Gene sequencer, refrigeration device and sequencing method of gene sequencer

Abstract

The invention relates to a gene sequencer, in particular to fluid supply of the gene sequencer, and provides the gene sequencer, a refrigeration device and a sequencing method of the gene sequencer. The gene sequencer comprises: a fluid system for conveying a sample to be detected and / or a reagent for detection to a biochip; the storage module is used for placing a liquid container for containing a to-be-detected sample and / or a detection reagent; and a storage module lifting device. When the liquid suction module sucks liquid through the reagent needle, the height of the storage module can be increased, and compared with the mode that the reagent needle is inserted into a to-be-detected sample and / or a detection reagent in a liquid container by reducing the height of the liquid suction module, liquid in the liquid conveying pipe can flow into the biological chip more conveniently, release of dissolved gas in the liquid is reduced, and the detection efficiency is improved. Therefore, the technical problem that bubbles easily appear in the infusion tube of the gene sequencer can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gene sequencer, and in particular to a fluid supply for a gene sequencer. Background Art

[0002] A gene sequencer generally includes a main body of the sequencer, a chip-carrying system, a fluid system, a refrigeration device, an optical detection system, and a control system. The fluid system generally includes a pump device, a valve device, an infusion tube, and a liquid aspiration module. The liquid aspiration module can downwardly puncture the liquid container containing the test sample and / or the detection reagent, thereby aspirating the test sample and / or the detection reagent. The test sample and / or the detection reagent can then be transported to the biological detection chip through the infusion tube under the action of the pump device. The refrigeration device generally includes a storage module, which is used to store the test sample and / or the detection reagent at a low temperature. The detection reagent includes a reaction reagent and a non-reaction reagent (such as a buffer).

[0003] During testing, a pump in the fluid system transports the sample from the refrigerator to the biochip on the chip carrier system. Various reagents are then introduced sequentially (the lines must be cleaned to remove the previous reagent before each new one is introduced), and this process is repeated several times. An optical detection system detects the optical signal from the biochip, enabling gene sequencing.

[0004] The test sample and / or detection reagent can enter the biochip along the infusion tube under the action of the pump device. However, in actual use, bubbles sometimes appear in the circulation pool of the biochip. After the bubbles gather in the circulation pool of the biochip, the circulation pool may not be filled with reagents, which will affect the smooth progress of gene sequencing and even cause detection failure, thereby wasting the biochip, the test sample and / or detection reagent, and delaying a lot of detection time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention mainly solves the technical problem that bubbles are easily generated in the infusion tube of a gene sequencer.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a refrigeration device.

[0007] A refrigeration device for a gene sequencer, comprising:

[0008] A storage module, the storage module being used to place liquid containers for samples to be tested and / or detection reagents;

[0009] A storage module lifting device, comprising a bearing seat and a lifting drive mechanism, wherein the storage module is arranged on the bearing seat, and the lifting drive mechanism is used to drive the bearing seat to move up and down;

[0010] and a liquid aspiration module, the liquid aspiration module comprising a reagent needle, the reagent needle being used to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent in the liquid container to supply the sample to the biochip;

[0011] The reagent needle is located above the storage module. During the lifting stroke, the storage module has a liquid aspiration position for the reagent needle to enter the liquid container to aspirate the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent.

[0012] In a technical solution, a lifting space is provided on one side of the lifting drive mechanism in the horizontal direction, and the bearing seat is arranged on the side of the lifting drive mechanism in the horizontal direction.

[0013] In one technical solution, the storage module lifting device includes a lifting device frame, the supporting seat is movably arranged on the lifting device frame, the supporting seat is a cantilever structure, one horizontal end of the supporting seat is movably assembled on the lifting device frame, and the other end is suspended in the air, and the storage module is provided with an item taking and placing port on the side corresponding to the suspended end of the supporting seat.

[0014] In one technical solution, the lifting device frame includes a bottom support plate and a vertical guide frame. The vertical guide frame is fixed on one side of the bottom support plate in the horizontal direction. The bearing seat is movably arranged on the vertical guide frame. The bearing seat and the bottom support plate are located on the same side of the vertical guide frame in the horizontal direction.

