Digital PCR instrument

Abstract

The utility model discloses a digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) instrument. The jacking driving device is arranged to drive the heat conduction plate to move, so that the heat conduction plate is close to the digital PCR chip located at the processing station, and after the heat conduction plate is in contact with the lower surface of the digital PCR chip, the heat conduction plate supports the lower surface of the digital PCR chip in the vertical direction under further driving of the jacking driving device, so that the digital PCR chip can be processed, and the digital PCR chip can be processed. And the supported digital PCR chip and the supporting plate relatively move in the direction, so that the supported digital PCR chip can be tightly attached to the heat conduction surface of the corresponding heat conduction plate, and the heat conduction plate can more stably and efficiently conduct heat to the digital PCR chip. Therefore, the digital PCR chip can be efficiently and quickly heated and cooled, and liquid drops contained in the digital PCR chip can be efficiently subjected to PCR amplification, so that the detection efficiency is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical detection devices, in particular to a digital PCR instrument. BACKGROUND

[0002] A digital PCR instrument is an instrument for amplifying and detecting specific DNA.

[0003] A digital PCR instrument generally includes droplet preparation, PCR amplification, fluorescence detection, and data analysis stages. In the prior art, a digital PCR chip is directly placed on a heat conduction plate to heat the digital PCR chip. However, since the digital PCR chip itself is relatively light in weight, the digital PCR chip cannot be closely attached to the heat conduction plate, and thus the temperature regulation control efficiency of the droplets in the digital PCR chip during the PCR amplification process is low, resulting in a long duration of the temperature cycling process and affecting the detection efficiency. UTILITARIAN CONTENT

[0004] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a digital PCR instrument to solve the problem of low regulation control efficiency of the digital PCR chip in the prior art.

[0005] The present application provides a digital PCR instrument, which includes a chip conveying module, the chip conveying module includes a supporting plate and a tray assembly, the tray assembly is limited in the horizontal direction on the supporting plate and carries at least one digital PCR chip, and the tray assembly can move along the vertical direction relative to the supporting plate under the driving of a jacking driving device to make the heat conduction plate attached to the corresponding digital PCR chip.

[0006] The jacking driving device is used to drive the heat conduction plate to move along the vertical direction to make the heat conduction plate attached to or separated from the corresponding digital PCR chip.

[0007] Further, the tray assembly has a first position and a second position in the vertical direction relative to the supporting plate, and the tray assembly is limited in the horizontal direction on the supporting plate in the state of the first position or the second position.

[0008] The chip conveying module further includes an elastic connecting structure, which is used to connect the tray assembly and the supporting plate and drive the tray assembly to remain in the first position, and the jacking driving device is used to drive the heat conduction plate to move the tray assembly to the second position to make the heat conduction plate attached to the corresponding digital PCR chip.

[0009] The first position is vertically above or below the second position.

[0010] Further, the elastic connection structure comprises a plurality of elastic connectors, and each of the elastic connectors is connected between the tray and the tray assembly.

[0011] When the tray assembly is in the first position, each of the elastic connectors is in a first elastic stretching state or an unstretched state.

[0012] When the tray assembly is in the second position, each of the elastic connectors is in a second elastic stretching state.

[0013] The second deformation amount of each of the elastic connectors in the second elastic stretching state is greater than the first deformation amount of each of the elastic connectors in the first elastic stretching state.

[0014] Further, the tray is configured to form a limiting hole, and the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the limiting hole, so that the tray assembly is limited on the tray in the first position or the second position.

[0015] Further, the limiting hole comprises a first hole, a stepped surface, and a second hole, the stepped surface is connected between the first hole and the second hole, and the stepped surface faces the first hole.

[0016] When the tray assembly is in the first position, the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the first hole, and the tray assembly is abutted on the stepped surface under the driving of the elastic connection structure.

[0017] When the tray assembly is in the second position, the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the first hole, and the tray assembly is driven away from the stepped surface under the driving of the heat-conducting plate by the jacking driving device and the driving of the elastic connection structure, so that the heat-conducting plate is attached to the corresponding digital PCR chip.

[0018] Further, the chip conveying module further comprises a first driving device, and the first driving device is used to drive the tray and the conveying tray assembly to move synchronously between the feeding and discharging station, the processing station, and the detection station in a first direction.

[0019] Further, the chip conveying module further comprises a second driving device, and the second driving device is used to drive the conveying tray and the tray assembly to move in a second direction, so that the plurality of digital PCR chips carried in the tray assembly can move to the detection station respectively.

[0020] Further, the digital PCR instrument further comprises a third mounting rack and a temperature adjusting unit, the jacking driving device is arranged on the third mounting rack, and the temperature adjusting unit is arranged at an output end of the jacking driving device;

[0021] The temperature adjusting unit comprises a mounting seat, a heating assembly and a temperature adjusting assembly. The heat conduction plate is arranged on the mounting seat and has a heat conduction surface in contact with the digital PCR chip. The temperature adjusting assembly is used for adjusting the temperature of the heat conduction plate, so that the heat conduction plate can transfer heat to the corresponding digital PCR chip to heat the digital PCR chip and absorb the heat of the corresponding digital PCR chip to cool the digital PCR chip.

[0022] Further, the temperature adjusting assembly comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a water-cooling plate, a water-cooling row, a fan, a water tank and a water pump. The first pipeline is connected between the water-cooling plate and the water-cooling row. The second pipeline is connected between the water-cooling row and the water tank. The third pipeline is connected between the water tank and the water-cooling plate. The water pump is arranged on one of the first pipeline, the second pipeline and the third pipeline. The fan is arranged close to the water-cooling row and is used for dissipating the heat dissipated by the water-cooling row to the outside of the digital PCR instrument.

[0023] The heating assembly comprises a TEC plate and a temperature control plate. The temperature control plate is electrically connected with the TEC plate and is used for controlling the operation of the TEC plate.

[0024] The heat conduction plate further has a heat transfer surface. The heat transfer surface is arranged opposite to the heat conduction surface. The TEC plate is arranged between the heat transfer surface and the water-cooling plate.

[0025] Further, the area of the heat transfer surface is greater than the area of the heat conduction surface.

[0026] The jacking driving device drives the heat conduction plate to move, so that the heat conduction plate is close to the digital PCR chip located in the processing station. After contacting the lower surface of the digital PCR chip, the heat conduction plate supports the lower surface of the digital PCR chip in the vertical direction under the further driving of the jacking driving device, and the supported digital PCR chip moves in the direction opposite to the heat conduction plate, so that the supported digital PCR chip can be closely combined with the heat conduction surface of the corresponding heat conduction plate, and the heat conduction plate can more stably and efficiently conduct heat to the digital PCR chip. Therefore, the digital PCR chip can be heated and cooled efficiently and quickly, and the liquid droplet contained in the digital PCR chip can be efficiently subjected to PCR amplification, thereby improving the detection efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR chip.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument in one embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument in one embodiment of the present application, showing the support unit at the loading and unloading station.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument from another perspective, as disclosed in one embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument in one embodiment of the present application. The outer casing is hidden, and the support unit is shown in the processing position, with the chip in an uncompressed state.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument in one embodiment of the present application. The outer casing is hidden, and the supporting unit is shown in the processing position, with the chip in a compressed state.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a digital PCR instrument from another perspective in one embodiment of this application, with the outer casing hidden in the diagram.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the integration of the droplet generation module and the chip clamping module in one embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A sectional view.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the temperature control module in one embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A sectional view.

[0039] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the detection module in one embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 13 for Figure 12A cross-sectional view of the middle field unit.

[0041] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the middle field unit. Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the middle field unit, the photographing unit and the mounting member assembled together.

[0042] Figure 15 A schematic view of the middle field unit and the photographing unit assembled together in an embodiment disclosed in the present application.

[0043] Figure 16 A schematic view of the middle field unit in an embodiment disclosed in the present application.

[0044] Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of the middle field unit. Figure 16

[0045] Figure 18 A schematic view of the middle field unit in an embodiment disclosed in the present application.

[0046] Figure 19 A schematic view of the middle field unit in an embodiment disclosed in the present application.

[0047] Figure 20 A cross-sectional view of the third reflection assembly in an embodiment disclosed in the present application.

[0048] Figure 21 A schematic view of the chip conveying module in an embodiment disclosed in the present application, wherein (A) is a perspective view of the chip conveying module; and (B) is an exploded view of the chip conveying module.

[0049] Figure 22 A schematic view of the supporting unit in an embodiment disclosed in the present application, wherein (A) is an exploded view of the supporting unit; (B) is a cross-sectional view of the tray assembly in a first position; and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the tray assembly in a second position.

[0050] Figure 23 A cross-sectional view of the locking assembly in an embodiment disclosed in the present application, wherein (A) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the locking assembly in a locking position; (B) is another perspective cross-sectional view of the locking assembly in the locking position; (C) is a perspective cross-sectional view of the locking assembly in a releasing position; and (D) is another perspective cross-sectional view of the locking assembly in the releasing position.

[0051] In the above drawings, the following reference signs are used:

[0052] ​Digital PCR instrument 100, digital PCR chip 200, sample inlet 201, first side 202, first side 203, detection unit 204, chip conveying module 10, supporting unit 11, supporting plate 111, limiting hole 1111, first hole 1112, stepped surface 1113, second hole 1114, tray assembly 112, base plate 1121, supporting position 11211, first limiting portion 11212, first supporting surface 11213, first avoiding groove 11214, first pressing plate 1122, first limiting through hole 11221, first hole wall 11222, second hole wall 11223, first operating portion 11224, second pressing plate 1123, second limiting portion 11231, second supporting surface 11232, second avoiding groove 11233, second limiting through hole 11234, third hole wall 11235, fourth hole wall 11236, second operating portion 11237, first limiting piece 11241, elastic driving piece 11242, rotating piece 11243, first section 112431, second section 112432, third section 112433, second limiting piece 11244, first connecting shaft 11245, second connecting shaft 11246, limiting connecting piece 1125, sliding assisting piece 1126, first sub-sliding assisting piece 11261, second sub-sliding assisting piece 11262, elastic connecting structure 113, elastic connecting piece 1131, first driving device 12, second driving device 13, droplet generation module 20, push injection driving device 21, push plate 22, syringe unit 23, tube body 231, plunger rod 232, sealing joint 233, jacking driving device 31, third mounting bracket 32, mounting seat 331, heat conduction plate 332, heat conduction surface 3321, TEC plate 3331, temperature control plate 3332, first pipeline 3341, second pipeline 3342, third pipeline 3343, water cooling plate 3344, water cooling row 3345, fan 3346, water tank 3347, water pump 3348, air guide piece 3349, wind shield 34, pressing driving device 41, first mounting bracket 42, mounting plate 43, pressing unit 44, elastic abutting piece 441, pressing piece 442, heat insulation piece 443, connecting column 444, second mounting bracket 45, guiding unit 46, first guide piece 461, second guide piece 462, third guide piece 463, first side 51, second side 52, third side 53, fourth side 54, first air inlet 55, second air inlet 56, detection module 60, bright field unit 61, first lens barrel 611, second lens barrel 612, bright field light source assembly 613, bright field lamp plate 6131, bright field lamp bead 6132, heat sink plate 6133, plate body 61331, fin 61332, heat sink 6134, bright field circuit board 6135, light transmission hole 61351, brightness sensor 6136, first reflection assembly 614, first reflecting mirror 6141, first fixing plate 6142, first fixing seat 6143, bright field light uniformity assembly 615, light uniformity sheet 6151, plano-convex lens 6152, excitation light unit 62,Excitation light homogenizing assembly 621, excitation light emitting assembly 622, switching driving device 6231, guide 6232, sliding piece 6233, bearing seat 624, shooting device 631, second reflecting assembly 632, second reflecting mirror 6321, first adjusting seat 6322, second adjusting seat 6323, first adjusting driving piece 6324, first adjusting balance piece 6325, second adjusting driving piece 6326, second adjusting balance piece 6327, second fixing seat 6328, moving driving piece 6329, third reflecting mirror 6331, third adjusting seat 6332, fourth adjusting seat 6333, third adjusting driving piece 6334, third adjusting balance piece 6335, fourth adjusting driving piece 6336, fourth adjusting balance piece 6337, third fixing seat 6338, mounting piece 64, mounting reference plate 65, collimating unit 66, collimating lens barrel 661, collimating lens 662, filtering unit 67, master control processing module 70, power module 80, rack 90. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application can be combined with each other without conflict. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0054] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and it will be further understood that the terms "comprise" and / or "include" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0055] The relative arrangement of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application unless otherwise specifically stated. At the same time, it should be understood that the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in proportion to the actual proportions. Techniques, methods and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail, but should be considered as part of the authorized specification, if appropriate. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific value should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments can have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numbers and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1-7As shown, this application provides a digital PCR instrument, which includes a frame 90 and a chip delivery module 10, a droplet generation module 20, a temperature control module and a chip clamping module respectively disposed on the frame 90.

