Multichannel pipettes

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi-channel pipette, comprising a frame, a plunger drive device and at least two groups of liquid-absorbing components, wherein the liquid-absorbing components and the plunger drive device are installed in the frame, and the liquid-absorbing components include a cylinder for connecting a sampling head and a plunger arranged in the cylinder and slidably connected to the cylinder, and the end of the plunger extending out of the cylinder is connected to the output end of the plunger drive device through a drive block, and the plunger drive device drives the plunger to slide back and forth along the axial direction of the cylinder through the drive block. Only one group of plunger drive devices is needed to control the simultaneous movement of multiple liquid-absorbing components, thereby reducing the error in the amount of liquid taken between each independent liquid-absorbing component. In the present invention, the liquid-absorbing components can be controlled by a group of plunger drive devices to achieve synchronous operation, reducing the operating error of the liquid-absorbing components and having a simple and compact structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automated liquid processing, in particular to a multi-channel pipette. Background Art

[0002] Pipettes are commonly used in medical and laboratory settings. To improve sampling efficiency, multichannel pipettes with multiple sampling heads are needed for pipetting and testing various reagents. Multichannel pipettes require adjustable spacing between tips to accommodate containers with varying spacing. Therefore, existing multichannel pipettes require a separate pipette for each sampling unit, which can easily lead to errors between multiple sampling units and complicates the overall device structure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a multi-channel pipette for solving the problem of complex structure in the prior art. In order to achieve one or part or all of the above purposes or other purposes, the present invention proposes

[0004] A multi-channel pipette comprises a frame, a plunger drive device and at least two sets of pipetting components, wherein the pipetting components and the plunger drive device are installed in the frame, and the pipetting component comprises a cylinder body for connecting a sampling head and a plunger arranged in the cylinder body and slidably connected to the cylinder body, wherein one end of the plunger extending out of the cylinder body is connected to the output end of the plunger drive device via a drive block, and the plunger drive device drives the plunger to slide back and forth along the axial direction of the cylinder body via the drive block.

[0005] Preferably, the multi-channel pipette further includes a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing of the pipette components; a mounting plate is provided between the plunger and the driving block, the mounting plate is fixedly connected to the driving block, a first guide rail is provided on the mounting plate along the direction of change of the spacing of the pipette components, a first slider is provided on the plunger corresponding to the first guide rail, the first slider slides along the first guide rail so that the plunger slides relative to the driving block.

[0006] Preferably, the frame is further provided with a guide shaft parallel to the first guide rail, and the liquid absorption component is provided with a connecting block corresponding to the guide shaft, and the connecting block is slidably connected relative to the guide shaft so that the liquid absorption component slides along the guide shaft.

[0007] Preferably, a linear bearing is provided at the connection between the connecting block and the guide shaft.

[0008] Preferably, the plunger driving device includes a motor, a motor fixing plate and a second guide rail for the driving block to slide.

[0009] Preferably, the distance adjustment mechanism includes a separation and combination plate and a separation and combination driving device for driving the separation and combination plate to move, the separation and combination plate is provided with a plurality of slide grooves for adjusting the position of the liquid suction component, the liquid suction component is provided with a positioning pin corresponding to the slide groove, the positioning pin slides along the slide groove, and the distance between two adjacent slide grooves is gradually changed.

[0010] Preferably, each of the slide grooves is divided into a first straight segment, an oblique segment and a second straight segment along the axial direction of the cylinder body. The first straight segment and the second straight segment are parallel in the axial direction of the cylinder body, and the two ends of the second segment are respectively connected between the first segment and the third segment.

[0011] Preferably, the first straight line segments of the chute are spaced at equal intervals, the second straight line segments of adjacent chute are spaced at equal intervals, and the first straight line segment spacing is not equal to the second straight line segment spacing.

[0012] Preferably, the multi-channel pipette further comprises a sampling head removal plate for removing the sampling heads, and the sampling head removal plate is provided with through holes for the sampling heads to pass through.

[0013] Preferably, push plate hooks are provided on both sides of the split plate, and the sampling head plate further includes push plate guide shafts corresponding to the push plate hooks and reset springs sleeved on each of the push plate guide shafts.