[0015] In a technical solution, a top mounting seat is provided on the top of the storage module lifting device, and the liquid suction module is assembled on the top mounting seat.

[0016] In one technical solution, the lifting drive device is in the form of a screw-nut mechanism, and the lifting drive device includes a screw and a transmission nut. The screw is connected to a drive motor, and the transmission nut is fixed on the bearing seat.

[0017] In one technical solution, the drive motor is fixed to the top of the storage module lifting device.

[0018] In one technical solution, the storage module is provided with a first reagent area and a second reagent area, the first reagent area and the second reagent area are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, the liquid aspiration module is movably arranged along the arrangement direction of the first reagent area and the second reagent area, and the reagent needle has two working positions, and the two working positions are aligned with the first reagent area and the second reagent area respectively.

[0019] In one technical solution, each of the first reagent area and the second reagent area is provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of the first reagent area is provided between at least two adjacent columns of the second reagent area.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a gene sequencer.

[0021] A gene sequencer, comprising:

[0022] A chip carrying system, wherein the chip carrying system is used to carry a biochip;

[0023] An optical detection system, wherein the optical detection system is used to perform optical detection on the biochip;

[0024] A fluid system, the fluid system being used to transport the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent to the biochip;

[0025] and a refrigeration device, which is used for storing samples to be tested and / or detection reagents at low temperatures. The refrigeration device is the refrigeration device described in any of the above technical solutions.

[0026] In a third aspect, the present invention provides another gene sequencer.

[0027] A gene sequencer, comprising:

[0028] A chip carrying system, wherein the chip carrying system is used to carry a biochip;

[0029] An optical detection system, wherein the optical detection system is used to perform optical detection on the biochip;

[0030] A fluid system for transporting a sample to be tested and / or a detection reagent to the biochip; the fluid system includes a liquid pipetting module, the liquid pipetting module includes a reagent needle, the reagent needle is used to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent in the liquid container to supply the biochip;

[0031] A storage module, the storage module being used to place liquid containers for samples to be tested and / or detection reagents;

[0032] and a storage module lifting device, the storage module lifting device comprising a bearing seat and a lifting drive mechanism, the storage module being arranged on the bearing seat, the lifting drive mechanism being used to drive the bearing seat to move up and down;

[0033] The reagent needle is located above the storage module. During the lifting and lowering stroke, the storage module has a liquid aspiration position that allows the reagent needle to enter the liquid container to aspirate the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent. When the storage module is at the liquid aspiration position, the liquid level in the liquid container is higher than the chip carrying system.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a gene sequencer sequencing method.

[0035] A sequencing method for a gene sequencer includes a liquid aspiration step. During the liquid aspiration step, a storage module is moved toward a reagent needle located above it, so that the reagent needle is inserted into a sample to be tested and / or a detection reagent to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent. The storage module is a module for refrigerating and storing liquid containers for containing the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent.

[0036] In one technical solution, a cleaning step is included. During the cleaning step, the aspiration module is moved horizontally so that the reagent needle has two working positions. The two working positions are aligned vertically with the first reagent area and the second reagent area arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the storage module, respectively. The first reagent area contains the reaction reagent, and the second reagent area contains the buffer solution for cleaning the pipeline.

[0037] In one technical solution, each of the first reagent area and the second reagent area is provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of the first reagent area is provided between at least two adjacent columns of the second reagent area. After the reagent needle has absorbed the sample to be tested from the first reagent area, it moves to the nearest column of the second reagent area to absorb the buffer solution, so as to use the buffer solution to clean the pipeline.

[0038] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0039] By setting up a storage module lifting device, when the aspiration module aspirates liquid through the reagent needle, the height of the storage module can be increased, and the height of the liquid container in the storage module for holding the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent will also increase. Compared with lowering the height of the aspiration module to allow the reagent needle to insert the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent in the liquid container, it is more conducive to the liquid in the infusion tube to flow into the biochip, which is beneficial to reducing the release of dissolved gas in the liquid, thereby helping to solve the technical problem of bubbles easily appearing in the infusion tube of the gene sequencer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a gene sequencer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the appearance of the intermediate refrigeration unit;

[0042] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the arrangement of the internal components and the outer shell of the refrigerated storage unit, with a portion of the outer shell cut away;

[0043] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional image with the shell hidden in the middle;

[0044] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A stereogram from another perspective;

[0045] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A perspective view of the housing of the refrigeration device hidden in the middle;

[0046] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A perspective view of the refrigerator housing when it is hidden.

