DE102013215210B3 - Reaction vessel, reaction vessel assembly and method of analyzing a substance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a reaction vessel (1) for analyzing a substance, comprising a storage chamber (2) and at least one measuring chamber (3), wherein the storage chamber (2) and the measuring chamber (3) are interconnected in a transition area (UB) and for receiving The measuring chamber (3) has at least two measuring windows (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) which are plane-parallel to one another and are formed from a light-permeable material. According to the invention, the storage chamber (2) has a circular cross-section.
The invention further relates to a reaction vessel arrangement (11) for analyzing a substance, comprising a plurality of interconnected reaction vessels (1) and a method for analyzing a substance within a reaction vessel (1), wherein the substance is processed and optically examined within the same reaction vessel (1) becomes.

Description

The invention relates to a reaction vessel for analyzing a substance, comprising a storage chamber and at least one measuring chamber, wherein the storage chamber and the measuring chamber are interconnected in a transition region and provided for receiving the substance, wherein the measuring chamber at least two opposing, plane-parallel and from a translucent Material has formed measuring window.

The invention further relates to a reaction vessel arrangement for analyzing a substance comprising a plurality of interconnected reaction vessels.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for analyzing a substance located within a reaction vessel.

Examination methods in analytics, in particular bioanalysis, are generally known from the state of the art, in which an optical measurement of reagent solutions, sample solution or mixtures of these located in reaction vessels is carried out to control intermediate results or to record a final result. Among other things, absorption and fluorescence effects are recorded and evaluated by means of these optical measurements. To carry out the examination methods, the reagent solutions, sample solutions or mixtures of these are manipulated in the reaction vessels. Depending on the application, there are different types of reaction vessels which, in general, especially in bioanalytics, are designed for a single use per examination procedure. Processing of a large number of test samples is generally automated, with the reaction vessels being designed accordingly for this purpose. Also, often a temporary storage of the intermediate or final results or solutions of these, whereby the reaction vessels are also designed accordingly.

Much of the optical measurements in liquids are performed in cuvettes, which are designed as so-called standard cuvettes or cuvettes with special shapes and optical layer thicknesses for the liquids to be examined. Standard cuvettes are usually characterized by a layer thickness of 10 mm and each have two pairs of plane-parallel side walls. In the present case, the layer thickness is understood to mean a distance between inner sides of the side walls of a pair which are arranged plane-parallel to one another.

Such a cuvette for a small volume optical analysis describes the WO 2008/2008128534 A1 , The cuvette is formed from a structured carrier substrate and a channel, wherein the carrier substrate is planar and optically permeable and the channel has two measuring chambers with different channel depths. One side of the carrier substrate is closed with a thin, optically transparent film, which has two fluidic interfaces, which are fluid-conductively connected to the channel. The remaining other side of the carrier substrate is also closed with a thin, optically transparent film.

Furthermore, the disclosure DE 198 26 470 A1 a cuvette for measuring an absorption of radiation in liquid samples, which is formed in the region of windows made of a permeable plastic. The cuvette comprises an inner space which is formed in a box-shaped upper part with an upper opening for filling and removing sample liquid and in a smaller box-shaped lower part for the measuring volume which adjoins via a transition. Furthermore, the cuvette comprises two pairs of opposing, plane-parallel windows in the lower part, the spacing of the windows of one pair being different from the spacing of the windows of the other pair, in order to provide different layer thicknesses of the sample liquid for the measurement. Further provided are four feet aligned in the corners of the top which extend away from the top to the level of a bottom of the base.

The US 4,263,256 describes cuvettes for use in a device for automatic testing of liquid samples. The cuvettes are arranged in a continuous integral strip, wherein the strip between flexible cuvettes is flexible, so that a relative angular movement of adjacent cuvettes in a horizontal and vertical plane is possible. The cuvettes have a rectangular cross section.

Another arrangement of several cuvettes in such a strip describes the US 5,048,957 , In this case, the cuvettes have a circular cross-section.

