Electrophoresis gel cutting device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of experimental tools in molecular biology, and discloses an electrophoresis gel cutting device which comprises an electrophoresis apparatus, a recognition camera, a three-axis moving mechanism and a gel cutting head, gel is arranged in the electrophoresis apparatus, a sample application hole and a swimming lane are arranged on the gel, and a light source which obliquely irradiates the surface of the gel is arranged on the side edge of the electrophoresis apparatus; the identification camera is arranged above the electrophoresis apparatus and is used for shooting a gel image irradiated by the light source; the three-axis moving mechanism is arranged above the electrophoresis apparatus and is in communication connection with the identification camera; the rubber cutting head is connected to the output end of the three-axis moving mechanism, and the three-axis moving mechanism can drive the rubber cutting head to move in the first direction, the second direction and the third direction so that the rubber cutting head can reach the designated position to cut off the sample strip. The electrophoresis gel cutting device is high in automation degree, does not need manual operation, improves working efficiency, can guarantee gel cutting precision and consistency, and can avoid potential safety hazards.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to molecular biology experiment tool technical field especially, relates to a kind of electrophoresis gel cutting device. BACKGROUND

[0002] As one of the core technologies of gene operation, gel electrophoresis can be used for DNA fragment separation, identification and recovery to obtain high-purity target fragments. Agarose gel electrophoresis is an electrophoresis method using agarose gel as the medium. In the traditional agarose gel electrophoresis process, the sample is placed in the sample well of the agarose gel, and the sample is separated and migrated to the lane inside the agarose gel by electrophoresis. Then, the gel corresponding to the DNA band is cut, and the cut gel needs to be extracted.

[0003] In the traditional agarose gel cutting process, the experimenter usually needs to manually operate and use a blade or a gel cutter to cut the sample band. This manual cutting method is labor-intensive, low in efficiency, and difficult to ensure the precision and consistency of the cutting. There is a human error, and manual cutting also has safety hazards.

[0004] Therefore, an electrophoresis gel cutting device is proposed to solve the above problems. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0005] The utility model aims to provide an electrophoresis gel cutting device that can solve the technical problems of low efficiency, insufficient precision and safety hazards of manual cutting.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The electrophoresis gel cutting device comprises:

[0008] An electrophoresis instrument is provided with a gel inside, the gel is provided with a sample well and a lane, and a light source is arranged on the side of the electrophoresis instrument to obliquely irradiate the surface of the gel.

[0009] An identification camera is arranged above the electrophoresis instrument and is used to shoot the gel image after irradiation by the light source.

[0010] A three-axis moving mechanism is arranged above the electrophoresis instrument and is communicatively connected with the identification camera.

[0011] A gel cutting head is connected to the output end of the three-axis moving mechanism, the three-axis moving mechanism can drive the gel cutting head to move in the first direction, the second direction and the third direction, so that the gel cutting head reaches the designated position to cut off the sample band, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] As an optional solution, the three-axis moving mechanism comprises:

[0013] The first moving assembly comprises:

[0014] The second moving assembly is arranged at the output end of the first moving assembly, and the first moving assembly can drive the second moving assembly to move along the first direction;

[0015] The third moving assembly is arranged at the output end of the second moving assembly, and the second moving assembly can drive the third moving assembly to move along the second direction, and the rubber cutting head is arranged at the output end of the third moving assembly, and the third moving assembly can drive the rubber cutting head to move along the third direction.

[0016] As an optional solution, the third moving assembly comprises:

[0017] The mounting plate is connected to the output end of the second moving assembly and extends along the third direction;

[0018] The linear driving member is arranged on the mounting plate and can output linear motion along the third direction;

[0019] The connecting member is connected to the output end of the linear driving member, and the rubber cutting head is connected to the connecting member.

[0020] As an optional solution, the linear driving member is a lead screw motor.

