incubation temperature, and—at least one control device (70) which is configured to control the driving device (20) and/or the heating device (60) by means of a timing and/or step control, and/or—at least one transmitting device (80) for inductive coupling for energy and signal transmission, which is configured to transmit the energy for heating to the heating device (60), and/or—wherein the driving device (20) is configured to rotate the disc (31) in a first direction (A1) and/or with a first speed, and to rotate the vial holder (90) in a second direction (A3) and/or with a second speed. The apparatus and the method are adapted for an (automated) lysis procedure, wherein the lysis can be carried out in a safe, efficient and effective manner.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an automated/controlled lysis apparatus for a sample that uses a rotation disc and a vial holder arranged on the rotation disc. A driving device with a motor and a gear set rotates the rotation disc in a first direction and rotates the vial holder in a second direction such that the vial holder is maintained in a substantially constant absolute orientation while rotating.
The apparatus further includes a heater engaged with the vial holder and configured to heat the sample to a determined incubation temperature. The heater uses a heating sleeve that surrounds the vial holder, and a temperature sensor can be provided for monitoring. Energy and temperature signals from sensors to the control device are transmitted via inductive coupling transmitting device to avoid wiring and maintain high-speed operation.
A control device performs coordinated timing control and step control for the motor and the heater, optionally using feedback control. The control device defines a protocol with a rotating phase and a resting phase, coordinating rotational actions and temperature maintenance across phases. The described workflow and control concept include milling/grinding/mixing during the rotating phase and heating and/or maintaining the determined incubation temperature during the rotating phase and/or the resting phase.
Claims Coverage
The identified independent claims are directed to three inventive apparatus concepts: maintaining a substantially constant absolute orientation of a vial holder during rotation while heating to a determined incubation temperature; realizing the same concept using a motor-driven rotation disc with a two-stage gear set and a heater engaged with the vial holder; and realizing the same concept for no more than one vial with a two-stage gear set and an associated heater. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features are the coordinated mechanical drive for orientation constancy and the integrated heater to reach a determined incubation temperature.
Vial holder substantially constant absolute orientation while rotating with two-stage gear set
A driving device comprising a motor and a gear set with a first stage gear and a second stage gear, wherein the vial holder and second stage gear share a common central axis and the driving device is configured to rotate the rotation disc in a first direction and the vial holder in a second direction such that the vial holder is maintained in a substantially constant absolute orientation while rotating.
Heater engaged with the vial holder heating to determined incubation temperature
A heater engaged with the vial holder and configured to heat the sample to a determined incubation temperature.
Opposite-direction vial holder maintained orientation during rotation disc rotation
A gear set engaged with the rotation disc, comprising a first stage gear and a second stage gear, wherein the second stage gear is engaged with the first stage gear and the vial holder, the vial holder and second stage gear share a common central axis, and the vial holder is rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction and is maintained in a substantially constant absolute orientation while the rotation disc rotates.
Motor-driven rotation disc and two-stage gear set for rotating a single vial
At least one gear set engaged with the rotation disc, wherein each gear set consists of a first stage gear engaged with a second stage gear, and a vial holder configured to receive no more than one vial, wherein the vial holder is associated with the second stage gear and the vial holder and the second stage gear share a common central axis.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a coordinated mechanical drive that rotates a vial holder in an opposite direction to maintain substantially constant absolute orientation while a rotation disc rotates, combined with a heater engaged with the vial holder to heat the sample to a determined incubation temperature.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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