WO2005079671A1

WO2005079671A1 - Appliance for collecting samples

Info

Publication number: WO2005079671A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/001513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Jansen
Original assignee: Roche Diagnostics Gmbh; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag
Priority date: 2004-02-19
Filing date: 2005-02-15
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: DE102004008106A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance for collecting samples (13), in particular body fluids and tissue, comprising a holder (18) for a sample collection device, said sample collection device having means (10) for obtaining the samples (13). The sample collection device contains a sample support (12) and a holding device assigned to the sample support (12), and, for the purpose of collecting a sample, at least the sample support (12) and the means (10) can be driven out of the holder (18) through a passage. To permit straightforward collection of samples, with flexible adaptation to different spatial circumstances, a longitudinally adjustable holder (1) is arranged at the passage of the holder (18) and its length can be adapted to the path of travel of the sample support (12) outside the holder (18).

Description

Appliance for collecting samples

The present invention relates to an appliance for collecting samples, in particular body fluids and tissue, comprising a holder for a sample collection device, said -sample collection device having means for obtaining and conveying the samples, the sample collection device having a sample support and a holding device assigned to .the sample support, and, for the purpose of collecting a sample, at least the sample support and the means can be moved out of the holder through a passage. The invention relates also to a guide for use in an appliance for collecting samples. Finally, the invention relates to a . method for collecting samples with the following method steps: using an appliance for collecting. samples, providing this appliance with a longitudinally adjustable guide, positioning the guide at the site of the sample collection, pressing the guide on, and creating blood stasis, puncturing the skin with a needle or lancet, removing the needle or lancet, and moving a sample support into an end position.

Appliances of this generic type have been known in the prior art for some time in accordance with WO 97/42888, WO 97/43962 and WO 99/26539. These documents disclose appliances for collecting samples in which the sample collection devices are arranged in a holder. The holders have passages through which the elements of the sample collection devices can at least partially emerge from the holder. To this extent, in these appliances the _.sample collection path is fixed, namely by the structural make-up of the appliances, which provide only very slight play for adaptation to different physical conditions.

The prior ail also includes what is called a finger cone for obtaining blood from a finger, and an Alternate ^"Site Testing (AST) extension for obtaining blood from ah arm. These auxiliaries are used in Automatic Blood Sampling (ABS) . and Automatic Blood Application (ABA). These auxiliaries are preferably fitted on a glucose meter. The AST extension is designed as a rigid cylinder and is intended to permit adaptation of the apparatus to different circumstances in which samples are collected. In particular, a glucose meter fitted with a finger cone is intended to be used to collect blood from a finger, whereas a glucose meter with an AST extension is intended to be used for collecting samples from other areas of the body. When using such an appliance, a test support for , sample collection has to be placed onto the skin.

A problem in this respect is that, with a suitably long guide piece, a particularly long path of travel results. A long guide piece has the disadvantage of resulting in an apparatus size which is . not easy to manage. In addition, a long path of travel causes considerable difficulties as regards locating the sample collection site. A further problem is that a test support ought not to exceed a maximum length. To this extent, part of the holder must in some circumstances be driven into the AST extension in order to drive a short test support to the sample collection site. The AST extension must be designed as a space-saving guide piece, and this can lead to considerable stability problems. In addition, a space-saving design of the AST extension may lead to problems when connecting the measurement appliance via electrical plugs, optical links or the like. In addition, although it may in some cases be necessary to approach the sample collection site at an oblique angle, this is not possible in the case of a long guide piece, because .it may cause this to jam.

Consequently, appliances known from the prior art provide only very limited choices when it comes to collecting samples.

The object of the present invention is therefore to make available an appliance which permits straightforward sample collection with the greatest possible flexibility of adaptation to spatial conditions.

The present invention achieves the abovementioned object by virtue of the features of Patent Claim 1. Accordingly, an appliance for collecting samples is designed in such a way that, at the passage of the holder, a guide is arranged whose length can be adapted to the path of travel of the sample support outside the holder.

