Kit mixing loading device, mixing loading control method and sample analyzer

Abstract

The application provides a reagent box mixing and loading device, a mixing and loading control method and a sample analyzer. The device comprises a bottom plate provided with a linear motion unit, and an exit and entrance corresponding to a reagent bin opening of the bottom plate; and a mixing assembly installed on the linear motion unit, the mixing assembly having a placing groove for placing the reagent box and a driving unit for driving a rotating part inside the reagent box to mix. The bottom plate is provided with a mixing position, the mixing assembly can move to the mixing position to mix, and the mixing assembly at the mixing position blocks the exit and entrance. Based on the technical scheme of the application, the loading process and the mixing process are fully combined, the pretreatment time of the reagent box before use is shortened, the detection efficiency is improved, the compactness and the functional density of the overall structure of the device are improved, and the reagent bin can be kept warm during mixing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a reagent kit mixing and loading device, a mixing and loading control method, and a sample analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Fully automated biochemical and immunoassay analyzers all require reagents during the testing process. There are many types of reagents, and different tests may require different reagents. In chemiluminescent immunoassay, the reagent containing magnetic beads added to the reaction vessel needs to react fully with the sample. Therefore, the magnetic beads in the reagent must be uniformly dispersed and suspended in the buffer solution. However, with current technology, the magnetic beads need to be mixed inside the instrument's reagent compartment after the reagent kit is inserted, or the reagent kit needs to be mixed separately outside the instrument before being inserted into the reagent compartment.

[0003] If the reagent cartridge is mixed inside the test chamber, the reagent kit cannot be used immediately, resulting in a long processing time. For example, in current technology, the test chamber rotates once for each test, simultaneously rotating and mixing the newly added reagent kit. A newly added reagent kit needs to be mixed hundreds of times to be fully ready for testing. This means the newly added reagent cannot be used immediately; it undergoes a mixing process, wasting time. For instance, some immunoassay analyzers rotate the test chamber once every 12 seconds, without pausing the test to quickly mix the newly added reagent. The reagent kit needs to be mixed 120 times (i.e., the test chamber rotates 120 times) before it can be used. This means online-loaded reagent kits require at least 24 minutes to be usable. If the reagent kit is mixed outside the instrument before being loaded into the test chamber, a separate mixing device is needed, wasting personnel time. Furthermore, this method requires the instrument to be stopped or in standby mode before adding the reagent kit, making online reagent addition impossible. Furthermore, the currently used independent mixing scheme is not designed in conjunction with the reagent loading process, and there is no linkage between mixing and loading. The whole process is cumbersome and increases the workload of operators.

[0004] Therefore, in view of the fact that the reagent loading modules on the market do not combine reagent loading and reagent magnetic bead mixing functions, resulting in relatively simple functions, low efficiency and cumbersome operation, a reagent mixing and loading device, a mixing and loading control method and a sample analyzer are proposed. While improving the efficiency of reagent mixing and loading, the temperature preservation requirements of the reagent chamber are also fully considered. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issues of limited functionality and low efficiency in existing reagent kit loading modules, this invention proposes a reagent kit mixing and loading device, a mixing and loading control method, and a sample analyzer.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a reagent kit mixing and loading device, comprising:

[0007] A base plate, positioned above the reagent compartment, is equipped with a linear motion unit and has an inlet / outlet corresponding to the opening of the reagent compartment; and

[0008] A mixing component is installed on the linear motion unit. The mixing component has a placement slot and a driving unit. The placement slot is used to place the reagent kit, and the driving unit is used to drive a rotating component placed inside the reagent kit in the placement slot to perform mixing.

[0009] The base plate is provided with a mixing position, and the mixing component can move to the mixing position with the linear motion unit to perform mixing. The mixing component at the mixing position blocks the inlet and outlet.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mixing component includes a mounting plate mounted on the linear motion unit, and both the placement slot and the drive unit are mounted on the mounting plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the driving unit includes a mixing drive motor, a drive gear connected to the mixing drive motor, and a driven gear meshing with the drive gear. The driven gear is disposed at the bottom of the placement slot and can engage with the bottom of a rotating component inside the reagent kit.

