An automatic sample injection device applied to array capillary electrophoresis

Abstract

The application provides an automatic sampling device applied to array capillary electrophoresis in the field of electrophoretic detection, which comprises a sampling unit and a multi-axis machine table, the sampling unit comprises a sampling cylinder table, a rotating feeding mechanism and a sliding frame are arranged in the sampling cylinder table, vertical capillary tubes are fixed on the sliding frame, outer protective tubes are sleeved with the capillary tubes, a flushing gap is arranged between the capillary tubes and the outer protective tubes, the bottom end of the outer protective tube is higher than the bottom end of the capillary tube, the top end of the outer protective tube is lower than the top end of the capillary tube, and a detector for detecting samples in the capillary tubes is fixed on one side of the sampling cylinder table; the capillary tubes are protected by the outer protective tubes and the flushing gap is designed, so that the capillary tubes can be regularly cleaned and maintained, the good performance of the capillary tubes is ensured, the sampling execution mechanism is integrated with multiple functions such as power supply, gel supply and cleaning agent supply, the detection efficiency of gel electrophoresis is effectively improved, the automatic sampling device has market prospects, and is suitable for popularization and application.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electrophoresis detection, in particular to an automatic sample injection device applied to array capillary electrophoresis. BACKGROUND

[0002] In many fields of modern biochemistry, molecular biology, etc., capillary electrophoresis is widely used as a high-efficiency separation and analysis technology. In particular, array capillary electrophoresis can simultaneously analyze multiple samples, greatly improving the detection efficiency.

[0003] However, the traditional gel capillary electrophoresis sample injection device and method gradually exposes many limitations in practical application. For example, after single detection, in order to maintain the accuracy of detection and prevent false positive phenomena, the part of the capillary in contact with the sample needs to be cleaned and the gel in the capillary needs to be replaced, which has low replacement efficiency and affects the efficiency of the entire electrophoresis analysis. Therefore, an automatic sample injection device applied to array capillary electrophoresis is proposed. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application aims to reduce the preparation time of traditional gel capillary electrophoresis and improve the efficiency of electrophoresis analysis. Compared with the prior art, an automatic sample injection device applied to array capillary electrophoresis is provided, which includes a sample injection unit and a multi-axis machine table, the multi-axis machine table is used to provide a sample dish for the sample injection unit, the sample injection unit includes a support and a sample cylinder table fixed on the support, a rotating feeding mechanism and a sliding bracket are arranged in the sample cylinder table, a plurality of sliding brackets are connected to the rotating feeding mechanism in the vertical direction at equal angles, a vertical capillary is fixed on each sliding bracket, an outer protective tube is sleeved outside the capillary, a flushing gap is arranged between the capillary and the outer protective tube, the bottom end of the outer protective tube is higher than the bottom end of the capillary, and the top end of the outer protective tube is lower than the top end of the capillary, and a detector for detecting the sample in the capillary is fixed on one side of the sample cylinder table.

[0005] The top end of the sliding bracket is provided with an upper fixed seat for fixing the top of the capillary and the outer protective tube, the bottom end of the sliding bracket is provided with a lower fixed seat for fixing the bottom of the capillary and the outer protective tube, and the bottom of the lower fixed seat is fixed with a negative electrode needle.

[0006] The top of the sample cylinder table is provided with a sample injection execution mechanism, the sample injection execution mechanism includes a power supply end and a plurality of function end, the bottom of the power supply end is provided with a positive electrode needle, the positive electrode needle is used to provide voltage for the capillary running to the bottom of the power supply end, the bottom of the function end is provided with an inner liquid supply port and an outer liquid supply port, and the function end is used to provide gel or cleaning agent for the capillary running to the bottom thereof.

[0007] Further, the multi-axis machine is an XY-axis linear module, and an output end of the multi-axis machine is fixedly provided with a sample holder for clamping a sample dish.

[0008] Further, the rotating feeding mechanism comprises an outer cylinder, an outer wall of the outer cylinder is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves, one side of the sliding frame is provided with a sliding bar matched with the sliding grooves, a limiting block is further fixed in the sliding groove, a limiting groove matched with the limiting block is arranged on the sliding bar, and a tension spring is further clamped between the limiting groove and the limiting block.

[0009] A bottom of the outer cylinder is sleeved with an inner column, a limiting ring groove is arranged at the bottom of the inner column, a limiting sliding ring matched with the limiting ring groove is arranged on an inner wall of the outer cylinder, the inner column is rotationally connected to the bottom of the outer cylinder through the limiting sliding ring, a driving motor is fixed to the top of the inner column, a driving gear is fixed to an output end of the driving motor, and an inner tooth ring matched with the driving gear is arranged on the inner wall of the outer cylinder.

