A PCR reaction device

Abstract

This invention relates to a PCR reaction apparatus, comprising a temperature control platform, a PCR reaction plate, and a PCR reaction plate cap. The PCR reaction plate is mounted on the temperature control platform, which is equipped with an adsorption component. The PCR reaction plate cap is positioned above the PCR reaction plate and has a slot containing a magnet. The slot is adapted to the PCR reaction plate cap, which is also equipped with a magnetic attraction component. The PCR reaction plate includes an upper cover and a bottom plate, with the upper cover positioned above the bottom plate. The upper cover contains a magnet with polarity opposite to that of the magnet in the slot of the PCR reaction plate cap. This invention employs a double elastic connection, ensuring that even during high and low temperature cycling of the sealed PCR reaction plate, which experiences thermal expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, the elastic force and magnetic attraction completely hold the PCR reaction plate in place, guaranteeing tight contact between the PCR reaction plate and the temperature control platform. This also ensures a complete seal of the PCR reaction plate, preventing liquid leakage and contamination during medical testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biomedical testing and analysis instruments, and in particular to a PCR reaction apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA fragments; it can be viewed as a special form of DNA replication outside of a living organism. In digital PCR analysis, the reaction system is divided into tens of thousands of microdroplets in a PCR plate. Before division, the PCR plate is open; after microdroplet generation, it needs to be sealed. After sealing, the PCR plate is placed on a temperature control platform, in close contact with the temperature control module. The cooling or heating capacity of the module can be conducted through the PCR plate to the reaction solution. However, placing the PCR plate directly on the temperature control platform can lead to air pockets between the platform and the plate, affecting the conduction of cooling or heating capacity. To achieve rapid heating or cooling of the PCR reaction solution, it is necessary to reduce the amount of air remaining between the platform and the PCR plate, ensuring the PCR plate is in close contact with the heating / cooling plate, allowing the cooling or heating capacity of the platform to be rapidly and evenly conducted to the PCR reaction solution. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems of existing technologies, this invention provides a system with an automatic sealing function that can automatically seal PCR reaction plates within the machine. Simultaneously, it can achieve elastic locking during the temperature control process, ensuring that the PCR reaction plate is tightly attached to the temperature control station and that consumables are always in close contact with the temperature control station. The cooling or heating capacity of the temperature control station's heating element can be quickly and evenly transferred to the PCR reaction solution.

[0004] The specific technical solution is as follows: A PCR reaction device, characterized in that it includes a temperature control platform, a PCR reaction plate and a PCR reaction plate cover, the PCR reaction plate is disposed on the temperature control platform, the temperature control platform is provided with an adsorption component, the PCR reaction plate cover is disposed above the PCR reaction plate, the PCR reaction plate cover is provided with a magnetic adsorption component, the PCR reaction plate includes an upper cover and a bottom plate, the upper cover is located above the bottom plate, and the upper cover is provided with a magnet.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment, there are multiple adsorption components, which are disposed at the end of the temperature control platform.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, the adsorption assembly includes a first electromagnetic chuck and a reset component, with the reset component disposed between the first electromagnetic chuck and the temperature control platform.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the magnetic suction assembly includes a first mating component, a second mating component, and a capping reset component. The first mating component and the second mating component are respectively disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the PCR reaction plate capping, and the capping reset component is disposed between the first mating component and the capping frame.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the PCR reaction plate cap has a slot with a magnet inside, and the slot is compatible with the PCR reaction plate cap.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, a sealant is provided between the PCR reaction plate cover and the bottom plate, and the sealant can be placed on the PCR reaction plate cover or the PCR reaction plate bottom plate.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the temperature control platform is provided with a fixing frame that is adapted to the temperature control platform, and the fixing frame has a slot that is adapted to the bottom plate of the PCR reaction plate.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the PCR reaction apparatus also includes a suction cup gripper, which is equipped with a second electromagnetic chuck, and the second electromagnetic chuck is correspondingly set with the magnetic suction component.

