Automated replacement of capillary needles and method

Abstract

The application provides a capillary needle automatic replacement device and method, which comprises a clamping unit, a base, a first clamping jaw, a second clamping jaw, a guide rail and a driving unit, the first clamping jaw and / or the second clamping jaw are arranged on the guide rail, the guide rail is arranged on the base, and the driving unit is used for driving the forward and reverse movement of the clamping jaw on the guide rail; the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw are provided with opposite recesses allowing the capillary needle to enter, the distance between the bottom walls of the opposite recesses becomes larger from bottom to top; an interface unit is fixed on the base and between the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw; the interface unit has a gas channel, a conductive body, a connecting elastic element and a first sealing element, the connecting elastic element is arranged in the gas channel, the first sealing element is arranged on the conductive body, and the opening and closing of the opening end of the gas channel are realized by the movement of the conductive body. The application has the advantages of accurate replacement and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to cell analysis, and more particularly to an automated device and method for changing capillary needles. Background Technology

[0002] Cells are crucial research subjects for understanding the mysteries of life and elucidating disease mechanisms. Traditional cell biology research often uses cell populations as its research object, which has led to the discovery of many disease mechanisms and treatments. However, research results based on average cell populations neglect cellular heterogeneity, presenting significant limitations. Single-cell analysis can compensate for the important information masked or missed due to past methods of sampling from cell populations, making disease research more accurate and comprehensive. Single-cell mass spectrometry can simultaneously detect multi-component samples, obtaining structural information on a large number of unknown components in the samples. It has high sensitivity and provides effective technical support for research in single-cell metabolomics, proteomics, and other related fields.

[0003] The main shortcomings of current single-cell mass spectrometry analysis technology are:

[0004] 1. Capillary needles are used throughout the entire process, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination. Capillary needle-based solutions also have the problem of cross-contamination between single cells.

[0005] Some solutions incorporate capillary cleaning technology, but this makes the system workflow more complex and reduces reliability.

[0006] 2. The operation of capillary needles on both sides may even require the intervention of a rotary motor, making the control complex and prone to errors. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of the existing technical solutions, the present invention provides an automated capillary needle replacement device.

[0008] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0009] An automated capillary needle replacement device, the automated replacement device comprising:

[0010] The clamping unit includes a base, a first gripper, a second gripper, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The first gripper and / or the second gripper are disposed on the guide rail, which is disposed on the base. The drive unit is used to drive the gripper on the guide rail to move forward and backward. The first gripper and the second gripper have grooves that are arranged opposite to each other to allow the capillary needle to enter. From bottom to top, the distance between the bottom walls of the grooves that are positioned opposite to each other increases.

[0011] An interface unit is fixed on the base and positioned between the first and second grippers. The interface unit has a gas channel, a conductor connected to an elastic element and disposed within the gas channel, and a first sealing element disposed on the conductor. The opening and closing of the gas channel is achieved by the movement of the conductor.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a capillary needle that can be combined with an automated changing device, which is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0013] Capillary needle, the capillary needle comprising a capillary tube; the capillary needle further comprising:

[0014] A fastener having a channel allowing the capillary to pass through, the fastener including a segment with a decreasing outer diameter;

[0015] A discharge needle is disposed on the fixing member, passes through the channel and is inserted into the capillary; there is a gap between the channel and the discharge needle.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated method for changing capillary needles, which is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0017] An automated method for replacing capillary needles, wherein the automated method for replacing capillary needles is as follows:

[0018] The clamping unit moves to the capillary needle;

[0019] The drive unit drives the first and / or second grippers on the guide rail to move, and the capillary needle is held by the grooves on the first and second grippers that are positioned opposite each other, and moves in the grooves toward the interface unit in the forward direction.

[0020] The discharge needle of the capillary moves forward against the conductor in the gas channel of the interface unit, and the elastic element connected to the conductor deforms, opening the gas channel and connecting the gas channel with the interior of the capillary.

[0021] After the capillary needle is used, the drive unit drives the first and / or second grippers on the guide rail to move, the opposite grooves separate, the elastic element drives the conductor to move in the opposite direction, the open end closes, the capillary needle moves in the opposite direction and disengages from the groove.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0023] 1. Cross-contamination was avoided;

[0024] Multiple capillaries are set in the capillary needle carrying unit, such as in a matrix distribution. In each single-cell detection, a new capillary needle is first picked up and then used for other tasks, such as single-cell extraction and detection. The capillary needles are used as consumables, avoiding cross-contamination between capillary needles.

