A magnetic incubation mechanism for an automated molecular diagnostic instrument

Abstract

The present invention discloses a magnetic incubation mechanism of an automated molecular diagnostic instrument, comprising: a magnetic suction component for magnetically suctioning a reaction chamber containing a sample liquid and an incubation component for heating the reaction chamber, and also comprising a driving device for driving the incubation component and the magnetic suction component to alternately approach the reaction chamber, wherein both the magnetic suction component and the incubation component are connected to the driving device. The device can realize the switching between the incubation operation and the magnetic suction operation, and the incubation part and the magnetic suction part are effectively coordinated by a linkage mechanism, which effectively simplifies the overall structure, saves space, and can also improve the detection speed of the sample liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of medical in vitro diagnosis, and more specifically to a magnetic attraction and incubation mechanism of an automated molecular diagnostic instrument. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, medical in vitro diagnostic equipment is mainly used to test samples such as human blood and urine and to extract DNA / RNA from samples. In the process of extracting sample DNA / RNA, the sample needs to go through complex processes such as incubation at different temperatures and magnetic absorption at different stages to obtain pure sample DNA / RNA. It has the disadvantages of difficult manual operation, low test efficiency, and cumbersome operation process.

[0003] At present, the structure integrating incubation and magnetic suction operation generally consists of a push-pull component, a constant temperature magnetic suction component, an incubation component, a reagent strip component, and a limit seat. This structure controls the magnetic suction process by horizontally pushing and pulling the constant temperature magnetic suction component to make the constant temperature magnetic suction component close to or away from the reagent strip component. In addition, the incubation component and the reagent strip component are relatively fixed and cannot be moved and separated, which will cause the temperature of the reagent strip to rise and fall slowly, affecting the detection speed of the whole machine. In addition, the overall structure of the device is relatively complex, occupies a large space, and is cumbersome to operate.

[0004] In summary, how to improve the operating efficiency of the integrated incubation and magnetic attraction device and reduce the overall structure is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a magnetic incubation mechanism for an automated molecular diagnostic instrument, which can effectively improve the operating efficiency of the incubation and magnetic attraction integrated device, and can also effectively reduce the overall structure of the device and simplify the operating steps of the device.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A magnetic attraction and incubation mechanism of an automated molecular diagnostic instrument comprises: a magnetic attraction component for magnetically attracting a reaction chamber containing a sample liquid and an incubation component for heating the reaction chamber, and also comprises a driving device for driving the incubation component and the magnetic attraction component to alternately approach the reaction chamber, wherein the magnetic attraction component and the incubation component are both connected to the driving device.

[0008] Preferably, it further comprises a support assembly, the driving device and the magnetic attraction assembly are both connected to the support assembly, and the support assembly is provided with a track for limiting the lateral movement track of the magnetic attraction assembly;

[0009] When the driving device drives the incubation component to rise, the magnetic attraction component can move away from the reaction chamber along the track; when the driving device drives the incubation component to descend, the magnetic attraction component can move closer to the reaction chamber along the track.

[0010] Preferably, the incubation component comprises: a heating block having a reagent tank therein, a heating device for heating the heating block, a heat dissipation device for dissipating heat from the heating block, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heating block;

[0011] The heating device is arranged in contact with the inner wall of the reagent tank, the heat dissipation device is arranged at the bottom of the heating block, the temperature sensor is connected to the heating block, and the reagent tank is used to accommodate the reaction chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the heating block is provided with at least 8 reagent slots.

[0013] Preferably, the heating device is a PI electric heating film, and the heating power of the PI electric heating film is distributed non-uniformly on the inner wall.

[0014] Preferably, the magnetic attraction component includes a magnet and a rotating device for driving the magnet to rotate circumferentially, the magnet is provided with a first magnetic attraction surface and a second magnetic attraction surface in the circumference, the first magnetic attraction surface and the second magnetic attraction surface have different areas and are both used to adsorb magnetic beads in the sample liquid, and the rotating device is connected to the magnet.

[0015] Preferably, the magnetic attraction component further comprises a magnetic isolation plate for isolating the magnetic beads during the non-magnetic attraction process, and the rotating device is connected to the magnetic isolation plate to drive the magnetic isolation plate to rotate circumferentially.