[0012] In one embodiment, the linear motion unit includes a linear guide rail and a transmission belt mechanism that extends in the same direction as the linear guide rail. The mixing component is mounted on the linear guide rail and one side of it is fixedly connected to the transmission belt of the transmission belt mechanism.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mixing assembly is provided with a heat insulation mechanism for sealing the inlet and outlet. The heat insulation mechanism includes a heat insulation plate that is movably disposed relative to the mixing assembly. The heat insulation plate has a magnetic suction part, and the inlet and outlet are provided with a magnetic suction member that can cooperate with the magnetic suction part.

[0014] The heat insulation plate corresponds to the inlet / outlet when the mixing component is in the mixing position, and the heat insulation plate can move towards the inlet / outlet under the attraction of the magnetic attractor to adhere to and seal the inlet / outlet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the heat insulation mechanism further includes a reset unit, which includes a guide shaft and an elastic element sleeved on the guide shaft. The heat insulation plate is connected to the mixing assembly through the guide shaft. When the heat insulation plate moves and blocks the inlet and outlet, the elastic element is deformed through the guide shaft.

[0016] In one embodiment, the guide shaft is connected to the mixing assembly via a linear bearing, the linear bearing is fixed to the mixing assembly, and the guide shaft slides in conjunction with the linear bearing.

[0017] In one embodiment, a mixing magnet is further provided on the base plate. The mixing magnet is located at the mixing position or at a premixing position adjacent to the mixing position in the direction of motion of the linear motion unit. The mixing magnet is used to adsorb magnetic beads in the reagent kit.

[0018] In one implementation, it further includes:

[0019] A gripping component is disposed above the base plate and corresponding to the inlet / outlet, the gripping component being used to load reagent kits into or remove reagent kits from the reagent compartment.

[0020] Secondly, the present invention provides a mixing and loading control method for the above-mentioned reagent kit mixing and loading device, comprising:

[0021] The reagent kit is loaded by positioning the mixing component at one end of the base plate.

[0022] The mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves to the mixing position with the linear motion unit, and the heat insulation mechanism of the mixing component keeps the inlet and outlet on the base plate blocked, so that the mixing component mixes at the mixing position for a first preset time.

[0023] The mixing component moves with the linear motion unit to the gripping position of the corresponding gripping component, so that the gripping component removes the reagent kit from the mixing component.

[0024] The mixing component moves with the linear motion unit to a position completely offset from the inlet and outlet, allowing the gripping component to place the reagent kit into the reagent compartment through the inlet and outlet.

[0025] In one embodiment, before the mixing assembly after loading the reagent kit moves to the mixing position with the linear motion unit, the method further includes:

[0026] The mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves with the linear motion unit to the premixing position where the mixing magnet is located, and uses the mixing magnet to attract the magnetic beads in the reagent kit, and continues to attract them for a second preset time.

[0027] In one embodiment, before the mixing assembly after loading the reagent kit moves to the mixing position with the linear motion unit, the method further includes:

[0028] The mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves with the linear motion unit to the premixing position where the mixing magnet is located. The mixing magnet attracts the magnetic beads in the reagent kit, and the mixing component mixes in the premixing position for a third preset time while the magnetic beads are attracted.

[0029] In one embodiment, the mixing component employs a mixing method of multiple cyclic mixing, wherein the rotating part of the mixing component rotates clockwise a preset number of times and counterclockwise a preset number of times during each mixing.

[0030] Thirdly, the present invention provides a sample analyzer that includes the aforementioned reagent kit mixing and loading device, thereby possessing all of its technical effects.