[0025] 2. Simple structure;

[0026] At any given time, only one capillary needle is working, meaning that only one three-dimensional moving unit is needed to realize the three-dimensional movement of the capillary needle, thereby enabling subsequent operations such as single-cell extraction and detection. No other control components are required, which reduces system complexity and improves reliability.

[0027] The interface unit design enables simultaneous connection and disconnection of the pneumatic and electrical circuits, reducing structural complexity;

[0028] 3. High replacement efficiency;

[0029] The loading and retrieval of capillary needles are both automated, significantly improving replacement efficiency;

[0030] The design of varying outer diameters of the capillary needles and the corresponding grooves allows the capillary needles to be gripped quickly and accurately by the first and second grippers, while simultaneously enabling the connection of air and electrical circuits, thus improving overall work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The disclosure of this invention will become more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated capillary needle replacement device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a capillary needle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1-2 The following description illustrates optional embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to implement and reproduce the invention. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted to explain the technical solutions of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that variations or substitutions derived from these embodiments will be within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following features can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the following optional embodiments, but is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0035] Example 1:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the automated capillary needle replacement device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the automated capillary needle replacement device includes:

[0037] The clamping unit 1 includes a base 11, a first gripper 12, a second gripper 13, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The first gripper 12 and / or the second gripper 13 are disposed on the guide rail, which is disposed on the base 11. The drive unit is used to drive the gripper on the guide rail to move forward and backward. The first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 have grooves 14-15 arranged opposite to each other to allow the capillary needle 2 to enter. From bottom to top, the distance between the bottom walls of the oppositely positioned grooves 14-15 increases.

[0038] Interface unit 3 is fixed on the base 11 and located between the first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13. Interface unit 3 has a gas channel, a conductor 31 is connected to an elastic element and disposed in the gas channel, and a first sealing element is disposed on the conductor 31. As the conductor 31 moves, the opening end of the gas channel is opened and closed.

[0039] To achieve a seal between the interface unit 3 and the capillary needle 2, the interface unit 3 further includes:

[0040] The second seal 32 surrounds the opening end.

[0041] To improve the clamping efficiency of the capillary needle 2, the first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 are respectively disposed on the guide rail and move in opposite directions under the drive of the drive unit, such as moving towards each other when clamping the capillary needle 2 and moving away from each other when discarding the capillary needle 2.

[0042] To further store the capillary needles 2, the automated replacement device for the capillary needles 2 also includes:

[0043] The carrier unit has multiple capillary carrier positions arranged in a matrix.

[0044] A moving unit, which is used to realize the relative three-dimensional movement between the bearing unit and the clamping unit;

[0045] Multiple second magnetic components are disposed at the bearing position.

[0046] Figure 2 The structural diagram of the capillary needle 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown schematically, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the capillary needle includes:

[0047] Capillary 23, such as a glass capillary;

[0048] The fastener 24 has a channel 20 that allows the capillary to pass through, and the fastener 24 includes a segment 21 with a decreasing outer diameter;

[0049] The discharge needle 25 is disposed on the fixing member 24, passes through the channel 20 and is inserted into the capillary tube 23; there is a gap between the channel 20 and the discharge needle 25.

[0050] In order to accurately and quickly clamp the capillary needle 2, the fixing member 24 further includes an outer diameter increasing section 22, and the outer diameter decreasing section 21 and the increasing section 22 are separated by an outer diameter constant section 27.

[0051] The automated capillary needle replacement method of this invention, that is, the working method of the replacement device according to this embodiment, is as follows:

[0052] The clamping unit 1 moves to the capillary needle 2;

[0053] The drive unit drives the first gripper 12 and / or the second gripper 13 on the drive rail to move. The capillary needle 2 is clamped by the grooves 14-15 on the first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 that are positioned opposite each other, and moves in the positive direction toward the interface unit within the grooves 14-15. That is, as the grooves 14-15 clamp, the movement in one direction between the grooves is converted into the movement of the capillary needle 2 in another direction, and the angle between the two directions is a right angle.

[0054] The discharge needle 25 of the capillary needle 2 moves forward against the conductor 31 located in the gas channel of the interface unit 3, the elastic element connected to the conductor 31 deforms, the opening end of the gas channel opens, and the gas channel and the interior of the capillary needle 2 are connected.

