EP2700393B1 - Container for at least largely separated storage and dispensing of substances, in particular for storage and delivery in space - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

A large number of different reagents and auxiliaries are required for chemical, in particular biochemical, analysis methods, for example immunassays. So-called capture (cAB) and detection antibodies (dAB) and markers such as fluorescent dyes, chromogenic or chemiluminescent compounds, enzymes and auxiliaries such as washing solutions, additives and auxiliaries, acidic or basic solutions are used as reagents to carry out an immunassay and possibly solvents to dissolve dry stored substances. These substances are usually stored separately in storage containers and must be added in the correct order and in certain volumes in order to carry out an analysis. The necessary separate removal of the individual substances from individual storage containers and the respective separate addition of the substances for the analysis is a source of errors for a wide variety of errors, such as mixing up the storage container, removing and adding an incorrect volume of a substance or the release of hazardous substances, such as toxic, aggressive or cytostatic substances during the removal from a storage container.

A similar task with regard to the necessity of adding the required substances in exactly the required amount and corresponding storage as individual portions arises with regard to medical administration.

So-called multi-compartment syringes are already known to largely avoid these sources of error and to largely reduce the possible release of hazardous substances (see or JP2004065461 or US5713857 ), in which all the substances required for medical administration can be stored, mixed and / or injected together and in the correct volumes.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on a container, in particular in the form of a syringe, for at least largely separate storage of substances, in particular for storage and delivery in space, with an outflow opening, a storage chamber for storing the substances and with at least one movable separator element, which the storage chamber in Divided sub-chambers and which has at least one shaped overflow channel, which is provided for a transport of substances from a sub-chamber into a sub-chamber and / or into the out-flow opening in the direction of the outflow opening. In particular, the separator element is intended to be displaced by a pressure which is exerted on one end of the container, on a specially shaped end separator element as a closing element of a last sub-chamber, and / or on a last separator element. In principle, however, the separator element can also have specially provided displacement means, such as a built-in magnet that has a force for displacement by means of an external magnet on the separator element, or a displacement handle that runs in a specially provided groove in the container and moves the separator element can be have. Under a "storage and delivery in space "is to be understood in particular that storage and delivery outside the earth, for example in a spacecraft such as a space probe, or in an earth orbit or at a Lagrange point, during a space flight or an orbit around another planet or takes place around a moon, on a satellite, a moon, an asteroid or on a different planet from the earth. In particular, the storage and delivery in space can take place under conditions of reduced gravity. Under "conditions of reduced gravity" are to be understood in particular conditions at which have a gravitational effect of a maximum of 0.9 g, advantageously a maximum of 1 * 10 ^-3 g, preferably a maximum of 1 * 10 ^-6 g and particularly preferably a maximum of 1 * 10 ^-8 g. "g" is the value of the gravitational acceleration the earth of 9.81 m / s ^2. Under an "overflow channel" is to be understood in particular a recess and / or line which is provided for at least after exceeding a predetermined effective force in one direction towards the outflow opening to enable a material transport through the recess and / or line in the direction towards the outflow opening. In particular, elements can be arranged in the overflow channel which prevent substance transport through the overflow channel when the effective force in the direction of the outflow opening is not reached. An “effective force” is to be understood in particular as a resultant force acting on an element in a direction that results from the sum of all forces acting on the element. A “shaped overflow channel” is to be understood in particular as an overflow channel which is already formed on the container before the container is filled and before a dispensing process begins. In particular, the overflow channel is formed directly when a base body of the container and / or the separator element is produced. Furthermore, in particular a number of the separator elements arranged in the main chamber can vary. The container can in particular also have a different basic shape than that of a syringe, for example as a tube with a screw cap or with a closure for crimp caps with an inserted septum.

