Automatic density gradient liquid configuration device

Abstract

The application provides a density gradient liquid automatic configuration device, and relates to the technical field of biochemical detection devices.The device comprises a rotary sample disc, a gradient sample adding needle group and a plurality of liquid storage tanks.A plurality of co-centric annular test tube groove groups are arranged on the rotary sample disc, and the rotary sample disc can rotate horizontally around the center.The gradient sample adding needle group comprises a sample adding needle support and a sample adding needle group.The sample adding needle group comprises a plurality of arc-shaped sample adding needles, the lengths of the sample adding needles decrease successively, the sample adding needle group is arranged above the rotary sample disc and can move up and down along the sample adding needle support, one liquid storage tank is connected with one sample adding needle, and the sample adding needle group can simultaneously add different reagents into different test tubes.The device can realize automatic and rapid configuration of a plurality of density layers of the density gradient liquid, improve the biochemical detection efficiency and precision through cooperation of the rotary sample disc and the gradient sample adding needle group which can simultaneously add a plurality of reagents.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biochemical detection device technology, and in particular to an automatic density gradient liquid preparation device. Background Technology

[0002] Density gradient centrifugation requires the preparation of density gradient solutions. Typically, a high-concentration stock solution is prepared in advance and then diluted to the desired concentration. For multi-density gradient methods, multiple stock solutions need to be prepared, then sequentially diluted and added. Manual preparation is time-consuming, labor-intensive, error-prone, and lacks precision. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides an automated density gradient solution preparation device. By combining a rotating sample tray with a gradient dispensing needle assembly capable of simultaneously dispensing multiple reagents, it enables automated and rapid preparation of density gradient solutions with multiple density layers, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of biochemical detection.

[0004] The first aspect of the present invention provides an automatic density gradient liquid preparation device, comprising a rotating sample tray, a gradient dispensing needle assembly, and several reservoirs; the rotating sample tray is provided with several concentric annular test tube slots, and the rotating sample tray can rotate horizontally around the center; the gradient dispensing needle assembly includes a dispensing needle support and a dispensing needle assembly, the dispensing needle assembly including several arc-shaped dispensing needles with decreasing lengths sequentially, the dispensing needle assembly being positioned above the rotating sample tray and movable up and down along the dispensing needle support; one reservoir is connected to one dispensing needle, and the dispensing needle assembly can simultaneously add different reagents to different test tubes.

[0005] Preferably, the rotating sample tray includes an outer ring test tube groove group and an inner ring test tube groove group, with the sample dispensing needle group positioned directly above the outer ring test tube groove group.

[0006] Preferably, the outer ring test tube trough group includes 16 test tube troughs that can hold 15mL centrifuge tubes, and the inner ring test tube trough group includes 8 test tube troughs that can hold 2mL centrifuge tubes.

[0007] Preferably, the device further includes an automatic sampling needle, which can take samples from the test tubes of the inner ring test tube group and add them to the test tubes of the outer ring test tube group.

[0008] Preferably, the tips of the sample dispensing needles are at the same level, and the lengths of the sample dispensing needles decrease sequentially.

[0009] Preferably, the sample dispensing needle assembly includes 3-6 sample dispensing needles.

[0010] Preferably, a plunger pump and a solenoid valve are provided between the liquid storage tank and each sampling needle. The plunger pump draws liquid from the liquid storage tank and inputs it into the sampling needle, and the solenoid valve controls the pump's drawing and input.

[0011] Preferably, a mixing device is provided at the bottom of the liquid storage tank, which can drive the liquid storage tank to rotate horizontally, so that the liquid in the liquid storage tank can be continuously rotated and mixed.

[0012] Preferably, the device further includes a liquid level following control module, which calculates the upward movement distance of the sample needle assembly based on the volume of liquid added by the sample needle and the inner diameter of the test tube, and controls the sample needle assembly to rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after addition.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0014] 1. The gradient dispensing needle assembly in the device of the present invention includes multiple dispensing needles, each of which is connected to a different reservoir, allowing for the simultaneous dispensing of multiple reagents. Combined with a horizontally rotatable rotary sample tray, the rotary sample tray rotates once after each dispensing, enabling circumferential dispensing. This is suitable for the automated preparation of density gradient solutions with multiple reagents, and has advantages such as speed and accuracy compared to manual preparation.