From the DE 196 52 784 A1 is a cuvette for receiving, transporting and storing liquids and performing optical measurements in an analyzer known. The cuvette is formed of a translucent plastic for irradiation and measurement of light and has a shape that ensures the storage of liquid during the reaction. On its underside is a device for receiving the required liquid volumes and formed on its upper side a connecting cone for receiving an alternating tip device.

The DE 695 19 783 T2 describes a method for tracking a formation of a nucleic acid amplification reaction product in real time. Here, in a first process step, a closed reaction chamber is provided, which contains a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture comprises a nucleic acid molecule and a first fluorescence indicator for each nucleic acid molecule, wherein the first fluorescence indicator emits a first fluorescence signal when it is irradiated by electromagnetic excitation radiation. An intensity of the first signal is proportional to the amount of the amplification product in the volume of the reaction mixture, which is irradiated with the electromagnetic excitation radiation. The first signal is spectrally resolvable, wherein the closed reaction chamber comprises a wall portion for the optical transmission and a cavity between the wall portion and a surface of the reaction mixture. Furthermore, in a second method step, an amplification of the nucleic acid molecule is carried out. In a repetitive third process step, a beam of electromagnetic exciter radiation is directed into the reaction mixture and the intensity of the first signal is detected, the beam and the detected signal being transmitted via the wall part. The reaction mixture additionally comprises a second fluororescence indicator which is homogeneously distributed throughout the reaction mixture and emits a second fluorescence signal when it is irradiated with electromagnetic excitation radiation. An intensity of the second signal is proportional to the volume of the reaction mixture which is irradiated with the beam of electromagnetic excitation radiation, wherein the second signal is spectrally resolvable with respect to the first signal and the beam is focused into the reaction mixture. In the third method step, the intensity of the second signal is detected and the ratio of the intensity of the first signal and the second signal is calculated, the ratio being proportional to the amount of amplified product.

Furthermore, from the DE 32 46 592 C2 a cuvette for mixing and optical inspections of liquids with a small receiving volume and high filling height in the range of a measuring range with opposite parallel narrow wall sections at least for the input of a radiation and disposed therebetween side walls. In cross-section, perpendicular to the central axis of the cuvette, a transition between the parallel narrow wall sections and the side walls is arcuate. The side walls have an arcuate curvature in the measuring range. This curvature is drawn so far in relation to the arcuate transitions that in cross section a middle tangent cuts the wall sections respectively at the edge of their plane-parallel area or so far inside that even with doppelkegligem measuring light tangential approximation of the curvature of a constriction of the measuring light he follows.

Further reaction vessels are from the US 8,493,559 B2 , of the EP 1 684 904 B1 , of the DE 10 2011 014 598 A1 and the US 7,787,116 B2 known. This is in the US 8,493,559 B2 described a cylindrically shaped cuvette, described with a conical upper portion and a lower portion. The upper area has a circular cross-section. The lower portion is box-shaped and has two pairs of plane-parallel windows, with a distance between the windows of one pair being different from the distance of the windows of the other pair.

The invention is based on the object of providing a comparison with the prior art improved reaction vessel for the analysis of a substance, an improved reaction vessel arrangement for the analysis of a substance and an improved method for analyzing a substance located within a reaction vessel.

With regard to the reaction vessel, the object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1, in terms of the reaction vessel arrangement by the features specified in claim 8 and in terms of the method by the features specified in claim 11.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The reaction vessel for analyzing a substance comprises a storage chamber and at least one measuring chamber, the storage chamber and the measuring chamber being connected to one another in a transition area and being provided for receiving the substance, wherein the measuring chamber has at least two measuring windows formed parallel to one another and plane-parallel formed from a light-transmitting material , wherein the storage chamber has a circular cross-section.

In order to realize an improved positioning and locking of the reaction vessel in a carrier device, in one possible embodiment on one outer side at a lower end of the reaction vessel, at least one web-shaped arresting element arranged substantially perpendicular to a bottom element formed at the lower end is formed, which in turn is in such mechanical Contact with a trained on the support device corresponding structure can be brought that the reaction vessel is held securely in the lower area.