[0031] The above-mentioned technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features, as long as the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0032] The reagent kit mixing and loading device, mixing and loading control method, and sample analyzer provided by the present invention have at least the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0033] This invention discloses a reagent kit mixing and loading device, a mixing and loading control method, and a sample analyzer. Based on the structural design of the mixing components, it enables mixing of the reagent kit during the loading and transfer process and the waiting process. It fully integrates the loading and mixing processes, performing both processes simultaneously. This not only shortens the pretreatment time required before use of the reagent kit and improves detection efficiency, but also improves the overall compactness and functional density of the device through a multi-functional design that combines functions. This avoids the problem of high space occupancy caused by multiple separately designed single-function modules. At the same time, it also provides insulation for the reagent compartment during mixing. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the base plate and mixing component of the device of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 This shows a schematic diagram of the mixing component portion of the device of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device of the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the mixing component of the device of the present invention in the loading position is shown;

[0039] Figure 5A schematic diagram showing the mixing component of the device of the present invention in the premixing position is shown;

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the mixing component of the device of the present invention in the mixing position is shown;

[0041] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the mixing component of the device of the present invention in the gripping position is shown;

[0042] Figure 8 This diagram shows the mixing component of the device of the present invention in a recessed position after the reagent kit is grasped.

[0043] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale.

[0044] Figure label:

[0045] 1-Base plate, 11-Inlet / outlet, 111-Magnetic suction component, 2-Linear motion unit, 21-Linear guide rail, 22-Transmission belt mechanism, 3-Mixing assembly, 31-Placement slot, 32-Drive unit, 321-Drive motor 2, 322-Drive gear, 323-Driven gear, 33-Mounting plate, 4-Mixing magnet, 5-Heat insulation mechanism, 51-Heat insulation plate, 511-Magnetic suction part, 52-Reset unit, 521-Guide shaft, 522-Elastic component, 53-Linear bearing, 6-Grip assembly, 7-Reagent compartment, 8-Reagent kit. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention also provide an online mixing and loading device for a reagent kit, comprising:

[0049] A base plate 1 is positioned above the reagent chamber 7. The base plate 1 is equipped with a linear motion unit 2 and has an inlet / outlet 11 corresponding to the opening of the reagent chamber 7.

[0050] The mixing component 3 is installed on the linear motion unit 2. The mixing component 3 has a placement groove 31 and a driving unit 32. The placement groove 31 is used to place the reagent kit 8, and the driving unit 32 is used to drive the rotating part inside the reagent kit 8 placed in the placement groove 31 to perform mixing.

[0051] The base plate 1 is provided with a mixing position. The mixing component 3 can move to the mixing position with the linear motion unit 2 to perform mixing. The mixing component 3 in the mixing position blocks the inlet and outlet 11.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the most basic function of the loading device of the present invention is to load and transfer the external reagent kit 8 into the reagent compartment 7, and of course, it can also transfer the reagent kit 8 in the reagent compartment 7 to the outside. Therefore, as the structural basis of the loading device of the present invention, the base plate 1 provides a space for the component carrying the reagent kit 8 to move, and provides a guiding function and a driving function for the movement, namely, the linear motion unit 2 set in the base plate 1. In addition, considering that the movement process of loading and transferring the reagent kit 8 itself requires a certain amount of time, the structure of the loading device is further designed. The core is to improve the component carrying the reagent kit 8 to not only transfer the reagent kit 8, but also to mix the reagent kit 8 in the process. Therefore, a mixing component 3 for carrying the reagent kit 8 for transfer and mixing is designed. The mixing component 3 has a placement groove 31 for placing the reagent kit 8. After the reagent kit 8 is placed in the placement groove 31, its internal rotating component is connected to the driving unit 32 on the mixing component 3.

