A continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system, which includes a bracket (1) and a crawler belt conveyor (2) made of a flexible material. A driving wheel (3) and a driven wheel (4) for driving the crawler belt conveyor (2) to circulate and convey are provided on the bracket (1). At least one row of reaction cup holders (2.1) evenly distributed at equal intervals is provided on the crawler belt conveyor (2) along its conveying direction; an overflow port facing the edge of the crawler belt conveyor (2) is provided on the reaction cup holder (2.1); a constant temperature chamber (5) is provided on the bracket (1), and part or all of the crawler belt conveyor (2) is located in the constant temperature chamber (5); the present invention simplifies the design of the system, reduces the cost of the system, and can simplify the detection steps and shorten the detection time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of biological detection systems, and more specifically, to a continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system. Background Art

[0002] Existing immunoassays include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), magnetic enzyme immunoassay, immunoturbidimetry, chemiluminescent immunoassay, radioimmunoassay, etc. ELISA has become difficult to adapt to high-sensitivity detection due to its low sensitivity. Although magnetic enzyme immunoassay improves the detection sensitivity, its cost performance is lower than that of chemiluminescent immunoassay with similar detection methods. Radioimmunoassay is basically rarely used because of radioactive contamination. Immunoturbidimetry is simple, but its reliability is relatively low and its sensitivity is not high due to the limitations of the turbidimetry methodology, and it is only suitable for applications with low requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the above and / or other potential problems existing in the prior art: to provide a continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system includes a bracket and a crawler belt conveyor made of a flexible material. A driving wheel and a driven wheel for driving the crawler belt conveyor to circulate are provided on the bracket. At least one row of reaction cup holders are arranged at equal intervals along the conveying direction of the crawler belt conveyor; an overflow port facing the edge of the crawler belt conveyor is provided on the reaction cup holder; a constant temperature chamber is provided on the bracket, and part or all of the crawler belt conveyor is located in the constant temperature chamber;

[0005] The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system further includes: a sample needle for dropping a sample to be tested into the reaction cups in each reaction cup holder; a spray head provided below the crawler belt conveyor for flushing the reaction cups installed in each reaction cup holder; a detection magnetic head for detecting the magnetic strength at the bottom of the reaction cups rinsed by the spray head; a reagent needle for dropping magnetic-labeled antibodies into the reaction cups in each reaction cup holder.

[0006] As an optimization, an annular rib for detaching the reaction cup from the reaction cup holder is provided on the circumferential direction of the driven wheel.

[0007] As an optimization, an annular groove matching the shape of the bottom of the reaction cup holder is provided on the circumferential direction of the driving wheel.

[0008] As an optimization, a waste liquid tank is provided below the crawler belt conveyor for collecting the liquid overflowing from the overflow port of the reaction cup holder, the waste liquid rinsed by the spray head, and the reaction cups detached by the annular rib.

[0009] As an optimization, the preparation material of the crawler conveyor belt is one of Teflon, rubber or silica gel materials.

[0010] As an optimization, the bottom of the reaction cup holder has a liquid discharge hole.

[0011] As an optimization, the driving wheel is driven by a motor.

[0012] As an optimization, the wall of the reaction cup is made of a rigid material, and the bottom of the cup is made of a flexible material.

[0013] As an optimization, the annular rib can expand and contract radially along the driven wheel to realize the optional function of the annular rib.

[0014] As an optimization, the overflow port of the reaction cup holder is arranged towards the lower surface of the crawler conveyor belt. At the same time, the overflow port is arranged towards the running direction of the crawler conveyor belt, and the included angle with the running direction is set to 45 - 60 degrees, which is more conducive to liquid overflow.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention directly detects the content of the magnetic - labeled antibody bound in the immune reaction by using a highly sensitive micro - magnetic sensor, thereby indirectly detecting the content of the antigen (antibody) to be detected. Compared with chemiluminescence, the detection sensitivity is comparable to that of chemiluminescence. It does not require chemical substances for excitation and luminescence. In traditional chemiluminescence, since it is necessary to detect the light generated by the luminescent substance to indirectly obtain the content of the antigen to be detected, a certain optical path is required, so there are certain requirements for the total volume of the reaction liquid. Generally, hundreds of microliters of reaction liquid are required. However, the present invention only requires a reaction liquid volume of dozens of microliters. During detection, there is no need for the presence of liquid. Only the magnetic - labeled antibody bound to the solid - phase antibody (coupled through the antigen to be detected) is detected. In this way, the reaction cup can be in a very shallow form, in the shape of a shallow concave pit, which is convenient for eluting the unbound magnetic - labeled antibody. The reaction cup is transported by a crawler conveyor belt, and the reaction cup in the crawler conveyor belt is rinsed and eluted when it is upside - down, so that it is more convenient for the natural removal of the eluent, and there is no need to separately set a cleaning liquid suction head to suck the eluent. Thus, the design of the system is simplified, the cost of the system is reduced, and the present invention can simplify the detection steps and shorten the detection time. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three - dimensional structure schematic diagram of the continuous micro - magnetic immunodetection system of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 It is an exploded structure schematic diagram of the continuous micro - magnetic immunodetection system of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a top - view structure schematic diagram of the continuous micro - magnetic immunodetection system of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 ForFigure 3 Schematic cross-sectional structure view in the A-A direction

