Nucleic Acid Extraction System

Abstract

The present application discloses a nucleic acid extraction system. The nucleic acid extraction system includes: a plurality of extraction devices located in a working area, each extraction device having a structure that independently performs an extraction task as a sub-node, and the extraction task includes a plurality of extraction steps; and a control device that receives data packets provided by each extraction device, where the data packets at least characterize whether the extraction device is in an idle state, so that the control device can select one of the plurality of extraction devices in an idle state as a target extraction device; and a transfer device that is used to transfer a sample container carrying a sample to be tested from a sample injection area to the target extraction device under the control of the control device, so that the target extraction device can perform at least one extraction step on the sample to be tested. The solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve automatic nucleic acid extraction of samples, improve the nucleic acid extraction efficiency, shorten the waiting time of the samples to be detected, and allow the processing of newly added samples during the working process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology, and more particularly, to a nucleic acid extraction system. Background Art

[0002] Nucleic acids are divided into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Nucleic acid extraction is the first and most important step in gene cloning, gene diagnosis, and gene modification. Efficient and rapid nucleic acid extraction is the basis for subsequent analysis work. Compared with the manual nucleic acid extraction method, the automated nucleic acid extractor has the advantages of high efficiency, high product purity, and good repeatability, and can greatly save labor costs and public health resources.

[0003] Existing nucleic acid extraction equipment cannot modify the extraction process after starting work, and cannot add a new sample when the nucleic acid extraction process of the current sample is not completed. That is, a new round of samples can only be added to the nucleic acid extraction equipment after the nucleic acid extraction of the previous round of samples is completed. Different sample batches need to be extracted serially, resulting in low nucleic acid extraction efficiency and long waiting times for samples to be processed. Especially in large-scale nucleic acid screening work, it is difficult to achieve "instant testing" of samples.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to propose a highly automated nucleic acid extraction system that can improve nucleic acid extraction efficiency and shorten the waiting time of samples to be tested. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid extraction system that can improve nucleic acid extraction efficiency, shorten the waiting time of samples to be tested, and allow the processing of newly added samples during the working process.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a nucleic acid extraction system may include: a plurality of extraction devices located in a working area, each extraction device having a structure that independently executes an extraction task as a child node, the extraction task including a plurality of extraction steps; and a control device communicatively coupled to the plurality of extraction devices as a parent node to receive data packets provided by each of the extraction devices, the data packet at least characterizing whether the extraction device is in an idle state, so that the control device selects one of the plurality of extraction devices in an idle state as a target extraction device; a transfer device for transferring a sample container carrying a sample to be tested from a sample injection area to the target extraction device under the control of the control device, so that the target extraction device performs at least one of the extraction steps on the sample to be tested.

[0007] In some embodiments, the conveying device includes: a main conveying structure, used to convey the sample container between the sample input area and the sample output area; and a plurality of sub-conveying structures, respectively corresponding to the plurality of extraction devices, the target extraction device receives the sample container from the main conveying structure via the corresponding sub-conveying structure, and after completing at least one extraction step, provides the sample container to the main conveying structure via the corresponding sub-conveying structure, so that the sample container is conveyed via the main conveying structure to the target extraction device or the sample output area for performing the next extraction step.

[0008] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid extraction system also includes a plurality of reversing modules spaced apart on the main conveying structure, which are respectively used to change the moving direction of the sample container under the control of the control device, so that the sample container is transferred between the main conveying structure and the corresponding target extraction device via the corresponding reversing module.

[0009] In some embodiments, the main conveying structure includes one or more conveyor belts extending sequentially between the sample inlet area and the sample outlet area along a first horizontal direction, and the multiple sub-conveying structures extend along a second horizontal direction respectively. The angle between the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction has a non-zero set angle, and the corresponding reversing modules are respectively arranged at the intersection of the main conveying structure and each of the sub-conveying structures.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the reversing modules includes: a turntable, which rotates with the direction of gravity as the axis under the drive of a first motor to facilitate the rotation of the sample container carried on the reversing module; and at least one rotating wheel distributed on the surface of the turntable, which rotates with the horizontal direction as the axis under the drive of a second motor to facilitate the transmission of the sample container carried on the reversing module; a bracket, which is docked with the main transmission structure, and the turntable is rotatably fixed on the bracket, and the control device controls the rotation direction of the first motor and the second motor, thereby controlling the turntable and the at least one rotating wheel to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise along the axis.

[0011] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid extraction system also includes a branch structure located in the waiting area, which is used to sequentially transmit and / or accommodate the samples to be tested in the waiting queue. When the multiple extraction devices are all in a non-idle state, the control device controls the multiple reversing modules to transmit the sample containers to be allocated to the branch structure, and controls the branch structure to transmit the sample containers in the waiting area to the main transmission structure after one of the multiple extraction devices is released to an idle state.

[0012] In some embodiments, the branch structure is a turntable structure with an inlet and an outlet respectively docked with the main transfer structure, so as to transfer the sample containers in the waiting queue in a first-in, first-out manner.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inlet and the outlet of the branch structure respectively correspond to the positions of different commutation modules arranged on the main transfer structure. The turntable structure includes one or more conveyor belts sequentially extending between the inlet and the outlet, and corresponding commutation modules are arranged between adjacent conveyor belts.

[0014] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid extraction system further includes a sample injection module disposed at one end of the transfer device in the sample injection area, so as to detect whether there is a sample to be tested in one or more sample containers in the sample injection area. If so, the sample container containing the sample to be tested is provided to the main transfer structure. If not, wait until a sample to be tested is detected to be added to the sample injection area and then provide the sample container containing the sample to be tested to the main transfer structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sample injection module includes: a sensor for detecting whether the sample container in the sample injection area contains a sample to be detected; and a communication module coupled to the sensor for reporting the detection result of the sensor to the control device, so that the control device can allocate a corresponding target extraction device for the sample to be tested in the sample container.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control device includes: a memory for storing a sample queue of uncompleted extraction tasks; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory for allocating a corresponding extraction device for the samples in the sample queue according to the first-in, first-out principle.

[0017] In some embodiments, the control device is adapted to: select a working mode, the working mode including a first working mode and a second working mode. In the first working mode, the control device controls the transfer device to transfer the sample to be detected to one of the extraction devices in an idle state, so that the extraction device serially executes the multiple extraction steps on the sample it receives. In the second working mode, the control device controls the transfer device to sequentially transfer the sample to be detected to different extraction devices, so that the different extraction devices respectively execute different extraction steps on the sample in sequence.

[0018] In some embodiments, the control device is further adapted to: in the second working mode, establish and manage a plurality of sub-sample queues respectively corresponding to the plurality of extraction steps, each sub-sample queue being used to record and sort samples to be subjected to the extraction step corresponding to the sub-sample queue; and based on each sub-sample queue, respectively execute an allocation algorithm, the allocation algorithm being used to select a corresponding target extraction device for the samples in the sub-sample queue, so that the target extraction device can perform the extraction step corresponding to the sample queue on the sample.

[0019] In some embodiments, based on each of the sub-sample queues, the processor executes the allocation algorithm to be adapted to: according to the quantity range in which the number of samples in the sub-sample queue is located, select a corresponding number of the target extraction devices to receive the samples in the sample queue.

[0020] In some embodiments, if the number of extraction devices in the idle state is less than the number of target extraction devices required by the quantity range, the processor executes a time optimization algorithm, the time optimization algorithm being used to estimate the waiting time required by each extraction device, and select, according to the waiting time, the extraction device that is about to be released to the idle state as the target extraction device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the control device is further adapted to: divide the plurality of extraction devices into multiple groups, each group of extraction devices being respectively configured to perform one of the plurality of extraction steps; and for each extraction step of the currently to-be-processed sample, select an extraction device in the idle state in a group of extraction devices corresponding to the extraction step as the target extraction device.

[0022] In summary, the nucleic acid extraction solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure can allocate corresponding target extraction devices for samples according to whether each extraction device is in the idle state, and the control device can control the transfer device to automatically allocate the samples to the corresponding target devices in sequence. Therefore, compared with the traditional solution that does not allow new samples to be added during the working process, the nucleic acid extraction solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure allows new samples to be added at any time, and can automatically and in real time use the currently idle extraction devices for nucleic acid extraction of new samples, so as to facilitate "arrival and immediate inspection" in the scenario of batch nucleic acid detection, facilitate the parallel operation of extraction devices automatically, reduce the waiting time, and improve the efficiency and resource utilization rate of nucleic acid extraction.

[0023] Compared with the traditional technology that relies on manual labor to add and distribute samples and add and recover magnetic beads, the solution adopted in the present disclosure can automatically implement functions such as sample addition, entry, distribution, magnetic bead addition and recovery based on a highly integrated and intelligent nucleic acid extraction system, without any human intervention throughout the process, improving the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction, reducing labor costs, facilitating automated management of data based on automated control, and greatly reducing errors caused by manual operations at the same time.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, a waiting area can be set up to manage the samples to be detected in a first-in, first-out manner when all current child nodes are in a non-idle state, which is conducive to automatically and orderly managing a large number of samples and related data.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, in the second working mode, based on a preset control mechanism, each extraction device as a child node works collaboratively and in parallel. Each sample can complete the lysis, washing and purification steps in one or more extraction devices respectively, rather than being limited to completing all steps for nucleic acid extraction in the same extraction device. Based on this pipeline-style second working mode, the nucleic acid extraction efficiency can be improved by executing each step in parallel.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, when selecting a target extraction device for the sample to be distributed, the waiting times required for each child node and each working mode can be traversed and estimated and tried out, and based on a time optimization algorithm, the child node with the shortest estimated waiting time can be selected as the target extraction device for the sample to be distributed, thereby further enhancing the intelligence and automation performance of the nucleic acid extraction system and further improving the nucleic acid extraction efficiency.

