Method and device for preparing a sample of biological origin in order to determine at least one constituent contained therein

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of preparing an original sample ( 3 ) of biological origin with a view to detecting at least one component contained in it, whereby the original sample ( 3 ) is enclosed in a first container ( 1 ) and at least a part of this original sample ( 3 ) is transferred from the first container ( 1 ) into at least one reaction container, a reagent ( 9 ) or reagent mixture being placed beforehand in at least one of the reaction containers in order to prepare the original sample ( 3 ) and the component to be detected. In order to transfer at least a part of the original sample ( 3 ), two respective containers ( 1, 6 ) are connected to one another to form a closed, airtight system at least until at least the component(s) to be detected has (have) been rendered stable by reacting it (them) with the reagent ( 9 ) or reagent mixture at room temperature.

1 . Multi-modular, closed system, by means of which samples can be purified or preserved for subsequent testing,
 the system comprising a first container enclosing a first interior, a second container enclosing a second interior and a connecting device connecting the first interior to the second interior,   the first container is designed as the sample vessel and is designed to contain samples of blood and phases separated therefrom and having a gel in the first interior, in the interior of the second container at least one reagent or a reagent mixture used for preparation and analysis purposes is placed,   the connecting device establishes a closed, airtight flow connection between the first interior of the first container and the second interior of the second container, with a first connecting region for the first container and a second connecting region for the second container, a flow passage being disposed between the first connecting region and the second connecting region, and with a respective piercing means for piercing a container seal in the connecting regions, the flow passage is established by the piercing means,   at least the connecting region for the first container has a retaining device for releasably securing the first container, so that a separation of the two containers takes place in such a way that the connecting device which has established the flow connection between the two containers is pulled off together with the first container.   
     
     
         2 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a shut-off element is disposed in the flow passage, by means of which the flow connection can be interrupted. 
     
     
         3 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow passage is a double-ended cannula and the cannula ends serve as the means for piercing a container seal. 
     
     
         4 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a cavity is disposed between the two connecting regions, through which the flow passage is inserted, the volume of which is so dimensioned that at least a part of an airtight elastically deformable protective cap secured to a part of the flow passage projecting into the connecting region and made from a self-closing, elastic material which can be pierced, can be accommodated by the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting region(s) is or are at least partially provided in the form of an at least substantially cylindrical wall and an internal diameter of the cylindrical wall is dimensioned to create a friction lock between an internal surface of the cylindrical wall and a container surface of the first or second container. 
     
     
         6 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a catch mechanism is provided on the internal face of the cylindrical wall for receiving a part of the first container or a part of a cap of the first container. 
     
     
         7 . System as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical wall is made from a deformable material, which conforms to the external contours of the inserted first container when inserted. 
     
     
         8 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional tapered region is disposed in the middle region between the first and the second connecting region, and wherein an external connecting device surface in the region of the cross-sectional tapered region is provided with knurling. 
     
     
         9 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a sealing device is disposed on the connecting device surface in the second connecting region for the second container. 
     
     
         10 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow passage is retained so that it can slide. 
     
     
         11 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein it is made up of at least two parts which are joined to one another by means of a releasable connection. 
     
     
         12 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a container base or a container wall of the first or the second container is made of an elastically deformable material. 
     
     
         13 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein instead of the first container a third container is connected with the connecting device with the second container and wherein a receptacle containing a matrix is disposed in a third interior of the third container. 
     
     
         14 . System as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the matrix is intended as a means of separating a component from at least a part of the original sample. 
     
     
         15 . System as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the matrix is disposed in a receptacle incorporating an outlet. 
     
     
         16 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one part-volume of the second container has an opening which is sealed by a septum. 
     
     
         17 . System as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reagent or a reagent mixture is selected from a group consisting of a lysing buffer for blood cells, a stabilising buffer for nucleic acids and proteins, a releasing buffer, a preservative buffer and the solid salts of these buffers. 
     
     
         18 . System as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the buffer for preserving and/or releasing at least one component from an original sample of biological origin containing ammonium sulphate in a quantity within a range having a lower limit of 10% w/v and an upper limit of 100% w/v, a chaotropic salt in a concentration selected from a range with a lower limit of 1 mol/l and an upper limit of 6 mol/l and a buffer substance in a concentration selected from a range with a lower limit of 0.1 mol/l and an upper limit of 0.5 mol/l. 
     
     
         19 . System as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the buffer further contains one of a detergent and a complexing agent.