[0057] The chip delivery module 10 carries the digital PCR chip 200 and delivers it to the processing station. The droplet generation module 20 is located above the chip delivery module 10 and controls the generation of droplets from the sample contained within the digital PCR chip 200 at the processing station. The temperature control module is at least partially located below the chip delivery module 10 and controls the reaction temperature of the droplets within the digital PCR chip 200 at the processing station, so that the droplets within the controlled digital PCR chip 200 perform PCR amplification. The chip pressing module is located above the chip delivery module 10 and presses the digital PCR chip 200 at the processing station onto the temperature control module.

[0058] This application utilizes the chip delivery module 10 to deliver at least one digital PCR chip 200 to the processing station, and positions the droplet generation module 20 above the chip delivery module 10 to process the sample contained within the digital PCR chip 200 at the processing station to generate droplets. The application also positions the temperature control module at least partially below the chip delivery module 10 to perform PCR amplification on the droplets generated in the digital PCR chip 200, thereby amplifying DNA molecules within the droplets. Finally, the application positions the chip clamping module above the chip delivery module 10 to press the digital PCR chip at the processing station into place. The chip 200 is pressed against the corresponding temperature control module, thereby completing the generation of droplets in the digital PCR chip 200 and the amplification of DNA in the droplets at the processing station, with the processing station as the reference. This avoids the need for the chip delivery structure to transport the digital PCR chip 200 to different processing stations to complete droplet generation and PCR amplification, thereby simplifying the structure of the chip delivery module 10 and miniaturizing the overall structure of the digital PCR instrument. It also simplifies the motion control of the chip delivery module 10, reduces the alignment accuracy requirements, and shortens the time between droplet generation and PCR amplification, thus improving the efficiency of single sample detection.

[0059] Further, please refer to Figures 8-9As shown, one of the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 is integrated on the other of the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20. That is, the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 are integrated together so that the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 can be located above the processing station at the same time, and so that the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 can be compactly integrated on the rack 90, thereby realizing overall structural compression of the digital PCR instrument by controlling the overall structure of the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20, so that the digital PCR chip 200 can be more miniaturized.

[0060] Further, the chip pressing module includes a pressing driving device 41, a first mounting frame 42, a second mounting frame 45, a mounting plate 43, and at least one pressing unit 44. The pressing unit 44 is arranged on the mounting plate 43, the mounting plate 43 is arranged on the first mounting frame 42, the first mounting frame 42 is arranged on the output end of the pressing driving device 41, the pressing driving device 41 is arranged on the second mounting frame 45, and the second mounting frame 45 is detachably arranged on the rack 90.

[0061] The pressing driving device 41 drives the first mounting frame 42 to move, so that the first mounting frame 42 drives the mounting plate 43 and at least one pressing unit 44 to move synchronously, so that the pressing unit 44 approaches or moves away from the corresponding digital PCR chip 200 located in the processing station, and realizes pressing the upper surface of the digital PCR chip 200 when it is in contact with the digital PCR chip 200 located in the processing station.

[0062] Further, the droplet generation module 20 includes a push injection driving device 21, a push plate 22, and at least one injector unit 23. The push injection driving device 21 is arranged on the first mounting frame 42, the push plate 22 is arranged on the output end of the push injection driving device 21 and located on the side of the mounting plate 43 away from the pressing unit 44, and the injector unit 23 is arranged on the mounting plate 43. The push injection driving device 21 is used to drive the push plate 22 to move relative to the first mounting frame 42, so that the push plate 22 drives at least one injector unit 23 to perform injection work or reset to a state ready for injection.

[0063] Further, the chip pressing module further comprises a guiding unit 46 for guiding the first mounting frame 42, the mounting plate 43, the injection driving device 21, the pressing unit 44, the syringe unit 23 and the push plate 22 to move in the same direction, so that the first mounting frame 42, the mounting plate 43, the injection driving device 21, the pressing unit 44, the syringe unit 23 and the push plate 22 can keep good precision during movement.

[0064] Further, the guiding unit 46 comprises a first guide 461, a second guide 462 and a third guide 463, the first guide 461 is arranged on the second mounting frame 45 along the direction parallel to the movement of the first mounting frame 42, the second guide 462 is slidably arranged on the first guide 461 and connected with the first mounting frame 42, and the third guide 463 is slidably arranged on the first guide 461 and connected with the push plate 22.

[0065] Under the driving of the pressing driving device 41, the first mounting frame 42, the mounting plate 43, the injection driving device 21, the pressing unit 44, the syringe unit 23 and the push plate 22 will move synchronously along the extension direction of the first guide 461 relative to the second mounting frame 45, until the pressing unit 44 presses the digital PCR chip 200 in the processing station and the syringe unit 23 communicates with the sample inlet 201 of the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, the pressing driving device 41 will stop driving, at this time, the injection driving device 21 will drive the push plate 22 to move to drive the syringe unit 23 to inject and pressurize the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, so that the sample pre-injected into the digital PCR chip 200 from the sample inlet 201 generates a droplet in the digital PCR chip 200; after the generation of the droplet is completed, the injection driving unit drives the syringe unit 23 to reset, and the pressing unit 44 continues to press on the corresponding digital PCR chip 200 to cooperate with the temperature control module on the opposite side of the pressing unit 44 to perform PCR amplification on the clamped digital PCR chip 200.

[0066] Further, please refer to Figures 10-11As shown, before the chip pressing module presses the digital PCR chip 200, the temperature control module will first support the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200. By setting the chip pressing module and the temperature control module to respectively resist the opposite sides of the digital PCR chip 200, the digital PCR chip 200 is clamped between the chip pressing module and the temperature control module, so that the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 can be effectively attached to the temperature control module, thereby facilitating heating and cooling of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0067] Preferably, the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 are respectively arranged above the processing station, and the guide unit 46 is used to guide the droplet generation module 20 and the first mounting frame 42, the mounting plate 43 and the pressing unit 44 to move in the vertical direction, thereby shortening the movement stroke of the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20, reducing the alignment accuracy, and thereby improving the movement efficiency of the chip pressing module and the droplet generation module 20 and the processing efficiency of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0068] Further, please refer to Figures 8-9 As shown, in an embodiment, the first guide 461 is a sliding rail, and the second guide 462 and the third guide 463 are sliding seats.

[0069] In another embodiment, the first guide 461 is a guide rod, and the second guide 462 and the third guide 463 are guide sleeves.

[0070] Preferably, the second mounting frame 45 is provided with at least two guide units 46, thereby further improving the guiding effect of the first mounting frame 42, the mounting plate 43, the injection driving device 21, the pressing unit 44, the syringe unit 23, and the push plate 22.

[0071] Further, the pressing unit 44 includes elastic resisting members 441, pressing members 442 and heat insulation members 443. At least one elastic resisting member 441 is flexibly connected between the pressing member 442 and the mounting plate 43. Each heat insulation member 443 is arranged on the side of the pressing member 442 away from the mounting plate 43, and the heat insulation member 443 is used to resist the corresponding digital PCR chip 200.

[0072] The elastic abutting member 441 is used to adaptively deform to match the pressing member 442 and the heat insulation member 443 to abut the corresponding digital PCR chip 200 on the temperature control module. At least one elastic abutting member 441 is arranged between the mounting plate 43 and each pressing member 442. Preferably, two elastic abutting members 441 are arranged between the mounting plate 43 and each pressing member 442.

[0073] Further, a connecting column 444 is arranged between the mounting plate 43 and each pressing member 442, which is used to connect the pressing member 442 and the heat insulation member 443 on the mounting plate 43.

[0074] Preferably, one connecting column 444 is arranged between each pressing member 442 and the mounting plate 43 corresponding to each elastic abutting member 441, and the connecting column 444 is arranged in the middle of the elastic abutting member 441, so that the elastic abutting member 441 is sleeved on the corresponding connecting column 444, or the elastic abutting member 441 is arranged in the connecting column 444, so that the position of the elastic abutting member 441 corresponding to the connecting column 444 can be limited, so that the elastic abutting member 441 can move in the vertical direction.

[0075] The heat insulation member 443 is used to contact the upper surface of the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, so as to clamp the digital PCR chip 200 by the temperature control module. During the PCR amplification process, the droplet sample in the digital PCR chip 200 will be subjected to high and low temperature cycles, so as to reduce the loss caused by the temperature conduction to the pressing unit 44, and the heat insulation member 443 can effectively reduce the temperature conduction of the digital PCR chip 200 to the pressing unit 44.

[0076] Further, the injector unit 23 includes a tube body 231, a plunger rod 232, and a sealing joint 233. The tube body 231 is arranged and fixed on the mounting plate 43, the plunger rod 232 includes opposite plug ends and connecting ends, the plug end is sealingly inserted into the tube body 231, and the connecting end is fixedly connected to the push plate 22. The push plate 22 can drive the plunger rod 232 to move relative to the tube body 231 under the drive of the injection driving device 21, and when the push plate 22 is close to the mounting plate 43, the air in the tube body 231 is compressed, so as to pressurize the sample added to the digital PCR chip 200.

[0077] The sealing joint 233 is connected to one end of the pipe body 231 away from the push plate 22, and is used to seal against the corresponding sample inlet 201 of the digital PCR chip 200, so as to realize sealed communication between the pipe body 231 and the sample inlet 201, thereby avoiding air leakage during pressurization of the digital PCR chip 200, resulting in low droplet generation efficiency or even failure to generate droplets.

[0078] During the process of generating droplets from the sample contained in the digital PCR chip 200 by the droplet generation module 20, the sealing joint 233 is sealed against the sample inlet 201 of the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, so as to realize communication between the pipe body 231 and the corresponding digital PCR chip 200.