[0010] The bottom of the inner column is further fixed with a supporting table, supporting arms are symmetrically fixed to both sides of the supporting table, a second sliding rod is fixed to the top of an end of the supporting arm away from the supporting table, the second sliding rod is limitingly and slidingly connected to the bottom of the sample feeding cylinder table, and a second return spring is further clamped between the second sliding rod and the bottom of the sample feeding cylinder table.

[0011] Further, the tension spring has an elastic force for driving the sliding frame to move upward, the second return spring has an elastic force for driving the supporting table to move upward, and the driving motor is a servo stepping motor.

[0012] Further, the bottom of the sliding groove is of an open structure, an extension groove is arranged on a side of the supporting table opposite to the detector, and the extension groove has the same profile as the slot opening of the sliding groove.

[0013] Further, one side of the sliding frame away from the outer cylinder is provided with a detection hole, the other side of the sliding frame is provided with a noise reduction back plate matched with the detection hole, the capillary tube is arranged between the detection hole and the noise reduction back plate, and the detection hole and the detection end of the detector are arranged opposite to each other when the sliding frame and the supporting table move downward to the maximum stroke.

[0014] Further, a center sliding groove is arranged at the top of the outer cylinder, the sample feeding execution mechanism further comprises an execution cylinder fixed to the top of the sample feeding cylinder table, an execution rod is fixed to an output end of the execution cylinder, the power supply end is fixed to the middle of the execution rod, a synchronous pressing head is fixed to an end of the execution rod away from the execution cylinder, and a third sliding rod matched with the center sliding groove is fixed to the bottom of the synchronous pressing head.

[0015] Further, the top of the several functional tips is fixed with an arc-shaped rod, the arc-shaped rod is also fixed with two groups of first sliding rods symmetrically away from the side of the execution cylinder, the first sliding rods are limitingly and slidingly connected to the top of the sample cylinder table, the first sliding rods are also clamped with first return springs between the first sliding rods and the sample cylinder table, the first return springs have elastic force to drive the arc-shaped rod to move upward away from the sample cylinder table, and the side of the arc-shaped rod close to the execution cylinder is also provided with a pressure receiving end matched with the synchronous pressing head.

[0016] Further, the bottom of the sample cylinder table is also fixed with a C-shaped disc, the C-shaped disc is provided with a liquid carrying groove corresponding to the functional tip, and the bottom of the liquid carrying groove is provided with a discharge port.

[0017] Further, in the free state of the second return spring, that is, the state that the supporting table and the outer cylinder body are not moved downward, the power supply tip moves downward to abut against the slide rail at the bottom of the power supply tip, and moves into the extension groove, and the synchronous pressing head and the pressure receiving end are abutted against each other, so that the power supply tip and the functional tip are respectively matched into the upper fixed seat on the slide rail at the bottom of the power supply tip, at this time, the bottom end of the capillary tube at the bottom of the power supply tip is higher than the sample dish, and the bottom end of the capillary tube at the bottom of the functional tip is higher than the liquid carrying groove.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the application has the following advantages:

[0019] The application protects the capillary tube by the outer protective tube and designs the flushing gap, so that the capillary tube can be regularly cleaned and maintained, the good performance of the capillary tube is ensured, the stability of the sampling and electrophoresis process is further enhanced, the service life of the capillary tube is prolonged, the sample in the capillary tube can be detected in real time and accurately by the cooperation of the detector and the detection hole on the slide rail, and the analysis data can be obtained in time. Meanwhile, the sampling execution mechanism integrates multiple functions such as power supply, gel supply and cleaning agent supply, so that the functions of the whole device are more perfect, the operation links are closely connected, a high-efficiency and stable array capillary electrophoresis sampling and analysis system is formed, the detection efficiency of gel electrophoresis is effectively improved, the application has market prospect, and is suitable for popularization and application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the application;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the application;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the multi-axis machine table proposed in the application;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sampling unit proposed in the application;

[0024] Figure 5The bottom exploded structure diagram of the sample injection unit proposed in the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 The structure diagram of the C-shaped disc proposed in the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 The structure diagram of the rotating feeding mechanism and the carriage proposed in the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 The exploded structure diagram of the rotating feeding mechanism and the carriage proposed in the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the rotating feeding mechanism proposed in the present application;

[0029] Figure 10 The enlarged structure diagram of A part in the present application; Figure 9

[0030] The enlarged structure diagram of B part in the present application; Figure 11 Figure 9 The top exploded structure diagram of the sample injection execution mechanism proposed in the present application;

[0031] Figure 12 The bottom exploded structure diagram of the sample injection execution mechanism proposed in the present application;

[0032] Figure 13 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the carriage proposed in the present application;

[0033] Figure 14 The cross-sectional structure diagram of the C-shaped disc and the sample dish proposed in the present application.

