Mixing device

Abstract

The application provides a mixing device, which comprises a sample container, a mixing structure, a transition structure and a mixing driving part; the sample container contains a liquid sample; one end of the mixing structure is communicated with the sample container; one end of the transition structure is communicated with the end of the mixing structure which is far away from the sample container; the transition structure comprises an adjustable inner cavity; the connecting end of the mixing driving part is communicated with the end of the transition structure which is far away from the mixing structure; the mixing driving part drives the end of the transition structure which is far away from the mixing structure to move; with the increase or decrease of the volume of the adjustable inner cavity, the liquid sample in the sample container flows into the mixing structure or the liquid sample in the mixing structure flows back into the sample container; in the application, the transition structure is arranged between the mixing channel and the mixing equipment, so that the liquid sample is only mixed in the mixing channel, the liquid sample does not directly communicate with the mixing equipment, the flow channel is kept clean, and pollution is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of biomedical technology, particularly to a mixing device. Background Art

[0002] A liquid sample generally may contain a liquid and at least one particle. Here, the particle generally can be understood as a superordinate concept including solid organic particles, inorganic particles, biological cells, etc. In a liquid containing biological cells, it is generally understood as a cell suspension, and such a cell suspension can promote the growth of cells in the cell suspension. In biomedical fields such as cancer cell screening, single cell cloning, cell differentiation mechanism research, drug development, single cell sequencing, etc., for a liquid sample containing particles (such as cells), it is often necessary to use a cell sorting device to separate single target cells from one or more cell solutions. Since a liquid sample containing particles such as cells often has the problem that the particles precipitate at the bottom of the sample container. To solve this problem, it is necessary to mix the liquid sample in the sample container.

[0003] Currently, the conventional cell mixing is to manually aspirate and mix the liquid in the container using a pipette, but this method is too dependent on manual labor and difficult to meet the requirements of automated equipment. Currently, it is also possible to use a container with a mixing channel configured on a dispensing device, and the dispenser is a disposable consumable. When in use, the liquid in the container is mixed by connecting with a mixing device. However, in this method, the mixing channel and the mixing device are directly connected in a fluid manner, and there is a risk of contamination of the fluid in the container and the flow channel in the mixing device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, in view of the problem of contamination in the flow channel caused by the direct connection of the mixing channel and the mixing device through fluid, it is necessary to provide a mixing device.

[0005] In an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, a mixing device is provided, including:

[0006] A dispensing part provided with a sample container, and the sample container is configured to hold a liquid sample; the dispensing part includes:

[0007] A mixing structure, which is arranged in the dispensing part and is connected to the sample container; and

[0008] A transition structure, one end of which is connected to the end of the mixing structure far from the sample container; the transition structure includes an adjustable inner cavity; and

[0009] A mixing driving part, the connecting end of which is connected to the end of the transition structure far from the mixing structure;

[0010] The mixing driving part drives one end of the transition structure away from the mixing structure. As the volume of the adjustable inner cavity increases or decreases, the liquid sample in the sample container flows into the mixing structure or the liquid sample in the sample container flows back into the sample container.

[0011] In one embodiment, the transition structure includes:

[0012] A transition pipeline, one end of the transition pipeline is connected to one end of the mixing structure away from the sample container; and

[0013] A mixing rod, one end of the mixing rod is movably connected to one end of the transition pipeline away from the mixing structure, and the inner cavity where one end of the mixing rod is connected to the transition pipeline forms the adjustable inner cavity; and

[0014] A first connecting member, one end of the mixing rod away from the transition pipeline is connected to one end of the first connecting member, and one end of the first connecting member away from the mixing rod is connected to the connecting end of the mixing driving part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the mixing driving part includes:

[0016] A connecting device, one end of the connecting device is connected to one end of the transition structure away from the mixing structure; and

[0017] A power source, the output end of the power source is connected to one end of the connecting device away from the transition structure.

[0018] In one embodiment, the connecting device includes:

[0019] A second connecting member, one end of the second connecting member is connected to the output end of the power source; one end of the second connecting member away from the output end of the power source is magnetically connected to the first connecting member.

[0020] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0021] An identification device, installed on the second connecting member; the identification device is configured to generate an identification signal when one end of the transition structure away from the mixing structure is connected to the second connecting member;

[0022] A control device, configured to obtain the identification signal generated by the identification device and generate a trigger signal according to the identification signal;

[0023] The power source is configured to receive the trigger signal sent by the control device and drive the connecting device to move along the axis direction of the output end of the power source.

