Micro-vials

Abstract

A simple, low cost, efficient and stable micro-vial configuration for handling micro-volume of sample fluids. The interior wall geometry of the inventive vial is designed to include several axial sections of various interior diameters to provide a range of functionalities to address various design considerations. The interior wall defined in the vial has a cylindrical sample section, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a tapered or conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section, arranged in sequence in that order along the center axis of the vial. The sample section is designed to hold a small volume of a sample fluid, and to receive the tip end of a capillary tube. The alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, designed to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the relatively fragile capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube dips into the micro-volume of sample fluid held in the sample section. The conical section functions to guide the capillary tube and the support tube into the alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the sample section. The body section has the largest diameter, for holding additional fluid if desired.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A vial for holding a micro-volume of fluid, comprising:
 a body defining an interior wall, the wall comprising a cylindrical sample section having a bottom, a wider cylindrical alignment section, a conical guide section, and a relatively large cylindrical body section having an opening, arranged in sequence in that order along a center axis of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The vial as in  claim 1 , wherein the sample section has a cylindrical section that is sized to receive a tip of a capillary tube and to hold a micro-volume of fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The vial as in  claim 2 , wherein the cylindrical section of the sample section has an internal diameter of about 0.5 mm, receiving the tip of the capillary tube having an outside diameter of similar size. 
     
     
         4 . The vial as in  claim 1 , wherein the micro-volume is in the order of less than 5 micro-liters. 
     
     
         5 . The vial as in  claim 4 , wherein the micro-volume is in the order of 1 to 2 micro liters. 
     
     
         6 . The vial as in  claim 2 , wherein the alignment section has a larger diameter than the sample section, sized to receive a cylindrical support that coaxially supports the capillary tube. 
     
     
         7 . The vial as in  claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical support is a tube, through which the capillary tube extends with the tip beyond an end of the tube to dip into the micro-volume of fluid held in the sample section. 
     
     
         8 . The vial as in  claim 7 , wherein the conical guide section provides a tapered wall surface to guide the capillary tube and the support tube into the alignment section and the tip of the capillary tube into the sample section. 
     
     
         9 . The vial as in  claim 8 , wherein the body section has the largest diameter compared to the other sections of the body, for containing a relatively large volume of fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The vial as in  claim 9 , wherein the body is injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         11 . A strip of vials for holding micro-volumes of fluid, comprising a plurality of N (N>0) vials in which adjacent vials are connected by a tab, each vial having a structure as in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The strip of vials as in  claim 11 , wherein N is equal to 8 or 12.