[0012] Technical advantages of the present invention: The PCR reaction device of the present invention adopts a double elastic connection, so that when the sealed PCR reaction plate is subjected to high and low temperature cycling, even if the PCR reaction plate is subjected to thermal expansion and contraction due to high and low temperatures, the PCR reaction plate can be completely pressed down by the elastic force and the magnetic attraction force, ensuring that the PCR reaction plate is in close contact with the temperature control station. At the same time, it can ensure that the PCR reaction plate is completely sealed, avoiding liquid leakage and contamination during medical testing. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a PCR reaction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a PCR reaction plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR reaction plate capping according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature control console according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption of the consumable cover in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR reaction plate cap being transferred by the suction cup gripper in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR reaction plate cap being locked on the temperature control station according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The substantive features and advantages of the present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the listed embodiments.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a PCR reaction apparatus of this embodiment includes a temperature control station 1, a PCR reaction plate 2, and a PCR reaction plate cover 3. The PCR reaction plate 2 is disposed on the temperature control station 1, which is equipped with an adsorption component 4. The PCR reaction plate cover 3 is disposed above the PCR reaction plate 2 and has a slot with a magnet inside. The slot is adapted to the PCR reaction plate cover. The PCR reaction plate cover 3 is equipped with a magnetic suction component 5. The PCR reaction plate 2 includes an upper cover 21 and a bottom plate 22. The upper cover 21 is located above the bottom plate 22 and is equipped with a magnetic suction component 23. The polarity of the magnet is opposite to that of the magnet in the slot of the PCR reaction plate cover. In the above technical solution, the temperature control station 1 provides cooling or heating to the PCR reaction plate 2, and the PCR reaction plate cover 3 is used to absorb and press the PCR reaction plate 2. By matching the adsorption component 4 of the temperature control station 1 with the magnetic suction component 5 of the PCR reaction plate cover 3, the adsorption component and the magnetic suction component can attract each other, thereby pressing the PCR reaction plate cover tightly against the PCR reaction plate and ensuring that the PCR reaction plate is in close contact with the plane of the heating and cooling plate of the temperature control station.

[0023] In the above technical solution, the upper cover is placed in the fitting slot of the capping plate. After the machine completes automatic capping, the reset component 53 of the PCR reaction plate capping plate 3 applies pressure to the upper cover of the PCR reaction plate to ensure that the base plate is tightly attached to the worktable. During heating and cooling, the upper cover of the PCR reaction plate will expand or contract. When heating expands, the upper cover 21 will be pushed up, compressing the capping plate reset component 53. When cooling contracts, the upper cover 21 will descend, releasing the pressure on the capping plate reset component 53, but still applying downward pressure to the upper cover 21.

[0024] The bottom plate 22 of the PCR reaction plate is used to hold the PCR reaction solution, and the top cover 21 of the PCR reaction plate is used to seal the bottom plate 22. The top cover 21 is embedded with a magnetic suction component, which is an iron block or a magnet. The PCR reaction plate cap 3 can be attracted to the top cover 21 by the magnetic suction component 5, and then the top cover 21 can be transferred by the suction cup gripper 6. The suction cup gripper 6 transfers the top cover 21 to the fitting position above the bottom plate 22 of the PCR reaction plate, and the suction cup gripper 6 applies downward pressure to the sealant between the top cover 21 and the bottom plate 22 to complete the sealing of the PCR reaction plate. The top cover 21 of the PCR reaction plate is provided with sealant 211, which can be one or more of 3M adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, silicone rubber, etc. The sealant completes the complete sealing between the PCR reaction plate and the top cover. In this embodiment, the temperature control station 1 is provided with a fixing frame 7, and the PCR reaction plate 2 is placed on the fixing frame 7.

