A turntable automatic sample loading device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a turntable automatic loading device, comprising a housing, a sampling device, a mixing device and a turntable arranged in the housing; the turntable is connected to a driving motor through a synchronous belt, the driving motor drives the turntable to rotate through the synchronous belt, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged test tubes are arranged on the turntable; the sampling device comprises a lifting device and a sampling needle, the lifting device drives the sampling needle to move up and down, and the sampling needle is arranged above the test tube; the mixing device comprises a test tube sleeve and a mixing motor, the turntable drives the test tube to the test tube sleeve, the mixing motor drives the test tube sleeve and the test tube placed on the test tube sleeve to rotate; the driving motor is connected to a motor encoder for detecting the rotation angle of the turntable. The device automatically loads the test tubes by arranging a plurality of test tubes on the circumference of the turntable and rotating to a set position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sample loading device, in particular to a rotating disk automatic sample loading device. Background Art

[0002] At present, there are many ways to load samples in flow cytometers, including single-tube manual loading, multi-tube, 32-well and 96-well manual loading. The disadvantages of manual loading are: many steps in the operation process, many instruments and equipment for operation; poor accuracy of manual operation and easy to make mistakes; low efficiency of testing samples at one time, and the intermediate process is likely to be interrupted by other things. In short, this process is cumbersome, inefficient and error-prone for manual operation. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem of low efficiency caused by manual loading of multiple tubes, the present invention provides a turntable automatic loading device, which arranges a plurality of test tubes on the circumference of the turntable and automatically loads the test tubes by rotating the turntable to a set position.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a turntable automatic sample loading device, comprising a housing provided with a window which can be opened and closed, a turntable arranged in the housing, a sampling device and a mixing device;

[0005] The turntable is connected to a driving motor via a synchronous belt, and the driving motor drives the turntable to rotate via the synchronous belt. A plurality of circumferentially arranged test tubes are arranged on the turntable;

[0006] The sampling device comprises a lifting device and a sampling needle, wherein the lifting device drives the sampling needle to move up and down, and the sampling needle is arranged above the test tube;

[0007] The mixing device comprises a test tube sleeve and a mixing motor, the turntable drives the test tubes to pass through the test tube sleeve in sequence and be placed on the test tube sleeve, and the mixing motor drives the test tube sleeve and the test tube placed on the test tube sleeve to rotate;

[0008] The driving motor is connected to a motor encoder for detecting the rotation angle of the turntable.

[0009] Furthermore, a sliding module is arranged in the shell, the turntable is arranged on the sliding module, the sliding module includes a slide plate arranged on the guide slide rail and a guide slide rail arranged on the bottom plate of the shell, the slide plate is slidably connected to the guide slide rail, and the slide plate enters and exits the shell through the guide slide rail; the window is arranged on the upper end panel of the shell, one side surface of the shell is open, the slide plate enters and exits the shell through the opening, and the turntable is arranged on the slide plate.

[0010] Furthermore, a baffle is fixedly connected to one side of the skateboard, and a handle for pulling the skateboard is provided on the baffle, and the baffle is used to close the opening of the shell after the skateboard is pushed into the shell.

[0011] Furthermore, the synchronous belt is provided with a tensioning wheel for freely adjusting the tension of the synchronous belt.

[0012] Furthermore, the sampling device also includes a cleaning device for cleaning the sampling needle. The cleaning device is arranged directly below the sampling needle. A through hole is arranged on the cleaning device. When the lifting device drives the sampling needle to descend, the sampling needle passes through the through hole and enters the test tube.

[0013] Furthermore, a limiting shaft is arranged on the lifting device, and a limiting sleeve is arranged on the slide. The limiting shaft is arranged vertically downward and rises or falls with the lifting device. The limiting sleeve is a tube body with an open upper end, and the limiting shaft rises or falls in and out of the limiting sleeve.

[0014] Furthermore, a magnetic contact switch is provided in the shell for judging whether the push-pull moving module is in place, a contact block is provided on the slide, and the magnetic contact switch is fixed in the shell. When the slide is pushed into the shell and the contact block contacts the magnetic contact switch, the magnetic contact switch is triggered.