[0024] In one embodiment, the dispensing part includes:

[0025] An input port, which is connected to one end of the sample container far from the mixing structure;

[0026] A mixing interface, which is movably connected to one end of the transition structure far from the mixing structure, and one end of the transition structure close to the mixing structure is arranged in the accommodation space of the dispensing part;

[0027] An output port, and the liquid sample in the sample container can be output from the output port in the form of droplets; and

[0028] An output channel, one end of the output channel is connected to the output port, and the other end of the output channel extends vertically to the bottom of the dispensing part.

[0029] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0030] A seal, which is nested on the mixing interface of the dispensing part and sleeved on one end of the transition structure far from the mixing structure.

[0031] In one embodiment, the included angle between the central axis of the transition structure and the central axis of the mixing structure is configured as a first included angle, and the included angle between the central axis of the mixing structure and the central axis of the sample container is configured as a second included angle.

[0032] In one embodiment, the value range of the first included angle is 90° - 180°, and the value range of the second included angle is 10° - 90°.

[0033] In the present invention, the transition structure arranged between the mixing channel and the mixing device enables the liquid sample to be mixed only in the mixing channel, and the liquid sample is not directly connected to the mixing device, which is beneficial to keeping the flow channel clean and avoiding contamination. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] Figure 1 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the mixing device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 Shows a schematic diagram of the usage state of the mixing device in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Reference Numerals in the Drawings:

[0037] 10 - Sample container;

[0038] 20 - Mixing structure;

[0039] 30 - Transition structure;

[0040] 31 - Transition pipeline;

[0041] 32 - Mixing rod;

[0042] 33 - First connector;

[0043] 40 - Mixing driving part;

[0044] 42 - Second connector;

[0045] 43 - Power source;

[0046] 44 - Connection plate;

[0047] 60 - Distribution part;

[0048] 61 - Input port;

[0049] 62 - Mixing interface;

[0050] 63 - Sealing element;

[0051] 64 - Output port;

[0052] 65 - Output channel. Detailed implementation manners

[0053] To make the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following detailed description of the specific implementation manners of the present invention is made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0055] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0056] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0058] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 shows a schematic structural view of a mixing device in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the use state of a mixing device in an embodiment of the present invention. The mixing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes: a distribution part 60 and a mixing driving part 40. Among them, the distribution part 60 includes a mixing structure 20 and a transition structure 30.

[0060] The dispensing unit 60 is provided with a sample container 10, which is configured to hold a liquid sample. A mixing structure 20 is disposed within the dispensing unit 60 and is connected to the sample container 10; one end of a transition structure 30 is connected to the end of the mixing structure 20 that is remote from the sample container 10; the transition structure 30 includes an adjustable inner cavity; a connection end of a mixing driving unit 40 is connected to the end of the transition structure 30 that is remote from the mixing structure 20. The mixing driving unit 40 drives the end of the transition structure 30 that is remote from the mixing structure 20 to move bidirectionally, so as to change the volume of the inner cavity.

[0061] Specifically, the mixing driving unit 40 pulls the transition structure 30 outwards, the volume of the adjustable inner cavity increases, and the liquid sample in the sample container 10 flows into the mixing structure 20. The mixing driving unit 40 pushes the transition structure 30 inwards, the volume of the adjustable inner cavity decreases, and the liquid sample flowing into the mixing structure 20 flows back into the sample container 10.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the transition structure 30 includes: a transition pipe 31 and a mixing rod 32. One end of the transition pipe 31 is connected to the end of the mixing structure 20 that is remote from the sample container 10; one end of the mixing rod 32 is movably connected to the end of the transition pipe 31 that is remote from the mixing structure 20, and the inner cavity formed by the connection between one end of the mixing rod 32 and the transition pipe 31 forms the adjustable inner cavity; the end of the mixing rod 32 that is remote from the transition pipe 31 is connected to the connection end of the mixing driving unit 40.