[0025] In this embodiment, there are multiple adsorption components 4, which are disposed at the end of the temperature control platform 1, thereby making the adsorption force more balanced and the adsorption more stable. Each adsorption component 4 includes a first electromagnetic chuck 41 and a reset member 42. The reset member 42 is disposed between the first electromagnetic chuck 41 and the temperature control platform 1, and is an elastic structure such as a spring or rubber. The chuck is an electromagnet. Through the above technical solution, four electromagnets are installed on the edge of the temperature control platform 1. The electromagnets can be controlled by a circuit to activate or deactivate. When the electromagnets are magnetic, the plate is in a capping state; when they are non-magnetic, the PCR reaction plate can be removed. The four electromagnets are elastically connected to the main body of the temperature control platform. The reset member 42 and the first electromagnetic chuck 41 are locked together by chuck fixing screws 43.

[0026] In this embodiment, the magnetic suction assembly 5 includes a first mating component 51, a second mating component 52, and a cap reset component 53. The first mating component 51 and the second mating component 52 are respectively disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the PCR reaction plate cap 3, and the cap reset component 53 is disposed between the first mating component 51 and the cap frame 31. The first mating component 51 is correspondingly disposed with the suction cup gripper 6, and the second mating component 52 is correspondingly disposed with the first electromagnetic suction cup 41 of the temperature control station 1. In this embodiment, there are four magnetic suction assemblies. The first mating component 51 and the second mating component 52 are iron blocks. The suction cup gripper 6 controls the suction and placement of the PCR reaction plate cap by switching the electromagnet block on the gripper with the cap frame iron. The capping frame 31 achieves an elastic connection between the first and second mating parts through the capping reset component. Even if the PCR reaction plate expands and contracts due to high and low temperatures, the elastic force and magnetic attraction can completely press the PCR reaction plate, ensuring tight contact between the PCR reaction plate and the temperature control station. This effectively avoids thermal expansion and contraction of the PCR reaction plate during high and low temperature control, ensuring effective compression of the PCR reaction plate at both high and low temperatures. A heat insulation pad or protrusion is fixed below the PCR reaction plate capping 3. Heat conduction from the PCR reaction plate can be isolated by using heat insulation material or reducing the contact area. Small holes are opened at the mating positions of the magnets 23 on the PCR reaction plate capping and the upper cover 21 of the PCR reaction plate. The capping magnets 32 are embedded in the holes to attract the upper cover 21 of the PCR reaction plate.

[0027] In this embodiment, the PCR reaction apparatus further includes a suction cup gripper 6, which is equipped with a second electromagnetic chuck 8, corresponding to the magnetic suction assembly 5. The suction cup gripper 6 is used to grip the PCR reaction plate cap. The four contact points of the suction cup gripper are electromagnets 81, which can be controlled by the circuit to grip or release the PCR reaction plate cap. A gripping spring 82 is provided between the electromagnet 81 and the gripper frame 61 and is locked by a plunger screw 83, so that there is an elastic contact between the electromagnet and the gripper frame 61, which can effectively avoid damage to the electromagnet, gripper frame, and suction cup caused by rigid contact.

[0028] The PCR reaction apparatus of this embodiment is placed on the workbench 10 during use, and the usage procedure is as follows: Place the bottom plate 22 of the PCR reaction plate in the fixing frame 7 of the PCR reaction plate; attach the top cover 21 of the PCR reaction plate to the PCR reaction plate cap 3; place the fixing frame 7 of the PCR reaction plate on the temperature control table 1, and place the PCR reaction plate cap 3 on the support; after the PCR reaction solution has been divided in the PCR reaction plate 2, the robotic arm controls the suction cup gripper 6 to grab the PCR reaction plate cap 3 onto the PCR reaction plate to complete the sealing; after the PCR reaction plate is sealed, high and low temperature cycling begins.

[0029] The PCR reaction apparatus in this embodiment employs a dual flexible connection principle.