[0016] Preferably, the driving device is a screw drive mechanism.

[0017] Preferably, the supporting assembly comprises a horizontal plate and a vertical plate, the horizontal plate is arranged perpendicular to the vertical plate, the track is arranged on the horizontal plate, the magnetic assembly is connected to the slider on the track, a synchronous pulley is provided on the top of the vertical plate, a synchronous belt is wound around the outer periphery of the synchronous pulley, one end of the synchronous belt is vertically connected to the magnetic assembly, and the other end is arranged along the vertical plate, a baffle is provided on the synchronous belt, and a power plate for abutting against the baffle is provided at the telescopic end of the driving device.

[0018] Preferably, a return spring for driving the magnetic attraction component to reset is provided along the direction of the horizontal plate, one end of the return spring is connected to the vertical plate, and the other end is connected to the magnetic attraction component.

[0019] Preferably, the magnetic attraction component is connected to a transverse movement device, and the transverse movement device is used to drive the magnetic attraction component away from the reaction chamber.

[0020] When using the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention, first, the incubation component can be driven by a driving device to approach the reaction chamber containing the sample liquid, so that the incubation component can effectively heat the reaction chamber to facilitate the incubation operation of the mixed liquid. At the same time, the magnetic component will be away from the reaction chamber to avoid the magnetic component from affecting the incubation operation. After the heating and incubation operation of the mixed liquid is completed, the incubation component and the reaction chamber can be driven to separate by the driving device. At the same time, the magnetic component can be alternately close to the reaction chamber. When the magnetic component is close to the fitting surface of the reaction chamber, the magnetic component can perform a magnetic operation on the mixed liquid, so that the magnetic beads in the mixed liquid in the reaction chamber are adsorbed to the inner wall of the reaction chamber. When the magnetic operation is completed, the driving device can be used to drive the magnetic component away from the reaction chamber to end the magnetic operation.

[0021] The above operation can realize the switching between the incubation operation and the magnetic suction operation, and the incubation part and the magnetic suction part are controlled by the driving device to alternately approach the reaction chamber for corresponding operations, which can effectively simplify the overall structure and save space. In addition, the incubation component can be in contact with and separated from the reaction chamber, which avoids the phenomenon that the temperature of the mixed liquid in the reaction chamber rises and falls slowly due to the reaction chamber being heated by the incubation component all the time. When the incubation component is separated from the reaction chamber, the temperature rise and fall speed of the mixed liquid will be improved, which is conducive to improving the operating efficiency of the device and the detection speed of the sample liquid.

[0022] In summary, the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention can effectively improve the operating efficiency of the incubation and magnetic attraction integrated device, and can also effectively reduce the overall structure of the device and simplify the operating steps of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the magnetic suction component and the reagent card strip;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a magnet;

[0030] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the reagent card strip;

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The main view of

[0032] Fig. 9 for Figure 7 Side view of

[0033] Fig.10 for Figure 7 A top view of

[0034] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the incubation component;

[0035] Fig.12 for Fig.11 Cross-sectional view of .

[0036] Figure 1-Figure 12 middle:

[0037] 1 is a reagent card strip, 2 is a magnetic attraction component, 21 is a magnet, 22 is a rotating device, 23 is a first magnetic attraction surface, 24 is a second magnetic attraction surface, 25 is a magnetic isolation plate, 3 is a supporting component, 31 is a vertical plate, 32 is a synchronous pulley, 33 is a synchronous belt, 34 is a baffle, 4 is an incubation component, 41 is a heating block, 42 ​​is a reagent tank, 43 is a heating device, 44 is a heat dissipation device, 45 is a temperature sensor, 46 is a heat preservation device, 47 is a cooling device, 471 is an air duct, 472 is a fan, 473 is an exhaust port, 474 is an air inlet, 5 is a driving device, 51 is a power plate, 6 is a reaction chamber, 7 is a fitting surface, and 8 is a return spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] The core of the present invention is to provide a magnetic incubation mechanism for an automated molecular diagnostic instrument, which can effectively improve the operating efficiency of the incubation and magnetic attraction integrated device, and can also effectively reduce the overall structure of the device and simplify the operating steps of the device.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 12 .