[0015] Furthermore, a code scanning module for scanning a code to identify the position of a test tube is provided in the shell, and the code scanning module includes a code scanner and a barcode attached to the test tube, and the barcode records the position information of the test tube on the turntable.

[0016] Furthermore, the mixing device is arranged on the circumferential side of the turntable, and the mixing device includes a motor bracket and a lifting plate. A screw motor is arranged on the motor bracket, and the lifting plate is threadedly connected to the screw of the screw motor, and the screw motor drives the lifting plate to move along the screw, and a mixing motor for mixing test tubes is also arranged on the lifting plate, and the mixing motor is connected to a test tube sleeve for placing the test tube, and the test tube is placed in the test tube sleeve, and the distance between the test tube sleeve and the center of the turntable is equivalent to the distance between the test tube and the center of the turntable.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention include: 1. Greatly reducing the labor intensity of manual work, and being used in conjunction with a flow cytometer, effectively improving the working efficiency of the flow cytometer; 2. The turntable has high precision and is automated according to a certain time sequence, with high efficiency; 3. The turntable rotation process is controlled by the system, especially the operation sequence, mixing time, sample suction time, etc., which can be unmanned; 4. It has the functions of automatic mixing, code scanning and anti-collision needle. 5. The entire turntable is automatically operated by the cytometer host, which is more convenient to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic sample loading device in the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the device placed on the slide in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the bottom plate of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the housing in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the internal device after the shell is removed in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the internal device after the side panels of the housing are removed in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention after the turntable is removed;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the test tube mixing device of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the cooperative working structure of the test tube mixing device and the flow cytometer in the present invention;

[0027] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of the friction block in the present invention;

[0028] In the figure, 1, shell, 101, window, 102, opening, 103, bottom plate, 2, turntable, 3, turntable base, 4, guide rail, 5, buffer limit block, 6, slide plate, 7, lifting device, 8, sampling needle, 9, cleaning device, 901, cleaning through hole, 10, baffle, 11, test tube, 12, synchronous belt, 13, tensioning wheel, 14, motor encoder, 15, limit column, 16, limit pipe sleeve, 17, drag chain, 18, magnetic contact switch, 19, touch block, 20, drive motor, 21, mixing device, 22, lifting plate, 23, lead screw, 24, lead screw nut, 25, linear bearing, 26, light rod, 27, first through hole, 28, second through hole, 29, third through hole, 30, lead screw motor, 31, mixing motor, 32, friction block, 33, bushing, 34. Arc-shaped concave surface, 35. Motor bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention is further explained in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0030] like Figure 1-7 As shown, the automatic loading device in the present invention includes a housing 1, a turntable 2 with a plurality of test tubes 11, a sampling device for sampling, a sliding module for pushing and pulling the turntable 2, a mixing module for mixing the liquid in the test tube 11, and a code scanning module for identifying the position of the test tube 11. The upper end surface of the housing 1 is provided with a window 101 that can be opened and closed by a hinge, a side opening 102 of the housing 1, a guide rail 4 is provided on the bottom plate 103 of the housing 1, and the sliding module includes the guide rail 4 and a slide plate 6, and the slide plate 6 is slidably connected to the guide rail 4. The slide plate 6 moves along the guide rail 4, and the guide rail 4 leads to the opening 102 of the shell 1. A baffle plate 10 is fixedly connected to one side of the slide plate 6. A handle for pulling out the slide plate 6 is provided on the baffle plate 10. The baffle plate 10 is used to close the opening 102 of the shell 1 after the slide plate 6 is pushed into the shell 1. When the slide plate 6 needs to be pulled out, the handle on the baffle plate 10 is pulled, and the slide plate 6 moves out of the shell 1 along the guide rail 4. A buffer limit block 5 is provided at one end of the guide rail 4 close to the opening 102 to prevent the slide plate 6 from being pulled out excessively and play a limiting role.