It is proposed that the overflow channel and the separator element are designed for an at least essentially sequential release of substances and / or for a stored solid to be washed out by a liquid. An "at least essentially sequential release of substances and / or a leaching of a stored solid by a liquid" is to be understood in particular to mean that substances are released from different sub-chambers at least essentially without mixing and the substances at least essentially separately in one sequence their arrangement in sub-chambers, seen from a direction from the outflow opening to a side of the container facing away from the outflow opening, with stored solids before passage through the outflow opening from a liquid suitable as a solvent for the solid from a liquid from the outflow opening seen rear sub-chamber are brought into solution. "At least essentially free of mixtures" is to be understood in particular that during a delivery and / or storage, apart from a solution of a stored solid by a solvent, a stored substance within the container with another substance is a mixture with a maximum volume fraction of further substance of a maximum of five percent by volume, advantageously a maximum of one percent by volume and preferably a maximum of half a volume percent. In particular, an at least essentially mixture-free delivery of substances is different from a delivery in which the substances are successively introduced from different sub-chambers into a foremost area of the container and mixed there and are released from the container in a mixed state. The overflow channel and the separator element are preferably designed for an at least substantially sequential delivery of substances and / or a leaching of a stored solid by a liquid in such a way that the sequential Delivery can also take place under conditions of reduced gravity. In particular, it is possible to store substances for a reaction with a required volume and in a correct sequence and to avoid incorrect delivery of substances with unsuitable volumes and / or a wrong sequence.

It is also proposed that the separator element have the overflow channel. In particular, an at least essentially any number and size of sub-chambers can be achieved by using a corresponding number of separator elements in a container and, furthermore, in particular a base body of the container with the main chamber can be designed as a conventional syringe body.

It is also proposed that the overflow channel be arranged on an outside of the separator element. In particular, a structurally simple production of the overflow channel can be achieved.

Furthermore, at least one second overflow channel is proposed, the overflow channels being arranged symmetrically to one another. In particular, the overflow channels are arranged symmetrically to one another on an outside of the separator element. The separator element preferably has a large number, in particular four, advantageously six and preferably eight, of overflow channels arranged symmetrically to one another on its outside. In particular, an advantageous distribution of a substance over a sub-chamber and / or the outflow opening can be achieved in the case of a substance transport and a uniform substance release.

It is also proposed that the separator element have at least one sealing element which is provided for sealing a sub-chamber. In particular, the sealing element is arranged on an outside of the separator element. The sealing element is preferably formed by a circumferential sealing lamella. In particular, the probability of a mixture-free storage can be increased and a force which has to be expended for a displacement of the separator element can be reduced.

Furthermore, at least one overpressure element which is arranged in the overflow channel is proposed. An "overpressure element" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an element which is provided to enable material to be transported through the element when a predetermined effective force is reached or exceeded, in particular an effective pressure force, and to enable material to be transported when the predetermined effective force is not reached to prevent. In particular, the overpressure element has a pressure-movable sub-element which, by movement, for example by a flipping and / or sliding movement, releases an opening for material transport, and / or the overpressure element is provided to form the opening through damage when the predetermined effective force is reached. In particular, a mixture of stored substances can be prevented by the overflow channels.

It is also proposed that the overpressure element have a predetermined tear point. A “predetermined tear point” is to be understood in particular as an area of the overpressure element which is provided to form an opening by damaging the overpressure element when the predetermined effective force is reached. In particular, a structurally simple overpressure element can be achieved.

It is also proposed that the overpressure element be provided for mechanical deformation. “Provided for mechanical deformation” should be understood in particular to mean that the overpressure element is specifically designed to fold over when a predetermined effective force is reached by means of damage-free deformation, for example elastic deformation or turning it inside out to reveal part of the overflow duct. In particular, a structurally simple overpressure element can be achieved.

Furthermore, at least one transverse distribution channel, which is provided for distributing substances along a transverse direction of the storage chamber, is proposed. The transverse distribution channel is preferably arranged on the separator element. A "transverse distribution channel" is to be understood in particular as a shaped channel that is fluidically connected to at least one overflow channel, which runs along a transverse direction of the main chamber at least in an assembled state and is intended to distribute substances transported through the overflow channel along the transverse direction. The separator element preferably has a plurality of converging transverse distribution channels, each of which is connected to an overflow channel. Alternatively, a plurality of transverse distribution channels can be designed, for example, in such a way that in each case one transverse distribution channel connects two overflow channels with one another and runs parallel to them. In particular, an advantageous distribution of transported substances over an overall diameter in the transverse direction and a uniform volume flow can be achieved.

It is also proposed that the separator element have at least one elastic sub-area designed as a puncture membrane. A "puncture membrane" is to be understood in particular as an elastic sub-area which is impermeable in an undamaged state and is intended to separate substances and which is intended to be pierced by a hollow needle and which continues to be impermeable after the hollow needle has been withdrawn his. In particular, the partial chambers can be easily filled.