[0053] The mixing assembly 3 loads the external reagent kit 8 at the loading position located at the edge. After the external reagent kit 8 is placed in the placement slot 31, the mixing assembly 3, driven by the linear motion unit 2 on the base plate 1, moves the reagent kit 8 to the mixing position. At the mixing position, the mixing assembly 3 mixes the reagent kit 8 through the drive unit 32, while simultaneously awaiting transfer to the reagent compartment 7. Furthermore, the mixing assembly 3 at the mixing position also seals the inlet / outlet 11 on the base plate 1 to keep the reagent compartment 7 warm, which can also be achieved under normal conditions. Further, during the movement from the loading position to the mixing position, the drive unit 32 can be activated for mixing as needed.

[0054] Therefore, based on the structural design of the mixing component 3 in this embodiment, the mixing operation of the reagent kit 8 can be realized during the loading and transfer process and the waiting process. The loading process and the mixing process are fully combined, and the two processes are carried out at the same time. This not only shortens the pretreatment time required for the reagent kit 8 before use and improves the detection efficiency, but also improves the overall compactness and functional density of the device by combining functions and designing a multifunctional structure. This avoids the problem of high space occupation of multiple separately set single-function modules. At the same time, it can also keep the reagent compartment 7 warm during mixing.

[0055] Furthermore, the mixing component 3 includes a mounting plate 33, which is mounted on the linear motion unit 2. The placement slot 31 and the drive unit 32 are both mounted on the mounting plate 33.

[0056] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, the mounting plate 33 serves as the structural foundation of the mixing component 3, mounting and placing the slot 31 and the drive unit 32, and directly cooperating with the linear motion unit 2.

[0057] Furthermore, the drive unit 32 includes a mixing drive motor 321, a drive gear 322 connected to the mixing drive motor 321, and a driven gear 323 meshing with the drive gear 322. The driven gear 323 is disposed at the bottom of the placement groove 31 and can engage with the bottom of the rotating component inside the reagent kit 8.

[0058] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, the drive unit 32 mainly drives the reagent kit 8 to mix through a gear set composed of a drive gear 322 and a driven gear 323. The drive gear 322 can be directly set at the output end of the mixing drive motor 321. Of course, it can also be connected to the mixing drive motor 321 through an intermediate transmission structure according to the specific structural layout. For example, in this embodiment, the drive gear 322 is connected to the mixing drive motor 321 by a transmission belt.

[0059] The design of the mating structure between the driven gear 323 and the reagent kit 8 is based on the specific structure and type of the reagent kit 8. For example, if the rotating component inside the reagent kit 8 has a gear at the bottom of the reagent kit 8, the design can be tailored to the placement position of the reagent kit 8 in the placement slot 31 and the position of the driven gear 323 in the placement slot 31, so that the gear at the bottom of the reagent kit 8 can mesh with the driven gear 323 when the reagent kit 8 is placed in the placement slot 31. If the rotating component inside the reagent kit 8 has a snap-fit ​​structure, such as a slot, at the bottom of the reagent kit 8, the design can be tailored to form a snap-fit ​​protrusion on the shaft at the top of the driven gear 323, thus utilizing the snap-fit ​​protrusion and the slot to form a transmission.

[0060] Furthermore, the linear motion unit 2 includes a linear guide rail 21 and a transmission belt mechanism 22 that extends in the same direction as the linear guide rail 21. The mixing component 3 is mounted on the linear guide rail 21 and one side of it is fixedly connected to the transmission belt of the transmission belt mechanism 22.

[0061] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the linear motion unit 2 is composed of a linear guide rail 21 and a transmission belt mechanism 22, and one side of the mounting plate 33 of the mixing component 3 is fixedly connected to the transmission belt of the transmission belt mechanism 22. Depending on specific requirements, the linear motion unit 2 can also adopt other structures, such as a linear motor, a wire slider, etc.

