Sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and sample measurement method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and a sample measurement method thereof, which includes a premixing pool, a sample needle, a sheath flow impedance counting pool, a sheath liquid pool, a rear sheath isolation pool, a rear sheath waste liquid pool and a waste liquid pool, wherein the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are in a closed environment and a normal pressure state during the measurement process. The present invention can simplify the structure of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, realize the parallel execution of the emptying operation of the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the measuring operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, thereby achieving the dual purpose of increasing the sample measurement speed and reducing the instrument cost and volume.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on July 3, 2020, with application number 202010635511.6 and invention name “Sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer and its liquid level initialization method”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of particle analysis equipment, and in particular to a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and a sample measurement method thereof. Background Art

[0003] Existing sheath flow impedance particle analyzers generally include components such as a premixing cell, a sample needle, a sheath flow impedance counting cell, a post-sheath waste liquid cell, and a waste liquid cell.

[0004] The measurement process of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer mainly includes: cleaning the premixing pool and discharging it into the waste liquid pool, cleaning the sheath flow impedance counting pool and discharging it into the waste liquid pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool, adding the sample to the premixing pool for mixing, the sample needle preparing the sample, the front and rear sheath liquids forming, the sample needle pushing the sample into the sheath flow impedance counting pool for measurement, discharging the liquid into the rear sheath waste liquid pool during the measurement process, and discharging the waste liquid from the rear sheath waste liquid pool. Summary of the invention

[0005] See also Figure 1 The sheath flow impedance counting cell in the prior art includes a front cell, a rear cell, a partition between the front cell and the rear cell, and the partition is provided with a gem hole. The rear sheath channel connected to the rear cell of the sheath flow impedance counting cell generally includes two isolation cells: a rear sheath isolation cell for injecting sheath liquid into the sheath liquid port of the rear cell, and a rear sheath waste liquid cell for collecting waste liquid discharged from the waste liquid port of the rear cell.

[0006] During the sample measurement operation or cleaning of the sheath flow impedance counting cell, the rear sheath waste liquid pool will collect a certain amount of waste liquid. In order to avoid affecting the subsequent sample measurement operation, the rear sheath waste liquid pool needs to be emptied.

[0007] Please combine Figure 1 The operation process may include: closing valve V10 to isolate the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the sheath flow impedance counting pool, opening the control valve between the waste liquid pool and the negative pressure source ( Figure 1 (not shown), open valve V7 and valve V11, connect the rear sheath waste liquid pool with the negative pressure source in the waste liquid pool, and after a certain period of time, the rear sheath waste liquid pool can be emptied, and then close the control valve between the waste liquid pool and the negative pressure source, close V7 and valve V11, and open valve V10.

[0008] Before using negative pressure to empty the rear sheath waste liquid pool, valve V10 must be closed to ensure that the sheath flow impedance counting pool is not affected by negative pressure (negative pressure generated in the sheath flow impedance counting pool will affect sample measurement). In addition, after emptying the rear sheath waste liquid pool, close V7 and valve V11 to restore the rear sheath waste liquid pool to normal pressure. Open valve V10 so that the sheath flow impedance counting pool can be measured under normal pressure. In addition, the waste liquid in the sheath flow impedance counting pool can flow into the rear sheath waste liquid pool through valve V10.

[0009] In addition, when using a negative pressure source to drain the rear sheath waste liquid pool, valve V11 must be opened to maintain a certain suction flow rate to ensure that the waste liquid in the rear sheath waste liquid pool is pumped away. Otherwise, after a period of negative pressure drainage, the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool will be balanced (no negative pressure), and the rear sheath waste liquid pool will become a closed space and cannot continue to drain.

[0010] Since the sheath flow impedance counting cell cannot be measured when valve V10 is closed and under negative pressure, the measurement operation in the sheath flow impedance counting cell needs to be stopped before the sheath waste liquid pool is emptied using a negative pressure source, that is, the emptying operation needs to be performed independently of the measurement operation, and the measurement operation and the emptying operation cannot be performed in parallel, resulting in low sample measurement efficiency. In addition, the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer needs to set valves V10 and V11 to achieve the emptying operation, which increases the instrument cost and volume of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer.

[0011] In view of this, the present invention provides a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and a sample measurement method thereof. Based on the existing sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, valve V10 and valve V11 can be deleted, and the emptying operation of the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the measurement operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool can be performed in parallel, so as to improve the sample measurement speed and reduce the instrument cost and volume.

