LAMP isothermal amplification instrument

Abstract

This utility model discloses an isothermal amplification instrument, comprising: a main shell with a sample cell; a heating block disposed within the sample cell, having multiple placement holes and multiple lifting perforations communicating with the placement holes; a cover for sealing the sample cell; and a cover-opening linkage structure, comprising: a driving protrusion fixed to the cover; a third linkage member slidably connected to the main shell, having multiple lifting pins passing through the lifting perforations; the lifting pins include first and second lifting pins alternately spaced along a first direction, the first lifting pin being longer than the second lifting pin; a second linkage member hinged to the main shell and abutting against the third linkage member; and a first linkage member, the upper end of which abuts against the driving protrusion and the lower end against the second linkage member. This design greatly facilitates manual handling of reaction tubes by experimental personnel, effectively avoiding the problem of difficulty in removing reaction tubes under traditional dense arrangement, and improving the smoothness and efficiency of the overall experimental process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gene amplification instrument technology, and in particular to LAMP isothermal amplification instrument. Background Technology

[0002] Amplification instruments are essential equipment in gene detection and molecular diagnostic experiments, typically using eight-tube arrays as reaction tubes. Before operation, the experimenter must accurately insert the eight-tube array into the corresponding sockets on the heating module of the amplification instrument, ensuring tight contact between each tube and the socket to guarantee efficient heat conduction. The amplification program is then run to complete the amplification reaction. After the reaction is complete, the eight-tube array must be removed from the instrument for subsequent analysis.

[0003] Currently widely used amplification instruments are typically designed with a high-density well layout to load more reaction tubes at once. When multiple reaction tubes are inserted and closely arranged, the gaps between adjacent tubes are extremely limited, resulting in a narrow space for manual operation. This makes it difficult to remove the reaction tubes and can easily lead to tube tilting, liquid splashing, or even tube wall rupture due to uneven force application, posing risks of cross-contamination and biosafety. In addition, the capping after high-temperature operation may apply pressure to the tube caps, further increasing the resistance to removal.

[0004] In scenarios involving large-scale sample processing or requiring multiple rounds of continuous amplification, this operational bottleneck significantly reduces experimental efficiency and hinders the rapid conduct of laboratory experiments. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a LAMP isothermal amplification instrument to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, and at least provide a beneficial option or create conditions.

[0006] The solution to the technical problem of this utility model is: A LAMP isothermal amplification instrument has mutually orthogonal first, second, and vertical directions. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument includes: The main shell is equipped with a sample cell; A heating block, disposed in the sample cell, is used to heat the reaction tubes. It has multiple placement holes and multiple lifting holes. The placement holes are used to insert the reaction tubes. Multiple reaction tubes are arranged and installed on the heating block along a first direction. The lifting holes are connected to the placement holes. The cap is movably connected to the main housing and corresponds one-to-one with the sample cell, used to seal the upper opening of the sample cell; The lid-opening linkage structure includes: Drive the protrusion to fix it to the cover; The third linkage component slides vertically along the main housing; the third linkage component is provided with a plurality of lifting pins, each lifting pin being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a lifting through hole, the lifting pin passing through the lifting through hole; the lifting pin includes a first lifting pin and a second lifting pin, the length of the first lifting pin being greater than the length of the second lifting pin, the first lifting pin and the second lifting pin being arranged alternately along a first direction; The second linkage component is hinged to the main housing, and its two ends are respectively designated as the first linkage end and the second linkage end, with the second linkage end abutting against the lower end of the third linkage component. The first linkage component is slidably connected to the main housing in the vertical direction. Its upper end is a driving end and its lower end abuts against the second linkage end. The driving end abuts against the driving protrusion. When the cap moves relative to the main housing and opens the corresponding sample cell, the driving protrusion drives the driving end to move down, and the second linkage component drives the third linkage component to rise. The lifting pin lifts the reaction tube.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, a test tube pressure plate is connected to the end face of the cap facing the sample cell. The test tube pressure plate is used to abut against the upper end face of the reaction tube so that the bottom of the reaction tube is tightly fitted with the bottom of the placement hole.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the test tube lower pressure plate is slidably connected to the cap, and a pressing elastic element is provided between the test tube lower pressure plate and the cap, the pressing elastic element causing the test tube lower pressure plate to always tend to move away from the cap.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, a plurality of guide rail assemblies are provided between the third linkage component and the main housing, and the guide rail assemblies are used to guide the third linkage component in the vertical direction.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, a sealing ring is provided around the sample pool. The sealing ring is used to abut against the cap when the cap closes the sample pool to form a seal.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the main housing is provided with a reaction tube indicator, which is used to indicate the placement method of the reaction tube.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the cover is provided with a hinge end and a control end. The hinge end is hinged to the main housing, and the drive protrusion is fixed to the hinge end. The drive protrusion has a cam-shaped structure.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the main housing is provided with an electromagnetic attraction structure, and the control end is fixed with a magnetic attraction structure, which is used to attract the electromagnetic attraction structure.