[0034] Figure 15 Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0035]

[0036] ​​1, Multi-axis machine; 11, sample holder; 2, sample inlet unit; 21, bracket; 22, sample inlet cylinder table; 23, C-shaped disc; 231, discharge port; 232, carrier liquid tank; 3, detector; 4, sample dish; 5, sample feeding actuator; 51, arc-shaped rod; 511, first sliding rod; 512, first return spring; 513, pressure receiving end; 52, functional end; 521, inner liquid supply port; 522, outer liquid supply port; 53, actuating rod; 531, synchronous pressure head; 54, actuating cylinder; 55, power supply end; 551, positive electrode needle; 56, third sliding rod; 6, rotary feeding mechanism; 61, support table; 611, second sliding rod; 612, second return spring; 613, extension groove; 614, support arm; 62, inner column body; 621, limiting ring groove; 63, drive motor; 631, drive gear; 64, outer cylinder body; 641, sliding groove; 642, limiting block; 643, central sliding groove; 644, inner tooth ring; 645, limiting sliding ring; 7, sliding carriage; 71, detection hole; 72, noise reduction backplate; 73, limiting groove; 74, tension spring; 75, upper fixed seat; 76, sliding bar; 77, lower fixed seat; 8, capillary; 9, outer protective tube; 10, negative electrode needle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the technical solutions of the present application will be clearly and completely described. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of the present application.

[0038] Embodiments:

[0039] The present application provides an automatic sample feeding device applied to array capillary electrophoresis, please refer to Figure 1 - Figure 15 , comprising a sample inlet unit 2 and a multi-axis machine 1, the multi-axis machine 1 is used for providing the sample dish 4 for the sample inlet unit 2, specifically, the output end of the multi-axis machine 1 is fixed for clamping the sample holder 11 of the sample dish 4, the multi-axis machine 1 is an XY axis linear module, the multi-axis machine 1 is composed of high-precision guide rail, sliding block, screw transmission mechanism and high-performance servo motor, through the precise control system, the micron-level accurate movement of the sample holder 11 on the XY plane is realized, with the aid of the accurate positioning function of the multi-axis machine 1, whether in the processing of a single sample or in the detection demand of large-scale array sample, the corresponding sample dish 4 can be accurately sent to the predetermined position below the sample inlet unit 2 in an orderly manner, a stable and accurate sample source is provided for subsequent electrophoresis operation, and the accuracy and reliability of the entire electrophoresis analysis are guaranteed from the source.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 2 - Figure 11The sample injection unit 2 comprises a bracket 21 and a sample injection cylinder table 22 fixed on the bracket 21, and the sample injection cylinder table 22 is internally provided with a rotary feeding mechanism 6 and a sliding frame 7, a plurality of sliding frames 7 are connected to the rotary feeding mechanism 6 in an equiangular sliding manner in the vertical direction, and a vertical capillary 8 is fixed on each sliding frame 7, thereby constituting a core channel unit of array capillary electrophoresis.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 10 The outer side of the capillary 8 is sleeved with an outer protective tube 9, and a flushing gap is arranged between the capillary 8 and the outer protective tube 9. The bottom end of the outer protective tube 9 is higher than the bottom end of the capillary 8, and the top end of the outer protective tube 9 is lower than the top end of the capillary 8. The capillary 8 serves as a core channel for sample electrophoretic separation, is made of high-purity fused quartz material through a fine drawing process, has the advantages of uniform inner diameter, smooth surface and good chemical inertness, and can effectively reduce the adsorption and diffusion of the sample in the migration process, thereby ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of electrophoretic separation. The outer protective tube 9 is made of transparent high-strength polymer material, which not only plays a physical protection role on the capillary 8 to prevent damage to the capillary 8 caused by external collision, scratching and other factors, but also has a flushing gap design. The gap width needs to be ensured to allow the cleaning agent to flow smoothly through the outer wall of the capillary 8 during flushing, completely removing residual impurities, and without affecting the compactness and stability of the overall structure due to the excessive gap.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 14 One side of the sample injection cylinder table 22 is fixed with a detector 3 for detecting the sample in the capillary 8. The detector 3 adopts advanced photoelectric detection technology, integrates a high-sensitivity photodiode array and a high-performance signal processing circuit, and can detect the weak optical signal changes of the sample in the capillary 8 in real time during the electrophoresis process. The detection wavelength range can be flexibly adjusted according to different sample types and detection requirements. Through an accurate optical focusing system, the detection beam is accurately focused on the sample area in the capillary 8, thereby realizing high-precision real-time monitoring of the sample concentration, migration speed, component change and other information. At the same time, the detector 3 has intelligent automatic calibration and background subtraction functions, which can effectively eliminate the interference of environmental light, instrument noise and other factors on the detection results, ensure that the obtained data is true and accurate, and reflect the electrophoretic state of the sample, thereby providing strong support for subsequent data analysis and result judgment.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 7 - Figure 9The top end of the sliding frame 7 is provided with an upper fixing seat 75 for fixing the top of the capillary tube 8 and the outer protective tube 9, and the bottom end of the sliding frame 7 is provided with a lower fixing seat 77 for fixing the bottom of the capillary tube 8 and the outer protective tube 9, and the bottom of the lower fixing seat 77 is fixed with a negative electrode needle 10. Specifically, the upper fixing seat 75 and the lower fixing seat 77 are integrally injection molded, are made of engineering plastics with good chemical stability, high temperature resistance and moderate mechanical strength, are internally provided with clamping grooves and positioning pins matched with the capillary tube 8 and the outer protective tube 9, can ensure that the capillary tube 8 and the outer protective tube 9 are coaxial and stable after installation, avoid loosening or displacement during the electrophoresis process, and affect the electrophoresis effect.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 12-13 The top of the sample injection cylinder table 22 is provided with a sample injection execution mechanism 5, the sample injection execution mechanism 5 includes a power supply end head 55 and a plurality of function end heads 52, the bottom of the power supply end head 55 is provided with a positive electrode needle 551, the positive electrode needle 551 is used to provide voltage for the capillary tube 8 running to the bottom of the power supply end head 55, and the positive electrode needle 551 cooperates with the negative electrode needle 10 to form a voltage output source required for electrophoresis. Further, the negative electrode needle 10 fixed at the bottom of the lower fixing seat 77 is treated by a gold plating process, which not only improves the conductivity of the electrode, but also enhances the oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, so that the electrode can stably cooperate with the positive electrode needle 551 of the power supply end head 55 during a long electrophoresis process, and provide reliable electric field driving for the sample in the capillary tube 8.