[0014] The implementation of the present invention will have the following beneficial effects:

[0015] With the multi-channel pipette structure described above, there's no need to equip each pipette assembly with a separate pipette pump. Instead, a single plunger drive can control the simultaneous movement of multiple pipette assemblies, thereby reducing errors in the amount of liquid drawn between each independent pipette assembly. In the present invention, the pipette assemblies can be synchronized by a single plunger drive, minimizing operational errors and maintaining a simple, compact structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] in:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a multi-channel pipette provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2A schematic diagram of a partial structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 For example Figure 1 Exploded view of the multichannel pipette of the illustrated embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of two adjacent liquid-absorbing components provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 For example Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of one perspective of the pipetting assembly is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a distance adjustment mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a split plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the connection between the liquid-absorbing assembly and the guide shaft when gathered, provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the connection between the liquid-absorbing assembly and the guide shaft during dispersion provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the connection between the spread-out liquid-absorbing assembly and the guide shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the positional relationship of the sampling head plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the figure: 100-frame, 110-guide shaft, 200-liquid suction assembly, 210-sampling head, 220-cylinder body, 230-plunger, 240-plunger guide sleeve, 250-plunger pushing block, 260-first slider, 270-connecting block, 271-mounting hole, 272-connecting hole, 273-locating pin, 300-plunger driving device, 310-first motor, 311-nut, 320-motor fixing plate, 330-second guide rail, 400-driving block, 410-mounting plate, 411-first guide rail, 500-split plate, 510-chute, 511-first straight segment, 512-oblique segment, 513-second straight segment, 600-split driving device, 700-sampling head plate, 710-push plate hook, 720-push plate guide shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Please see the attached Figure 1 To the attached Figure 5 As one of the embodiments provided by the present invention, the multi-channel pipette includes a frame 100 and a pipette component 200 arranged in the frame 100, a plunger driving device 300 and a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the pipette components 200.

[0032] The liquid-absorbing assembly 200 is used for taking and releasing liquids and includes a cylinder 220 for connecting to a sampling head 210 and a plunger 230 slidably connected within the cylinder 220. The plunger drive device 300 is connected to the end of the plunger 230 extending out of the cylinder 220 via a drive block 400 and a mounting plate 410, and is used to drive the plunger 230 to slide axially along the cylinder 220 to take and release liquids. The distance adjustment mechanism drives the liquid-absorbing assembly 200 to change its spacing, making the spacing between adjacent liquid-absorbing assemblies 200 variable. Correspondingly, the plunger 230 slides relative to the drive block 400 in the direction of the separation and combination of the entire liquid-absorbing assembly, and the drive block 400 can still drive the plunger 230 to slide, without affecting the normal use of the plunger 230.

[0033] Specifically, when the liquid sampling assembly is in use, the sampling head 210 is vertically downward, and the output end of the motor drives the drive plate to slide up and down, thereby pushing the plunger 230 to slide up and down within the cylinder 220. Furthermore, a relatively fixed mounting plate 410 is provided on the drive block 400, and a first horizontal guide rail 411 is provided on the mounting plate 410. A first slider 260 is provided on the plunger 230 corresponding to the first guide rail 411, and the plunger 230 slides along the first guide rail 411 via the first slider 260.

[0034] Preferably, there are two first guide rails 411 arranged opposite to each other on the mounting plate 410, and two adjacent first sliders 260 are respectively located on different first guide rails 411, that is, the first sliders 260 are staggered on the two first guide rails 411, which increases the distance between the two first sliders 260 on the same first guide rail 411, making sliding more flexible.

[0035] Furthermore, the plunger driving device 300 includes a first motor 310, a motor fixing plate 320, and a second guide rail 330 for limiting the driving block 400. The motor fixing plate 320 is used to fix the first motor 310 relative to the frame 100.

[0036] See also Figure 2 As a specific embodiment provided by the present invention, the first motor 310 is a screw motor. The screw at the output end of the first motor 310 is connected to the drive plate through the nut 311. The nut 311 cooperates with the screw thread to convert the circumferential rotation of the screw into a linear motion along the axial direction of the screw, thereby driving the drive plate to move up and down. The drive plate and the frame 100 are connected by the first guide rail 411 and the first slider 260, which further constrains the motion trajectory of the drive block 400 and makes the movement of the plunger 230 smoother. A through hole is provided on the motor fixing plate 320 corresponding to the screw and is arranged at both ends of the screw, and the screw passes through the through hole. The motor fixing plate 320 also serves to isolate the screw, which can prevent other objects from directly contacting the screw.

[0037] Optionally, two motor fixing plates 320 are included, which are respectively arranged at the two ends of the screw rod, and the two ends of the first guide rail 411 are respectively connected to the two motor fixing plates 320, so that the first slider 260 slides between the two motor fixing plates 320.