In the present case, the analysis means all process steps for processing the substance, for example a thorough mixing, centrifuging method, adding further substances and optical, chemical and mechanical methods for examining the substance.

The reaction vessel according to the invention makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to conduct the analysis of the substance to be analyzed, in particular a liquid or a gas, economically, since both a processing, ie. H. Manipulation of the substance, and an optical measuring process, for which reliable at least two plane-parallel measuring windows are required to achieve reliable results, in one and the same vessel are feasible. In this case, in the course of the detection method effectively without or at least with little extra effort, the optical measurement method feasible. No elaborate transfer of the substance to be analyzed between the individual analysis steps and the optical measurement method is required.

In contrast, known from the prior art reaction container with exclusively circular cross-section characterized by the fact that this can indeed be used for processing the substance to be analyzed, but not for precise optical examination of the same, since the circular shape means that at no greater than infinitely small point of the reaction vessel, two vessel walls are parallel opposite. An embodiment of a measuring window with a layer thickness defined with a lateral extent of greater than infinitely small is therefore not given in the case of such prior art reaction vessels, so that the prerequisite for a precise optical measurement of the contents in the vessels through their vessel wall does not exist is available.

By contrast, the measuring chamber formed according to the invention, which results in particular from a circular shape of the vessel wall curved in a transition region of the storage chamber with a changing radius, forms a limited but larger than infinitely small area of the reaction vessel in which the opposite vessel walls are parallel and form measuring windows , These parallel measuring windows allow a precise optical measurement of the substance to be analyzed.

Due to the connection between the storage chamber and the measuring chamber in the transition region, the contents of the reaction vessel is located both in the storage chamber and simultaneously in the measuring chamber. Thus, substances such as liquids or gases, respectively, are filled into the reaction vessel and it is thus simultaneously filling the measuring chamber. When emptying the reaction vessel, the same applies.

Furthermore, deviating layer thicknesses of 10 mm, which are determined by the spacing of the plane-parallel measuring windows, can be realized. Also, due to the design of the reaction vessel according to the invention, easy handling thereof is possible in an automated analytical method of the substance to be analyzed, the reaction vessel allowing manual or automatic processing, storage and visual examination of the substance under optimal conditions.

Furthermore, the formation according to the invention surprisingly results in comparison with the prior art in which it is assumed that an exclusively round cross section and an exclusively angular cross section of the reaction vessel are disadvantageous for the mixing of the substance to be analyzed, due to the different cross sections of the stock and measuring chamber a particularly good mixing.

In this case, the circular cross-section compared to a polygonal cross-section easy accessibility, arrangement, alignment and positioning in an apparatus for automated analysis, a simpler closeability with a lid member and a lower material and cost in the production of the reaction vessel at a constant or higher capacity to analyzing substance as well as constant or higher mechanical stability.

According to a possible embodiment, the measuring chamber has a plurality of pairs of two opposing and plane-parallel measuring windows. Thus, different optical measuring methods can be carried out simultaneously or successively.

According to another possible embodiment, a distance between the measurement windows belonging to a pair is different to a distance between the measurement windows belonging to the remaining pairs. Thus, different layer thicknesses can be realized by means of the measuring chamber of a reaction vessel, which in turn allow the implementation of different optical measuring methods by means of one and the same reaction vessel.

In a further development, the storage chamber at an upper end of a circular opening which is bounded on the edge side by a lateral surface of the storage chamber, wherein in the region of the opening, a lateral surface and the outside completely circumferential and substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface extending web is formed. The opening arranged at the top allows in a particularly advantageous manner a simple manual or automated filling of the reaction vessel. The circumferential web serves on the one hand to stabilize the storage chamber and on the other hand in a particularly advantageous manner for secure locking and positioning of the reaction container in a carrier device, for example in a device for automated analysis of the substance.

In order to enable a simple and secure introduction of the reaction container into a corresponding opening of such a support device, the radius of the circular cross section of the storage chamber decreases according to a possible development of an upper end to a lower end of the storage chamber.

