Reagent cartridge with reagent containers for reagents containing particles for their non-invasive homogenization

p0001The invention relates to a reagent cassette with a reagent for a particle-containing reagent, which is particularly suitable for non-invasive homogenization of coated and sedimenting particles as well as a magazine.

State of the art

p0002Diagnostic assay systems include the use of particles in a liquid for the sequence of reactions in many cases. These are methods of detecting chemical binding reactions, for example in conjunction with antigens or antibodies. For the correct processing of assays for these systems, it is usually required that the particles have in their containers at the time of taking a homogeneous distribution. A homogeneous particle distribution avoids for example by sedimentation occurring concentration differences between successive withdrawals from the containers.

p0003In the area of ​​clinical diagnostic analyzer systems for homogenization of particles such as magnetic particles with associated particle-containing reagent subsequent processes are already known. There rotating paddles are used. Such rotatable recorded paddles are made<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP0745855A"><text>EP 0745855</text></patcit> and from <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US6772962B"><text>US 6,772,962</text></patcit> known. Furthermore, intermittently coming rotating round plastic bottles are used, which are equipped with internal radial fins, such as those<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5637275A"><text>US 5,637,275</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US5795784A"><text>US 5,795,784</text></patcit> or <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5856194A"><text>US 5,856,194</text></patcit> can be removed. Additionally, ultrasonic methods are known in which an excited by ultrasonic metering needle immersed in the liquid and this mixed. Such solutions may, for example,<patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US5658799A"><text>US 5,658,799</text></patcit>. <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="EP0580483A"><text>EP 0580483</text></patcit> or <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US5985672A"><text>US 5,985,672</text></patcit> be removed. It is also known to immerse themselves in a round, eccentrically rotating glass bottle a glass ball to force the contents of the glass bottle a mixing motion. Such a method is, for example,<patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="US5183638A"><text>US 5,183,638</text></patcit> known. From the prior art reagent cartridges are also known which have a rotatably mounted container, which is driven by a friction wheel drive, for example from<patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="US5580524A"><text>US No. 5,580,524</text></patcit> or from <patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="EP0435481A"><text>EP 0435481</text></patcit>,

p0004The well-known from the prior art method for homogenization of particle-containing reagents, for example in analysis systems using external actuators such as paddles, adhere to a number of disadvantages. In such a process for the homogenisation of particle-containing reagent is an invasive mixing method. This means that in principle there is a danger of procrastination between various particle-containing reagent. To counteract the risk of spread in such analysis systems, special wash stations and washing liquids are used in these systems, with which the risk of spread is to be counteracted. However, this requires a much higher expenditure on equipment in such analysis systems. In analysis systems using external actuators such as paddle for homogenization of particle-containing reagents, a plurality of reagent can be processed sequentially. This in turn attracts long preparation times for a run to be further limitations of the temporal access are in the design of the machine cycle, predetermined in another reagent container and the device cycle time. According to this method homogenized particle-containing reagents also occurs with decreasing liquid volume increasing foaming on what attracts relatively high Reagentotvolumina by itself.

p0005Invasive working ultrasonic systems, when certain types of particles to unacceptable changes in particle coating. The same occurs with invasive addition of auxiliaries, as they represent about glass beads on. In systems in which radial inner fins are used for homogenization of particle-containing reagents, strong foaming occurs during mixing certain liquids; also splashed the liquid, which is highly unsatisfactory.

p0006In accordance with the prior art <patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="US5788928A"><text>US 5,788,928</text></patcit> respectively <patcit id="pcit0013" dnum="EP0757253A"><text>EP 0757253</text></patcit> known systems with pivoting cassettes a significantly larger volume tank is necessary at predetermined reagent usually what leads to a larger space requirement for such systems.

p0007document <patcit id="pcit0014" dnum="US6149872A"><text>US-A-6,149,872</text></patcit> discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a cassette according to the preamble of claim. 3

p0008In view of the above-outlined disadvantages of the known prior art processes for the homogenization of the particulate-containing reagents of the present invention is based on the object noninvasively providing a homogenization of particle-loaded reagents by rotation of a container.

p0009This object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 3. FIG.