[0045] The bottom of the function end head 52 is provided with an inner liquid supply port 521 and an outer liquid supply port 522, and the function end head 52 is used to provide gel or cleaning agent for the capillary tube 8 running to the bottom thereof. It should be noted that the function end heads 52 on both sides of the power supply end head 55 are respectively used to remove the gel in the capillary tube 8 and to provide gel for the idle capillary tube 8.

[0046] It should be noted that the positive electrode needle 551 at the bottom of the power supply end head 55 and the negative electrode needle 10 adopt a conical needle tip design, which can realize precise point contact when being docked with the capillary tube 8 on the sliding frame 7, and ensure the uniformity and stability of the electric field. The power supply end head 55 internally integrates a high-precision voltage regulation circuit, which can accurately output the required voltage value according to different sample characteristics and electrophoresis requirements, and has real-time monitoring and feedback functions, so as to timely adjust the voltage fluctuation during the power supply process and ensure that the electrophoresis process is carried out in a stable electric field environment.

[0047] The inner liquid supply port 521 and the outer liquid supply port 522 of each functional end 52 are equipped with a micro-flow regulating valve and a high-precision droplet generator, which can accurately control the supply flow and droplet size of the gel and the cleaning agent, and ensure that the amount and distribution of the gel are uniform when the gel is injected into the capillary 8, thereby providing a stable medium environment for the electrophoretic separation of the sample; when cleaning, the cleaning agent can flush the inside of the capillary 8 at a suitable flow rate to achieve good cleaning effect.

[0048] In the embodiment, the number of functional ends 52 is five groups. In addition to the two groups of functional ends 52 near the power supply end 55 for providing or removing gel for the capillary 8, the outer liquid supply ports 522 in the remaining three groups of functional ends 52 mainly provide clean water for the flushing gap between the capillary 8 and the outer protective tube 9, and the inner liquid supply ports 521 in the remaining three groups of functional ends 52 are respectively used to provide organic solvents, alkali solutions and other cleaning agents for the idle capillary 8.

[0049] Specifically, please refer to Figure 8 Figure 11 The rotating feeding mechanism 6 includes an outer cylinder 64, the outer wall of the outer cylinder 64 is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves 641, one side of the sliding frame 7 is provided with a sliding bar 76 matched with the sliding grooves 641, the sliding grooves 641 are further fixed with limiting blocks 642, the sliding bar 76 is provided with limiting grooves 73 corresponding to the limiting blocks 642, and the limiting grooves 73 and the limiting blocks 642 are further clamped with tension springs 74, wherein the tension springs 74 have elastic force for driving the sliding frame 7 to move upward.