[0027] In some preferred embodiments, the corresponding number of target extraction devices in an idle state can also be allocated based on the number of samples to be distributed, so as to reasonably allocate system resources, which is conducive to further enhancing the intelligence and automation performance of the nucleic acid extraction system and conducive to improving the nucleic acid extraction efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Through the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the nucleic acid extraction system showing an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an example of the nucleic acid extraction system showing an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3a and 3bSchematically show a structural diagram of an example of a commutation module in an embodiment of the present disclosure and a corresponding top view;

[0032] Figure 4 Show a schematic structural diagram of another exemplary nucleic acid extraction system in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 5 Show a schematic structural diagram of an extraction device in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 6 Show a schematic structural diagram of a magnetic rod and a magnetic resistance sleeve in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 7 Show a schematic diagram of the principle of nucleic acid extraction implemented by the extraction device in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 8 Show a schematic structural diagram of an example of a sample container in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 9 Show a schematic flowchart of a control method in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 10 Show a schematic flowchart of an example of a control method in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 11 Show a schematic flowchart of a sub-node allocation algorithm in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 12 Show a schematic flowchart of an example of a sub-node allocation algorithm in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 13 Show a schematic exemplary flowchart of a time optimization algorithm in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 14 Show a schematic flowchart of an example of a control method implementing stack operations based on a sample queue and a sub-node queue in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 15 Show a schematic flowchart of an example of implementing stack operations based on a sample queue and a sub-node queue in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0044] The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. For clarity, the various parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0045] The present invention can be presented in various forms, and some examples will be described below.

[0046] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of a nucleic acid extraction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] The nucleic acid extraction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used to perform extraction tasks on samples "as they arrive for inspection".

[0048] The nucleic acid extraction system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a control device 100, a plurality of extraction devices 200, and a transfer device 300. Among them, the plurality of extraction devices 200 are located in the working area, and each extraction device 200 has a structure for independently performing extraction tasks as a child node; the control device 100, as the parent node, is communicatively coupled to the plurality of extraction devices 200 to facilitate receiving child node information provided by each extraction device 200. The child node information at least characterizes whether the extraction device 200 is in an idle state. The control device 100 selects one of the plurality of extraction devices 200 in the idle state as the target extraction device; the transfer device 300 is used to transfer the sample container 210 (such as Figure 8 shown) carrying the sample to be tested from the sample injection area to the target extraction device, so that the target extraction device can perform one or more extraction steps or the entire extraction task on the sample.

[0049] The extraction task referred to in the present disclosure refers to the task of nucleic acid extraction for a sample. The extraction task may include multiple extraction steps such as a lysis step, one or more washing steps, and a purification step.

[0050] It should be noted that the "sample" described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to one or more samples to be detected contained in the same sample container.

[0051] The control device 100 can manage samples based on a sample queue and can allocate corresponding target extraction devices for samples according to whether each extraction device is in an idle state. Therefore, compared with the traditional scheme that does not allow new samples to be added during the working process, the nucleic acid extraction system 1000 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure allows new samples to be added to the sample queue at any time and can use the currently idle extraction device to perform nucleic acid extraction on the new samples in real time. Thus, in the scenario of batch nucleic acid detection, it is beneficial to achieve "as they arrive for inspection", is beneficial to automatically realize the parallel operation of the extraction devices, reduces the waiting time, and improves the efficiency and resource utilization rate of nucleic acid extraction.

[0052] In some embodiments, each extraction device 200 has a structure for independently performing extraction tasks, and the structures of the extraction devices 200 can be exactly the same. Thus, the number of extraction devices can be increased or decreased in the nucleic acid extraction system 1000 according to requirements, facilitating the expansion and reduction of the system scale. Moreover, each extraction device 200 can independently perform the entire extraction task on the sample in series, or can work in cooperation with other extraction devices and only be used to perform one or more extraction steps in the extraction task on the sample, which is conducive to flexible resource allocation.

[0053] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the control device 100 is communicatively coupled to each extraction device 200, so as to perform information interaction with each extraction device 200. As an example, the control device 100 and each extraction device 200 can be communicatively coupled based on a networking protocol. For example, the control device 100 is used as the parent node, and each extraction device 200 is used as a child node. The parent node and each child node are networked and work together through a specific communication protocol. The communication protocol is, for example, the TCP / IP protocol (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). The child node will send data packets to the parent node at a specified time to report the working state of the extraction device where the child node is located (for example, including the working attributes, working processes, sensor data such as temperature, and expected working time / waiting time, etc.).

[0054] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The control device 100 and each extraction device 200 can also interact and communicate through other coupling methods (such as wired connection, local area network, etc.), so that each extraction device 200 and the control device 100 are networked to form a workstation for nucleic acid extraction.

[0055] In this embodiment, the control device 100 is used as the parent node and the host computer, and is mainly used to control, calculate and coordinate, and monitor the working states of the extraction devices 200. For example, the control device 100 can check all manageable child nodes (extraction devices) in the nucleic acid extraction system 1000, monitor in real time the current working states of all child nodes communicatively coupled to the control device 100, calculate the expected working time, set the working attributes of the child nodes and allocate working tasks to the child nodes. And in some embodiments, the control device 100 can also use a time optimization algorithm to establish a sample queue, a child node queue, and / or an idle child node queue.

[0056] In this embodiment, the working attribute of a child node is used to indicate, for example, one of the lysis working state, the cleaning working state, and the purification working state. Each child node can be used as an independent nucleic acid extraction device or can be configured as one of the three working attributes as a branch device (i.e., only one of the three steps of lysis, cleaning, and purification is completed), and other steps are completed by other child nodes. The working attributes and working modes of each child node can be independently set by the control device according to the number of samples in the sample queue, the working mode, and the actual requirements.

[0057] As an example, as Figure 1 shown, the control device 100 may include a processor 110 and a memory 120. The memory 120 is used to store the sample queue. The processor 110 is communicatively coupled to the memory 120 and is used to allocate corresponding extraction devices for the samples in the sample queue according to the first-in, first-out principle. The memory 120 can also store a series of control instructions. The processor 110 executes a control toolkit based on these control instructions to facilitate the implementation of at least one of functions such as time control, lysis control, cleaning / washing control, purification control, and error detection. The processor 110 is, for example, a general-purpose / special-purpose processor, the memory 120 includes, for example, various types of memories such as a read-only memory (ROM) and / or a flash memory, and the control device 100 is, for example, a general-purpose / special-purpose computer.

[0058] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram showing an example of the nucleic acid extraction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] As Figure 2 shown, the transfer device 300 may include: a main transfer structure 310 for transferring the sample container 210 between the sample injection area 10 and the sample output area 20; and a plurality of sub-transfer structures 320 corresponding to a plurality of extraction devices 100 respectively. The target extraction device receives the sample container 210 from the main transfer structure 310 via the corresponding sub-transfer structure 320 and provides the sample container 210 to the main transfer structure 310 via the corresponding sub-transfer structure 320 after completing at least one extraction step, so that the sample container 210 can be transferred to the target extraction device for performing the next extraction step or the sample output area or the waiting area described later via the main transfer structure 310.

[0060] The nucleic acid extraction system 1000 may further include a plurality of commutation modules 330 respectively used to change the moving direction of the sample container under the control of the control device. The plurality of commutation modules 330 can be arranged at intervals on the main transfer structure 310, so that the sample container can be transferred between the main transfer structure 310 and the corresponding target extraction device via the corresponding commutation module.

[0061] As an example, asFigure 2 As shown, the main transfer structure 310 may include one or more conveyor belts 311 extending in sequence between the sample loading area 10 and the sample unloading area 20 along the first horizontal direction. A plurality of sub-transfer structures 320 may each include one or more conveyor belts 321 extending along the second horizontal direction. The angle between the first horizontal direction (e.g., Figure 2 the x direction as shown) and the second horizontal direction (e.g., as Figure 2 shown, the y direction) has a non-zero set angle (e.g., 90 degrees or other acute / obtuse angles). At the intersection of the main transfer structure 310 and each sub-transfer structure 320, corresponding commutation modules 330 may be respectively provided.

[0062] As an example, the main transfer structure 310 may extend along a straight line direction between the sample loading area and the sample unloading area. As another example, the main transfer structure 310 may include a sample loading conveyor belt and a sample unloading conveyor belt. The sample loading conveyor belt is docked with each sub-transfer structure 320 through a corresponding commutation module, so that the sample to be detected can be transferred to the corresponding target extraction device via the sample loading conveyor belt. The sample unloading conveyor belt is docked with each sub-transfer structure 320 through the corresponding commutation module 330, so that the sample that has completed the extraction task can be transferred from the corresponding target extraction device to the sample unloading area via the sample unloading conveyor belt. The sample loading conveyor belt and the sample unloading conveyor belt may be arranged in parallel on both sides of the plurality of extraction devices and form a set angle (e.g., 90 degrees or an acute or obtuse angle approximately equal to 90 degrees) with each sub-transfer structure 320.

[0063] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid extraction system 1000 may further include a sample loading module 340. The sample loading module 340 is disposed at one end of the transfer device 300 located in the sample loading area 10 for detecting whether there is a sample to be detected in one or more sample containers 210 located in the sample loading area 10. If so, the sample container containing the sample to be detected in the sample loading area is provided to the main transfer structure 310; if not, wait until a sample to be detected is detected and added to the sample loading area, and then provide the sample container containing the sample to be detected to the main transfer structure 310.

[0064] As an example, the sample loading module 340 may perform a detection every preset time and report the detection result to the control device 100 after each detection, so that the control device 100 can allocate a corresponding target extraction device for the newly added sample to be detected according to a preset mechanism.