[0041] This specific embodiment provides a magnetic incubation mechanism for an automated molecular diagnostic instrument, comprising: a magnetic attraction component 2 for magnetically attracting a reaction chamber 6 containing a sample liquid and an incubation component 4 for heating the reaction chamber 6, and also comprising a driving device 5 for driving the incubation component 4 and the magnetic attraction component 2 to alternately approach the reaction chamber 6, and both the magnetic attraction component 2 and the incubation component 4 are connected to the driving device 5.

[0042] In actual use, the shape, structure, size, position, etc. of the magnetic attraction component 2, the incubation component 4 and the driving device 5 can be determined according to actual conditions and actual needs.

[0043] When using the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention, first, the incubation component 4 can be driven by the driving device 5 to approach the reaction chamber 6 containing the sample liquid, so that the incubation component 4 can effectively heat the reaction chamber 6 to facilitate the incubation operation of the mixed liquid. At the same time, the magnetic component 2 will be away from the reaction chamber 6 to avoid the magnetic component 2 affecting the incubation operation. After the heating and incubation operation of the mixed liquid is completed, the incubation component 4 and the reaction chamber 6 can be driven to separate by the driving device 5. At the same time, the magnetic component 2 can be alternately close to the reaction chamber 6. When the magnetic component 2 is close to the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, the magnetic component 2 can perform a magnetic suction operation on the mixed liquid, so that the magnetic beads in the mixed liquid in the reaction chamber 6 are adsorbed to the inner wall of the reaction chamber 6. When the magnetic suction operation is completed, the driving device 5 can be used to drive the incubation component 4 away from the reaction chamber 6 to end the magnetic suction operation.

[0044] The above operation can realize the switching between the incubation operation and the magnetic attraction operation, and the incubation part and the magnetic attraction part are controlled by the driving device 5 to alternately approach the reaction chamber 6 to perform the corresponding operation, which can effectively simplify the overall structure and save space. In addition, the incubation component 4 can be in contact with and separated from the reaction chamber 6, so as to avoid the phenomenon that the reaction chamber 6 is always heated by the incubation component 4, which causes the temperature rise and fall speed of the mixed liquid in the reaction chamber 6 to be slow. When the incubation component 4 is separated from the reaction chamber 6, the temperature rise and fall speed of the mixed liquid will be improved, which is conducive to improving the operation efficiency of the device and the detection speed of the sample liquid.

[0045] In summary, the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention can effectively improve the operating efficiency of the incubation and magnetic attraction integrated device, and can also effectively reduce the overall structure of the device and simplify the operating steps of the device.

[0046] On the basis of the above embodiment, preferably, it also includes a support component 3, the driving device 5 and the magnetic attraction component 2 are both connected to the support component 3, and the support component 3 is provided with a track for limiting the lateral movement trajectory of the magnetic attraction component 2; when the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to rise, the magnetic attraction component 2 can move away from the reaction chamber 6 along the track, and when the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to descend, the magnetic attraction component 2 can move closer to the reaction chamber 6 along the track.

[0047] Preferably, the incubation component 4 includes: a heating block 41 with a reagent tank 42 therein, a heating device 43 for heating the heating block 41, a heat dissipation device 44 for dissipating heat from the heating block 41, and a temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature of the heating block 41; the heating device 43 is arranged to fit the inner wall of the reagent tank 42, the heat dissipation device 44 is arranged at the bottom of the heating block 41, the temperature sensor 45 is connected to the heating block 41, and the reagent tank 42 is used to accommodate the reaction chamber 6.

[0048] It should be noted that in order to enable the incubation temperature of the incubation component 4 to be switched quickly, a heat preservation device 46 may be provided on the periphery of the heating block 41, and a cooling device 47 for improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation device 44 may be provided under the heat dissipation device 44, so that the incubation temperature of the incubation component 4 can be switched quickly at any time within the range of 37°C to 80°C.

[0049] When the incubation component 4 needs to heat the reaction chamber 6, first, the heating device 43 can be used to heat the heating block 41. When the temperature sensor 45 detects that the temperature of the heating block 41 reaches the first preset temperature, the heating operation of the heating device 43 is stopped, and the heat preservation device 46 can effectively ensure that the temperature of the heating block 41 is constant, so that the sample liquid can start the incubation process. At this time, the reaction chamber 6 containing the sample liquid can be placed in the reagent tank 42 of the heating block 41. When the incubation process of the sample liquid is completed and after the magnetic attraction process, the heating device 43 is used again to quickly heat the heating block 41. Since the heating device 43 of the device is arranged to fit the inner wall of the reagent hole, it can effectively increase the rising speed of the incubation temperature of the reagent hole, so that the sample liquid quickly reaches the required incubation temperature.