p0010The advantages of the inventively proposed solution are that the carry-over risk can be definitely ruled out by the proposed noninvasive homogenization of particle-laden liquid. It requires no washing stations. Further, no washing fluid is required and finally there is no liquid waste that must be disposed of in compliance with legal regulations. In addition, an extremely low dead volume can be achieved, whereby the reagent can be better utilized as a foaming, as outlined to the methods known from the prior art is omitted. The inventively proposed solution also allows greater degrees of freedom when designing the system and offers the possibility of parallelization of accesses in the reagent, as containing several reagent containers a container unit can be accessed. The parallelization also enables significantly shorter process times for homogenization, compared to a sequential processing.

p0011Furthermore, can be achieved by the proposed inventions solution parallelization of Ersthomogenisierung for reagent cartridges; because of possible particle sedimentation may just be particularly time consuming the Ersthomogenisierung. Before Ersthomogenisierung no liquid-level-detection is required because for a mixture bottles by rotation of the liquid level within the reagent cartridges does not need to be known. In contrast, this is required when mixing operations using Rührpaddeln, since only insufficient immersion of the agitator paddles possibly contributing to foam formation and produces undesirable splashes.

p0012The proposed inventions, joinable cartridge further provides the advantage that lid opening and lid closing sequences during homogenization can now be dispensed with. The proposed inventions, more reagents receiving reagent cartridge is provided with a slide fastener, the extra cycles, such as opening or closing, avoiding, thus reducing throughput times.

p0013The proposed inventions joinable reagent cartridge also represents a cost-effective, manufacturable in high volume plastic component, which allows easy cartridge assembly. Thus, for a cartridge assembly be achieved if two Klipsteile provided with buckles can be simply plugged together with the inclusion of a particle-loaded container containing reagents. There are large and flat surfaces that greatly simplify the labeling on the plug-together Klipsteilen. The individual Klipsteile as well as the container, which receives the particle-loaded fluid can be filled independently of each other temporally.

drawings

p0014Reference to the drawing, the invention will be described in more detail below.

p0015It shows:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>figure 1</dt><dd>a reagent cartridge assembled, two cassette parts comprising, between which a further container is fixed,</dd><dt>figure 2</dt><dd>one of the two Klipsteile the reagent cartridge in a perspective view,</dd><dt>figure 3</dt><dd>the Klipsteil of the reagent according to <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> in half-section,</dd><dt>Figure 4.1 to 4.3</dt><dd>Representations of a particle-loaded reagents containing vessel with spiral structure,</dd><dt>figure 5</dt><dd>an assembled reagent cartridge, between their Klipsteilen the container according to the <figref idrefs="f0002">Figures 4.1 to 4.3</figref> is fixed,</dd><dt>figure 6</dt><dd>a section through the assembled reagent cartridge as shown in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref>. </dd><dt>figure 7</dt><dd>the items that make up the proposed inventions reagent cartridge is assembled,</dd><dt>figure 8</dt><dd>under from the individual parts <figref idrefs="f0004">figure 7</figref> assembled reagent cartridge,</dd><dt>figure 9</dt><dd>a connection piece via which a receiving integrated in the reagent cartridge, a particle-loaded liquid container set into rotation,</dd><dt>figure 10</dt><dd>a mixed magazine with a magazine plate, on top of which the proposed inventive reagent cartridges are accommodated and</dd><dt>figure 11</dt><dd>a perspective view of the device according <figref idrefs="f0006">figure 10</figref>, Partially cut.</dd></dl>

variants

p0016The representation according to <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> is a prefabricated, at its top still open reagent cartridge according to the present invention can be seen.

p0017A reagent cartridge 1 is formed by a first, a container forming part of the cassette 2 and a second, also a container forming part of the cassette. 3 The container forming cartridge parts 2, 3 are provided on their mutually facing sides with a buckle. 5 a container is 20 (Beadflasche) between the bulges 5 of cartridge parts 2; 3. The container 20 has on its upper surface designed as a weld face ring surface 24, as well as the container-forming cassette parts 2, 3 have on their upper side a welding surface 9th The container 20 serves for receiving a particle-charged reagent while forming in cavities 4 of the container cartridge parts 2, 3 crafted reagents can be introduced as a liquid. At their designed as welding surfaces tops 9, 24 the cassette parts 2, 3, respectively, designed as Beadflasche container 20 can be sealed with foil to protect the contents of the container 20 and the container forming cassette parts 2, 3 from contamination.

