Virus automated detection pre-processing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of automated equipment, and discloses a virus automated detection pre-processing system, including a sample input unit, a sampling unit, a turntable unit, a cryopreservation tube unit, a metal bath unit, a pre-processing output unit and a mechanical arm unit, wherein the sample input unit is used to arrange the sampling tube, the cryopreservation tube unit sends the cryopreservation tube to the turntable unit through the mechanical arm unit, the sampling unit extracts the reagent from the sampling tube, and then packs the reagent into three cryopreservation tubes through the turntable unit, the mechanical arm unit sends one cryopreservation tube to the metal bath unit, and two cryopreservation tubes are sent back to the cryopreservation tube unit, the metal bath unit inactivates the reagent in the cryopreservation tube, and then sends it to the pre-processing output unit, outputs it to the subsequent system construction system, and the sub-packaging cryopreservation tubes of the cryopreservation tube unit are sent to the freezing storage equipment. The present invention completes the pre-processing processes such as mixing, liquid separation, sub-packaging, and inactivation after virus sampling through the reasonable design of automated equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automated equipment, and in particular to a virus automated detection pre-processing system. Background Art

[0002] It is an inevitable trend for automated virus detection to replace manual detection. Virus detection includes multiple processes, from virus sampling to culture and amplification detection, all of which are done manually. Not only is the efficiency low, but the detection process cannot be effectively monitored, and the test results vary from person to person. In addition, viruses pose a safety hazard to the human body. Although they are carried out in a biological safety cabinet, safety accidents cannot be avoided.

[0003] The detection operation process, including liquid sampling, opening and closing the container cover, precise liquid injection and other operations, also involves the operation and control of various equipment, which not only tests the work intensity of the operator, but also tests the patience of the operator.

[0004] In order to free operators from boring and repetitive work and improve detection accuracy and traceability of detection data, detection automation is imperative. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a virus automated detection pre-treatment system, which completes the pre-treatment processes such as mixing, liquid separation, packaging, and inactivation after virus sampling through reasonable design of automated equipment.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A virus automated detection pretreatment system is characterized in that it includes a sample input unit, a sampling unit, a turntable unit, a cryotube unit, a metal bath unit, a pretreatment output unit and a robotic arm unit. The sample input unit is used to arrange the sampling tubes. The cryotube unit sends the cryotubes to the turntable unit through the robotic arm unit. After the sampling unit extracts the reagents from the sampling tubes, the reagents are packaged into three cryotubes through the turntable unit. The robotic arm unit sends one cryotube to the metal bath unit and two cryotubes back to the cryotube unit. After the metal bath unit inactivates the reagents in the cryotubes, the reagents are sent to the pretreatment output unit and output to a subsequent system construction system. The packaged cryotubes of the cryotube unit are sent to a freezing storage device.

[0008] Furthermore, the sample input unit further comprises a vibration module, a sample rack is arranged on the vibration module, a sampling tube is arranged on the sample rack, and a reset mechanism is arranged on the vibration module, and the reset mechanism enables the sample rack to return to an initial position after vibration is completed.

[0009] Furthermore, the robot arm unit is provided with a clamping device, a liquid taking device, and a cover opening and closing device, and the clamping device carries out the container of each unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the sampling unit is located between the sample input unit and the turntable unit, and the sampling unit includes a sampling tube fixing component. After the clamping device of the robotic arm unit sends the sampling tube on the sample rack to the sample fixing component for fixing, the opening and closing cover device opens the cover of the sampling tube, the liquid taking device draws a quantitative test solution from the sampling tube, and the opening and closing cover device then closes the cover of the sampling tube, and the clamping device sends it back to the original position of the sample rack.

[0011] Furthermore, a plurality of cryotube stations are arranged on the turntable unit, each station is provided with a cryotube clamping tooling, and a cryotube opening and closing cover component is also arranged on one side of the turntable unit. The liquid taking device delivers the test solution in the sampling tube to the cryotube on the turntable unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the cryogenic tube unit includes a cryogenic tube array, the clamping device of the robotic arm unit takes out three cryogenic tubes from the cryogenic tube array and sends them to the turntable unit, the liquid taking device divides the test solution in the sampling tube into three cryogenic tubes, the clamping device sends two cryogenic tubes back to the cryogenic tube array, and one cryogenic tube is sent to the metal bath unit.