[0021] As an optional solution, the third moving assembly further comprises a guide rail and a sliding block, the guide rail is arranged on the mounting plate and extends along the third direction, and the sliding block is slidingly arranged on the guide rail and connected to the connecting member.

[0022] As an optional solution, one side of the mounting plate is connected with an extension plate, and the identification camera is fixed on the extension plate.

[0023] As an optional solution, the light source is a blue light lamp.

[0024] As an optional solution, the rubber cutting head comprises a vacuum chamber and a cutter head connected to the bottom of the vacuum chamber, and the cavity of the cutter head is in communication with the vacuum chamber.

[0025] As an optional solution, the cutter head is a rectangular cavity type cutter head, which is matched with the shape of the sample strip.

[0026] As an optional solution, the cutter head is made of plastic material.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows:

[0028] The utility model provides a kind of electrophoresis gel cutting device, when using, DNA sample is first pointed into sample application hole, sample separation is realized by electrophoresis and migrates to the lane inside gel, after electrophoresis is completed, sample is in the lane at a position, by light source oblique irradiation gel surface, then identification camera shoots gel image, system identifies the size and position of sample band, so that triaxial moving mechanism drives cutting head to reach specified position and carry out sample band cutting removal.Therefore, the electrophoresis gel cutting device is higher in degree of automation, need not manual operation, improve work efficiency, and can guarantee the precision and consistency of cutting gel, also can avoid security risk. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is the structure schematic diagram of electrophoresis gel cutting device provided by the utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 It is the schematic diagram of the part structure of electrophoresis gel cutting device provided by the utility model after hiding;

[0031] Figure 3 It is the top view of electrophoresis apparatus provided by the utility model.

[0032] In the drawing:

[0033] 1, electrophoresis apparatus;11, gel;111, sample application hole;12, light source;

[0034] 2, identification camera;

[0035] 3, triaxial moving mechanism;31, first moving assembly;32, second moving assembly;33, third moving assembly;331, mounting plate;332, linear drive part;333, connecting piece;334, guide rail;335, sliding block;336, extension plate;

[0036] 4, cutting head;41, vacuum chamber;42, tool bit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The utility model makes further detailed explanation in combination with drawing and embodiment. It can be understood that the specific embodiment described here is only used to explain the utility model, and is not limited to the utility model. In addition, it needs to be explained that, for convenient description, only part relevant to the utility model is shown in the drawing, not all structures.

[0038] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0040] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meaning.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides an electrophoresis gel cutting device, including an electrophoresis apparatus 1, an identification camera 2, a three-axis moving mechanism 3 and a cutting head 4. A gel 11 is provided in the electrophoresis apparatus 1. The gel 11 is an agarose gel. The gel 11 is provided with multiple rows of sample wells 111 and lanes. A light source 12 is provided on the side of the electrophoresis apparatus 1 to obliquely illuminate the surface of the gel 11. The light source 12 can emit light of a specific wavelength. The identification camera 2 is provided above the electrophoresis apparatus 1 and is used to capture an image of the gel after being illuminated by the light source 12. The three-axis moving mechanism 3 is provided above the electrophoresis apparatus 1 and is connected to the identification camera 2 for communication. The cutting head 4 is connected to the output end of the three-axis moving mechanism 3. The three-axis moving mechanism 3 can drive the cutting head 4 to move along the first direction, the second direction and the third direction so that the cutting head 4 reaches the designated position to cut off the sample strip. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. For the convenience of explanation, the first direction is defined as the X-axis direction, the second direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the third direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0042] The electrophoresis gel excision device provided in this embodiment is used. When a DNA sample is first spotted into the spotting well 111, the sample is separated by electrophoresis and migrates to the swimming lane inside the gel 11. After the electrophoresis is completed, the sample is at a certain position in the swimming lane. The surface of the gel 11 is obliquely illuminated by the light source 12, and the sample strip is colored. The recognition camera 2 then captures the gel image, and a white bright strip can be seen in the captured image. The system accurately identifies the size and position of the sample strip based on the captured image to ensure the accuracy of the excision position. The system then drives the three-axis movement mechanism 3 to drive the excision head 4 to the designated position to excise the sample strip. The electrophoresis instrument 1 is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0043] It can be seen that the electrophoresis gel cutting device has a high degree of automation, does not require manual operation, improves work efficiency, and can reduce human operation errors, ensure the accuracy and consistency of gel cutting, reduce sample loss and contamination, and avoid safety hazards.