[0079] Further, referring to Figures 10-11 In combination with 5-7, the temperature control module includes a jacking driving device 31, a third mounting frame 32, and a temperature adjusting unit. The jacking driving device 31 is arranged on the third mounting frame 32, and the temperature adjusting unit is arranged at the output end of the jacking driving device 31. The third mounting frame 32 is arranged on the rack 90. The jacking driving device 31 is used to drive the temperature adjusting unit to move in the vertical direction, so as to make the temperature adjusting unit approach or move away from the processing station. When the temperature adjusting unit approaches the processing station, the jacking and bearing of the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 are realized, so as to realize clamping of the digital PCR chip 200 in cooperation with the pressing unit 44, so that the clamped digital PCR chip 200 is clamped and effectively adheres to the temperature adjusting unit.

[0080] Further, the temperature adjusting unit includes a mounting seat 331, a heat conduction plate 332, and a temperature adjusting assembly. The mounting seat 331 is arranged at the output end of the jacking driving device 31, and the heat conduction plate 332 is arranged on the mounting seat 331 and has a heat conduction surface 3321 in contact with the digital PCR chip 200. The temperature adjusting assembly is used to heat the heat conduction plate 332, so as to conduct heat from the heat conduction plate 332 to the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, realize heating of the digital PCR chip 200, and cool the heat conduction plate 332, so as to absorb heat from the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, and realize cooling of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0081] Further, the chip pressing module and the droplet generating module 20 are respectively located above the processing station, and the heat conduction plate 332 is located below the processing station, so that the temperature control module, the chip pressing module and the droplet generating module 20 can all approach and move away from the digital PCR chip 200 located in the processing station in the vertical direction.

[0082] In some embodiments, the chip conveying module 10 can carry multiple digital PCR chips 200 at the same time, and multiple digital PCR chips 200 can be synchronously moved to the conveying processing station under the conveying of the chip conveying module 10. The chip pressing module is provided with one pressing unit 44 corresponding to each digital PCR chip 200, and the temperature control module is provided with one temperature adjusting unit corresponding to each digital PCR chip 200.

[0083] Further, referring to Figures 5-7 As shown in the figure, the temperature adjusting assembly includes a first pipeline 3341, a second pipeline 3342, a third pipeline 3343, a water-cooled plate 3344, a water-cooled row 3345, a fan 3346, a water tank 3347 and a water pump 3348. The first pipeline 3341 is connected between the water-cooled plate 3344 and the water-cooled row 3345, for conveying the cooling liquid in the water-cooled plate 3344 to the water-cooled row 3345; the second pipeline 3342 is connected between the water-cooled row 3345 and the water tank 3347, for conveying the cooling liquid in the water-cooled row 3345 to the water tank 3347; and the third pipeline 3343 is connected between the water tank 3347 and the water-cooled plate 3344, for conveying the cooling liquid in the water tank 3347 to the water-cooled plate 3344, so as to realize the circulation of the cooling liquid between the water-cooled plate 3344, the water-cooled row 3345 and the water tank 3347.

[0084] Further, the water pump 3348 is arranged on one of the first pipeline 3341, the second pipeline 3342 and the third pipeline 3343, for driving the movement of the cooling liquid between the first pipeline 3341, the second pipeline 3342 and the third pipeline 3343, so as to realize the circulation of the cooling liquid.

[0085] Preferably, the water tank 3347 is located lower than the water-cooled row 3345 and the water-cooled plate 3344 in the vertical direction, so that when the digital PCR instrument is stopped, the cooling liquid in the water-cooled row 3345 and the water-cooled plate 3344 is automatically gathered into the water tank 3347 based on the action of gravity.

[0086] Further, the water tank 3347 is connected with a liquid level pipe, and the liquid level pipe is used for detecting the liquid level of the cooling liquid in the water tank 3347.

[0087] Preferably, the water pump 3348 is arranged on the third pipeline 3343, so that the water pump 3348 can directly extract the coolant in the water tank 3347 when working, and directly deliver the coolant to the water-cooled plate 3344 through the third pipeline 3343, so as to quickly supply the coolant to the water-cooled plate 3344, improve the starting efficiency of the digital PCR instrument, and avoid dry pumping of the water pump 3348.

[0088] The fan 3346 is arranged close to the water-cooled plate 3345, and is used for dissipating the heat dissipated by the water-cooled plate 3345 to the outside of the digital PCR instrument. The fan 3346 can be a suction fan, which is used for pumping the heat dissipated by the water-cooled plate 3345 to the outside of the digital PCR instrument. Alternatively, the fan 3346 can be a blowing fan, which is used for blowing air to the water-cooled plate 3345, so that the air passing through the water-cooled plate 3345 carries the heat dissipated by the water-cooled plate 3345 to the outside of the digital PCR instrument. The type of the fan 3346 is not limited herein.

[0089] Further, please refer to Figures 10-11 As shown in the figure, the temperature adjusting assembly includes a TEC plate 3331 and a temperature control plate 3332, the temperature control plate 3332 is electrically connected with the TEC plate 3331, and is used for controlling the working of the TEC plate 3331. The temperature control plate 3332 is arranged on the mounting seat 331.

[0090] The heat-conducting plate 332 also has a heat transfer surface, which is arranged opposite to the heat-conducting surface 3321, and the TEC plate 3331 is arranged between the heat transfer surface and the water-cooled plate 3344. By arranging the TEC plate 3331 between the heat-conducting plate 332 and the water-cooled plate 3344, the TEC plate 3331 can directly conduct heat to the heat-conducting plate 332 when working, so as to improve the heating efficiency.

[0091] Further, the area of the heat transfer surface is greater than the area of the heat-conducting surface 3321. Specifically, the heat-conducting plate 332 has a boss structure, so that the area of the heat transfer surface is greater than the area of the heat-conducting surface 3321. When conducting heat to the heat-conducting plate 332 or absorbing heat from the heat-conducting plate 332 through the heat transfer surface, the efficiency of heat conduction or heat absorption can be improved through the larger contact surface, so as to more efficiently control the heat of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0092] Further, the boss structure can also be used to limit the installation of the heat-conducting plate 332 on the mounting seat 331 through the stepped surface 1113 of the heat-conducting plate 332.

[0093] Further, the temperature control module further comprises a baffle 34, which is arranged around the periphery of the mounting seat 331, the heat conduction plate 332 and the TEC plate 3331, and is used to prevent the wind flowing through the shell from affecting the working temperature of the TEC plate 3331 and the heat conduction plate 332, so as to avoid affecting the heating of the digital PCR chip 200 by the temperature control module.

[0094] Further, the digital PCR instrument further comprises a shell, and the rack 90, the droplet generation module 20, the temperature control module and the chip pressing module are arranged in the shell respectively.

[0095] Please refer to Figures 2-4 As shown in the figure, the chip conveying module 10 has an upper and lower work station, and when the chip conveying module 10 is in the upper and lower work station, the chip conveying module 10 at least partially extends out of the shell at the first side 51 of the shell, so as to facilitate the operator to take and place the digital PCR chip 200. After placing the digital PCR chip 200 to be tested or taking away the tested digital PCR chip 200, the chip conveying module 10 can be withdrawn from the conveying first side 51 to the shell.

[0096] Further, please refer to Figure 3 、 6 As shown in the figure, the temperature adjustment assembly further comprises an air guide member 3349, which is arranged at the second side 52 of the shell and is close to the water cooling radiator 3345, and is used to guide the hot air output by the fan 3346 and passing through the water cooling radiator 3345 to be obliquely upward or obliquely downward out of the shell, or the air guide member 3349 is close to the fan 3346 and is used to guide the hot air output by the fan 3346 to be obliquely or obliquely downward upward out of the shell. By arranging the air guide member 3349, the hot air in the shell can be efficiently guided out, so that the heat generated by the various modules in the shell can be quickly and efficiently dissipated, thereby avoiding the accumulation of heat in the shell, resulting in a higher temperature of the whole machine of the digital PCR instrument, affecting the working efficiency of the digital PCR instrument, and even causing the PCR instrument to stop running due to high temperature. At the same time, the arrangement of the air guide member 3349 can also avoid the hot air out of the shell from being directly blown to the operator near the digital PCR instrument.

[0097] Further, please refer to Figures 2-7As shown, the second side 52 is opposite to the first side 51 of the housing. Since the processing station is close to the first side 51, the heat generated by the chip pressing module, the droplet generation module 20 and the temperature control module during operation will be efficiently conducted out of the digital PCR instrument from the second side 52 under the cooperation of the fan 3346 and the air guide 3349.

[0098] Further, the third side 53 of the housing has a first air inlet 55, the third side 53 being connected between the first side 51 and the second side 52, and the first air inlet 55 being close to the first side 51 and the jack-up driving device 31.

[0099] Further, the first air inlet 55 is located at the third side 53 close to the first side 51 and the bottom of the digital PCR instrument. Therefore, under the pumping of the fan 3346, the air entering the housing from the first air inlet 55 will flow through the surfaces of the chip pressing module, the droplet generation module 20, the chip transport module, the jack-up driving device 31, the heat conduction plate 332, the water tank 3347, the water pump 3348, the first pipeline 3341, the second pipeline 3342, the third pipeline 3343 and the water cooling row 3345 close to the third side 53, and then exit the housing from the air guide 3349.

[0100] Specifically, the air passing through the inside of the housing can simultaneously achieve the cooling of the water cooling row 3345 to achieve the cooling of the cooling liquid, and the heat dissipation of the jack-up driving device 31, the bolus driving device 21, the pressing driving device 41, the chip transport module 10, the water tank 3347, the water pump 3348, the first pipeline 3341, the second pipeline 3342, the third pipeline 3343 and other components, so that the heat in the housing can be effectively dissipated by taking into account the heat dissipation of the above-mentioned components.

[0101] It should be noted that by arranging the water cooling plate 3344 in the housing and close to the first side 51, and arranging the water cooling plate 3345 in the housing and close to the second side 52, the first pipe 3341, the second pipe 3342 and the third pipe 3343 can be effectively extended, so that the first pipe 3341, the second pipe 3342 and the third pipe 3343 are exposed to an increased surface area of the housing, thereby increasing the contact area of the wind entering from the first air inlet 55 with the first pipe 3341, the second pipe 3342 and the third pipe 3343, and thereby improving the heat dissipation effect on the cooling liquid flowing through the first pipe 3341, the second pipe 3342 and the third pipe 3343, and in cooperation with the heat dissipation of the fan 3346 directly on the water cooling plate 3345, the cooling efficiency of the cooling liquid can be higher, thereby effectively cooling the digital PCR chip 200 through the water cooling plate 3344 and the heat conduction plate 332, and thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the digital PCR chip 200 and shortening the time of the PCR amplification process.

[0102] Further, the fourth side 54 of the housing has a second air inlet 56, the fourth side 54 is connected between the first side 51 and the second side 52, and is the other opposite side of the housing with the third side 53, the second air inlet 56 is close to the first side 51 and the jacking drive device 31.

[0103] Further, the second air inlet 56 is located on the fourth side 54 close to the first side 51 and the bottom of the digital PCR instrument, and the position of the second air inlet 56 substantially corresponds to the position of the first air inlet 55. Therefore, under the pumping of the fan 3346, the wind entering the housing from the second air inlet 56 will flow through the surface of the chip compression module, the droplet generation module 20, the chip transportation module, the jacking drive device 31, the heat conduction plate 332 and the water cooling plate 3345 close to the fourth side 54, and then exit the housing from the air guide piece 3349, thereby effectively dissipating the heat in the housing by taking into account the heat dissipation of each component in the housing.

