An automatic cell washing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to an automatic cell washing device. The automatic cell washing device includes a sampling unit and a centrifugation unit. The sampling unit includes a first conduit and a sampler, and the first conduit is connected to the sampler. The centrifugation unit includes a V-shaped centrifuge tube and a centrifuge rotor adapted to the V-shaped centrifuge tube, and the sampler is used for sampling into the V-shaped centrifuge tube. The automatic cell washing device of the present invention effectively removes impurities in the cell suspension through repeated washing and centrifugation of the V-shaped centrifuge tube. During the centrifugation process, under the action of centrifugal force, the liquid is automatically balanced in the two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube, and there is no need to additionally provide a balancing tube. The processes of adding liquid and discharging waste liquid are fully automated, reducing repeated manual operations and improving efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to an automatic cell washing device. Background Art

[0002] In fields such as medicine and cell biology, operations related to cells are often involved, including centrifugation and washing of cell suspensions. During the extraction of primary cells from tissues or the passage of cell culture, due to the complex components in tissues or culture media, the extracted cell suspensions contain many extracellular matrix components outside the cells or impurity components other than the target cells, and these substances need to be removed. Since solid particles with different densities or particle sizes settle at different speeds in a liquid, a centrifuge can use centrifugal force to separate the liquid from the solid. A centrifuge mainly consists of four parts: drive and speed control, temperature control, vacuum system, and rotor. Before centrifugation, it is necessary to balance with a liquid of the same weight as the liquid to be centrifuged.

[0003] In the process of cell washing, first, the cell suspension containing impurities is added to a centrifuge tube and placed in a centrifuge for centrifugation with a certain centrifugal force and time. Compared with the impurities in the suspension or PBS buffer used for washing, cells with a slightly larger sedimentation coefficient sink to the bottom of the centrifuge tube and adhere to the centrifuge tube wall under the action of centrifugal force. After removing the upper liquid containing impurities, a liquid such as PBS used for washing cells is added, and the cells at the bottom of the centrifuge tube are pipetted to resuspend the cells in the buffer, so that the cells are evenly distributed in the liquid. Centrifugation, liquid addition, and resuspension are repeated 2 - 3 times to remove impurity substances. The entire process of using a traditional centrifuge for cell washing requires repeated manual operations, which is time-consuming and cumbersome. Repeated pouring and transferring of liquids are more likely to cause cell contamination. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above - mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic cell washing device to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above - mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present invention provides an automatic cell washing device. The automatic cell washing device includes a sample - adding unit and a centrifugation unit. The sample - adding unit includes a first conduit and a sampler, and the first conduit is connected to the sampler; the centrifugation unit includes a V - shaped centrifuge tube and a centrifuge rotor adapted to the V - shaped centrifuge tube, and the sampler is used to add samples to the V - shaped centrifuge tube.

[0006] As described above, the automatic cell washing device of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0007] (1) Through repeated washing and centrifugation of the V - shaped centrifuge tube, impurities in the cell suspension are effectively removed.

[0008] (2) During the centrifugation process, under the action of centrifugal force, the liquid is automatically balanced in the two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube without the need for an additional balancing tube.

[0009] (3) The processes of adding liquid and discharging waste liquid are fully automated, reducing repeated manual operations and improving efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 It shows a schematic diagram of the automatic cell washing device of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It shows another schematic diagram of the automatic cell washing device of the present invention.

