A spotting device for precisely generating parallel microdroplet arrays

Abstract

The present invention discloses a spotting device for accurately generating parallel microdroplet arrays, comprising a nozzle, a microdroplet array generating assembly mounted within the nozzle, and a power assembly for applying a downward impact force to the microdroplet array generating assembly. The microdroplet array generating assembly comprises an array spotting mechanism, a support frame, an elastic member, and a punching platform. The array spotting mechanism comprises a plurality of capillary needles arranged in an array, a liquid storage tube for injecting samples into the capillary needles, and a connecting hose for connecting the capillary needles and the liquid storage tube. The capillary needles in the array spotting mechanism can generate a capillary action, thereby injecting liquid in the liquid storage tube into the capillary needles via capillary action. No additional injection power source is required, resulting in a simple structure and easy operation. Furthermore, the device has a simple structure and low manufacturing cost. While effectively avoiding cross-contamination, it can spot different solution samples, enabling the large-area, high-density production of microarray chips.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of biotechnology, and in particular relates to a spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays. Background Art

[0002] Currently, the spotting heads used in spotting instruments on the market are mainly contact spotting needles. Contact spotting has a high risk of reagent cross-contamination under repeated spotting conditions, and the spotting needle is easily damaged, resulting in low microarray chip preparation efficiency. Non-contact spotting, on the other hand, can effectively solve the problems of contact spotting fork contamination and spotting needle damage when touching the substrate.

[0003] In the production of some medical consumables and biological products, nanoliter or picoliter-scale droplets need to be added or fixed to the product surface. In practice, this process often requires handling a wide variety of reagents while simultaneously achieving rapid spotting, minimizing cross-contamination between reagents, reducing spotting costs, and improving spotting efficiency. Existing equipment struggles to achieve all of these goals simultaneously. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a spotting device for accurately generating parallel microdroplet arrays. The device has a simple structure and low cost. It can spot different solution samples while effectively avoiding cross contamination, and can realize large-area and high-density production of microarray chips.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A spotting device for accurately generating a parallel micro-droplet array comprises a nozzle, a micro-droplet array generating assembly installed inside the nozzle, and a power assembly for applying a downward impact force to the micro-droplet array generating assembly; wherein:

[0007] The nozzle includes a lower shell and an upper shell of the nozzle. Connecting holes are provided around the top surface of the lower shell of the nozzle. Connecting columns are fixed to the bottom surface of the upper shell of the nozzle, and the connecting columns are interference fit with the connecting holes. A first accommodating cavity is provided in the middle of the lower shell of the nozzle, and a nozzle through hole communicating with the first accommodating cavity is provided at the bottom of the lower shell of the nozzle. A pair of symmetrical second accommodating cavities are provided on both sides of the upper part of the upper shell of the nozzle, and a third accommodating cavity is provided in the middle of the lower part of the upper shell of the nozzle. A fourth accommodating cavity is provided in the middle of the upper part of the upper shell of the nozzle, and the fourth accommodating cavity is communicated with the third accommodating cavity. Furthermore, the fourth accommodating cavity and the third accommodating cavity are communicated with each other through a connecting channel. The aperture of the connecting channel is smaller than that of the fourth accommodating cavity. The function of the connecting channel is to allow the power output end in the power component to pass through, thereby exerting a downward force on the micro-droplet array generating component below. At the same time, because the aperture of the connecting channel is smaller than that of the fourth accommodating cavity, the power component can be stably installed in the fourth accommodating cavity, maintaining the position stability between the power component and the micro-droplet array generating component.

[0008] The micro-droplet array generation assembly includes an array spotting mechanism, a support frame, an elastic member, and a punching platform. The array spotting mechanism includes a plurality of capillary needles arranged in an array, a liquid reservoir tube for injecting samples into the capillary needles, and a connecting hose for connecting the capillary needles and the liquid reservoir tube. The capillary needles are mounted via the support frame within a space formed by the splicing of a first accommodating chamber and a third accommodating chamber. The elastic member is located between the support frame and the lower housing of the nozzle, providing an elastic connection between the support frame and the lower housing of the nozzle. Furthermore, the support frame is provided with a plurality of positioning holes arranged in an array, into which the capillary needles are fixed. The liquid reservoir tube is mounted within the second accommodating chamber. The upper housing of the nozzle is provided with a plurality of through-holes at the bottom of the second accommodating chamber for the connecting hose to pass through. The punching platform is located above the support frame and below the power assembly, and is used to transmit the downward force generated by the power assembly. Furthermore, the punching platform includes a punching platform body and a positioning post fixed to the middle of the top surface of the punching platform body, the positioning post being located below the connecting channel. The lower portion of the punching platform body is a hollow cavity for accommodating the capillary needles.