[0065] As an example, the sample loading module 340 may detect the position of the newly added sample in the sample loading area 10 and number the newly added sample directly or via the control device 100, so as to facilitate the control device 100 to manage the transfer and allocation of the sample.

[0066] As an example, the sample injection module 340 may include sensors (such as optoelectronic sensors and / or weight sensors, etc.) and a communication module. Among them, the sensors are used to detect whether the sample container in the sample injection area contains the sample to be detected, and the communication module is used to be coupled to the sensors and report the detection results of the sensors to the control device 100, so that the control device 100 can allocate corresponding target extraction devices for the samples to be detected in the sample container.

[0067] Since the sensors can identify whether a new sample is entered into the sample injection area, after the control device 100 receives the information sent by the sensors, it can select a reasonable allocation scheme according to different working modes to allocate corresponding target extraction devices for the new sample. For example, after learning that a new sample is entered, the control device 100 can add the new sample to the sample queue, estimate the required waiting time and / or extraction task execution time under different working modes respectively, and select the working mode with the optimal efficiency (such as the shortest waiting time) (such as one of the first working mode and the second working mode described later) according to the estimation results to allocate the new sample, so as to select the corresponding target extraction device to perform one or more extraction steps on the sample.

[0068] Figure 3a and 3b respectively show a schematic structural diagram and a corresponding top view of an example of the commutation module in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] As Figure 3a and 3b shown, each commutation module 330 includes, for example, a turntable 331, at least one runner 332 and a bracket 333, and also includes a first motor (not shown) for driving the turntable 331 and a second motor for driving each runner 332, etc.

[0070] The turntable 331 rotates, for example, with the gravity direction as the axis under the drive of the first motor, so as to rotate the sample container carried on the commutation module. As an example, an angle encoder can be used to close-loop control the first motor, so as to control the rotation of the turntable.

[0071] Each runner 332 is respectively distributed in the corresponding opening groove 301 on the surface of the turntable 321, and rotates with the horizontal direction as the axis under the drive of the second motor respectively, so as to transfer the sample container carried on the commutation module to the device (such as the main transfer structure and / or the sub-transfer structure) docked with the commutation module. As an example, the second motor can drive the transmission bearing, and the transmission bearing drives the runner to rotate, so that each runner can rotate synchronously.

[0072] The bracket 333 is docked with the main conveying structure 310, and the turntable 331 is rotatably fixed on the bracket. In some examples, the bracket 333 can be fixedly connected to the main conveying structure 310 or integrally formed. In some examples, the structure of the bracket 333 can be independent of the adjacent main conveying structure 310 and / or the sub-conveying structure 320.

[0073] The control device 100 can control the rotation direction of the first motor and the second motor, thereby controlling the turntable 331 and each rotating wheel 332 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise along the axis. As an example, the control device 100 can control the turntable to rotate within a range of 360 degrees, and / or control each rotating wheel 332 to rotate forward or reverse.

[0074] The positions of the rotating wheels 332 on the rotating disk 331 may be arbitrary. In some examples, the axes of the rotating wheels 332 are parallel, and the heights of the rotating wheels 332 from the surface of the rotating disk 331 may be consistent. Figure 3a and 3b As shown, each rotating wheel 332 can be arranged in a rhombus shape in the open slot 301 on the surface of the turntable. The open slot 301 is, for example, rectangular, and each rotating wheel 332 is, for example, a spherical roller with a diameter smaller than the length of each side of the open slot 301.

[0075] It should be noted that although Figure 2 , Figure 3a and 3b The schematic diagram of the structure of a nucleic acid extraction system and a reversing module 330 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may include many variations, substitutions and modifications. For example, each rotating wheel 332 may be a cylindrical or shuttle-shaped roller whose axial and radial lengths do not exceed the size of the opening slot 301; each rotating wheel 332 may be arranged in any form on the surface of the turntable 331 (e.g., a rectangular matrix, a circle, a triangle, an X shape, an irregular shape, etc.); the opening slot 301 may be replaced by a lower groove; although Figure 3a and 3b Eight rotating wheels are shown, but each reversing module 330 in the embodiment of the present disclosure may also include less than or more than eight rotating wheels 332 , and so on.

[0076] Figure 4 Another exemplary structural schematic diagram of the nucleic acid extraction system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0077] and Figure 2 Compared to the embodiment shown, Figure 4 The nucleic acid extraction system 1000 shown also includes a branch structure 350 disposed in the waiting area 30 for sequentially transmitting and / or accommodating samples to be tested in the waiting queue.

[0078] Specifically, if the control device 100 detects that multiple extraction devices 200 are all in a non-idle state, the control device 100 can control each commutation module 320 to transfer the sample containers to be allocated to the branch structure 350, and after one of the multiple extraction devices 200 is released to an idle state, control the branch structure 350 to transfer the sample containers in the waiting area 30 to the main transfer structure 310.

[0079] As an example, the branch structure 350 is a turntable structure with an inlet and an outlet respectively docked with the main transfer structure, so as to transfer the sample containers in the waiting queue in a first-in, first-out manner.

[0080] As an example, the inlet and the outlet of the branch structure 350 respectively correspond to the positions of different commutation modules 330 arranged on the main transfer structure 310. For example, the turntable structure includes one or more conveyor belts sequentially extending between the inlet and the outlet, and corresponding commutation modules 330 are arranged between adjacent conveyor belts. Another example is that the turntable structure can include a rotating table docked with the inlet and the outlet of the branch structure.

[0081] Figure 5 Schematic structural diagram of the extraction device showing an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of the magnetic rod and the magnetic resistance sleeve showing an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the principle of nucleic acid extraction implemented by the extraction device showing an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of an example of the sample container showing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] The extraction device 200 of the embodiment of the present disclosure extracts nucleic acids (DNA and / or RNA) from samples using magnetic beads. After the surface of superparamagnetic nanoparticles is modified and surface-modified using nanotechnology, superparamagnetic silica nanobeads can be prepared. These magnetic beads can specifically recognize and efficiently bind to nucleic acid molecules at the microscopic interface. Under the action of an external magnetic force, the magnetic beads can quickly separate and purify nucleic acid DNA / RNA, which is safe and easy to automate. The nano-magnetic bead nucleic acid extraction method adopted in the embodiment of the present disclosure refers to a nucleic acid extraction method using superparamagnetic silica nano-magnetic microspheres (hereinafter referred to as magnetic beads) as carriers, and extracting nucleic acids by the principle that the magnetic beads adsorb nucleic acids in a high-salt and low-pH solution and release the nucleic acids from the surface of the magnetic beads in a low-salt solution.

[0083] Such as Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the extraction device 200 structurally includes, for example: a magnetic rod 220, a magnetic resistance sleeve 230, and a moving structure 240. The magnetic rod 220 and the magnetic resistance sleeve in the extraction device 200 are assembled in pairs, and the extraction device 200 can include one or more pairs of magnetic rods 220 and magnetic resistance sleeves 230. The configuration of multiple pairs of magnetic rods 220 and magnetic resistance sleeves 230 is beneficial for batch operation of multiple samples.

[0084] The sample container 210 for carrying samples includes a plurality of accommodating positions for accommodating samples; the magnetic bar 220 is used to attract magnetic beads; the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 is used to separate the magnetic bar 220 from the magnetic beads; the moving structure 240 is at least used to move the magnetic bar 220 and the magnetic shielding sleeve 230.

[0085] When the magnetic bar 220 is placed inside the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, the magnetic beads and / or the adsorbed substances of the magnetic beads gather on the bottom surface of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 under the gravitational force of the magnetic bar 220, so that the magnetic beads and / or the adsorbed substances of the magnetic beads follow the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic bar 220 to move between different accommodating positions or different extraction devices 200. When the magnetic bar 220 is removed from the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, the magnetic beads and / or the adsorbed substances of the magnetic beads that have gathered on the bottom surface of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 are released into the corresponding accommodating positions. By using the magnetic bar 220, the magnetic beads and the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, the nucleic acid in the sample can be adsorbed and released, thereby realizing the movement of nucleic acid molecules.

[0086] The moving structure 240 may include a plurality of moving components for moving the magnetic shielding sleeve and the magnetic bar in multiple directions. For example, it includes a first moving component for lifting and lowering the magnetic shielding sleeve in the direction of gravity (the z-axis direction as shown in the figure), a second moving component for lifting and lowering the magnetic bar in the direction of gravity, and / or a third moving component for moving the magnetic shielding sleeve and the magnetic bar on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity (the plane where the x-axis and the y-axis are located as shown in the figure). In some alternative embodiments, the moving structure 240 may also be used to move the sample container 210 conveyed to the extraction device 200, so as to correspond the corresponding magnetic bar and / or magnetic shielding sleeve with the accommodating position in the sample container that needs to be operated in terms of position and / or height.

[0087] As an example, as Figure 5 shown, the moving structure 240 includes, for example: a sample transfer module 241 for respectively moving the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic bar 220 in the direction of gravity; a bracket moving module 242 for moving the sample transfer module 241 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity; and / or a container moving module (not shown) provided on the sub-conveying structure corresponding to the extraction device 200 for moving at least one sample container 210 in the horizontal direction and / or the direction of gravity.

[0088] The magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic bar 220 are respectively detachably connected to the moving structure 240 (such as the sample transfer module), so that they can be moved to different extraction devices and the magnetic shielding sleeve and / or the magnetic bar in each extraction device can be replaced.

[0089] As an example, the moving structure 230 can drive the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 to stir inside the corresponding accommodating position, so as to fully stir the content in the corresponding accommodating position to make it uniform / react sufficiently.