[0012] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical features:

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical features:

[0014] A sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, comprising:

[0015] A premixing tank, a sample needle, a sheath flow impedance counting tank, a sheath liquid tank, a rear sheath isolation tank, a rear sheath waste liquid tank and a waste liquid tank, wherein the premixing tank is connected to the input port of the sample needle;

[0016] The sheath flow impedance counting cell comprises a front cell and a rear cell, the first output port of the sample needle is connected to the front cell, the front cell comprises a front sheath liquid inlet and a front sheath liquid outlet, the front sheath liquid inlet is connected to the sheath liquid cell via a front cell sheath liquid channel, so as to provide sheath liquid into the front cell via the front cell sheath liquid channel and the front sheath liquid inlet, the front sheath liquid outlet is connected to the waste liquid cell via a front cell cleaning channel, and the front cell cleaning channel is provided with a first control valve;

[0017] The rear pool comprises a rear pool sheath liquid port and a rear pool waste liquid port, the rear pool sheath liquid port is connected to the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath isolation pool is connected to the sheath liquid pool via a rear pool sheath liquid channel, so as to provide sheath liquid into the rear pool through the rear pool sheath liquid channel, the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear pool sheath liquid port;

[0018] The rear pool waste liquid port is connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool is connected to the waste liquid pool via a rear sheath drainage channel, and the rear sheath drainage channel is provided with a second control valve;

[0019] During the sample measurement process of the sheath flow impedance counting cell, the rear sheath isolation cell, the rear sheath waste liquid cell and the waste liquid cell are in a closed environment and at normal pressure.

[0020] Optionally, the waste liquid pool is connected to a negative pressure source, and a third control valve is arranged between the waste liquid pool and the negative pressure source, so that closing the third control valve can switch the waste liquid pool to a normal pressure state, and opening the third control valve can switch the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state.

[0021] Optionally, the waste liquid pool includes a normal pressure waste liquid pool and a negative pressure waste liquid pool, and the second control valve is a three-way valve, one end of the three-way valve is connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, and the other two ends are respectively connected to the normal pressure waste liquid pool and the negative pressure waste liquid pool.

[0022] Optionally, also include:

[0023] A fourth control valve connected to air is arranged on the upper part of the rear sheath isolation pool, so that the rear sheath isolation pool is connected to air when the fourth control valve is opened, and the air is isolated when the fourth control valve is closed.

[0024] Optionally, also include:

[0025] The rear sheath isolation pool is connected to the sheath fluid pool via a rear pool cleaning channel;

[0026] The sheath fluid reservoir is connected to a positive pressure source.

[0027] Optionally, also include:

[0028] A sample preparation power source is connected to the second output port of the sample needle via a sample preparation channel; the sample preparation channel is provided with a fifth control valve.

[0029] Optionally, also include:

[0030] A sample push syringe, wherein the output port of the sample push syringe is connected to the first input port of the sample needle, the input port of the sample push syringe is connected to the sheath liquid pool via a sample push liquid channel, and the sample push liquid channel is provided with a sixth control valve.

[0031] A sample measurement method is applied to the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the method comprising:

[0032] Adjust the waste liquid tank to normal pressure;

[0033] Opening the second control valve between the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to control the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to be in a closed environment and a normal pressure state;

[0034] The sheath flow impedance counting cell is controlled to perform measurement operations on the sample and continuously perform drainage operations to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, so that waste liquid is continuously accumulated in the rear sheath waste liquid pool. When the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool is greater than the drainage resistance in a closed environment, the drainage operation is automatically performed to the waste liquid pool.

[0035] Optionally, the method further includes performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool after the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer is turned on;

[0036] Wherein, performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool includes:

[0037] Emptying the diluent in the sheath fluid pool;

[0038] Emptying the liquid in the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool;

[0039] Filling the sheath fluid pool and filling the channel connected to the sheath flow impedance counting pool;

[0040] Setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure;

[0041] Adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through a rear sheath cleaning channel;

[0042] The rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are set to a normal pressure state;

[0043] After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation pool is completed.

[0044] Optionally, the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer further comprises a fourth control valve disposed on the upper portion of the rear sheath isolation pool and connected to air;

[0045] The sample measurement method further includes performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool after the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer is turned on;

[0046] Wherein, performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool includes:

[0047] Setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state, and emptying the liquid in the rear sheath isolation chamber and the rear sheath waste liquid pool;

[0048] Setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure;

[0049] Adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through a rear sheath cleaning channel;

[0050] The rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are set to a normal pressure state;

[0051] After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation pool is completed.