According to the invention, it has been recognized that a holder of adjustable length makes ,it possible to take account of the dimensions of the sample support on the one hand and of the .latter' s path of movement on the other. According to the invention, it has been recognized that a longitudinally adjustable holder can compensate for restrictions in the mobility of the sample support. Thus, it is possible for a sample support, which can travel . only a certain distance out of an appliance, to be brought to the sample collection site by ^' reducing the length of the guide. Consequently, . it is not necessary to provide especially long sample supports extending as far as the end of the guide. In this way, it is ensured that suitable small sample supports can be used for operating the appliance.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the guide could have a cylindrical design. The design of the guide as a cylinder permits particularly simple production, resulting in low costs.

The guide could have a telescopic design. The design as telescope allows the individual elements of the guide to be guided with particularly low clearance, which ensures that the elements of the guide do not strike against the sample support while the latter is being moved. In this way, particularly exact movement of the sample support relative to the sample collection site is possible.

The guide could consist of two concentric cylinders. .Production from two concentric cylinders permits particularly, stable production of the guide since the cylinders can bear on one another across their full surface and thus stabilize each other.

One cylinder could execute a reciprocating movement relative to the other. In this connection, it is conceivable in particular that one cylinder is stationary while the other is driven via a gear system. Advantages are afforded in such a design particularly in mechanical terms, because piston rods arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of .the cylinders can be used which, because of their parallel arrangement, result in a particularly slender construction of the arrangement. ^'

An inner cylinder could be mounted so as to rotate in an outer one, the outer cylinder executing a movement along its longitudinal axis. This design embodiment is advantageous in that it permits a particularly compact structure since it is possible to dispense with auxiliaries such as piston rods. It is also conceivable that the inner cylinder executes a movement along its longitudinal axis when the outer cylinder turns.

The rotatable cylinder could be rotated by &■ toothed gear. In this connection, it is conceivable in particular to use a toothed worm gear which permits particularly precise guidance of the cylinder. Depending entirely on the fineness of the toothing of the toothed gear, the cylinders can be moved particularly precisely in increments. It is also advantageous that, when using a toothed gear, the cylinders are fixed, by which means undesired movements are almost entirely eliminated.

The rotatable cylinder could be driven by a N-belt. The provision of a N-belt represents a particularly cost-effective drive means, which is' particularly easy to replace when worn.

The rotatable cylinder could be assigned pins- for guiding in a slot in the cylinder movable along its longitudinal axis. The provision of such a slot is advantageous since its configuration makes it possible to set the dynamics of movement of the cylinders. For example, it is conceivable for a slot with suitable pitch or inclination to permit considerable lift of the cylinder even with just slight rotation.

Advantageously, 1 to 5 pins could be arranged, more than two pins being particularly good for stability. In particular, shaking of the cylinders can be reduced by increasing the number of pins.

The cylinder movable along its longitudinal axis could be assigned an exchangeable top part for holding a cone. Such a holder permits, in an especially advantageous manner, the, use of several cone types, because different holders can be fitted as adapters depending on the type of. cone. In this connection, it is also conceivable that the cylinder is directly assigned a cone, in which case it is possible to dispense with a top part. The direct connection of the cone to the cylinder is advantageous in that it allows a particularly secure connection to be made.

The cone could be designed as a finger cone. By means of this design, cost-effective use of commercially readily available replacement parts is possible.

The means for obtaining the samples could be designed as a lancet. In this connection, it is particularly conceivable for the lancet to penetrate into taut tissue in order to release blood or similar body fluids. The lancet can be made of a material such as stainless steel or other noble metals in order to reduce the risk of infection. It is also conceivable that the laiicet is made of glass or plastic.

The lancet could be assigned a needle. In this connection, it is also conceivable for several needles to be assigned in the manner of a fork to the lancet, so as to make several punctures in the tissue. The provision of a single needle is advantageous in that the tissue is not excessively damaged and wound healing can take place rapidly.