[0090] The sample container 210 is, for example, horizontally arranged (in the plane of the x-axis and y-axis as shown in the figure, for example, a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity), and may include a plurality of mutually isolated accommodation positions, and each accommodation position is, for example, distributed in an array manner of multiple rows and multiple columns. As an example, the sample container is, for example, a 96-well plate, and each well position serves as an accommodation position, and its common specifications include, for example, 12x8 accommodation positions. In some examples, according to different moving methods, the accommodation positions in the sample container may also be arranged and distributed in an array in the form of concentric circles, staggered rows and columns, etc. The present disclosure does not limit the implementation method and distribution method of each accommodation position in the sample container.

[0091] As an example, as Figure 8 shown, the sample container 210 may be divided into a plurality of working areas, including: a first accommodation area, including at least one accommodation position, and the accommodation position in the first accommodation area contains a lysis solution for implementing the lysis step; a second accommodation area, including at least one accommodation position, and the accommodation position in the second accommodation area contains a cleaning solution for implementing the cleaning / washing step; and a third accommodation area, including at least one accommodation position, and the accommodation position in the third accommodation area contains a purification buffer. Based on this, each extraction device can transfer the magnetic beads adsorbed with nucleic acid molecules between different working areas and / or different extraction devices by using the magnetic rod 220 and the magnetic sleeve set 230.

[0092] Furthermore, the sample container 210 may be, for example, a 96-well plate (including 12 columns, with 8 well positions in each column). The sample area is, for example, located in the edge area of the 96-well plate, so as to facilitate the addition of new samples. The sample area occupies, for example, the well positions in columns 1-3; the first accommodation area for performing the lysis step occupies, for example, the well positions in columns 4-6, and each well position therein may be pre-injected with a lysis solution (for example, including 20 μL of proteinase K, 10 μL of RNase, and 400 μL of CTAB lysis solution); the second accommodation area for performing the cleaning / washing step occupies, for example, the well positions in columns 7-9, and each well position therein may be pre-injected with a cleaning solution (for example, including 400 μL of deproteinized solution); the third accommodation area for performing the purification step occupies, for example, the well positions in columns 10-12, and each well position therein may be pre-injected with a purification buffer (for example, TE solution). In this example, the number of samples that each extraction device can process at one time is, for example, 8 or 16 or 24, which is an integer multiple of the number of accommodation positions provided by a single column of well positions in the sample area.

[0093] In some alternative examples, as Figure 8 shown, the sample container 210 may further include a sample area for storing the samples to be processed by the current extraction device.

[0094] As Figure 5 and 6As shown, the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 can be placed into a corresponding accommodation position and / or taken out from the corresponding accommodation position under the drive of the moving structure 240, and the moving structure 240 can drive the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 to move up and down in the corresponding accommodation position (the z-axis direction shown in the figure, for example, the direction of gravity) to stir the contents in the corresponding accommodation position. In some examples, the moving structure can also drive the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 to move horizontally, rotate, and / or move around an axis in the corresponding accommodation position, so as to more fully stir the contents in the corresponding accommodation position.

[0095] As Figure 6 shown, the diameter of the magnetic rod 220 is smaller than the inner diameter of the magnetic shielding sleeve, so that the magnetic rod 220 can be arranged inside the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and can move up and down inside the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 under the drive of the moving structure 240 (for example Figure 5 the z-axis direction shown). The bottom end of the magnetic rod 220 has a magnetic pole 221. Therefore, when the bottom end of the magnetic rod 220 is located at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, the magnetic beads in the corresponding accommodation position can be aggregated at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 under the action of magnetic force. In some preferred embodiments, a magnetic shielding coating 222 is further provided on a part of the side wall of the magnetic rod 220. The magnetic shielding coating is located above the magnetic pole and is used to shield magnetic field lines to reduce the adsorption of magnetic beads at adjacent positions. In some examples, the magnetic shielding coating can cover the entire side wall of the magnetic rod 220 located above the magnetic pole. In some other examples, as Figure 4 shown, the magnetic shielding coating can uniformly cover the lower half of the side wall of the magnetic rod 220 located above the magnetic pole. Since the upper half of the magnetic rod 220 has little influence on the adsorption and release of the magnetic beads in the corresponding accommodation position, this example can reasonably reduce the coverage area of the magnetic shielding coating and reduce costs.

[0096] In some embodiments, the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 can be flat, which helps to improve the aggregation degree of the magnetic beads at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, thereby improving the magnetic bead collection efficiency.

[0097] Each extraction device 200, as a child node, may further include one or more of the following components:

[0098] A motion controller, connected to the moving structure 240, for controlling the operation of the moving structure 240. For example, the motion controller can adopt a trapezoidal acceleration and deceleration control algorithm to control the moving structure. The trapezoidal acceleration and deceleration control algorithm can control the change of the moving speed according to a trapezoidal curve or a trapezoid-like S-shaped curve, so as to reduce the jitter and vibration caused by the movement and improve the motion and speed control accuracy.

[0099] A temperature controller (for example Figure 5The temperature controller 250) shown is used to detect and adjust the temperature of one or more accommodating positions respectively to adapt to the temperature environment required for the corresponding extraction steps. The temperature controller includes, for example, a plurality of temperature sensors that can be respectively arranged in different accommodating areas (including one or more accommodating positions) of the sample container, and the temperature controller can also include a plurality of temperature adjustment modules, so that the ambient temperature of each accommodating area can be adjusted based on the temperature detected by each temperature sensor, so that the solution and / or sample in the accommodating area are heated or cooled, so that the ambient temperature of different accommodating areas meets the reaction temperature requirements of each extraction step. In some examples, one or more sample containers can be placed within the accommodating space of the temperature controller or on the surface of the temperature controller. In some alternative examples, the corresponding sub-transfer structure 320 of the extraction device can simultaneously move the temperature controller 250 and one or more sample containers 210 located within or above the temperature controller 250. In some examples, at least a part of the temperature controller is made of a metal structure (such as aluminum alloy).

[0100] A liquid crystal display is used to display various information of the extraction device, such as including the working state (working attributes of sub-nodes, working process, sensor data such as temperature, estimated working time / waiting time, etc.) and / or error message, etc.

[0101] A networking controller is used to support the communication between the extraction device and the control device, so that the extraction device can package and upload relevant information to the control device, and the control device can send control information to the extraction device. In some examples, the networking controller is used to implement basic network communication protocols to link device nodes into a local area network. In some examples, the networking controller can be networked through local WiFi connection, and in some other examples, the networking controller can also achieve communication based on a wired connection method.

[0102] A power supply provides power support for the sub-node, and is at least used to power the moving structure so that the moving structure can drive the magnetic shielding sleeve and the magnetic rod to move. The power supply can also power other components, such as the networking controller, liquid crystal display screen, temperature controller, and motion controller included in the extraction device.

[0103] According to actual needs, the extraction device may further include other mechanical components well known to those skilled in the art, such as guide rails, springs, baffle plates, connecting shafts, a housing surrounding the above-mentioned various components, etc., and may also include other electronic components well known to those skilled in the art, such as various sensors such as liquid level sensors, memories, etc.

[0104] The following combines Figures 5 to 8 to illustrate the working principle of each extraction device 200.

[0105] The extraction device 200 is used to perform a lysis step, for example:

[0106] First, a sample (for example, in a suspension state) is added to the first accommodating position of the sample container 210. The first accommodating position can be located in Figure 8 the sample area shown or the first accommodating area for performing lysis.

[0107] Samples include, for example, cell liquid samples and cell-free liquid samples, etc. Among them, cell liquid samples include cells, whole blood, animal tissue homogenates, and cell-free liquid samples include serum, plasma, tissue extracts, swab washings, urine, and virus culture solutions.

[0108] Taking the first accommodating position being in the first accommodating area as an example, a lysis solution can be contained in the first accommodating position, which is used to rupture cells and cell nuclei in the sample, separate nucleic acids (DNA / RNA) from nucleoproteins, and denature and precipitate nucleoproteins, so as to lyse and separate nucleic acids in the sample.

[0109] Multiple magnetic beads are automatically added to the lysis solution by the extraction device. The first intermediate substance (the intermediate substance after lysis, for example, including impurities such as nucleic acids and protein particles) in the first accommodating position can be adsorbed by the magnetic beads. The magnetic beads are nano magnetic beads. For example, they can be superparamagnetic silica nano magnetic beads prepared by modifying and surface-modifying the surface of superparamagnetic nanoparticles using nanotechnology. The diameter is about 100 - 800 nm, for example, and they can have a core-shell structure (that is, having a superparamagnetic core and a silica shell). The magnetic beads can specifically recognize nucleic acid molecules at the micro interface and bind to them efficiently. Due to their superparamagnetism, under the action of chaotropic salts (such as guanidine hydrochloride and guanidine isothiocyanate) and an external magnetic field, the magnetic beads can be used to separate nucleic acids (DNA and / or RNA) from samples such as blood, animal tissues, foods, and pathogenic microorganisms.

[0110] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs a stirring operation to cause the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 to stir in the first accommodating position driven by the moving structure 240 (for example, move up and down along the z-axis in the first accommodating position, with a duration of 10 - 15 minutes, for example). The purpose is to achieve uniform stirring so that the first intermediate substance in the first accommodating position can be fully adsorbed on each magnetic bead.

[0111] Before or after stirring, the extraction device 200 performs an adsorption operation to cause the magnetic rod 220 to move downward to the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, so that the magnetic beads adsorbed with the first intermediate substance in the first accommodating position can gather at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230.

[0112] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs subsequent cleaning steps, for example. The cleaning steps are used to remove impurities other than the nucleic acid contained in the first intermediate substance, and may include multiple sub-steps (such as a first cleaning sub-step for removing impurities such as proteins, a second cleaning sub-step for removing impurities such as salt ions, etc.).