[0062] Furthermore, the mixing assembly 3 is provided with a heat insulation mechanism 5 for sealing the inlet and outlet 11. The heat insulation mechanism 5 includes a heat insulation plate 51 that is movably disposed relative to the mixing assembly 3. The heat insulation plate 51 has a magnetic suction part 511. A magnetic suction member 111 that can cooperate with the magnetic suction part 511 is provided at the inlet and outlet 11. When the mixing assembly 3 is in the mixing position, the heat insulation plate 51 corresponds to the inlet and outlet 11. Under the attraction of the magnetic suction member 111, the heat insulation plate 51 can move towards the inlet and outlet 11 to adhere to and seal the inlet and outlet 11.

[0063] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the mixing assembly 3 is mounted on the linear guide rail 21 on the base plate 1. The mounting plate 33 of the mixing assembly 3 and the heat insulation mechanism 5 mounted on the lower surface of the mounting plate 33 are both higher than the base plate 1. To avoid interference or obstruction between the heat insulation mechanism 5 and the structure on the base plate 1 during the movement of the mixing assembly 3, there is a certain gap between the heat insulation plate 51 of the heat insulation mechanism 5 and the base plate 1. When the mixing assembly 3 moves to the mixing position, the heat insulation plate 51 is located above the inlet / outlet 11 on the base plate 1 with a gap between them. To ensure the heat preservation effect, through the interaction between the magnetic suction member 111 and the magnetic suction part 511, the heat insulation plate 51 can be moved towards the inlet / outlet 11 (the heat insulation plate 51 is movably set relative to the mounting plate 33) and attached to the inlet / outlet 11, eliminating the gap and thus ensuring the heat preservation effect.

[0064] Furthermore, the heat insulation mechanism 5 also includes a reset unit 52, which includes a guide shaft 521 and an elastic element 522 sleeved on the guide shaft 521. The heat insulation plate 51 is connected to the mixing assembly 3 through the guide shaft 521. When the heat insulation plate 51 moves and blocks the inlet and outlet 11, the elastic element 522 is deformed through the guide shaft 521.

[0065] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 2 As shown, the heat insulation plate 51 is fixedly connected to the guide shaft 521, and the guide shaft 521 is movably connected to the mounting plate 33, so that the heat insulation plate 51 is movably mounted on the mounting plate 33 via the guide shaft 521. Furthermore, an elastic element 522 (spring) is provided on the guide shaft 521 to achieve the reset of the heat insulation plate 51 after movement. Specifically, when the heat insulation plate 51 is attracted to the inlet / outlet 11, the elastic element 522 is compressed. Then, driven by the mixing assembly 3, the heat insulation plate 51 moves in a direction offset from the inlet / outlet 11. The driving force of the mixing assembly 3 overcomes the magnetic attraction between the heat insulation plate 51 and the inlet / outlet 11, and the elastic force of the elastic element 522 forces the heat insulation plate 51 to move towards the side closer to the mounting plate 33 to reset.

[0066] Preferably, the guide shaft 521 is connected to the mixing assembly 3 via a linear bearing 53, the linear bearing 53 is fixed to the mixing assembly 3, and the guide shaft 521 and the linear bearing 53 are in sliding engagement. The linear bearing 53 is used to realize relative movement between the guide shaft 521 and the mounting plate 33 of the mixing assembly 3, and can reduce friction.

[0067] Furthermore, a mixing magnet 4 is also provided on the base plate 1. The mixing magnet 4 is located at the mixing position or at the premixing position adjacent to the mixing position in the direction of motion of the linear motion unit 2. The mixing magnet 4 is used to adsorb the magnetic beads in the reagent kit 8.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 As shown, a premixing position is defined on the base plate 1. The premixing position is adjacent to the mixing position. A mixing magnet 4 is provided at the premixing position. Before moving to the mixing position, the mixing component 3 performs premixing at the premixing position. The purpose of premixing is to use the mixing magnet 4 to attract the magnetic beads in the reagent kit 8 to avoid the magnetic beads from depositing at the bottom of the reagent kit 8. The attraction of the mixing magnet 4 attracts the magnetic beads to the vicinity of the side wall of the reagent kit 8, away from the rotation center of the rotating part of the reagent kit 8. During rotation mixing, the centrifugal force on the magnetic beads will be greater, which is more conducive to the mixing of the magnetic beads.