[0031] A turntable 2 seat and a turntable 2 are arranged on the slide 6. On the turntable 2 seat where the turntable 2 is placed, 32 test tube 11 seats are arranged on the turntable 2 in the circumferential direction for placing the test tube 11. The turntable 2 can be freely disassembled on the turntable 2 seat. The turntable 2 seat is connected with a drive motor 20. The drive motor 20 drives the turntable 2 to rotate by driving the turntable 2 seat to rotate. Of course, the turntable 2 seat and the turntable 2 can also be regarded as one. The drive motor 20 drives the turntable 2 to rotate. The drive motor 20 drives the turntable 2 to rotate through the synchronous belt 12. In order to facilitate the adjustment of the tension of the synchronous belt 12, a tensioning wheel 13 is arranged on the synchronous belt 12. In order to facilitate the monitoring of the rotation angle of the turntable 2, that is, the position of the test tube 11, a motor encoder 14 is arranged on the turntable 2. The motor encoder 14 is connected to the drive motor 20. The drive motor 20 starts or stops working according to the information of the motor encoder 14. The drive motor 20 is arranged on the slide 6.

[0032] A sampling device is provided on the side of the slide plate 6 away from the baffle plate 10. The sampling device is not provided on the slide plate 6 and cannot move with the slide plate 6. The sampling device includes a lifting device 7, a sampling needle 8 and a cleaning device 9. The sampling needle 8 is vertically provided, and the upper end is provided on the lifting device 7. The cleaning device 9 includes a cleaning through hole 901. When the lifting device 7 is in the highest position, the cleaning through hole is provided directly below the sampling needle 8. When the lifting device 7 drives the sampling needle 8 to descend, the sampling needle 8 passes through the cleaning through hole and enters the test tube 11, and is cleaned while passing through the cleaning through hole. The cleaning device 9 does not move up and down with the lifting device 7. A limiting column 15 is also provided on the lifting device 7. The limiting column 15 is vertically arranged and the upper end is connected to the lifting device 7. The limiting column 15 moves up and down with the lifting device 7. A limiting sleeve is provided on the slide plate 6. The limiting sleeve is a tube body with an upper end opening 102. When the slide plate 6 is pushed into the shell 1 to the set position, the limiting sleeve 16 is placed directly below the limiting column 15. When the lifting device 7 drives the limiting column 15 to fall, the limiting column 15 is inserted into the limiting sleeve, so that the relative position of the slide plate 6 and the shell 1 is fixed, and the slide plate 6 is prevented from sliding during the sampling process.

[0033] The barcode scanning module includes a barcode scanner and a barcode or a QR code set on the turntable 2. The barcode or the QR code records the corresponding position information (turntable position 21, turntable position 22...turntable position 232), so as to automatically identify whether the position of the test tube 11 is consistent with the numbered position on the turntable 2, thereby determining whether the system is operating correctly.

[0034] A drag chain 17 for storing cables is provided on the slide plate 6. The drag chain 17 is used to protect the motor cables, the optical coupler cables and the encoder cables to prevent the cables from being damaged during push-pull movements.

[0035] A magnetic contact switch 18 is arranged at one end of the housing 1 away from the outlet, and a touch block 19 is arranged on the slide plate 6. When the slide plate 6 is pushed to a set position, the touch block 19 triggers the magnetic contact switch 18.

[0036] like Figure 8-10 The mixing device 21 is arranged on the peripheral side of the turntable 2. The mixing device 21 includes a motor bracket 35 and a lifting plate 22. A screw motor 30 is arranged on the motor bracket 35. The lifting plate 22 is connected to the screw 23 of the screw motor 30 by threads. The screw motor 30 drives the lifting plate 22 to move along the screw 23. A mixing motor 31 for mixing the test tube 11 is also arranged on the lifting plate 22. The mixing motor 31 is connected to a test tube 11 set for placing the test tube 11. The test tube 11 is placed in the test tube 11 set. The distance between the test tube 11 set and the center of the turntable 2 is equivalent to the distance between the test tube 11 and the center of the turntable 2.