[0113] As an example, refer to Figures 5 to 8 In the cleaning step, the extraction device 200 performs the following operations, for example:

[0114] First, the extraction device 200 performs a moving operation to simultaneously lift the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 driven by the moving structure 240 and move them from the first accommodation position to the second accommodation position, so that the magnetic beads adsorbed with the first intermediate substance move from the first accommodation position to the second accommodation position under the action of magnetic force following the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220. The bottoms of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 fall into the bottom of the second accommodation position, so that the magnetic beads together with the first intermediate substance adsorbed thereon are added to the second accommodation position.

[0115] The second accommodation position is filled with a first cleaning solution for removing impurities (such as a protein-removing reagent such as chaotropic salt).

[0116] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs a releasing operation to move the magnetic rod 220 upward (away from the second accommodation position) driven by the moving structure 240, so that a relative displacement occurs between the magnetic rod 220 and the magnetic shielding sleeve 230, resulting in a magnetic field change. Based on this, the magnetic beads together with the first intermediate substance adsorbed thereon are detached from the magnetic shielding sleeve and fall into the second accommodation position.

[0117] Moreover, the extraction device 200 performs a stirring operation to fully stir the contents in the second accommodation position driven by the moving structure 240, so as to remove at least part of the impurities contained in the first intermediate substance, thereby obtaining a second intermediate substance. This second intermediate substance is also adsorbed on each magnetic bead. As an example, the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 moves up and down along the gravity direction driven by the moving structure 240.

[0118] Before or after stirring, the extraction device 200 may perform an adsorption operation to move the magnetic rod 220 downward to the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 driven by the moving structure 240, so that the magnetic field changes, and thus the magnetic beads adsorbed with the second intermediate substance in the second accommodation position can gather at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230.

[0119] After that, the extraction device 200 performs the moving operation again to simultaneously lift and move the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 driven by the moving structure 240 to the third accommodation position, so that the magnetic beads adsorbed with the second intermediate substance are moved to the third accommodation position following the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 under the action of magnetic force, so as to facilitate the next cleaning sub-step.

[0120] The third accommodating position is filled with a second cleaning solution for removing impurities (for example, an ethanol solution with a concentration of 70%, which is used to remove salt ions and small molecule impurities, etc.).

[0121] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs the release operation again, so that the magnetic rod 220 moves upward (away from the third accommodating position) driven by the moving structure 240, to generate a relative displacement with the magnetic shielding sleeve 230. Therefore, based on the magnetic field change, the magnetic beads together with the second intermediate substance adsorbed thereon are separated from the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and fall into the third accommodating position.

[0122] Moreover, the extraction device 200 performs the stirring operation again, so that the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 fully stirs the content in the third accommodating position driven by the moving structure 240, to remove impurities such as salt ions contained in the second intermediate substance, thereby obtaining a third intermediate substance. The third intermediate substance is adsorbed on each magnetic bead. As an example, the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 moves up and down along the gravity direction driven by the moving structure 240.

[0123] Before or after the stirring, the extraction device 200 can perform the adsorption operation, which is used to let the magnetic rod move downward to the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 driven by the moving structure 240, so that the magnetic field changes, and thus the magnetic beads adsorbed with the third intermediate substance (as the intermediate substance after cleaning / washing) in the third accommodating position can gather at the bottom of the magnetic shielding sleeve.

[0124] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The cleaning / washing step may include only one sub-step (for example, cleaning / washing with a mixed cleaning solution), or may include two or more sub-steps, so as to facilitate cleaning / washing with a variety of cleaning solutions step by step.

[0125] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs subsequent purification steps, for example. The purification steps are used to obtain a relatively pure nucleic acid extract and separate the nucleic acid extract from the magnetic beads.

[0126] As an example, refer to Figures 5 to 8 , in the purification step, the extraction device 200 performs the following operations, for example:

[0127] First, the extraction device 200 performs a moving operation, which is used to let the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 be lifted simultaneously and move from the third accommodating position to the fourth accommodating position driven by the moving structure, so that the magnetic beads adsorbed with the first intermediate substance move from the third accommodating position to the fourth accommodating position following the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 under the magnetic force. The bottoms of the magnetic shielding sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 fall to the bottom of the fourth accommodating position, so that the magnetic beads together with the third intermediate substance adsorbed thereon are added to the fourth accommodating position.

[0128] The fourth accommodation position is filled with a purification buffer. The purification buffer can be 400 uL of TE solution, which includes, for example, Tris (tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) and EDTA, and helps to inhibit nuclease activity, so that the nucleic acid extract obtained by purification can be stored well.

[0129] Subsequently, the extraction device 200 performs a release operation to move the magnetic rod 220 upward (away from the fourth accommodation position) driven by the moving structure, so that a relative displacement is generated between the magnetic rod 220 and the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230, resulting in a change in the magnetic field. Based on this, the magnetic beads together with the adsorbed third intermediate substance are separated from the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230 and fall into the fourth accommodation position.

[0130] Moreover, the extraction device 200 performs a stirring operation to fully stir the contents in the fourth accommodation position driven by the moving structure 240 of the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230, so as to remove at least part of the impurities contained in the third intermediate substance, thereby obtaining a nucleic acid extract from which the magnetic beads are separated. As an example, the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230 moves up and down along the direction of gravity driven by the moving structure 240.

[0131] Before or after stirring, the extraction device 200 can automatically perform a recovery operation to move the magnetic rod 220 downward to the bottom of the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230 driven by the moving structure 240, so that the magnetic field changes, and thus the magnetic beads in the fourth accommodation position can gather at the bottom of the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230.

[0132] After that, the extraction device 200 performs a moving operation again to lift and move the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220 to the fifth accommodation position driven by the moving structure 240 at the same time, so that the magnetic beads are moved to the fifth accommodation position for recovering the magnetic beads under the action of magnetic force following the magnetic field blocking sleeve 230 and the magnetic rod 220.

[0133] Based on the nucleic acid extraction system provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the above steps can be automatically executed based on the attributes assigned by the control device under the control of the processor in each extraction device, or can be directly automatically executed under the control of the control device.

[0134] In the above steps, the lysis step takes a relatively long time (for example, about 10 - 20 minutes), and the cleaning step (for example, about 5 - 10 minutes) and the purification step (for example, about 5 - 10 minutes) take a relatively short time.

[0135] The traditional solution adopts a linear working mode, that is, all samples complete the lysis, washing, and purification steps in sequence in the same extraction device. Assuming that the time required for the lysis step is 20 minutes, the time required for the washing step is 5 minutes, and the time required for the purification step is 5 minutes, and 4 extraction devices are running simultaneously and each extraction device can process 8 samples at a time, then based on the linear working mode of the traditional method, the time required to process 32 samples is 30 minutes, while the time required to process 33 samples is 60 minutes, that is, the waiting times for the sample extraction results are 30 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, and one sample needs to wait 30 minutes before it can start to be processed. It can be seen that the nucleic acid extraction efficiency of the traditional solution is not high and the resource allocation is not flexible, and new samples are only allowed to be added after the previous batch of samples have completed the extraction.

[0136] The present invention manages and allocates the extraction tasks of samples based on a sample queue, enabling extraction devices in an idle state to be used for performing at least one step of the extraction task on new samples, so as to coordinate multiple nucleic acid extraction devices based on a serial, parallel, or pipeline working mode. Assuming that the time required for the lysis step is 20 minutes, the time required for the washing step is 5 minutes, and the time required for the purification step is 5 minutes, and 4 extraction devices are running simultaneously and each extraction device can process 8 samples at a time, based on the pipeline working mode proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, after the extraction device responsible for the lysis step completes the lysis step of the first batch of samples, the lysis step of the second batch of samples can be immediately started, and at the same time, other extraction devices responsible for the washing and purification steps can concurrently continue to perform the washing step and the purification step on the first batch of samples that have completed lysis. Thus, the time required to process the first 32 samples is 30 minutes, and the time required to process 33 samples is 50 minutes, that is, the waiting times for the sample extraction results are 30 minutes and 50 minutes respectively, and the 33rd sample only needs to wait 20 minutes before it can start to be processed. Compared with the traditional solution that simply uses the parallel mode, the embodiments of the present disclosure based on the pipeline working mode can increase the extraction efficiency by about 11%. Based on the traditional solution that uses a single extraction device to serially execute each step, assuming that 16 samples can be processed each time, then 3 batches of extraction tasks need to be executed to complete the extraction of all 33 samples, which takes a total of 90 minutes, and the sample waiting times are 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes respectively. Compared with this serial single-extraction-device working mode, the embodiments of the present disclosure based on the pipeline working mode increase the extraction efficiency by 50%.

[0137] Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure improve the nucleic acid extraction efficiency, resource utilization rate, and allow real-time allocation of newly added samples.

[0138] Figure 9Schematic flowchart of a nucleic acid extraction control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The nucleic acid extraction control method is implemented, for example, based on the hardware provided in any of the above embodiments and / or other hardware structures well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0139] In step S100, a list of manageable devices is read. The list of manageable devices is stored in the memory included in the control device or can also be stored in a memory communicatively coupled to the control device. The list of manageable devices is used to indicate each sub-node (i.e., each extraction device) available for management in the nucleic acid extraction system, and may include identification codes of n sub-nodes (for example, the serial numbers of each extraction device), where n is a natural number greater than 1. The identification codes of each extraction device can be set and assigned by the control device or can also be uploaded by each sub-node to the control center (the control device acting as the parent node).

[0140] In step S200, the working modes of each sub-node are configured. If configured as the first working mode, step S300 is continued to enable each sub-node to serially execute each step required for the nucleic acid extraction task on the samples received by it independently; if configured as the second working mode, step S400 is continued to enable each sub-node to cooperatively and concurrently execute each step required for the nucleic acid extraction task.