p0018As referred in the illustration <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> stating that the container forming cartridge parts 2, 3 are located along a butt joint 13 to one another. The joining of the container forming cassette parts 2, 3 at the butt joint 13 via detent openings 6, into which engage catch lugs 7th In the<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> shown in the assembled state reagent cartridge 1 comprises a large-area side wall 11 and an end wall 12, which provide large surface areas for applying a label. The container forming the cassette parts 2, 3 are preferably made as injection-molded parts, on which in one operation to the respective cassette parts 2, 3, both the locking lugs 7 and the detent openings 9 and the bulges 5 can be formed.

p0019The representation according to <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> is one of the two together fügbaren cartridge parts of the reagent can be seen.

p0020The representation according to <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> It can be seen that the forming a container cassette part 2 5 having at the side of the buckle a semicircular enclosure 29 and a positioning 10th The positioning aid 10 is in accordance with the representation<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> semicircular. In the area of ​​the sidewall 11 are the lugs 6, while the locking lugs 7 are formed at the opposite side wall. The cavity 4 of the cassette part 2 is formed to enclose at the top of a container forming cassette part 2 a welding surface 9th

p0021In the view in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 3</figref> is that in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 2</figref> shown, a container forming part of the cassette shown in section.

p0022From the view in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 3</figref> shows that the cavity 4 of a container forming cassette part 2 is bounded by a cavity bottom 8, which is optimized with respect to the dead volume. Under dead volume of the reagent is understood in the present context, which is no longer removable from the cavity 4 of the cassette part second

p0023The welding surface 9 at the top of a container forming cassette part 2 is designed for a double sealing, ie welding surface 9 can be made stepped, so that a welding of multiple superposed sheets for the closure (double sealing) of the cavity 4 of the receptacle-forming cassette part 2 is possible , The according to a quadrant in the representation<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 3</figref> illustrated enclosure 29 and the positioning aid 10 is also shown as a quarter circle are for rotatably supporting a in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 3</figref> not the container 20 shown, is included in which a particle-containing reagent. On the rear side wall 11 of a container forming part of the cassette 2 projecting locking lugs 7 are injection-molded, which can be injected through the plastic injection molding process in one operation during the production of the container designed as a cassette part second

p0024<figref idrefs="f0002">figure 4.1</figref> shows a Beadflasche formed as a container for receiving a particle-containing reagent.

p0025The container 20 comprises at its upper side an annular surface 24 on which a film is aufschweißbar, having a particle-containing reagent to protect the interior space against contamination after filling the container 20th At the top of the formed container 20 as Beadflasche particular a positioning ring 22 is formed, which cooperates with the arranged on the container designed as a cassette parts 2, 3 facing 29th At the bottom of the container 20, a slotted plastic ring 21 is injection molded. Also of the particle-containing reagent receiving container 20 (Beadflasche) can be manufactured inexpensively in one operation by means of plastic injection molding.

p0026From the view in <figref idrefs="f0002">figure 4.2</figref> goes the container 20 shown in section.

p0027Below at the top of the container 20 (Beadflasche) formed annular surface is the positioning ring 22. In the lower area of ​​the container 20 that is provided on its inside with a spiral structure 23 in helix form. The the spiral form representing spiral structure 23 generated during intermittent turning a vertical flow in the cylindrical wall portion of the container 20 and a counter-running vertical flow in the center of the container 20. To compensate arises at the bottom of the bottle, a defined, extending in the radial direction of flow, which suited very well is the 20 to resuspend sedimented particles in the bottom region of the container. The flat angle of the spiral structure 23, based on the liquid surface, enables a smooth flow generation without cavitation and definitely prevents foaming inside the container 20 and damaging particles, which may be provided with a coating optional.

p0028The container 20 is limited by a cylinder bottom 30th Below the bottom of the bottle, a slotted ring 21 is molded onto the container 20 (Beadflasche). The slotted ring includes slots separated from each other by tabs 34 which are resilient and which with a coupling compound in a<figref idrefs="f0002">figure 4.2</figref> allow not clutch piece 31 illustrated.

p0029From the perspective shown <figref idrefs="f0002">figure 4.3</figref> shows that the spiral structure 23 in helix shape along the bottom two-thirds of the container extends 20 (Beadflasche). The bottle bottom 30 is frustoconical. Below the bottom of the bottle 30, a split ring 21 is molded onto the container 20 for receiving a particle-containing reagent, the individual separated from one another by slots tabs 34 are designed to be resilient in order to allow an easy coupling with a coupling piece to a magazine.