[0052] The present invention provides a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer. On the basis of the original sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, valve V10 and valve V11 are deleted, thereby simplifying the structure of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and achieving the purpose of reducing the cost and volume of the instrument.

[0053] Based on the deletion of valve V10 and valve V11 in the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, during the sample measurement of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are in a closed environment and at normal pressure. Under normal pressure, the sheath flow impedance counting pool can perform measurements normally, and after deleting valve V10, the discharge operation to the rear sheath waste liquid pool can also be performed normally during the measurement process.

[0054] During the sample measurement of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are in a closed environment. Therefore, during the process of the sheath flow impedance counting pool continuously discharging liquid to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, waste liquid is continuously accumulated in the rear sheath waste liquid pool. When the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool in the closed environment is greater than the drainage resistance, the purpose of automatically discharging liquid to the waste liquid pool is achieved.

[0055] The present invention can simplify the structure of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, realize the parallel execution of the emptying operation of the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the measurement operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, thereby achieving the dual purposes of increasing the sample measurement speed and reducing the instrument cost and volume. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the implementation mode will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation modes of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0057] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer;

[0058] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer provided by the present invention;

[0059] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer provided by the present invention;

[0060] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a third embodiment of a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer provided by the present invention;

[0061] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the sample measurement method provided by the present invention;

[0062] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of the first embodiment of liquid level initialization provided by the present invention;

[0063] Figure 7a-7c It is a schematic structural diagram of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer provided by the present invention;

[0064] Figure 8 This is a flow chart of the second embodiment of liquid level initialization provided by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Explanation of terms in the specific implementation method:

[0066] Fore cell sheath fluid channel: a pipeline between the sheath fluid pool 7 and the fore cell sheath fluid inlet 43. A valve V2 is provided on the fore cell sheath fluid channel.

[0067] Fore cell cleaning channel: the pipeline between the fore sheath liquid outlet 46 and the waste liquid pool 9, and a valve V8 is provided on the fore cell sheath liquid channel.

[0068] Back pool sheath fluid channel: a pipeline between the sheath fluid pool 7 and the back sheath isolation pool 6, with a valve V4 on the back pool sheath fluid channel

[0069] Rear sheath drainage channel: another pipeline between the sheath liquid pool 7 and the rear sheath isolation pool 6. A valve V3 is provided on the rear pool sheath liquid channel.

[0070] Rear pool cleaning channel: the pipeline between the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and the waste liquid pool 9, and a valve V7 is provided on the rear pool cleaning channel.

[0071] Sample preparation channel: the pipeline between the sample needle 3 and the sample preparation power source 11, and a valve V6 is provided on the sample preparation channel.

[0072] Sample push liquid channel: the pipeline between the sheath liquid reservoir 7 and the sample push syringe 2, and a valve V5 is provided on the sample push liquid channel.

[0073] 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.

[0074] The term “connected to” mentioned herein includes both direct connection and indirect connection via other components (eg, a control valve).

[0075] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer of the present invention.

[0076] The present embodiment provides a sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer, which includes a premixing cell 1, a sample needle 3, a sheath flow impedance counting cell 4, a sheath liquid cell 7, a rear sheath isolation cell 6, a rear sheath waste liquid cell 5, and a waste liquid cell 9. The premixing cell 1 is connected to the input port 31 of the sample needle 3, and a valve V1 is provided between the premixing cell 1 and the input port 31 of the sample needle 3.

[0077] The sheath flow impedance counting cell 4 includes a front cell 41 and a back cell 42, and the first output port 33 of the sample needle 3 is connected to the front cell 41; the front cell 41 includes a front sheath liquid inlet 43 and a front sheath liquid outlet 46, and the front sheath liquid inlet 43 is connected to the sheath liquid cell 7 via the front cell sheath liquid channel, so as to provide the sheath liquid into the front cell 41 through the front cell sheath liquid channel and the front sheath liquid inlet 43. A valve V2 is provided on the front cell sheath liquid channel.

[0078] The fore-sheath liquid outlet 46 is connected to the waste liquid tank 9 via a fore-cell cleaning channel, and the fore-cell cleaning channel is provided with a first control valve (valve V8).