[0050] When the temperature sensor 45 detects that the temperature of the heating block 41 reaches the second preset temperature, the heating operation of the heating device 43 is stopped, and the heat preservation device 46 can effectively ensure that the temperature of the heating block 41 is constant. So that the sample liquid can start the incubation process again. After the incubation process of the sample liquid is over, the heating block 41 needs to be cooled down, and the radiator provided in the device can effectively cool the heating block 41, and the cooling device 47 can further improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the radiator, thereby accelerating the cooling process of the heating block 41 and improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the heating block 41. Therefore, the temperature rise and fall speed of the incubation component 4 of the device is relatively high, which is conducive to improving the detection efficiency of the sample liquid.

[0051] Among them, the cooling device 47 may include an air duct 471 for sealing and wrapping the heat dissipation device 44 and a fan 472 for accelerating the air flow of the heat dissipation device 44. The air duct 471 is arranged around the periphery of the heat dissipation device 44, and the fan 472 is arranged in the air duct 471. The two ends of the air duct 471 are respectively provided with an exhaust port 473 and an air inlet 474.

[0052] Through the above-mentioned arrangement, the heat dissipation channel can be made into a closed channel. The high-temperature gas is discharged in a sealed and concentrated manner to improve the ventilation effect and the cooling efficiency, so that the cooling time of the heating block 41 is shortened, and the air circulation is driven by the fan 472 in the form of exhaust, which is also conducive to the faster discharge of the heat transferred from the heating block 41 to the heat sink.

[0053] Preferably, the heating block 41 is provided with at least 8 reagent tanks 42. The shape and number of the reagent tanks 42 need to be determined according to the actual situation of the reaction chamber 6. Therefore, if 8 or more reagent tanks 42 are provided, 8 or more reaction chambers 6 can be incubated at the same time, and the temperature of multiple reaction chambers 6 can be ensured to be consistent when incubating at the same time. Because the DNA / RNA in the sample liquid is very sensitive to temperature, ensuring that the temperature conditions of each reaction chamber 6 are the same is conducive to improving the accuracy of the detection results of the sample liquid and reducing experimental errors.

[0054] Preferably, the heating block 41 is made of aluminum alloy. For example, the heating block 41 can be made of A6063 material, because A6063 material has good thermal conductivity and can ensure that temperature can be quickly transferred. In addition, A6063 material also has excellent processing performance, excellent weldability, extrudability and electroplating performance, good corrosion resistance, etc., and is very suitable for processing and manufacturing the heating block 41.

[0055] In actual use, the shape, structure, size, material, etc. of the heating block 41 can be determined according to actual conditions and actual needs.

[0056] Preferably, the heating device 43 is a PI electric heating film, and the heating power of the PI electric heating film is distributed non-uniformly on the inner wall.

[0057] It should be noted that PI electric heating film, also known as polyimide film, is a structural component made of polyimide film as an outer insulator and metal wire as an inner conductive heating element, and the above materials are heat-sealed at high temperature and high pressure. PI electric heating film has excellent insulation strength, electrical strength, thermal conductivity efficiency and resistance stability. It is widely used in the heating field and can achieve high temperature control accuracy.

[0058] In addition, it should be noted that the use of PI electric heating film to heat the reaction chamber 6 and the heating block 41 can effectively increase the heating speed and ensure that the heating device 43 is completely in contact with the inner wall of the reagent hole. In actual use, the setting method and structure of the heating device 43 can be determined according to actual conditions and actual needs.

[0059] It should also be noted that, in addition to heating the heating block 41 by the PI electric heating film, the heating block 41 can also be heated by a silicone heating sheet, because the silicone heating sheet is a soft electric heating film element composed of a combination of high temperature resistant, high thermal conductivity, good insulation performance, and good strength silicone rubber and high temperature resistant fiber reinforced materials and metal heating film circuits. The silicone heating sheet is a thin sheet product with good softness and can be in full close contact with the heated object.