[0037] The mixing device 21 specifically includes a motor bracket 35 and a lifting plate 22. A screw motor 30 is installed on the motor bracket 35. The screw motor 30 is connected to the lifting plate 22 through a screw 23 and is used to adjust the position of the lifting plate 22 up and down. In order to enhance the stability of the connection between the lifting plate 22 and the screw 23, a first through hole 27 is provided on the lifting plate 22, and a screw nut 24 is installed at the first through hole 27. The screw nut 24 is coaxial with the first through hole 27, and the screw nut 24 is provided with an internal thread corresponding to the screw 23. One end of the screw 23 extends into the screw nut 24. When the screw 23 motor drives the screw 23 to rotate, the screw nut 24 rises or falls along the screw 23. The screw nut 24 is fixed to the lifting plate 22 by screws or screws or other means.

[0038] In order to prevent the lifting plate 22 from rotating when the lead screw 23 is rotated, a light rod 26 is arranged between the motor bracket 35 and the support plate, and a second through hole 28 is arranged on the motor bracket 35. A linear bearing 25 is arranged in the second through hole 28. One end of the light rod 26 is fixedly connected to the lifting plate 22, and the other end passes through the linear bearing 25. The light rod 26 and the lead screw 23 are both vertically arranged vertical rods. Furthermore, the light rod 26 can be detachably mounted on the lifting plate 22 by threaded cooperation.

[0039] A mixing motor 31 is installed on the lifting plate 22. The mixing motor 31 is arranged on the side of the lifting plate 22 facing away from the screw rod 23 motor. The mixing motor 31 is a high-speed DC brushless motor. The screw rod 23 motor is a stepping motor. A third through hole 29 is arranged on the lifting plate 22. The rotating shaft of the mixing motor 31 passes through the third through hole 29 to connect the test tube 11 set. The test tube 11 set includes a shaft sleeve 33 and a friction block 32. The shaft sleeve 33 is glued to the friction block 32. The shaft sleeve 33 and the rotating shaft of the mixing motor 31 are connected by a radially arranged headless The friction block 32 is fixed with screws, and an arc-shaped concave surface 34 is provided on one side of the friction block 32 connected to the test tube 11. A groove or a concave-convex structure for increasing friction is provided on the arc-shaped concave surface 34. The grooves radiate outward from the center of the concave surface. The shape of the arc-shaped concave surface 34 is the same as the shape of the bottom of the test tube 11. The friction block 32 is made of silicone material with a hardness of 30A. When the test tube 11 is placed on the friction block 32, the friction between the two drives the mixing motor 31 to drive the test tube 11 to rotate at the same time, thereby achieving mixing.

[0040] Working methods

[0041] 1) First, install the automated turntable 2 into the matching flow cytometer, and initialize the turntable 2 after powering on;

[0042] 2) After the system self-checks and confirms that all parameters have been set, turntable 2 is in the waiting state.

[0043] 3) Pull the handle on the window 101 until the top transparent window 101 is fully opened. Figure 1 , take out turntable 2

[0044] 4) Place the flow test tubes 11 to be tested, with a maximum of 32 tubes, and then put the turntable 2 back into the turntable base 3 (to ensure the relative position of the turntable 2 and the turntable base 3, align the turntable 21 position with the arrow on the turntable base 3 and put the turntable 2 into the turntable) and push the slide 6 in until the electric shock switch is triggered. Figure 4 , the 32 test tubes 11 on the turntable 2 process positions 1-32 respectively,

[0045] 5) The turntable 2 will test the first position according to the test setting. The turntable 2 will turn the No. 1 position to the code scanning position through the stepper motor to start scanning, identify the number position of the corresponding test tube 11, and check whether the number position recorded in the system is consistent. If it is consistent, proceed to the next step;

[0046] 6) After scanning, position 1 is moved to the mixing position (i.e., the position where the mixing device 21 is located) to mix the reagents;

[0047] 7) After the mixing is completed, turn to the sample suction position again, and the sample suction needle drops to the bottom of the test tube 11 to start the sample suction test

[0048] After the test of test tube No. 11 is completed, the test of test tube No. 2 is carried out. Similarly, the code is scanned first, then mixed, and then the sample is sucked until all 32 test tubes are tested.