[0012] Description of Component Labels

[0013] 1 Sampling Unit

[0014] 11 First Conduit

[0015] 111 Liquid Inlet Conduit

[0016] 112 Cell Inlet Conduit

[0017] 113 First Valve

[0018] 12 Sampler

[0019] 121 Power Device

[0020] 122 Sampling Head

[0021] 123 Sampling Needle

[0022] 2 Centrifugation Unit

[0023] 21 V-shaped Centrifuge Tube

[0024] α Inner Included Angle

[0025] 211 First Opening

[0026] 212 Second Opening

[0027] β Outer Included Angle

[0028] 2121 Second Valve

[0029] 213 Scale

[0030] 22 Centrifuge Rotor

[0031] 221 Rotor Bucket

[0032] 2211 Second Conduit

[0033] 2211a Liquid Conduit

[0034] 2211b cell conduit

[0035] 222 rotor cover

[0036] 2221 channel Detailed implementation manners

[0037] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 . It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. shown in the drawings of this specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of the present invention. Therefore, they do not have a substantial technical meaning. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects that the present invention can produce and the purposes that can be achieved, should still fall within the scope covered by the technical content disclosed in the present invention. At the same time, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle", and "one" cited in this specification are only for the convenience of clear narration and are not used to limit the scope for the implementation of the present invention. The change or adjustment of their relative relationships, without substantial change in the technical content, should also be regarded as the scope for the implementation of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the present invention provides an automatic cell washing device. The automatic cell washing device includes a sampling unit 1 and a centrifugation unit 2. The sampling unit 1 includes a first conduit 11 and a sampler 12, and the first conduit 11 is connected to the sampler 12; the centrifugation unit 2 includes a V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 and a centrifuge rotor 22 adapted to the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21, and the sampler 12 is used to add samples to the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21.

[0040] The first conduit 11 is used to add and transfer cells or washing solution into the automatic cell washing device. A first valve 113 is provided on the first conduit 11. In one implementation manner, the first valve 113 is a three-way switch. Preferably, it is an electrically controlled three-way switch.

[0041] One or more first conduits 11 are provided. In one implementation manner, two first conduits 11 are provided, which are a liquid inlet conduit 111 and a cell inlet conduit 112 respectively. The liquid inlet conduit 111 is used to add and transfer the washing solution, and the cell inlet conduit 112 is used to add and transfer the cells to be washed. The first conduit C11 is a flexible conduit, providing space for the movement of the sampling head C122.

[0042] The sampler 12 includes a power device 121, a sampling head 122, and a sampling needle 123. The power device 121 is electrically connected to the sampling head 122. One end of the sampling head 122 is connected to the first conduit 11, and the other end is connected to the sampling needle 123.

[0043] The power device 121 drives the sampling head 122, which further drives the sampling needle 123 to add a sample into the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. In one embodiment, the power device 121 is selected from a linear motor. The power device C121 is fixed, and the sampling head C122 moves on its guide rail.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sampling head 122 is a holder for the sampling needle 123, enabling the sampling needle 123 to move up and down along its guide rail following the power device 121.

[0045] In one embodiment, the sampling needle 123 is a hollow syringe-like needle.

[0046] The cross-section of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 is in a "V" shape. The angle of the inner included angle α of the "V" shape is not limited.

[0047] A first opening 211 is provided at the inner included angle α of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. The first opening 211 can be used to add a sample into the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21.

[0048] A one-way channel is provided at the first opening 211. In one embodiment, the one-way channel is a rubber stopper. When the sampling needle 123 moves downward, it can pierce the rubber stopper to add a sample into the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. When the sampling needle 123 moves upward, it withdraws from the rubber stopper, and the rubber stopper reseals to prevent liquid from flowing out.

[0049] The one-way channel can be replaced by a one-way valve. When the sampling needle 123 moves downward and pushes open the one-way valve, the sampling operation can be performed. When the sampling needle 123 moves upward and withdraws, the valve closes to prevent liquid from flowing out.

[0050] A second opening 212 is provided at the outer included angle β of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. The second opening 212 can be used to add or discharge a sample into the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21.

[0051] In one embodiment, a second valve 2121 is provided at the second opening 212. The second valve 2121 is used to open or close the second opening 212. In one embodiment, the second valve 2121 is further used to determine from which conduit the liquid flows out. In one embodiment, the second valve 2121 is a two-way switch or a three-way switch. The second valve 2121 is an electric control switch or a manual switch. When an electric control switch is provided, the automatic cell washing device is used in cooperation with a controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the second valve 2121, so as to control the second valve 2121 and achieve the purpose of controlling the liquid to flow out from different conduits. When a manual switch is provided, when liquid needs to be discharged, the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 can be taken out of the centrifuge, and the second valve 2121 is manually controlled to select a suitable conduit to discharge the liquid.