[0104] Further, the first air inlet 55, the second air inlet 56 and the air guide piece 3349 are respectively provided with a filter screen, which is used to filter the air entering the housing, so as to reduce the risk of dust and other foreign matters entering the housing.

[0105] Further, please refer to Figures 2-4 and Figure 12As shown, the digital PCR further comprises a detection module 60 arranged in the housing and configured to detect the droplets in the digital PCR chip 200 to obtain the number of the droplets in the digital PCR chip 200 and the number of the droplets containing various target probes.

[0106] The chip conveying module 10 further comprises a detection station located behind the processing station and close to the second side 52. The loading and unloading station, the processing station and the detection station are arranged on the same horizontal plane in the direction from the first side 51 to the second side 52.

[0107] Further, the detection module 60 comprises a bright field unit 61, an excitation light unit 62 and a photographing unit. The bright field unit 61 is arranged on the rack 90 above the chip conveying module 10 and between the droplet generating module 20 and the water cooling row 3345, and is configured to emit a first detection light beam to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station. The photographing unit is configured to take a photograph of the digital PCR chip 200 receiving the first detection light beam and obtain a bright field photo of the digital PCR chip 200 under the irradiation of the first detection light beam. The excitation light unit 62 is arranged on the rack 90 below the chip conveying module 10 and the water cooling row 3345, close to the second side 52 and below the detection station, and is configured to emit a second detection light beam to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station. The photographing unit is further configured to take a photograph of the digital PCR chip 200 receiving the second detection light beam again to obtain a fluorescence photo of the digital PCR chip 200 under the second detection light beam.

[0108] Further, the detection station is located between the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62, so that the bright field unit 61 can directly emit the first detection light beam to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station, and the excitation light unit 62 can directly emit the second detection light beam to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station.

[0109] Further, the excitation light unit 62 is independent of the bright field unit 61, so that the excitation light unit 62 and the bright field unit 61 are respectively independently mounted on the rack 90, thereby reducing the installation difficulty of the detection module 60 and avoiding the arrangement of a connecting structure between the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62, so that the structure of the detection module 60 is miniaturized, thereby making the overall structure of the digital PCR instrument more compact and miniaturized.

[0110] Further, by mounting the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62 independently on the rack 90, and arranging the excitation light unit 62 and the bright field unit 61 close to the second side 52 respectively, it is also convenient to disassemble and assemble the excitation light unit 62 and the bright field unit 61 for maintenance and repair of the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62.

[0111] Further, the air entering the shell from the first air inlet 55 will also flow through the surfaces of the photographing unit, the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62 close to the third side 53 respectively, and the air entering the shell from the second air inlet 56 will also flow through the surfaces of the photographing unit, the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62 close to the fourth side 54 respectively. In this way, the air passing through the shell can also simultaneously take into account the cooling of the photographing unit, the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the photographing unit, the bright field unit 61 and the excitation light unit 62 cannot work efficiently or cannot work due to heat dissipation problems.

[0112] Further, in the prior art, the total number of droplets and the position of the droplets are usually detected by pre-adding a specific dye to the sample, and using the excitation light unit 62 to emit detection excitation light of a corresponding wave band to detect and identify the total number of effective droplets generated by the sample in the digital PCR chip 200 and the position of each effective droplet. The pre-treatment of the sample in the prior art is more complicated, which increases the sample pre-treatment time and cost, and a dedicated excitation light is also needed for sample detection, which increases the overall structure of the excitation light unit 62 in the prior art or reduces the number of available detection channels.

[0113] Further, in the prior art, the outline of the droplet is not clear in the photographed droplet distribution photo due to uneven droplet luminescence, so it is difficult to obtain the effective volume of the droplet according to the outline of the droplet. In the present application, the outline of the droplet can be clearly obtained through the bright field photo, and the effective volume of the corresponding droplet can be calculated according to the outline.

[0114] Further, referring to Figures 5-6 As shown in the figure, the digital PCR instrument also includes a main control processing module 70. The main control processing module 70 is also used to control the operation of the chip compression module, the droplet generation module 20, the chip transportation module and the detection module 60, so that the digital PCR instrument can operate in an orderly manner.

[0115] Further, the main control processing module 70 is arranged in the shell and located between the excitation light unit 62 and the fourth side 54 of the shell.

[0116] Wherein, the air entering the shell from the second air inlet 56 will also flow through the surface of the main control processing module 70 to dissipate the heat generated by the main control processing module 70 during operation to the outside of the digital PCR instrument, so that the fan 3346 can also take into account the heat dissipation of the main control processing module 70.

[0117] Further, the digital PCR instrument further comprises a power module 80 for supplying power to the main control processing module 70, the chip compression module, the droplet generation module 20, the chip transportation module and the detection module 60.

[0118] Wherein, the power module 80 is arranged in the shell and located between the excitation light unit 62 and the fourth side 54 of the shell, and above or below the main control processing module 70, and the air entering the shell from the second air inlet 56 will also flow through the surface of the power module 80 to dissipate the heat generated by the power module 80 during operation to the outside of the digital PCR instrument, so that the fan 3346 can also take into account the heat dissipation of the power module 80.

[0119] Further, please refer to Figure 13 As shown in the figure, the bright field unit 61 comprises a first lens barrel 611, a second lens barrel 612, a bright field light source assembly 613, a first reflection assembly 614 and a bright field light uniformity assembly 615. The first lens barrel 611 communicates with the second lens barrel 612, the bright field light source assembly 613 is arranged in the first lens barrel 611 and away from one end of the second lens barrel 612, the first reflection assembly 614 is arranged at the communication position of the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612, and the bright field light uniformity assembly 615 is arranged in the second lens barrel 612. The light emitted by the bright field light source assembly 613 is reflected to the second lens barrel 612 through the first reflection assembly 614, and forms the first detection light beam irradiated to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station after uniformity by the bright field light uniformity assembly 615.

[0120] The first reflection assembly 614 is arranged to reflect the light emitted by the bright field light source assembly 613 located in the first lens barrel 611, so that the reflected light can enter the second lens barrel 612 and be uniformly lighted by the bright field light uniformity assembly 615 in the second lens barrel 612 to form the first detection light beam. Since the first detection light beam needs to be irradiated from above the processing station to the upper surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the processing station in the vertical direction, the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612, which are not in the same straight line, can adjust the optical path of the light emitted by the bright field light source assembly 613, and the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612 are connected at any one of an acute angle, a right angle or an obtuse angle, so that the overall length of the bright field unit 61 can be effectively controlled, thereby realizing the structural compression of the bright field unit 61, reducing the space occupation of the bright field unit 61, and further compressing the overall structure of the digital PCR instrument.

[0121] Further, the bright field light source assembly 613 comprises a bright field lamp panel 6131, a bright field lamp bead 6132, a heat dissipation plate 6133 and a heat sink 6134. The heat dissipation plate 6133 is installed at one end of the first lens barrel 611 away from the second lens barrel 612. The bright field lamp panel 6131 is arranged on the heat dissipation plate 6133 and located on the side of the heat dissipation plate 6133 facing the first reflection assembly 614. The bright field lamp bead 6132 is arranged on the bright field lamp panel 6131 and used to emit a light beam when powered on. The heat sink 6134 is arranged on the side of the heat dissipation plate 6133 away from the bright field lamp panel 6131 and used to dissipate the heat generated by the bright field lamp bead 6132 and the bright field lamp panel 6131 and conducted to the heat dissipation plate 6133.

[0122] Preferably, the heat dissipation plate 6133 comprises a plate body 61331 and a plurality of fins 61332. The plurality of fins 61332 are arranged on the side of the plate body 61331 away from the bright field lamp panel 6131. The heat sink 6134 is arranged on the fins 61332. The plurality of fins 61332 can effectively increase the contact area between the heat dissipation plate 6133 and the air, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation plate 6133 for the bright field lamp bead 6132 and the bright field lamp panel 6131.

[0123] Further, the bright field light source assembly 613 further comprises a bright field circuit board 6135 and a brightness sensor 6136, the bright field circuit board 6135 is arranged in the first lens barrel 611 and located between the bright field lamp bead 6132 and the first reflecting assembly 614, the first bright field circuit board 6135 is used for electrical connection with the bright field lamp panel 6131. The brightness sensor 6136 is arranged on the bright field circuit board 6135 and located on the side of the bright field circuit board 6135 facing the bright field lamp bead 6132, which is used for detecting whether the bright field lamp bead 6132 emits light.

[0124] Further, the bright field circuit board 6135 is provided with a light transmission hole 61351, the light transmission hole 61351 is coaxially arranged with the optical axis of the light beam emitted by the bright field lamp bead 6132, and the aperture of the light transmission hole 61351 is smaller than the aperture of the first lens barrel 611, so that the light with a larger deviation angle from the optical axis and irradiated on the bright field circuit board 6135 will be intercepted, so that the first detection light beam formed after being reflected by the first reflecting assembly 614 and processed by the bright field light uniformizing assembly 615 can be irradiated on the upper surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station along the vertical direction.

[0125] Further, the first reflecting assembly 614 comprises a first reflecting mirror 6141, a first fixed plate 6142 and a first fixed seat 6143, the first fixed seat 6143 is connected at the communication between the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612, the first fixed plate 6142 is arranged on the first fixed seat 6143, and the first reflecting mirror 6141 is arranged on the first fixed plate 6142, the light beam emitted from the first lens barrel 611 is reflected by the first reflecting mirror 6141 and then irradiated on the second lens barrel 612.

[0126] Further, the bright field light uniformizing assembly 615 comprises a light uniformizing sheet 6151 and two plano-convex lenses 6152, the light uniformizing sheet 6151 is arranged on the first fixed seat 6143 and close to the second lens barrel 612, and the two plano-convex lenses 6152 are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the second lens barrel 612, the light beam reflected by the first reflecting mirror 6141 forms the first detection light beam after passing through the light uniformizing sheet 6151 and the two plano-convex lenses 6152 in sequence and then irradiates on the upper surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station.

[0127] Further, the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612 are vertically communicated, and the first lens barrel 611 extends along the horizontal direction, and the second lens barrel 612 extends along the vertical direction, so that the first reflecting mirror 6141 is installed on the first fixed plate 6142 at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0128] Therefore, the light emitted by the bright field light source assembly 613 is reflected by the first reflection assembly 614 to the second lens barrel 612, and after being homogenized by the bright field homogenizing assembly 615, the first detection light beam is formed to vertically downwardly irradiate the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection work station.

[0129] By vertically connecting the first lens barrel 611 and the second lens barrel 612, and extending the first lens barrel 611 in the horizontal direction and extending the second lens barrel 612 in the vertical direction, the structure of the bright field unit 61 is more compact, and at the same time, the first detection light beam can vertically irradiate the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection work station in the vertical direction, so as to uniformly irradiate the digital PCR chip 200, thereby enabling the photographing unit to take a bright field photo with substantially uniform brightness.

[0130] Further, referring to Figures 14-19 In an embodiment, the detection module 60 includes the excitation light unit 62, which is arranged on one side of the photographing unit. The excitation light unit 62 is configured to obliquely upwardly emit the second detection light beam.