[0069] Of course, the mixing magnet 4 can also be directly placed at the mixing position, that is, the premixing position and the mixing position are in the same location. This can shorten the movement path of the mixing component 3 and also shorten the time that the inlet / outlet 11 of the reagent chamber 7 is exposed to the outside. However, placing the premixing position and the mixing position in the same location requires consideration of whether there will be conflicts in the layout of various components; on the other hand, it is necessary to consider the impact of adsorption on the mixing effect, and further control the mixing magnet 4 is required. The magnetic beads cannot be continuously adsorbed during the mixing process, otherwise the mixing effect will not be achieved. Therefore, further control of the mixing magnet 4 is required. The mixing magnet 4 should first adsorb the magnetic beads for a period of time (premixing can be carried out simultaneously during this process), and then remove the adsorption of the magnetic beads during the formal mixing process. Therefore, the mixing magnet 4 needs to adopt a structure that can actively control the magnetic force, such as an electromagnet, but this requires the addition of control components, which will increase the cost to some extent. Therefore, whether to place the mixing magnet 4 directly at the mixing position needs to be selected according to the actual situation.

[0070] Furthermore, it also includes: a gripping component 6, which is disposed above the base plate 1 and corresponds to the inlet / outlet 11, the gripping component 6 being used to load the reagent kit 8 into the reagent compartment 7 or to remove the reagent kit 8 from the reagent compartment 7.

[0071] Specifically, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 3As shown, the gripping component 6 is positioned at the inlet / outlet 11. The gripping position is where the gripping component 6 is located. After the reagent kit 8 is mixed, the mixing component 3 moves the reagent kit 8 to the gripping position and corresponds to the gripping component 6. The robotic arm of the gripping component 6 moves up and down to grip the reagent kit 8. Then, after the mixing component 3 moves to clear the inlet / outlet 11, the robotic arm of the gripping component 6 puts the reagent kit 8 into the reagent compartment 7.

[0072] Refer to the attached diagram. Figures 4 to 8 Along the direction of motion of the linear motion unit 2, the positional relationship of each station of the device of the present invention is as follows: based on the necessary stroke range of the mixing component 3, the loading station and the gripping station are respectively located at the starting point and the ending point of the stroke of the linear motion unit 2, while the premixing station, the mixing station and the clearance station are respectively located between the loading station and the gripping station. The specific positional relationship of the three can be selected according to the actual situation.

[0073] In this embodiment, the loading position, clearance position, mixing position, premixing position, and gripping position are distributed sequentially. The movement path of the mixing component is as follows: first, it moves from the loading position to the premixing position, then retreats from the premixing position to the mixing position, then moves from the mixing position to the gripping position, then retreats from the gripping position to the clearance position, and finally moves from the clearance position to the mixing position, maintaining the blockage of the inlet / outlet 11 at the mixing position; during the next loading, it retreats from the mixing position back to the loading position for loading. This point arrangement forms a movement path that alternates between forward and backward movement. Compared to a single-direction movement path, the overall path length in space is shortened, resulting in a more compact layout of the structural components corresponding to each point.

[0074] Example 2

[0075] An embodiment of the present invention provides a mixing and loading control method applied to the above-mentioned mixing and loading device, comprising:

[0076] Step S101: As shown in the attached diagram Figure 4 As shown, the mixing component is positioned at the loading position at one end of the base plate to load the reagent kit. The reagent kit is placed into the placement slot of the mixing component from the outside by manual or robotic arm.

[0077] Step S201: As shown in the attached diagram Figure 6 As shown, the mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves to the mixing position with the linear motion unit, and the heat insulation mechanism of the mixing component keeps the inlet and outlet on the base plate blocked. The mixing component mixes at the mixing position for a first preset time. During the mixing process, the mixing drive motor of the mixing component adopts a mixing method of rotating forward X times, rotating backward X times, and repeating this cycle. The number of premixing times is determined according to the specifications of the mixing drive motor and the specific duration of the first preset time. The cycle corresponding to the first preset time is Y times.