[0079] The rear pool 42 includes a rear pool sheath liquid port 44 and a rear pool waste liquid port 45. The rear pool sheath liquid port 44 is connected to the output port of the rear sheath isolation pool 6. The input port of the rear sheath isolation pool 6 is connected to the sheath liquid pool 7 via the rear pool sheath liquid channel, so that the sheath liquid is provided into the rear pool 42 through the rear pool sheath liquid channel, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear pool sheath liquid port 44. The rear pool sheath liquid channel is provided with a control valve (valve V4), and the rear pool sheath liquid channel is opened by opening the valve V4.

[0080] The rear pool waste liquid port 45 is connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5, and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 is connected to the waste liquid pool 9 via the rear sheath drainage channel, and the rear sheath drainage channel is provided with a second control valve (valve V7). According to actual use, the waste liquid pool can be adjusted to a normal pressure state or a negative pressure state.

[0081] Furthermore, the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer also includes the following components:

[0082] A partition 47 is provided between the front pool 41 and the rear pool 42 of the sheath flow impedance counting pool 4, and a gem hole is provided on the partition 47. The first output port 33 of the sample needle 3 is in a relative position to the gem hole.

[0083] The sample preparation power source 11 is connected to the second output port 32 of the sample needle 3 via the sample preparation channel; the sample preparation channel is provided with a fifth control valve (valve V6). Specifically, the sample preparation power source 11 can be a quantitative pump, a syringe, a liquid pump or a peristaltic pump.

[0084] The rear sheath isolation pool 6 is connected to the sheath liquid pool 7 via a rear pool cleaning channel, and the rear pool cleaning channel is provided with a valve V3 . The sheath liquid pool 7 is connected to a positive pressure source 8 .

[0085] The sample push syringe 2, and the output port of the sample push syringe 2 is connected to the input port 31 of the sample needle 3, the input port of the sample push syringe 2 is connected to the sheath liquid pool 7 via a sample push liquid channel, and the sample push liquid channel is provided with a sixth control valve (valve V5).

[0086] It can be seen from the above technical features that this embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0087] This embodiment provides a sheath flow impedance particle analyzer. On the basis of the original sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, valve V10 and valve V11 are deleted, thereby simplifying the structure of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer and achieving the purpose of reducing the cost and volume of the instrument.

[0088] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer of the present invention.

[0089] exist Figure 2 On this basis, a specific implementation of the waste liquid pool 9 is provided.

[0090] The waste liquid pool 9 is connected to a negative pressure source, and a third control valve (valve V10) is provided between the waste liquid pool and the negative pressure source, so that closing the third control valve can switch the waste liquid pool to a normal pressure state, and opening the third control valve can switch the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state.

[0091] When it is necessary to control the waste liquid pool 9 to be in a normal pressure state, the controller (not shown) of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer closes the third control valve to make the waste liquid pool in a normal pressure state. When it is necessary to control the waste liquid pool 9 to be in a negative pressure state, the controller of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer opens the third control valve to make the waste liquid pool in a negative pressure state.

[0092] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer of the present invention.

[0093] The waste liquid pool 9 includes a normal pressure waste liquid pool 91 and a negative pressure waste liquid pool 92, and the second control valve is a three-way valve, one end of the three-way valve is connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5, and the other two ends are respectively connected to the normal pressure waste liquid pool 91 and the negative pressure waste liquid pool 92.

[0094] When it is necessary to control the waste liquid pool 9 to be under normal pressure, the controller of the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer controls the three-way valve to connect the normal pressure waste liquid pool 91 to change it to normal pressure; when it is necessary to control the waste liquid pool 9 to be under negative pressure, the controller of the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer controls the three-way valve to connect the negative pressure waste liquid pool 92 to change it to negative pressure.

[0095] It can be seen from the above technical features that this embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0096] The second embodiment and the third embodiment respectively provide two implementations of the waste liquid pool, and both implementations can adjust the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state or a normal pressure state.

[0097] See also Figure 5 The present invention provides a sample measurement method, which is applied to Figure 2-Figure 4 Any sheath flow impedance particle analyzer. Sample measurement methods include:

[0098] Steps S501 to S503 are preparation steps for sample measurement, and step S504 is the actual step for sample measurement.

[0099] Step S501: The sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer performs an initialization operation on the liquid level of the rear sheath isolation tank.

[0100] When the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer is used for the first time or for the first time after maintenance, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 needs to be initialized to have a suitable liquid level. The air above the liquid level of the rear sheath isolation pool 6 can play an electrical isolation role.

[0101] Step S502: performing a cleaning operation on the sheath flow impedance counting cell.