[0014] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, an opening drive elastic element is provided between the cover and the main housing. The opening drive elastic element makes the cover always tend to move away from the main housing. When the electromagnetic attraction structure is de-energized, the opening drive elastic element drives the control terminal away from the main housing.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the upper end of the lifting pin is a hemispherical structure.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: when the cap moves relative to the main shell to open the corresponding sample cell, the drive protrusion rotates accordingly and pushes the first linkage member downward; the first linkage member drives the second linkage end of the second linkage member to press down, causing the first linkage end of the second linkage member to tilt upward, thereby pushing the third linkage member upward, and finally the lifting needle pushes the reaction tube out.

[0017] Because the first and second ejector pins are of different lengths and are arranged alternately in the first direction, multiple reaction tubes form a height difference when they are lifted, resulting in a significant drop. This design greatly facilitates the manual handling of reaction tubes by experimenters, effectively avoiding the problem of difficulty in retrieving reaction tubes under traditional dense arrangement, and helps to improve the smoothness of the overall experimental process and experimental efficiency.

[0018] This invention relates to the field of gene amplification instrument technology. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly explained below. Obviously, the described drawings are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Those skilled in the art can obtain other design schemes and drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] In the figure, 100 is the main shell; 110 is the sample cell; 120 is the sealing ring; 130 is the electromagnetic attraction structure; 200 is the heating block; 210 is the placement hole; 220 is the lifting perforation; 300 is the cap; 310 is the magnetic attraction structure; 320 is the test tube lower pressure plate; 330 is the pressing elastic element; 400 is the cap opening linkage structure; 410 is the driving protrusion; 420 is the third linkage element; 421 is the first lifting pin; 422 is the second lifting pin; 430 is the second linkage element; 431 is the first linkage end; 432 is the second linkage end; and 440 is the first linkage element. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure, and technical effects of this utility model in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of this utility model. Furthermore, all connections / linkages mentioned herein do not simply refer to direct contact between components, but rather to the ability to form a better connection structure by adding or reducing connecting accessories according to specific implementation conditions. The various technical features in this invention can be combined interactively without contradicting each other.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument has a first direction, a second direction, and an up-down direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other. Referring to the figure, the first direction is parallel to the X-axis, the second direction is parallel to the Y-axis, and the up-down direction is parallel to the Z-axis.

[0024] The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument includes: main housing 100, heating block 200, capping 300, and capping linkage structure 400.

[0025] The main housing 100 is equipped with a display and control buttons. The main housing 100 is provided with sample cells 110. In this embodiment, the number of sample cells 110 is set to two, and the two sample cells 110 are arranged side by side along the first direction. In other embodiments, the number of sample cells 110 can also be set to three, four, etc. Those skilled in the art can select the number of sample cells 110 according to actual needs.

[0026] The heating block 200 is fixedly installed inside the sample cell 110. Naturally, the main housing 100 should contain a heating temperature control component for controlling the temperature of the heating block 200. Connecting the heating block 200 to the heating temperature control component is standard practice in the art and will not be elaborated upon here. The heating block 200 is used to heat the reaction tube for gene amplification.

[0027] The heating block 200 has multiple placement holes 210 and a lifting through hole 220, and the lifting through hole 220 is connected to the lowest end of the placement hole 210.

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, a sealing ring 120 is fixed to the outer edge of the sample cell 110.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the main housing 100 is provided with a reaction tube indicator (not shown in the figure). The reaction tube indicator is used to indicate the placement of the reaction tube, so as to reduce the probability of the experimenter incorrectly installing the reaction tube.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, the main housing 100 is fixedly equipped with an electromagnetic attraction structure 130, which includes a coil and an iron core. When the electromagnetic attraction structure 130 is energized, it can generate magnetic force and, in conjunction with other magnets, achieve magnetic attraction.

