A device for rapid collection of zebrafish larvae samples for laboratory use

Abstract

The application relates to the field of experimental apparatus, and discloses a device for rapidly collecting zebrafish larvae samples for laboratory use, which comprises a glass chamber, the inside of the glass chamber is divided into placing spaces by a plurality of built-in partitions which are longitudinally and transversely arranged, a sample collection tube is arranged in the inside of each placing space, a cover plate is arranged on the top of the glass chamber, a screw cap is arranged on the position of the cover plate corresponding to the sample collection tube, a smooth hose is inserted into the inside of each sample collection tube, a through knob is arranged on the smooth hose connected with the sample collection tube, the end of the smooth hose is connected with a bevelled suction head through a pagoda joint, a vacuum pump is arranged on one side of the glass chamber, and a safety valve is arranged above the placing area on the rightmost side of the cover plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laboratory equipment, specifically to a device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use. Background Technology

[0002] Zebrafish are currently the third most widely used vertebrate model organism in the academic community after mice and rats. They are widely used in many fields such as developmental biology, genetics, basic medicine, pharmacology, toxicology, drug development, and ecological environment assessment. They are also currently the only vertebrate species suitable for high-throughput drug screening using microplates. In practical experimental applications, zebrafish embryos or juveniles are typically placed in microplates. Due to their light weight, small size, and fragile nature, these conditions place higher demands on the operator's skills. Furthermore, high-throughput experiments often require the simultaneous analysis of a large number of samples, thus necessitating rapid sample pretreatment. Furthermore, zebrafish juveniles in the laboratory differ from fish fry in agriculture and fisheries. On the one hand, laboratory zebrafish juveniles have been treated with various drugs, making them relatively precious samples. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize sample loss caused by operation and instruments during the experimental processing to avoid affecting the experimental progress. On the other hand, although the sample size of high-throughput screening experiments in the laboratory is larger than that of ordinary experiments, it is usually far smaller than the scale of agricultural production in daily life. Therefore, some large tools used in agriculture and fisheries may not be suitable for the laboratory. For this reason, we propose a device for rapid collection of zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (a) Technical problems to be solved To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use, thus solving the aforementioned problems.

[0004] (II) Technical Solution To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use, comprising a glass chamber, the interior of which is divided into placement spaces by multiple crisscrossing internal partitions, each placement space containing a sample collection tube. A cover is provided on the top of the glass chamber, and a screw cap is provided on the sample collection tube corresponding to the position of the cover. A smooth flexible tube is inserted into the interior of each sample collection tube, and a through-knob is provided on the smooth flexible tube connected to the sample collection tube. The end of the smooth flexible tube is connected to a beveled suction tip via a pagoda-type connector. A vacuum pump is provided on one side of the glass chamber, and a safety valve is provided above the rightmost placement area corresponding to the cover. Preferably, the vacuum pump is also connected to a smooth hose, and a butterfly filter is provided in the middle of the smooth hose connected to the vacuum pump, and it is connected to the inside of the glass chamber through a pagoda-type connector. Preferably, the suction port end of the angled suction head is angled. Preferably, the glass chamber is divided into seven placement spaces by the internal partition of the plate, and sample collection tubes are installed in the six placement spaces on the left side. Preferably, a central groove is provided in the middle of the front and rear placement areas, and notches are opened in the front and rear placement areas corresponding to the positions of the central groove, with the left end of the central groove being higher than the right end. Preferably, the upper inner wall of the sample collection tube is provided with a screw opening for threaded connection with the screw cap, the middle inner wall of the sample collection tube is a smooth inner wall, a label position is provided inside the sample collection tube, and the lower end of the sample collection tube is a funnel-shaped rigid filter screen.

[0005] Preferably, the heights of the five heights—H1 (the height of the rigid filter at the bottom of the sample collection tube), H2 (the height of the built-in partition at the bottom of the glass chamber), H3 (the height of the left end of the central groove of the partition), H4 (the height of the right end of the central groove of the partition), and H5 (the height of the notch in each area)—satisfy the following relationship: H1 ≥ H2 > H5 > H3 > H4, where H1 ≥ H2.

[0006] (III) Beneficial Effects Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. This apparatus for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use is simpler and faster to operate than manual collection. On the one hand, it ensures the accuracy of the experiment and reduces errors in the collection time of different treatment groups due to operation. On the other hand, this apparatus minimizes the loss caused during the collection of juvenile fish. The built-in partition design ensures that the juvenile fish will not die prematurely or be secondary contaminated by waste liquid after collection, thus improving sample quality and facilitating accurate analysis in subsequent experiments. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a sample collection tube; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the built-in partition.

