A washing tube and a cell washing device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of cell culture, in particular to a washing tube and a cell washing device, the washing device comprising a shell, a liquid delivery mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a tube rack mechanism and a washing tube, wherein the liquid delivery mechanism, the lifting mechanism and the tube rack mechanism are respectively installed in the shell, the washing tube is clamped on the tube rack mechanism, the washing tube line port of the liquid delivery mechanism is provided with a joint to communicate with a long tube, and the return line port is also provided with another joint to communicate with a short tube, the joints are installed on the lifting mechanism to clamp and communicate with the washing tube, the washing tube is a long-short tube cooperating with a filter tube, the washing function can be realized, the washing tube is applied to the cell washing device, a centrifuge is not needed, direct washing can be realized, and the operation is simple and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cell culture technology, specifically a washing tube and a cell washing device. Background Technology

[0002] Passaging during cell culture helps increase the number of cells cultured, maintains vigorous cell division, and prevents mass cell death due to plateauing or apoptosis. Generally, cells should be passaged after they have fully confluented. For cells with contact inhibition, passage must be performed before confluence. These cells are typically passaged at 70-80% density; otherwise, cell differentiation may occur.

[0003] When passaged, trypsin is added to digest the adherent cells. Digestion is stopped when 80%-90% of the cells become round and translucent under a microscope. The cells are then thoroughly pipetted to ensure complete detachment. The collected cells are then manually transferred to centrifuge tubes and centrifuged. After centrifugation to form a cell pellet, washing buffer is added to clean the cells. After cleaning, the cells are centrifuged again. After cell pelleting, an appropriate volume of complete culture medium is added, and the cells are gently pipetted to form a single-cell suspension for further culture.

[0004] Cell passage requires centrifugation to precipitate cells. However, centrifuges are particularly bulky and inconvenient to operate. A typical benchtop cell centrifuge commonly used in laboratories has a horizontal rotor with a maximum speed of 4000 rpm, a width of 370 mm, a height of 290 mm, an overall weight of 30 kg, and a maximum volume of 6 x 9 ml. After centrifugation, the washing and digestion solutions need to be manually poured out, making the cell passage process cumbersome and inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a washing tube and a cell washing device. The washing tube is a combination of long and short tubes with a filter tube, enabling washing functionality. When applied to a cell washing device, this washing tube eliminates the need for a centrifuge, allowing for direct washing. The operation is simple and highly efficient. The specific technical solution is as follows: A washing tube includes a tube body and a cap, wherein a filter tube, a long tube and a short tube are provided inside the tube body; The filter tube is installed inside the tube body. The upper ends of both the long tube and the short tube extend out of the cover. The lower end of the long tube is located below the filter tube, and the lower end of the short tube is located inside the cavity of the filter tube.

[0006] The aforementioned washing tube has a filter plate installed at its bottom end and its upper end detachably connected to a cover.

[0007] The present invention provides a cell washing device, comprising a housing, a liquid delivery mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a tube rack mechanism, and a washing tube, wherein the liquid delivery mechanism, the lifting mechanism, and the tube rack mechanism are respectively installed inside the housing.

[0008] The washing pipe is clamped on the pipe rack mechanism. The washing pipe port of the liquid conveying mechanism is equipped with a connector to connect to the long pipe, and the return pipe port is also equipped with another connector to connect to the short pipe. All connectors are installed on the lifting mechanism to clamp and connect the washing pipe.

[0009] The cell washing device described above includes a liquid delivery mechanism comprising a storage bottle, a waste bottle, a hose, and two peristaltic pumps. The storage bottle and the waste bottle are connected to the peristaltic pumps in a one-to-one correspondence, and the storage bottle, the waste bottle, the peristaltic pumps, and the connector are connected by a hose.

[0010] The cell washing device described above includes an infrared switch, a support for placing the washing tubes, a geared motor, and a base. The base is installed inside the housing, the geared motor is installed on the base, and the support is driven to rotate by the geared motor. The infrared switch is installed at the position of the corresponding detection short tube as a variable.

[0011] The cell washing device described above includes a lifting mechanism comprising a linear module vertically installed inside a housing. A connecting plate is mounted on the slider of the linear module. The connecting plate is provided with a fixing seat for installing a connector. The fixing seat is provided with a clamp for locking the connecting long tube and short tube.