[0131] Further, since the second detection light beam obliquely upwardly emitted by the single excitation light unit 62 is not directly irradiated to the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection work station, there is a significant difference in the irradiation intensity of the second detection light beam at different positions of the digital PCR chip 200, and therefore, the excitation light intensity of the second detection light beam absorbed by the droplets at different positions is inconsistent, which further causes the fluorescence intensity emitted by the droplets at different positions to have a certain difference, and therefore, the brightness of the fluorescence photo acquired by the photographing unit is not uniform.

[0132] In another embodiment, the module includes two excitation light units 62, which are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the photographing unit, and each of the two excitation light units 62 is configured to emit a second detection light beam with substantially the same irradiation intensity to the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection work station.

[0133] In the embodiment, the two excitation light units 62 symmetrically emit the second detection light beams obliquely upward, so that the two second detection light beams can coincide on the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station, thereby increasing the illumination intensity of the digital PCR chip 200, and the excitation light intensity received by each droplet on the digital PCR chip 200 is substantially uniform through the superposition of the illumination intensity, so that the fluorescence intensity emitted by each droplet is substantially uniform, and the brightness of the fluorescence photos obtained by the photographing unit is substantially uniform.

[0134] Further, in an embodiment, the excitation light unit 62 comprises an excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 and a plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622, the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 are respectively used to emit excitation light of different wavebands, and the position of any excitation light emitting assembly 622 is adjustable, so that the excitation light emitted by any excitation light emitting assembly 622 can be homogenized by the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 to form the second detection light beam obliquely upward to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station.

[0135] By setting one excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 and a plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 to cooperate, the number of excitation light homogenizing assemblies 621 can be effectively reduced, thereby reducing the cost, in addition, the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 can be avoided to move, thereby avoiding adjusting the relative position between the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 and the detection station, so that the second detection light beam processed by the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 can be shot to the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the processing station according to the specified light path.

[0136] Further, the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 move along a straight path or rotate around a rotation center, so that the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 cooperates with any excitation light emitting assembly 622, and the excitation light emitted by the excitation light emitting assembly 622 is homogenized to form the second detection light beam to the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station.

[0137] The excitation light unit 62 further comprises an excitation light switching assembly and a carrier seat 624, and a plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 are arranged in a straight line on the carrier seat 624. The excitation light switching assembly comprises a switching driving device 6231, a guide 6232 extending along the direction in which the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 are arranged, and a sliding member 6233 slidably connected to the guide 6232, the carrier seat 624 is arranged on the sliding member 6233, and the carrier seat 624 and / or the sliding member 6233 are arranged at the output end of the switching driving device 6231 and slide along the guide 6232 under the driving of the switching driving device 6231, so that any one of the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 can be aligned with the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621, and the second detection light beam of the corresponding wave band can be emitted in cooperation with the excitation light homogenizing assembly 621.

[0138] Further, please refer to Figures 14-19 As shown, in an embodiment, the excitation light unit 62 comprises a plurality of excitation light homogenizing assemblies 621 and a plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622, and the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 are respectively used to emit excitation light of different wave bands. Each excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 corresponds to one excitation light emitting assembly 622, and the positions of the one-to-one corresponding excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 and the excitation light emitting assembly 622 are adjustable, so that the excitation light emitted by any excitation light emitting assembly 622 can be homogenized by the corresponding excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 to form the second detection light beam obliquely irradiating onto the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection station.

[0139] Among them, the one-to-one corresponding excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 and the excitation light emitting assembly 622 are synchronously moved in a straight line or rotated around a center, so that any excitation light homogenizing assembly 621 homogenizes the excitation light emitted by the corresponding excitation light emitting assembly 622 to form the second detection light beam irradiating onto the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection station.

[0140] Further, in the embodiment, the switching driving device 6231 is used to drive the plurality of excitation light emitting assemblies 622 and the plurality of excitation light homogenizing assemblies 621 to move synchronously, so that any excitation light emitting unit can move synchronously with the corresponding excitation light homogenizing unit to a specified position.

[0141] Further, please refer to Figure 14As shown, the detection module 60 further comprises a mounting member 64, and the photographing unit and the excitation light unit 62 are integrated on the mounting member 64 respectively. The excitation light emitting unit is integrated in the mounting member 64, and the photographing unit is partially integrated in the mounting member 64 and partially protrudes out of the mounting member 64.

[0142] By integrating the photographing unit and the excitation light unit 62 on the mounting member 64, the detection module 60 is in an integrated structure and can be disassembled as a whole for maintenance. In addition, by integrating the photographing unit and the excitation light emitting unit on the mounting member 64, the photographing unit and the excitation light unit 62 can be assembled according to the required photographing light path and excitation light path before the detection module 60 is assembled to the rack 90 as a whole, thereby facilitating the assembly of the photographing unit and the excitation light emitting unit and improving the assembly efficiency.

[0143] Further, as shown in Figure 14 , 20 the photographing unit comprises a photographing device 631 and a second reflecting assembly 632. The photographing device 631 is arranged on the mounting member 64 and is used for photographing the fluorescent light beam emitted by the digital PCR chip 200 after absorbing the second detection light to obtain the fluorescent photograph, and the second reflecting assembly 632 is arranged obliquely below the detection station and is used for reflecting the fluorescent light beam emitted by the digital PCR chip 200 to the photographing device 631.

[0144] By arranging the second reflecting assembly 632 to reflect the fluorescent light beam, the light path of the fluorescent light beam is changed, so that the photographing surface of the photographing device 631 does not need to be arranged vertically to the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 in the detection station, thereby shortening the distance between the photographing device 631 and the processing station, and compressing the overall structure of the mounting member 64 and the overall structure of the detection module 60, so that the detection module 60 is more compact, and the digital PCR instrument is further miniaturized.

[0145] Further, the detection module 60 further comprises a mounting reference plate 65, and the second reflecting assembly 632 comprises a second reflecting mirror 6321, a first adjusting seat 6322, a second adjusting seat 6323, a first adjusting driving member 6324, a first adjusting balance member 6325, a second adjusting driving member 6326, a second adjusting balance member 6327, a second fixing seat 6328 and a moving driving member 6329.

[0146] The moving driving member 6329 is arranged on the mounting reference plate 65, the second fixing seat 6328 is arranged on the output end of the moving driving member 6329, the first adjusting seat 6322 is arranged on the second adjusting seat 6323 and can be deflected along the first deflection axis, the first adjusting driving member 6324 is arranged on the second fixing seat 6328 and can drive the first adjusting seat 6322 to deflect along the first deflection axis at a position deviated from the first deflection axis, the first adjusting balance member 6325 is connected between the second fixing seat 6328 and the first adjusting seat 6322 and is used for driving the first adjusting seat 6322 to abut against the first adjusting driving member 6324, the second adjusting seat 6323 is arranged on the second fixing seat 6328 and can be deflected along the second deflection axis, the second adjusting driving member 6326 is arranged on the second fixing seat 6328 and can drive the second adjusting seat 6323 to deflect along the second deflection axis at a position deviated from the second deflection axis, and the second adjusting balance member 6327 is connected between the second fixing seat 6328 and the second adjusting seat 6323 and is used for driving the second adjusting seat 6323 to abut against the second adjusting driving member 6326.

[0147] Therefore, when the second fixing seat 6328 is driven to move relative to the mounting reference plate 65 by the moving driving member 6329, the second reflecting mirror 6321, the first adjusting seat 6322, the second adjusting seat 6323, the first adjusting driving member 6324, the first adjusting balance member 6325, the second adjusting driving member 6326 and the second adjusting balance member 6327 can be synchronously moved, and the distance from the fluorescent light beam emitted by the liquid drop to the second reflecting mirror 6321 can be changed. By adjusting the first adjusting seat 6322 along the first deflection axis, one-dimensional adjustment of the second reflecting mirror 6321 can be realized, and by adjusting the second adjusting seat 6323 along the second deflection axis, another-dimensional adjustment of the second reflecting mirror 6321 can be realized, so that two-dimensional adjustment of the second reflecting mirror 6321 can be realized. Therefore, even if the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station has two-dimensional inclination relative to the reference surface, the optical path adjustment of the fluorescent light beam can be realized by the first adjusting driving member 6324, the first adjusting balance member 6325, the second adjusting driving member 6326 and the second adjusting balance member 6327, and even if the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station is close to or far away from the reference surface, the distance from the fluorescent light beam emitted by the liquid drop to the second reflecting mirror 6321 can be adjusted by moving the second reflecting mirror 6321 along the plane direction of the reference surface.

[0148] Further, the first adjusting balance piece 6325 and the second adjusting balance piece 6327 are both elastic structural pieces, that is, the first adjusting balance piece 6325 and the second adjusting balance piece 6327 can be springs, elastic ropes or other elastic structural pieces with elastic deformation performance, so that the first adjusting balance piece 6325 can keep the first adjusting seat 6322 abutting against the output end of the first adjusting driving piece 6324 during the rotation of the first adjusting seat 6322 along the first deflection axis driven by the first adjusting driving piece 6324, and the second adjusting balance piece 6327 can keep the second adjusting seat 6323 abutting against the output end of the second adjusting driving piece 6326 during the rotation of the second adjusting seat 6323 along the second deflection axis driven by the second adjusting driving piece 6326.

[0149] Further, the first adjusting driving piece 6324 and the first adjusting balance piece 6325 can be located on the same side of the first deflection axis or on both sides of the first deflection axis, and the second adjusting driving piece 6326 and the second adjusting balance piece 6327 can be located on the same side of the second deflection axis or on both sides of the second deflection axis, which is not limited herein.

[0150] In some embodiments, the output end of the first adjusting driving piece 6324 can be connected to the first adjusting seat 6322 through a ball head connection structure, so as to avoid the setting of the first adjusting balance piece 6325.

[0151] Further, please refer to Figure 14 As shown in the figure, the photographing unit further comprises a third reflection assembly, which is arranged between the second reflection assembly 632 and the photographing device, and is used for reflecting the fluorescent light beam reflected by the second reflection mirror 6321 to the photographing device 631 again.

[0152] By setting the third reflection assembly to reflect the fluorescent light beam again, the optical path of the fluorescent light beam is further changed, so that the photographing surface of the photographing device 631 does not need to be arranged directly opposite to the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 located in the detection station, thereby further shortening the distance between the photographing device 631 and the processing station, and compressing the overall structure of the mounting piece 64 and the overall structure of the detection module 60, so that the detection module 60 is more compact, and the digital PCR instrument is further miniaturized.

[0153] Further, the third reflecting assembly comprises a third reflecting mirror 6331, a third adjusting seat 6332, a fourth adjusting seat 6333, a third adjusting driving member 6334, a third adjusting balance member 6335, a fourth adjusting driving member 6336, a fourth adjusting balance member 6337 and a third fixing seat 6338.

[0154] The third fixing seat 6338 is arranged on the mounting reference plate 65, the third adjusting seat 6332 is arranged on the fourth adjusting seat 6333 deflectably along a third deflection axis, the third adjusting driving member 6334 is arranged on the third fixing seat 6338 and can drive the third adjusting seat 6332 to deflect along the third deflection axis at a position deviated from the third deflection axis, the third adjusting balance member 6335 is connected between the third fixing seat 6338 and the third adjusting seat 6332 and is used to drive the third adjusting seat 6332 to abut against the third adjusting driving member 6334, the fourth adjusting seat 6333 is arranged on the third fixing seat 6338 deflectably along a fourth deflection axis, the fourth adjusting driving member 6336 is arranged on the third fixing seat 6338 and can drive the fourth adjusting seat 6333 to deflect along the fourth deflection axis at a position deviated from the fourth deflection axis, and the fourth adjusting balance member 6337 is connected between the third fixing seat 6338 and the fourth adjusting seat 6333 and is used to drive the fourth adjusting seat 6333 to abut against the fourth adjusting driving member 6336.