[0060] In actual use, the structure, size, material, etc. of the heating device 43 can be determined according to actual conditions and actual needs.

[0061] In addition, the distribution of the heating power of the PI electric heating film on the inner wall is non-uniform. This is because the shape of the reaction chamber 6 may be a special-shaped structure, that is, the reagent tank 42 needs to be set as a special-shaped cavity structure that matches the reaction chamber 6. Due to the special-shaped cavity structure inside the heating block 41, the temperature conduction and internal temperature of the heating block 41 cannot be kept uniform. Therefore, it is necessary to set the surface heating power of the PI electric heating film non-uniformly according to the internal structure of the heating block 41 to ensure the temperature uniformity of each position inside the heating block 41.

[0062] For example, when it is detected that the temperature of a certain local position of the heating block 41 is relatively low, the heating power of the PI electric heating film attached to the position can be appropriately increased to ensure that the temperature of the position is the same as that of other positions. That is, the inner wall of the reagent tank 42 of the entire heating block 41 is attached with a PI electric heating film, and the heating power of the PI electric heating film at different positions needs to be adjusted and determined according to the actual needs of the heating block 41, so as to ensure that the inside of the heating block 41 is heated evenly and the temperature of each part of the reagent tank 42 is the same.

[0063] On the basis of the above embodiments, preferably, the magnetic attraction component 2 includes a magnet 21 and a rotating device 22 for driving the magnet 21 to rotate circumferentially. The magnet 21 is circumferentially provided with a first magnetic attraction surface 23 and a second magnetic attraction surface 24. The first magnetic attraction surface 23 and the second magnetic attraction surface 24 have different areas and are both used to adsorb magnetic beads of the sample liquid. The rotating device 22 is connected to the magnet 21.

[0064] It should be noted that if the number of reaction chambers 6 is eight or more, the same number of magnets 21 needs to be set to ensure that the magnets 21 and the reaction chambers 6 are set one-to-one, so as to ensure that the subsequent magnetic suction operation proceeds smoothly. In this way, 8 or more reaction chambers 6 can be magnetically sucked at the same time, which is beneficial to improving the operating efficiency of the device.

[0065] When using the magnetic attraction component 2 to perform magnetic attraction operation on the sample liquid, since the areas of the first magnetic attraction surface 23 and the second magnetic attraction surface 24 of the magnet 21 are different, that is, the magnetic forces of the first magnetic attraction surface 23 and the second magnetic attraction surface 24 on the magnetic beads will also be different. The magnetic force will increase with the increase of the area of ​​the magnetic attraction surface. When it is necessary to use a larger magnetic force to adsorb the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber 6, the magnet 21 can be rotated by the rotating device 22 so that the larger magnetic attraction surface is aligned with the reaction chamber 6, and then the magnet 21 is driven close to the reaction chamber 6 so that the larger magnetic attraction surface is in contact with the contact surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, so that the sample liquid in the reaction chamber 6 can be magnetically attracted under the required magnetic force.

[0066] When it is necessary to change the magnetic force to perform magnetic attraction operation on the sample liquid again, the magnet 21 can be driven away from the reaction chamber 6 of the reagent card strip 1, and then the rotating device 22 can be used to drive the magnet 21 to rotate so that the magnetic attraction surface with a smaller area is aligned with the reaction chamber 6, and then the magnet 21 is driven close to the reaction chamber 6 so that the magnetic attraction surface with a smaller area is attached to the contact surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, so that the sample liquid in the reaction chamber 6 can be magnetically attracted again. Therefore, the magnetic attraction component 2 of the device can realize the switching of the magnetic attraction surface and the conversion of the magnetic force, that is, the switching magnetic attraction operation of the magnets 21 with different magnetic forces can be realized.

[0067] Preferably, the magnetic attraction component 2 further includes a magnetic isolation plate 25 for isolating the magnetic beads during the non-magnetic attraction process, and the rotating device 22 is connected to the magnetic isolation plate 25 to drive the magnetic isolation plate 25 to rotate circumferentially. The provision of the magnetic isolation plate 25 can effectively solve the problem of interference of the magnet 21 with the magnetic bead suspension in the reaction chamber 6 in the non-magnetic attraction state.

