Cleaning mechanism and method for pipette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning mechanism and method for a pipette, and relates to the technical field of medical analysis instruments, and is used to solve the problem of liquid hanging on the outer wall of a pipette needle. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette of the present invention includes a main body, a cleaning channel for accommodating the pipette needle of the pipette is provided in the main body, a washing liquid inlet joint is provided on the side wall of the washing channel, the washing liquid inlet joint is connected to a pump body, and the pump body pumps washing liquid into the washing channel through the washing liquid inlet joint, and a negative pressure pipeline joint is further provided on the side wall of the washing channel, and the negative pressure pipeline joint is connected to a negative pressure mechanism, and the negative pressure mechanism extracts the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle through the negative pressure pipeline joint, which can achieve rapid drying of the outer wall of the pipette needle without interfering with the normal movement of the pipette needle, and makes the structure of the cleaning mechanism simpler and more convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical analysis instruments, and in particular to a cleaning mechanism and method for a pipette. Background Art

[0002] Pipette is an important device in medical analytical instruments, used to transfer samples, reagents, etc. Currently, most analytical instruments use hollow steel needles to transfer liquids, which means that the needles must be thoroughly cleaned before each transfer to prevent cross-contamination of reagents or samples.

[0003] When using various cleaning solutions to clean the steel needle, an inevitable problem is that the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the steel needle is serious. And this hanging liquid will undoubtedly interfere with the subsequent pipetting. The solution commonly adopted now is to add a cleaning swab to the main body of the pipette (such as the sampling needle cleaning swab disclosed in Chinese patent CN101099969A), so as to wipe off the hanging liquid on the steel needle with a cleaning swab after completing the cleaning. However, the cleaning swab itself may form a new source of pollution as the use time increases, and at the same time will greatly increase the structural complexity of the pipette. In addition, using a cleaning swab for wiping will extend the working cycle of the pipette and interfere with the moving path of the steel needle, which is also not ideal for long-term use of the instrument. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The invention provides a cleaning mechanism and method for a pipette, which are used to solve the problem of liquid sticking to the outer wall of a pipette needle.

[0005] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a cleaning mechanism for a pipette, comprising a main body, wherein a cleaning channel for accommodating a pipette needle of the pipette is provided in the main body, the cleaning channel having an upper opening for inserting and removing the pipette needle and a discharge port for discharging waste liquid opposite to the upper opening, a washing liquid inlet joint is provided on the side wall of the cleaning channel, the washing liquid inlet joint is connected to a pump body, and the pump body pumps washing liquid into the cleaning channel through the washing liquid inlet joint, and the cleaning channel is also provided with a negative pressure pipeline joint on the side wall, and the negative pressure pipeline joint is connected to the negative pressure mechanism.

[0006] In one embodiment, the negative pressure pipeline connector is closer to the upper opening of the cleaning channel than the cleaning liquid inlet connector.

[0007] In one embodiment, a waste liquid discharge connector is provided at the bottom end of the main body, and the waste liquid discharge connector is communicated with the liquid discharge port of the cleaning channel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the waste liquid discharge connector is also connected to the negative pressure mechanism.

[0009] In one embodiment, the main body further includes an upper cleaning groove connected to the upper opening, so that the pipette needle enters the cleaning channel from the upper cleaning groove, and the diameter of the upper cleaning groove is larger than the diameter of the cleaning channel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the main body further includes a lower cleaning tank, which connects the drain port to the waste liquid discharge joint, and the diameter of the lower cleaning tank is larger than the diameter of the cleaning channel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the main body also includes a lower cleaning tank, which connects the drain port to the waste liquid discharge joint, and the diameter of the lower cleaning tank is larger than the diameter of the cleaning channel, wherein the upper cleaning tank and the lower cleaning tank are connected through the cleaning channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cleaning channel is provided with a constricted portion at a liquid discharge port connected to the lower cleaning tank.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a pipette using the above-mentioned cleaning mechanism for a pipette, comprising the following steps:

[0014] The pipette needle enters the cleaning channel,

[0015] Connect the washing liquid inlet connector and input washing liquid into the washing channel to clean the outer wall and inner wall of the pipette needle;

[0016] After cleaning is completed, the waste liquid is discharged through the drain port;

[0017] The negative pressure pipe joint is connected to remove the hanging liquid on the outer wall of the pipette needle.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantage of the present invention is that the negative pressure mechanism extracts the hanging liquid on the outer wall of the pipette needle through the negative pressure pipeline joint, which can achieve rapid drying of the outer wall of the pipette needle without interfering with the normal movement of the pipette needle, and makes the structure of the cleaning mechanism simpler and more convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning mechanism for a pipette in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals:

[0022] 1-main body; 11-first main body; 12-second main body 12; 13-upper cleaning tank; 14-lower cleaning tank;