[0141] In the first working mode, each extraction device acting as a sub-node in the nucleic acid extraction system works independently, that is, each extraction device is configured to: receive one or more samples assigned to the extraction device and serially execute the above-mentioned lysis, washing, and purification steps on these one or more samples. That is to say, in the first working mode, each sample completes the lysis, washing, and purification steps in the same extraction device respectively. The n extraction devices indicated by the list of manageable devices are simply combined into an integrated workstation, and this workstation meets the requirement of improving the nucleic acid extraction speed by executing the nucleic acid extraction task in parallel.

[0142] As an example, as Figure 7 shown, step S300 may include sub-steps S310 to S350.

[0143] In step S310, a sample queue is read. The sample queue is used to indicate the serial numbers and quantities of the samples to be extracted. The sample queue is configured to have the property of first-in, first-out, that is: the samples added to the sample queue earlier will be assigned to the corresponding extraction device before the samples added to the sample queue later to preferentially execute the extraction task. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the order of the sample queue can also be managed by setting priorities.

[0144] In step S320, the samples in the sample queue are assigned to the target sub-node in the idle state.

[0145] In step S330, the driving target child node performs an extraction task on the corresponding sample and configures the working attribute of the target child node to a non-idle state. After a certain target child node completes the extraction task, the working attribute of the target child node returns to the idle state.

[0146] In step S340, it is judged whether the extraction task is ended. If it has ended, return to step S310 to continue reading the sample queue to facilitate processing of newly added samples; if it has not ended, execute step S350.

[0147] As an example, step S340 can start to be executed after step S320 has been executed for a period of time (for example, the estimated time for the preset extraction task), and the working attributes fed back by each target child node can be obtained by asking each target child node, and it is judged whether each target child node has returned to the idle state according to the working attributes fed back by each target child node.

[0148] In step S350, the status of the target child node is polled until the target child node ends the extraction task and then returns to step S310. For example, the status of the target child node can be asked every once in a while, and it is judged whether the target child node has ended the extraction task according to the status fed back by the target child node. For example, the control device can send a status inquiry request to each extraction device serving as the target child node, and each extraction device serving as the target child node feeds back a status response (including the status information of the extraction device) in response to the status inquiry request, so that the control device can obtain the status information of each extraction device and judge whether each extraction device serving as the target child node is in the idle state.

[0149] In some examples, each child node can also actively provide a data packet to the control device, and the data packet is at least used to characterize whether the corresponding child node is in the idle state.

[0150] In the first working mode, each target child node independently performs nucleic acid extraction on the samples allocated to the child node. Based on this, the corresponding target child node can be matched at any time for the samples newly added to the sample queue. Therefore, depending on the different times when the samples are added, there may be a time difference in the time points when each child node starts the nucleic acid extraction task, so that the entire nucleic acid extraction system allows "testing samples as they are received", and in the case of having child nodes in the idle state, there is no need to wait for all child nodes to complete the extraction task, improving the nucleic acid extraction efficiency and resource utilization rate, and reducing the waiting time required for multi-batch nucleic acid extraction tasks.

[0151] In some embodiments, in the first working mode, the nucleic acid extraction control method of the embodiments of the present disclosure may further select the number of matching target child nodes according to the number range of the samples in the sample queue. Based on this, as an example, Figure 9 A schematic flowchart showing an example of the control method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 9 shown, the above step S320 may further include sub-steps S321 to S325.

[0152] In step S321, according to the number range of the sample quantity m in the sample queue, determine the required number of child nodes k. Both m and k are natural numbers greater than 0.

[0153] For example, if it is detected that the sample quantity X0 in the sample queue is greater than 0 and less than the first threshold (that is, the sample quantity X0 is in the first quantity range), then determine that the required number of child nodes k = 1, and only one idle child node is needed to receive the samples in the current sample queue; if it is detected that the sample quantity X0 in the sample queue is greater than and / or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold (that is, the sample quantity X0 is in the second quantity range), then determine that the required number of child nodes k = 2; and so on. And, if it is detected that the sample quantity X0 in the sample queue is zero, it means that the sample queue is empty, and the sample quantity in the sample queue can be detected after waiting for a period of time.

[0154] In this embodiment, the boundary values of each quantity range such as the first threshold and the second threshold can be determined according to the number of accommodation positions included in the sample container for holding samples in each extraction device. For example, the boundary values of each quantity range are respectively set to an integer multiple of the number of accommodation positions provided by the sample container in each row / column, and the boundary values of each quantity range are less than or equal to the total number of accommodation positions provided by the sample container for performing the lysis step.

[0155] Taking Figure 8 the 96-well plate shown as an example of the sample container, each column of the 96-well plate provides 8 accommodation positions, and 3 columns of accommodation positions in the 96-well plate are used for performing the lysis step. Then the first threshold is set to 8, the second threshold is set to 16, and the third threshold can also be set to 24.

[0156] In step S322, according to the required number of child nodes k, determine whether there are enough idle child nodes available for allocation. If so, sequentially execute step S323; if not, execute step S324 to wait for other child nodes to be released to the idle state.

[0157] In step S323, allocate the samples indicated by the sample queue to the k target child nodes in the idle state.

[0158] In the case where samples in a sample queue need to be assigned to multiple child nodes, the samples can be evenly distributed to each child node, or can be unevenly distributed to each child node according to actual needs. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0159] In some examples, in the waiting step S324, at least one child node A with a relatively short estimated waiting time can be estimated through a time optimization algorithm w , and the current sample is assigned to the waiting queue of child node A w , which is beneficial to realizing parallel waiting. After child node A w completes the current extraction task, the samples in the waiting queue will be successively added to the extraction device where child node A w is located, so as to continue to execute step S323.

[0160] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The waiting step S324 can also simply perform a waiting step, that is, wait until one or more child nodes are released to an idle state, then use this child node as the target child node, and continue to execute step S323.

[0161] In some alternative embodiments, as Figure 10 shown, in order to avoid unreasonable distribution of child nodes caused by new samples immediately joining the sample queue after detecting the number of samples, step S320 may further include a sub-step S325 for waiting for a preset time (for example, 10 minutes) after the samples are assigned to the corresponding target child nodes, and then re-detecting the number of samples. If the number of samples in the sample queue changes (for example, there are new samples added to the sample queue within the preset time), it is necessary to re-distribute the samples and child nodes according to the updated number of samples and the above method, that is, return to step S321; if the number of samples in the sample queue does not change, continue to execute step S330 to drive each target child node to start executing the extraction task.

[0162] In the second working mode, based on a preset control mechanism, each extraction device serving as a child node works collaboratively and in parallel. Each sample can separately complete the lysis, washing, and purification steps in one or more extraction devices, rather than being limited to completing all the steps for nucleic acid extraction in the same extraction device. Based on this pipeline-style second working mode, the nucleic acid extraction efficiency can be improved by executing each step in parallel.

[0163] In some examples, in the second working mode, n extraction devices as child nodes can be pre-divided into at least two groups, and these at least two groups of extraction devices cooperatively perform lysis, washing, and purification steps for each sample. For example, the first group of extraction devices among the n extraction devices is used to perform the lysis step, the second group of extraction devices is used to perform the washing step, and the third group of extraction devices is used to perform the purification step. Each group of extraction devices includes one or more extraction devices. In some examples, since the lysis step takes longer than the washing step and the purification step, the number of extraction devices included in the first group of extraction devices can be greater than the number of extraction devices included in the second group of extraction devices and / or the third group of extraction devices. For example, the number of extraction devices included in the first group of extraction devices is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of extraction devices included in the second group and the third group of extraction devices. Each extraction device in the first group of extraction devices can perform the lysis step on different samples in parallel to improve the lysis efficiency, balance the time occupied by each step in the extraction task, optimize the waiting time, and thus improve the nucleic acid extraction efficiency.

[0164] In other examples, in the second working mode, samples in the sample queue can be allocated according to whether each node is idle and the number of samples in each queue. The following will describe sub-steps S410 to S450 included in step S400 based on this, return to reference Figure 7 .

[0165] In step S410, each sub-sample queue is read. The sample queue is used to indicate the sample serial number and quantity to be extracted. Each sample queue is configured to have the property of first-in, first-out, that is: the sample that is first added to the sample queue will be allocated to the corresponding extraction device before the sample that is later added to the sample queue to give priority to performing the extraction task. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this, and the order of the sample queue can also be managed by setting priorities.

[0166] Different from step S310 in the first working mode, in the second working mode, the sample queue can include multiple sub-sample queues, which are respectively used to sort the samples to be executed for each step. For example, the multiple sub-sample queues include: a lysis sample queue, which is used to sort the samples to be executed for the lysis step; a washing sample queue, which is used to sort the samples to be executed for the washing step; and a purification sample queue, which is used to sort the samples to be executed for the purification step.

[0167] In step S420, for each sample queue, a child node allocation algorithm is respectively executed to determine the target child node for receiving the corresponding sample in each sub-sample queue, and the working attribute of the target child node is configured according to the step that the sample needs to execute.

[0168] In step S430, the target child node drives the corresponding samples to perform corresponding steps (e.g., lysis step / washing step / purification step), and configures the working attribute of the target child node to the working state corresponding to this step (e.g., lysis working state / washing working state / purification working state). After a certain target child node completes the corresponding step, the working attribute of this target child node returns to the idle state.

[0169] For example, for the samples in the lysis sample queue, the working attribute of the corresponding target child node is configured to the lysis working state, and after this target child node completes the lysis step, its working attribute returns to the idle state, and this target child node joins the idle child node queue to be enabled.

[0170] In step S440, it is judged whether the corresponding step executed by the target child node has ended. If it has ended, return to step S410 to continue reading each sample queue to facilitate processing newly added samples; if it has not ended, execute step S450.

[0171] As an example, step S440 can start to execute after step S420 has been executed for a period of time (e.g., the estimated time for the preset step execution), and the working attributes fed back by each target child node can be obtained by asking each target child node, and it is judged whether each target child node has returned to the idle state according to the working attributes fed back by each target child node.