[0049] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents of the embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, and any changes and modifications made are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A turntable automatic sample loading device, characterized in that: It includes a shell, a sampling device, a mixing device and a rotating disk arranged in the shell; The turntable is connected to a driving motor via a synchronous belt, and the driving motor drives the turntable to rotate via the synchronous belt. A plurality of circumferentially arranged test tubes are arranged on the turntable; The sampling device comprises a lifting device, a sampling needle and a cleaning device. The lifting device drives the sampling needle to move up and down, and the sampling needle is arranged above the test tube; a limit column is also arranged on the lifting device, the limit column is vertically arranged and the upper end is connected to the lifting device, the limit column moves up and down with the lifting device, and a limit sleeve is arranged on the slide plate. The limit sleeve is a tube body with an upper end opening. When the slide plate is pushed into the shell to a set position, the limit sleeve is placed directly below the limit column. When the lifting device drives the limit column to fall, the limit column is inserted into the limit sleeve; The mixing device comprises a test tube sleeve and a mixing motor, the turntable drives the test tube to the test tube sleeve, and the mixing motor drives the test tube sleeve and the test tube placed on the test tube sleeve to rotate; The driving motor is connected to a motor encoder for detecting the rotation angle of the turntable; The mixing device is arranged on the peripheral side of the turntable, and the mixing device includes a motor bracket and a lifting plate. A screw motor is arranged on the motor bracket, and the lifting plate is connected to the screw of the screw motor by a thread, and the screw motor drives the lifting plate to move along the screw, and a mixing motor for mixing test tubes is also arranged on the lifting plate, and the mixing motor is connected to a test tube sleeve for placing the test tube, and the test tube is placed in the test tube sleeve, and the distance between the test tube sleeve and the center of the turntable is equivalent to the distance between the test tube and the center of the turntable; A first through hole is provided on the lifting plate, a lead screw nut is installed at the first through hole, the lead screw nut is coaxial with the first through hole, the lead screw nut is provided with an internal thread corresponding to the lead screw, one end of the lead screw extends into the lead screw nut, when the lead screw motor drives the lead screw to rotate, the lead screw nut rises or falls along the lead screw; a light rod is provided between the motor bracket and the support plate, a second through hole is provided on the motor bracket, a linear bearing is provided in the second through hole, one end of the light rod is fixedly connected to the lifting plate, and the other end passes through the linear bearing, the light rod and the lead screw are both vertically arranged vertical rods, and the light rod can be detachably mounted on the lifting plate through threaded matching; The cleaning device is arranged directly below the sampling needle. A through hole is arranged on the cleaning device. When the lifting device drives the sampling needle to descend, the sampling needle passes through the through hole and enters the test tube.

2. The turntable automatic sample loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sliding module is arranged in the shell, and the turntable is arranged on the sliding module. The sliding module includes a slide plate arranged on a guide slide rail and a guide slide rail arranged on a bottom plate of the shell, and the slide plate is slidably connected to the guide slide rail, and the slide plate enters and exits the shell through the guide slide rail; an openable window is arranged on the upper end panel of the shell, and one side of the shell is opened, and the slide plate enters and exits the shell through the opening, and the turntable is arranged on the slide plate.

3. The turntable automatic sample loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A baffle is fixedly connected to one side of the slide plate, a handle for pulling the slide plate is arranged on the baffle plate, and the baffle is used to close the opening of the shell after the slide plate is pushed into the shell.

4. The turntable automatic sample loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The synchronous belt is provided with a tensioning wheel for freely adjusting the tension of the synchronous belt.

5. The turntable automatic sample loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A magnetic contact switch is arranged in the shell for judging whether the push-pull moving module is in place. A contact block is arranged on the slide plate. The magnetic contact switch is fixed in the shell. When the slide plate is pushed into the shell and the contact block contacts the magnetic contact switch, the magnetic contact switch is triggered.

6. The turntable automatic sample loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A code scanning module for scanning codes to identify the positions of test tubes is arranged in the shell. The code scanning module comprises a code scanning machine and a barcode attached to the turntable. The position information of the test tubes is recorded on the barcode.

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