[0055] After the capillary needle 2 is used, the drive unit drives the first and / or second grippers on the guide rail to move, the opposite grooves 14-15 separate, the elastic element drives the conductor 31 to move in the opposite direction, the open end closes, the capillary needle 2 moves in the opposite direction and disengages from the grooves 14-15.

[0056] To store multiple capillary needles 2 for replacement, the multiple capillary needles 2 are further arranged in a matrix on the carrier unit.

[0057] The support unit and the clamping unit 1 move in three dimensions, causing the clamping unit 1 to move to the selected capillary needle 2.

[0058] To fix the capillary needle 2, a first magnetic attraction part 29 is provided on the capillary needle 2, and a second magnetic attraction part is provided at the capillary needle bearing position of the bearing unit.

[0059] To match the clamping unit 1, further, as Figure 2 As shown, the capillary needle 2 includes a capillary tube 23, a fixing member 24, and a discharge needle 25. The fixing member 24 has a channel 20 that allows the capillary tube 23 to pass through, and the fixing member 24 includes a segment with a reduced outer diameter 21. The discharge needle 25 is disposed on the fixing member 24, passes through the channel 20, and is inserted into the capillary tube 23. There is a gap between the channel 20 and the discharge needle 25.

[0060] Example 2:

[0061] An application example of the automated capillary needle replacement device and its working method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0062] In this application example, such as Figure 1 As shown, in the capillary needle replacement device, the first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 are both mounted on the guide rail. Driven by the drive unit, they move in opposite directions, that is, they approach and separate from each other. The first gripper 12 is provided with a groove 14, and the second gripper 13 is provided with a groove 15. The openings of the two grooves 14-15 are opposite each other. From bottom to top, the distance between the bottom walls of the two grooves 14-15 increases and then remains constant.

[0063] In interface unit 3, a conductor 31, an elastic element, a first sealing element, and a second sealing element 32 are disposed within the gas channel. The first sealing element is fitted onto the conductor 31. The elastic element is a spring, with one end connected to the conductor 31. Under the action of the elastic element, the first sealing element contacts the open end of the gas channel, thereby closing the open end. When an external force drives the conductor 31, the elastic element is further compressed, the first sealing element separates from the open end, and the open end opens. The second sealing element 32 is disposed around the open end.

[0064] The carrier unit has multiple capillary carrier positions arranged in a matrix.

[0065] A moving unit is used to realize the relative three-dimensional movement between the support unit and the clamping unit, so that the clamping unit corresponds to the capillary needle 2 selected on the support unit;

[0066] Multiple second magnetic components are disposed at the bearing position and cooperate with the first magnetic component 29 on the capillary needle 2 to fix the capillary needle 2.

[0067] like Figure 2As shown, the capillary needle 2 includes: a glass capillary tube; a fixing member 24 having a channel 20 that allows the capillary tube to pass through, the fixing member 24 including a constant outer diameter section 26, a decreasing outer diameter section 21, a constant outer diameter section 27, and a increasing outer diameter section 22; a discharge needle 25 is disposed on the fixing member 24, one end of which is spherical, and the other end passes through the channel 20 and is inserted into the capillary tube 23; there is a gap between the channel 20 and the discharge needle 25; a first magnetic suction component 29 is disposed to connect to the fixing member 24 and has a channel through which the capillary tube 23 passes; by utilizing the design of the constant outer diameter section 26 and the decreasing outer diameter section 21 of the capillary needle, and the setting of the matching spacing of the two grooves 14-15, the two grooves 14-15 can clamp the capillary needle 2 while realizing the movement of the capillary needle 2, the capillary needle 2 contacts the interface unit, and squeezes the second sealing member 32.

[0068] The automated capillary needle replacement method of this invention, that is, the working method of the replacement device according to this embodiment, is as follows:

[0069] The moving unit operates so that the clamping unit 1 and the selected capillary needle 2 on the carrying unit correspond, with the first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 located on both sides of the selected capillary needle 2.

[0070] The first gripper 12 and the second gripper 13 on the drive unit drive the guide rail to approach each other in the horizontal direction. The bottom end of the groove 14-15 pushes the outer diameter reduction section 21 of the capillary needle 2, so that the capillary needle 2 moves vertically upward and the outer diameter unchanged section 26 and the outer diameter reduction section 21 of the capillary needle 2 enter the groove 14-15.