p0030<figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> shows an assembled reagent cartridge, two containers forming cartridge parts and between these recorded, a particle-containing reagent container holding 20 comprehensively.

p0031From the view in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> shows that the the particle-containing reagent receiving container is pivoted 20 between each container forming cassette parts. 2 and 3 The container 20 (Beadflasche) is fixed on the one hand by the semicircular positioning aids 10 serving as the container cartridge parts 2, 3 above the split ring 21, and the other part 29 by the semicircular mounts above the positioning ring 22 adjacent in the representation according to<figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> is formed between the container cassette parts 2, 3 is mounted a container 20, which is designed as Beadflasche. The in<figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> illustrated container 20 includes a spiral structure in coil form 23, which extends above the bottle bottom 30th From in<figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> When assembled 26 illustrated reagent cartridge 1 shows that in the assembled state has the reagent cassette 3 separate container. These are the cavities 4 of the cassette part 2 and the cassette part 3 and the cavity of the container 20 for receiving the particle-charged reagent. The cavities 4 of the cartridge parts 2 and 3 and the cavity of the container 20 are each bounded by a dead volume optimized base 8 and by a frustoconical bottom 30th

p0032From the view in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> it appears that both of forming a container cassette part 2 and the forming a container cassette part 3 each have a footprint. The trained on the container 20 for receiving the particle-charged reagent slotted ring 21 also represents a level surface. In the assembled state 26 the state faces of the cartridge parts 2, 3 and the container 20 for receiving the particle-charged reagent form a flat bottom surface 28 of the reagent 1 in made-up state 26. at the top of the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 are designed as welding surfaces serving surfaces 9; at the top of the container 20 for receiving the particle-charged reagent is located which also serves as a welding surface annular surface 24th

p0033From the view in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> is further inferred that the split ring 21 having a plurality of separated from each other by slots resilient flaps 34th With reference numeral 5, the curved surfaces of the receptacle-forming are cassette parts 2, 3 identifies which form a cavity between the locators 10 and the positioning ring 22 when the container forming cassette parts 2, 3 fitted into each other, that are plugged together.

p0034From the view in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 6</figref> is a sectional view of the in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 5</figref> Reagent cartridge shown forth in the assembled state.

p0035The forming between the container cartridge parts 2, 3 rotatably mounted container 20 for receiving a particle-charged reagent 20 is supported by the collars 29 and the positioning ring 22, which is molded onto the container 20 at the top, while the rotatable mounting of the container 20 (Beadflasche ) is performed by the semicircular positioning in the lower region 10, which are molded onto the underside of the domed surfaces 5 of the cassette parts 2, the third Each of the container forming cartridge parts 2, 3 comprises a dead volume-optimized base 8 (see. Illustration according<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 3</figref>).

p0036In the view in <figref idrefs="f0003">figure 6</figref> is formed between the container cassette parts 2, 3 a container 20 is inserted which has a spiral structure 23 in spiral shape on its inside. In the case of rotation of the container 20 through the tabs 34 slotted ring containing 21 achieves a homogenization of the particle-containing reagent in the container 20 (Beadflasche) in helical form on the inside of the container 20 through the spiral structure 23, which have occurred by sedimentation concentration differences in the particle-containing reagent balanced can, that is, a uniform particle distribution can be achieved inside the particle-containing reagent.

p0037The end walls 12 of the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 can be used for applying labels. The same applies to lying between the end walls 12 side wall 11 of the reagent 1 in the assembled state 26 Along the butt joint 13 are the container-forming cartridge parts 2, 3 to each other at; for reasons of graphic representations are the cooperating locking openings 6 or 7 detents along the abutment 13 in the<figref idrefs="f0003">Figures 5 and 6</figref> not shown.

p0038<figref idrefs="f0004">figure 7</figref> the individual containers from which the proposed inventions reagent cartridge is assembled, refer to.