In particular, at least one functional coating can be applied to at least one area of a surface of the storage chamber and / or of the separator element be upset. A "functional coating" is to be understood in particular as a layer applied to a surface with a thickness of a maximum of 1 mm, advantageously a maximum of 0.1 mm and preferably a maximum of 0.01 mm, which also has an additional function, for example a non-stick coating Friction reduction function or a function to reduce unspecific binding of stored substances to a material on the surface. In particular, the functional coating can be formed by a nano-coating. A “nano-coating” is to be understood in particular as a coating with a thickness of a few atomic layers. A nano-coating is preferably formed from a monomolecular layer. A functional coating can, for example, be a coating with BSA (bovine serum albumin) to reduce unspecific bonds, with polyethylene glycol, with poloxamers, for example the poloxamer available under the brand name Pluronic®, or with polysorbates, for example the polysorbate available under the brand name Tween®, or a Teflon or silicone coating to reduce friction can be achieved. Alternatively, instead of a functional coating, a surface can be functionalized by means of a surface treatment, such as a corona treatment or a low-pressure plasma treatment to generate special functional groups, preferably OH groups, on the surface. In particular, an improved bearing function can be achieved.

In particular, the container according to the invention comprises at least one end separator element which is provided to close off a rearmost partial chamber. An “end separator element” is to be understood in particular as a separator element that is free of overflow channels and has at least one circumferential layer of sealing elements. A “circumferential layer of sealing elements” is to be understood in particular to mean that the end separator element has at least one sealing element extending around an entire circumference and / or a plurality of sealing elements which extend around the entire circumference Extend the circumference seamlessly adjacent. The end separator element preferably has a plurality of circumferential layers of sealing elements, for example three layers of sealing elements. In particular, the end separator element is provided to close off the rearmost sub-chamber towards the rear and, in particular, to prevent material transport from the sub-chamber in a direction away from an outflow opening. The end separator element can in particular be integrated into a movable piston of the container. The end separator element is preferably designed analogously to the separator elements, with the exception of freedom from overflow channels. A “rearmost sub-chamber” is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a last sub-chamber, viewed from a direction from the outflow opening. In particular, a secure closure of a rearmost partial chamber can be achieved.

Furthermore, a method is proposed for at least substantially sequential delivery of substances from a container according to the invention, in which the sequential delivery takes place under conditions of reduced gravity. In particular, disruptive conditions, such as sedimentation of stored substances due to gravity, can be reduced.

Furthermore, it is proposed that in at least one further process step between two process steps for dispensing a portion of substance, the separator element is free from the action of a force. In particular, a rest period for the reaction of released substances can be achieved before further substances are added.

In a possible variant of the invention, delivery can be brought about by an external, controllable technical delivery device. A “technical output device” is to be understood in particular as a technical device which has at least one input unit for inputting control commands and / or a control unit with a memory for executing a stored Control program and a dispensing unit, which effects a dispensing of portions of substance from the container by means of a pressure or suction process. The external, controllable technical delivery device is preferably provided for automated or partially automated delivery. In principle, a release can also be effected by manual operation or by means of an auxiliary tool or an auxiliary device instead of an external, controllable technical discharge device. In particular, it is possible to achieve high-precision dispensing of material portions and high process efficiency.

The container according to the invention should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the container according to the invention can have a number of individual elements, components and units that differs from a number of individual elements, components and units mentioned herein in order to fulfill a function described herein.

drawings

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Lagerbehälter mit vier Separatorelementen,

Fig. 2

ein erfindungsgemäßes Separatorelement in einer detaillierten Darstellung,

Fig. 3

eine sequentielle Abgabe von Stoffen aus einem erfindungsgemäßen Behälter,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung eines verschlossenen erfindungsgemäßen Behälters und ein Prozessgefäß, das zu einer Verbindung mit dem Behälter vorgesehen ist und

Fig. 5

einen Verbindungsvorgang eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters mit einem Prozessgefäß, das ein Schlitzseptum aufweist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a storage container according to the invention with four separator elements,

Fig. 2

a separator element according to the invention in a detailed representation,

Fig. 3

a sequential delivery of substances from a container according to the invention,

Fig. 4

an illustration of a closed container according to the invention and a process vessel which is provided for connection to the container and

