Unit for storing a fluid, and method for producing a unit for storing a fluid

Abstract

A unit for storing a fluid includes a body, a piston, and a closure. The body has a through-channel in which the fluid is arranged. The body is impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents thereof and is configured to connect in a fluid-tight manner to a receiving device of a biochemical analysis unit. The through-channel extends from a first end to a second end. The piston is mounted to be axially movable in the through-channel and is configured to provide a fluid-tight seal relative to the body. The piston is impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents thereof and is accessible from the first end. The closure is arranged on the second end and is impermeable to the fluid and constituents thereof. The closure is connected to the body in a fluid-tight manner and is configured to burst when a pressure in the fluid exceeds a bursting pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A unit for storing a fluid, the unit comprising:
 a main body with a through-channel in which the fluid is arranged, the main body impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid, the main body configured to be connected in a fluid-tight manner to a receiving device of a biochemical analysis unit, the through-channel configured to extend from a first end to a second end;   a piston mounted so as to be axially movable in the through-channel, the piston configured to provide a fluid-tight seal in relation to the main body, the piston impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid, the piston accessible from the first end of the through-channel; and   a closure arranged on the second end of the through-channel, the closure impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid and connected to the main body in a fluid-tight manner, the closure configured to burst when a pressure in the fluid is greater than a bursting pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is configured as an anti-diffusion film welded to the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure is configured to close when the pressure in the fluid is lower than the bursting pressure by a tolerance pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of the piston is greater than or equal to a length of the through-channel. 
     
     
         5 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston has, on a side facing toward the first end, an actuation surface oriented transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the piston. 
     
     
         6 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body has at least one locking mechanism configured to connect the main body non-releasably to the receiving device. 
     
     
         7 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving device of the biochemical analysis unit includes a receiving opening configured to receive the main body, the receiving opening configured as a through-channel from an outside of the receiving device to an inside of the receiving device, the receiving opening configured to provide a fluid-tight seal on an outer face of the main body when the main body is arranged in the receiving opening. 
     
     
         8 . A system for providing a fluid for a biochemical analysis unit, the system comprising:
 a unit for storing a fluid, the unit including:
 a main body with a through-channel in which the fluid is arranged, the main body impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid, the through-channel configured to extend from a first end to a second end; 
 a piston mounted so as to be axially movable in the through-channel, the piston configured to provide a fluid-tight seal in relation to the main body, the piston impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid, the piston accessible from the first end of the through-channel; and 
 a closure arranged on the second end of the through-channel, the closure impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid and connected to the main body in a fluid-tight manner, the closure configured to burst when a pressure in the fluid is greater than a bursting pressure; and 
   a receiving device configured to receive the unit such that the main body is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the receiving device, the receiving device including a receiving opening configured to receive the main body, the receiving opening configured as a through-channel from an outside of the receiving device to an inside of the receiving device,   wherein the inside is connected fluidically to the analysis unit,   wherein the main body is arranged in the receiving opening and the outer face of the main body is sealed off in a fluid-tight manner against the receiving opening, and   wherein the main body is configured to be connected non-releasably to the receiving device and the closure is configured to be arranged on the inside.   
     
     
         9 . A method for producing a unit for providing a fluid, the method comprising:
 mounting a piston so as to be axially movable in a through-channel of a main body, the through-channel configured to receive the fluid, the main body impermeable to the fluid and constituents of the fluid, the main body configured to be connected in a fluid-tight manner to a receiving device of a biochemical analysis unit, the through-channel configured to extend from a first end to a second end, the piston configured to provide a fluid-tight seal in relation to the main body, and the piston impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid and accessible from the first end of the through-channel;   filling at least a part of the through-channel with the fluid from a direction of the second end; and   arranging a closure on the second end of the through-channel, the closure impermeable to the fluid and/or constituents of the fluid and connected to the main body in a fluid-tight manner, the closure configured to burst when a pressure in the fluid is greater than a bursting pressure.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the piston is configured to move from the first end into the through-channel until the pressure in the fluid is greater than the bursting pressure to provide the fluid at the second end of the through-channel on the inside. 
     
     
         11 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure has a predetermined breaking point. 
     
     
         12 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston and the through-channel form a press fit. 
     
     
         13 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston has a depth stop configured to limit a depth of penetration of the piston in the through-channel. 
     
     
         14 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body has at least one stop surface configured to limit a depth of insertion of the main body into the receiving device. 
     
     
         15 . The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body has at least one manipulation surface configured to enable manipulation of the unit by a manipulating system.