[0030] First elastic connection: The top cover is placed in the fitting slot of the capping plate. After the machine completes the automatic capping, the reset part 53 of the PCR reaction plate capping plate 3 applies pressure to the PCR reaction plate top cover to ensure that the bottom plate is tightly attached to the workbench. During heating and cooling, the PCR reaction plate top cover will expand or contract. When expanding, the top cover 21 will be pushed up, compressing the capping plate reset part 53. When contracting, the top cover 21 will descend, releasing the pressure on the capping plate reset part 53, but still applying downward pressure to the top cover 21.

[0031] The second elastic connection: the pressure of the reset member 53 is less than the combined pressure of the reset members 82 and 42. When the upper cover 21 expands due to heating, it exceeds the elastic stroke of the cover. The reset members 82 and 42 will be compressed, and the electromagnets 41 and 81 will be lifted, continuing to apply downward pressure to 21.

[0032] In this embodiment, the suction cup gripper electromagnet, the iron block, and the temperature control stage electromagnet are all elastically connected. Thus, when the sealed PCR reaction plate is subjected to high and low temperature cycling, even if the PCR reaction plate expands and contracts due to high and low temperatures, it can still be completely pressed down by the elastic force and the magnetic attraction, ensuring that the PCR reaction plate is in close contact with the temperature control stage. At the same time, it can ensure that the PCR reaction plate is completely sealed, thereby avoiding liquid leakage and contamination during medical testing.

[0033] It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A PCR reaction apparatus, characterized in that, The system includes a temperature control platform, a PCR reaction plate, and a PCR reaction plate cap. The PCR reaction plate is mounted on the temperature control platform, which is equipped with an adsorption component. The PCR reaction plate cap is positioned above the PCR reaction plate and is equipped with a magnetic suction component. The adsorption component and the magnetic suction component attract each other, causing the PCR reaction plate cap to press firmly against the PCR reaction plate. The adsorption component includes a first electromagnetic chuck and a reset component, with the reset component positioned between the first electromagnetic chuck and the temperature control platform. The magnetic suction component includes a first mating component, a second mating component, and a cap reset component. The first and second mating components are respectively positioned on the top and bottom surfaces of the PCR reaction plate cap, and the cap reset component is positioned between the first mating component and the cap frame. Utilizing the elastic force of the reset component and the cap reset component, as well as the magnetic attraction between the first electromagnetic chuck and the first and second mating components, the PCR reaction plate can be pressed firmly against the temperature control platform even when the PCR reaction plate expands and contracts due to high and low temperatures.

2. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple adsorption components, which are arranged at the end of the temperature control platform.

3. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The PCR reaction plate cap has a slot with a magnet inside, and the slot is adapted to the upper part of the PCR reaction plate.

4. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A sealant is provided between the top and bottom plates of the PCR reaction plate.

5. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The temperature control platform is equipped with a fixing frame that is compatible with the temperature control platform. The fixing frame has a slot that is compatible with the bottom of the PCR reaction plate.

6. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The PCR reaction plate includes a top cover and a bottom plate, with the top cover located above the bottom plate and equipped with a magnet.

7. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The PCR reaction plate cover has a slot, and a magnet is installed in the slot. The slot is adapted to the top cover of the PCR reaction plate.

8. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The PCR reaction apparatus also includes a suction cup gripper, which is equipped with a second electromagnetic chuck, and the second electromagnetic chuck is configured to correspond with the magnetic suction component.

9. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The PCR reaction apparatus also includes a suction cup gripper, the first mating component is correspondingly disposed with the suction cup gripper, and the second mating component is correspondingly disposed with the adsorption component of the temperature control stage.

10. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second mating parts are iron blocks.

11. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reset element is elastic.

12. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The reset element is a spring or rubber.

13. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The suction cup gripper includes a gripper frame, and a spring is provided between the second electromagnetic suction cup and the gripper frame.

14. The PCR reaction apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first mating component and the second mating component are elastically connected by the pressure cap reset component.

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