[0013] Furthermore, the cryotube unit also includes a rotating conveyor rack, which delivers three cryotubes to the turntable unit at a time. After the cryotubes are filled with liquid, they are delivered back by the rotating conveyor rack.

[0014] Furthermore, the metal bath unit is located between the turntable unit and the cryotube unit, and the metal bath unit heats and inactivates one of the cryotubes.

[0015] Furthermore, the pre-treatment output unit includes a well plate and an output rotating arm, the well plate is arranged on the output rotating arm, and the liquid taking device packs the inactivated cryopreservation tubes into the well plate.

[0016] Furthermore, a tip unit is included between the sample input unit and the turntable unit, and the tip unit includes a tip box and a tip discard box. When the liquid taking device takes liquid, the tip is loaded from the tip box, and after the liquid is taken, the tip is discarded in the tip discard box.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0018] (1) Automatically realize the sample shaking mixing, liquid separation and packaging, inactivation and packaging and other process;

[0019] (2) Through reasonable layout, use the robotic arm unit to complete various pre-processing operations;

[0020] (3) The data is traceable, and the generated plate samples have good consistency, providing a strong guarantee for the accuracy of subsequent virus detection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Attached Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention (excluding the biological safety cabinet);

[0022] Attached Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of the sample input unit of the present invention;

[0023] Attached Figure 3 It is a partial enlarged view of the sampling unit;

[0024] Attached Figure 4 It is a partial enlarged view of the suction head unit and the pre-treatment output unit;

[0025] Attached Figure 5 It is a partial enlarged view of the turntable unit;

[0026] Attached Figure 6 It is a partial enlarged view of the cryotube unit and the metal bath unit.

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are:

[0028] 1. Sample input unit; 2. Sampling unit;

[0029] 3. Suction head unit; 4. Turntable unit;

[0030] 5. Cryotube unit; 6. Metal bath unit;

[0031] 7. Pre-processing output unit; 8. Robotic arm unit;

[0032] 9. Sampling tube; 10. Clamping device;

[0033] 11. Liquid taking device; 12. Cover opening and closing device;

[0034] 13. Sample rack; 14. Tip box;

[0035] 15. Tip discard box; 16. Cryotube clamping tool;

[0036] 17. Rotating conveyor frame; 18. Orifice plate;

[0037] 19. Output rotating arm; 20. Cryotube opening and closing cover parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The specific implementation of the virus automated detection pre-processing system of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] See attached Figure 1,The automated virus detection pre-treatment system is installed in a biological safety cabinet and is ,standardized strictly in accordance with the national virus safety testing requirements. ,Necessary parameter optimization is performed for different categories of virus samples to meet ,the needs of virus detection.

[0040] The virus detection pretreatment system is arranged in an L-shape, including a sample input unit 1, a sampling unit 2, a pipette tip unit 3, a turntable unit 4, a cryotube unit 5, a metal bath unit 6, a pretreatment output unit 7 and a robotic arm unit 8. The sample input unit 1, the sampling unit 2, the pipette tip unit 3, the turntable unit 4, the metal bath unit 6, and the pretreatment output unit 7 are located in a row, the cryotube unit 5 is located on one side of the L-shape, and the robotic arm unit 8 is set at multiple positions above the system through tracks and is reasonably arranged according to movement needs.

[0041] The sample input unit 1 is used to arrange the sampling tubes 9. The freezing tube unit 5 sends the freezing tubes to the turntable unit 4 through the robotic arm unit 8. After the sampling unit 2 extracts the reagents from the sampling tubes 9, the reagents are packaged into three freezing tubes through the turntable unit 4. The robotic arm unit 8 sends one freezing tube to the metal bath unit 6, and the two freezing tubes are sent back to the freezing tube unit 5. After the metal bath unit 6 inactivates the reagents in the freezing tubes, it is sent to the pre-processing output unit 7 and output to the subsequent system construction system. The packaged freezing tubes of the freezing tube unit 5 are sent to the freezing storage equipment.