[0068] Preferably, the magnetic isolation plate 25 can be set to a high-carbon steel material, which can well absorb the external magnetic field emitted by the magnet 21 to achieve a magnetic isolation effect. In addition, the magnetic isolation plate 25 can be set to a plane structure or an arched structure. That is, in actual use, the shape, size, material, etc. of the magnetic isolation plate 25 can be determined according to actual conditions and actual needs.

[0069] Preferably, multiple magnets 21 can be vertically arranged on the bracket, and the magnetic isolation plate 25 can be arranged parallel to the top of the bracket. A rotating shaft is penetrated through both sides of the bracket and each magnet 21, and the rotating shaft is connected to the rotating device 22.

[0070] For example, the bracket can be set as a U-shaped groove structure, and each magnet 21 is vertically installed in the U-shaped groove, and each magnet 21 is arranged at equal intervals, and the intervals between each magnet 21 are the same as the intervals between each reagent card strip 1, so as to ensure that the magnet 21 and the reaction chamber 6 correspond one to one, and then the magnetic isolation plate 25 is set at the top of the U-shaped groove, and the magnetic isolation plate 25 can effectively block one side of the magnet 21, and the first magnetic attraction surface 23 and the second magnetic attraction surface 24 of the magnet 21 are both arranged perpendicular to the magnetic isolation plate 25, and finally the rotating shaft passes through the two sides of the U-shaped groove and each magnet 21. Therefore, when the rotating shaft rotates with the rotating device 22, the first magnetic attraction surface 23 can be directed toward and aligned with the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, the second magnetic attraction surface 24 can be directed toward and aligned with the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, and the magnetic isolation plate 25 can be directed toward and aligned with the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6.

[0071] In addition, it should be noted that the rotating device 22 can be set as a synchronous belt drive structure, so that the synchronous belt drive structure is connected to the rotating shaft, thereby driving the magnet 21, the bracket and the magnetic isolation plate 25 to rotate circumferentially. The rotating device 22 can also be directly set as a rotating motor, and the rotating motor is directly connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate, thereby driving the magnet 21, the bracket and the magnetic isolation plate 25 to rotate circumferentially.

[0072] Preferably, the drive device 5 is a screw drive mechanism. The screw drive mechanism can be placed vertically or horizontally according to the overall structure to ensure that the drive device 5 can drive the incubation component 4 to move up and down.

[0073] On the basis of the above embodiment, preferably, the support assembly 3 includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate 31, the horizontal plate is arranged perpendicular to the vertical plate 31, a track is provided on the horizontal plate, the magnetic assembly 2 is connected to the slider on the track, a synchronous pulley 32 is provided on the top of the vertical plate 31, a synchronous belt 33 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the synchronous pulley 32, one end of the synchronous belt 33 is vertically connected to the magnetic assembly 2, and the other end is arranged along the vertical plate 31, a baffle is provided on the synchronous belt 33, and a power plate 51 for abutting against the baffle is provided at the telescopic end of the driving device 5.

[0074] It should be noted that when the telescopic end of the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to descend, the power sheet 51 will be engaged with the baffle, and when the power sheet 51 moves downward, it can drive the baffle to move downward, and then pull the synchronous belt 33 set along the vertical plate 31 to move downward, thereby tightening the synchronous belt 33 vertically connected to the magnetic suction component 2, so that the magnetic suction component 2 is close to the vertical plate 31 along the track, and the magnetic suction component 2 is close to the bonding reaction chamber 6. Therefore, the up and down movement of the incubation component 4 and the movement of the magnetic suction component 2 close to the bonding reaction chamber 6 are controlled by the same motor linkage, which is conducive to simplifying the overall structure of the device.

[0075] Preferably, a return spring 8 for driving the magnetic component 2 to reset is provided along the horizontal plate direction, one end of the return spring 8 is connected to the vertical plate 31, and the other end is connected to the magnetic component 2. When the magnetic component 2 is close to the reaction chamber 6, the return spring 8 will be squeezed, and when the telescopic end of the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to rise, the power sheet 51 moves upward, and the power sheet 51 will separate from the baffle. At this time, the return spring 8 in the compressed state can push the magnetic component 2 away from the reaction chamber 6, so that the magnetic component 2 is reset.