[0047] List of feature names corresponding to the reference numerals in the figures:

[0048] 100. Sequencer body;

[0049] 200, chip platform;

[0050] 300, aspiration module; 310, aspiration base; 320, reagent needle;

[0051] 400, refrigeration device; 410, housing; 411, article access port; 420, storage module; 431, first reagent area; 432, second reagent area;

[0052] 440, lifting device frame; 441, bottom support plate; 442, vertical guide frame; 443, vertical guide rail; 444, top mounting seat; 450, bearing seat; 451, seat body; 452, bearing arm; 461, lead screw; 462, drive motor; 471, transverse guide rail; 472, transverse motor; 473, driving pulley; 474, driven pulley; 475, transmission belt; 480, radiator;

[0053] 500. Optical detection system;

[0054] 600, display module;

[0055] 700. Circuit module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present invention will be further described in detail below by means of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are numbered with associated similar elements. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable the present application to be better understood. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that some of the features may be omitted in different circumstances, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid the core portion of the present application being overwhelmed by excessive descriptions, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail. They will fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0057] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. Furthermore, the steps or actions in the method description may be reordered or adjusted in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are provided solely for the purpose of clearly describing a particular embodiment and are not intended to be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.

[0058] The serial numbers assigned to components herein, such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. References to "connection" and "coupling" herein, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, the supply method of the test samples and / or detection reagents of the gene sequencer is creatively changed from the movement of the pipetting module toward the liquid container for holding the test samples and / or detection reagents to the upward movement of the liquid container toward the pipetting module. Although only the relative motion relationship is changed, the height of the test samples and / or detection reagents can be raised, so that the liquid test samples and / or detection reagents have greater potential energy, thereby forming a greater hydraulic pressure in the fluid system used to transport the test samples and / or detection reagents to the biochip, which is beneficial to avoid bubbles in the infusion tube of the fluid system and also facilitates the liquid test samples and / or detection reagents to fill the circulation pool on the biochip.

[0060] Some embodiments of a gene sequencer in the present invention:

[0061] Please refer to Figure 1 In one embodiment, the gene sequencer includes a sequencer body 100, which is used to carry various functional units, including a chip carrying system, a fluid system, a refrigeration device 400, an optical detection system 500, a control system, and a processing system. In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments and technical solutions of the present invention, the following is Figure 1 The upper, lower, left, right, front and back directions shown in the middle coordinate indication are described. Of course, the direction limitation in the embodiment is only for more clearly illustrating the positional relationship between the various components, and does not limit the present invention to be arranged in this way.

[0062] The chip carrying system is used to carry the biochip and can realize the positioning and clamping of the biochip. Since the biochip generally needs to be loaded with the sample to be tested when in use, a fluid interface generally needs to be set on the chip carrying system. The fluid interface can be connected to the fluid system and docked with the circulation pool interface on the biochip after the biochip is loaded. Specifically, the chip carrying system may include a chip platform 200, and a chip positioning structure and a clamping structure are set on the chip platform 200. The biochip is positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions through the chip positioning structure and fixed by the clamping structure. The specific structure of the chip carrying system can adopt the existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The chip carrier system is disposed in the middle of the gene sequencer in the left-right direction and is located in the lower middle portion of the gene sequencer. Placing the chip carrier system in the lower middle portion of the gene sequencer helps increase the height difference between the biochip and the sample to be tested and / or detection reagents in the storage module 420 (described below), thereby better preventing bubbles from forming in the fluid system.

[0064] It should be noted that the chip carrier system can be positioned in an adjustable position, for example, to the left or right side of the gene sequencer, or even in the upper middle of the gene sequencer. However, considering operational convenience and the reduction of air bubbles in the fluid system, it is more advantageous to position the chip carrier system relatively low.