[0102] Cleaning the forecell 41 of the sheath flow impedance counting cell 4:

[0103] The controller (not shown) controls the valve V2 and the valve V8 to open and starts the positive pressure source 8. Under the positive pressure of the positive pressure source 8, the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid pool 7 is provided to the fore pool 41 through the fore pool sheath liquid channel and the fore pool sheath liquid inlet 43. During the cleaning process, the sheath liquid is discharged into the waste liquid pool 9 through the fore pool sheath liquid outlet 46.

[0104] Cleaning the rear cell 42 of the sheath flow impedance counting cell 4:

[0105] The controller (not shown) controls the valve V3 to be opened and starts the positive pressure source 8. Under the positive pressure of the positive pressure source 8, the sheath liquid in the sheath liquid pool 7 is transported to the rear pool 42 through the rear pool cleaning channel, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear pool sheath liquid port 44, and the rear pool 42 is cleaned. During the cleaning process, the sheath liquid is discharged into the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 through the rear pool waste liquid port 45.

[0106] During the cleaning process, empty the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5:

[0107] During the cleaning process of the cleaning sheath flow impedance counting cell 4, the rear sheath waste liquid cell 5 will accumulate waste liquid, so it is necessary to empty the rear sheath waste liquid cell 5 during the cleaning process. The controller controls the waste liquid cell 9 to be in a negative pressure state, opens the valve V7, and empties the waste liquid in the rear sheath waste liquid cell 5 under the negative pressure state.

[0108] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source can be opened to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a negative pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the three-way valve can be switched to a negative pressure state in the negative pressure waste liquid tank.

[0109] Since the measurement operation starts only after the cleaning operation of the sheath flow impedance counting cell is completed, the negative pressure can be directly used to empty the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 during the cleaning operation of the sheath flow impedance counting cell.

[0110] Step S503: Prepare samples to be tested.

[0111] The mixed sample is arranged in the premixing tank 1. The controller opens valve V1 and valve V6, and under the action of the sample preparation power source 11, the sample is sucked from the premixing tank 1 into the sample needle 3, and the valve V1 and valve V6 are closed.

[0112] The controller opens valve V5 , and the sample push syringe 2 sucks sheath liquid from the sheath liquid pool 7 , and then pushes the sheath liquid to the sample needle 3 , so as to push the sample in the sample needle 3 into the fore pool 41 of the sheath liquid impedance counting pool 4 .

[0113] During the sample measurement process of the sheath flow impedance counting cell, the rear sheath isolation cell 6 , the rear sheath waste liquid cell 5 and the waste liquid cell 9 are in a closed environment and at normal pressure, which specifically includes steps S504 to S506 .

[0114] Step S504: The controller adjusts the waste liquid pool to a normal pressure state.

[0115] In order to prevent the negative pressure from affecting the measurement operation and causing inaccurate measurement results, the waste liquid tank 9 is adjusted to a normal pressure state before measurement.

[0116] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source can be closed to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a normal pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the three-way valve can be switched to change the normal pressure waste liquid tank to a normal pressure state.

[0117] Step S505: opening the second control valve between the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to control the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to be in a closed environment and a normal pressure state.

[0118] Open the second control valve (valve V7) between the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool. Figure 3 In the second real time shown, valve V7 needs to be opened. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the valve V7 is already opened when the three-way valve is adjusted to switch to the normal pressure waste liquid pool in step S504.

[0119] After opening valve V7, the rear sheath isolation pool 6, rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and waste liquid pool 9 are in a connected state, so when the waste liquid pool is at normal pressure, the rear sheath isolation pool 6, rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and waste liquid pool 9 can also be kept at normal pressure.

[0120] After valves V10 and V11 are deleted from the sheath flow impedance method particle analyzer structure, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 will not be connected to the air, so that the rear sheath isolation pool 6, the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and the waste liquid pool 9 are in a closed environment.

[0121] Step S506: Start the sample measurement operation and the emptying operation. That is, the sheath flow impedance counting cell performs the measurement operation on the sample and continuously performs the liquid discharge operation to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, so that the rear sheath waste liquid pool continuously accumulates waste liquid, and when the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool under a closed environment is greater than the liquid discharge resistance, the liquid discharge operation is automatically performed to the waste liquid pool.

[0122] During the measuring operation, the positive pressure source 8, the valve V2 and the valve V4 are opened.