[0023] 2-cleaning channel; 21-upper opening; 22-drain port; 3-negative pressure pipe joint; 4-washing liquid inlet joint; 5-waste liquid discharge joint; 6-pipette needle; 8-retracted neck. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a cleaning mechanism for a pipette, which includes a main body 1, in which a cleaning channel 2 for accommodating a pipette needle (steel needle) 6 of the pipette is provided. The cleaning channel 2 has an upper opening 21 for inserting and removing the pipette needle 6 and a liquid discharge port 22 opposite to the upper opening 21 for discharging waste liquid. The cleaning channel 2 is provided with a negative pressure pipe joint 3 on a side wall. The negative pressure pipe joint 3 is connected to a negative pressure mechanism (not shown). After the pipette needle 6 is cleaned in the cleaning channel 2, the negative pressure mechanism extracts the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6 through the negative pressure pipe joint 3. By extracting the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6 by the negative pressure mechanism, the outer wall of the pipette needle 6 can be quickly dried without interfering with the normal movement of the pipette needle 6, and the structure of the cleaning mechanism is simpler and more convenient.

[0026] like Figure 1 The arrow S3 shown indicates the direction of negative pressure evacuation, and the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6 can be extracted through the negative pressure pipeline connector 3.

[0027] In addition, a washing liquid inlet joint 4 is provided on the side wall of the cleaning channel 2. One end of the washing liquid inlet joint 4 is connected to the cleaning channel 2, and the other end of the washing liquid inlet joint 4 is connected to the pump body (not shown). The pump body pumps washing liquid into the cleaning channel 2 through the washing liquid inlet joint 4.

[0028] The negative pressure pipe connector 3 and the washing liquid inlet connector 4 are respectively arranged on the same side or different sides of the main body 1. Figure 1 In the cross-sectional view of , the negative pressure pipeline connector 3 and the washing liquid inlet connector 4 are both arranged on the left side of the main body 1.

[0029] Importantly, the negative pressure line connector 3 is closer to the upper opening 21 of the washing channel 2 than the washing liquid inlet connector 4, that is, the negative pressure line connector 3 is located above the washing liquid inlet connector 4. This arrangement allows the negative pressure line connector 3 to be accurately aligned with a location where liquid accumulation is likely to occur, and also prevents the negative pressure line connector from directly drawing away the washing liquid that has just been injected through the washing liquid inlet connector 4.

[0030] When cleaning the pipette needle, the washing liquid inlet connector 4 is connected to the cleaning channel 2 before the negative pressure pipeline connector 3. In other words, the washing liquid inlet connector 4 is connected to the cleaning channel 2 first to input washing liquid into the cleaning channel 2; then, after cleaning is completed, the negative pressure pipeline connector 3 is connected to the cleaning channel 2 again to remove the hanging liquid on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6.

[0031] The bottom end of the main body 1 is also provided with a waste liquid discharge connector 5, which is connected to the cleaning channel 2. The waste liquid discharge connector 5 is connected to the discharge port 22 of the cleaning channel 2 in terms of liquid flow, and the waste liquid discharge connector 5 is used to discharge the washing liquid accumulated in the cleaning channel 2 out of the main body 1 after cleaning is completed. Furthermore, the waste liquid discharge connector 5 is also connected to the negative pressure mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the negative pressure pipeline connector 3 and the waste liquid discharge connector 5 are used to extract the washing liquid through the same negative pressure mechanism. The waste liquid discharge connector 5 is used to discharge most of the washing liquid, and the negative pressure pipeline connector 3 is used to discharge the washing liquid that still remains on the outer wall of the pipette needle after extraction using the waste liquid discharge connector 5.

[0032] In addition, the main body 1 further includes an upper cleaning tank 13 and a lower cleaning tank 14 , and the upper cleaning tank 13 and the lower cleaning tank 14 are connected through a cleaning channel 2 .

[0033] The upper cleaning tank 13 is connected to the upper opening 21, allowing the pipette needle 6 to enter the cleaning channel 2 from the upper cleaning tank 13. The diameter of the upper cleaning tank 22 is larger than that of the cleaning channel 2 to accommodate temporary overflow during cleaning. The lower cleaning tank 14 connects the drain port 22 to the waste liquid discharge connector 5. The diameter of the lower cleaning tank 14 is larger than that of the cleaning channel 2 and is used to temporarily store the washing liquid flowing out of the cleaning channel 2 during the cleaning process. The waste liquid discharge connector 5 discharges the washing liquid that has flowed into the lower cleaning tank 14 after cleaning is completed.

[0034] The interior of the first body 11 is provided with at least an upper cleaning tank 13 and a cleaning channel 2. The lower end of the first body 11 has a first recessed portion, which forms the upper contour of the lower cleaning tank 14. The upper surface of the second body 12 is provided with a second recessed portion, which forms the lower contour of the lower cleaning tank 14. Thus, the first and second recessed portions cooperate to form the lower cleaning tank 14 when the first body 111 is assembled with the second body 121.