[0050] The bottom of the outer cylinder 64 is sleeved with an inner cylinder 62, the bottom of the inner cylinder 62 is provided with a limiting ring groove 621, the inner wall of the outer cylinder 64 is provided with a limiting sliding ring 645 matched with the limiting ring groove 621, the inner cylinder 62 is rotationally connected to the bottom of the outer cylinder 64 through the limiting sliding ring 645, the top of the inner cylinder 62 is fixed with a driving motor 63, the driving motor 63 is a servo stepping motor, the output end of the driving motor 63 is fixed with a driving gear 631, and the inner wall of the outer cylinder 64 is provided with an inner tooth ring 644 meshed with the driving gear 631. In the embodiment, the driving motor 63 is used to drive the outer cylinder 64 to move at equal angles, wherein the rotation angle of the outer cylinder 64 corresponds to the distribution number of the sliding frames 7, so that the outer cylinder 64 can be accurately rotated at a preset angle interval, and each sliding frame 7 is orderly transposed, thereby meeting the use requirements of the capillary 8 for sequential detection.

[0051] ​The bottom of the inner column body 62 is also fixed with a supporting table 61, and the two sides of the supporting table 61 are symmetrically fixed with supporting arms 614, the top of the end of the supporting arms 614 away from the supporting table 61 is fixed with a second sliding rod 611, the second sliding rod 611 is limitingly and slidingly connected at the bottom of the sample cylinder table 22, and the second sliding rod 611 and the bottom of the sample cylinder table 22 are also clamped with a second reset spring 612, wherein the second reset spring 612 has an elastic force for driving the supporting table 61 to move upward.

[0052] The supporting table 61 and the supporting arms 614 on the two sides thereof constitute a bottom support and reset guarantee system of the whole rotary feeding mechanism 6. The second sliding rod 611 on the supporting arm 614 and the limitingly sliding cooperation with the bottom of the sample cylinder table 22 ensure the straightness and stability of the supporting table 61 during the upward and downward movement, and the second reset spring 612 adopts a double-layer nested structure, the outer layer is a high-strength spiral spring providing main elastic support, and the inner layer is an elastic rubber for auxiliary buffering. This double-layer nested structure enables the supporting table 61 to stably move upward and downward and reliably reset when subjected to external forces of different degrees, thereby ensuring the durability and stability of the rotary feeding mechanism 6 during frequent operation, and further ensuring the continuity and accuracy of the sampling operation.

[0053] It should be noted that the bottom of the sliding groove 641 is of an open structure, and the side of the supporting table 61 opposite to the detector 3 is provided with an extension groove 613, and the cross-sectional profile of the extension groove 613 is the same as that of the slot opening of the sliding groove 641.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 14 The side of the sliding carriage 7 away from the outer cylinder body 64 is provided with a detection hole 71, and the other side of the sliding carriage 7 is provided with a noise reduction back plate 72 matched with the detection hole 71. The detection hole 71 on one side of the sliding carriage 7 is processed by a precise machining process, and the hole diameter and inner wall smoothness thereof are strictly designed according to the optical detection requirements, so as to ensure that when matched with the detector 3, the detection hole 71 can maximize the reduction of interference factors such as light scattering and refraction, and improve the sensitivity and accuracy of detection. The noise reduction back plate 72 corresponding thereto is made of a composite material with excellent sound absorption performance, which further reduces the interference factors of the detector 3 and further improves the reliability of the detection result. The capillary tube 8 is arranged between the detection hole 71 and the noise reduction back plate 72, and the detection hole 71 is arranged opposite to the detection end of the detector 3 when the sliding carriage 7 and the supporting table 61 move downward to the maximum stroke.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 12 - Figure 13The top of the outer cylinder 64 is provided with a center sliding groove 643, the feeding execution mechanism 5 further comprises an execution cylinder 54 fixed on the top of the feeding cylinder table 22, the output end of the execution cylinder 54 is fixed with an execution rod 53, a power supply end 55 is fixed on the middle part of the execution rod 53, the end of the execution rod 53 away from the execution cylinder 54 is fixed with a synchronous pressing head 531, the bottom of the synchronous pressing head 531 is fixed with a third sliding rod 56 matched with the center sliding groove 643, the top of the plurality of functional end heads 52 is fixed with an arc-shaped rod 51, the side of the arc-shaped rod 51 away from the execution cylinder 54 is further fixed with two groups of first sliding rods 511 in a symmetrical manner, the first sliding rods 511 are limitingly and slidingly connected to the top of the feeding cylinder table 22, the first sliding rods 511 are further clamped with first return springs 512 between the first sliding rods 511 and the feeding cylinder table 22, the first return springs 512 have elastic force for driving the arc-shaped rod 51 to move upwards and away from the feeding cylinder table 22, and the side of the arc-shaped rod 51 close to the execution cylinder 54 is further provided with a pressure receiving end 513 matched with the synchronous pressing head 531.