[0015] 2. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the device of the present invention further includes a liquid level following control module, wherein the sample dispensing needle assembly can rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after dispensing, thereby avoiding the mixing of liquids of different densities during dispensing and further improving the accuracy of density gradient liquid preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the density gradient liquid automatic preparation device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the density gradient liquid automatic preparation device described in this invention;

[0018] Among them, 100 is a rotating sample tray, 110 is an outer ring test tube trough group, 120 is an inner ring test tube trough group, 130 is a sample tray mounting base, 140 is a sample tray protective ring, 150 is a sample tray drive circuit mounting box, 160 is a sample tray rotation drive motor, 210 is a sample needle group, 211 is a sample needle, 212 is a sample needle arc support, 220 is a sample needle support, 221 is a sample needle group vertical support, 222 is a sample needle group vertical drive motor, 300 is a liquid storage tank, 310 is a liquid storage tank body, and 320 is a rotary motor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them; and the structures shown in the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and do not represent physical objects. It should be noted that all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments of the present invention are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", 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.

[0021] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides an automatic density gradient liquid preparation device, including a rotary sample tray 100, a gradient dispensing needle assembly, and several reservoirs 300; the rotary sample tray is used to hold multiple test tubes, and the circumferential rotation facilitates the dispensing needles to add reagents to different test tubes; each dispensing needle 211 in the gradient dispensing needle assembly can be dispensed with different reagents, and the dispensing needle moves up and down to inject the reagent into the test tube of the rotary sample tray; the reservoirs 300 are used to hold pre-prepared stock solutions, and different reservoirs correspond to different dispensing needles.

[0022] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the rotating sample tray 100 includes a circular sample tray, a sample tray mounting base 130, a sample tray protective ring 140, a sample tray drive circuit mounting box 150, and a sample tray rotation drive motor 160. The top of the sample tray is provided with a concentric outer ring test tube groove group 110 and an inner ring test tube groove group 120, with a sample dispensing needle group positioned directly above the outer ring test tube groove group. The outer ring test tube groove group 110 consists of 16 test tube grooves that can hold 15mL centrifuge tubes, and the inner ring test tube groove group 120 consists of 8 test tube grooves that can hold 2mL centrifuge tubes. The outer ring test tube groove group is used for preparing density gradient solutions, and the inner ring test tube groove group is used to place test tubes containing treated or untreated samples. During use, the sample to be tested can be added from the test tubes in the inner ring test tube groove group to the test tubes in the outer ring test tube groove group manually or automatically, and then reagents of different densities can be added using the gradient sample dispensing needle group. In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes an automatic sampling needle, which comprises a sampling needle and a robotic arm. The robotic arm drives the sampling needle to extract samples from the test tubes of the inner ring test tube group and add them to the test tubes of the outer ring test tube group. A sample tray is mounted on a sample tray mounting base 130, and a sample tray rotation drive motor 160 controls the sample tray to rotate horizontally around its center. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a liquid storage tank 300 is mounted on the sample tray mounting base 130.

[0023] like Figure 1 , 2As shown, the gradient dispensing needle assembly includes a dispensing needle holder 220 and a dispensing needle assembly 210, with the dispensing needle assembly 210 movable up and down along the dispensing needle holder 220. The dispensing needle assembly 210 includes dispensing needles 211, a plunger pump, a solenoid valve, and a curved dispensing needle holder 212. The dispensing needles 211 are arranged in an arc along the curved dispensing needle holder 212 and correspond one-to-one with the outer ring test tube slots. There are six dispensing needles 211 in total, with their tips at the same horizontal level. Their length decreases sequentially as they move away from the dispensing needle holder 220 to accommodate the liquid level in the test tube after one or more dispensing cycles. Each dispensing needle 211 is equipped with a plunger pump, which has a solenoid valve. Each plunger pump is connected to a reservoir 300, allowing the dispensing needle assembly to dispense multiple different reagents at once, improving preparation efficiency. The sample needle holder 220 includes a vertically arranged sample needle assembly vertical support 221 and a sample needle assembly vertical drive motor 222. The sample needle assembly vertical support 221 is provided with a slide rail, and one end of the sample needle arc support 212 is provided on the slide rail. The sample needle assembly vertical drive motor 222 drives the sample needle assembly 210 to move up and down along the slide rail.

[0024] The storage tank 300 of this invention is used to hold various reagents for preparing density gradient solutions. In some specific embodiments, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a mixing device is provided at the bottom of the liquid storage tank body 310. The mixing device includes a rotary motor 320 that can drive the liquid storage tank to rotate horizontally and a drive belt. The drive belt is installed at the bottom of the liquid storage tank body 310. The rotary motor 320 causes the drive belt to rotate horizontally, so that the liquid in the liquid storage tank body is continuously rotated and mixed to prevent reagent precipitation.