[0065] Please refer to Figures 3 to 7 , the liquid container for supplying the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent to the biochip on the chip platform 200 is placed in the storage module 420. The storage module 420 can be a box structure with a container holding space. The storage module 420 can also have a cover or be set as an open structure. In the case where the fluid system adopts a reagent needle 320 to aspirate liquid, in order to facilitate sampling, a avoidance port for the aspiration needle to pass through should be provided on the storage module 420 with a cover. It should be noted that the structure of the storage module 420 is not limited to the above-mentioned box structure. For example, it can also be a frame structure or a tray structure with multiple storage positions. The storage module 420 is provided with a positioning structure, which can position different liquid containers at corresponding positions in the horizontal coordinate system, so that the reagent needle 320 can be accurately inserted into the liquid container.

[0066] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 3 to 7 , the storage module 420 is a part of the refrigeration device 400. In addition to the storage module 420, the refrigeration device 400 also includes Figure 2 、 Figure 3, further comprising a housing 410 and a storage module lifting device, the storage module lifting device being used to achieve the lifting and lowering of the storage module 420. The refrigeration device 400 can be integrally placed as a modular device within the sequencer body 100 of the gene sequencer. In this way, the refrigeration device 400 can be independently manufactured and assembled, which is conducive to the assembly of the entire machine and also facilitates the refrigeration performance of the storage module 420. The refrigeration device 400 is used for low-temperature storage of samples to be tested and / or detection reagents. The detection reagents include reaction reagents and non-reaction reagents. The reaction reagents are suitable for reacting with samples attached to the biochip to generate specific light for optical detection; non-reaction reagents, such as buffer solutions, can be used to clean the liquid circuit of the fluid system.

[0067] In a specific embodiment, the housing 410 of the refrigeration device 400 may include a heat insulation layer, which can enclose a low-temperature space that is relatively isolated from the outside world, which is conducive to maintaining a constant temperature and preventing the test samples and / or test reagents from becoming ineffective. A radiator 480 is provided at the rear of the refrigeration device 400, for example, a cooling fan can be used to achieve heat dissipation through air cooling. In order to place the test samples and / or test reagents into the storage module 420 and take them out from the storage module 420, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The front side of the housing 410 of the refrigeration device 400 is provided with an item access opening 411. When the storage module 420 moves vertically to the item access opening 411, the storage module 420 can be pulled out of the access opening, thereby performing an access operation. Of course, in some other embodiments, the refrigeration device 400 can also be provided with a door body, and the door body can be opened when taking items out.

[0068] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 The storage module lifting device includes a lifting device frame 440, a supporting seat 450 and a lifting drive mechanism. The lifting device frame 440 is used to support the supporting seat 450 and install the guide members, driving members, etc. required for realizing the lifting and lowering of the supporting seat 450. The supporting seat 450 is movably arranged on the lifting device frame 440. A lifting space is provided on one side of the lifting drive mechanism in the horizontal direction, and the supporting seat 450 is arranged on the horizontal side of the lifting drive mechanism. The supporting seat 450 is arranged on the horizontal side of the lifting drive mechanism to facilitate full utilization of the space in the gene sequencer, so that the storage module 420 can be lowered to a lower height to facilitate the removal and placement of samples. If the space is suitable, the lifting drive mechanism can also be arranged above, below, on the left or on the right side of the supporting seat 450.

[0069] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the lifting device frame 440 of the storage module lifting device is arranged in the shell 410 of the refrigeration device 400 and is in a refrigeration environment with a lower temperature. In some other embodiments, the storage module 420 itself can have a refrigeration component, and the storage module lifting device does not need to be in a refrigeration environment with a lower temperature.