[0008] In the diagram: 1. Angled pipette tip; 2. Pagoda-style connector; 3. Smooth flexible tube; 4. Screw cap; 5. Butterfly filter; 6. Cover plate; 7. Safety valve; 8. Glass chamber; 9. Sample collection tube; 10. Internal partition; 11. Through knob; 12. Screw opening; 13. Smooth inner wall; 14. Rigid filter screen; 15. Label position; 16. Notch; 17. Central groove. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0010] Please see Figure 1-3 A device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use includes a glass chamber 8. The interior of the glass chamber 8 is divided into placement spaces by multiple crisscrossing internal partitions 10. Each placement space is equipped with a sample collection tube 9. The top of the glass chamber 8 is equipped with a cover plate 6. The sample collection tubes 9 are equipped with screw caps 4 corresponding to the positions of the cover plate 6. Each sample collection tube 9 is connected to a smooth flexible tube 3. The smooth flexible tube 3 connected to the sample collection tube 9 is equipped with a through knob 11. The end of the smooth flexible tube 3 is connected to a beveled suction head 1 through a pagoda-type connector 2. A vacuum pump is equipped on one side of the glass chamber 8. A safety valve 7 is equipped above the rightmost placement area of ​​the cover plate 6. A portable vacuum pump is sufficient to meet the vacuum requirements of the entire apparatus. The device is compact, occupies little space, and has good connections. It can be placed stably on a laboratory table to begin experiments, and most laboratories can meet its operating conditions. During sample collection, the operator only needs to change the angled suction tip 1 for each group, greatly saving manpower. This apparatus, with the help of the vacuum pump, can quickly collect multiple groups of samples, significantly shortening experimental time.

[0011] The device is equipped with a separate safety valve 7. When a sudden pressure change occurs in a high vacuum environment, the safety valve can be used to allow air to enter the device to protect it. The design of this valve takes into account the operating environment of the device, providing dual protection for the safe use of the device and the safety of the user.

[0012] The vacuum pump is also connected to a smooth hose 3, and a butterfly filter 5 is provided in the middle of the smooth hose 3 connected to the vacuum pump, and it is connected to the inside of the glass chamber 8 through a pagoda-type connector 2. The angled end of the suction tip 1 is angled, which increases the cross-section of the tip, ensuring that juvenile fish can be smoothly sucked in. This avoids injury to the juvenile fish due to the limited size of the suction tip when they are rapidly sucked in under negative pressure. During the experiment, when the suction tip needs to be replaced, simply lift the tip off the liquid surface, unplug it, and screw the rear end of the new tip into the tower connector 2. Using the negative pressure suction within the chamber, the tip can then be stably connected to the smooth flexible tube 3. The choice of smooth flexible tube 3 avoids the possibility of juvenile fish sticking to its surface due to the roughness inside the tube, which would cause sample errors. On the other hand, the flexible tube has a certain curvature when in use, which can disperse the strong suction force formed by negative pressure and provide a certain buffering protection for juvenile fish.

[0013] The smooth flexible tube 3 extends a relatively long length into the chamber through the screw cap 4, which prevents the juvenile fish from "falling" into the collection tube and dying due to excessive suction or the tube being too high when it enters the collection tube with the liquid.

[0014] The glass chamber 8 is divided into seven placement spaces by the internal partition 10, and sample collection tubes 9 are installed in the six placement spaces on the left. A central recess 17 is provided in the middle of the front and rear placement areas. Notches 16 are provided in the front and rear placement areas corresponding to the central recess 17. The left end of the central recess 17 is higher than the right end. The glass chamber 8 is divided into 7 areas by an internal partition 10, as detailed below. Figure 3 As shown, the six zones corresponding to the screw cap 4 can collect waste liquid from different experimental treatments. When these six zones are full, the liquid flows through the central notch 16 and the central groove 17 into the rightmost zone of the chamber. The waste liquid in these six zones does not interfere with each other. The left end of the central groove 17 is slightly higher than the right end, making it easier for the waste liquid at the bottom to flow to the right. This design ensures that the collected samples will not be subject to secondary contamination due to mixing of waste liquid at the bottom.

[0015] To ensure the survival of samples collected within a short time while preventing secondary contamination from the accumulation and mixing of waste liquid at the bottom, the entire device involves five key height differences: the height H1 of the rigid filter 14 at the bottom of the sample collection tube 9, the height H2 of the built-in partition 10 at the bottom of the glass chamber 8, the height H3 of the left end of the central groove 17 of the partition, the height H4 of the right end of the central groove 17 of the partition, and the height H5 of the notch 16 in each area. These five heights satisfy the relationship H1 ≥ H2 > H5 > H3 > H4. H1 ≥ H2 is designed to prevent obstruction of waste liquid flow when it fills the central groove 17 at the bottom. The upper inner wall of the sample collection tube 9 has a screw opening 12 for threaded connection with the screw cap 4. The middle inner wall of the sample collection tube 9 is smooth 13. A label position 15 is provided inside the sample collection tube 9. The lower end of the sample collection tube 9 has a funnel-shaped rigid filter screen 14. The design of the screw cap 4 makes the installation and removal of the sample collection tube more convenient and easy. The smooth inner wall 13 prevents juvenile fish from adhering, and the rigid filter screen 14 at the bottom can filter out excess liquid and also ensure the temporary survival of juvenile fish that have entered the collection tube before the sample collection is completed. The label position 15 of the collection tube can be used to mark and record the corresponding treatment group of the sample, which is convenient for the operation of the experimenter.