[0012] In the aforementioned cell washing device, the fixed base and the connecting plate are magnetically connected.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the washing tube is a structure that combines long and short tubes with a filter tube. The long tube is responsible for washing the cells, while the washed liquid is discharged through the short tube, enabling continuous liquid inflow and outflow for convenient washing. The washing tube, in conjunction with a new cell washing device, includes a tube rack mechanism for holding the washing tube and a liquid delivery mechanism for transporting and recovering the washing liquid, thus completing the cell washing operation. Furthermore, a lifting mechanism controls the connection or disconnection of the output connector of the liquid delivery mechanism with the washing tube, and an infrared switch is installed in the tube rack mechanism to automatically position the washing tube, further automating the cell washing process. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid delivery mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the fixing base and connecting plate of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating tube rack mechanism of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the washing tube structure of the present invention.

[0015] In the diagram: 1 is the outer casing, 11 is the door switch, 12 is the touch screen, and 13 is the viewing window; 2 is a liquid delivery mechanism, 21 is a liquid storage bottle, 22 is a waste liquid bottle, 23 is a hose, 24 is a peristaltic pump, 25 is a connector, and 26 is a clamp. 3 is the lifting mechanism, 31 is the linear module, 32 is the connecting plate, and 34 is the fixed base; 4 is the washing tube, 41 is the tube body, 42 is the cap, 43 is the filter tube, 44 is the long tube, and 45 is the short tube; 5 is the pipe rack mechanism, 51 is the infrared switch, 52 is the bracket, 53 is the geared motor, 54 is the base, and 55 is the mounting bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Example 1 This embodiment is a washing tube, such as Figure 7 As shown, the washing tube 4 includes a tube body 41 and a cover 42. The tube body 41 is provided with a filter tube 43, a long tube 44 and a short tube 45.

[0018] The filter tube 43 is fitted inside the upper part of the tube body 41. The upper ends of the long tube 44 and the short tube 45 both extend out of the cover 42. The lower end of the long tube 44 is located below the filter tube 43, and the lower end of the short tube 45 is located inside the filter tube 43. When washing liquid or other liquid is introduced into the long tube 44, it will be discharged from the bottom of the tube body 41 until the liquid in the tube body 41 rises into the filter tube 43. The washed liquid can be sucked out by the short tube 45, while the washed object is blocked by the filter tube 43 and remains in the tube body 41, thus achieving flow washing.

[0019] Specifically, a filter element is installed at the bottom of the filter tube 42, and the upper end of the filter tube 42 is detachably connected to the cover 42. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the cover 42 has a double-threaded structure with internal and external threads. The outer side is provided with an internal thread to be screwed into the tube body 41, and the inner side is provided with an external thread to be screwed into the filter tube 42.

[0020] Example 2 This embodiment is a cell washing device, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it includes a housing 1, a liquid conveying mechanism 2, a lifting mechanism 3, a pipe rack mechanism 5, and a washing pipe 4. The liquid conveying mechanism 2, the lifting mechanism 3, and the pipe rack mechanism 5 are arranged and installed in the housing 1 from back to front, and the washing pipe 4 is held in place on the pipe rack mechanism 5.

[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid delivery mechanism 2 includes a storage bottle 21, a waste bottle 22, and two peristaltic pumps 24. The storage bottle 21 and waste bottle 22 are connected to the peristaltic pumps 24 in a one-to-one correspondence, and are connected by a hose 23 to a connector 25 and a silicone clamp 26, thus connecting the storage bottle 21 to a long tube 44 and the waste bottle 22 to a short tube 45. The storage bottle 21 and waste bottle 22 are placed inside the rear of the outer casing 1. For easy replacement, a door 11 is provided at the rear of the outer casing 1. To facilitate observation of the liquid level in the storage bottle 21 and waste bottle 22, viewing windows 13 are provided on the left and right sides of the outer casing 1. The caps of the storage bottle 21 and waste bottle 22 have vent holes connected to air filters to ensure that the air entering the storage bottle 21 and waste bottle 22 is sterile.