[0070] To avoid obstructing the movement of the storage module 420 during access to and placement of items through the access opening 411 on the front side of the housing 410 of the refrigeration unit 400, the support base 450 has a cantilever structure. The rear end of the support base 450 is mounted on the lifting device frame 440, while the front end is suspended in the air. Specifically, the support base 450 includes a box-shaped main body 451, which defines a chamber for receiving the storage module 420. The front end of the chamber has an entrance and exit, allowing the storage module 420 to be pulled in and out of the chamber, similar to a drawer. To facilitate the entry and exit of the storage module 420, the entrance and exit of the chamber are provided with inclined guide ramps, forming a flared structure. A support arm 452 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the main body 451. The support arm 452 has a variable cross-section and a sloping bottom side that slopes downward from front to back, which helps reduce weight while ensuring sufficient load-bearing capacity. In other embodiments, the support base 450 can also be supported by the lifting drive mechanism in the middle of the front-to-back direction.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 3 to 6 To ensure the stability of the storage module lifting device, in one embodiment, the lifting device frame 440 of the storage module lifting device includes a bottom support plate 441 and a vertical guide frame 442. The vertical guide frame 442 is fixed to one horizontal side of the bottom support plate 441. The bearing seat 450 is movably mounted on the vertical guide frame 442. The bearing seat 450 and the bottom support plate 441 are located on the same horizontal side of the vertical guide frame 442. Specifically, two vertical guide rails 443 extending in the vertical direction are provided on the left and right sides of the vertical guide frame 442. The bearing seat 450 is movably mounted on the vertical guide rails 443 in the vertical direction.

[0072] By providing the bottom support plate 441, the center of gravity of the support base 450 and the storage module 420 can be located above the bottom support plate 441, thereby improving the load stability of the lifting device frame 440 and preventing the storage module lifting device from tipping over. It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the lifting device frame 440 can also adopt other structures, such as omitting the bottom support plate 441 and directly fixing it to the side wall of the shell 410 of the refrigeration device 400.

[0073] In order to achieve precise driving of the storage module 420, in one embodiment, the lifting drive device is in the form of a screw-nut mechanism, which includes a screw 461 and a transmission nut (not shown in the figure). The screw 461 is connected to the drive motor 462, and the transmission nut is fixed to the support base 450. Specifically, the screw 461 is vertically arranged in the middle of the vertical guide frame 442 in the left and right directions and is rotatably assembled on the vertical guide frame 442. The screw 461 can only rotate under the drive of the drive motor 462; the transmission nut is fixed to the rear end of the support base 450. The drive motor 462 drives the screw 461 to rotate forward and backward to achieve the lifting and lowering of the support base 450.

[0074] Considering that the drive motor 462 generates heat during operation, and to prevent this heat from affecting the temperature within the refrigeration unit 400, in one specific embodiment, the drive motor 462 is secured to the top of the housing 410 of the refrigeration unit 400 via a connecting bracket. In other embodiments, when the lifting drive device utilizes a screw-nut mechanism, the drive motor 462 may also be disposed at the bottom of the housing 410 of the refrigeration unit 400, or disposed on the left or right side of the housing 410 of the refrigeration unit 400 and reversed via a reversing mechanism such as bevel gears. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, the lifting drive device may be replaced with other mechanisms, such as a pneumatic cylinder or an electric push rod.

[0075] The gene sequencer's fluid system enables fluid transport, such as delivering test samples and / or detection reagents to a biochip. The fluid system can include a pump device, a rotary valve, an infusion tube, and a pipette module 300. The pipette module 300 includes several reagent needles 320, which are used to extract test samples and / or detection reagents from a liquid container for supply to the biochip. The number of reagent needles 320 can be determined based on the type of reagents required for gene sequencing. Each reagent needle 320 is simultaneously fixed to the pipette base 310 and can correspond to each liquid container placement position on the storage module 420.

[0076] In order to realize the installation of the reagent needle 320, in a specific embodiment, please refer to Figures 4 to 7 , the top of the vertical guide frame 442 is provided with a top mounting seat 444, and the top mounting seat 444 can be a plate-like structure. The liquid aspiration base 310 is arranged on the top mounting seat 444 and fixed in the vertical direction. When the storage module 420 is driven by the storage module lifting device to rise, the storage module 420 can move upward until the reagent needle 320 is inserted into the liquid container on the storage module 420, and the insertion depth can be set as needed. It should be noted that the lengths of the reagent needles 320 can be equal, or they can be designed to be unequal lengths according to different insertion depth requirements.