[0056] Further, the bottom of the feeding cylinder table 22 is further fixed with a C-shaped disc 23, the C-shaped disc 23 is internally provided with liquid carrying grooves 232 corresponding to the functional end heads 52, and the bottom of the liquid carrying grooves 232 is provided with discharge ports 231.

[0057] It should be noted that, please refer to Figure 15 The second return spring 612 is in a free state, that is, the supporting table 61 and the outer cylinder 64 are not moved downwards, the power supply end 55 moves downwards to abut against the carriage 7 at the bottom, moves downwards to the extension groove 613, and utilizes the abutment of the synchronous pressing head 531 and the pressure receiving end 513 to make the power supply end 55 and the functional end head 52 respectively abut to the upper fixed seat 75 on the carriage 7 at the bottom, at this time, the bottom end of the capillary tube 8 at the bottom of the power supply end 55 is higher than the sample dish 4, and the bottom end of the capillary tube 8 at the bottom of the functional end head 52 is higher than the liquid carrying groove 232.

[0058] The working process of the automatic feeding device is as follows:

[0059] Sample positioning and preparation: first, the sample dish 4 containing the sample is placed on the sample holder 11, the multi-axis machine table 1 controls the sample holder 11 to move in the XY axis direction according to the preset program, accurately moves the sample dish 4 to the position below the sample taking position of the feeding unit 2, and prepares for the feeding operation.

[0060] Capillary transposition and preparation: the drive motor 63 of the feeding mechanism 6 is started to rotate the outer cylinder 64 by a fixed angle, so that the capillary 8 loaded with new gel and the slide 7 are rotated to the initial feeding position, i.e. the extension groove 613 of the supporting table 61, at this time the air cylinder 54 drives the power supply end head 55 to move downward and press the slide 7 at this position to move downward along the extension groove 613, keeping the positive electrode needle 551 in abutment with the top of the capillary 8 at this position;

[0061] In this process, the arc-shaped rod 51 is pressed by the synchronous pressure head 531 to drive the functional end head 52 to move downward, so that the functional end head 52 is in abutment with the top of the remaining capillary 8, and since the bottom of the capillary 8 does not enter the liquid loading groove 232 at this time, the functional end heads 52 on both sides of the power supply end head 55 remove the gel in the corresponding capillary 8 or inject new gel into the corresponding capillary 8 through the inner liquid supply port 521, and the inner liquid supply ports 521 of the remaining functional end heads 52 provide cleaning agent into the idle capillary 8.

[0062] Feeding operation: the air cylinder 54 drives the execution rod 53 to continue to move downward, and the execution rod 53 drives the power supply end head 55 and the synchronous pressure head 531 to move downward, and the synchronous pressure head 531 is in abutment with the pressure receiving end 513 on the arc-shaped rod 51, on the one hand, the supporting table 61 moves downward to the maximum stroke against the elastic force of the second return spring 612, and on the other hand, the power supply end head 55 and the functional end head 52 are more closely abutted into the upper fixed seat 75 on the slide 7 at the bottom of the supporting table 61, at this time, due to the downward movement of the supporting table 61, the capillary 8 at the bottom of the power supply end head 55 and the negative electrode needle 10 move downward into the sample dish 4, and then based on the electric field formed between the positive electrode needle 551 and the negative electrode needle 10, the sample in the sample dish 4 enters the capillary 8 under the action of the electric field, and the feeding operation is completed;

[0063] Following the downward movement of the supporting table 61, the bottom of the capillary 8 is moved into the liquid loading groove 232, and clean water is supplied to the cleaning gap between the capillary 8 and the outer protective tube 9 through the outer liquid supply port 522, and the discharge port 231 is opened to perform water flushing operation on the part of the capillary 8 that is in contact with the sample, and the inside of the liquid loading groove 232 is flushed at the same time, so as to achieve the purpose of removing the residual sample and gel impurities.

[0064] Detection and electrophoresis: after the feeding is completed, the sample in the capillary 8 starts to migrate under the action of the gel medium, and the separation and analysis process is realized, at this time, the slide 7 and the supporting table 61 move downward to the maximum stroke, the detection hole 71 is opposite to the detection end of the detector 3, the detector 3 detects and analyzes the sample in the capillary 8 to obtain the initial state data of the sample.