[0022] like Figure 6 As shown, the tube rack mechanism 5 includes an infrared switch 51, a bracket 52 for placing the washing tube 4, a reduction motor 53, a base 54, and a mounting base 55. The base 54 is installed inside the outer casing 1, the reduction motor 53 is installed on the base 54, and the bracket 52 is driven to rotate by the reduction motor 53. The long tube 44 is located at the central axis of the tube body 41, and the short tube 45 is offset from the central axis of the tube body 41. The infrared switch 51 is installed in the mounting base 55 and detects the position of the short tube 45 as a variable.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the lifting mechanism 3 includes a linear module 31 vertically installed inside the housing 1. A T-shaped connecting plate 32 is mounted on the slider of the linear module 31. The top surface of the connecting plate 32 is mounted on the slider of the linear module 31. The vertical surface of the connecting plate 32 is horizontal and is provided with a fixing seat 34. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the mounting base 34 is magnetically attached to the connecting plate 32, which facilitates the disassembly and replacement of accessories such as the connector 25 and the clamp 26.

[0024] The washing pipeline of the liquid conveying mechanism 2 is provided with a connector 25 to connect to the long pipe 44, and the return pipeline is also provided with a connector to connect to the short pipe 45; the connector is installed on the lifting mechanism 3 to snap and connect to the washing pipe 4.

[0025] The tube rack mechanism 5 and the lifting mechanism 3 improve the automation level of the washing device: when the washing tube 4 is placed on the support 52, the reduction motor 53 starts, and the washing tube 4 rotates accordingly. When it rotates to the point where the short tube 45 blocks the infrared switch 51, the reduction motor 53 stops, and the washing tube 4 stops at the preset position. Then, the lifting mechanism 3 drives the clamp 26 to descend and clamp the long tube 44 and the short tube 45. The peristaltic pump 24 starts working, and the liquid in the storage bottle 21 enters the bottom of the tube body 41 through the long tube 44 to clean the cells. The liquid rises and passes through the filter tube 43. Since the diameter of the cells is larger than the filtration diameter of the filter tube 43 and the diameter of the cell impurities is smaller than the filtration diameter of the filter tube 43, the washed liquid carrying the cell impurities enters the waste liquid bottle 22 through the short tube 45, completing the cleaning of the cells. The start and stop control of the reduction motor 53, the infrared switch 51, and the peristaltic pump 24 can all be automatically controlled. A touch screen 12 is set on the outer shell 1 for easy operation by the operator.

Claims

1. A cell washing device, characterized in that: It includes a housing (1), a liquid conveying mechanism (2), a lifting mechanism (3), a pipe rack mechanism (5), and a washing pipe (4), wherein the liquid conveying mechanism (2), the lifting mechanism (3), and the pipe rack mechanism (5) are respectively installed inside the housing (1); The washing tube (4) includes a tube body (41) and a cover (42). The tube body (41) is provided with a filter tube (43), a long tube (44) and a short tube (45). The filter tube (43) is installed inside the tube body (41). The upper ends of the long tube (44) and the short tube (45) extend out of the cover (42). The lower end of the long tube (44) is located below the filter tube (43), and the lower end of the short tube (45) is located inside the cavity of the filter tube (43). A filter plate is installed at the bottom end of the filter tube (43), and the upper end of the filter tube (43) is detachably connected to the cover (42). The washing pipe (4) is placed on the pipe rack mechanism (5). The washing pipe port of the liquid conveying mechanism (2) is provided with a connector (25) to connect to the long pipe (44), and the return pipe port is also provided with another connector (25) to connect to the short pipe (45). The connectors (25) are all installed on the lifting mechanism (3) to connect the washing pipe (4).

2. The cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid delivery mechanism (2) includes a storage bottle (21), a waste bottle (22), a hose (23) and two peristaltic pumps (24). The storage bottle (21) and the waste bottle (22) are connected to the peristaltic pumps (24) in a one-to-one correspondence. The storage bottle (21), the waste bottle (22) are connected to the peristaltic pumps (24) and the connector (25) by the hose (23).

3. The cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube rack mechanism (5) includes an infrared switch (51), a bracket (52) for placing the washing tube (4), a geared motor (53) and a base (54). The base (54) is installed inside the housing (1), the geared motor (53) is installed on the base (54), and the bracket (52) is driven to rotate by the geared motor (53). The infrared switch (51) is installed at the position corresponding to the detection short tube (45) as a variable.

4. The cell washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (3) includes a linear module (31) installed vertically inside the outer casing (1). A connecting plate (32) is installed on the slider of the linear module (31). A fixing seat (34) for installing a connector (25) is provided on the connecting plate (32). A clamp (26) for locking the connecting long pipe (44) and short pipe (45) is provided inside the fixing seat (34).

5. The cell washing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed base (34) is magnetically connected to the connecting plate (32).

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