p0039The cassette parts shown in section in each case 2, 3 and the container 20 are joined in the direction of arrows each other. When joining, ie succession moved toward the container forming cartridge parts 2, 3 engage the locking lugs 7 of a container forming cassette part 2 into the catch openings 6 of the other, forming a container cassette part. 3 During the joining of the container 20 (Beadflasche) aligned for receiving a particle-charged reagent between each other to be joined cassette parts 2, 3 that the positioning ring 22 comes below the collars 29 on the top of the two cassette parts 2 to the plant. The two forming at the bottom region of the container cassette parts 2, 3 are arranged positioning aids 10 enclose the container 20 above the split ring 21, which resiliently designed tongues 34 has. This is a rotatable mounting of a particle-containing reagent receiving container 20 (Beadflasche) in an in<figref idrefs="f0004">figure 8</figref> Reagent cartridge in the assembled state 26 illustrated achieved. Due to the formation of the footprint of a container forming cassette part 2 and the other, forming a container cassette part 3 and the geometry of the split ring 21 will receive a flat bottom 28 in the assembled state 26 of the reagent. 1 Due to the availability of the individual containers, ie, the cassette parts 2 and 3 and of the container 20 (Beadflasche), a filling of reagents and a cassette assembly can therefore take place temporally independently of one another. As seen from the diagrams in<figref idrefs="f0004">Figures 7 and 8</figref> apparent, followed by joining the proposed inventive reagent cartridge 1 by simply plugging the components 2, 3 and 20, without any additional parts such as lid or neck-shaped joining elements would be required.

p0040The representation according to <figref idrefs="f0005">figure 9</figref> is a removable coupling piece, with which the split ring is joined to the underside of the particle-containing reagent receiving container.

p0041This in <figref idrefs="f0005">figure 9</figref> shown coupling piece 31 has a disc-shaped base 32 and a formed on this coupling head 33rd When attaching the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state according to 26<figref idrefs="f0004">figure 8</figref> snapped the split ring, ie its resiliently designed lugs 34 at the coupling head 33 a. The resiliently formed, separated by slots tabs 34 surround the coupling head 33 in its entirety. By the split ring 21, formed on the want to move in rotary vessel 20 for receiving a particle-containing reagent, and the coupling piece 31, a clutch connection is made, through which a rotation in which the particle-containing reagent receiving container 20 (Beadflasche) can be initiated. The engagement of the resilient lugs 34 of the split ring 21 also supports the correct positioning of the container 20 within the reagent cartridge 1 and is advantageous for a low-friction cylinder rotation within the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26. The engagement of the split ring 21 on the coupling piece 31 when carried out manual or automatic loading of a Reagenzmagazins, as will be described below.

p0042The sake of completeness it should be mentioned that the in <figref idrefs="f0004">figure 7</figref> example illustrated latching connection between the latching openings 6 and the detents 7 to forming one another to be joined container cartridge parts 2, 3 can also be configured so that a non-destructive release of the two cartridge parts is not possible from each other.

p0043From the view in <figref idrefs="f0006">figure 10</figref> comes in a schematic view shows a Reagenzmagazin.

p0044The Reagenzmagazin 40 essentially comprises a magazine plate 41, which is supported by a central shaft 46th The magazine plate 41 rotates in the direction of rotation 42, indicated by the identified by reference numeral 42 arrow. Instead of in<figref idrefs="f0006">figure 10</figref> Magazine table shown 41, illustrating a possible embodiment; 40 may be formed in the matrix arrangement Reagenzmagazin. In magazine plate 41 more coupling pieces 31 are embedded. The coupling pieces 31 are in turn driven by a drive shaft 45 which is connected to a drive 43 connected through a gear 44th On top of the magazine disc 41 reagent cartridges 1 are positioned in the ready-made state 26th Due to the newly formed bottom 28 of the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 these are flat on top of the magazine plate 41st The reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 are positioned on top of the magazine disc 41 that the split ring of a container 20 of a reagent cartridge 1, the driven clutch pieces 31 engages in the assembled state 26 on the magazine plate 41st Thus, a coupling connection between the rotatably mounted in the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 container 20 is provided for receiving a particle-charged reagent. By the drive 43, the transmission 44 and the drive shaft 45 of the coupling piece 31 of the rotatably mounted in the reagent cartridge 1 container 20 for receiving a particle-charged reagent is set in rotation, while the reagent cartridge 1 in the assembled state 26 in position on the upper side of the magazine plate 41 remains. 1 so that the three reagents may be added, of which the to be homogenized in a reagent cartridge, as sedimenting particles containing reagent is contained in the connection through the coupling 21, 31 driven container 20 (Beadflasche). In one operation can thus per reagent cartridge 1 more reagents for further processing to prepare. From the view in<figref idrefs="f0006">figure 10</figref> shows that at the top of the magazine disc 41 corresponding to the number of the driven couplings 31 several reagent cartridges 1 can be treated in parallel. The container forming cartridge parts 2, 3 are each comprising about the engagement catches 6, 7, catch openings 6 and locking lugs 7, releasably interconnected, said clip connection between the containers forming cartridge parts 2, 3 can also be designed so that non-destructive loosening not is no longer possible.