[0065] After the electrophoresis is completed, the components such as the cylinder 54, the power supply end head 55, the functional end head 52 and the supporting table 61 are moved upward to reset, the used sliding frame 7 is moved upward from the extension slot 613 by the elastic force of the tension spring 74, the outer cylinder 64 is rotated again, the sliding frame 7 filled with new gel is rotated to the detection position, at the same time, the outer cylinder 64 transfers the used capillary 8 to the other side to remove the gel, the functional end head 52 at the remaining position cleans the capillary 8 at the bottom thereof, and waits for the next round of sample injection, detection and electrophoresis process.

[0066] The present application realizes automatic positioning of the sample and automatic sample injection operation of the array capillary through cooperation of the multi-axis machine table 1 and the sample injection unit 2, without frequent manual intervention, greatly improves the sample injection speed and efficiency, is especially suitable for high-throughput array capillary electrophoresis analysis, can complete sample injection processing of multiple samples in a short time, and meets large-scale detection requirements. The rotation feeding mechanism 6 accurately controls the position switching of the sliding frame 7 and the capillary 8, the power supply end head 55 and the functional end head 52 in the sample injection execution mechanism 5 are accurately connected with the capillary 8, and the stable spring reset and limiting structure between the components ensures the accuracy and repeatability of the sample injection amount, electrode connection, gel and cleaning agent supply and other operations, reduces errors caused by manual operation or unstable structure, and improves the accuracy of the entire electrophoresis analysis.

[0067] The present application protects the capillary 8 through the outer protective tube 9 and designs the flushing gap, facilitates regular cleaning and maintenance of the capillary 8, ensures good performance of the capillary 8, further enhances the stability of the sample injection and electrophoresis process, prolongs the service life of the capillary 8, utilizes the cooperation of the detector 3 and the detection hole 71 on the sliding frame 7 to realize real-time and accurate detection of the sample in the capillary 8, and timely obtains analysis data. At the same time, the sample injection execution mechanism 5 integrates multiple functions such as power supply, gel supply and cleaning agent supply, so that the functions of the entire device are more perfect, the operation links are closely connected, and a high-efficiency and stable array capillary electrophoresis sample injection and analysis system is formed, the detection efficiency of gel electrophoresis is effectively improved, the market prospect is good, and the present application is suitable for popularization and application.

[0068] The above merely describes the best implementation mode of the present application according to the current actual demand, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. An automatic sample injection device applied to array capillary electrophoresis, comprising a sample injection unit (2) and a multi-axis machine table (1), characterized in that, The multi-axis machine table (1) is used for providing a sample dish (4) for a sample feeding unit (2), the sample feeding unit (2) comprises a support (21) and a sample feeding cylinder table (22) fixed on the support (21), a rotary feeding mechanism (6) and a sliding frame (7) are arranged in the sample feeding cylinder table (22), a plurality of sliding frames (7) are slidingly connected on the rotary feeding mechanism (6) at equal angles in the vertical direction, a vertical capillary tube (8) is fixed on each sliding frame (7), an outer protective tube (9) is sleeved outside the capillary tube (8), a flushing gap is arranged between the capillary tube (8) and the outer protective tube (9), the bottom end of the outer protective tube (9) is higher than the bottom end of the capillary tube (8), and the top end of the outer protective tube (9) is lower than the top end of the capillary tube (8); a detector (3) for detecting the sample in the capillary tube (8) is fixed on one side of the sample feeding cylinder table (22); The top end of the sliding frame (7) is provided with an upper fixing seat (75) for fixing the top of the capillary tube (8) and the outer protective tube (9), and the bottom end of the sliding frame (7) is provided with a lower fixing seat (77) for fixing the bottom of the capillary tube (8) and the outer protective tube (9); a negative electrode needle (10) is fixed to the bottom of the lower fixing seat (77); The top of the sample feeding cylinder table (22) is provided with a sample feeding execution mechanism (5), the sample feeding execution mechanism (5) comprises a power supply end head (55) and a plurality of function end heads (52); a positive electrode needle (551) is arranged at the bottom of the power supply end head (55), the positive electrode needle (551) is used for providing voltage for the capillary tube (8) running to the bottom of the power supply end head (55), and the bottom of the function end head (52) is provided with an inner liquid supply port (521) and an outer liquid supply port (522); the function end head (52) is used for providing gel or cleaning agent for the capillary tube (8) running to the bottom of the function end head (52).

2. The automatic sample injection device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 1, wherein, The multi-axis machine table (1) is an XY-axis linear module, and an output end of the multi-axis machine table (1) is fixed with a sample holder (11) used for clamping the sample dish (4).