[0042] The robotic arm unit 8 includes a horizontal beam in the XYZ direction arranged on the side of each working unit, and each beam is respectively provided with a clamping device 10, a liquid taking device 11, a cover opening and closing device 12 and other functional robotic arms to realize functions such as clamping and moving, extracting and injecting quantitative solutions, clamping and rotating, and realize the transportation, opening and closing of covers, and liquid taking and injection of containers such as sampling tubes 9 and freezing tubes, so as to realize the orderly development of pre-processing work for virus detection.

[0043] See attached Figure 2 The sample input unit 1 also includes a vibration module, a sample rack 13 is arranged on the vibration module, a sampling tube 9 is arranged on the sample rack 13, and a reset mechanism is arranged on the vibration module, and the reset mechanism makes the sample rack 13 return to the initial position after the vibration is completed. The vibration module is realized by driving the eccentric connecting rod by a motor, and the reset is realized by the motor encoder or the tapered hole positioning method. The sample rack 13 is arranged in two rows and arranged within the controllable range of the robot arm. The positioning can be realized by the positioning mechanism, so that the robot arm can be precisely positioned and controlled.

[0044] See attached Figure 3The sampling unit 2 is located between the sample input unit 1 and the turntable unit 4. The sampling unit 2 includes a fixing component for the sampling tube 9. After the clamping device of the mechanical arm unit 8 sends the sampling tube 9 on the sample rack 13 to the sample fixing component for fixing, the cover opening and closing device 12 opens the cover of the sampling tube 9, and the liquid taking device 11 draws a quantitative test liquid from the sampling tube 9. The cover opening and closing device 12 then closes the cover of the sampling tube 9 and sends it back to the original position of the sample rack 13 by the clamping device. The fixing component for the sampling tube 9 limits the sampling tube 9 in a fixed position through an elastic clamp and a positioning plate, which is convenient for the direct operation of the mechanical arm unit 8.

[0045] See attached Figure 4 The tip unit 3 is located between the sample input unit 1 and the turntable unit 4. The tip unit 3 includes a tip box 14 and a tip discard box 15. When the liquid taking device 11 takes liquid, the tip is loaded from the tip box 14. After the liquid is discharged, the tip is discarded in the tip discard box 15. In the liquid processing process of different test solutions, the tip must be replaced if there is a necessary requirement in the process. For example, when changing the type of liquid or changing the reagent at different stages, the tip must be replaced. During the replacement process, the tip is pressed into the tip box 14 by the liquid taking device 11 on the robot arm, and it can be directly removed from the tip discard box 15 when discarded.

[0046] See attached Figure 5 A plurality of cryotube stations are arranged on the turntable unit 4, each station is provided with a cryotube clamping tool 16, and a cryotube opening and closing cover component is also arranged on one side of the turntable unit 4, and the liquid taking device 11 delivers the test solution in the sampling tube 9 to the cryotube on the turntable unit 4. The cryotube clamping tool 16 on each station is a double spring device, and a clamping block is arranged between the two springs. The cryotube is placed between the clamping blocks. By applying force to the clamping blocks, the clamping blocks clamp the cryotube, and after the cryotube is clamped by the cryotube clamping tool 16, the cryotube opening and closing cover component 20 completes the opening and closing of the cryotube.

[0047] See attached Figure 6 The cryogenic tube unit 5 includes a cryogenic tube array, one side of which is a part of the robotic arm unit 8, which is used to grab the cryogenic tubes from the cryogenic tube array to the turntable unit 4. The general process is that the clamping device of the robotic arm unit 8 takes out three cryogenic tubes from the cryogenic tube array and sends them to the turntable unit 4, the liquid taking device 11 divides the test solution in the sampling tube 9 into three cryogenic tubes, the clamping device sends two cryogenic tubes back to the cryogenic tube array, and one cryogenic tube is sent to the metal bath unit 6.

[0048] The cryopreservation tube unit 5 also includes a rotating conveyor rack 17, which delivers three cryopreservation tubes to the turntable unit 4 at a time. After the cryopreservation tubes are filled with liquid, they are delivered back by the rotating conveyor rack 17. The cryopreservation tubes on one side are transferred to the turntable unit 4 through the rotating conveyor rack 17, which greatly reduces the size of the device and realizes the miniaturization and compactness of the device.