[0031] Two caps 300 are provided, each corresponding to one of the two sample cells 110. The caps 300 can close or open the sample cells 110. When the caps 300 are closed, they abut against the sealing ring 120, thereby sealing the sample cells 110.

[0032] The cover 300 is movably connected to the main housing 100. Specifically, in this embodiment, the two ends of the cover 300 in the first direction are respectively set as a hinge end and a control end. The hinge end is hinged to the main housing 100, and the hinge axis between the hinge end and the main housing 100 is arranged parallel to the second direction. In other embodiments, the cover 300 can also be configured to slide along the first direction with the main housing 100. Those skilled in the art can select the relative movement mode of the cover 300 and the main housing 100 according to actual needs.

[0033] The number of caps 300 is set to two so that the two sample cells 110 can work independently without interfering with each other, so that this LAMP isothermal amplification instrument can perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the control end is fixed with a magnetic attraction structure 310, which is set as a permanent magnet. The magnetic attraction structure 310 is used to attract with the electromagnetic attraction structure 130 to ensure that the control end of the cover 300 is in close contact with the main housing 100.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, an opening drive elastic element (not shown in the figure) is provided between the cover 300 and the main housing 100. The opening drive elastic element is set as a torsion spring. In other embodiments, the opening drive elastic element can also be set as a spring. Those skilled in the art can select the specific structure of the opening drive elastic element according to actual needs. The opening drive elastic element ensures that the control end always tends to move away from the main housing 100. When the electromagnetic attraction structure 130 is de-energized, the opening drive elastic element drives the control end away from the main housing 100, so that the cover 300 opens automatically.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, a test tube lower pressure plate 320 is connected to the end face of the cap 300 facing the sample cell 110. The test tube lower pressure plate 320 is used to abut against the upper end face of the reaction tube so that the bottom of the reaction tube is tightly fitted with the bottom of the placement hole 210, thereby ensuring the heating effect. Specifically, in this embodiment, the test tube lower pressure plate 320 is slidably connected to the cap 300, and a pressing elastic element 330 is provided between the test tube lower pressure plate 320 and the cap 300. The pressing elastic element 330 is set as a spring sheet, and the pressing elastic element 330 makes the test tube lower pressure plate 320 always tend to move away from the cap 300, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the test tube lower pressure plate 320.

[0037] The cover opening linkage structure 400 includes: a drive protrusion 410, a third linkage component 420, a second linkage component 430, and a first linkage component 440.

[0038] The drive protrusion 410 is fixedly installed on the hinge end of the cover 300, and the drive protrusion 410 is configured as a cam-shaped structure.

[0039] The third linkage 420 is slidably connected to the main housing 100 in the vertical direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, a guide rail assembly (not shown in the figure) is provided between the third linkage 420 and the main housing 100. The guide rail assembly includes a slide rail and a guide seat. The slide rail is fixedly installed inside the main housing 100 and extends in the vertical direction. The guide seat is slidably connected to the slide rail. By providing the guide rail assembly, the third linkage 420 can be guided to prevent the third linkage 420 from deviating.

[0040] The third linkage 420 is fixed with multiple lifting pins, which are arranged one-to-one with multiple placement holes 210. The lifting pins pass through the lifting through holes 220. When the third linkage 420 rises, the lifting pins enter the placement holes 210 and lift the reaction tube placed in the placement holes 210 upward.

[0041] The lifting pin includes a first lifting pin 421 and a second lifting pin 422. The length of the first lifting pin 421 is greater than the length of the second lifting pin 422. The multiple first lifting pins 421 and multiple second lifting pins 422 are divided into multiple groups. The first lifting pins 421 in each group of first lifting pins 421 are arranged along the second direction, and the second lifting pins 422 in each group of second lifting pins 422 are arranged along the second direction. The multiple groups of first lifting pins 421 and second lifting pins 422 are arranged alternately along the first direction, so that when the third linkage 420 moves upward, it can lift multiple reaction tubes to different heights, so that the multiple reaction tubes arranged along the first direction have a drop difference, making it easier for the staff to remove the reaction tubes by hand.