[0009] Preferably, the elastic member is a spring; it should be noted that, in addition to the spring, the elastic member may also be other elastic and compressible elastic bodies such as rubber, which can achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0010] In one embodiment, the power assembly is an electromagnetic power assembly, including an electromagnet housing and an electromagnet core located in the middle of the electromagnet housing. The electromagnet housing is installed in a fourth accommodating chamber. When the electromagnet core moves downward, the electromagnet core can enter the connecting channel downward and simultaneously exert a downward force on the impact platform. An electromagnet clamping cover for fixing the electromagnet housing is installed on the top of the upper shell of the nozzle. Preferably, the electromagnet clamping cover is connected to the upper shell of the nozzle by screws. It should be noted that the power assembly can also be actuated by a piezoelectric column or a vibration motor, etc. As long as the equipment can provide a stable downward impact force, it can be used in the present invention to realize the function of the power assembly.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] (1) The capillary needle in the array spotting mechanism of the spotting device provided by the present invention can generate capillary action, so that the liquid in the liquid storage tube is injected into the capillary needle by capillary action, without the need for an additional injection power source, with a simple structure and easy operation.

[0013] (2) The capillary needles of the present invention are arranged in an array, which can realize the simultaneous spotting of multiple samples with high spotting efficiency; in addition, different capillary needles are sampled separately through the liquid storage tubes connected to them, and cross contamination will not occur.

[0014] (3) The capillary needles, liquid storage tubes and other components in the array spotting mechanism of the present invention are independent of each other. When a component is damaged, it can be replaced alone without affecting other components, which can significantly reduce the maintenance difficulty and cost of the device.

[0015] (4) The spotting device provided by the present invention has a compact and simple overall structure and low cost, which effectively reduces the preparation cost of the microarray chip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the spotting device provided by the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 sectional view of

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the shell on the nozzle;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after removing the shell on the nozzle;

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Explosion diagram of

[0021] Figure 6Schematic diagram of droplet formation on a capillary needle.

[0022] Figure markings: 1-nozzle lower shell, 101-first accommodating chamber, 102-nozzle through hole, 103-connecting hole, 2-nozzle upper shell, 201-second accommodating chamber, 202-third accommodating chamber, 203-fourth accommodating chamber, 204-connecting channel, 205-through hole, 206-connecting column, 3-power assembly, 301-electromagnet housing, 302-electromagnet core, 303-electromagnet pressing cover, 304-screw, 401-capillary needle, 402-liquid storage tube, 403-connecting hose, 404-hose connector, 5-support frame, 6-elastic part, 7-punch platform, 701-punch platform body, 702-positioning column, 703-cavity, 8-positioning hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and the like, indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations of the present invention. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the present invention, do not represent specific quantities or sequences but are merely used to distinguish names.

[0025] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0026] refer to Figures 1 to 5 A spotting device for accurately generating a parallel micro-droplet array comprises a nozzle, a micro-droplet array generating assembly mounted inside the nozzle, and a power assembly for applying a downward impact force to the micro-droplet array generating assembly; wherein:

[0027] The nozzle includes a lower shell 1 and an upper shell 2 on the nozzle. The top surface of the lower shell 1 of the nozzle is provided with connecting holes 103. The bottom surface of the upper shell of the nozzle is fixed with connecting columns 206. The connecting columns 206 and the connecting holes 103 are interference fit to realize the assembly of the lower shell 1 of the nozzle and the upper shell 2 on the nozzle. The lower shell and the upper shell on the nozzle can be prepared by 3D printing. A first accommodating cavity 101 is provided in the middle of the lower shell 1 of the nozzle, and a nozzle through hole 102 which is connected to the first accommodating cavity is provided at the bottom of the lower shell 1 of the nozzle; a pair of symmetrical second accommodating cavities 201 are provided on both sides of the upper part of the upper shell 2 of the nozzle, and a third accommodating cavity 202 is provided in the middle of the lower part of the upper shell of the nozzle; a fourth accommodating cavity 203 is provided in the middle of the upper part of the shell of the nozzle, and the fourth accommodating cavity 203 is connected to the third accommodating cavity 202; further, the fourth accommodating cavity 203 and the third accommodating cavity 202 are connected through a connecting channel 204, and the aperture of the connecting channel 204 is smaller than the aperture of the fourth accommodating cavity 203. The function of the connecting channel 204 is to allow the power output end in the power component 3 to pass through, thereby exerting a downward force on the micro-droplet array generating component below; at the same time, because the aperture of the connecting channel is smaller than the aperture of the fourth accommodating cavity, the power component can be stably installed in the fourth accommodating cavity, maintaining the stability of the position between the power component and the micro-droplet array generating component.

[0028] The micro-droplet array generation component includes an array spotting mechanism, a support frame 5, an elastic member 6 and a punching platform 7; the array spotting mechanism includes a number of capillary needles 401 arranged in an array, a liquid storage tube 402 for injecting samples into the capillary needles, and a connecting hose 403 for connecting the capillary needles and the liquid storage tube; the connection between the connecting hose 403 and the capillary needle 401 can be connected through a hose connector 404, and both the connecting hose 403 and the hose connector 404 can be made of silicone hoses; the capillary needle can be a capillary glass needle, which can be drawn from a commercially available capillary glass needle using a needle pulling instrument. Those skilled in the art can draw capillary glass needles of different sizes according to actual application needs. When spotting, the liquid storage tube can be filled with the solution through a device such as a pipette. Since the capillary needle can generate capillary action, the solution can flow from the connecting hose into the capillary needle through the capillary action. Figure 5In the illustrated structure, there are 16 capillary needles and 16 connecting hoses. To simplify the structural drawings, only two hoses are shown for illustration. For those skilled in the art, the specific number of capillary needles can also be selected according to actual needs. The capillary needles 401 are installed in the space formed by the first accommodating cavity 101 and the third accommodating cavity 202 through a support frame. Furthermore, the support frame 5 is provided with a plurality of positioning holes 8 arranged in an array, and the capillary needles 401 are fixed in the positioning holes 8, that is, the support frame 5 is installed with the capillary needles 401 through the positioning holes 8. The support frame can be made of acrylic plate and processed by laser cutting. The elastic member 6 is located between the support frame 5 and the lower shell 1 of the nozzle, so that the support frame 5 and the lower shell 1 of the nozzle are elastically connected. The elastic member 6 can be a spring. It should be noted that in addition to using a spring, the elastic member 6 can also be other elastic and compressible elastomers such as rubber, which can achieve the purpose of the present invention. The liquid storage tube 402 is installed in the second accommodating chamber 201. The nozzle housing 2 is located at the bottom of the second accommodating chamber 201 and has a plurality of through-holes 205 for the connecting hose 403 to pass through. The punching platform 7 is located above the support frame 5 and below the power assembly 3, and is used to transmit the downward force generated by the power assembly. Preferably, the punching platform 7 includes a punching platform body 701 and a positioning post 702 fixed to the middle of the top surface of the punching platform body. The positioning post 702 is located below the connecting channel. The lower portion of the punching platform body 701 is a hollow cavity 703 for accommodating the capillary needle 401.