[0025] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the device may further include a liquid level following control module, which calculates the upward movement distance of the sample needle assembly based on the volume of liquid added by the sample needle and the inner diameter of the test tube, and controls the sample needle assembly to rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after addition, so as to avoid mixing of reagents of different densities during addition and improve the accuracy of preparation.

[0026] In use, place the pre-prepared stock solutions into the respective reservoirs 300, allowing each sampling needle 211 to dispense different reagents; place the test tube containing the sample to be tested into the inner ring test tube reservoir group 120, and place the empty test tube into the outer ring test tube reservoir group 110. Manually or using an automatic sampling needle, add the sample from the test tube in the inner ring test tube reservoir group 120 into the empty test tube in the outer ring test tube reservoir group 110; activate the gradient sampling needle group, the sampling needle group 210 descends, and simultaneously dispenses the first batch of 6 test tubes below the 6 sampling needles, then rises, and the rotating sample tray 100 rotates for the first time, offsetting the test tubes by one test tube reservoir; the sampling needle group 210 descends, and simultaneously dispenses the second batch of 6 new test tubes below the 6 sampling needles, then rises... Repeat the above operations until all reagents have been dispensed. During operation, the liquid level following control module is activated. Based on the volume of liquid added by the sampling needle and the inner diameter of the test tube, the upward movement distance of the sampling needle assembly is calculated, and the sampling needle assembly is controlled to rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after the liquid is added.

[0027] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic density gradient liquid preparation device, characterized in that, It includes a rotating sample tray, a gradient injection needle assembly, and several liquid reservoirs; The rotating sample tray includes a circular sample tray, a sample tray mounting base, and a sample tray rotation motor. The top of the sample tray is equipped with an outer ring test tube groove group and an inner ring test tube groove group that are concentric. The sample tray is mounted on the sample tray base, and the sample tray rotation motor controls the sample tray to rotate horizontally around the center. The liquid storage tank is mounted on the sample tray mounting base. The gradient sampling needle assembly includes a sampling needle support and a sampling needle assembly. The sampling needle assembly includes several sampling needles arranged in an arc shape with the length of the sampling needles decreasing sequentially. The sampling needle assembly is located directly above the outer ring test tube groove assembly and can move up and down along the sampling needle support. The top ends of the sampling needle assembly are at the same level, and the length of each sampling needle decreases sequentially. A liquid reservoir is connected to a sampling needle, and the sampling needle assembly can simultaneously add different reagents to different test tubes; a plunger pump and a solenoid valve are installed between the liquid reservoir and each sampling needle. The plunger pump draws liquid from the liquid reservoir and inputs it into the sampling needle, and the solenoid valve controls the pump's drawing and input; the sampling needle assembly includes 6 sampling needles. The bottom of the liquid storage tank is equipped with a mixing device, which can drive the liquid storage tank to rotate horizontally, so that the liquid in the liquid storage tank can be continuously rotated and mixed. The device also includes a liquid level following control module, which calculates the upward movement distance of the sample needle assembly based on the volume of liquid added by the sample needle and the inner diameter of the test tube, and controls the sample needle assembly to rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after addition. The device also includes an automatic sampling needle, which can take samples from the test tubes of the inner ring test tube group and add them to the test tubes of the outer ring test tube group; The following steps are included when using it: (1) Place the test tube containing the sample to be tested into the inner ring test tube slot group, place the empty test tube into the outer ring test tube slot group, and use the automatic sampling needle to add the sample in the test tube in the inner ring test tube slot group into the empty test tube in the outer ring test tube slot group. (2) Activate the gradient injection needle group, the injection needle group descends, and at the same time, the six test tubes below the six injection needles are injected for the first time and then rises. The rotating sample tray rotates for the first time so that the test tubes are staggered by one test tube slot. (3) The sampling needle group descends, and at the same time, it rises after a second injection into the six new test tubes below the six sampling needles; (4) Repeat steps (1)-(3) until all reagents are added; during the operation of the sample needle group, the liquid level following control module is turned on, and the upward movement distance of the sample needle group is calculated according to the volume of liquid added by the sample needle and the inner diameter of the test tube, so as to control the sample needle group to rise as the liquid level in the test tube rises after addition.

2. The density gradient liquid automatic preparation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer ring test tube set includes 16 test tube troughs that can hold 15mL centrifuge tubes, while the inner ring test tube set includes 8 test tube troughs that can hold 2mL centrifuge tubes.

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