Advantageously, appliances already in use could be modified with a longitudinally displaceable guide in order to permit particularly suitable sample collection.

There are various possible ways of realizing and developing the teaching of the present invention. To this end; reference is made on the one hand to the teaching of Patent Claims 1 and 15, and to the dependent claims. ^' Drawing

The subject of the present invention is described in greater detail below with reference to ^' the drawing, in which: . -

Figure 1.1 shows a diagrammatic representation of the guide of the appliance proposed according to the invention, in the disassembled state,

Figure 1.2 shows a diagrammatic representation of the guide of the appliance proposed according to the invention, in the assembled state,

Figure 2 shows a pivotably mounted lancet drive arranged movably in a holder,

Figure 3 shows a test. strip driven out from an opening in the holder and moved . toward a blood drop representing a sample,

Figure 4 shows the coupling of a test strip with a push rod,

Figure 5 shows a side view of the coupling shown in Figure 4 of test strip and push rod,

Figure 6 shows a cylinder of reduced height above a holder, the test strip -being moved toward the sample issuing from the skin, and

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment for moving a longitudinally adjustable holder, using rotatable spindles and teeth. Embodiment variants

Figure 1.1 shows a longitudinally adjustable holder 1 in the disassembled state. The longitudinally adjustable holder comprises an outer, cylinder 2 and an inner cylinder 3. The outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are designed as hollow ' cylinders in order to permit a movement of a. needle 10 (lancet) or a test strip 12 in a vertical direction, indicated by the double arrow. On the outer cylinder 2, a cone 7 is received which can have a tapering design in the upper area and comprises a circularly configured opening. The cone 7 is received so as to be rotatable with respect to, e outer cylinder 2 and comprises an inner ring piece which protrudes into an upper opening of the outer cylinder 2. At the circumference of the outer cylinder 2 there are guide ribs 8 which, in the view according to Figure 1.1, can be offset by 90° to one another or, alternatively, can also be configured in another angle setting on the jacket surface of the outer cylinder 2. The outer cylinder 2 of the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 additionally comprises a slot 6 in which a pin 5 of the inner cylinder 3 engages. The inner cylinder 3 is rotatable relative to the outer cylinder 2 in accordance with the configuration of the slot 6, as is indicated by the double arrow at the circumference of the inner cylinder 3. In the lower area of the inner cylinder 3 there is a toothed segment which, for example, can be driven by a pinion. In addition, the jacket surface of the inner cylinder 3 receives two spaced-apart ribs^' into which a bearing piece 9, indicated only diagrammatically in Figure 1.1, engages. When the inner cylinder 3 lies in the semicircularly designed bearing piece 9 between the ribs, the toothed segment arranged in the lower area of the inner cylinder 3 is then located underneath the bearing piece 9 placed against the jacket surface of the inner cylinder 3. Instead of the toothed gear 4 indicated in Figure 1.1 and comprising the aforementioned pinion and toothed segment on the inner cylinder 3, it is also possible to use other alternative drives for rotating the inner cylinder 3 .relative to the outer cylinder 2. Thus, for example, it would be conceivable to use a friction gear instead of the toothed gear 4, so that formation of a toothing would not be necessary.

Figure 1.2 shows the view of the longitudinally adjustable holder according to Figure 1.1 in the assembled state.

According to the view in Figure 1.2, the cone 7 'is located on the outer cylinder 2 and lies on the upper end thereof along a dividing line. The cone 7 is movable relative to the outer cylinder 2, i.e. can be turned relative to the latter. From the view according to Figure 1.2, it is clear that the pin 5 formed on the jacket surface of the inner cylinder 3 protrudes into the slot 6. If the inner cylinder 3 is turned by the toothed gear 4 shown diagrammatically in Figure 1.2, the pin 5 of the inner cylinder 3 turns and travels inside the slot 6. The inner cylinder 3 moves relative to the outer cylinder 2 in accordance with the configuration of the slot 6 in the outer cylinder 2. The movement between the two cylinders 2, 3 is assisted by the ribbed configuration of the cylinder guide 8, since the ribbed cylinder guide 8 formed on the outer cylinder 2 juts downwards and partially engages over the jacket surface of the inner cylinder 3. This rules out the possibility of the inner cylinder 3 becoming jammed relative to the outer cylinder 2. In the view according to Figure 1.2, the bearing piece 9 shown in Figure 1.1 and placed against the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 3 is not shown.