[0052] The two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 are respectively cylindrical, and the tails of the cylindrical shapes are conical or hemispherical.

[0053] A scale 213 is provided on the tube wall of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. The scale 213 is used to measure the volume of the liquid in the centrifuge tube. The scale 213 can be set at different positions on the tube wall according to the specific use of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 or different positions can be used as the zero scale. For example, when the first opening 211 is used as the inlet of the centrifuge tube, since the liquid first concentrates at the second opening 212 after entering, the zero scale can be set near the second opening 212 at this time; or when the second opening 212 is used as the inlet of the centrifuge tube, since the liquid first concentrates at the tails of the two arms of the centrifuge tube after entering, the zero scale can be set at the tails at this time.

[0054] The centrifuge rotor 22 includes a rotor barrel 221 and a rotor cover 222 that are adapted to each other. The rotor barrel 221 is provided with a V-shaped inner groove, and the rotor cover 222 is provided with a conical portion. The V-shaped inner groove and the conical portion are both matched with the shape of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. A recess is provided at the bottom of the V-shaped inner groove. The recess is used to place the second valve 2121.

[0055] In one embodiment, a channel 2221 is provided on the central axis of the rotor cover 222. The central axis refers to: in the working state, the perpendicular line drawn from the vertex of the conical portion to the horizontal plane. The channel 2221 is used for the sampling needle 123 to pass through it to sample the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21.

[0056] Inside the rotor barrel 221, there is a second conduit 2211, and the opening at one end of the second conduit 2211 is placed at the bottom of the V-shaped inner groove. When the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 is placed in the V-shaped inner groove, the second opening 212 is exactly connected to the opening of the second conduit 2211 through the second valve 2121. One or more second conduits 2211 are provided. When there is one second conduit 2211, cells and liquid enter or exit through the same conduit. In one embodiment, two second conduits 2211 are provided, namely a liquid conduit 2211a and a cell conduit 2211b.

[0057] A recovery bottle is further provided at the end of the second conduit 2211. An ordinary reagent bottle can be used as the recovery bottle. The recovery bottle includes a cell recovery bottle and a waste liquid recovery bottle.

[0058] A rotor shaft is provided at the bottom of the rotor barrel 221. In one embodiment, the rotor shaft is hollow.

[0059] The automatic cell washing device needs to be installed inside a centrifuge for use in conjunction with the centrifuge. There are no special restrictions on the type and model of the centrifuge. The automatic cell washing device can also be used in conjunction with a fat treatment device.

[0060] The automatic cell washing device can be used to wash various cells, such as fat cells.