[0063] Here, the adjustable inner cavity mentioned above is elaborated in detail. This inner cavity is a sealed cavity formed in the transition pipe 31 after the end of the mixing rod 32 is connected to the transition pipe 31. The change in the volume of the adjustable inner cavity will change the pressure in the sealed cavity, thereby forming a positive pressure or a negative pressure. When the volume of the adjustable inner cavity becomes larger, the liquid sample in the sample container 10 flows into the mixing structure 20, as Figure 1 shown. When the volume of the adjustable inner cavity becomes smaller, the liquid sample flowing into the mixing structure 20 flows back into the sample container 10, as Figure 2 shown. The liquid sample can move following the change in the volume of the adjustable inner cavity, thereby making the particles in the liquid sample in the sample container 10 evenly distributed, and achieving the mixing of the liquid sample.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, a positive pressure or a negative pressure can also be applied to the pipeline by a processing device such as a pump, the monitoring result of the positive pressure or the negative pressure in the sealed cavity is obtained, and the monitoring result is fed back to the mixing driving unit 40 to control the start and stop of the mixing driving unit 40.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, both the mixing structure 20 and the transition structure 30 are selected as pipeline structures, and their pipe walls are interconnected to form a sealed space within the inner cavity of the pipeline structure. It should be noted that the shape of the pipeline may not be specifically defined. It can be a straight pipeline structure as shown in the figure, or a pipeline structure with other shapes known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and no further examples will be given here.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, the end of the mixing rod 32 connected to the transition pipe 31 moves outward from the transition pipe 31, increasing the volume of the adjustable inner cavity, and the liquid sample in the sample container 10 flows into the mixing structure 20. The end of the mixing rod 32 connected to the transition pipe 31 moves into the transition pipe 31, reducing the volume of the adjustable inner cavity, and the liquid sample in the sample container 10 flows back into the sample container 10. In this embodiment, the movement of the mixing rod 32 is used to adjust the volume of the adjustable inner cavity, thereby achieving the mixing of the liquid sample.

[0067] Among them, the liquid sample generally may contain a liquid and at least one particle. Here, the particle can generally be understood as a superordinate concept including solid organic particles, inorganic particles, biological cells, etc. In a liquid containing biological cells, it can generally be understood as a cell suspension, and such a cell suspension can promote the growth of cells in the cell suspension.

[0068] In this embodiment, the transition structure 30 is disposed between the mixing structure 20 on the dispensing part 60 and the mixing driving part 40, so that the mixing structure 20 and the mixing driving part 40 are no longer directly connected by fluid, which is beneficial to keeping the flow channel clean and avoiding contamination.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the mixing structure 20 close to the sample container 10 is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the mixing structure 20 far from the sample container 10. The cross-sectional diameter of the end of the sample container 10 close to the mixing structure 20 is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the sample container 10 far from the mixing structure 20. This is beneficial to forming positive pressure and negative pressure between the sample container 10 and the mixing structure 20, thereby making the particles in the liquid sample in the sample container 10 evenly distributed and improving the mixing effect.

[0070] In an embodiment of the present invention, the transition structure 30 can be selected as a soft film mechanism, and the deformation of the soft film is used to promote the change of the volume in the adjustable inner cavity.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing driving part 40 includes: a connecting device and a power source 43.

[0072] One end of the connecting device is connected to the end of the transition structure 30 far from the mixing structure 20; the output end of the power source 43 is connected to the end of the connecting device far from the transition structure 30.

[0073] In this embodiment, the connecting device only needs to be able to connect the output end of the power source 43 and the transition structure 30, so that the internal cavity volume of the transition structure 30 can change with the movement of the output end of the power source 43.

[0074] In a specific embodiment, the power source 43 may include a motor and a lead screw. The output shaft of the motor rotates around an axis. The lead screw is coaxially connected to the output shaft of the motor and converts the rotation around the axis into a linear movement along the axis.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present invention, the transition structure 30 further includes: a first connecting member 33, one end of the first connecting member 33 is connected to one end of the mixing rod 32 away from the transition pipe 31, and the other end of the first connecting member 33 is connected to the connecting device of the mixing driving part 40. Further, the connecting device includes: a second connecting member 42, one end of the second connecting member 42 is connected to the output end of the power source 43; the other end of the second connecting member 42 is magnetically connected to the first connecting member 33.

[0076] In a specific embodiment, the first connecting member 33 and the second connecting member 42 can be directly (or remotely) magnetically connected by a magnetic member and a metal member. The second connecting member 42 connected to the output end of the power source 43 can be configured as an electromagnetic member, and the first connecting member 33 connected to one end of the transition structure 30 away from the mixing structure 20 can be configured as a metal member. After the transition structure 30 is installed on the first connecting member 33 of the connecting device, the second connecting member 42 and the first connecting member 33 achieve magnetic connection.