[0038] See also Figure 3 As a specific embodiment provided by the present invention, the frame 100 is further provided with a guide shaft 110 parallel to the first guide rail 411. The liquid wicking assembly 200 is externally controlled to move along the guide shaft 110 to adjust the spacing to accommodate different liquid collection containers. Accordingly, the liquid wicking assembly 200 further includes a connecting block 270 for connecting to the guide shaft 110. The connecting block 270 is slidably connected to the guide shaft 110.

[0039] Furthermore, the connecting block 270 is provided with a connecting hole 272 for passing the guide shaft 110, and a linear bearing is provided at the connection between the guide shaft 110 and the connecting block 270. Optionally, there are multiple corresponding connecting holes 272 on the guide shaft 110 and each connecting block 270, and two adjacent liquid-absorbing assemblies 200 are staggeredly connected to different guide shafts 110.

[0040] The staggered connection of the first slider 260 and the first guide rail 411 in this embodiment is similar to the staggered connection described above, both of which are for the purpose of allowing the connection between two adjacent liquid-absorbing assemblies 200 to have space to avoid each other, making the structure more flexible and the operation more stable.

[0041] Specifically, as attached Figure 4 and attached Figure 5As shown, in the liquid-absorbing assembly 200, a mounting hole 271 is provided on the connecting block 270, and the cylinder body 220 and the plunger 230 are respectively connected to the connecting block 270 through the mounting holes 271. The cylinder body 220 is embedded in the connecting block 270, and the lower end extends out of the mounting hole 271 to connect to the sampling head 210. The plunger 230 extends from the upper end of the cylinder body 220. Preferably, a spring is provided between the cylinder body 220 and the connecting block 270 to act as a buffer. A plunger guide sleeve 240 is provided between the plunger 230 and the mounting hole 271. The top end of the guide sleeve is fixed to the plunger push block 250, and the plunger push block 250 is further connected to the first slider 260. The plunger push block 250 serves to support the first slider 260 and the plunger guide sleeve 240.

[0042] Please see the attached Figure 6 As a specific embodiment provided by the present invention, a distance adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the spacing of the liquid-absorbing assemblies 200. The distance adjustment mechanism includes a separation plate 500 and a separation drive 600 that drives the separation plate 500 to move. The separation plate 500 is provided with a plurality of chutes 510 for adjusting the position of the liquid-absorbing assemblies 200. The distance between two adjacent chutes 510 is gradually changing. The connection block 270 of the liquid-absorbing assemblies 200 is provided with a positioning pin 273 corresponding to the chutes 510. The positioning pin 273 slides along the chutes 510. The separation drive 600 drives the separation plate 500 to move back and forth, and the spacing of the liquid-absorbing assemblies 200 is adjusted through the interaction between the chutes 510 and the positioning pin 273.

[0043] Please see the attached Figure 7 As a specific embodiment provided by the present invention, the slideway 510 on the splitter / clamper block is divided into a first straight segment 511, an oblique segment 512, and a second straight segment 513 along the cylinder's axial direction. The first and second straight segments 511, 513 are parallel to the cylinder's axial direction but not collinear. The second segment's ends are located between the first and third segments. Furthermore, the spacing between the first and second straight segments 511 and 513 is different. The oblique segment 512 serves to gradually transition the spacing between the two segments.

[0044] In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is not difficult to understand that in the above structure, the process of the positioning pin 273 moving along the chute 510 is the process of adjusting the spacing of the liquid collection components, and the spacing between adjacent chute 510 is the spacing between adjacent liquid suction components 200. Figure 8 To the attached Figure 10When the liquid-absorbing components 200 remain fixed to each other in the horizontal direction, the splitter plate 500 moves up and down to adjust the positioning pins 273 to different sections within the chute 510. Since the spacing between the different sections of the chute 510 is gradually changing, the spacing between the liquid-absorbing components 200 can be indirectly adjusted. Correspondingly, the first slider 260 slides along the first guide rail 411 along with the plunger 230, but does not affect the relative connection between the plunger 230 and the drive block 400. The spacing adjustment structure shown in this embodiment only requires the unidirectional reciprocating motion of the splitter plate 500 to achieve spacing adjustment of the liquid-absorbing components 200. The coordination between the chute 510 and the positioning pins 273 can accurately control the spacing change, greatly avoiding the cumulative error caused by the spacing adjustment method in the prior art. The structure is simple, easy to operate, and greatly saves equipment costs.