[0049] The metal bath unit 6 is located between the turntable unit 4 and the cryotube unit 5, and the metal bath unit 6 heats and inactivates one of the cryotubes. The metal bath unit 6 achieves constant temperature inactivation through electric heating and temperature control components, and the temperature is maintained at 56°C.

[0050] See the attached Figure 4 The pre-treatment output unit 7 includes a well plate 18 and an output arm 19. The well plate 18 is arranged on the output arm 19. The liquid taking device 11 packs the inactivated cryopreservation tubes into the well plate 18. The well plate 18 is generally a standard 96-hole well plate 18 arranged side by side. After completion, the output arm 19 rotates and outputs, and the well plate 18 is extended out of the biosafety cabinet to facilitate subsequent robot removal operations. The inactivated cryopreservation tubes are also transferred through the turntable unit 4, and then the liquid taking device 11 of the robotic arm unit 8 is used for liquid operation.

[0051] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that ordinary technicians in this technical field can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A virus automated detection pre-processing system, characterized in that: The system comprises a sample input unit, a sampling unit, a turntable unit, a cryopreservation tube unit, a metal bath unit, a pre-processing output unit and a robotic arm unit. The sample input unit is used to arrange the sampling tubes. The cryopreservation tube unit sends the cryopreservation tubes to the turntable unit through the robotic arm unit. After the sampling unit extracts the reagents from the sampling tubes, the reagents are divided into three cryopreservation tubes through the turntable unit. The robotic arm unit sends one cryopreservation tube to the metal bath unit, and two cryopreservation tubes are sent back to the cryopreservation tube unit. After the metal bath unit inactivates the reagents in the cryopreservation tubes, the reagents are sent to the pre-processing output unit and output to the subsequent system construction system. The divided cryopreservation tubes of the cryopreservation tube unit are sent to the freezing storage equipment. The sample input unit also comprises a vibration module. A sample rack is arranged on the vibration module. The sampling tubes are arranged on the sample rack. A reset mechanism is arranged on the vibration module. The reset mechanism makes the sample rack return to the initial position after the vibration is completed. A clamping device, a liquid taking device and a cover opening and closing device are arranged on the robotic arm unit. The clamping device carries the containers of each unit. The sampling unit Located between the sample input unit and the turntable unit, the sampling unit includes a sampling tube fixing component. After the clamping device of the mechanical arm unit sends the sampling tube on the sample rack to the sample fixing component for fixing, the opening and closing cover device opens the cover of the sampling tube, the liquid taking device draws a quantitative test liquid from the sampling tube, and the opening and closing cover device closes the cover of the sampling tube, and the clamping device sends it back to the original position of the sample rack. A plurality of cryopreservation tube stations are arranged on the turntable unit, and a cryopreservation tube clamping tool is arranged on each station. A cryopreservation tube opening and closing cover component is also arranged on one side of the turntable unit. The device sends the test solution in the sampling tube to the freezing tube on the turntable unit, the freezing tube unit includes a freezing tube array, the clamping device of the robotic arm unit takes out three freezing tubes from the freezing tube array and sends them to the turntable unit, the liquid taking device divides the test solution in the sampling tube into three freezing tubes, the clamping device sends two freezing tubes back to the freezing tube array, and one freezing tube is sent to the metal bath unit, the freezing tube unit also includes a rotating conveyor rack, the rotating conveyor rack sends three freezing tubes to the turntable unit at a time, and the freezing tubes are sent back by the rotating conveyor rack after the liquid is filled.

2. The virus automated detection pre-processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal bath unit is located between the turntable unit and the cryotube unit, and the metal bath unit heats and inactivates one of the cryotubes.

3. The virus automated detection pre-processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pre-treatment output unit comprises a well plate and an output rotating arm, the well plate is arranged on the output rotating arm, and the liquid taking device packs the inactivated cryopreservation tubes into the well plate.

4. The virus automated detection pre-processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pipette tip unit is also included between the sample input unit and the turntable unit. The pipette tip unit includes a pipette tip box and a pipette tip discard box. When the liquid taking device takes liquid, the pipette tip is loaded into the pipette tip box, and after the liquid is taken, the pipette tip is discarded into the pipette tip discard box.

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