Fig. 5

a process of connecting a container according to the invention to a process vessel which has a slit septum.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a container 10 according to the invention in syringe form for at least largely separate storage of substances with an outflow opening 22, a storage chamber 12 for storing the substances and three movable separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "which divide the storage chamber 12 into sub-chambers 14, 16, 18, 20, as well as with an end separator element 25, which is provided to close off a rearmost partial chamber. The container 10 can in particular also have a different basic shape than that of a syringe, for example as a tube with a screw cap or with a closure for crimp caps, Both with an inserted septum. The separator elements 24, 24 ′, 24 ″ have shaped overflow channels 26 arranged on the outside and which are used to transport substances from one of the sub-chambers 14, 16, 18, 20 in the direction of the outflow opening 22 partial chambers 14, 16, 18 and / or in the outflow opening 22 are provided, as seen at the front. The outflow opening 22 is formed by a conical nozzle at a tapering end of a base body of the container 10. In an alternative embodiment, the outflow opening 22 can also be, for example, cylindrical. The end separator element 25 is of the same diameter as the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "and differs from these mainly in that it is designed free of overflow channels 26 and has three circumferential layers of sealing elements. The end separator element 25 is provided for a secure closure of the rearmost sub-chamber 20. In alternative configurations, the end separator element 25 can be integrated into a movable piston of the container 10. In the following, a direction indication “front” refers to a direction leading towards the outflow opening 22 and a direction indication “rear” refers to a direction leading away from the outflow opening 22. The overflow channels 26 and the separator elements 24 , 24 ', 24 "are designed for an at least essentially sequential release of substances and / or for washing out a stored solid by a liquid. A portion of substance 32, 34, 36, 38 is stored in each of the sub-chambers 14, 16, 18, 20. The substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38 are each formed from different liquid substances, but in principle several of the substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38 can be formed from identical substances and / or at least one of the substance portions 32, 34, 36 can be formed from one be formed solid to be dissolved. The solid is preferably formed from dried antibodies, chromogenic or fluorophoric dyes or enzymes. The size of the sub-chambers 14, 16, 18, 20 is given by the distance between the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "from one another or the distance from the foremost separator element 24 to the outflow opening 22 and the distance from the rearmost separator element 24" to the end separator element 25 . In an alternative embodiment, instead of the end separator element 25, an element which is identical to the separator elements 24, 24 ′, 24 ″ can be used, which also has overflow channels 26. The end separator element 25 can be designed as part of a piston, by means of which pressure is applied to the rearmost Substance portion 38 and the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "and substance portions 32, 34, 36 in front of it, and a sequential dispensing process of the substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38 can be effected.

The base body, which forms the bearing chamber 12 and the outflow opening 22, is surrounded by an additional covering layer 48 which is formed by a Teflon shrink tube. The additional wrapping layer 48 is provided to protect a user of the container 10 when handling hazardous substances stored in the container 10, for example toxic or carcinogenic substances. For this purpose, the additional covering layer 48 lies around the base body in the manner of an onion skin. Instead of a Teflon shrink tube, adhesive tapes and / or adhesive labels or coatings with an elastic material can also be used. Instead of a single additional wrapping layer 48, a plurality, for example three, of additional wrapping layers 48 can encase the container 10. The base body is preferably made of a biocompatible plastic with a low unspecific binding capacity, such as a COC (cyclo-olefin copolymer) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone). In principle, however, the base body can also be made from other plastics, such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate or polypropylene, or from another material, for example from a metal or from glass. The base body is preferably made transparent.

The separator element 24 ( Fig. 2 ) each has a hard core 44 which is arranged centrally in an upper region which faces the outflow opening 22 when the separator element 24 is in an assembled state and extends over half of a longitudinal extent of the separator element 24. The separator elements 24 'and 24 "are designed identically to this. Furthermore, the separator element 24 has an elastic sub-area 42 designed as a puncture membrane which surrounds the hard core 44. The elastic sub-area 42 is impermeable in an undamaged state and is provided for separating substances The elastic sub-area 42 can be pierced by a hollow needle to fill a sub-chamber 16, 18, 20 located behind it with a portion of substance 32, 34, 36 and is, after the withdrawal of the The hollow needle continues to be impermeable. The hard core 44 is made of a material with a higher rigidity than the elastic sub-area 42. In particular, the hard core 44 is made from a hard plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene. In principle, other elastic materials, biocompatible plastics, such as COP or PEEK, or other materials, such as a metal, can also be used to manufacture the hard core. In principle, the hard core 44 can be dispensed with and the separator element 24 only consists of the elastic partial area 42. The elastic partial area 42 of the separator element 24 is preferably made of an elastic material that is softer than a plastic material of the hard core 44, alternatively of silicone or rubber. The separator element 24 has a transparent functional coating 46 made of BSA (bovine serum albumin) on an entire surface to reduce unspecific binding of the stored substances to the separator element 24. Alternatively, only areas of the surface of the separator element 24 can have the functional coating 46, for example an upper and lower side of the separator element 24. Alternatively or in addition, a surface of the base body of the container 10 that forms the storage chamber 12 can also have the functional coating 46. A functional coating 46 made of other substances, such as a poloxamer such as Pluronic® or a polysorbate such as Tween®, can also be used.