[0155] By adjusting the third adjusting seat 6332 along the third deflection axis, one-dimensional adjustment of the third reflecting mirror 6331 can be realized, and by adjusting the fourth adjusting seat 6333 along the fourth deflection axis, another-dimensional adjustment of the third reflecting mirror 6331 can be realized, so that two-dimensional adjustment of the third reflecting mirror 6331 is realized, and then even if there is two-dimensional tilt of the digital PCR chip 200 located at the detection station relative to the reference surface, the optical path adjustment of the fluorescent light beam can be realized through the third adjusting driving member 6334, the third adjusting balance member 6335, the fourth adjusting driving member 6336 and the fourth adjusting balance member 6337.

[0156] Further, the third adjusting balance piece 6335 and the fourth adjusting balance piece 6337 are both elastic structural pieces, that is, the third adjusting balance piece 6335 and the fourth adjusting balance piece 6337 can be springs, elastic ropes or other elastic structural pieces with elastic deformation performance, so that the third adjusting balance piece 6335 can keep the third adjusting seat 6332 abutting against the output end of the third adjusting driving piece 6334 during the process that the third adjusting driving piece 6334 drives the third adjusting seat 6332 to rotate along the third deflection axis, and the fourth adjusting balance piece 6337 can keep the fourth adjusting seat 6333 abutting against the output end of the fourth adjusting driving piece 6336 during the process that the fourth adjusting driving piece 6336 drives the fourth adjusting seat 6333 to rotate along the fourth deflection axis.

[0157] Further, the third adjusting driving piece 6334 and the third adjusting balance piece 6335 can be located on the same side of the third deflection axis or on both sides of the third deflection axis, and the fourth adjusting driving piece 6336 and the fourth adjusting balance piece 6337 can be located on the same side of the fourth deflection axis or on both sides of the fourth deflection axis, which is not limited herein.

[0158] In some embodiments, the output end of the third adjusting driving piece 6334 can be connected with the third adjusting seat 6332 through a ball head connection structure, so as to avoid setting the third adjusting balance piece 6335.

[0159] Further, referring to Figure 14 As shown in the figure, the photographing unit further comprises a collimating unit 66, which is arranged between the second reflecting assembly and the third reflecting assembly, and is used for collimating the fluorescent light beam reflected by the second reflecting mirror 6321 and then shooting the fluorescent light beam to the third reflecting mirror 6331.

[0160] Further, the collimating unit 66 comprises a collimating lens barrel 661 and a plurality of collimating lenses 662, the collimating lens barrel 661 is communicated between the second fixing seat 6328 and the third fixing seat 6338, and the plurality of collimating lenses 662 are arranged in the collimating lens barrel 661 along the axial direction of the collimating lens barrel 661.

[0161] Further, referring to Figures 14-15 As shown in the figure, the detection module 60 further comprises a filtering unit 67, which is arranged between the third reflecting assembly and the photographing device, and is used for filtering the interference light of other wave bands except the wave band corresponding to the target fluorescent light beam.

[0162] Furthermore, the photographing device is positioned above or below the third reflective component. Preferably, the photographing device is positioned above the third reflective component, and the photographing device protrudes from the mounting member 64 and is close to the fan 3346. This allows the airflow passing through the housing to also pass over the surface of the photographing device, thereby also providing heat dissipation for the photographing device.

[0163] Further, please refer to Figures 5-7 and combined Figures 21-23 As shown, the chip delivery module 10 includes a support unit 11 and a first driving device 12. The support unit 11 is used to support at least one digital PCR chip 200, and the support unit 11 has the processing station, the detection station, and the loading / unloading station. The first driving device 12 is used to drive the support unit 11 to move along a first direction between the loading / unloading station, the processing station, and the detection station, so that the digital PCR chip 200 can be loaded or unloaded at the loading / unloading station, droplet generation and PCR amplification can be performed at the processing station, and detection can be performed at the detection station.

[0164] Furthermore, when the support unit 11 is located at the loading and unloading station, the support unit 11 extends from the first side 51 of the outer shell to facilitate loading and unloading of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0165] Further, please refer to Figures 21-23 As shown, the chip delivery module 10 further includes a second driving device 13, which drives the support unit 11 to move along a second direction, so that the support unit 11 moves between the loading / unloading station, the processing station and the detection station under the cooperation of the first driving device 12 and the second driving device 13.

[0166] Specifically, for the support unit 11 to support multiple digital PCR chips 200 simultaneously, or for each chip to have multiple detection units 204, since each detection unit 204 needs to be detected individually, it is necessary to adjust the position of the support unit 11 so that the detection unit 204 to be detected can move to the detection station. Therefore, the second driving device 13 is provided to cooperate with the first driving device 12 to drive each detection unit 204 to move to the detection station.

[0167] Further, the first direction and the second direction are two different directions, and the first driving device 12 drives the second driving device 13 and the supporting unit 11 to move synchronously along the first direction, or the second driving device 13 drives the supporting unit 11 to move along the second direction, or the first driving device 12 drives the supporting unit 11 to move along the first direction, and the second driving device 13 drives the first driving device 12 and the supporting unit 11 to move synchronously along the second direction.

[0168] Preferably, the first direction and the second direction are two perpendicular directions, so as to realize the switching of the supporting unit 11 between the loading and unloading station, the processing station and the detection station more quickly and efficiently.

[0169] Further, referring to Figures 21-23 As shown in the drawings, the supporting unit 11 comprises a supporting plate 111 and a tray assembly 112, and the tray assembly 112 is horizontally limited on the supporting plate 111, so that the tray assembly 112 cannot move relative to the supporting plate 111 in the horizontal direction, thereby avoiding that the tray assembly 112 and the digital PCR chip 200 carried thereby can be kept right below the pressing unit 44 and the injector unit 23 in the vertical direction after being lifted by the lifting driving device 31 through the heat-conducting plate 332, so as to cooperate with the pressing unit 44 and the injector unit 23 to realize droplet generation and PCR amplification, and avoiding that the digital PCR chip 200 after being lifted needs to move the positions of the pressing unit 44 and the injector unit 23 in the horizontal direction to make the sealing joint 233 face the sample inlet 201 in the vertical direction, and the heat-insulating plate faces the upper surface of each detection unit 204 in the vertical direction, so as to improve the processing efficiency of the digital PCR chip 200, and further improve the detection efficiency.

[0170] Further, the tray assembly 112 can move along with the heat-conducting plate 332 relative to the supporting plate 111 in the vertical direction under the driving of the lifting driving device 31, so as to make the heat-conducting plate 332 fit the corresponding digital PCR chip 200.

[0171] Specifically, the jacking driving device 31 drives the mounting base 331 to move along the vertical direction to drive the heat-conducting plate 332 to move synchronously, so that the heat-conducting plate 332 approaches the digital PCR chip 200 located at the processing station, and after contacting the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200, the heat-conducting surface 3321 of the heat-conducting plate 332 will support the lower surface of the digital PCR chip 200 along the vertical direction under the further driving of the jacking driving device 31, and the supported digital PCR chip 200 will move in the direction opposite to the supporting plate 111, so that the supported digital PCR chip 200 can be tightly attached to the heat-conducting surface 3321 of the corresponding heat-conducting plate 332, and then the heat-conducting plate 332 can more stably and efficiently conduct heat to the digital PCR chip 200, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0172] Further, referring to Figure 22 , the tray assembly 112 has a first position and a second position in the vertical direction relative to the supporting plate 111, and the tray assembly 112 is limited on the supporting plate 111 along the horizontal direction in the state of the first position or the second position. Wherein, the first position is located vertically above or below the second position.

[0173] The supporting unit 11 further comprises an elastic connecting structure 113 for connecting the tray assembly 112 and the supporting plate 111 and driving the tray assembly 112 to remain in the first position, and the jacking driving device 31 is used to drive the heat-conducting plate 332 to move the tray assembly 112 to the second position, so that the heat-conducting plate 332 is attached to the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, and each detection unit 204 is pressed by the pressing unit 44, so that the syringe unit 23 is in sealed communication with the corresponding sample inlet 201 of each detection unit 204, thereby realizing the processing of each detection unit 204 to generate droplets and the efficient and stable PCR amplification of the generated droplets.

[0174] Further, the elastic connecting structure 113 comprises a plurality of elastic connecting members 1131, and the plurality of elastic connecting members 1131 are respectively connected between the supporting plate 111 and the tray assembly 112, and are used to limit the tray assembly 112 on the supporting plate 111 to prevent the tray assembly 112 from separating from the supporting plate 111 and prevent the tray assembly 112 from moving along the horizontal direction relative to the supporting plate 111.

[0175] Further, when the tray assembly 112 is located at the first position, each of the elastic connectors 1131 is in a first elastic stretching state or an unstretched state. Specifically, when each of the elastic connectors 1131 is in the first elastic stretching state, the tray assembly 112 can be kept at the first position by the gravity of the tray assembly 112 and the digital PCR chip 200 carried thereby; or when each of the elastic connectors 1131 is in the unstretched state, the tray assembly 112 can be kept at the first position by the gravity of the tray assembly 112 and the digital PCR chip 200 carried thereby.

[0176] When the tray assembly 112 is located at the second position, each of the elastic connectors 1131 is in a second elastic stretching state. The second deformation amount of each of the elastic connectors 1131 in the second elastic stretching state is greater than the first deformation amount of each of the elastic connectors 1131 in the first elastic stretching state, so that each of the elastic connectors 1131 tends to return to the original state.

[0177] Further, the distance between the first position and the second position in the vertical direction is less than 5 mm. Preferably, the distance between the first position and the second position in the vertical direction is less than 2 mm, so that the heat-conducting plate 332 can be in close contact with the corresponding digital PCR chip 200, thereby controlling the stroke of the jacking driving device 31 and the overall height of the digital PCR chip 200 in the vertical direction, and further realizing the miniaturization design of the digital PCR instrument.

[0178] Further, referring to Figure 22 Specifically, the tray plate 111 is configured to form a limiting hole 1111, and the tray assembly 112 is at least partially limited in the limiting hole 1111, so that the tray assembly 112 is limited on the tray plate 111 in the first position or the second position. By providing the limiting hole 1111, the tray assembly 112 can be adaptively limited on the tray plate 111, and displacement of the tray assembly 112 relative to the tray plate 111 in the horizontal direction can be prevented.

[0179] Further, the limiting hole 1111 includes a first hole 1112, a stepped surface 1113, and a second hole 1114. The stepped surface 1113 is connected between the first hole 1112 and the second hole 1114, and the stepped surface 1113 faces the first hole 1112, so that the diameter of the first hole 1112 is greater than the diameter of the second hole 1114.

[0180] When the tray assembly 112 is in the first position, the tray assembly 112 is at least partially positioned in the first hole 1112, and the tray assembly 112 is supported on the step surface 1113 by the driving of the elastic connecting structure 113 or by its own gravity.

[0181] When the tray assembly 112 is in the second position, the tray assembly 112 is at least partially positioned in the first hole 1112, and the tray assembly 112 is driven away from the step surface 1113 by the driving of the heat-conducting plate 332 by the jacking driving device 31 and by the driving of the elastic connecting structure 113, so that the heat-conducting plate 332 is attached to the corresponding digital PCR chip 200.