In order to further enable a defined angular orientation of the reaction container in the corresponding opening of the support device and thus an optimal alignment of the reaction vessel in the optical examination, according to a possible embodiment on an outer side of the storage chamber at least one substantially perpendicular to a circular upper opening of the Storage chamber extending web element is formed, which in particular in a corresponding recess in a the opening of the carrier device limiting wall can be arranged.

Another aspect to consider is the available volume of the substance for the measurement. In many applications, only a small volume of substance is available. The necessary measuring volume must therefore be reduced as far as possible when filling a measuring chamber. Measurements with both small and higher volumes should be possible in the same way, without having to separate a small volume due to a limited measuring chamber. For this reason, according to a further embodiment, a volume of the storage chamber is at least 10 times greater than a volume of the measuring chamber. In addition, a simple handling of the substance in the reaction vessel is ensured even with very small volumes for the optical measurement.

The reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention for the analysis of a substance comprises a plurality of interconnected reaction vessels according to the invention or possible refinements or developments thereof. The reaction vessel assembly thus formed combines all advantages of the reaction vessel already described and is thus characterized by particular advantages in handling, in use in automated analysis methods and in the storage of the substance associated with the property of feasibility of manual or automatic optical measurements under optimal conditions. In this case, the reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention of a vast number of machines but also of manual equipment in laboratories can be operated and for the optical analysis of the substance, for example by means of photoluminescence or chemiluminescence suitable. The reaction vessels of the reaction vessel arrangement are also suitable for wide use as an optical measuring cuvette, above all for absorption measurements, since they are distinguished by a solid, precisely defined layer thickness. There is a favorable ratio between filling volume and measuring volume of the substance.

In one possible development, the reaction vessels are arranged in a linear or arcuate manner next to one another in such a way that normal directions of the circular openings formed at the upper end of the storage chambers each extend parallel to one another. Thus, a simple filling of these with the substance to be analyzed and a simple handling and arrangement of the reaction vessel arrangement in the device provided for analysis can be realized.

In order to enable a simple and efficiently feasible closability of each of the reaction vessels, a cover element for closing an opening of the reaction vessel is arranged on each reaction vessel by means of a mechanically flexible connecting element or on one or more of the reaction vessels is a composite of a plurality of cover elements by means of a mechanically flexible connecting element arranged, wherein a distance between the cover elements located in the composite corresponds to a distance of the reaction vessels in the region of the opening to be closed.

In the method according to the invention for analyzing a substance contained within a reaction vessel according to the invention or possible embodiments or developments thereof, the substance is processed within the same reaction vessel and examined optically. Thus, no complex transfer of the substance to be analyzed between the individual analysis steps and the optical measurement method is required, resulting in addition to the avoidance of loss of the substance due to a fate of residual amounts in At the same time a significant reduction in the time required to carry out the analysis of the substance results in a reaction vessel.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

Showing:

1 FIG. 2 shows schematically a first side view of a first embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention, FIG.

2 schematically a second side view of the reaction vessel according to 1 .

3 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 1 .

4 1 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention;

5 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 4 .

6 1 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention,

7 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 6 .

8th 1 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention,

9 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 8th .

10 1 is a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention;

11 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 10 .

12 FIG. 2 shows schematically a first side view of a sixth embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention, FIG.

13 schematically a second side view of the reaction vessel according to 12 .

14 schematically a plan view of a bottom element of the reaction vessel according to 12 .

15 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention;

16 1 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention;

17 schematically a plan view of a second embodiment of a reaction vessel assembly according to the invention, and

18 schematically a plan view of a third embodiment of a reaction vessel assembly according to the invention.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

In the 1 to 3 is in various views a possible first embodiment of a reaction vessel according to the invention 1 for analyzing a substance, not shown, in particular a liquid or a gas. Such analyzes are carried out, for example, in the examination of nucleic acids, ie in so-called DNA studies, for which purpose the nucleic acid is first extracted from the substance and then optically measured by means of an optical measuring method, for example a spectroscopic method.

