A pipetting structure with magnetic suction function

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of single-cell nucleic acid processing instruments, and discloses a pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function, comprising: a frame; a moving component disposed on the frame; an air pump disposed on the moving component or the frame and located above the stage, the moving component being capable of driving the air pump and / or the stage to move; and a magnet fixed to the air pump, the magnet being capable of contacting a chip on the stage to attract magnetic beads within the chip. The pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function disclosed in this invention enables contact between the magnet and the chip, increases the magnet's attraction force on the magnetic beads, and improves the success rate of experiments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of single-cell nucleic acid processing instruments, and in particular to a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function. Background Technology

[0002] When extracting DNA or RNA from cells, magnets are needed to attract magnetic beads inside the chip on the stage. Most existing technologies fix the magnets on the frame and move the stage to attract the magnetic beads. Since the stage can only move in one direction, there is a gap between the magnet and the chip. The attraction force when the magnet attracts the magnetic beads is small. In subsequent experimental steps, the cells with magnetic beads are easily washed away, reducing the success rate of the experiment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function, which can realize the contact between the magnet and the chip, increase the attraction force of the magnet on the magnetic beads, and improve the success rate of the experiment.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function includes: a frame; a moving component disposed on the frame; an air pump disposed on the moving component or the frame and located above a stage, the moving component being capable of driving the air pump and / or the stage to move; and a magnet fixed on the air pump, the magnet being capable of contacting a chip on the stage to attract magnetic beads inside the chip.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the pipetting structure with magnetic suction function further includes a connector, which is disposed at the end of the air pump and communicates with the air pump. The connector can extend into a disposable pipette on the stage to fix the disposable pipette on the connector.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the connector is provided with a protrusion that can extend into the disposable pipette.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function, the pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function further includes a photoelectric sensor disposed on the frame, the photoelectric sensor being configured to detect the disposable pipette on the connector.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the frame is provided with a mounting base, and the photoelectric sensor is fixedly mounted on the mounting base.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function, the pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function further includes a pressure detection element disposed within the air pump.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function, the moving component includes a Y-axis assembly, which includes a Y-axis motor and a Y-axis ball screw. The output end of the Y-axis motor is connected to the Y-axis screw of the Y-axis ball screw, and the Y-axis nut of the Y-axis ball screw is used to mount the stage. The Y-axis assembly can drive the stage to move along the Y-axis direction.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the moving component includes an X-axis component and a Z-axis component. The fixed end of the X-axis component is disposed on the frame, and the movable end of the X-axis component is connected to the fixed end of the Z-axis component. The X-axis component can drive the Z-axis component to move along the X-axis direction. The movable end of the Z-axis component is provided with the air pump, and the Z-axis component can drive the air pump to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the X-axis assembly includes an X-axis motor and an X-axis ball screw. The fixed end of the X-axis motor is mounted on the frame, and the output end of the X-axis motor is connected to the X-axis screw of the X-axis ball screw. The Z-axis assembly is mounted on the X-axis nut of the X-axis ball screw.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, the Z-axis assembly includes a Z-axis motor, a Z-axis ball screw, and a transmission assembly. The fixed end of the Z-axis motor is disposed on the X-axis nut, and the air pump is disposed on the Z-axis nut of the Z-axis ball screw. The transmission assembly includes a drive pulley, a synchronous belt, and a driven pulley. The drive pulley is disposed on the output end of the Z-axis motor, and the driven pulley is disposed on the Z-axis screw of the Z-axis ball screw. The synchronous belt is connected to the drive pulley and the driven pulley respectively.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The magnet of the liquid pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function disclosed in the present invention is fixed on the air pump, and the moving component can drive the air pump and / or the stage to move, so that the magnet comes into contact with the chip on the stage, thereby increasing the attraction force between the magnet and the magnetic beads in the chip and improving the success rate of the experiment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention in one direction;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention from another direction.