[0078] Step S301: As shown in the attached diagram Figure 7As shown, the mixing component moves with the linear motion unit to the gripping position of the corresponding gripping component, so that the gripping component removes the reagent kit from the mixing component.

[0079] Step S401: As shown in the attached diagram Figure 8 As shown, the mixing component moves with the linear motion unit to a clearance position completely offset from the inlet and outlet, so that the gripping component puts the reagent kit into the reagent chamber from the inlet and outlet.

[0080] Preferably, to improve the mixing effect, the following steps S200a or S200b can be performed before performing step S201:

[0081] Step S200a: As shown in the attached diagram Figure 5 As shown, the mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves with the linear motion unit to the premixing position where the mixing magnet is located, and uses the mixing magnet to adsorb the magnetic beads in the reagent kit for a second preset time.

[0082] Specifically, the mixing magnet is used to continuously attract the magnetic beads in the kit for a second preset time (attracting only). This allows the magnetic beads, which might otherwise be deposited at the bottom of the kit, to be attracted to the upper part of the kit by magnetism, which can improve the mixing effect in the subsequent step S201.

[0083] Step S200b: The mixing component after loading the reagent kit moves with the linear motion unit to the premixing position where the mixing magnet is located, and the mixing magnet is used to attract the magnetic beads in the reagent kit. The mixing component mixes in the premixing position for a third preset time while the magnetic beads are attracted.

[0084] Specifically, the mixing component, after loading the reagent kit, moves with the linear motion unit to the premixing position where the mixing magnet is located. The mixing magnet attracts the magnetic beads inside the reagent kit. After a certain adsorption period, the mixing component mixes in the premixing position for a third preset time. During the premixing process, the mixing drive motor of the mixing component rotates N revolutions forward and N revolutions backward in a cyclical manner. The number of cycles is determined based on the specifications of the mixing drive motor and the specific duration of the third preset time. The third preset time corresponds to M cycles, where M is less than Y. Alternatively, a preset number of cycles can be used instead of a preset time to determine whether the mixing condition has been met, which would require adding a counter.

[0085] It should be noted that the adsorption process duration needs to be set appropriately. If it is too short, the adsorption effect will not be achieved, and if it is too long, the magnetic beads may be too strongly attracted to the box wall, and the magnetic beads may still be attracted to the box wall after mixing. In this embodiment, the adsorption time is a moderate 10 seconds.

[0086] The above describes the process of loading the reagent kit into the reagent compartment after it has been mixed. The process of removing the reagent kit from the reagent compartment is the reverse of the above process and does not involve mixing.

[0087] Example 3

[0088] The embodiments of the present invention provide a sample analyzer that includes the above-described online reagent kit mixing and loading device, thereby possessing all the technical effects described herein.

[0089] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0090] While the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements can be designed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and features described herein can be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It is also understood that features described in conjunction with individual embodiments can be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A kit mix loading device, characterized by, The application relates to a reagent mixing device. The device comprises a bottom plate arranged above reagent containers, wherein the bottom plate is provided with a linear motion unit, and an entrance corresponding to the entrance of the reagent containers is arranged on the bottom plate. The device further comprises a mixing assembly installed on the linear motion unit, wherein the mixing assembly is provided with a placing groove for placing a reagent box and a driving unit for driving a rotating part in the reagent box to mix. The bottom plate is provided with a mixing position, and the mixing assembly can move to the mixing position to mix, and the mixing assembly blocks the entrance to keep the reagent containers warm during the mixing process. The mixing assembly comprises a mounting plate installed on the linear motion unit, and the placing groove and the driving unit are installed on the mounting plate.