[0042] Specifically, in this embodiment, to prevent the lifting pin from damaging the reaction tube, the upper end of the lifting pin is a hemispherical structure to avoid the sharp points causing damage to the reaction tube.

[0043] The middle part of the second linkage 430 is hinged to the main housing 100, and the hinge axis between the second linkage 430 and the main housing 100 is parallel to the second direction. The two ends of the second linkage 430 in the first direction are respectively designated as the first linkage end 431 and the second linkage end 432. The first linkage end 431 abuts against the lower end of the third linkage 420. When the second linkage end 432 moves upward, it will push the third linkage 420 upward, thereby lifting the reaction tube.

[0044] The first linkage 440 is slidably connected to the main housing 100 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the first linkage 440 is configured as a driving end, and the lower end abuts against the second linkage end 432. The driving end abuts against the driving protrusion 410.

[0045] When the cap 300 moves relative to the main housing 100 and opens the corresponding sample cell 110, it drives the drive protrusion 410 to rotate. When the drive protrusion 410 rotates, it drives the first linkage 440 to move downward. When the first linkage 440 moves downward, it drives the second linkage end 432 to move downward, causing the first linkage end 431 to tilt up, thereby driving the lifting pin to lift the reaction tube.

[0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A LAMP isothermal amplification instrument, characterized in that: The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument includes: a first direction, a second direction, and a vertical direction that are mutually orthogonal. The main shell is equipped with a sample cell; A heating block, disposed in the sample cell, is used to heat the reaction tubes. It has multiple placement holes and multiple lifting holes. The placement holes are used to insert the reaction tubes. Multiple reaction tubes are arranged and installed on the heating block along a first direction. The lifting holes are connected to the placement holes. The cap is movably connected to the main housing and corresponds one-to-one with the sample cell, used to seal the upper opening of the sample cell; The lid-opening linkage structure includes: Drive the protrusion to fix it to the cover; The third linkage component slides vertically along the main housing; the third linkage component is provided with a plurality of lifting pins, each lifting pin being arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with a lifting through hole, the lifting pin passing through the lifting through hole; the lifting pin includes a first lifting pin and a second lifting pin, the length of the first lifting pin being greater than the length of the second lifting pin, the first lifting pin and the second lifting pin being arranged alternately along a first direction; The second linkage component is hinged to the main housing, and its two ends are respectively designated as the first linkage end and the second linkage end, with the second linkage end abutting against the lower end of the third linkage component. The first linkage component is slidably connected to the main housing in the vertical direction. Its upper end is a driving end and its lower end abuts against the second linkage end. The driving end abuts against the driving protrusion. When the cap moves relative to the main housing and opens the corresponding sample cell, the driving protrusion drives the driving end to move down, and the second linkage component drives the third linkage component to rise. The lifting pin lifts the reaction tube.

2. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end face of the cap facing the sample cell is connected to a test tube pressure plate, which is used to abut against the upper end face of the reaction tube so that the bottom of the reaction tube fits tightly against the bottom of the placement hole.

3. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: The test tube lower pressure plate is slidably connected to the cap, and a pressing elastic element is provided between the test tube lower pressure plate and the cap, the pressing elastic element causing the test tube lower pressure plate to always tend to move away from the cap.

4. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of guide rail assemblies are provided between the third linkage component and the main housing, and the guide rail assemblies are used to guide the third linkage component in the vertical direction.

5. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample cell is provided with a sealing ring around its periphery. The sealing ring is used to abut against the cap when the cap closes the sample cell to form a seal.

6. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main housing is provided with a reaction tube indicator, which is used to indicate the placement of the reaction tube.

7. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover has a hinge end and a control end. The hinge end is hinged to the main housing. The drive protrusion is fixed to the hinge end and has a cam-shaped structure.

8. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that: The main housing is provided with an electromagnetic attraction structure, and the control end is fixed with a magnetic attraction structure, which is used to attract the electromagnetic attraction structure.

9. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that: An opening drive elastic element is provided between the cover and the main housing. The opening drive elastic element causes the cover to always tend to move away from the main housing. When the electromagnetic attraction structure is de-energized, the opening drive elastic element drives the control terminal away from the main housing.

10. The LAMP isothermal amplification instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the lifting pin has a hemispherical structure.

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