[0076] Preferably, the magnetic attraction component 2 is connected to a transverse movement device, and the transverse movement device is used to drive the magnetic attraction component 2 away from the reaction chamber 6. That is, the setting of the return spring 8 can be cancelled, and the magnetic attraction component 2 is reset by utilizing the transverse drive of the transverse movement component.

[0077] In order to further illustrate the use of the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention, an example is given below.

[0078] Eight or more reagent card strips 1 can be evenly arranged side by side and placed above the incubation component 4, and the rightmost part of the reagent card strip 1 is the reaction chamber 6, and all incubation operations and magnetic suction operations are performed around the reaction chamber 6. The return spring 8 can be used to reset the magnetic suction component 2.

[0079] The incubation component 4 can be reciprocated up and down by the driving device 5, and the magnetic attraction component 2 can be reciprocated left and right under the action of the driving device 5 and the return spring 8. The power sheet 51 can slide relatively along the synchronous belt 33, and the baffle is fixed on the synchronous belt 33. When the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to move downward, the power sheet 51 will push the baffle to move downward when it moves downward, and the baffle will pull the synchronous belt 33 and overcome the elastic force of the return spring 8 to drive the magnetic attraction component 2 to move to the left as a whole; and when the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to move upward, the power sheet 51 will separate from the baffle when it moves upward, and the magnetic attraction component 2 will move to the right under the action of the return spring 8.

[0080] The specific movement process is as follows: first, a mixture of reagents and samples is injected into the reaction chamber 6 on the right side of the reagent card strip 1, and then, the incubation component 4 moves upward under the driving action of the driving device 5, so that the reagent groove 42 of the heating block 41 of the incubation component 4 completely wraps 8 or more reaction chambers 6 for heating. At the same time, the magnetic attraction component 2 is pulled to the far right under the action of the return spring 8, and 8 or more magnets 21 are rotated by a certain angle under the drive of the rotating device 22 to ensure that the strongest magnetic surface of the magnet 21 faces the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6 and is arranged parallel to the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, wherein the strongest magnetic surface refers to the magnetic attraction surface with a larger area.

[0081] When the heating and incubation operation is completed, the incubation component 4 moves downward under the driving action of the driving device 5, so that the heating block 41 is separated from the reaction chamber 6 of the reagent card strip 1. When the incubation component 4 moves downward to a certain distance, the power plate 51 of the driving device 5 starts to push the baffle to move downward. The baffle is fixed on the synchronous belt 33. The corresponding synchronous belt 33 will pull the magnetic attraction component 2 close to the reaction chamber 6. When the strongest magnetic surface of the magnet 21 fits the fitting surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, the magnetic attraction action starts. The magnet 21 can adsorb the magnetic beads in the mixed liquid of the reaction chamber 6 to the inner wall of the reaction chamber 6. When the magnetic attraction operation is completed, the driving device 5 drives the incubation component 4 to move upward. At this time, the magnetic attraction component 2 is away from the reaction chamber 6 under the action of the return spring 8.

[0082] During the magnetic attraction operation, if the magnetic force needs to be adjusted and switched, the magnet 21 can be controlled to rotate circumferentially by the rotating device 22, so as to ensure that the first magnetic attraction surface 23 and the second magnetic attraction surface 24 of the magnet 21 can be quickly switched to the bonding surface 7 facing the reaction chamber 6, and are arranged parallel to the bonding surface 7. Moreover, in the non-magnetic attraction state, the rotating device 22 can make the magnetic isolation plate 25 face the bonding surface 7 of the reaction chamber 6, and be arranged parallel to the bonding surface 7, so as to effectively solve the problem of interference of the magnet 21 with the magnetic bead suspension in the reaction chamber 6 in the non-magnetic attraction state.

[0083] The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention adopts a linkage structure for the incubation component 4 and the magnetic suction component 2, which saves a set of driving structure. Moreover, the incubation operation and the magnetic suction operation are both performed in the reaction chamber 6 of the reagent card strip 1, making the operation easier. In addition, this mechanism can perform 8 or more groups of sample tests at the same time, effectively improving the sample detection efficiency. The magnetic suction component 2 of this mechanism can realize rapid switching of magnetic suction operations with different cross-sectional magnetic fields and different magnetic forces, and a magnetic isolation plate 25 is also provided to effectively prevent the magnetic interference of the magnet 21 on the reaction chamber 6 in the non-magnetic state. In addition, the incubation temperature of the incubation component 4 of this mechanism can be quickly switched at any temperature between 37°C and 80°C, which is beneficial to improving the operating efficiency of the device and the detection efficiency of samples.