2. The kit mix loading device of claim 1, wherein, The driving unit comprises a mixing driving motor, a driving gear connected with the mixing driving motor and a driven gear engaged with the driving gear, wherein the driven gear is arranged on the bottom of the placing groove and can be connected with the bottom of the rotating part in the reagent box.

3. The kit mix loading device of claim 1, wherein, The linear motion unit comprises a linear guide rail and a transmission belt mechanism arranged in the extension direction of the linear guide rail, and the mixing assembly is installed on the linear guide rail and fixedly connected with the transmission belt of the transmission belt mechanism.

4. The kit mix loading device of claim 1, wherein, The mixing assembly is provided with a heat insulation mechanism for blocking the entrance, wherein the heat insulation mechanism comprises a heat insulation plate movably arranged on the mixing assembly, the heat insulation plate is provided with a magnetic attraction part, and the entrance is provided with a magnetic attraction part matched with the magnetic attraction part.

5. The kit mix loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The heat insulation plate corresponds to the entrance when the mixing assembly is in the mixing position, and the heat insulation plate can move towards the entrance to block the entrance under the attraction of the magnetic attraction part. The heat insulation mechanism further comprises a reset unit, wherein the reset unit comprises a guide shaft and an elastic part sleeved on the guide shaft, the heat insulation plate is connected with the mixing assembly through the guide shaft, and the heat insulation plate deforms the elastic part through the guide shaft when moving and blocking the entrance.

6. The kit mix loading device of claim 5, wherein, The guide shaft is connected with the mixing assembly through a linear bearing, the linear bearing is fixed on the mixing assembly, and the guide shaft is slidingly matched with the linear bearing.

7. The kit mix loading device of claim 6, wherein, The bottom plate is further provided with a mixing magnet arranged in the mixing position or a pre-mixing position adjacent to the mixing position in the moving direction of the linear motion unit, and the mixing magnet is used for attracting magnetic beads in the reagent box.

8. The kit mix loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The device further comprises a grabbing assembly arranged above the bottom plate and corresponding to the entrance, wherein the grabbing assembly is used for loading the reagent box into the reagent container or taking the reagent box out of the reagent container.

9. The kit mix loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The device comprises the following steps: loading the reagent box in the mixing assembly in a loading position at one end of the bottom plate; 10. A method for controlling the mixing and loading of a kit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that moving the mixing assembly with the loaded reagent box to the mixing position through the linear motion unit, keeping the heat insulation mechanism of the mixing assembly from blocking the entrance on the bottom plate, mixing the reagent box in the mixing position for a first preset time period; ​ ​ The mixing assembly is moved to a grabbing position corresponding to the grabbing assembly by the linear motion unit, and the grabbing assembly is used to take the reagent box off the mixing assembly; The mixing assembly is moved to a position completely away from the entrance and exit by the linear motion unit, and the grabbing assembly is used to put the reagent box into the reagent box.

11. The mix load control method of claim 10, wherein, Before the mixing assembly loaded with the reagent box is moved to the mixing position by the linear motion unit, the method further comprises: The mixing assembly loaded with the reagent box is moved to a premixing position where the mixing magnet is located by the linear motion unit, and the mixing magnet is used to adsorb the magnetic beads in the reagent box for a second preset time.

12. The mix load control method of claim 10, wherein, Before the mixing assembly loaded with the reagent box is moved to the mixing position by the linear motion unit, the method further comprises: The mixing assembly loaded with the reagent box is moved to a premixing position where the mixing magnet is located by the linear motion unit, and the mixing magnet is used to adsorb the magnetic beads in the reagent box, and the mixing assembly is mixed in the premixing position for a third preset time in the state that the magnetic beads are adsorbed.

13. The load leveling control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by, The mixing assembly adopts a mixing mode of cyclic mixing for multiple times, and the rotating member of the mixing assembly rotates forward for a preset number of turns and reverses for a preset number of turns each time.

14. A sample analyzer characterized by, The reagent box mixing and loading device comprises the reagent box mixing and loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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