[0077] In a specific embodiment, the first connecting member 33 can be selected as a sleeve-shaped structure. When the transition structure 30 is installed on the mixing driving part, the mixing rod 32 is inserted into the shaft hole of the sleeve-shaped structure of the first connecting member 33. Optionally, the first connecting member 33 can be selected as a metal sleeve-shaped structure.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device further includes a connecting plate 44. One end of the connecting plate 44 is connected to the output end of the power source 43, and the end of the connecting plate 44 away from the output end of the power source 43 is connected to the second connecting member 42. The output end of the power source 43 drives the connecting plate 44 to perform a linear movement along the axis of the output end of the power source 43, and drives the second connecting member 42 of the connecting device to move through the connecting plate 44.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: an identification device and a control device. The identification device is installed on the second connecting member 42; the identification device is configured to generate an identification signal when the first connecting member 33 at one end of the transition structure 30 away from the mixing structure 20 is magnetically connected to the second connecting member 42. The control device is configured to acquire the identification signal generated by the identification device and generate a trigger signal according to the identification signal. The power source 43 is configured to receive the trigger signal sent by the control device and drive the connecting device to move along the axis direction of the output end of the power source 43.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device can adopt a clamping device. When the connecting device is connected to the transition structure 30, the mixing rod 32 is clamped by the clamping device.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device can adopt a vacuum device. When the connecting device is connected to the transition structure 30, the mixing rod 32 is adsorbed by the vacuum device.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device can adopt a threaded connecting device. The connection between the connecting device and the mixing rod 32 is achieved through a threaded screw connection.

[0083] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing unit 60 includes: a sample container 10, a mixing structure 20, and a transition structure 30. The dispensing unit 60 is detachably installed on the mixing driving unit 40. The dispensing unit 60 can be selected as a disposable consumable and is detachably connected to the mixing driving unit 40, so that when accommodating different liquid samples, the sample container 10 can be directly replaced, and there is no need to clean the sample container 10 of the dispensing unit 60 again, which is beneficial to maintaining the cleanliness of the liquid sample and avoiding contamination. The transition structure 30 can also be used once. After the dispensing is completed, the connection between the second connecting member 42 of the mixing driving unit 40 and the first connecting member 33 of the dispensing unit 60 is correspondingly released, so that the disposable mixing rod 32 and the dispensing unit 60 as a whole are subjected to corresponding treatment together, and there is no need to clean the mixing rod 32 separately, which improves the convenience and reliability of the mixing rod 32. When the dispensing unit 60 completes a single-particle droplet dispensing, the first connecting member 33 of the dispensing unit 60 can be removed from the second connecting member 42 of the mixing driving unit 40 and then discarded, and there is no need to clean and maintain the dispensing unit 60 again, solving the problem of contamination caused by the contact between the mixing driving unit 40 and the liquid sample in the prior art, and improving the convenience and reliability of the dispensing unit.

[0084] The dispensing unit 60 includes an input port 61, a mixing interface 62, an output port 64, and an output channel 65. The input port 61 is connected to one end of the sample container 10 away from the mixing structure 20, and is used to inject a liquid sample through the input port 61. The mixing interface 62 is movably connected to one end of the transition structure 30 away from the mixing structure 20, and one end of the transition structure 30 close to the mixing structure 20 is in fluid communication with the mixing structure 20. The liquid sample in the sample container 10 can be output from the output port 64 in the form of liquid droplets. One end of the output channel 65 is connected to the output port 64, and the other end of the output channel 65 extends to the bottom of the dispensing unit 60.