[0019] In the picture:

[0020] 1. Rack; 11. Mounting base;

[0021] 2. Air pump;

[0022] 3. Magnet;

[0023] 4. Connector; 41. Protrusion;

[0024] 5. Photoelectric sensors;

[0025] 6. Y-axis assembly; 61. Y-axis motor; 62. Y-axis ball screw;

[0026] 7. X-axis assembly; 71. X-axis motor; 72. X-axis ball screw;

[0027] 8. Z-axis assembly; 81. Z-axis motor; 82. Z-axis ball screw; 83. Transmission assembly; 831. Main...

[0028] Driving pulley; 832, Synchronous belt; 833, Driven pulley;

[0029] 100, platform; 200, chip. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" refer to two different positions.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] This embodiment provides a pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the structure includes a frame 1, a moving component, an air pump 2, and a magnet 3. The moving component is mounted on the frame 1, and the air pump 2 is mounted on the moving component and located above the stage 100. The moving component can drive the air pump 2 and the stage 100 to move. The magnet 3 is fixed on the air pump 2. The moving component can drive the air pump 2 to bring the magnet 3 into contact with the chip 200 on the stage 100, so that the magnet 3 can attract the magnetic beads inside the chip 200.

[0034] The magnet 3 of the liquid pipetting structure with magnetic attraction function provided in this embodiment is fixed on the air pump 2. The moving component can drive the air pump 2 to move the magnet 3 and the stage 100, so that the magnet 3 can contact the chip 200 on the stage 100, thereby increasing the attraction force between the magnet 3 and the magnetic beads in the chip 200 and improving the success rate of the experiment.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the pipetting structure with magnetic suction function in this embodiment also includes a connector 4. The connector 4 is disposed at the end of the air pump 2 and communicates with the air pump 2. The moving component can drive the connector 4 to extend into the disposable pipette so that the disposable pipette is fixed on the connector 4. Specifically, the connector 4 is provided with a protrusion 41, which can extend into the disposable pipette on the stage 100. In this embodiment, the connector 4 is a connecting post with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the disposable pipette. There are two protrusions 41, which are spaced apart on the connector 4. One of the protrusions 41 is located at the lower end of the connecting post so that the connector 4 can be inserted into the disposable pipette when it begins to contact the disposable pipette. The surface of the protrusion 41 is a spherical surface with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the disposable pipette, so that the disposable pipette can be firmly fixed on the connector 4. After the disposable straw is fixed to the connector 4, the protrusion 41 on the top is located inside the disposable straw and close to the opening of the disposable straw. When the air pump 2 performs air exhaust or air intake operation, the protrusion 41 can prevent gas from leaking out from the gap between the connector 4 and the disposable straw or external gas from entering the connector 4 through the gap.

[0036] The magnetic pipetting structure of this embodiment also includes a pressure detection element (not shown in the figure), which is disposed inside the air pump 2. This pressure detection element is a pressure sensor that can detect the pressure inside the air pump 2 in real time. When the moving component drives the air pump 2 and the connecting piece 4 to draw reagent from the reagent tube using a disposable pipette, the air pump 2 draws air, and the reagent in the reagent tube enters the disposable pipette. The pressure inside the air pump 2, the connecting piece 4, and the disposable pipette gradually decreases as the reagent enters. Since the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor corresponds one-to-one with the volume of reagent in the disposable pipette, the total volume of reagent in the disposable pipette can be determined based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor. If the disposable pipette draws a sample from the sample tube, the process is the same as drawing reagent from the reagent tube. The pipetting structure provided in this embodiment can determine the volume of reagent drawn by the disposable pipette based on the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor inside the air pump 2, thus improving experimental speed.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pipetting structure with magnetic suction function in this embodiment also includes an alarm component (not shown in the figure), a photoelectric sensor 5, and a mounting base 11. The photoelectric sensor 5 is fixedly mounted on the mounting base 11 and is configured to detect disposable pipettes on the connector 4. If the connector 4 is performing the operation of fixing a disposable pipette and the photoelectric sensor 5 does not detect a disposable pipette, the alarm component will sound an alarm, indicating that the inner diameter of the disposable pipette is too large or that a disposable pipette is not placed at this position.