p0045From the view in <figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> have reported an Reagenzmagazin in matrix arrangement in a schematic view.

p0046The representation according to <figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> are reagent cartridges refer to having forming the first container cassette part 2 (R1-bottle) and the second container forming part of the cassette. 3 The cassette parts 2 and 3 are connected by a latching connection, given by the latching opening 6 and the snap-in locking nose 7 connected to each other. Both in<figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> recorded in a Reagenzmagazin 47 in matrix arrangement reagent cartridges stand with their flat undersides 28 on a plate 48 of Reagenzmagazins 47 in matrix arrangement. The reagent cassettes are closed at their upper side and contain 20 individual containers (Beadflaschen). The Beadflaschen 20 are secured by means of positioning rings 22 and coupled in the region of the bottle bottom 30 to the coupling piece 31st The coupling piece 31 in turn is driven by a drive shaft 52 which is provided with a pulley or the like and can be driven for example by a toothed belt 51st The toothed belt 51 encloses another drive wheel in the<figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> forming on the left side of the figure illustrated reagent cassette consisting forming from the first container cassette part 2 and the second container cassette part 3 is arranged. The toothed belt 51 is driven via a drive gear 50 of a drive 49 and rotated by means of drive shafts 52, the coupling pieces 31 which, at the bottom in the area of ​​the bottle bottom 30 by the coupling piece 31 coupled container 20 (Beadflaschen) within the reagent cartridge in rotation

p0047With the in <figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> Illustrated embodiments may be added, of which the middle containing over the coupling piece 31, the drive shaft 52, the toothed belt 51 and the drive 49 to be homogenized reagent container bottle 20 is set in rotation in a reagent cartridge three reagents in different containers 20 (Beadflaschen). This can be similar to the in in one operation<figref idrefs="f0006">figure 10</figref> Variant shown per reagent cartridge 1 to prepare several reagents for further processing. The to be homogenized, as sedimenting particles containing reagent is preferably in over the coupling connection 31, 52 driven container 20 (Beadflasche) was added. According to the size of the plate surface of the plate 48 for the Reagenzmagazin 47 in matrix arrangement, and according to the number of driven via the toothed belt 51 drive shafts 52, a plurality of reagent cassettes 1 in a matrix arrangement in the in<figref idrefs="f0007">figure 11</figref> illustrated Reagenzmagazin be treated 47 in a matrix arrangement.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

p0048<dl id="dl0002" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>reagent cartridge</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>first container forming part of the cassette (R1-bottle)</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>second container forming part of the cassette (R2-bottle)</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>cavity</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>curved side</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>latching opening</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>locking lug</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>Raised floor</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>welding surface</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>positioning aid</dd><dt>11</dt><dd>Side wall</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>end wall</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>butt joint</dd></dl><dl id="dl0003" compact="compact"><dt>20</dt><dd>Container (Beadflasche)</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>slotted ring</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>positioning</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>spiral structure (spiral shape)</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>Annular surface (stepped weld surface)</dd></dl><dl id="dl0004" compact="compact"><dt>26</dt><dd>assembled reagent cartridge</dd><dt>27</dt><dd>top reagent cartridge</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>flat lower reagent cartridge</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>mount</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>bottle bottom</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>coupling</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>base</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>coupling head</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>resilient tabs split ring 21</dd></dl><dl id="dl0005" compact="compact"><dt>40</dt><dd>Reagenzmagazin</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>magazine plate</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>rotation </dd><dt>43</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>gear</dd><dt>45</dt><dd>Drive shaft for coupling</dd><dt>46</dt><dd>central shaft</dd><dt>47</dt><dd>Reagenzmagazin in array</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>Plates in array</dd><dt>49</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>drive gear</dd><dt>51</dt><dd>Timing</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>drive shaft</dd></dl>