[0020] Figure 5 Schematic front view structure of the continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system of the embodiment

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional structure view in the B-B direction

[0022] Figure 7 Schematic structure view of the reaction cup holder of the continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system of the embodiment Specific embodiments

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following specific embodiments Embodiment

[0024] As Figure 1-7 shown, the present embodiment provides a continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system, including a bracket 1 and a crawler belt conveyor 2 made of a flexible material. A driving wheel 3 and a driven wheel 4 for driving the crawler belt conveyor 2 to circulate are provided on the bracket 1. Two rows of equally spaced reaction cup holders 2.1 are provided on the crawler belt conveyor 2 along its conveying direction; in combination Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, an overflow port facing the edge of the crawler belt conveyor 2 is provided on the reaction cup holder 2.1

[0025] A constant temperature chamber 5 is provided on the bracket 1, and part or all of the crawler belt conveyor 2 is located in the constant temperature chamber 5; the constant temperature chamber 5 can adopt an existing automatic temperature control constant temperature box, which is provided with a heating system to control the constant temperature and is used to maintain a better antigen-antibody reaction temperature

[0026] The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system further includes

[0027] A sample needle 1.1 for dropping a sample to be tested into the reaction cup in each reaction cup holder 2.1; the sample needle 1.1 can be fixed on the bracket 1 and communicated with the sample feeding system

[0028] A spray head 1.2 is provided below the crawler belt conveyor 2 for flushing the reaction cups installed in each reaction cup holder 2.1; the spray head 1.2 can be fixed on the bracket 1 and communicated with the spray cleaning system

[0029] A detection magnetic head 1.3 for detecting the magnetic magnitude at the bottom of the reaction cup after being flushed by the spray head 1.2; the detection magnetic head 1.3 can be fixed on the bracket 1 and electrically connected to the detection system

[0030] The reagent needle 1.4 is used to drop the magnetic-labeled antibody into the reaction cups in each of the reaction cup holders 2.1. The reagent needle 1.4 can be fixed on the bracket 1 and communicated with the magnetic-labeled antibody feeding system.

[0031] Among them, the number of the sample needle 1.1, the spray head 1.2, the detection magnetic head 1.3 and the reagent needle 1.4 is 2 each, which is the same as the number of rows of the reaction cup holders 2.1 distributed at equal intervals, and they all work when the reaction cup holder 2.1 runs to the opposite position. The detection magnetic head 1.3 can be a magnetic-sensitive diode.

[0032] As Figure 6 shown, the driven wheel 4 is circumferentially provided with an annular rib 4.1 for separating the reaction cup from the reaction cup holder 2.1. Its function is combined with Figure 5 shown, the driven wheel 4 rotates clockwise. When the reaction cup holder 2.1 runs to the driven wheel 4, the annular rib 4.1 will squeeze the reaction cup holder 2.1 to deform it, so as to eject the reaction cup to vacate the reaction cup holder 2.1. Furthermore, when the vacated reaction cup holder 2.1 runs to the upper part of the driven wheel 4, a test reaction cup can be manually inserted.

[0033] As Figure 6 shown, the driving wheel 3 is circumferentially provided with an annular groove 3.1 matching the shape of the bottom of the reaction cup holder 2.1. Its function is exactly opposite to that of the above annular rib 4.1, preventing the reaction cup from detaching when the reaction cup holder 2.1 runs to the driving wheel 3 for turning, so as to ensure that the reaction cup is cleaned and detected. In order to default the function of the annular rib 4.1, the annular rib 4.1 can also be designed to be radially telescopic along the driven wheel 4. For example, the annular rib 4.1 is composed of multiple arc-shaped ribs and the multiple arc-shaped ribs are driven by a mechanical shutter to achieve telescoping. When the function of the annular rib 4.1 is needed, it is extended, and when its function needs to be defaulted, it is retracted into the driven wheel 4. The radially telescopic structure is not limited to the above implementation cases, and any existing technology that can achieve the above actions can be used.

[0034] As Figure 4 shown, a waste liquid tank 6 is provided below the crawler belt conveyor 2 for collecting the liquid overflowing from the overflow port of the reaction cup holder 2.1, the waste liquid flushed out by the spray head 1.2, and the reaction cups separated by the annular rib 4.1;

[0035] The crawler belt conveyor 2 is made of Teflon material and has good flexibility.

[0036] The bottom of the reaction cup holder 2.1 has a liquid discharge hole to discharge the liquid remaining at its bottom.