[0061] A method of using the automatic cell washing device is as follows: Install the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 on the centrifuge rotor 22, install the centrifuge rotor 22 in the centrifuge. The sampling needle 123 is fixed on the sampling head 122. The linear motor drives the sampling head 122, which further drives the sampling needle 123 to move downward. The sampling needle 123 passes through the one-way valve, opens the first valve 113, enters the first conduit 11 to add cells to the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. The liquid volume can be observed through the scale on the wall of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21, so that the liquid volume is within the most suitable range for processing, and the liquid level is between the highest and lowest scales of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21. Pull out the sampling needle 123, and the one-way valve closes to prevent the liquid from flowing out. Set the centrifugation time and centrifugal force on the centrifuge or other control equipment, and start centrifugation according to the preset centrifugation time and centrifugal force. Under the action of the centrifugal force, the liquid flows to the two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21, and the liquid volume distribution in the two arms is uniform. After centrifugation, slowly stop rotating. The cells adhere to the tails of the two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 under the action of the centrifugal force. The liquid slowly re-converges to the second opening 212. Open the second valve 2121 to drain the waste liquid. The waste liquid flows out along the second conduit 2211 and is collected by the waste liquid collection bottle to prevent liquid splashing. After the waste liquid is drained, close the second valve 2121. Open the first valve 113, quickly add PBS through the liquid addition conduit. After the liquid level of the added liquid reaches the appropriate water level line, the first valve 113 automatically closes. The linear motor raises again, and the liquid addition needle 123 withdraws. The rotor rotates rapidly to drive the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 to wash down the adhered cells, prevent the cells from drying, and mix them with PBS to resuspend. After good resuspension, centrifuge again. The cells adhere to the tops of the two arms of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 again. Open the second valve 2121, and the waste liquid is discharged from the second conduit 2211. After the waste liquid is discharged, close the second valve 2121. Repeat the above washing process 2-3 times. During the last washing, after adding PBS, the rotor starts to rotate rapidly 2-3 times to drive the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 to rotate. PBS rushes from the bottom to the top of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 quickly, washes down the cells adhered to the top of the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21, prevents the cells from drying, and mixes them with PBS to resuspend. The PBS cell suspension containing cells re-converges to the second opening 212 under the action of gravity. Open the second valve 2121 to discharge the cells from the second conduit 2211. Or after the last resuspension of the cells, take out the V-shaped centrifuge tube 21 from the centrifuge rotor 22, manually open the second valve 2121 to collect the cell suspension.

[0062] In summary, the present invention effectively overcomes various shortcomings in the prior art and has high industrial utilization value.

[0063] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person familiar with this technology can modify or change the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical idea disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic cell washing device, characterized in that, The automatic cell washing device includes a sample adding unit (1) and a centrifugation unit (2). The sample adding unit (1) includes a first conduit (11) and a sampler (12), and the first conduit (11) is connected to the sampler (12). The centrifugation unit (2) includes a V-shaped centrifuge tube (21) and a centrifuge rotor (22) adapted to the V-shaped centrifuge tube (21). The sampler (12) is used to add samples into the V-shaped centrifuge tube (21). A first opening (211) is provided at the inner included angle (α) of the V-shaped centrifuge tube (21), and a one-way valve is provided at the first opening (211). A second opening (212) is provided at the outer included angle (β), and a second valve (2121) is provided at the second opening (212). The centrifuge rotor (22) includes a rotor barrel (221) and a rotor cover (222) that are adapted to each other. The rotor barrel (221) is provided with a V-shaped inner groove, and the rotor cover (222) is provided with a conical portion. The V-shaped inner groove and the conical portion are both matched with the shape of the V-shaped centrifuge tube (21).

2. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first valve (113) is provided on the first conduit (11).

3. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, wherein One or more first conduits (11) are provided.

4. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two first conduits (11) are provided, which are a liquid inlet conduit (111) and a cell inlet conduit (112) respectively.

5. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The sampler (12) includes a power device (121), a sampling head (122), and a sampling needle (123). The power device (121) is electrically connected to the sampling head (122). One end of the sampling head (122) is connected to the first conduit (11), and the other end is connected to the sampling needle (123).

6. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The V-shaped centrifuge tube (21) is provided with graduations (213) on its tube wall.

7. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, wherein, A channel (2221) is provided on the central axis of the rotor cover (222).

8. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second conduit (2211) is provided inside the rotor barrel (221). The opening at one end of the second conduit (2211) is placed at the bottom of the V-shaped inner groove. When the V-shaped centrifuge tube (21) is placed in the V-shaped inner groove, the second opening (212) is connected to the opening at one end of the second conduit (2211).

9. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, One or more second conduits (2211) are provided.

10. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 8, wherein, Two second conduits (2211) are provided, which are a liquid conduit (2211a) and a cell conduit (2211b) respectively.

11. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 8, wherein, A recovery bottle is further provided at the end of the second conduit (2211).

12. The automatic cell washing device according to claim 11, wherein, The recovery bottle includes a cell recovery bottle and a waste liquid recovery bottle.

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