[0044] In this embodiment, the light source 12 is a blue light lamp, which can irradiate light of a specific wavelength onto the surface of the gel 11. In other embodiments, the light source 12 can also be a violet light lamp.

[0045] Furthermore, if Figure 1 As shown, the three-axis moving mechanism 3 includes a first moving assembly 31, a second moving assembly 32, and a third moving assembly 33. The second moving assembly 32 is disposed at the output end of the first moving assembly 31, and the first moving assembly 31 can drive the second moving assembly 32 to move in a first direction. The third moving assembly 33 is disposed at the output end of the second moving assembly 32, and the second moving assembly 32 can drive the third moving assembly 33 to move in a second direction. The rubber cutting head 4 is disposed at the output end of the third moving assembly 33, and the third moving assembly 33 can drive the rubber cutting head 4 to move in a third direction. The first moving assembly 31, the second moving assembly 32, and the third moving assembly 33 form an XYZ spatial coordinate system. Through the coordination of the three, the rubber cutting head 4 can be quickly and accurately moved in three directions, allowing the rubber cutting head 4 to reach a designated position. This has a high degree of automation and is convenient and flexible to use.

[0046] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first moving assembly 31 and the second moving assembly 32 both use motor screw nut modules, the specific structure and working principle of which are prior art and will not be described in detail here. In other embodiments, any linear drive structure such as a cylinder or electric push rod can be selected according to actual needs, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0047] Specifically, if Figure 2As shown, the third moving assembly 33 includes a mounting plate 331, a linear drive member 332, and a connecting member 333. The mounting plate 331 is connected to the output end of the second moving assembly 32 and extends the linear drive member 332 along the third direction. The linear drive member 332 is mounted on the mounting plate 331 and can output linear motion along the third direction. The connecting member 333 is connected to the output end of the linear drive member 332, and the rubber cutting head 4 is connected to the connecting member 333. The linear drive member 332 can drive the connecting member 333 to move up and down in the Z-axis direction, and the connecting member 333 drives the rubber cutting head 4 to move up and down.

[0048] Optionally, the linear drive member 332 is a screw motor, which can output linear motion and has a simple and compact structure, high speed and stability, fast response and high precision.

[0049] Furthermore, if Figure 2 As shown, the third moving assembly 33 also includes a guide rail 334 and a slider 335. The guide rail 334 is disposed on the mounting plate 331 and extends along the third direction. The slider 335 is slidably disposed on the guide rail 334 and connected to the connecting member 333. When the connecting member 333 moves linearly along the Z-axis under the drive of the linear drive member 332, the connecting member 333 drives the slider 335 to slide along the guide rail 334. The provision of the guide rail 334 and the slider 335 supports and guides the connecting member 333 and reduces friction, making the movement of the connecting member 333 and the rubber cutting head 4 more stable and smooth.