Figure 2 shows a puncture needle or puncture lancet pivotably mounted in a holder.

The longitudinally adjustable holder 1 shown in Figure 2 is represented only diagrammatically and can have the cylinders 2 and .3 shown in Figures 1.1 and 1.2 and - movable relative to one another in the vertical direction. In the view according to Figure 2, the longitudinally adjustable holder has a - first length X. The upper end of the longitudinally adjustable holder 1, whose cone 7 is not shown, is closed by a human body part, for example a finger or the ball of the thumb, as is indicated by reference number 11. Situated inside the longitudinally adjustable holder 1, there is a puncture needle 10. or puncture lancet which can be moved in the vertical direction according to the double ^"arrow. It is surrounded by the longitudinally adjustable holder 1. The arrows shown at the underside of the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 are intended to indicate the pressure that the user has to exert on the longitudinally adjustable holder 1. This pressure is necessary in order to collect, via the overpressure of the human skin 11 compressed inside the cone 7, the necessary volume of a sample 13, for example a drop of blood.

The puncture needle 10 or puncture lancet is received on a lancet support 14 merging into a lifting rod. The lifting rod is secured on a pivot lever 15. The pivot lever 15 in turn is designed to be able to rum about a pivot axis 16 and can be moved in the pivot direction indicated by the double arrow 17. The puncture lancet 10 and the lancet support .14, which ^" merges into the lifting rod, are located inside an opening 19 of a holder 18.

Since the puncture needle 10 or puncture lancet can be moved by means of the pivot lever 15 about the pivot axis 16, the puncture needle 10 and puncture lancet and lancet support 14 and lifting rod can be pivoted out from the opening 19 of the holder 18. In this way, the holder 19 is free to receive a test strip 12 (not shown in Figure 2) receiving the sample 13 (cf. view according to Figure 3). The first length X shown in Figure 2 is of such a dimension that the tip of the puncture needle 10 or puncture lancet does not yet touch the skin 11 and is at a distance from the latter.

The pivot axis 16 is arranged in such a way that it lies eccentrically with respect to the opening 19 of the holder 18. The movement of rotation of the pivot lever 15 is effected by a drive mechanism (not shown in Figure 2), for example an electric motor or a magnet or the like.

The view according to Figure 3 shows the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 which is placed against the human skin from which a sample, for example a drop of blood, emerges. From the view according to Figure 3, it will be seen that, in this state,- the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 still has the first length X. In the view according to Figure 3 too, the pressure exerted by the user on the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 is represented by

_ arrows. By means of the test strip 12 moving toward the sample volume 13 to be collected,

, said sample volume 13 is removed from the human skin 11 by the test strip 12 inside the longitudinally adjustable holder 1.

After the puncture needle 10 or puncture lancet shown in Figure 2 has been moved out from the opening 19 of the holder 18 by actuation of the pivot lever 15, a test strip 12 moves into the opening 19 of the holder 18. The vertical lifting movement of the test strip 12 into_. the inside of the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 can, for example, take place via a push rod 31. The push rod 31 is actuated by means of a drive not shown in Figure 2. The drive mechanism of the push rod 31 can, to give one example, be configured with a metal coil wound round the push rod- 31. A journal connected to the push rod 31 engages in the free spaces of the metal coil, so that the push rod 31 can be moved upward or downward vertically as the metal coil is driven via an electric drive mechanism, and a reciprocating movement of the test strip 12 coupled to the push rod 31 is generated inside the longitudinally adjustable holder 1. '

In a further alternative embodiment, a screw thread is formed on the push rod 31. The screw thread can be surrounded by a sleeve which is firmly anchored in the Z direction and which can be turned via a motor. When the motor is driven, the sleeve turns, and the push rod 31 is thus moved in the vertical direction. Finally, it is also possible to provide the push rod 31 with teeth so that the push rod 31 can be moved vertically inside the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 via a pinion that meshes with the teeth.

