A refrigeration device and a cryostat thereof

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising a first refrigeration unit (1); a circulating cooling unit (2) connected to the first refrigeration unit (1), the circulating cooling unit (2) comprising a flexible pipe (203); the circulating cooling unit (2) transports the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) to a sample head via the flexible pipe (203), thereby cooling the sample head. In the embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit comprising a flexible pipe is provided between the first refrigeration unit and the sample head, the circulating cooling unit transports the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit to the sample head via the flexible pipe, thereby cooling the sample head, thereby avoiding the problem of metal pipes being easily fatigued or cracked when cooling the sample head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of freezing microtome, in particular to a refrigeration device and a freezing microtome thereof. Background Art

[0002] Cryostat microtomes are suitable for preparing tissue sample sections in biological and industrial research fields, as well as for clinical pathology diagnosis. In many biological laboratories, cryostat microtomes eliminate the tedious and complex pre-processing steps required for paraffin sections, thus preventing pre-processing equipment from occupying laboratory space. Consequently, cryostat microtomes have become essential equipment in biological laboratories specializing in pathology research. In clinical pathology diagnosis, if a patient's lesion is found to be inconsistent with the planned surgical plan during surgery, rapid pathology diagnosis is required. Cryostat microtomies, performed by slicing fresh tissue removed from the patient during surgery, provide a reliable basis for rapid pathology diagnosis and are currently the most widely used method.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, a cryostat typically includes a cryostat chamber that provides a cryostat environment for slicing tissue samples. The cryostat chamber houses a knife holder and a specimen head. The knife holder is fixed, and the tissue sample is clamped and positioned by the specimen head. A specific mechanism (not shown in the figure) drives the tissue sample and the specimen head to perform horizontal reciprocating motion when feeding toward the knife holder. During slicing, the tissue sample and the specimen head are driven to perform up and down reciprocating motion relative to the knife holder (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). In addition, in order to cut fresh tissue into good thin slices for observation, the tissue sample and the specimen head need to be maintained at a stable low temperature (the low temperature required for different tissue samples may vary).

[0004] Currently, compressor refrigeration systems are commonly used to cool specimen heads. These systems are high-pressure systems, with pressures in the high-pressure piping typically exceeding 10 bar. The piping that carries the high-pressure refrigerant often uses copper tubes. Consequently, the prolonged horizontal and vertical reciprocating motion of the specimen head can easily cause fatigue and even rupture of the copper tubes connected to it, leading to refrigerant leakage and ultimately, specimen head refrigeration failure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration device, which aims to solve the problem in the prior art that metal pipes are prone to fatigue and rupture when cooling a sample head.

[0006] In a first aspect, a refrigeration device is provided, comprising:

[0007] a first refrigeration unit (1); and

[0008] A circulating cooling unit (2) connected to the first refrigeration unit (1), the circulating cooling unit (2) comprising a flexible pipeline (203);

[0009] The circulating cooling unit (2) transmits the cooling energy generated by the first cooling unit (1) to the sample head via the flexible pipe (203), thereby cooling the sample head.

[0010] In a second aspect, a freezing microtome is provided, comprising a cryostat chamber, a knife holder, a specimen head and the refrigeration device as described above.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit including a flexible pipeline is provided between the first refrigeration unit and the sample head. The circulating cooling unit transmits the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit to the sample head through the flexible pipeline to cool the sample head, thereby avoiding the problem of metal pipelines being easily fatigued and ruptured when cooling the sample head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 It is a partial schematic diagram of a freezing microtome;

[0014] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a refrigeration device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar modules or modules with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present invention include all variations, modifications and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit including a flexible pipeline is provided between the first refrigeration unit and the sample head. The circulating cooling unit transmits the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit to the sample head through the flexible pipeline to cool the sample head, thereby avoiding the problem of metal pipelines being easily fatigued and ruptured when cooling the sample head.

[0017] Example 1

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a refrigeration device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, the refrigeration device includes a first refrigeration unit 1 and a circulating cold unit 2. The first refrigeration unit 1 and the circulating cold unit 2 are connected. The first refrigeration unit 1 generates cold energy, and the circulating cold unit 2 exchanges heat with the first refrigeration unit 1, delivering the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 to a specific port to cool the required equipment. In this embodiment of the present invention, the circulating cold unit 2 is connected to the sample head, delivering the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 to the sample head to cool the sample head.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first refrigeration unit 1 is a high-pressure refrigeration system, such as a compressor refrigeration system, including a compressor 101, a copper tube 102, a high-pressure tube, a condenser, a capillary tube, a low-pressure tube, etc. Under the action of the compressor 101, the high-pressure refrigerant flows to the copper tube 102, where it dissipates cold energy. High-pressure refrigerant refers to low-boiling-point substances such as R404A, R290, and R570, commonly known as refrigerants, used in various air-conditioning systems. The copper tube 102 is connected to the circulating cold-carrying unit 2, and the two exchange heat. The cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 can be transported to the circulating cold-carrying unit 2 via the compressor 101 and the copper tube 102.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the circulating cooling unit 2 includes a circulating pump 201, a heat exchanger 202 and a flexible pipe 203, in which a refrigerant circulates and transports cold. The refrigerant is a variety of low-freezing-point organic liquids or inorganic liquids, such as salt water, alcohol, silicone oil, etc. The heat exchanger 202 is connected to the copper tube 102 for heat exchange, exchanging the cold at the copper tube 102 to the refrigerant, thereby introducing the circulating cooling unit 2. The circulating pump 201 provides power for the refrigerant and cold to flow in the circulating cooling unit 2. The flexible pipe 203 is connected to the heat exchanger 202 to transport the cold to the sample head to cool the sample head, and then the refrigerant is recirculated into the heat exchanger 202.