[0035] Furthermore, the diameter of the upper cleaning tank 13 is 4-5 times the diameter of the cleaning channel 2, and the diameter of the lower cleaning tank 14 can be roughly the same as the diameter of the upper cleaning tank 13. Of course, the diameters of the upper cleaning tank 13 and the lower cleaning tank 14 can be any other values, as long as the diameters of the upper and lower cleaning tanks are larger than the cleaning channel.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, a constricted portion 8 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning channel 2 at the liquid discharge port 22 connected to the lower cleaning tank 14. The constricted portion 8 reduces the diameter of the bottom of the cleaning channel 2, thereby preventing the washing liquid in the cleaning channel 2 from being drawn out too quickly when the waste liquid discharge connector 5 is connected. The constricted portion 8 may be formed by a block.

[0037] In some optional embodiments, the main body 1 may also be an integrated structure.

[0038] Optionally, the negative pressure mechanism includes a negative pressure tank.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a pipette using the above-mentioned cleaning mechanism for a pipette, as follows Figure 1 Taking the cleaning mechanism shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the cleaning method of the present invention is described in detail.

[0040] Specifically, the cleaning method of the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0041] The pipette needle 6 enters the upper cleaning tank 13 above the first body 111 and moves downward, enters the cleaning channel 2 through the upper opening 21, and at the same time, inputs purified water into the interior of the pipette needle 6 and inputs washing liquid into the cleaning channel 2. Figure 1 As shown by the middle arrow S1 , purified water is input into the interior of the pipetting needle 6 ; and as shown by the arrow S2 , washing liquid is input into the washing channel 2 through the washing liquid inlet connector 4 .

[0042] When the pipette needle 6 is immersed in the washing liquid in the washing channel 2, the outer wall and the inner wall of the pipette needle 6 are washed (since the washing liquid is also sucked into the hollow interior of the pipette needle during washing, the inner wall thereof can be washed).

[0043] After the cleaning is completed, the input of purified water into the interior of the pipetting needle 6 is stopped, and the input of the washing liquid into the cleaning channel 2 is stopped.

[0044] Connect the waste liquid discharge connector 5 to extract the washing liquid after cleaning.

[0045] The negative pressure pipe connector 3 is connected to remove the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6.

[0046] The pipetting needle 6 continues to move upward and leaves the washing channel 2 .

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown by the arrow S3 , the liquid hanging on the outer wall of the pipette needle 6 is extracted through the negative pressure pipeline connector 3 ; as shown by the arrow S4 , the washing liquid (waste liquid) after cleaning is discharged through the waste liquid discharge connector 5 .

[0048] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalent components may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner, provided no structural conflicts exist. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning mechanism for a pipette, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main body, wherein a cleaning channel for accommodating a pipette needle of a pipette is provided in the main body, the cleaning channel having an upper opening for inserting and removing the pipette needle and a liquid discharge port opposite to the upper opening for discharging waste liquid, a washing liquid inlet connector is provided on a side wall of the cleaning channel, the washing liquid inlet connector is connected to a pump body, and the pump body pumps washing liquid into the cleaning channel through the washing liquid inlet connector, the cleaning channel is further provided with a negative pressure pipeline connector on the side wall, the negative pressure pipeline connector is connected to a negative pressure mechanism, and the negative pressure pipeline connector and the washing liquid inlet connector are respectively arranged on the same side or different sides of the main body; The negative pressure pipeline connector is closer to the upper opening of the cleaning channel than the washing liquid inlet connector; A waste liquid discharge connector is provided at the bottom end of the main body, and the waste liquid discharge connector is communicated with the drain port of the cleaning channel; The waste liquid discharge joint is also connected to the negative pressure mechanism.

2. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body further comprises an upper cleaning groove connected to the upper opening, so that the pipetting needle enters the cleaning channel from the upper cleaning groove, and the diameter of the upper cleaning groove is greater than the diameter of the cleaning channel.

3. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body further includes a lower cleaning tank, which connects the liquid discharge port with the waste liquid discharge joint, and the diameter of the lower cleaning tank is greater than the diameter of the cleaning channel.

4. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main body also includes a lower cleaning tank, which connects the drain port to the waste liquid discharge joint. The diameter of the lower cleaning tank is larger than the diameter of the cleaning channel, wherein the upper cleaning tank and the lower cleaning tank are connected through the cleaning channel.

5. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cleaning channel is provided with a constricted portion at a liquid discharge port connected to the lower cleaning tank.

6. The cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cleaning channel is provided with a constricted portion at a liquid discharge port connected to the lower cleaning tank.

7. A method for cleaning a pipette using the cleaning mechanism for a pipette according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: The pipette needle enters the cleaning channel, Connect the washing liquid inlet connector and input washing liquid into the washing channel to clean the outer wall and inner wall of the pipette needle; After cleaning is completed, the waste liquid is discharged through the drain port; The negative pressure pipe joint is connected to remove the hanging liquid on the outer wall of the pipette needle.

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