The reaction vessel 1 includes a pantry 2 and a measuring chamber 3 , wherein the pantry 2 and the measuring chamber 3 are interconnected in a transition region UB and provided for receiving the substance. The reaction vessel 1 is formed of a transparent material, in particular a transparent plastic, and is produced, for example, in an injection molding process. The plastic is, for example, a technical polymer, which in particular from the group of so-called cyclo-olefin copolymers, also referred to as "COC", comes.

In this case, the pantry 2 a circular cross-section at an upper end of a circular opening O, which at the edge of a lateral surface of the storage chamber 2 is limited. In the area of the opening O, the web is an end surface that is completely circumferential on the outside and runs essentially perpendicular to the lateral surface 4 designed, which in particular for locking and positioning of the reaction vessel 1 in a device, not shown, for automatic and / or manual analysis of the substance.

Furthermore, on an outer side of the storage chamber 2 two opposing and substantially perpendicular to the circular upper opening O extending web elements 5 . 6 , which for locking the reaction vessel 1 are provided in a not shown corresponding recess in a wall defining an opening of the device.

For easy positioning of the reaction vessel 1 to allow in such a device, the radius of the circular cross-section of the storage chamber decreases 2 from its upper end to a lower end of the pantry 2 ,

In the transition region UB, the radius decreases further and the cross section gradually changes from the circular shape into a rectangular shape, so that the measuring chamber 3 with two pairs of two opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2; F3, F4 trains. In this case, a distance A1 between the pair of measurement windows F1, F2 belonging to a pair; F3, F4 different from a distance A2 between the measurement windows F1, F2 belonging to the remaining pair; F3, F4.

Thus, in the area of the measuring chamber 3 optical investigations of the substance, in particular measurements of the substance in spectroscopic methods possible. For this purpose, the plastic of the reaction vessel 1 in particular high transparency in the visible, infrared but also in the ultraviolet wavelength range of in particular 200 nm to 300 nm. The optical measurement of the substance with light in the ultraviolet wavelength range takes place in particular in purity measurements.

Among other things, absorption and fluorescence effects of the respective substance are recorded and evaluated by means of these optical measurements. Due to the vertical arrangement of belonging to different pairs measuring windows F1, F2; F3, F4 it is possible in a particularly advantageous manner, generated by the fluorescence light at a arranged at an angle of 90 ° to the irradiated light measuring window F1, F2; F3, F4 and thus to minimize the influence of the incident light and consequent glare during the measurement.

A volume of the pantry 2 is at least 10 times larger than a volume of the measuring chamber 3 , For example, the pantry 2 a volume of more than 100 .mu.l, for example 200 .mu.l to 2000 .mu.l on. Thus, it is possible to use the measuring chamber volume with small in the reaction vessel 1 filled volume is already filled and regardless of the total filling in the reaction vessel 1 An optical measurement of the substance can always be achieved under the same conditions.

The reaction vessel 1 allows in a particularly advantageous manner to carry out the method according to the invention, wherein for analysis within the reaction vessel 1 substance located within the same reaction vessel 1 edited and visually examined. This means in the example in the examination of nucleic acids, that first the nucleic acid in a corresponding one of the in the reaction vessel 1 substance is extracted and then optically measured in the same reaction vessel by means of the spectroscopic method.

The 4 and 5 show in various views a possible second embodiment of the reaction vessel according to the invention 1 , Unlike in the 1 to 3 shown first embodiment, the measuring chamber 3 two pairs of two opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2; F3, F4, wherein the distances A1 and A2 are the same.

In the 6 and 7 is in various views a possible third embodiment of the reaction vessel according to the invention 1 shown. Unlike in the 1 to 3 shown first embodiment, the measuring chamber 3 a pair of two mutually opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2, which are made in the edge region of the cross section of the reaction vessel by incisions in these.

The 8th and 9 show in various views a possible fourth embodiment of the reaction vessel according to the invention 1 with a pair of two mutually opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2, which are made in the edge region of the cross section of the reaction vessel by incisions in these.

The 10 and 11 show in various views a possible fifth embodiment of the reaction vessel according to the invention 1 , Unlike in the 1 to 3 shown first embodiment, the measuring chamber 3 three pairs of two opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2; F3, F4; F5, F6 on.