[0021] In this embodiment of the present invention, the circulating pump 201 includes, but is not limited to, vane pumps, axial flow pumps, plunger pumps, and magnetic pumps. Preferably, it is a magnetic pump whose moving parts can be isolated from the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 202 includes, but is not limited to, tubular, barrel, plate, and shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Preferably, it is a compact plate heat exchanger. The flexible piping 203 is selected based on the low-temperature range and resistance to refrigerant corrosion. It may include, but is not limited to, PTFE tubing, PE tubing, rubber tubing, and silicone tubing. Preferably, it is a silicone tubing that is resistant to low temperatures and low pressures.

[0022] The piping pressure of the circulating cooling unit 2 is significantly lower than that of the first refrigeration unit 1, with an absolute value of less than 0.3 bar. The copper pipes used to dissipate the cooling energy of the first refrigeration unit 1 do not need to be moved. The flexible piping 203 of the circulating cooling unit 2, used to dissipate the cooling energy, is connected to the sample head and moves with it. The circulating cooling unit 2 transmits the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 to the sample head via the flexible piping 203, cooling the sample head. This significantly increases the lifespan of the cooling piping connected to the sample head and reduces the risk of failure.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit including a flexible pipeline is provided between the first refrigeration unit and the sample head. The circulating cooling unit transmits the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit to the sample head through the flexible pipeline to cool the sample head, thereby avoiding the problem of metal pipelines being easily fatigued and ruptured when cooling the sample head.

[0024] Example 2

[0025] In the embodiment of the present invention, the basic structure of the refrigeration device is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment use the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, including all the features described in the first embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the refrigeration device also includes a second refrigeration unit 3. The circulating cooling unit 2 is connected to the second refrigeration unit 3, which is in turn connected to the sample head. The circulating cooling unit 2 transfers the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 to the second refrigeration unit 3 via a flexible pipe 203, which cools the sample head.

[0027] In this embodiment of the present invention, the second refrigeration unit 3 comprises a Thermo Electric Cooler (TEC). The TEC includes end surface A and end surface B. End surface A serves as a heat dissipation surface, while end surface B serves as a cooling surface. A flexible pipe 203 is connected to end surface A, transferring the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit 1 to end surface A, cooling end surface A. End surface B, in turn, cools the sample head, achieving a temperature difference of approximately 20K between end surfaces B and A.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit including flexible piping is disposed between the first cooling unit and the sample head. The circulating cooling unit transmits the cooling energy generated by the first cooling unit to the second cooling unit via the flexible piping to cool the sample head. This avoids the problem of metal piping being easily fatigued and ruptured when cooling the sample head. The two-stage cooling architecture enables the sample head to be maintained at a relatively low temperature.

[0029] Example 3

[0030] In the embodiment of the present invention, the basic structure of the refrigeration device is the same as that of Example 1 or Example 2, and the components that are the same as those in Example 1 or Example 2 use the same labels as those in Example 1 or Example 2, including all the features described in Example 1 or Example 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0031] The freezing microtome provided in the embodiment of the present invention includes a low-temperature constant temperature chamber, a knife holder, a specimen head and the refrigeration device described in the first or second embodiment.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, a relatively low-pressure circulating cooling unit including a flexible pipeline is provided between the first refrigeration unit and the sample head. The circulating cooling unit transmits the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit to the sample head through the flexible pipeline to cool the sample head, thereby avoiding the problem of metal pipelines being easily fatigued and ruptured when cooling the sample head.

[0033] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device, characterized in that: include: A first refrigeration unit (1), the first refrigeration unit (1) comprising a compressor (101) and a copper tube (102); as well as a circulating cooling unit (2) connected to the first refrigeration unit (1), the circulating cooling unit (2) comprising a circulating pump (201), a heat exchanger (202) and a flexible pipe (203); The cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) is transported to the circulating cooling unit (2) via the compressor (101) and the copper tube (102); the circulating cooling unit (2) transports the cooling energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) to the sample head via the flexible pipe (203) to cool the sample head; and the flexible pipe (203) is connected to the sample head and moves with the sample head. The refrigeration device further comprises a second refrigeration unit (3) connected to the circulating cooling unit (2); the second refrigeration unit (3) is connected to the sample head, and the circulating cooling unit (2) transmits the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) to the second refrigeration unit (3) through the flexible pipeline (203), and the second refrigeration unit (3) cools the sample head.

2. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that The copper tube (102) is connected to the heat exchanger (202), and the heat exchanger (202) introduces the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) into the circulating cooling unit (2), and the circulating pump (201) provides power for the cold energy to flow in the circulating cooling unit (2).

3. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible pipeline (203) is a silicone tube.

4. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, characterized in that The heat exchanger (202) is a plate heat exchanger.

5. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, characterized in that The circulation pump (201) is a magnetic pump.

6. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that The second refrigeration unit (3) includes a semiconductor cooler TEC.

7. The refrigeration device according to claim 6, characterized in that The semiconductor cooler TEC comprises an end surface (A) and an end surface (B); the flexible pipe (203) is connected to the end surface (A) to transport the cold energy generated by the first refrigeration unit (1) to the end surface (A) to cool the end surface (A), and the end surface (B) cools the sample head.

8. A freezing microtome, characterized in that The invention comprises a low-temperature constant temperature chamber, a knife holder, a sample head and a refrigeration device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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