[0038] Specifically, when the moving component moves the connector 4 to a specific position, if a disposable straw is fixed on the connector 4, the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 5 can shine on the disposable straw and reflect back, indicating that a disposable straw is fixed on the connector 4. If there is no disposable straw on the connector 4, the light emitted by the photoelectric sensor 5 cannot reflect back, indicating that the connector 4 does not fix the disposable straw.

[0039] Preferably, the pipetting structure in this embodiment further includes a controller (not shown in the figure). The controller is electrically connected to the photoelectric sensor 5, the alarm component, the moving component, and the air pump 2. The controller can be a centralized or distributed controller. For example, the controller can be a single microcontroller or a combination of multiple distributed microcontrollers. The microcontroller can run a control program to control the photoelectric sensor 5, the moving component, and the air pump 2 to perform their functions. If the connector 4 does not detect the disposable pipette after the operation of fixing the disposable pipette, the controller controls the alarm component to sound an alarm, indicating to the operator that the disposable pipette is not fixed to the connector 4, thus avoiding subsequent invalid operations and improving the success rate of the experiment.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the moving component in this embodiment includes a Y-axis assembly 6, which includes a Y-axis motor 61 and a Y-axis ball screw 62. The output end of the Y-axis motor 61 is connected to the Y-axis screw of the Y-axis ball screw 62. The Y-axis nut of the Y-axis ball screw 62 is used to mount the stage 100. The Y-axis assembly 6 can drive the stage 100 to move along the Y-axis direction. The stage 100 is used to place disposable pipettes, reagent tubes, sample tubes, waste liquid tubes, and chips 200.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the moving component in this embodiment includes an X-axis component 7 and a Z-axis component 8. The fixed end of the X-axis component 7 is mounted on the frame 1, and the movable end of the X-axis component 7 is connected to the fixed end of the Z-axis component 8. The X-axis component 7 can drive the Z-axis component 8 to move along the X-axis direction. The movable end of the Z-axis component 8 is equipped with an air pump 2, and the Z-axis component 8 can drive the air pump 2 to move along the Z-axis direction. Figure 1 As shown, the X-axis assembly 7 includes an X-axis motor 71 and an X-axis ball screw 72. The fixed end of the X-axis motor 71 is mounted on the frame 1, and the output end of the X-axis motor 71 is connected to the X-axis screw of the X-axis ball screw 72. The X-axis nut of the X-axis ball screw 72 is equipped with a Z-axis assembly 8. Figure 1As shown, the Z-axis assembly 8 includes a Z-axis motor 81, a Z-axis ball screw 82, and a transmission assembly 83. The fixed end of the Z-axis motor 81 is mounted on the X-axis nut. An air pump 2 is mounted on the Z-axis nut of the Z-axis ball screw 82. The transmission assembly 83 includes a drive pulley 831, a synchronous belt 832, and a driven pulley 833. The drive pulley 831 is located at the output end of the Z-axis motor 81, and the Z-axis motor 81 is positioned below the drive pulley 831. Compared to directly mounting the Z-axis motor 81 above the Z-axis ball screw 82, this reduces the overall height of the pipetting structure. The driven pulley 833 is mounted on the Z-axis screw of the Z-axis ball screw 82. The synchronous belt 832 is connected to both the drive pulley 831 and the driven pulley 833. In other embodiments, if the height of the pipetting structure is not limited, the Z-axis motor 81 can be directly mounted above the Z-axis ball screw 82.