[0071] The tip of the upward-moving capillary needle 2 presses against the second seal 32, achieving a seal between the capillary needle 2 and the interface unit 3. The ball-shaped end of the discharge needle 25 pushes the conductor 31 upward, causing the first seal to separate from the opening end. The opening end opens, and the gas channel connects with the channel 20 of the capillary needle 2, achieving simultaneous connection of the circuit and the gas.

[0072] After the capillary needle 2 is used, the drive unit drives the first and second grippers on the guide rail to move, the grooves 14-15 with opposite positions separate, the elastic element drives the conductor 31 to move in the opposite direction, the capillary needle 2 and the interface unit 3 separate, the opening end is closed, the capillary needle 2 moves in the opposite direction and separates from the grooves 14-15, the discharge needle 25 and the conductor 31 are separated, and the air path and circuit are disconnected.

Claims

1. An automated capillary needle changing device, characterized in that, The automated replacement device includes: The clamping unit includes a base, a first gripper, a second gripper, a guide rail, and a drive unit. The first gripper and / or the second gripper are disposed on the guide rail, which is disposed on the base. The drive unit is used to drive the gripper on the guide rail to move forward and backward. The first gripper and the second gripper have grooves that are arranged opposite to each other to allow the capillary needle to enter. From bottom to top, the distance between the bottom walls of the grooves that are positioned opposite to each other increases. An interface unit is fixed on the base and positioned between the first and second grippers. The interface unit has a gas channel, a conductor connected to an elastic element and disposed within the gas channel, and a first sealing element disposed on the conductor. The opening and closing of the gas channel is achieved by the movement of the conductor.

2. The automated capillary needle replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interface unit further includes: A second seal surrounds the opening end.

3. The automated capillary needle replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first gripper and the second gripper are respectively disposed on the guide rail and move in opposite directions under the drive of the drive unit.

4. The automated capillary needle replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automated capillary needle replacement device also includes: The carrier unit has multiple capillary carrier positions arranged in a matrix. A moving unit, which is used to realize the relative three-dimensional movement between the bearing unit and the clamping unit; Multiple second magnetic components are disposed at the bearing position.

5. The automated capillary needle replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capillary needle includes a capillary tube; the capillary needle further includes: A fastener having a channel allowing the capillary to pass through, the fastener including a segment with a decreasing outer diameter; A discharge needle is disposed on the fixing member, passes through the channel and is inserted into the capillary; there is a gap between the channel and the discharge needle.

6. The automated capillary needle replacement device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fastener also includes a section with an increasing outer diameter, and the section with a decreasing outer diameter and the section with an increasing outer diameter are separated by a section with a constant outer diameter.

7. An automated method for changing capillary needles, applied to the automated capillary needle changing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The automated method for replacing the capillary needles is as follows: The clamping unit moves to the capillary needle; The drive unit drives the first and / or second grippers on the guide rail to move, and the capillary needle is held by the grooves on the first and second grippers that are positioned opposite each other, and moves in the grooves toward the interface unit in the forward direction; The discharge needle of the capillary moves forward against the conductor in the gas channel of the interface unit, the elastic element connected to the conductor deforms, the opening end of the gas channel opens, and the gas channel and the interior of the capillary are connected. After the capillary needle is used, the driving unit drives the first and / or second grippers on the guide rail to move, the opposite grooves separate, the elastic element drives the conductor to move in the opposite direction, the open end closes, the capillary needle moves in the opposite direction and disengages from the groove.

8. The automated capillary needle replacement method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Multiple capillary needles are arranged in a matrix on the support unit. The support unit and the clamping unit move in three dimensions, so that the clamping unit moves to the selected capillary needle.

9. The automated capillary needle replacement method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The capillary needle is provided with a first magnetic attraction component, and the capillary needle bearing position of the bearing unit is provided with a second magnetic attraction component.

10. The automated capillary needle replacement method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The capillary needle includes a capillary tube, a fixing member, and a discharge needle. The fixing member has a channel that allows the capillary tube to pass through, and the fixing member includes a segment with a decreasing outer diameter. The discharge needle is disposed on the fixing member, passes through the channel, and is inserted into the capillary tube. There is a gap between the channel and the discharge needle.

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