In the transition area UB, the radius of the storage chamber is reduced 2 and the cross section gradually changes from the circular shape into a hexagonal shape, so that the measuring chamber 3 with three pairs of two opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows F1, F2; F3, F4; F5, F6 trains. In this case, the distance A1 between the measuring windows F1, F2 belonging to a pair is different from the distances A2 and A3 between the measuring windows F3, F4 belonging to the remaining pairs; F5, F6. Thus, three different layer thicknesses by means of a measuring chamber 3 realizable.

The 12 to 14 show in various views a possible sixth embodiment of the reaction vessel according to the invention 1 , Unlike in the 1 to 3 illustrated first embodiment, are on an outer side at a lower end of the reaction vessel four substantially perpendicular to a bottom element formed at the bottom element arranged web-shaped locking element 7 to 10 formed, which for fixing, Justange and locking of the reaction vessel 1 serve in the apparatus for performing the analysis.

The locking elements 7 to 10 include a cross-shaped structure, which has been found to be particularly advantageous in the lock.

The locking elements 7 to 10 are also all other conceivable, under the subject invention and not falling under the subject invention vessels in the region of a bottom element for locking the respective vessel in a device can be arranged.

For all illustrated embodiments of the reaction vessel 1 holds that the measuring chamber 3 deviating from the representation at the bottom area can alternatively be formed in the shell region of the reaction vessel. Also, in a manner not shown several measuring chambers 3 be formed on the bottom portion and / or in the cladding region.

In 15 is a possible first embodiment of a reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention 11 represented, wherein the reaction vessel arrangement 11 characterized in that these several together, by means of mechanically flexible web-shaped elements 12 connected reaction vessels 1 according to the in 1 to 3 comprises illustrated first embodiment. In further developments not shown, other embodiments are reaction vessels 1 , for example, in the 4 to 11 shown, to such a reaction vessel arrangement 11 connectable.

In the illustrated embodiment, eight of the reaction vessels 1 linearly arranged side by side so that the normal directions of the at the upper end of the storage chambers 2 trained circular openings O each parallel to each other. That means, also the measuring chambers 3 the individual reaction vessels 1 are arranged parallel to each other. The number of lined reaction vessels 1 however, it can also be chosen arbitrarily.

This number of eight to the reaction vessel assembly 11 combined reaction vessels 1 is often used in practice, especially in automated systems for so-called "liquid handling", but also in manual analysis methods. Also, the number of twelve to a reaction vessel assembly 11 combined reaction vessels 1 is often used, so that this number represents a preferred one.

A distance of the reaction vessels 1 from a center of each opening O to a center O of an opening of an adjacent reaction vessel 1 is for example 9 mm.

The mechanically flexible and web-shaped elements 12 are in particular designed such that single or multiple reaction vessels 1 from the remaining reaction vessel arrangement 11 can be separated. For this purpose, in a manner not shown in the web-shaped elements 12 or between them and the respective reaction vessels 1 Predetermined breaking points should be provided.

In 16 is a possible second embodiment of a reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention 11 represented, wherein the second embodiment is characterized by in 15 illustrated first embodiment distinguished that these several together, by means of mechanically flexible web-shaped elements 12 connected reaction vessels 1 according to the in 12 and 13 illustrated sixth embodiment.

17 shows a possible third embodiment of the reaction vessel assembly according to the invention 11 in a top view. Unlike the in 15 The first embodiment shown is on each reaction vessel 1 by means of a mechanically flexible, in particular tab-shaped, connecting element 13 a lid member 14 for closing the opening O of the reaction vessel 1 arranged. Thus, every reaction vessel is 1 the reaction vessel arrangement 11 separately by means of a cover element 14 closable. This closure is due to the circular design of the pantry 2 and consequently the opening O and the lid member 14 particularly easy and safe to carry out.