[0123] Under the action of the positive pressure source 8, the sheath liquid pool 7 inputs the sheath liquid into the fore pool 41 through the valve V2 and the fore pool sheath liquid inlet 43, and forms a sheath liquid flow in the fore pool 41. The sheath liquid flow wraps the sample input through the sample needle 3 through the gem hole, so that the particles in the sample are lined up to pass through the gem hole, so as to accurately measure the sample.

[0124] During the measurement operation, the sheath liquid pool 7, under the action of the positive pressure source 8, inputs sheath liquid into the rear pool 42 through the valve V4, the rear sheath isolation pool 6, and the rear pool sheath liquid port 44, and forms a sheath liquid flow in the rear pool. The sheath liquid flow wraps the sample flow coming out of the gem hole (the sheath liquid flow wraps the sample input through the sample needle 3) and flows into the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5.

[0125] Since the rear sheath isolation pool 6, the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and the waste liquid pool 9 are in a closed environment, and during the measurement process, the sheath flow impedance counting pool 4 continuously performs a drainage operation on the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5, so waste liquid is continuously accumulated in the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5. When the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 in the closed environment is greater than the drainage resistance, the drainage operation is automatically performed on the waste liquid pool 9.

[0126] It can be seen from the above technical features that this embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0127] This embodiment no longer uses negative pressure to empty the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5, but sets the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 to a normal pressure state. The normal pressure state does not affect the sample measurement operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, so the purpose of executing the emptying operation and the measuring operation in parallel can be achieved.

[0128] In this embodiment, no additional power source is used to empty the rear sheath waste liquid pool. Instead, the waste liquid is continuously discharged during the measurement process of the sheath flow impedance counting pool 4 to increase the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5. When the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 in a closed environment is greater than the drainage resistance, the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 can automatically drain to the waste liquid pool 9.

[0129] It can be seen from the above technical features that this embodiment has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0130] exist Figure 2-Figure 4 Based on any sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the emptying operation of the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the measuring operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool in this embodiment can be performed in parallel, thereby achieving the dual purpose of increasing the sample measurement speed and reducing the instrument cost and volume.

[0131] exist Figure 2-Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, in order to further simplify the instrument structure, based on the original sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the fourth control valve (valve V9) disposed on the upper part of the rear sheath isolation pool for connecting the air is also deleted.

[0132] See also Figure 6The present invention provides a liquid level initialization method embodiment 1, which is applied to Figure 2-Figure 4 In any sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the liquid level initialization method comprises the following steps:

[0133] Step S601: draining the diluent in the sheath fluid pool.

[0134] The positive pressure source 8, valve V5, and valve V8 are opened to drain the diluent in the sheath liquid pool 7 into the waste liquid pool 9 through the fore pool 41 of the sheath flow impedance counting pool 4 by positive pressure, thereby emptying the sheath liquid pool 7. The valve V5 and valve V8 are closed.

[0135] Step S602: draining the liquid in the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool;

[0136] Open valve V4 or valve V3 to empty the rear sheath isolation tank 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid tank 5 by positive pressure.

[0137] because Figure 2-Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the control valves for connecting the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 and the rear sheath isolation pool 6 to air are deleted. In the absence of air, negative pressure cannot be used to empty the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5.

[0138] To this end, this embodiment proposes to use a positive pressure source 8 to empty the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5. However, there is a diluent in the sheath liquid pool 7. Therefore, it is necessary to first use the positive pressure source to empty the diluent in the sheath liquid pool, and then use the positive pressure source to empty the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5.

[0139] Step S603: filling the sheath fluid pool and filling the channel connected to the sheath flow impedance counting pool.

[0140] Open valve V2 and valve V8, refill the sheath liquid pool 7 and fill it up to restore the sheath liquid emptied in step S601. The sheath liquid passes through the opened valves V2 and valve V8 to fill the front pool sheath liquid channel, the front pool 41 and the front pool cleaning channel. Bubbles will also be removed during the filling process to avoid the influence of bubbles on the sample measurement process.

[0141] Step S604: setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure.

[0142] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the negative pressure source is set to a preset negative pressure, and the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source is opened to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a negative pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the negative pressure waste liquid pool is set to a preset negative pressure, and the three-way valve is switched until the negative pressure waste liquid pool becomes a negative pressure state.

[0143] Then, the valve V7 is opened to make the rear sheath isolation chamber 6, the rear sheath waste liquid tank 5 and the waste liquid tank 9 at a preset negative pressure.

[0144] Step S605: adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through the rear sheath cleaning channel.