[0042] In other embodiments, the relative positions of the X-axis assembly 7 and the Z-axis assembly 8 are not limited to the limitation of this embodiment. Alternatively, the fixed end of the Z-axis assembly 8 can be mounted on the frame 1, and the movable end of the Z-axis assembly 8 can be connected to the fixed end of the X-axis assembly 7. The movable end of the X-axis assembly 7 can be equipped with an air pump 2. In other embodiments, the X-axis assembly 7, Y-axis assembly 6, and Z-axis assembly 8 of the moving assembly are not limited to the limitation of this embodiment. Alternatively, the frame 1 can be equipped with a platform 100, and the X-axis assembly 7 of the moving assembly can drive the air pump 2 to move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis assembly 6 can drive the air pump 2 to move along the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis assembly 8 can drive the air pump 2 to move along the Z-axis direction. The relative positions of the X-axis assembly 7, Y-axis assembly 6, and Z-axis assembly 8 can be set according to actual needs. Alternatively, the air pump 2 can be mounted on the frame 1, and the X-axis assembly 7 of the moving assembly can drive the platform 100 to move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis assembly 6 can drive the platform 100 to move along the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis assembly 8 can drive the platform 100 to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0043] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipetting structure with magnetic suction function, characterized in that, include: Rack (1); A movable component is mounted on the rack (1); An air pump (2) is disposed on the moving component or the frame (1) and located above the stage (100), the moving component being capable of driving the air pump (2) and / or the stage (100) to move; A magnet (3) is fixed on the air pump (2). The magnet (3) can contact the chip (200) on the stage (100) so that the magnet (3) can attract the magnetic beads inside the chip (200). A connector (4) is provided at the end of the air pump (2) and communicates with the air pump (2). The connector (4) can extend into the disposable straw on the platform (100) so that the disposable straw is fixed on the connector (4). The connector (4) is provided with a protrusion (41) which can extend into the disposable straw. A photoelectric sensor (5) is disposed on the frame (1), and the photoelectric sensor (5) is configured to detect the disposable straw on the connector (4); A pressure detection element is disposed inside the air pump (2).

2. The pipetting structure with magnetic suction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (1) is provided with a mounting base (11), and the photoelectric sensor (5) is fixedly mounted on the mounting base (11).

3. The pipetting structure with magnetic suction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving component includes a Y-axis assembly (6), which includes a Y-axis motor (61) and a Y-axis ball screw (62). The output end of the Y-axis motor (61) is connected to the Y-axis screw of the Y-axis ball screw (62). The Y-axis nut of the Y-axis ball screw (62) is used to install the platform (100). The Y-axis assembly (6) can drive the platform (100) to move along the Y-axis direction.

4. The pipetting structure with magnetic suction function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving component includes an X-axis component (7) and a Z-axis component (8). The fixed end of the X-axis component (7) is disposed on the frame (1). The movable end of the X-axis component (7) is connected to the fixed end of the Z-axis component (8). The X-axis component (7) can drive the Z-axis component (8) to move along the X-axis direction. The movable end of the Z-axis component (8) is provided with the air pump (2). The Z-axis component (8) can drive the air pump (2) to move along the Z-axis direction.

5. The pipetting structure with magnetic suction function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The X-axis assembly (7) includes an X-axis motor (71) and an X-axis ball screw (72). The fixed end of the X-axis motor (71) is mounted on the frame (1). The output end of the X-axis motor (71) is connected to the X-axis screw of the X-axis ball screw (72). The Z-axis assembly (8) is mounted on the X-axis nut of the X-axis ball screw (72).

6. The pipetting structure with magnetic suction function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The Z-axis assembly (8) includes a Z-axis motor (81), a Z-axis ball screw (82), and a transmission assembly (83). The fixed end of the Z-axis motor (81) is located on the X-axis nut. The air pump (2) is located on the Z-axis nut of the Z-axis ball screw (82). The transmission assembly (83) includes a drive pulley (831), a timing belt (832), and a driven pulley (833). The drive pulley (831) is located at the output end of the Z-axis motor (81). The driven pulley (833) is located on the Z-axis screw of the Z-axis ball screw (82). The timing belt (832) is connected to the drive pulley (831) and the driven pulley (833) respectively.

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