The separator element 24 has six overflow channels 26. The overflow channels 26 are arranged symmetrically to one another on an outer side of the separator element 24. In principle, the separator elements 24 can also have a different number of overflow channels 26, the separator elements 24 preferably having one overflow channel 26 and at least one second overflow channel 26, the overflow channels 26 being arranged symmetrically to one another. In each of the overflow channels 26, three overpressure elements 28 are arranged, of which one overpressure element 28 is arranged at one end of the overflow channel 26 and one in each case in a center of the overflow channel 26 is. The overpressure elements 28 are designed as sealing lamellae and each have a predetermined tear point which is intended to tear when a predetermined effective pressure is exceeded in the direction of an upper side of the separator element 24, which faces the outflow opening 22 in the assembled state. In an alternative embodiment, the overpressure elements can be provided for mechanical deformation and, if the predetermined effective pressure is exceeded, they can be elastically deformed or folded over, for example. The overpressure elements 28 are provided for a mixture of the substance stored in the rear subchamber 16, 18, 20 in a storage state and during a delivery of a substance portion 32, 34, 36 stored in a front sub-chamber 14, 16, 18 in front of the respective separator element 24 with the substance stored in the front sub-chamber 14, 16, 18 and a release of the substance stored in the rear sub-chamber 16, 18, 20 into the front sub-chamber 14, 16, 18 after the front sub-chamber 14, 16, 18 has been emptied to allow.

The separator element 24 also has three sealing elements 30 arranged one above the other in areas between the overflow channels 26, which sealing elements 30 are provided for sealing a sub-chamber 14, 16, 18, 20. In principle, in alternative configurations, the separator element 24 can have a different number of sealing elements 30 arranged one above the other in areas between the overflow channels 26. The sealing elements 30 are designed as sealing lamellae. The sealing elements 30 also cause less effort to move the separator element 24, since during the displacement only a frictional resistance of the sealing elements 30 with the material of the base body has to be overcome, instead of a frictional resistance of an entire outer side of the separator element 24 with the material of the base body.

A transverse distribution channel 40, which is provided for distributing substances along a transverse direction of the storage chamber 12, is at the top of the separator element 24 arranged. The transverse distribution duct 40 connects ends of the overflow ducts 26 in a star shape and brings about a uniform distribution of transported substances over an entire transverse extent of the storage chamber 12.

Fig. 3 represents an exemplary sequence of a method for the at least substantially sequential delivery of substances from the container 10. The container 10 can in principle have one or more additional wrapping layers 48. In the method shown, the sequential delivery takes place under reduced gravity conditions, for example on board a spacecraft in space or in low earth orbit. A delivery is brought about by an external, controllable technical delivery device 50. The external, controllable technical delivery device 50 is only indicated schematically and can be designed, for example, as an electromechanical piston device controlled by a computer. Alternatively, the external, controllable technical delivery device 50 can also be controlled manually or a delivery can be effected by a user in manual operation or by means of an auxiliary tool or an auxiliary device. The delivery by the external, controllable technical delivery device 50 is preferably designed to be automated or partially automated. The external, controllable technical delivery device 50 can comprise a robot arm for moving the container 10 during transport and / or during delivery of substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38. In a first method step 52, a force 70 is exerted on the end separator element 25 by means of the external, controllable technical delivery device 50, which force acts as pressure on the substance portion 38 in the sub-chamber 20 in front of it and on the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "and substance portions 32 , 34, 36. The foremost portion of substance 32 is released due to the pressure through the outflow opening 22 and the foremost sub-chamber 14 is emptied. By emptying the foremost sub-chamber 14, the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 ", the end separator element 25, the further portions of fabric 34, 36, 38 and the sub-chambers 16, 18, 20 are shifted accordingly in the direction of the outflow opening 22. A displacement of the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "and the end separator element 25 takes place simultaneously with the emptying of the foremost sub-chamber 14. The predetermined crack points of the overpressure elements 28 are designed and designed for a pressure acting on them that the overpressure elements 28 are intact during a displacement process remain and thus a mass transfer from one of the rear sub-chambers 16, 18, 20 to the sub-chambers 14, 16, 18 does not occur.