[0077] Each aspiration needle is connected to a rotary valve through its corresponding infusion tube. The rotary valve can be a multi-input and one-output structure, which is used to connect the output infusion tube to the chip carrier system and finally selectively connect to the corresponding flow channel on the corresponding biochip.

[0078] In order to generate liquid driving force, a pump device can be provided at the liquid outlet of the biochip to draw the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent by negative pressure. It should be noted that in some other embodiments, the pump device can also be a positive pressure delivery pump.

[0079] The above-mentioned pump device, rotary valve, infusion tube, suction module 300, etc. of the fluid system can adopt the structure of the existing technology, and will not be described in detail here.

[0080] In the initial state, the storage module 420 can be located at the bottom edge of the refrigeration device 400 and at the same height as the article access port 411 on the refrigeration device 400 under the drive of the storage module lifting device. When it is necessary to inject the test sample or detection reagent into the biochip, the storage module lifting device drives the storage module 420 to rise to the liquid aspiration position. The liquid aspiration position is a position that enables the reagent needle 320 to enter the liquid container to aspirate the test sample and / or detection reagent. When the storage module 420 is at the liquid aspiration position, the liquid level in the liquid container is higher than the chip carrying system. Then, the fluid system can extract the liquid from the liquid container through the reagent needle 320 and then transport it to the biochip. After the test sample adheres to the inner wall of the circulation pool of the biochip, the detection reagent is sequentially introduced into the biochip through the fluid system. The test sample reacts with the various reagents introduced in sequence. After each reaction, the optical detection system 500 can be used for optical detection, and finally gene sequencing is achieved.

[0081] After the storage module 420 rises, it not only meets the liquid aspiration needs of the liquid aspiration module 300, but also can raise the height of the sample to be tested and the detection reagent in the vertical direction, so that there is a greater liquid pressure in the fluid system between the chip carrying system and the storage module 420, which is conducive to avoiding the generation of bubbles and filling the biochip.

[0082] After a gene sequencer completes sequencing, the reagent needles 320 need to be cleaned before the run ends. Currently, most traditional cleaning methods involve replacing the liquid container in the storage module 420 with a new container containing a reagent capable of cleaning the reagent needles 320. This cleaning process then proceeds to clean each reagent needle 320. However, this method requires manual intervention, does not allow for fully automated cleaning, and is cumbersome to operate.

[0083] In order to solve the above problem, in one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4The storage module 420 is provided with a first reagent area 431 and a second reagent area 432. The first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, for example, in the left-right direction. The liquid aspiration module 300 is movably arranged along the arrangement direction of the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432. The reagent needle 320 has two working positions, which are respectively aligned with the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432. The first reagent area 431 can be used to place detection reagents for gene sequencing, while the second reagent area 432 can be used to place reagents for cleaning the reagent needle 320. With the above-mentioned reagent partition structure, after the gene sequencer completes sequencing, the working position of the reagent needle 320 can be directly replaced by moving it in the horizontal direction to a position aligned with the second reagent area 432 in the vertical direction. The reagent needle 320 can then be cleaned directly without replacing the liquid container in the storage module 420.

[0084] In a specific embodiment, please refer to Figures 4 to 7 The aspiration base 310 for carrying each reagent needle 320 is movably arranged in the horizontal direction, for example, by being movably assembled to the top mounting seat 444 of the vertical guide frame 442 via a transverse guide rail 471. In order to control the movement of the aspiration base 310 carrying each reagent needle 320, in one embodiment, the refrigeration device 400 further includes a transverse motor 472. The transverse motor 472 is fixed to the top of the housing 410 of the refrigeration device 400, corresponding to the right side of the lifting bracket. At the same time, a driving pulley 473 is provided on the drive shaft connected to the transverse motor 472. A driven pulley 474 is rotatably mounted on the left side of the lifting device frame 440. A transmission belt 475 is wound around the driving pulley 473 and the driven pulley 474. The aspiration base 310 for carrying each reagent needle 320 is fixed to the transmission belt 475 via a connecting seat, thereby driving the aspiration base 310 and the reagent needle 320.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432 are respectively concentrated on both sides of the lateral movement direction of the aspiration needle, that is, they are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the storage module 420. This arrangement facilitates reducing the left-right dimensions of the aspiration base 310, which is conducive to reducing weight. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, the second reagent areas 432 can be alternately arranged along the lateral movement direction of the reagent needle 320, which is conducive to reducing the lateral movement distance of the reagent needle 320. In one embodiment, the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432 can each be provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of the first reagent area 431 is provided between at least two adjacent columns of the second reagent areas 432. Specifically, a column of the first reagent area 431 and a column of the second reagent area 432 can be alternately arranged along the lateral movement direction of the reagent needle 320, which is conducive to reducing the lateral movement distance of the reagent needle 320.