[0037] The driving wheel 3 is driven by a motor.

[0038] The wall of the reaction cup is made of rigid plastic, and the bottom of the cup is made of a flexible material such as silica gel. The thickness of the bottom of the reaction cup is 0.1 mm. The shape of the reaction cup is a shallow concave pit shape.

[0039] Preferably, the overflow port of the reaction cup holder 2.1 faces the lower surface of the track conveyor belt 2, and at the same time, the overflow port faces the running direction of the track conveyor belt 2 and the included angle with the running direction is set to 45-60 degrees, which is more conducive to liquid overflow.

[0040] As Figure 2 As shown, in the present invention, the first antibody corresponding to the antigen to be detected is immobilized on the bottom of the reaction cup. There are 2 rows of reaction cups, and the reaction cups are clamped on the reaction cup holder 2.1. The reaction cup holder 2.1 is integrally formed on the track conveyor belt 2 made of elastic Teflon material. The reaction cup holder 2.1 is provided with an overflow port facing the edge of the track conveyor belt 2. In this way, when the track conveyor belt 2 changes direction, the liquid in the reaction cup will not contaminate the previous reaction cup, but will flow out along the overflow port into the waste liquid tank 6. After the sample is added to the reaction cup through the sample needle 1.1, the antigen to be detected in the sample reacts with the solid-phase antibody and is immobilized. Then, the magnetic-labeled antibody is added through the reagent needle 1.4. The magnetic-labeled antibody binds to another antigenic determinant of the antigen to be detected and is also immobilized. The unbound magnetic-labeled antibody in the inverted reaction cup is eluted and removed by spraying the eluent from the bottom up through the spray head 1.2. As the track runs, the bottom of the eluted and dried reaction cup closely adheres to the detection magnetic head 1.3 for micro-magnetic detection. The magnetic signal generated by the magnet carried by the magnetic-labeled antibody is detected by the detection magnetic head 1.3, sent to the amplifier for amplification, and then sent to the single-chip microcomputer for processing through AD conversion to obtain the content of the antigen to be detected. Or it is further sent to the PC for processing to complete printing and storage. The present invention simplifies the subsequent reactions such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, magnetic enzyme immunoassay, and chemiluminescence, and obtains the content of the antigen to be detected by the method of micro-magnetic detection of the magnetic-labeled antibody with a diameter, simplifies the detection steps, and shortens the detection time.

[0041] The above are only characteristic implementation examples of the present invention and do not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of the present invention. Any technical solutions formed by equivalent exchange or equivalent substitution fall within the scope of the present invention's rights protection.

Claims

1. A continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system, characterized in that, It includes a bracket (1) and a crawler conveyor belt (2) made of a flexible material. A driving wheel (3) and a driven wheel (4) for driving the cyclic transmission of the crawler conveyor belt (2) are provided on the bracket (1). Along the transmission direction of the crawler conveyor belt (2), at least one row of reaction cup holders (2.1) evenly distributed at equal intervals are provided; an overflow port facing the edge of the crawler conveyor belt (2) is provided on the reaction cup holder (2.1); a constant temperature chamber (5) is provided on the bracket (1), and part or all of the crawler conveyor belt (2) is located in the constant temperature chamber (5). The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system further includes: a sample needle (1.1) for dropping a sample to be tested into the reaction cups in each of the reaction cup holders (2.1). A spray head (1.2) is provided below the crawler conveyor belt (2) for flushing the reaction cups installed in each of the reaction cup holders (2.1); a detection magnetic head (1.3) for detecting the magnetic magnitude at the bottom of the reaction cups flushed by the spray head (1.2); a reagent needle (1.4) for dropping magnetic labeled antibodies into the reaction cups in each of the reaction cup holders (2.1). An annular rib (4.1) for detaching the reaction cups from the reaction cup holders (2.1) is provided on the circumferential direction of the driven wheel (4). An annular groove (3.1) matching the shape of the bottom of the reaction cup holder (2.1) is provided on the circumferential direction of the driving wheel (3).

2. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A waste liquid tank (6) is provided below the crawler conveyor belt (2) for collecting the liquid overflowing from the overflow ports of the reaction cup holders (2.1), the waste liquid flushed out by the spray head (1.2), and the reaction cups detached by the annular rib (4.1).

3. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation material of the crawler conveyor belt (2) is one of Teflon, rubber or silica gel materials.

4. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the reaction cup holder (2.1) has a liquid discharge hole.

5. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving wheel (3) is driven by a motor.

6. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wall of the reaction cup is made of a hard material, and the bottom of the cup is made of a flexible material.

7. The continuous micro-magnetic immunoassay system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The overflow port of the reaction cup holder (2.1) is arranged facing the lower surface of the crawler conveyor belt (2), and at the same time, the overflow port is arranged facing the running direction of the crawler conveyor belt (2) and the included angle with the running direction is set to 45 - 60 degrees.

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