[0045] Please see the attached Figure 11 As a specific embodiment provided by the present invention, the multichannel pipette further includes a sampling head removal plate 700 for removing each sampling head 210. The sampling head removal plate 700 has a through-hole for each sampling head 210 to pass through. Conversely, push plate hooks 710 are provided on both sides of the separation and combination plate 500. The sampling head removal plate 700 also includes push plate guide shafts 720 corresponding to the push plate hooks 710 and return springs mounted on each push plate guide shaft 720.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the attached Figure 8 To the attached Figure 10 During the illustrated movement, when the split plate 500 moves downward until the positioning pin 273 enters the first straight segment 511, the push plate hook 710 abuts the top end of the push plate guide shaft 720. At this point, the positioning pin 273 is still one end away from the topmost section of the chute 510. The split plate 500 continues to move downward, causing the push plate hook 710 to press down the push plate guide shaft 720, thereby moving the sampling head removal plate 700 downward and removing the sampling head 210. The split plate 500 then moves upward, gradually releasing the push plate guide shaft 720, and the return spring causes the sampling head removal plate 700 to return to its initial position.

[0047] The above disclosure is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multichannel pipette, characterized in that: The device comprises a frame, a plunger drive device, and at least two groups of liquid-absorbing components, wherein the liquid-absorbing components and the plunger drive device are installed in the frame; each group of the liquid-absorbing components comprises a cylinder body for connecting to a sampling head and a plunger disposed in the cylinder body and axially slidingly engaged with the cylinder body, wherein one end of the plunger extending out of the cylinder body is dynamically connected to the plunger drive device via a drive block; A mounting plate is provided between the plunger and the driving block, the driving block is fixedly connected to the mounting plate, and two first guide rails are relatively spaced apart on the mounting plate along the direction of change in the spacing of the liquid-absorbing components; a first slider is provided on each plunger corresponding to the first guide rail and slidably engages with the first guide rail; the first sliders corresponding to two adjacent plungers are staggeredly arranged on different first guide rails, so that a preset avoidance spacing is maintained between any adjacent first sliders on the same first guide rail; The plunger drive device includes a first motor, a motor fixing plate fixed to the frame, and a second guide rail that restricts and slides with the drive block, wherein the second guide rail is used to restrict the drive block to reciprocating motion only along the axial direction of the cylinder body; The frame is also provided with a guide shaft parallel to the first guide rail, and the liquid absorption component is provided with a connecting block corresponding to the guide shaft. The connecting block is slidably connected relative to the guide shaft so that the liquid absorption component slides along the guide shaft; at least two guide shafts are provided in the frame parallel to the first guide rail, and the connecting blocks of adjacent liquid absorption components are staggered and sleeved on different guide shafts, and each connecting block is linearly rotated with its corresponding guide shaft to form staggered multi-point support and maintain movement accuracy during the distance adjustment process of the liquid absorption component.

2. The multichannel pipette according to claim 1, wherein A linear bearing is provided at the connection between the connecting block and the guide shaft.

3. A multichannel pipette according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The multi-channel pipette also includes a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the pipette components. The distance adjustment mechanism includes a separation and combination plate and a separation and combination drive device for driving the separation and combination plate to move. The separation and combination plate is provided with a plurality of slides for adjusting the position of the pipette components. The pipette components are provided with positioning pins corresponding to the slides. The positioning pins slide along the slides, and the distance between two adjacent slides is gradually changing.

4. A multi-channel pipette as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the sliding grooves is divided into a first straight segment, an oblique segment, and a second straight segment in sequence along the axial direction of the cylinder body, and the first straight segment and the second straight segment are parallel in the axial direction of the cylinder body.

5. The multichannel pipette according to claim 4, wherein The first straight line segments of adjacent chutes are spaced apart from each other, the second straight line segments of adjacent chutes are spaced apart from each other, and the first straight line segments spaced apart from each other are not spaced apart from each other.

6. The multi-channel pipette according to claim 3, wherein The multi-channel pipette further comprises a sampling head removal plate for removing the sampling heads, and the sampling head removal plate is provided with through holes for the sampling heads to pass through.

7. The multi-channel pipette according to claim 6, wherein Push plate hooks are provided on both sides of the split plate, and the sampling head plate also includes push plate guide shafts corresponding to the push plate hooks and reset springs sleeved on each of the push plate guide shafts.

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