The test strip 12 has an opening 32 which, in the view according to Figure 3, is square. The opening -32 in the test strip 12 can of course also be round, oval or rectangular or can have any other desired geometry. The opening 32 is surrounded by an edge 34 and receives a hook 33 formed on the push rod 31. In this way, a coupling is obtained. between the test strip 12 and the push rod 31, so that the test strip 12, at whose upper end a test strip opening 30 is formed, can be placed against the sample 13 emerging from the human skin 11, for example a drop of blood or another body fluid. In the view according to Figure 3, the edges of the opening 19 form the guide for the test strip 12 inside the holder 18.

In the view according to Figure 4, the guide for the test strip in the opening 19 of the holder is shown on a larger scale.

The test strip 12 and the drive are coupled to one another via the hook 33 of the push rod 31 engaging in the opening 32. The drive generates the excursion movement, i.e. the movement of the test strip opening 30 to the sample 13 emerging from the human skin 11 in the form of a drop of blood or other body fluid. The opening 19 formed in the holder 18 can, during the puncturing procedure, receive the puncture needle 10 or puncture lancet and, during sample collection, can receive the test strip 12.

The coupling of the test strip 12 to .the drive 31 is shown once again in the view according to Figure 5. -

From the view according to Figure 5, it will be seen that the push rod 31 has a flat hook 33 whose bent end protrudes into the opening 32 of the test strip 12. In this way, a very flat coupling between the push rod 31 and the test strip 12 is obtained. The height of the hook 33 formed on the push rod 31 is dimensioned such that it protrudes into the opening 32 of the test strip 12 but does not extend beyond the upper surface thereof. Both an upward pushing movement of the test strip 12 and a downward pulling movement of the test strip 12 can be transmitted via the hook 33 of the push rod 31. For this purpose, the hook 33 has two stop surfaces separated from one another by a base surface. A web of the test strip 12 delimited by the underside of the test strip 12 and by the edge 34 of the opening 32 lies, according to the view in Figure 5, between the two mutually facing stop surfaces of the hook 33 which are separated by the base surface of the hook 33.

The view according to Figure 6 shows a longitudinally adjustable holder which has a 5 shorter overall length and which can be placed against the.human skin.

The arrows shown at the underside of the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 indicate the pressure which is exerted by the user when the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 is placed against the human skin 11.

10. From the view according to Figure 6, it will be clear that the holder 18, in whose opening 19 the test strip 12 is located, is placed against the human skin 11. The latter has been scratched beforehand by a puncture needle 10 or a puncture lancet, so that a drop of human body fluid, for example blood, can emerge from the skin 11. The sample 13 passes into the

15 test strip opening 30 of the test strip 12. By means of the holder 18 and the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 being placed against the human skin 11, the two cylinders 2, 3 of the, longitudinally adjustable holder 1, which are shown in Figures 1.1 and 1.2, move relative to one another so that said holder 1 assumes a length X-Y reduced compared to the first length X, as is shown in Figure 6. The two cylinders 2, 3 movable relative to one another 0 are pushed one inside the other, so that, when the holder 18 and the longitudinally adjustable holder 1 are pressed against the human skin 11, the test strip opening 30 of the test strip 12 takes up the sample 13 from the human skin 11.