[0029] In one embodiment, the power assembly 3 is an electromagnetic power assembly, comprising an electromagnet housing 301 and an electromagnet core 302 located in the middle of the electromagnet housing. The electromagnet housing 301 is installed in the fourth accommodating chamber 203. When the electromagnet core moves downward, the electromagnet core 302 can move downward into the connecting channel 204 and simultaneously exert a downward force on the punching platform 7. An electromagnet pressing cover 303 for fixing the electromagnet housing 301 is installed on the top of the nozzle housing 2. The electromagnet pressing cover 303 is connected to the nozzle housing 2 by screws 304. The working principle of the electromagnetic power assembly is as follows: when the battery iron core is energized, the electromagnet core 302 moves downward and simultaneously impacts the punching platform 7. The punching platform 7 presses the entire support frame 5, at which time the elastic member 6 is compressed. Subsequently, the battery iron core is de-energized, and the electromagnet core 302 moves upward. At this time, the elastic member 6 is reset. Under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member, the support frame 5 moves upward, thereby driving the capillary needle 401 to vibrate up and down, causing the liquid in the capillary needle to flow out and form small droplets. The formation of liquid droplets in the capillary needle is based on the principle of elastic vibration inertia. The formation process is as follows: Figure 6As shown, Figure A shows the initial position of the capillary needle; Figure B shows the capillary needle moving downward due to the downward impact force of the power component; Figure C shows that under the elastic force of the elastic member, the support frame moves upward and simultaneously drives the capillary needle to move upward, and at the same time, the liquid in the capillary needle flows out from the bottom due to inertia to form droplets; Figure D shows that the droplets fall on the substrate to complete the sample, and at the same time, the liquid in the liquid storage tube fills the capillary needle with solution under the capillary action. Repeating the above actions can continuously complete the sample spotting process. It should be noted that the power component can also be a piezoelectric column or a vibration motor and other actuating methods. As long as the device can provide a downward impact force in a cycle, it can be used in the present invention to realize the function of the power component.

[0030] Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spotting device for accurately generating parallel microdroplet arrays, characterized by: The invention comprises a nozzle, a micro-droplet array generating assembly installed inside the nozzle, and a power assembly for applying a downward impact force to the micro-droplet array generating assembly; wherein: The nozzle comprises a nozzle lower shell and a nozzle upper shell, wherein the middle portion of the nozzle lower shell has a first accommodating cavity, and the bottom portion of the nozzle lower shell is provided with a nozzle through hole communicating with the first accommodating cavity; a pair of symmetrical second accommodating cavities are provided on both sides of the upper portion of the nozzle upper shell, a third accommodating cavity is provided in the middle portion of the lower portion of the nozzle upper shell; a fourth accommodating cavity is provided in the middle portion of the upper portion of the nozzle upper shell, and the fourth accommodating cavity is communicated with the third accommodating cavity; The micro-droplet array generation component includes an array spotting mechanism, a support frame, an elastic member and a punching platform; the array spotting mechanism includes a plurality of capillary needles arranged in an array, a liquid storage tube for injecting samples into the capillary needles, and a connecting hose for connecting the capillary needles and the liquid storage tube; the capillary needles are installed in a space composed of a first accommodating cavity and a third accommodating cavity through the support frame, and the elastic member is located between the support frame and the lower shell of the nozzle; the liquid storage tube is installed in the second accommodating cavity, and the upper shell of the nozzle is located at the bottom of the second accommodating cavity and is provided with a plurality of through holes for the connecting hose to pass through; the punching platform is located above the support frame and below the power component, and is used to transmit the downward force generated by the power component.

2. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fourth accommodating chamber is connected to the third accommodating chamber via a connecting channel, and the aperture of the connecting channel is smaller than the aperture of the fourth accommodating chamber.

3. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power assembly is an electromagnetic power assembly, including an electromagnet housing and an electromagnet core located in the middle of the electromagnet housing. The electromagnet housing is installed in the fourth accommodating cavity. When the electromagnet core moves downward, the electromagnet core can enter the connecting channel downward and simultaneously apply a downward force to the punching platform; an electromagnet clamping cover for fixing the electromagnet housing is installed on the top of the shell of the nozzle.

4. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The punching platform includes a punching platform body and a positioning column fixed in the middle of the top surface of the punching platform body, wherein the positioning column is located at the lower part of the connecting channel; the lower part of the punching platform body is a hollow cavity for accommodating the capillary needle.

5. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The support frame is provided with a plurality of positioning holes arranged in an array, and the capillary needles are fixed in the positioning holes.

6. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic member is a spring.

7. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the lower shell of the nozzle is provided with connecting holes around it, and the bottom surface of the upper shell of the nozzle is fixed with connecting columns, and the connecting columns are interference fit with the connecting holes.

8. The spotting device for accurately generating parallel micro-droplet arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power component is a piezoelectric column or a vibration motor.

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