[0084] It should be noted that the first magnetic surface 23 and the second magnetic surface 24 mentioned in the present application document are just used to distinguish the different positions, and there is no order of precedence.

[0085] In addition, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by "horizontal", "vertical", etc. in this application are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the purpose of simplifying the description and facilitating understanding. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0086] In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. Any combination of all embodiments provided by the present invention is within the protection scope of this invention and will not be described in detail here.

[0087] The above is a detailed introduction to the magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument provided by the present invention. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present invention and its core idea. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, without departing from the principles of the present invention, the present invention can also be improved and modified in a number of ways, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic incubation mechanism for an automated molecular diagnostic instrument, comprising: A magnetic attraction component (2) for magnetically attracting a reaction chamber (6) containing a sample liquid, and a heating component (4) for heating the reaction chamber (6), characterized in that it also includes a driving device (5) for driving the heating component (4) and the magnetic attraction component (2) to alternately approach the reaction chamber (6), and the magnetic attraction component (2) and the heating component (4) are both connected to the driving device (5); and also includes a supporting component (3), the driving device (5) and the magnetic attraction component (2) are both connected to the supporting component (3), and the supporting component (3) is provided with a track for limiting the lateral movement trajectory of the magnetic attraction component (2); The support assembly (3) comprises a horizontal plate and a vertical plate (31), the horizontal plate being arranged perpendicular to the vertical plate (31), the track being arranged on the horizontal plate, the magnetic attraction assembly (2) being connected to a slider on the track, a synchronous pulley (32) being arranged on the top of the vertical plate (31), a synchronous belt (33) being wound around the outer periphery of the synchronous pulley (32), one end of the synchronous belt (33) being perpendicularly connected to the magnetic attraction assembly (2), and the other end being arranged along the vertical plate (31), a baffle (34) being arranged on the synchronous belt (33), and a power sheet (51) being arranged at the telescopic end of the driving device (5) for contacting the baffle (34).

2. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The incubation component (4) comprises: a heating block (41) having a reagent tank (42) therein, a heating device (43) for heating the heating block (41), a heat dissipation device (44) for dissipating heat from the heating block (41), and a temperature sensor (45) for detecting the temperature of the heating block (41); The heating device (43) is arranged in contact with the inner wall of the reagent tank (42), the heat dissipation device (44) is arranged at the bottom of the heating block (41), the temperature sensor (45) is connected to the heating block (41), and the reagent tank (42) is used to accommodate the reaction chamber (6).

3. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating block (41) is provided with at least eight reagent slots (42).

4. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating device (43) is a PI electric heating film, and the distribution of the heating power of the PI electric heating film on the inner wall is non-uniform.

5. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The magnetic attraction component (2) comprises a magnet (21) and a rotating device (22) for driving the magnet (21) to rotate in a circumferential direction. A first magnetic attraction surface (23) and a second magnetic attraction surface (24) are provided in the circumferential direction of the magnet (21). The first magnetic attraction surface (23) and the second magnetic attraction surface (24) have different areas and are both used to absorb magnetic beads in the sample liquid. The rotating device (22) is connected to the magnet (21).

6. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that: The magnetic attraction component (2) further comprises a magnetic isolation plate (25) for isolating the magnetic beads from magnetism during a non-magnetic attraction process, and the rotating device (22) is connected to the magnetic isolation plate (25) to drive the magnetic isolation plate (25) to rotate in a circumferential direction.

7. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The driving device (5) is a screw driving mechanism.

8. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A return spring (8) for driving the magnetic attraction component (2) to return to its original position is provided along the direction of the horizontal plate, one end of the return spring (8) being connected to the vertical plate (31) and the other end being connected to the magnetic attraction component (2).

9. The magnetic incubation mechanism of the automated molecular diagnostic instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The magnetic attraction component (2) is connected to a transverse movement device, and the transverse movement device is used to drive the magnetic attraction component (2) away from the reaction chamber (6).

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