In a subsequent process step 54, the foremost portion of substance 32 has been completely dispensed and the foremost separator element 24 has thereby been displaced as far as an area of the base body of the container 10 which tapers towards the outflow opening 22, which as a blocking element prevents further displacement of the separator element 24. The external, controllable technical delivery device 50 also applies a force 70, which acts as pressure on the foremost separator element 24 and is now free from partial compensation by a hydrostatic pressure of the foremost portion of fabric 32, so that the predetermined tear points of the overpressure elements 28 of the separator element 24 tear and a material transport through the overflow channels 26 of the separator element 24 becomes possible. The substance portion 34 stored in the sub-chamber 16 located behind it can thus flow via the overflow channels 26 into the outflow opening 22 and be discharged. The sub-chamber 16 is thus emptied and the separator elements 24 ', 24 "behind it, the end separator element 25 and the sub-chambers 18, 20 with the stored substance portions 36, 38 are moved forward in the direction of the outflow opening 22.

In a further method step 56, the sub-chamber 16 is completely emptied and the separator element 24 ', which delimits the sub-chamber 16 towards the rear, has been moved to the foremost separator element 24, which, as a blocking element, prevents further displacement of the separator element 24'. Through the Furthermore, pressure applied via the force 70 tear the predetermined tear points of the overpressure elements 28 in the separator element 24 ′ and the substance portion 36 in the sub-chamber 18 is released via the overflow channels 26 of the front separator elements 24. The rear separator element 24 ″ and the end separator element 25 are displaced analogously to the displacements in the previous method steps 52, 54.

In a further process step 58 between two process steps 56, 60 for dispensing substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38, the end separator element 25 is free from the effect of the force 70. Freedom from force is achieved by controlling the external, controllable technical dispensing device 50. As a result of the further method step 58, a pause is inserted in the delivery, which is required for a complete reaction of the substance portions 32, 34, 36 before the substance portion 38 is added.

In a further method step 60, analogous to the previous method steps 52, 54, 56, the sub-chamber 20 is emptied and the substance portion 38 is released.

In a last method step 62, the portion of substance 38 is completely dispensed and a force 70 has been applied by the external, controllable dispensing device 50.

As an alternative to dispensing substance portions 32, 34, 36, 38 by means of pressure, sequential dispensing can also be achieved by a suction process by which the foremost sub-chamber 14 is emptied and the separator elements 24, 24 ', 24 "and the end separator element 25 are created via a suction process Negative pressure in the foremost sub-chamber 14 can be displaced analogously to method steps 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62.

For storage, the outflow opening 22 of the container 10 can be closed with a closure cap 64, to which a septum insert can be arranged adjacent within the outflow opening 22, or alternatively with an elastic sealing insert ( Fig. 4 ). At the beginning of a dispensing process, the closure cap 64 can be removed or pierced by means of a cannula 66 of a process vessel 68 for an opening process of the container 10. Alternatively, after removing the closure cap 64, the septum insert can be pierced by the cannula 66 or the elastic sealing insert can be pierced. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the container 10 and the process vessel 68 can be connected to one another as a Luer lock and that only the closure cap 64 of the container 10 has to be removed before the start of a dispensing process. In an alternative embodiment, a container 10 'has a cylindrical instead of a conical outflow opening 22' and is closed with a closure cap 64 'with an inserted septum.

In a further alternative embodiment ( Fig. 5 ) the process vessel 68 can be closed with a slit septum 72. The slot septum 72 is divisible along a pre-formed slot. For a dispensing process, the closure cap 64 of the container 10 is removed and the container 10 is inserted into the slit septum 72 at the outflow opening. The container 10 divides the slot septum 72 along the slot and is laterally surrounded by the slot septum 72 at the outflow opening 22. The slot septum 72 and container 10 form a form-fitting Luer lock connection. The Luer-Lock connection is covered in a sterile manner through the slit septum 72. Reference number 10 container 46 Functional coating 10 ' container 48 additional coating layer 12 Storage room 50 Dispensing device 14th Subchamber 52 Process step 16 Subchamber 54 Process step 18th Subchamber 56 Process step 20th Subchamber 58 Process step 22nd Outlet opening 60 Process step 22 ' Outlet opening 62 Process step 24 Separator element 64 Sealing cap 24 ' Separator element 64 ' Sealing cap 24 " Separator element 66 Cannula 25th End separator element 66 ' Cannula 26th Overflow duct 68 Process vessel 28 Overpressure element 68 ' Process vessel 30th Sealing element 70 force 32 Portion of fabric 72 Slit septum 34 Portion of fabric 36 Portion of fabric 38 Portion of fabric 40 Transverse distribution duct 42 elastic partial area 44 Hard core