[0172] In step S450, the status of the target child node is polled until the target child node ends the corresponding step and then returns to step S410. For example, the status of the target child node can be asked every once in a while, and it is judged whether this target child node has ended the corresponding step according to the status fed back by the target child node. For example, the control device can send a status inquiry request to each extraction device serving as the target child node, and each extraction device serving as the target child node feeds back a status response (including the status information of this extraction device) in response to this status inquiry request, so that the control device can obtain the status information of each extraction device and judge whether each extraction device serving as the target child node is in the idle state.

[0173] In the second working mode, for different steps in the extraction task, child nodes can be flexibly selected to execute in parallel, and a mode similar to pipeline operation is implemented using the child node allocation algorithm, so that the entire nucleic acid extraction system allows "testing samples as they are inspected", which is conducive to the concurrent execution of nucleic acid extraction tasks and nucleic acid extraction steps, improves nucleic acid extraction efficiency and resource utilization rate, and reduces the waiting time required for nucleic acid extraction tasks.

[0174] In some embodiments, the child node allocation algorithm may determine the target child node according to the quantity range in which the number of samples in each sample queue lies. Specifically, the child node allocation algorithm may determine the quantity range in which the number of samples in each sample queue lies, and determine the child node for receiving the corresponding samples according to this quantity range. Based on this, as an example, the above step S420 may further include sub-steps S421 to S425, which will be described below with reference to Figure 11 this.

[0175] Taking the first sample queue as an example, Figure 11 FIG. shows a schematic flowchart of the child node allocation algorithm according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] In step S421, according to the quantity range in which the number of samples m in the first sample queue lies, determine the required number of child nodes k. Both m and k are natural numbers greater than 0.

[0177] For example, if it is detected that the number of samples X1 in the first sample queue is greater than 0 and less than the first threshold (i.e., the number of samples X1 is in the first quantity range), then determine that the required number of child nodes k = 1, and only one idle child node is needed to receive the samples in the current sample queue; if it is detected that the number of samples X1 in the sample queue is greater than and / or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold (i.e., the number of samples X1 is in the second quantity range), then determine that the required number of child nodes k = 2; and so on. And, if it is detected that the number of samples X1 in the first sample queue is zero, it means that the sample queue is empty, and the number of samples in the first sample queue can be detected again after waiting for a period of time.

[0178] In step S422, according to the required number of child nodes k, determine whether there are enough idle child nodes available for allocation. If so, sequentially execute step S423; if not, execute step S424 to wait for other child nodes to be released to the idle state.

[0179] In step S423, allocate the samples indicated by the first sample queue to the k target child nodes in the idle state.

[0180] In the case where it is necessary to allocate the samples in the sample queue to multiple child nodes, the samples may be evenly allocated to each child node, or the samples may be unevenly allocated to each child node according to actual needs. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0181] In some examples, in waiting step S424, at least one child node A with a relatively short waiting time can be estimated through a time optimization algorithm w , and allocate the current sample to the waiting queue of child node A w , which is beneficial to realizing parallel waiting. In child node Aw After completing the current extraction task, the samples in the waiting queue will be sequentially added to the child node A w wherein the extraction device is located to continue executing step S423

[0182] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The waiting step S424 may also simply perform a waiting step, that is, wait until one or more child nodes are released to an idle state, then use the child node as the target child node, and continue to execute step S423

[0183] In some alternative embodiments, as Figure 11 shown, in order to avoid unreasonable allocation of child nodes due to new samples being added to the sample queue immediately after detecting the number of samples, step S420 may further include sub-step S425 for waiting for a preset time (for example, 10 minutes) after allocating the samples to the corresponding target child nodes, and then re-detecting the number of samples. If the number of samples in the sample queue changes (for example, there are samples newly added to the first sample queue within the preset time), then the samples and child nodes need to be re-allocated according to the updated number of samples and the above method, that is, return to step S421; if the number of samples in the first sample queue does not change, then continue to execute step S430 to drive each target child node to start executing the corresponding first step

[0184] In step S500, as Figure 9 shown, the nucleic acid extraction system can be stopped from receiving samples and / or the nucleic acid extraction system can be stopped from performing extraction tasks / extraction steps manually

[0185] Figure 12 A flowchart showing an example of the child node allocation algorithm according to the embodiments of the present disclosure

[0186] In the example as Figure 10 shown, if it is detected that the number of samples X1 in the first sample queue (for example, the lysis sample queue / washing sample queue / purification sample queue) is greater than 0 and less than the first threshold (that is, the number of samples X1 is in the first quantity interval), then the samples in the current first sample queue are allocated to the idle child node A k1 and the working attribute of the child node A k1 is configured to the corresponding first working state (for example, the lysis state); if it is detected that the number of samples X1 in the first sample queue is greater than and / or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold (that is, the number of samples X1 is in the second quantity interval), then the samples in the current first sample queue are allocated to the idle child node A k1 and child node A k2 and the child node A k1 and child node A k2The working attributes are configured to the corresponding first working state; and so on. Moreover, if the number X1 of samples in the first sample queue is detected to be zero, it indicates that the first sample queue is empty, and the number of samples in the first sample queue can be detected again after waiting for a period of time.

[0187] In this embodiment, the boundary values of each quantity interval such as the first threshold and the second threshold can be determined according to the number of accommodating positions included in the sample containers for holding samples in each extraction device. For example, the boundary values of each quantity interval are respectively set to integer multiples of the number of accommodating positions provided by the sample container in each row / column.

[0188] Taking a 96-well plate as an example of the sample container, each column of the 96-well plate provides 8 accommodating positions. Then the first threshold is set to 8, for example, the second threshold is set to 16, for example, the third threshold can also be set to 24, and the fourth threshold is set to 32.

[0189] The working modes of this embodiment mainly include a first working mode and a second working mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the configurable working modes of step S200 may further include a hybrid working mode. In this working mode, a part of the n extractors that can be managed can be configured to the above-mentioned first working mode, while another part of the extractors can be configured to the above-mentioned second working mode, so as to adjust the mode configuration of each extractor according to actual needs.

[0190] Figure 13 An exemplary flowchart showing the time optimization algorithm of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0191] Based on the above embodiment, if the number of idle child nodes is less than the number of target child nodes required by the quantity interval where the sample quantity is located, the time optimization algorithm can be executed. The time optimization algorithm is used to estimate the waiting time required by each child node, and select the child node that is about to be released to the idle state as the target child node according to the waiting time.

[0192] In some examples, the time optimization algorithm can estimate the waiting time for each child node to be released to the idle state according to the pre-stored execution time required for each extraction step. Among them, the pre-stored execution time required for each extraction step can be obtained by detecting the execution time of each extraction step during the test phase, or can be set manually.

[0193] In some examples, the time optimization algorithm can establish sample waiting queues for each child node to facilitate each child node to process the samples in the corresponding sample waiting queue in turn.

[0194] In some examples, as Figure 13 shown, the time optimization algorithm is used to execute step S610 to step S650, for example.

[0195] In step S610, determine the extraction steps that the currently to-be-allocated sample needs to perform.

[0196] In step S620, based on the extraction steps, iteratively estimate the waiting time required for the global child nodes. For example, step S620 can iteratively estimate the waiting time required for the to-be-allocated sample in various scenarios. For example, in each working mode (the first working mode and the second working mode), the waiting time required for each child node to execute the extraction steps / complete the entire extraction task can be estimated respectively.

[0197] It should be noted that the waiting time of the sample referred to in this disclosure may refer to the time required for the sample to complete all extraction steps from the current time node (such as the time node when the entry is completed, the time node when the lysis step is completed, etc.).

[0198] In some embodiments, the expected time for each child node to complete the extraction steps can also be obtained from each child node for estimating the relevant waiting time.

[0199] In step S630, based on the constraint condition of the shortest waiting time, confirm the target child node corresponding to the to-be-allocated sample.

[0200] In some embodiments, steps S620 and S630 can also select the child node with the shortest required waiting time as the target child node by estimating and trial-and-error of the waiting time after each child node receives the to-be-allocated sample.

[0201] Figure 14 A flowchart showing an example of the stack operation implemented by the control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure based on the sample queue and the child node queue.

[0202] As Figure 14As shown, first, check the sample queue and read the sample queue; subsequently, read the free child node queue for indicating the free state, and select the free child node 1 in it as the target child node, the working attribute of which is configured to the lysis working state; allocate the current sample to child node 1 so that child node 1 can perform the lysis step on the current sample; after child node 1 completes the lysis step of the current sample, configure the working attribute to the free state and rejoin it to the free child node queue; read the free child node queue again, and select the free child node 2 in it as the target child node, the working attribute of which is configured to the cleaning / washing working state; allocate the current sample to child node 2 so that child node 2 can perform the cleaning / washing step on the current sample; after child node 2 completes the cleaning / washing step of the current sample, configure the working attribute to the free state and rejoin it to the free child node queue; read the free child node queue again, and select the free child node 3 in it as the target child node, the working attribute of which is configured to the purification working state; allocate the current sample to child node 3 so that child node 3 can perform the purification step on the current sample; after child node 3 completes the purification step of the current sample, configure the working attribute to the free state and rejoin it to the free child node queue, and the extraction task of the current sample ends.

[0203] Figure 15 The flowchart shows an example of the stack operation implemented based on the sample queue and the child node queue in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0204] As Figure 15 shown, first, check the sample queue; if there are unprocessed new samples in the sample queue, read the free child node queue and select the target free child node in it to perform the lysis step; after the lysis step is completed, read the free child node queue again and select the target free child node in it to perform the cleaning / washing step; after the cleaning / washing step is completed, read the free child node queue again and select the target free child node in it to perform the purification step; subsequently, recheck the sample queue to sequentially perform the above processes for each sample in the sample queue.