[0085] For the mixing device in the above embodiment, during use, first, the dispensing unit 60 needs to be assembled with the mixing driving unit 40 and the operating mechanism to form the dispensing unit, and then the culture container is correspondingly arranged at the bottom of the output channel 65. Secondly, after injecting a liquid sample into the sample container 10 through the input port 61, the mixing driving unit 40 is started to mix the particles in the liquid sample, and then the operating mechanism works, so that the liquid sample in the sample container 10 can be output from the output port 64 in the form of liquid droplets, so as to separate the particles meeting the preset conditions from the liquid sample containing one or more kinds of particles. The liquid droplets at the output port 64 can drip from the output channel 65 into the culture container, so as to achieve the dispensing of the liquid sample. The operation is simple and convenient, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of sampling in the culture container. Finally, the culture container is removed, and the connections between the dispensing unit 60, the mixing driving unit 40, and the operating mechanism are correspondingly released, and then the disposable dispensing unit 60 is subjected to corresponding treatment. There is no need to separately clean the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, and the transition structure 30, improving the convenience and reliability of the dispensing unit 60. Compared with the traditional mixing device, the dispensing unit 60, the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, and the transition structure 30 in this embodiment adopt a disposable structure. After the dispensing unit 60 completes a single-particle liquid droplet dispensing, the dispensing unit 60 can be directly discarded without separately cleaning and maintaining the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, and the transition structure 30, reducing the maintenance cost of the dispensing device, and there is no pollution problem with the dispensing unit 60, reducing the risk of contamination of the dispensing unit 60 and the liquid sample. In addition, when the next liquid sample dispensing is required, a new dispensing unit 60 is replaced to ensure that the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, and the transition structure 30 are always in a reliable state, avoiding the situation that the mixing driving unit 40 is contaminated due to contact with the liquid sample in the dispensing unit 60, and improving the reliability of the mixing device.

[0086] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing unit 60 further includes a screening unit. During use, first, the dispensing unit 60 needs to be correspondingly connected to the mixing driving unit 40, the operating mechanism, and the detection mechanism, and the screening unit needs to be correspondingly connected to the driving mechanism. After assembling to form a dispensing device, the culture container is correspondingly arranged at the bottom of the output channel 65. Second, after inputting a liquid sample into the sample container 10 through the input port 61, the mixing driving unit 40 is started to mix the particles in the liquid sample. Then, the operating mechanism works, so that the liquid sample in the sample container 10 can be output from the output port 64 in the form of droplets, so as to separate the particles meeting the preset conditions from the liquid sample containing one or more kinds of particles. Then, the detection mechanism detects the particles in the droplets at the output port 64 and judges whether the particles in the droplets meet the preset conditions. If they do not meet the preset conditions, the driving mechanism is started, so that the driving mechanism can cooperate with the screening unit to screen out the droplets that do not meet the preset conditions, and the detection mechanism detects the particles in the next droplet at the output port 64 until the particles in the droplets at the output port 64 meet the preset conditions; if they meet the preset conditions, the droplets at the output port 64 can drip into the culture container from the output channel 65, so as to realize the dispensing of the liquid sample, and the operation is simple and convenient, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of sampling in the culture container. Finally, when the droplets that meet the preset conditions drip into the culture container, the culture container is removed, and the connections between the dispensing unit 60 and the mixing driving unit 40, the driving mechanism, the operating mechanism, and the detection mechanism are correspondingly disconnected. The screening unit and the disposable dispensing unit 60 are subjected to corresponding treatments together, and there is no need to separately clean the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, the transition structure 30, and the screening unit, improving the convenience and reliability of the dispensing unit 60. Compared with the traditional mixing device, the dispensing unit 60, the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, the transition structure 30, and the screening unit in this embodiment adopt a disposable structure. After the dispensing unit 60 completes a single-particle droplet dispensing, the dispensing unit 60 can be directly discarded, and there is no need to separately clean and maintain the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, the transition structure 30, and the screening unit, reducing the maintenance cost of the dispensing unit, and there is no problem of pollution in the dispensing unit, reducing the risk of pollution of the dispensing unit and the liquid sample. In addition, when the next liquid sample needs to be dispensed, a new dispensing unit 60 is replaced, ensuring that the sample container 10, the mixing structure 20, the transition structure 30, and the screening unit are always in a reliable state, avoiding the situation that the mixing driving unit 40 is contaminated due to contact with the liquid sample in the dispensing unit 60, and improving the reliability of the mixing device.

[0087] Among them, the preset condition can be that the number of particles in the droplet is one, and this particle is the target particle. That is, when the droplet does not contain particles, when the number of particles in the droplet is at least two, or when the droplet only contains one non-target particle, the droplet does not meet the preset condition and will be screened out by the cooperation of the driving mechanism and the screening unit.

[0088] Specifically, in this embodiment, the preset conditions refer to the fact that the particle type, particle shape, and particle quantity in the droplet all meet the preset conditions. Here, particle type refers to the characterization of the particle in terms of its detectable features, particularly in terms of size, shape, color, fluorescence emission, and optical absorption. Particle shape is determined by, for example, at least one particle elongation, particle roundness, particle perimeter, smoothness, and particle size.