[0182] Further, when the tray assembly 112 is in the second position, the tray assembly 112 is in a suspended state relative to the tray plate 111, so that the digital PCR chip 200 carried by the tray assembly 112 can be attached to the lower surface of the corresponding heat-conducting plate 332.

[0183] Further, referring to Figure 23 As shown, the tray assembly 112 includes a base plate 1121, a first pressing plate 1122, a second pressing plate 1123, and a plurality of locking assemblies. The first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 are connected to the base plate 1121 by the plurality of locking assemblies. The plurality of locking assemblies are collectively used to position and lock the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 on the base plate 1121, so that the digital PCR chip 200 is adaptively locked between the base plate 1121, the first pressing plate 1122, and the second pressing plate 1123, and the locked digital PCR chip 200 can remain undeformed, thereby avoiding problems such as that droplets cannot be laid flat in the detection unit 204 and that droplets cannot be photographed for detection due to deformation of the PCR chip.

[0184] Further, the base plate 1121 is configured to have a plurality of supporting positions 11211. Each supporting position 11211 can accommodate a digital PCR chip 200, so that the chip can simultaneously support a plurality of digital PCR chips 200, thereby realizing batch processing of a plurality of digital PCR chips 200 and improving detection efficiency.

[0185] Furthermore, the locking assembly has a locked position and a released position. When the multiple locking assemblies are respectively in the locked position, the first pressure plate 1122 simultaneously presses against the surface of each digital PCR chip 200 near its respective first side 202, and the second pressure plate 1123 simultaneously presses against the surface of each digital PCR chip 200 near its respective second side 52. The first side 202 and the second side 52 of each digital PCR chip 200 are opposite sides of that digital PCR chip 200. By pressing only the opposite sides of each digital PCR chip 200, each digital PCR chip 200 can adaptively release stress in a timely manner during the pressing and clamping process, thereby achieving adaptive pressing and clamping, and effectively preventing deformation of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0186] When the multiple locking components are respectively in the release position, the first pressure plate 1122 and the second pressure plate 1123 simultaneously release the multiple digital PCR chips 200, so that each digital PCR chip 200 can be unloaded at the loading and unloading position.

[0187] Furthermore, the plurality of support positions 11211 are arranged in a straight line, and at least one locking component is provided on each side of the arrangement direction of the plurality of support positions 11211. The direction in which the first side 202 and the second side 52 of each digital PCR chip 200 are opposite to each other is parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of support positions 11211, so that the pressing side of the first pressure plate 1122 and the second pressure plate 1123 on the digital PCR chip 200 is not on the same side of the digital PCR chip 200 as the direction in which the locking components are distributed, but on opposite sides.

[0188] Furthermore, in one embodiment, one of the first pressure plate 1122 and the second pressure plate 1123 is pressed onto the digital PCR chip 200 located within each of the support positions 11211 before the other of the first pressure plate 1122 and the second pressure plate 1123. Therefore, after the first pressure plate 1122 or the second pressure plate 1123 presses its first side 202 or second side 52, each digital PCR chip 200 can quickly release stress, thereby adapting to the pressure of the other of the first pressure plate 1122 and the second pressure plate 1123, and thus being clamped between the first pressure plate 1122, the second pressure plate 1123 and the substrate 1121 without deformation.

[0189] In another embodiment, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 press the digital PCR chip 200 in the holding position 11211 simultaneously, so as to improve the clamping efficiency of the digital PCR chip 200.

[0190] Further, referring to Figure 23 As shown, the locking assembly comprises a first limiting member 11241 and an elastic driving member 11242. The elastic driving member 11242 is connected between the base plate 1121 and the second pressing plate 1123, and is configured to drive the second pressing plate 1123 to press against the first pressing plate 1122, so that the second pressing plate 1123 and the first pressing plate 1122 tend to be close to the base plate 1121, thereby enabling the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 to hold the base plate 1121 to clamp the digital PCR chip 200. The first limiting member 11241 is connected to one of the base plate 1121 and the first pressing plate 1122, and the other one of the base plate 1121 and the first pressing plate 1122 is provided with a first limiting portion 11212. The first limiting member 11241 has a first limiting position and a second limiting position in the first limiting portion 11212.

[0191] When the locking assembly is in the locking position, the first limiting member 11241 is in the first limiting position, and at this time, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 press the digital PCR chip 200 respectively.

[0192] When the locking assembly is in the releasing position, the first limiting member 11241 is in the second limiting position, and at this time, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 are away from the base plate 1121, so that the digital PCR chip 200 in the holding position can be unloaded, or a digital PCR chip 200 can be loaded into the holding position.

[0193] Further, referring to Figure 23 As shown, the first limiting portion 11212 is a stepped structure, and the first limiting portion 11212 comprises a first supporting surface 11213 and a first avoiding groove 11214. The first supporting surface 11213 is connected at the opening of the first avoiding groove 11214, so that the first supporting surface 11213 is at least partially higher than the groove bottom of the first avoiding groove 11214.

[0194] When the locking assembly is in the locking position, the first limiting member 11241 abuts against the bottom of the first avoiding groove 11214 or is suspended in the first avoiding groove 11214 and is in the first limiting position. At this time, the first limiting member 11241 can cancel the support for the first pressing plate 1122 under the driving of the elastic driving member 11242, so that the second pressing plate 1123 can approach the base plate 1121 together with the first pressing plate 1122.

[0195] When the locking assembly is in the releasing position, the first limiting member 11241 abuts against the first supporting surface 11213 and is in the second limiting position. At this time, the first limiting member 11241 will support and limit the first pressing plate 1122 under the support of the first supporting surface 11213, and will drive the first pressing plate 1122 to move away from the base plate 1121 against the action of the elastic driving member 11242, so that the first pressing plate 1122 no longer presses the digital PCR chip 200, and the first pressing plate 1122 will also drive the second pressing plate 1123 to move away from the base plate 1121 against the action of the elastic driving member 11242, so that the second pressing plate 1123 no longer presses the digital PCR chip 200.

[0196] Further, referring to Figure 23 It is shown that the locking assembly further comprises a rotating member 11243 and a second limiting member 11244. The rotating member 11243 is rotatably connected to the base plate 1121 or the first pressing plate 1122. The second limiting member 11244 is arranged on the rotating member 11243. An end of the elastic driving member 11242 away from the base plate 1121 is connected to the rotating member 11243.

[0197] The second pressing plate 1123 is provided with a second limiting portion 11231. The second limiting member 11244 has a third limiting position and a fourth limiting position in the second limiting portion 11231.

[0198] When the locking assembly is in the locking position, the first limiting member 11241 is in the first limiting position, and the second limiting member 11244 is in the third limiting position. At this time, the first pressing plate 1122 will move away from the base plate 1121 against the action of the elastic driving member 11242 under the cooperation of the first limiting member 11241 and the first limiting portion 11212, and the second pressing plate 1123 will move away from the base plate 1121 synchronously with the first pressing plate 1122 against the action of the elastic driving member 11242 under the cooperation of the second limiting member 11244 and the second limiting portion 11231.

[0199] When the locking assembly is in the releasing position, the first limiting piece 11241 is in the second limiting position, and the second limiting piece 11244 is in the fourth limiting position. At this time, the first pressing plate 1122 will be driven by the elastic driving piece 11242 to approach the base plate 1121 under the cooperation of the first limiting piece 11241 and the first limiting portion 11212, and the second pressing plate 1123 will be driven by the elastic driving piece 11242 to approach the base plate 1121 synchronously with the first pressing plate 1122 under the cooperation of the second limiting piece 11244 and the second limiting portion 11231.

[0200] By setting the first limiting piece 11241 and the second limiting piece 11244, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 can be more smoothly and stably matched with the elastic driving piece 11242 to switch between the locking position and the releasing position under the action of an external force. At the same time, by setting the rotating piece 11243 and arranging the second limiting piece 11244 and one end of the elastic driving piece 11242 on the rotating piece 11243 respectively, the first limiting piece 11241 can be more smoothly matched in the cooperation process with the first limiting portion 11212, and the second limiting piece 11244 can be more smoothly matched in the cooperation process with the second limiting portion 11231.

[0201] Further, the first limiting piece 11241 is rotatably connected to one of the base plate 1121 and the first pressing plate 1122 through a first connecting shaft 11245, so as to reduce the friction between the first limiting piece 11241 and the first limiting portion 11212 during movement, and make the first limiting portion 11212 more smoothly and labor-savingly switch between the first supporting surface 11213 and the first avoiding groove 11214.

[0202] The second limiting piece 11244 is rotatably connected to the rotating piece 11243 through a second connecting shaft 11246, so as to reduce the friction between the second limiting piece 11244 and the second limiting portion 11231 during movement, and make the second limiting portion 11231 more smoothly and labor-savingly switch between the second avoiding groove 11233 and the second supporting surface 11232.

[0203] Further, the first limiting piece 11241 can be a bearing, a roller or other structure that can rotate relative to the first connecting shaft 11245. The second limiting piece 11244 can be a bearing, a roller or other structure that can rotate relative to the first connecting shaft 11245.

[0204] Further, please refer to Figure 23 As shown, the second limiting part 11231 is a stepped structure, and the second limiting part 11231 comprises a second supporting surface 11232 and a second avoiding groove 11233, the second supporting surface 11232 is connected at the notch of the second avoiding groove 11233;

[0205] When the locking assembly is in the locking position, the second limiting part 11244 abuts against the second supporting surface 11232 and is in the third limiting position, at this time, the second limiting part 11244 abuts against the second supporting surface 11232 under the driving of the elastic driving part 11242 and the limiting of the second supporting surface 11232, therefore, the second pressing plate 1123 can be driven to be close to the base plate 1121 by the elastic driving part 11242.

[0206] When the locking assembly is in the releasing position, the second limiting part 11244 is suspended in the second avoiding groove 11233 and is in the fourth limiting position, at this time, the second limiting part 11244 is limited in the second avoiding groove 11233 under the limiting of the second avoiding groove 11233, so that the second pressing plate 1123 overcomes the action of the elastic driving part 11242 and is away from the base plate 1121.

[0207] Further, the second supporting surface 11232 is an inclined surface, and the second supporting surface 11232 gradually inclines upwardly toward the direction close to the second avoiding groove 11233. Since the second limiting part 11244 is connected in the middle of the rotating part 11243 through the second connecting shaft 11246 and is located between the rotating part 11243 and the elastic driving part 11242, when the second limiting part 11244 is limited on the second supporting surface 11232, the elastic driving part 11242 is not enough to drive the second limiting part 11244 to overcome the limiting of the second supporting surface 11232 which is arranged to be inclined, therefore, the second limiting part 11244 can be stably kept in the third limiting position.

[0208] Further, please refer to Figure 23 As shown, the rotating part 11243 comprises a first segment 112431, a second segment 112432 and a third segment 112433 which are connected in sequence, the first segment 112431 is rotatably connected on the base plate 1121 through a rotating shaft, the second segment 112432 is connected with the second limiting part 11244, and the third segment 112433 is connected with one end of the elastic driving part 11242 which is away from the base plate 1121.