The test strip 12 is connected to the push rod 31 via the hook 33. Reference number 365 ' designates an individual position of a test strip 12 inside a test strip magazine. Several sealed test strips 12 can be accommodated inside one magazine 37. The push rod 31 runs through the magazine 37. The magazine 37 can also hold used and as yet unused, sealed test strips 12. After the measurement, used test strips 12 can be drawn back into, individual positions 36 inside the magazine 37 and, after all the test strips 12 have been used, they can0 be disposed of together with the magazine 37. ■

The view according to Figure 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of a longitudinally adjustable holder comprising two disc-shaped bodies which can move relative to one another and which bear on one another along a toothed structure.5 As an alternative to the two cylinders 2, 3 shown in Figures 1.1 and 1.2, it is also possible to use the two disc-shaped bodies 20 and 21 shown in Figure 7. A first body 20 has a toothed structure 24 which complements a toothed structure 24 on a top face of a second body 21. Situated on the inside of the first body 20, there are a first sleeve 38 and a second sleeve 39. The sleeves 38, 39 each have an internal thread designed to complement the thread of -a first threaded rod 40 and of a second threaded rod 41. The threaded spindles 40, 41 are driven by drives 42, which are shown only schematically in the view according to Figure 7. Both drives 42 are driven in synchrony with one another and are able to move in a first direction of rotation 43 and also in a second direction of rotation 44, as is indicated in Figure 7 by the corresponding arrows. The disc-shaped bodies 20 and 21 can also be ' designed as cylinders and are provided with hollow spaces (view according to Figure 7).

The, second body 21 shown in Figure 7 is stationary, i.e. the first body 20, which in the illustrative embodiment according to Figure 7 is of a disc-shaped configuration, can move relative to the second body 21. When the two drives 42 are driven in the first direction of rotation 43, the ^'first disc-shaped body 20 moves upwards relative to the second discshaped body 21 according to the reciprocating movement 23. During the vertical reciprocating movement 23, turning of the two bodies 20, 21- relative to one another is avoided by virtue of the fact that the tooth flanks of the toothed structure 24 lie against one another. The maximum lifting movement corresponds to the height of the tooth flanks of the toothed structure 24 and is indicated by reference number 26 in Figure 7. During the vertical reciprocating movement 23, the toothed structure 24 has the effect that there is no turning of the. first body 20 relative to the second body 21 which is fixed on the housing and which, in the illustrative embodiment according to Figure 7, has a disc-shaped configuration.

Depending on whether the two electrical drives 42 shown in Figure 7 are driven in the first direction of rotation 43 or the second direction of rotation 44, the first disc-shaped body 20 moves away from the fixed, first body 21 or moves towards it. A cone 7 which can be • placed on the first surface 28, and which is comparable to the cone shown in Figures' 1.1 and 1.2, accordingly also moves in the vertical direction as a result of the reciprocating movement 23.^' The second surface 29 on the^" underside of the second disc-shaped body 21 is traversed by the threaded spindles 40 and 41 shown in Figure 7. Instead of the two drives 42 shown in Figure 7 and designed as electromotive drives, it is also possible for the two threaded spindles 40,' 41 to be moved in rotation by one drive common to both spindles 40, 41. The individual tooth flanks of the toothed structure 24 are designed in accordance with the desired reciprocating movement 23. To achieve a maximum lift 26 of ΔH_max, the tooth flanks are made as high as possible, whereas the extent of the tpoth flanks of the toothed structure 24 in the circumferential direction relative to the first body 20 and second body 21 is of somewhat lesser importance. The design of the toothed structure 24 ensures that there is no relative turning of the movable first disc-shaped body 20 relative to the second, disc-shaped body 21 fixed on the housing.

The higher it is possible to make the individual tooth flanks of the toothed structure 24 between the first disc-shaped body 20 and the second disc-shaped body 21, the greater the maximum lift ΔH_max (reference number 26) that can be achieved. In the vertical reciprocating movement 23 effected by the drive of the spindles 40, 41,. it must be ensured that the teeth 24 formed on the underside of the first disc-shaped body 20 and on the top of the second disc-shaped body 21 do not disengage from one another. As long as the individual teeth of the toothed structure on the first disc-shaped body 20 and on the second disc-shaped body 21 engage in one another, a relative turning movement of the first discshaped body_.20 relative to the second disc-shaped body 21 fixed on the housing is ruled out.