[0086] It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the aspiration base 310 for supporting each reagent needle 320 is movable in the left-right direction. In other embodiments, the aspiration base 310 may also be movable in other horizontal directions, such as forward and backward. Furthermore, the drive mechanism for implementing the reagent needle 320 may also adopt other forms, such as direct drive via a screw-nut mechanism, or driven by a cylinder, electric push rod, etc.

[0087] The chip carrier system, optical detection system 500, fluid system and refrigeration device 400 are all connected to the control system. The control system is connected to the processing system as a lower computer. The control system can control the actions of the corresponding components, while the processing system can be a computer as a higher computer, which can obtain the detection results and transmit control instructions to the control system. In addition, please refer to Figure 1 The gene sequencer also includes a display module 600, a circuit module 700, etc., which are respectively used to realize status and data display and power supply of the sequencer.

[0088] An embodiment of the gene sequencer sequencing method of the present invention:

[0089] In one embodiment, taking the gene sequencer in the above embodiment for gene sequencing as an example, the gene sequencer sequencing method includes a chip loading step, a liquid aspiration step, and a detection step.

[0090] During the chip loading step, the biochip can be positioned and clamped on the chip platform 200 to complete the loading. The liquid inlet and outlet of the circulation pool in the biochip are simultaneously connected to the corresponding fluid interface on the chip carrier system.

[0091] During the aspiration step, the storage module 420 is moved toward the reagent needle 320 located above it, allowing the reagent needle 320 to be inserted into the test sample and / or detection reagent to extract the test sample and / or detection reagent. The storage module 420 is a module used to refrigerate and store the liquid container containing the test sample and / or detection reagent. The mobile implementation of the storage module 420 can adopt the structure of any of the above-mentioned embodiments of the gene sequencer.

[0092] The detection step can be performed by the optical detection system 500 in the above-mentioned gene sequencer. The specific detection method can adopt existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0093] The sequencing method of the gene sequencer also includes a cleaning step. During the cleaning step, the liquid aspiration module 300 is moved horizontally so that the reagent needle 320 has two working positions. The two working positions are aligned vertically with the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the storage module 420. The first reagent area 431 holds the reaction reagent, and the second reagent area 432 holds the buffer solution for cleaning the pipeline.

[0094] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first reagent area 431 and the second reagent area 432 are each provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of first reagent areas 431 is provided between at least two adjacent columns of second reagent areas 432. After the reagent needle 320 has absorbed the sample to be tested from the first reagent area 431, it moves to the nearest column of second reagent areas 432 to absorb the buffer solution, so as to use the buffer solution to clean the pipeline.

[0095] Of course, the cleaning step can also be completed according to other embodiments of the above-mentioned gene sequencer.

[0096] The above examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which are only used to help understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make several simple deductions, modifications or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device for a gene sequencer, characterized in that: include: A storage module, the storage module being used to place liquid containers for samples to be tested and / or detection reagents; A storage module lifting device, comprising a bearing seat and a lifting drive mechanism, wherein the storage module is arranged on the bearing seat, and the lifting drive mechanism is used to drive the bearing seat to move up and down; and a liquid aspiration module, the liquid aspiration module comprising a reagent needle, the reagent needle being used to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent in the liquid container to supply the sample to the biochip; The reagent needle is located above the storage module. During the lifting stroke, the storage module has a liquid aspiration position for the reagent needle to enter the liquid container to aspirate the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent.

2. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein A lifting space is provided on one side of the lifting drive mechanism in the horizontal direction, and the bearing seat is arranged on the side of the lifting drive mechanism in the horizontal direction.

3. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, wherein: The storage module lifting device includes a lifting device frame, the supporting seat is movably arranged on the lifting device frame, the supporting seat is a cantilever structure, one horizontal end of the supporting seat is movably assembled on the lifting device frame, and the other end is suspended in the air, and the storage module is provided with an item taking and placing port on the side corresponding to the suspended end of the supporting seat.

4. The refrigeration device according to claim 3, wherein: The lifting device frame includes a bottom support plate and a vertical guide frame. The vertical guide frame is fixed to one side of the bottom support plate in the horizontal direction. The bearing seat is movably arranged on the vertical guide frame. The bearing seat and the bottom support plate are located on the same side of the vertical guide frame in the horizontal direction.

5. The refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A top mounting seat is provided on the top of the storage module lifting device, and the liquid suction module is assembled on the top mounting seat.

6. The refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The lifting drive device is in the form of a screw-nut mechanism, and includes a screw and a transmission nut. The screw is connected to a drive motor, and the transmission nut is fixed on the bearing seat.

7. The refrigeration device according to claim 6, wherein: The driving motor is fixed on the top of the storage module lifting device.

8. The refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The storage module is provided with a first reagent area and a second reagent area, the first reagent area and the second reagent area are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, the liquid aspiration module is movably arranged along the arrangement direction of the first reagent area and the second reagent area, and the reagent needle has two working positions, and the two working positions are respectively aligned with the first reagent area and the second reagent area in an upper and lower direction.

9. The refrigeration device according to claim 8, wherein The first reagent areas and the second reagent areas are each provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of the first reagent areas is provided between at least two adjacent columns of the second reagent areas.

10. A gene sequencer, characterized in that: include: A chip carrying system, wherein the chip carrying system is used to carry a biochip; An optical detection system, wherein the optical detection system is used to perform optical detection on the biochip; A fluid system, the fluid system being used to transport the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent to the biochip; and a refrigeration device, wherein the refrigeration device is used for storing samples to be tested and / or detection reagents at low temperatures, and the refrigeration device is the refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A gene sequencer, characterized in that: include: A chip carrying system, wherein the chip carrying system is used to carry a biochip; An optical detection system, wherein the optical detection system is used to perform optical detection on the biochip; A fluid system for transporting a sample to be tested and / or a detection reagent to the biochip; the fluid system includes a liquid pipetting module, the liquid pipetting module includes a reagent needle, the reagent needle is used to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent in the liquid container to supply the biochip; A storage module, the storage module being used to place liquid containers for samples to be tested and / or detection reagents; and a storage module lifting device, the storage module lifting device comprising a bearing seat and a lifting drive mechanism, the storage module being arranged on the bearing seat, the lifting drive mechanism being used to drive the bearing seat to move up and down; The reagent needle is located above the storage module. During the lifting and lowering stroke, the storage module has a liquid aspiration position that allows the reagent needle to enter the liquid container to aspirate the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent. When the storage module is at the liquid aspiration position, the liquid level in the liquid container is higher than the chip carrying system.

12. A gene sequencer sequencing method, characterized in that: It includes a liquid aspiration step. When performing the liquid aspiration step, the storage module is moved toward the reagent needle located above it, so that the reagent needle is inserted into the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent to extract the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent. The storage module is a module for refrigerating and storing liquid containers for the sample to be tested and / or the detection reagent.

13. The gene sequencer sequencing method according to claim 12, wherein: It includes a cleaning step. When performing the cleaning step, the liquid aspiration module is moved horizontally so that the reagent needle has two working positions. The two working positions are aligned vertically with the first reagent area and the second reagent area arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the storage module, respectively. The first reagent area holds the reaction reagent, and the second reagent area holds the buffer solution for cleaning the pipeline.

14. The gene sequencer sequencing method according to claim 13, wherein: Each of the first reagent area and the second reagent area is provided with at least two columns, and at least one column of the first reagent area is provided between at least two adjacent columns of the second reagent area. After the reagent needle has absorbed the sample to be tested from the first reagent area, it moves to the nearest column of the second reagent area to absorb the buffer solution, so as to use the buffer solution to clean the pipeline.

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