[0145] Open valve V3, and add a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation tank 6 through the rear sheath cleaning channel. Since the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is in a negative pressure state, sheath liquid can be sucked into the rear sheath isolation tank 6 under the negative pressure state. Since the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is in a negative pressure state, the liquid level will fluctuate during the liquid addition process.

[0146] Step S606: setting the rear sheath channel to a normal pressure state.

[0147] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source is closed to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a normal pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the three-way valve is switched to a normal pressure waste liquid tank to a normal pressure state.

[0148] Step S607: After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level of the rear sheath isolation pool is initialized.

[0149] The liquid level in the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is waited to be stabilized under normal pressure, thereby completing the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation tank 6 .

[0150] Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the sheath liquid pool 7 needs to be emptied and the liquid level in the sheath liquid pool needs to be restored, so a small amount of sheath liquid and the time required to restore the sheath liquid pool will be consumed. However, since the liquid level initialization function is not a common function, it is usually used when the instrument is first installed or repaired, so it does not bring additional usage costs.

[0151] In the structure of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the valve V9 on the upper part of the rear sheath isolation pool 6 can be eliminated, which can significantly save instrument cost and reduce complexity. It can be used on low-end instruments that are more sensitive to instrument cost but have low requirements for functional process execution time.

[0152] See also Figure 7a-7c The present invention provides fourth to sixth embodiments of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, Figure 2-4 Based on any embodiment of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, it also includes: a fourth control valve (valve V9) arranged on the upper part of the rear sheath isolation pool and connected to the air.

[0153] exist Figure 2-4 Based on any embodiment of the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, Figure 7a-7c The embodiment can connect the rear sheath isolation pool 6 to the air, and when the rear sheath isolation pool 6 performs liquid level initialization, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 can be emptied more conveniently.

[0154] See also Figure 8 The present invention provides a second embodiment of a liquid level initialization method, which is applied to Figure 7a-7c In any sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, the liquid level initialization method comprises the following steps:

[0155] Step S801: setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state, and emptying the liquid in the rear sheath isolation chamber and the rear sheath waste liquid pool.

[0156] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source is opened to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a negative pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the three-way valve is switched to a negative pressure state of the negative pressure waste liquid tank.

[0157] Then open valve V7, make rear sheath isolation chamber, rear sheath waste liquid pool and waste liquid pool be negative pressure state. Under negative pressure state, utilize negative pressure to empty the liquid in rear sheath isolation chamber 6 and rear sheath waste liquid pool 5.

[0158] Step S802: setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure;

[0159] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the negative pressure source is set to a preset negative pressure, and the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source is opened to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a negative pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the negative pressure waste liquid pool is set to a preset negative pressure, and the three-way valve is switched until the negative pressure waste liquid pool becomes a negative pressure state.

[0160] Step S803: adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through the rear sheath cleaning channel;

[0161] Open valve V3, and add a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation tank 6 through the rear sheath cleaning channel. Since the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is in a negative pressure state, sheath liquid can be sucked into the rear sheath isolation tank 6 under the negative pressure state. Since the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is in a negative pressure state, the liquid level will fluctuate during the liquid addition process.

[0162] Step S804: setting the rear sheath isolation chamber, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to normal pressure.

[0163] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment shown, the third control valve V10 between the waste liquid pool 9 and the negative pressure source is closed to switch the waste liquid pool 9 to a normal pressure state. Figure 4 In the third embodiment shown, the three-way valve is switched to a normal pressure waste liquid tank to a normal pressure state.

[0164] Step S805: After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level of the rear sheath isolation pool is initialized.

[0165] The liquid level in the rear sheath isolation tank 6 is waited to be stabilized under normal pressure, thereby completing the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation tank 6 .

[0166] The first embodiment of the liquid level initialization method is substantially the same as the second embodiment of the liquid level initialization method, except that: in the second embodiment, due to the third control valve V10, the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5 can be emptied directly by negative pressure, so there is no need to empty the diluent in the sheath liquid pool 7 and then use the positive pressure source to empty the rear sheath isolation pool 6 and the rear sheath waste liquid pool 5.