List of reference labels

1 longitudinally adjustable holder

2 outer cylinder

3 inner cylinder

4 toothed gear

5 pin

6 slot

7 cone

8 cylinder guide

9 bearing piece

10 puncture needle (lancet)

11 human skin

12 test strip

13 (blood) sample (body fluid)

14 lancet support

15 pivot lever

16 pivot axis

17 ^' pivot direction ■

18 holder'

19 opening

20 first disc-shaped body

21 second disc-shaped body

22 toothed structure

23 reciprocating movement

24 ^{' '} tooth flanks

26 height adjustment ΔH_max

27 lifting mechanism

28 first surface (top part of cone 7)

29 second surface

X first length

X-Y second length test strip opening push rod opening in the test strip hook edge ^' individual position of test strip 12 ■ test strip magazine first sleeve second sleeve first threaded spindle • second threaded spindle ^" drive ^" first direction of rotation ^•second direction of rotation base surface . first stop surface second stop surface test strip web height of test strip web

Claims

Patent claims

1. Appliance for collecting samples (13), in particular body fluids and tissue, comprising a holder (18) for a sample collection device, the sample collection device either comprising means (10) for obtaining the samples (13) and the sample collection device having a sample support (12) , and also a holding device assigned to the sample support (12), or being designed as an integrated sample collection and sample support device, where, for the purpose of collecting samples (13), they can be driven out of the holder (18) through a p.assage, characterized in that; in the passage (19) of the holder (18), a longitudinally adjustable holder (1) is arranged whose length can be adapted to the path of travel of the sample support (12) outside the holder (18).

2. Appliance according to Claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinally adjustable holder (1) is of telescopic design.

3. Appliance according to Claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinally adjustable holder (1) is of cylindrical design.

4. Appliance according to Claim 3, characterized in that the longitudinally adjustable holder (1) comprises two concentric cylinders (2, 3).

5. Appliance according to Claim 4, characterized in that one of the cylinders (2, 3) executes, relative to the other, a reciprocating movement (23) along its longitudinal axis.

6. Appliance according to Claim 5, characterized in that an inner cylinder (3) is mounted rotatably in an outer cylinder (2), said outer cylinder (2) being able to move in the longitudinal direction.

7. Appliance according to Claim 5, characterized in that the outer cylinder (2) executes a movement along its longitudinal axis when the inner cylinder (3) rotates.

8.- Appliance according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the inner cylinder (3) can be rotated by a toothed gear (4) or via friction discs.

9. Appliance according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the inner cylinder (3) is assigned pins (5) for moving in a slot (6) of the cylinder movable along its longitudinal axis.

10. Appliance according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the cylinder (3) movable along its longitudinal axis is assigned an exchangeable top part for holding a cone (7).

11. Appliance according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the cylinder (2) movable along its longitudinal axis is. assigned a cone (7).

12. Appliance according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the cone (7) is designed as a finger cone.

13. Appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the means (10) for obtaining the samples (13) are designed as a lancet or needle (10).

14. Appliance according to Claim 1, characterized in that guide sections are designed as hollow bodies.

15. Appliance according to Claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinally adjustable holder (1) has a first body part -(20) and a second body part (21) which are positioned in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to one another by teeth (22) and can be.moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction (23).

16. Appliance according to Claim 15, characterized in that the teeth (22) are formed both on the first body part (20) and on the second body part (21), and the first body part (20) and the second body part (21) are guided in the longitudinal direction by tooth flanks (24).

17. Appliance according to-Claim 1, characterized in that the means (10) for obtaining and conveying the samples (13) can be pivoted out from the passage (19) of the holder (18), and the sample support (12) can be driven out of the holder (18) through the passage (19).

18. Longitudinally adjustable holder (1), in particular for use in an appliance for collecting samples (13) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 17, which in terms of its length can be adapted to the path of travel of at least one element of a sample collection device outside a holder (18) receiving the sample collection device.