3. The automatic sample injector for use in array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 1, wherein The rotary feeding mechanism (6) comprises an outer cylinder (64), a plurality of sliding grooves (641) are arranged on the outer wall of the outer cylinder (64), one side of the sliding frame (7) is provided with a sliding bar (76) matched with the sliding grooves (641), a limiting block (642) is further fixed in the sliding groove (641), a limiting groove (73) corresponding to the limiting block (642) is arranged on the sliding bar (76), and a tension spring (74) is clamped between the limiting groove (73) and the limiting block (642). The bottom of the outer cylinder (64) is sleeved with an inner cylinder (62), the bottom of the inner cylinder (62) is provided with a limiting ring groove (621), the inner wall of the outer cylinder (64) is provided with a limiting sliding ring (645) matched with the limiting ring groove (621), the inner cylinder (62) is rotationally connected to the bottom of the outer cylinder (64) through the limiting sliding ring (645), the top of the inner cylinder (62) is fixed with a driving motor (63), the output end of the driving motor (63) is fixed with a driving gear (631), and the inner wall of the outer cylinder (64) is provided with an inner tooth ring (644) engaged with the driving gear (631). The bottom of the inner cylinder (62) is further fixed with a supporting table (61), the two sides of the supporting table (61) are symmetrically fixed with supporting arms (614), the top of the end of the supporting arm (614) away from the supporting table (61) is fixed with a second sliding rod (611), the second sliding rod (611) is limitingly and slidingly connected to the bottom of the sample feeding cylinder table (22), and the second sliding rod (611) and the bottom of the sample feeding cylinder table (22) are further clamped with a second reset spring (612).

4. The automatic sample injector for use in array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 3, wherein The tension spring (74) has an elastic force for driving the sliding frame (7) to move upwards, the second reset spring (612) has an elastic force for driving the supporting table (61) to move upwards, and the driving motor (63) is a servo stepping motor.

5. The automatic sample injector for use in array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 3, wherein The bottom of the sliding groove (641) is of an open structure, one side of the supporting table (61) opposite to the detector (3) is provided with an extension groove (613), and the extension groove (613) has the same groove opening section contour as the sliding groove (641).

6. The automatic sampling device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 3, wherein, The side of the sliding frame (7) away from the outer cylinder (64) is provided with detection holes (71), the other side of the sliding frame (7) is provided with noise reduction back plates (72) matched with the detection holes (71), the capillary (8) is arranged between the detection holes (71) and the noise reduction back plates (72), and the detection holes (71) are arranged opposite to the detection end of the detector (3) when the sliding frame (7) and the supporting table (61) move downwards to the maximum stroke.

7. The automatic sampling device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 3, wherein, The top of the outer cylinder (64) is provided with a center sliding groove (643), the sample feeding execution mechanism (5) further includes an execution cylinder (54) fixed to the top of the sample feeding cylinder table (22), the output end of the execution cylinder (54) is fixed with an execution rod (53), the power supply end head (55) is fixed to the middle part of the execution rod (53), the end of the execution rod (53) away from the execution cylinder (54) is fixed with a synchronous pressing head (531), and the bottom of the synchronous pressing head (531) is fixed with a third sliding rod (56) matched with the center sliding groove (643).

8. The automatic sampling device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 7, wherein, The top of several function tips (52) is fixed with arc-shaped rods (51), two groups of first sliding rods (511) are also fixed symmetrically on the side of the arc-shaped rods (51) away from the execution cylinder (54), the first sliding rods (511) are limitingly and slidingly connected at the top of the sample cylinder table (22), first return springs (512) are clamped between the first sliding rods (511) and the sample cylinder table (22), the first return springs (512) have elastic force for driving the arc-shaped rods (51) to move upwards away from the sample cylinder table (22), the arc-shaped rods (51) are also provided with pressure receiving ends (513) matched with synchronous pressure heads (531) on the side close to the execution cylinder (54).

9. The automatic sample injection device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 8, wherein, The bottom of the sample cylinder table (22) is also fixed with a C-shaped disc (23), the C-shaped disc (23) is internally provided with liquid carrying grooves (232) corresponding to the function tips (52) one by one, and the bottom of the liquid carrying grooves (232) is provided with discharge ports (231).

10. The automatic sampling device for array capillary electrophoresis according to claim 9, wherein, In the free state of the second return spring (612), i.e. the state that the supporting table (61) and the outer cylinder (64) are not moved downwards, the power supply tip (55) moves downwards to contact the slide (7) at the bottom, moves downwards into the extension groove (613), and utilizes the contact between the synchronous pressure head (531) and the pressure receiving end (513) to make the power supply tip (55) and the function tip (52) respectively close to the upper fixed seats (75) on the slide (7) at the bottom, at this time, the bottom end of the capillary tube (8) at the bottom of the power supply tip (55) is higher than the sample dish (4), and the bottom end of the capillary tube (8) at the bottom of the function tip (52) is higher than the liquid carrying groove (232).

Images