[0050] Furthermore, if Figure 2 As shown, an L-shaped extension plate 336 is connected to one side of the mounting plate 331, and the recognition camera 2 is fixed to the extension plate 336. This arrangement allows the recognition camera 2 and the mounting plate 331 to be fixed as one, resulting in a compact structure and reduced space occupation. Secondly, driven by the first movable assembly 31 and the second movable assembly 32, the recognition camera 2 can be moved directly above the gel 11 to take pictures, resulting in a more accurate image of the gel 11, allowing the system to accurately identify the size and position of the sample strips, further ensuring the accuracy of the gel cutting position.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the rubber cutting head 4 includes a vacuum chamber 41 and a cutting head 42 connected to the bottom of the vacuum chamber 41. The cutting head 42 has a hollow structure, and the cavity of the cutting head 42 is connected to the vacuum chamber 41. The vacuum chamber 41 can be connected to a vacuum device. After the rubber cutting head 4 cuts the rubber, the vacuum device evacuates the vacuum chamber 41 to maintain a vacuum inside the cutting head 42, so that the cut sample strip can be sucked into the cutting head 42 and prevent it from falling out. The three-axis movement mechanism 3 then drives the rubber cutting head 4 to move to a specified position, and then releases the vacuum state in the vacuum chamber 41, and the cut sample strip is placed in a container for subsequent recovery.

[0052] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, the cutter head 42 is a rectangular cavity cutter head that matches the shape of the sample strip. This arrangement allows the gel 11 containing the sample strip to be cut in just one step, while removing the gel 11 without the sample strip, thereby improving gel cutting efficiency and accuracy.

[0053] Optionally, the cutter head 42 is made of plastic material. Plastic cutter heads are cheap and safe to use, avoiding accidental injuries to workers, thereby improving safety.

[0054] Obviously, the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the manner in which the present invention is to be implemented. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrophoresis gel cutting device, characterized in that: include: An electrophoresis apparatus (1) is provided with a gel (11) therein, the gel (11) is provided with sample holes (111) and swimming lanes, and a light source (12) is provided on the side of the electrophoresis apparatus (1) for obliquely irradiating the surface of the gel (11); an identification camera (2), which is arranged above the electrophoresis apparatus (1) and is used to capture an image of the gel after being irradiated by the light source (12); A three-axis moving mechanism (3) is arranged above the electrophoresis apparatus (1) and is communicatively connected to the recognition camera (2); A rubber cutting head (4) is connected to the output end of the three-axis moving mechanism (3), and the three-axis moving mechanism (3) can drive the rubber cutting head (4) to move along a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, so that the rubber cutting head (4) reaches a designated position to cut off the sample strip, and the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

2. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The three-axis moving mechanism (3) comprises: a first moving component (31); a second moving component (32) disposed at an output end of the first moving component (31), wherein the first moving component (31) is capable of driving the second moving component (32) to move along the first direction; The third movable component (33) is arranged at the output end of the second movable component (32), and the second movable component (32) can drive the third movable component (33) to move along the second direction. The rubber cutting head (4) is arranged at the output end of the third movable component (33), and the third movable component (33) can drive the rubber cutting head (4) to move along the third direction.

3. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The third moving assembly (33) comprises: A mounting plate (331) connected to the output end of the second moving component (32) and extending along the third direction; a linear drive member (332), disposed on the mounting plate (331) and capable of outputting linear motion along the third direction; The connecting member (333) is connected to the output end of the linear driving member (332), and the rubber cutting head (4) is connected to the connecting member (333).

4. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The linear drive component (332) is a screw motor.

5. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third moving assembly (33) further comprises a guide rail (334) and a slider (335), wherein the guide rail (334) is arranged on the mounting plate (331) and extends along the third direction, and the slider (335) is slidably arranged on the guide rail (334) and connected to the connecting member (333).

6. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 3, characterized in that: An extension plate (336) is connected to one side of the mounting plate (331), and the recognition camera (2) is fixed on the extension plate (336).

7. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source (12) is a blue light lamp.

8. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rubber cutting head (4) comprises a vacuum chamber (41) and a cutter head (42) connected to the bottom of the vacuum chamber (41), and a cavity of the cutter head (42) is communicated with the vacuum chamber (41).

9. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cutter head (42) is a rectangular cavity cutter head, which is adapted to the shape of the sample strip.

10. The electrophoresis gel excision device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cutter head (42) is made of plastic material.

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