Claims (8)

1. Container, in particular in syringe form, for an at least largely separate storage and output of substances, in particular for storage and output in space, with an outflow opening (22), a storage chamber (12) for a storage of the substances, with at least one displaceable separator element (24, 24', 24") dividing the storage chamber (12) into sub-chambers (14, 16, 18, 20) and with at least one moulded overflow channel (26), which is configured for a transport of substances from one sub-chamber (14, 16, 18, 20) into a sub-chamber (14, 16, 18) that is located at a front, viewed towards the outflow opening (22), and/or into the outflow opening (22), wherein the overflow channel (26) and the separator element (24, 24', 24") are configured for an at least substantially sequential output of substances and/or for a leaching of stored solid matter by means of a liquid,
   wherein
   at least one overpressure element (28) is arranged in the overflow channel (26), the overpressure element (28) being configured for a mechanical deformation and the overpressure element (28) undergoing elastical deformation or folding over when a predetermined effective pressure is exceeded,
   wherein the separator element (24, 24', 24") comprises the overflow channel (26) and the overflow channel (26) is arranged on an outer side of the separator element (24, 24', 24"), and comprises at least one transverse distributor channel (40) that is configured for a distribution of substances along a transverse direction of the storage chamber (12), the transverse channel (40) being arranged at the separator element (24, 24', 24"),
   characterised in that the separator element (24, 24', 24") comprises respectively one hard core (44), which is arranged centrally in an upper region facing, in an assembled state of the separator element (24, 24', 24'"), toward the outflow opening (22).
2. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised by at least one second overflow channel (26), wherein the overflow channels (26) are arranged symmetrically to one other.
3. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the separator element (24, 24', 24") comprises at least one sealing element (30), which is configured for a sealing of a sub-chamber (14, 16, 18, 20).
4. Container according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the overpressure element (28) comprises a predetermined tear point.
5. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the separator element (24, 24', 24") comprises at least one elastic partial region (42) embodied as a penetration membrane.
6. Method for an at least substantially sequential output of substances from a container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   with at least one displaceable separator element (24, 24', 24"),
   the separator element (24, 24', 24") comprising respectively one hard core (44), which is arranged centrally in an upper section facing toward the outflow opening (22) in an assembled state of the separator element (24, 24', 24"),
   wherein in a first method step (52), by means of an external actuatable technical distribution device (50), a force (70) is exerted onto an end separator element (25), which is transferred as a pressure to a substance portion (38) in a sub-chamber (20) situated upstream thereof as well as to the separator elements (24, 24', 24") and to the substance portions (32, 34, 36),
   wherein due to the pressure the foremost substance portion (32) is outputted through an outflow opening (22) and a foremost sub-chamber (14) empties, and wherein due to an emptying of the foremost sub-chamber (14), the separator elements (24, 24', 24"), the end separator element (25), the further substance portions (34, 36, 38) and the sub-chambers (16, 18, 20) are displaced towards the outflow opening (22) accordingly,
   wherein a displacement of the separator elements (24, 24', 24") and the end separator element (25) takes place simultaneously with the emptying of the foremost sub-chamber (14),
   wherein the external actuatable technical distribution device (50) continues applying a force (70) which acts as a pressure onto the foremost separator element (24) and is now free from a partial compensation by a hydrostatic pressure of the foremost substance portion (32), thus allowing the substance portion (34) stored in the rearwards-situated sub-chamber (16) to flow into the outflow opening (22) via the overflow channels (26) and to be outputted.
7. Method according to claim 6,
   characterised in that the sequential output takes place under conditions of reduced gravity.
8. Method according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterised in that in at least one method step (58) between two method steps (56, 60) for an output of a substance portion (36, 38), the separator element (24, 24', 24") is free from an impact of a force (70).

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