[0016] The heights of the five heights are: H1 at the bottom of the rigid filter 14 of the sample collection tube 9, H2 at the bottom of the built-in partition 10 of the glass chamber 8, H3 at the left end of the central groove 17 of the partition, H4 at the right end of the central groove 17 of the partition, and H5 at the notch 16 in each area. The relationship between these five heights is H1≥H2>H5>H3>H4, where H1≥H2.

[0017] Working Principle: According to experimental requirements, first, screw the sample collection tubes 9 onto the screw caps 4, and simultaneously tighten all connecting knobs 11 and safety valves 7. Fill the area in the glass chamber 8 corresponding to the screw cap 4 with a small amount of ultrapure water or PBS, depending on the specific experimental requirements. Then, close the cover plate 6, turn on the vacuum pump, and begin evacuation. Once the entire glass chamber 8 reaches a vacuum environment, adjust the vacuum pump intensity, open the flow knob 11 connected to the corresponding sample collection tube 9, and screw it to the maximum. Screw the angled pipette tip 1 into the other end of the smooth flexible tube 3, align the tip with the juvenile fish in the well plate, and using the negative pressure within the chamber, the juvenile fish and their fluids are drawn into the sample collection tubes 9. After collecting one set of samples, simply remove and discard the angled pipette tip 1 from the flexible tube, and replace it with a new tip connected to the smooth flexible tube 3 of the corresponding collection tube. Since a small amount of liquid has already been filled into the bottom of the chamber beforehand, it ensures that the juvenile fish collected earlier will not die prematurely during the sample collection process. Furthermore, the partition design at the bottom of the chamber ensures that the collected samples will not be secondary contaminated by the drawn-in waste liquid. After the sample collection is completed, first turn off the vacuum pump, then open the safety valve 7 to exhaust the air. After the atmospheric pressure inside and outside the chamber is balanced, open the cover plate 6, remove the sample collection tube 9, and obtain the sample.

[0018] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use, characterized in that, The glass chamber (8) is divided into multiple crisscrossing internal partitions (10) to create placement spaces. Each placement space contains a sample collection tube (9). The top of the glass chamber (8) is covered with a cover plate (6). Each sample collection tube (9) is fitted with a screw cap (4) corresponding to the position of the cover plate (6). Each sample collection tube (9) is connected to a smooth flexible tube (3). The smooth flexible tube (3) connected to the sample collection tube (9) is fitted with a through knob (11). The end of the smooth flexible tube (3) is connected to a beveled suction head (1) via a pagoda connector (2). A vacuum pump is installed on one side of the glass chamber (8). A safety valve (7) is installed above the rightmost placement area corresponding to the cover plate (6). The vacuum pump is also connected to a smooth hose (3), and a butterfly filter (5) is provided in the middle of the smooth hose (3) connected to the vacuum pump, and it is connected to the inside of the glass chamber (8) through a pagoda-type connector (2); The suction port end of the angled suction head (1) is angled; The glass chamber (8) is divided into seven placement spaces by the internal partition (10) of the plate, and sample collection tubes (9) are set in the six placement spaces on the left. A central groove (17) is provided in the middle of the front and rear placement areas. A notch (16) is provided in the front and rear placement areas corresponding to the central groove (17). The left end of the central groove (17) is higher than the right end.

2. The apparatus for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper inner wall of the sample collection tube (9) is provided with a screw opening (12) for threaded connection with the screw cap (4), the middle inner wall of the sample collection tube (9) is a smooth inner wall (13), the inside of the sample collection tube (9) is provided with a label position (15), and the lower end of the sample collection tube (9) is a funnel-shaped hard filter screen (14).

3. The apparatus for rapidly collecting zebrafish juvenile samples for laboratory use according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height H1 of the hard filter (14) at the bottom of the sample collection tube (9), the height H2 of the built-in partition (10) at the bottom of the glass chamber (8), the height H3 of the left end of the central groove (17) of the partition, the height H4 of the right end of the central groove (17) of the partition, and the height H5 of the notch (16) in each area, the five height relationships satisfy H1≥H2>H5>H3>H4.

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