[0205] In summary, the nucleic acid extraction solution of the present disclosure can allocate corresponding target extraction devices for samples according to whether each extraction device is idle, and the control device can control the transfer device to automatically allocate the samples to the corresponding target devices in sequence. Therefore, compared with the traditional solution that does not allow new samples to be added during the working process, the nucleic acid extraction solution of the present disclosure allows new samples to be added at any time, and can automatically and in real time use the currently idle extraction devices for nucleic acid extraction of new samples, thus facilitating "arrival and immediate testing" in the scenario of batch nucleic acid testing, facilitating the parallel operation of extraction devices automatically, reducing the waiting time, and improving the efficiency and resource utilization rate of nucleic acid extraction.

[0206] Compared with the traditional technology that relies on manual addition and allocation of samples, addition and recovery of magnetic beads, the solution adopted by the present disclosure can automatically realize functions such as sample addition, entry and allocation, addition and recovery of magnetic beads, etc. based on a highly integrated and intelligent nucleic acid extraction system, without any human intervention throughout the process, improving the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction, reducing the labor cost, facilitating the automatic management of data based on automatic control, and at the same time greatly reducing the errors caused by manual operation.

[0207] In some preferred embodiments, a waiting area can be set to manage the samples to be detected in a first-in, first-out manner when all current child nodes are in a non-idle state, which is conducive to the automatic and orderly management of a large number of samples and related data.

[0208] In some preferred embodiments, in the second working mode, based on a preset control mechanism, each extraction device as a child node works collaboratively and in parallel. Each sample can complete the lysis, washing, and purification steps in one or more extraction devices respectively, rather than being limited to completing all the steps for nucleic acid extraction in the same extraction device. Based on this pipeline-style second working mode, the nucleic acid extraction efficiency can be improved by executing each step in parallel.

[0209] In some preferred embodiments, when selecting a target extraction device for the sample to be allocated, the waiting time required for each child node and each working mode can be traversed and estimated and tried out, and the child node with the shortest estimated waiting time can be selected as the target extraction device for the sample to be allocated based on a time optimization algorithm, so as to further enhance the intelligent and automatic performance of the nucleic acid extraction system and further improve the nucleic acid extraction efficiency.

[0210] In some preferred embodiments, the corresponding number of target extraction devices in an idle state can also be allocated based on the number of samples to be allocated, so as to reasonably allocate system resources, which is conducive to further enhancing the intelligent and automatic performance of the nucleic acid extraction system and improving the nucleic acid extraction efficiency.

[0211] It should be noted that in this text, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising an..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the said element.

[0212] As described above with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, these embodiments do not describe all the details in exhaustive manner, nor do they limit the invention to the specific embodiments described. Obviously, many modifications and variations can be made based on the above description. The present specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments in order to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can make good use of the present invention and its modifications. The present invention is only limited by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid extraction system, wherein, Comprising: A plurality of extraction devices located in the working area. Each extraction device has a structure for independently performing an extraction task as a sub-node, and the extraction task includes a plurality of extraction steps; And A control device, which is communicatively coupled to the plurality of extraction devices as a parent node, so as to receive data packets provided by each of the extraction devices. The data packet at least characterizes whether the extraction device is in an idle state, so that the control device selects one of the plurality of extraction devices in the idle state as the target extraction device; A transfer device for transferring a sample container carrying a sample to be measured from the sample injection area to the target extraction device under the control of the control device, so that the target extraction device performs at least one of the extraction steps on the sample to be measured, The control device is used to configure the working modes of the respective extraction devices. The working modes include a first working mode and a second working mode. Each extraction device configured in the first working mode is used to independently serially perform all extraction steps in the extraction task on the corresponding sample. At least two of the extraction devices configured in the second working mode are used to perform different extraction steps on the same sample, The plurality of extraction steps at least include a first extraction step and a second extraction step, In the second working mode, the control device prestores the execution time required for the second extraction step. For a sample that has completed the first extraction step, when all of the plurality of extraction devices are in a non-idle state, the control device traverses and estimates the waiting time corresponding to each extraction device based on the prestored execution time, and selects the extraction device with the shortest waiting time among the plurality of extraction devices as the target extraction device for performing the second extraction step on the sample.

2. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 1, wherein, The transfer device includes: A main transfer structure for transferring the sample container between the sample injection area and the sample output area; and A plurality of sub-transfer structures corresponding to the plurality of extraction devices respectively. The target extraction device receives the sample container from the main transfer structure through the corresponding sub-transfer structure, and after completing the at least one extraction step, provides the sample container to the main transfer structure through the corresponding sub-transfer structure, so that the sample container is transferred to the target extraction device for performing the next extraction step or the sample output area through the main transfer structure.

3. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 2, wherein, It further includes a plurality of commutation modules arranged at intervals on the main transfer structure, which are respectively used to change the moving direction of the sample container under the control of the control device, so that the sample container is transferred between the main transfer structure and the corresponding target extraction device through the corresponding commutation module.

4. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 3, wherein, The main transfer structure includes one or more conveyor belts extending in sequence between the sample injection area and the sample output area along a first horizontal direction. The plurality of sub-transfer structures respectively extend along a second horizontal direction. The included angle between the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction has a non-zero set angle, and corresponding commutation modules are respectively arranged at the intersections of the main transfer structure and the respective sub-transfer structures.

5. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the commutation modules includes: A turntable rotates about an axis in the direction of gravity under the drive of a first motor, so as to rotate a sample container carried on the commutation module; and At least one runner distributed on the surface of the turntable rotates about a horizontal axis respectively under the drive of a second motor, so as to convey the sample container carried on the commutation module, A bracket is arranged in butt joint with the main conveying structure, and the turntable is rotatably fixed on the bracket, The control device controls the rotation directions of the first motor and the second motor, so as to control the turntable and the at least one runner to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about the axis.

6. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 3, wherein, It further includes a branch structure located in the waiting area, which is used for sequentially conveying and / or accommodating the samples to be tested in the waiting queue, When all the plurality of extraction devices are in a non-idle state, the control device controls the plurality of commutation modules to convey the sample containers to be allocated to the branch structure, and after one of the plurality of extraction devices is released to an idle state, controls the branch structure to convey the sample containers in the waiting area to the main conveying structure.

7. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 6, wherein, The branch structure is a turntable structure with an inlet and an outlet respectively in butt joint with the main conveying structure, so as to convey the sample containers in the waiting queue in a first-in, first-out manner.

8. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 7, wherein, The inlet and the outlet of the branch structure respectively correspond to the positions of different commutation modules arranged on the main conveying structure, The turntable structure includes one or more conveyor belts sequentially extending between the inlet and the outlet, and corresponding commutation modules are arranged between adjacent conveyor belts.

9. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 2, wherein, It further includes a sample injection module arranged at one end of the conveying device in the sample injection area, so as to detect whether there are samples to be tested in one or more sample containers located in the sample injection area, If so, provide the sample container containing the sample to be tested to the main conveying structure, If not, wait until it is detected that a sample to be tested is added to the sample injection area, and then provide the sample container containing the sample to be tested to the main conveying structure.

10. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 9, wherein, The sample injection module includes: A sensor for detecting whether the sample container in the sample injection area contains a sample to be detected; A communication module is coupled to the sensor and is used for reporting the detection result of the sensor to the control device, so that the control device allocates a corresponding target extraction device for the sample to be tested in the sample container.

11. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device includes: A memory for storing a sample queue of uncompleted extraction tasks; and A processor is communicatively coupled to the memory and is used for allocating corresponding extraction devices for the samples in the sample queue according to the first-in, first-out principle.

12. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 11, wherein, The control device is adapted to: In the first working mode, the control device controls the conveying device to convey the sample to be detected to one of the extraction devices in an idle state, so that the extraction device serially executes the plurality of extraction steps on the sample it receives, In the second working mode, the control device controls the conveying device to sequentially convey the sample to be detected to different extraction devices, so that the different extraction devices sequentially and respectively execute different extraction steps on the sample.

13. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 12, wherein, The control device is further adapted to: In the second working mode, a plurality of sub-sample queues respectively corresponding to the plurality of extraction steps are established and managed, and each sub-sample queue is used to record and sort the samples to be subjected to the extraction step corresponding to the sub-sample queue. And Based on each sub-sample queue, an allocation algorithm is respectively executed, and the allocation algorithm is used to select a corresponding target extraction device for the samples in the sub-sample queue, so that the target extraction device can perform the extraction step corresponding to the sample queue on the sample.

14. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 13, wherein, Based on each of the sub-sample queues, the processor executes the allocation algorithm to be adapted to: According to the quantity interval where the quantity of the samples in the sub-sample queue is located, select a corresponding quantity of the target extraction devices to receive the samples in the sample queue.

15. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 14, wherein, If the number of extraction devices in the idle state is less than the number of target extraction devices required by the quantity interval, the processor executes a time optimization algorithm, and the time optimization algorithm is used to estimate the waiting time required by each extraction device and select the extraction device that is about to be released to the idle state as the target extraction device according to the waiting time.

16. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device is further adapted to: Divide the plurality of extraction devices into multiple groups, and each group of extraction devices is respectively configured to execute one of the plurality of extraction steps; And For each extraction step of the currently to-be-processed sample, select an extraction device in the idle state in a group of extraction devices corresponding to the extraction step as the target extraction device.

17. The nucleic acid extraction system according to claim 16, wherein, The plurality of extraction devices include a first group of extraction devices corresponding to the first extraction step and a second group of extraction devices corresponding to the second extraction step. If the time required to execute the first extraction step is more than the time required to execute the second extraction step, the number of extraction devices included in the first group of extraction devices is greater than the number of extraction devices included in the second group of extraction devices.

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