[0167] The above is an implementation of the embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the embodiment of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sheath flow impedance particle analyzer, characterized in that: include: A premixing tank, a sample needle, a sheath flow impedance counting tank, a sheath liquid tank, a rear sheath isolation tank, a rear sheath waste liquid tank and a waste liquid tank, wherein the premixing tank is connected to the input port of the sample needle; The sheath flow impedance counting cell comprises a front cell and a rear cell, the first output port of the sample needle is connected to the front cell, the front cell comprises a front sheath liquid inlet and a front sheath liquid outlet, the front sheath liquid inlet is connected to the sheath liquid cell via a front cell sheath liquid channel, so as to provide sheath liquid into the front cell via the front cell sheath liquid channel and the front sheath liquid inlet, the front sheath liquid outlet is connected to the waste liquid cell via a front cell cleaning channel, and the front cell cleaning channel is provided with a first control valve; The rear pool comprises a rear pool sheath liquid port and a rear pool waste liquid port, the rear pool sheath liquid port is connected to the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath isolation pool is connected to the sheath liquid pool via a rear pool sheath liquid channel, so as to provide sheath liquid into the rear pool through the rear pool sheath liquid channel, the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear pool sheath liquid port; The rear pool waste liquid port is directly connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool via a channel, and the channel between the rear pool sheath liquid port and the rear sheath waste liquid pool is not provided with a control valve, the rear sheath waste liquid pool is connected to the waste liquid pool via a rear sheath drainage channel, and the rear sheath drainage channel is provided with a second control valve; The sheath fluid pool is connected to a positive pressure source, and during the sample measurement process of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are in a connected state, the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool are in a closed environment and the waste liquid pool is in a normal pressure state; wherein, the sample measurement process refers to the process in which the sheath flow impedance counting pool performs a measurement operation on the sample.

2. The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waste liquid pool includes a normal pressure waste liquid pool and a negative pressure waste liquid pool, and the second control valve is a three-way valve, one end of the three-way valve is connected to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, and the other two ends are respectively connected to the normal pressure waste liquid pool and the negative pressure waste liquid pool, wherein during the sample measurement process of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, the three-way valve switches to the normal pressure waste liquid pool to put the waste liquid pool in a normal pressure state; during the cleaning operation of the sheath flow impedance counting pool, the three-way valve switches to the negative pressure waste liquid pool to put the waste liquid pool in a negative pressure state.

3. The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A fourth control valve connected to air is arranged on the upper part of the rear sheath isolation pool, so that the rear sheath isolation pool is connected to air when the fourth control valve is opened, and the air is isolated when the fourth control valve is closed.

4. The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The rear sheath isolation pool is connected to the sheath fluid pool via a rear pool cleaning channel.

5. The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a sample preparation power source, the sample preparation power source being connected to the second output port of the sample needle via a sample preparation channel; The sample preparation channel is provided with a fifth control valve.

6. The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A sample push syringe, wherein the output port of the sample push syringe is connected to the first input port of the sample needle, the input port of the sample push syringe is connected to the sheath liquid pool via a sample push liquid channel, and the sample push liquid channel is provided with a sixth control valve.

7. A sample measurement method, characterized in that: Applied to the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer as claimed in claim 1, the method comprises: Adjust the waste liquid tank to normal pressure; Opening the second control valve between the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to control the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool to be in a closed environment and the waste liquid pool to be in a normal pressure state; The sheath flow impedance counting cell is controlled to perform measurement operations on the sample and continuously perform drainage operations to the rear sheath waste liquid pool, so that waste liquid is continuously accumulated in the rear sheath waste liquid pool. When the pressure in the rear sheath waste liquid pool is greater than the drainage resistance in a closed environment, the drainage operation is automatically performed to the waste liquid pool.

8. The sample measurement method according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool after the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer is turned on; Wherein, performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool includes: Emptying the diluent in the sheath fluid pool; Emptying the liquid in the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool; Filling the sheath fluid pool and filling the channel connected to the sheath flow impedance counting pool; Setting the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure; Adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through a rear sheath cleaning channel; The rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are set to a normal pressure state; After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation pool is completed.

9. The sample measurement method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sheath flow impedance particle analyzer also includes a fourth control valve disposed on the upper portion of the rear sheath isolation pool and connected to air; The sample measurement method further includes performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool after the sheath flow impedance particle analyzer is turned on; Wherein, performing a liquid level initialization operation on the rear sheath isolation pool includes: Setting the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a negative pressure state, and emptying the liquid in the rear sheath isolation pool and the rear sheath waste liquid pool; Setting the rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool to a preset negative pressure; Adding a preset amount of diluent into the rear sheath isolation pool through a rear sheath cleaning channel; The rear sheath isolation pool, the rear sheath waste liquid pool and the waste liquid pool are set to a normal pressure state; After the liquid level in the rear sheath isolation pool is stabilized, the liquid level initialization of the rear sheath isolation pool is completed.

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