In 18 is a possible fourth embodiment of the reaction vessel arrangement according to the invention 11 shown in a plan view. Unlike the in 16 shown first embodiment is on the two outer reaction vessels 1 the reaction vessel arrangement in each case one, by means of a mechanically flexible, in particular tab-shaped, connecting element 13 with the respective reaction vessel 1 connected composite 15 each of four cover elements 14 arranged. Here are between the individual cover elements 14 arranged web-shaped elements 16 each formed such that a distance between the cover elements located in the composite 14 the distance of the reaction vessels 1 in the region of the opening to be closed O, ie, for example, 9 mm corresponds. Thus, the openings O are particularly easy to close.

The bar-shaped elements 16 are furthermore in particular analogous to those between the reaction vessels 1 arranged web-shaped elements 12 designed so that single or multiple cover elements 14 from the rest of the composite 15 can be separated. These are in a manner not shown in the web-shaped elements 16 or between these and the respective lid elements 14 particular predetermined breaking points provided.

In a manner not shown, the cover element 14 individually or as a composite 15 of lid elements 14 separated from the reaction vessel arrangement 11 available.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

reaction vessel

2

storeroom

3

measuring chamber

4

web

5

web element

6

web element

7

locking

8th

locking

9

locking

10

locking

11

Reaction vessel arrangement

12

element

13

connecting element

14

cover element

15

composite

16

element

A1

distance

A2

distance

A3

distance

F1

measurement window

F2

measurement window

F3

measurement window

F4

measurement window

F5

measurement window

F6

measurement window

O

opening

UB

Transition area

Claims (11)

Reaction vessel ( 1 ) for analyzing a substance comprising a storage chamber ( 2 ) and at least one measuring chamber ( 3 ), wherein the pantry ( 2 ) and the measuring chamber ( 3 ) in a transition region (UB) and are provided for receiving the substance, wherein the measuring chamber ( 3 ) has at least two measurement windows (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) which are plane-parallel to one another and formed from a light-permeable material, wherein the storage chamber ( 2 ) has a circular cross-section, characterized in that arranged on an outer side at a lower end at least one substantially perpendicular to a lower end formed on the bottom element arranged web-shaped locking element ( 7 to 10 ) is trained. Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring chamber ( 3 ) has a plurality of pairs of two mutually opposite and plane-parallel measuring windows (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that a distance (A1, A2, A3) between the pair of measurement windows (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6) different from a distance (A2, A3, A1) between the measurement windows belonging to the remaining pairs (F3, F4, F5, F6, F1, F2). Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage chamber ( 2 ) has at an upper end a circular opening (O), which at the edge of a lateral surface of the storage chamber ( 2 ) is limited, wherein in the region of the opening (O), the lateral surface at the end and on the outside completely circumferential and substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface extending web ( 4 ) is trained. Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radius of the circular cross section of the storage chamber ( 2 ) is reduced from an upper end to a lower end of the storage chamber. Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on an outer side of the storage chamber ( 2 ) at least one substantially perpendicular to a circular upper opening (O) of the storage chamber ( 2 ) running web element ( 5 . 6 ) is trained. Reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a volume of the storage chamber ( 2 ) at least 10 times larger than a volume of the measuring chamber ( 3 ). Reaction vessel arrangement ( 11 ) for analyzing a substance comprising a plurality of interconnected reaction vessels ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims. Reaction vessel arrangement ( 11 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the reaction vessels ( 1 ) are arranged linearly or arcuately in such a way that normal directions of the at the upper end of the pantries ( 2 ) formed circular openings (O) each parallel to each other. Reaction vessel arrangement ( 11 ) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that - on each reaction vessel ( 1 ) by means of a mechanically flexible connecting element ( 13 ) a cover element ( 14 ) for closing an opening (O) of the reaction vessel ( 1 ) and / or - that at one or more of the reaction vessels ( 1 ) by means of a mechanically flexible connecting element ( 13 ) a composite ( 15 ) a plurality of cover elements ( 14 ), wherein a distance between those in the composite ( 15 ) cover elements ( 14 ) a distance of the reaction vessels ( 1 ) in the region of the opening (O) to be closed. Method for analyzing a reaction vessel within a reaction vessel ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 substance, wherein the substance within the same reaction vessel ( 1 ) and visually examined.

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