[0209] The first segment 112431 and the second segment 112432 have a first included angle, which is an obtuse angle. By setting the first included angle, the first segment 112431 and the second segment 112432 are not connected in a straight line, but are connected at an obtuse angle, so that the length of the first segment 112431 and the second segment 112432 can be effectively shortened, thereby controlling the overall length of the rotating member 11243, so that the rotating member 11243 in the lever structure can more smoothly and labor-savingly drive the second limiting member 11244 to switch between the third limiting position and the fourth limiting position in cooperation with the elastic driving member 11242.

[0210] The second segment 112432 and the third segment 112433 have a second included angle, which is an obtuse angle. By setting the second included angle, the second segment 112432 and the third segment 112433 are not connected in a straight line, but are connected at an obtuse angle, so that the length of the second segment 112432 and the third segment 112433 can be effectively shortened, thereby controlling the overall length of the rotating member 11243, so that the rotating member 11243 in the lever structure can more smoothly and labor-savingly drive the second limiting member 11244 to switch between the third limiting position and the fourth limiting position in cooperation with the elastic driving member 11242.

[0211] Further, referring to Figure 23 As shown, the tray assembly 112 further includes a plurality of limiting connecting members 1125, which are sequentially connected to the base plate 1121 through the second pressing plate 1123 and the first pressing plate 1122 respectively, to prevent the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 from being separated from the base plate 1121, thereby enabling the limiting of the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 in the release position state of the locking assembly.

[0212] The first pressing plate 1122 has a first limiting through hole 11221 corresponding to each limiting connecting member 1125, which is in a strip shape along the direction of relative movement of the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123, and has opposite first hole walls 11222 and second hole walls 11223.

[0213] The second pressing plate 1123 has a second limiting through hole 11234 corresponding to each limiting connecting piece 1125. The second limiting through hole 11234 is in a strip shape along the direction of relative movement between the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123, and has opposite third hole walls 11235 and fourth hole walls 11236. The third hole walls 11235 are oriented in the same direction as the first hole walls 11222, and the fourth hole walls 11236 are oriented in the same direction as the second hole walls 11223.

[0214] When the plurality of locking assemblies are respectively located at the locking positions, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 respectively press a plurality of digital PCR chips 200, and the first hole walls 11222 and the fourth hole walls 11236 are respectively close to the corresponding limiting connecting pieces 1125.

[0215] When the plurality of locking assemblies are respectively located at the releasing positions, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 respectively release a plurality of digital PCR chips 200, and the second hole walls 11223 and the third hole walls 11235 are respectively close to the corresponding limiting connecting pieces 1125.

[0216] In an embodiment, along the direction in which the plurality of bearing positions are arranged, the two sides of the plurality of bearing positions are respectively provided with the plurality of limiting connecting pieces 1125 and the plurality of locking assemblies. Among adjacent limiting connecting pieces 1125, one locking assembly is arranged.

[0217] Further, referring to Figure 23 It is shown that the tray assembly 112 further includes a plurality of sliding assisting pieces 1126. The plurality of sliding assisting pieces 1126 are respectively arranged on the first pressing plate 1122. At least part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126 protrude towards the second pressing plate 1123, at least another part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126 protrude towards the base plate 1121, or a plurality of the sliding assisting pieces 1126 simultaneously protrude towards the second pressing plate 1123 and the base plate 1121, respectively.

[0218] Alternatively, the plurality of sliding assisting pieces 1126 are respectively arranged on the second pressing plate 1123. Part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126 protrude towards the first pressing plate 1122, and at least another part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126 protrude towards the base plate 1121 through the first pressing plate 1122. The first pressing plate 1122 has a space corresponding to the part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126, so that the relative movement between the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 does not affect the synchronous movement of the part of the sliding assisting pieces 1126.

[0219] Alternatively, a plurality of the glide aids 1126 are respectively arranged on the base plate 1121, wherein part of the glide aids 1126 protrude towards the first pressing plate 1122, at least another part of the glide aids 1126 protrude towards the second pressing plate 1123 through the first pressing plate 1122, and the first pressing plate 1122 has a space corresponding to the part of the glide aids 1126, so that the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 can avoid the part of the glide aids 1126 when moving relative to each other.

[0220] In the case that the locking assembly is in the locking position and the tray assembly 112 is empty, the plurality of glide aids 1126 are used to keep the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 apart by a first distance, so as to reduce the contact area between the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123, and keep the first pressing plate 1122 and the base plate 1121 apart by a second distance, so as to reduce the contact area between the first pressing plate 1122 and the base plate 1121.

[0221] In the case that the locking assembly is in the locking position and the tray assembly 112 carries the digital PCR chip 200, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 are kept apart by a third distance, the third distance is greater than or equal to the first distance, and the first pressing plate 1122 and the base plate 1121 are kept apart by a fourth distance, the fourth distance is greater than or equal to the second distance. Thus, in the case that the tray assembly 112 carries the digital PCR chip 200, each of the glide aids 1126 does not abut against the corresponding first pressing plate 1122 or the base plate 1121 or the second pressing plate 1123.

[0222] Further, in a specific embodiment, the plurality of glide aids 1126 are respectively arranged on the first pressing plate 1122, and each of the glide aids 1126 has the first distance protruding towards the second pressing plate 1123 and has the second distance protruding towards the base plate 1121.

[0223] In another specific embodiment, please refer to ​As shown, the plurality of glide aids 1126 includes a plurality of first sub-glide aids 11261 and a plurality of second sub-glide aids 11262, the plurality of first sub-glide aids 11261 are respectively arranged on the first pressing plate 1122 and / or the second pressing plate 1123 and have the first distance protruding between the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123, and the plurality of second sub-glide aids 11262 are respectively arranged on the first pressing plate 1122 and / or the base plate 1121 and have the second distance protruding between the first pressing plate 1122 and the base plate 1121.

[0224] When the locking assembly is in the locking position and the tray assembly 112 is in the empty state, the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123 are abutted by the plurality of first sub-glide aids 11261, and the first pressing plate 1122 and the base plate 1121 are abutted by the plurality of second sub-glide aids 11262.

[0225] Further, the first pressing plate 1122 is provided with a first operation part 11224, and the second pressing plate 1123 is provided with a second operation part 11237, and the first operation part 11224 and the second operation part 11237 are oppositely arranged along the relative movement direction of the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123. By arranging the first operation part 11224 and the second operation part 11237, the staff can hold the first operation part 11224 and the second operation part 11237 with both hands to operate the relative movement of the first pressing plate 1122 and the second pressing plate 1123.

[0226] For the convenience of description, spatial relative terms such as "on", "above", "upper surface", "upper", and the like can be used herein to describe the spatial relationship of one device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation of the device described in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawing is inverted, the device described as "above" or "on" other devices or structures will be positioned "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below" orientations. The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0227] In addition, it should be noted that the use of "first", "second", and the like words to qualify elements is merely intended to distinguish the respective elements from one another, and does not have a special meaning unless otherwise stated. Therefore, these words should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0228] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above with the help of drawing. However, for those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A digital PCR instrument, characterized by, The chip conveying module comprises a supporting plate and a tray assembly, the tray assembly is limited on the supporting plate along a horizontal direction and carries at least one digital PCR chip, and the tray assembly is movable along a vertical direction relative to the supporting plate under the driving of a jacking driving device so as to make the heat conducting plate fit the corresponding digital PCR chip. The jacking driving device is used to drive the heat conducting plate to move along the vertical direction so as to make the heat conducting plate fit or separate from the corresponding digital PCR chip.

2. The digital PCR instrument of claim 1, wherein, The tray assembly has a first position and a second position along the vertical direction relative to the supporting plate, and the tray assembly is limited on the supporting plate along the horizontal direction in the state of the first position or the second position. The chip conveying module further comprises an elastic connecting structure, the elastic connecting structure is used to connect the tray assembly and the supporting plate and drive the tray assembly to keep in the first position, and the jacking driving device is used to drive the heat conducting plate to move the tray assembly to the second position so as to make the heat conducting plate fit the corresponding digital PCR chip. The first position is located directly above or directly below the second position along the vertical direction.

3. The digital PCR instrument of claim 2, wherein, The elastic connecting structure comprises a plurality of elastic connecting members, and the plurality of elastic connecting members are connected between the supporting plate and the tray assembly respectively. In the case that the tray assembly is located in the first position, each elastic connecting member is in a first elastic stretching state or an unstretched state. In the case that the tray assembly is located in the second position, each elastic connecting member is in a second elastic stretching state. The second deformation amount of each elastic connecting member in the second elastic stretching state is greater than the first deformation amount in the first elastic stretching state.

4. The digital PCR instrument of claim 2, wherein, The supporting plate is configured to form a limiting hole, and the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the limiting hole so that the tray assembly is limited on the supporting plate along the horizontal direction in the state of the first position or the second position.

5. The digital PCR instrument of claim 4, wherein, The limiting hole comprises a first hole, a stepped surface and a second hole, the stepped surface is connected between the first hole and the second hole, and the stepped surface faces the first hole. In the case that the tray assembly is located in the first position, the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the first hole, and the tray assembly is abutted on the stepped surface under the driving of the elastic connecting structure. In the case that the tray assembly is located in the second position, the tray assembly is at least partially limited in the first hole, and the tray assembly is driven away from the stepped surface under the driving of the heat conducting plate driven by the jacking driving device and the driving of the elastic connecting structure so as to make the heat conducting plate fit the corresponding digital PCR chip.

6. The digital PCR instrument of claim 1, wherein, The chip conveying module further comprises a first driving device, and the first driving device is used to drive the supporting plate and the conveying tray assembly to move synchronously along a first direction among the loading and unloading station, the processing station and the detection station.

7. The digital PCR instrument of claim 6, wherein, The chip conveying module further comprises a second driving device, the conveying second driving device is used to drive the conveying tray and the tray assembly to move in a second direction, so that the plurality of digital PCR chips carried in the tray assembly can move to the detection station respectively.

8. The digital PCR instrument of claim 1, wherein, The digital PCR instrument further comprises a third mounting frame and a temperature adjusting unit, the jacking driving device is arranged on the third mounting frame, and the temperature adjusting unit is arranged on an output end of the jacking driving device; The temperature adjusting unit comprises a mounting seat, a heating assembly and a temperature adjusting assembly, the heat conduction plate is arranged on the mounting seat and has a heat conduction surface in contact with the digital PCR chip, and the temperature adjusting assembly is used to adjust the temperature of the heat conduction plate, so that the heat conduction plate can transfer heat to the corresponding digital PCR chip to heat the digital PCR chip and can absorb heat of the corresponding digital PCR chip to cool the digital PCR chip.

9. The digital PCR instrument of claim 8, wherein, The temperature adjusting assembly comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a third pipeline, a water cooling plate, a water cooling row, a fan, a water tank and a water pump, the first pipeline is connected between the water cooling plate and the water cooling row, the second pipeline is connected between the water cooling row and the water tank, the third pipeline is connected between the water tank and the water cooling plate, the water pump is arranged on one of the first pipeline, the second pipeline and the third pipeline, the fan is arranged close to the water cooling row and is used to dissipate heat dissipated by the water cooling row to the outside of the digital PCR instrument; The heating assembly comprises a TEC plate and a temperature control plate, the temperature control plate is electrically connected with the TEC plate and is used to control the TEC plate to work; The heat conduction plate further has a heat transfer surface, the heat transfer surface is arranged opposite to the heat conduction surface, and the TEC plate is arranged between the heat transfer surface and the water cooling plate.

10. The digital PCR instrument of claim 9, wherein, The area of the heat transfer surface is greater than the area of the heat conduction surface.

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