[0089] Specifically, in this embodiment, the operating mechanism can be a piezoelectric actuator, and the detection mechanism can be an optical detection device. In other embodiments, the power source 43 of the mixing drive unit 40 can be a telescopic hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic pneumatic cylinder, or other power mechanism.

[0090] In this specific embodiment, the flow cross-section of the outlet 64 is chosen to be very small so that the liquid sample in the sample container 10 cannot flow out of the outlet 64. Thus, a baffle is not needed to close the outlet 64, reducing the complexity of the distribution unit 60.

[0091] Furthermore, an output element with an output pipe is provided at the output port 64. Part of the output pipe is arranged in the output element. In particular, the output pipe in the output element is a microchannel with a very small flow cross-section so that the liquid sample itself cannot flow out of the microchannel.

[0092] The output element can be a microfluidic chip, and the manipulation element can be a piezoelectric actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, or a pneumatic actuator.

[0093] Optionally, the output element can be manipulated by a control mechanism to dispense at least a portion of the liquid sample. When the output element is not manipulated by the dispensing unit's control mechanism, no liquid sample is dispensed. Thus, when the control mechanism is operating, the liquid sample, under external pressure, flows within the microchannels of the output element; specifically, it is caused by striking the printing chamber of the microfluidic chip, causing the liquid containing individual particles in the microchannels to be ejected from the nozzles of the microfluidic chip, forming droplets containing individual particles. A liquid sample mixing interface is also provided at the bottom of the sample container 10 for dispensing the sorted particles during single-particle sorting.

[0094] In one specific embodiment, the connection position between the mixing structure 20 and the sample container 10 is generally selected by installing the mixing structure at the bottom of the sample container 10, so as to mix the particles deposited at the bottom of the sample container 10.

[0095] In one specific embodiment, the angle between the central axis of the transition structure 30 and the central axis of the mixing structure 20 is configured as a first angle, and the angle between the central axis of the mixing structure 20 and the central axis of the sample container 10 is configured as a second angle. Optionally, the first angle ranges from 90° to 180°, and the second angle ranges from 10° to 90°.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the central axis of the transition structure 30 and the central axis of the mixing structure 20 is configured to be 90°, which helps to reduce the processing difficulty of the distribution section and simplify its structure. This arrangement between the transition structure 30 and the mixing structure 20 can effectively reduce the amount of liquid sample entering the transition structure 30 from the mixing structure. The second angle between the central axis of the mixing structure 20 and the central axis of the sample container 10 is configured to be 30°, which allows for accommodating more liquid sample while also simplifying the structure of the distribution section.

[0097] In one specific embodiment, the sample container 10 has a capacity of 5ul-100ul, and the mixing structure 20 has a maximum mixing capacity of 30ul, meaning the maximum volume change of the adjustable inner cavity is 30ul.

[0098] In one specific embodiment, the mixing accuracy in the mixing structure 20 is achieved by controlling the movement and displacement of the mixing rod. Specifically, the cross-sectional diameter of the mixing rod is 2.5 mm, and the motor's movement step can achieve a mixing accuracy of 0.1 μm.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing element 63 is also included. The sealing element 63 is nested on the mixing interface 62 of the dispensing part 60 and sleeved and connected to the end of the transition structure 30 away from the mixing structure 20. By providing the sealing element 63, the adjustable inner cavity is sealed, thereby improving the mixing efficiency.

[0100] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0101] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mixing device, characterized in that, include: The dispensing unit (60) is provided with a sample container (10) configured to hold a liquid sample; The distribution unit (60) further includes: A mixing structure (20) is disposed within the distribution section (60) and communicates with the sample container (10); and A transition structure (30) is provided, one end of which is connected to the end of the mixing structure (20) away from the sample container (10); the transition structure (30) is provided with an adjustable inner cavity; the transition structure (30) includes: a transition pipe (31), one end of which is connected to the end of the mixing structure (20) away from the sample container (10); and a mixing rod (32), one end of which is movably connected to the end of the transition pipe (31) away from the mixing structure (20), and the inner cavity of the mixing rod (32) connected to the transition pipe (31) forms the adjustable inner cavity; and The mixing drive unit (40) has a mixing rod (32) connected at one end away from the transition pipe (31) to the connecting end of the mixing drive unit (40); the mixing drive unit (40) drives the end of the transition structure (30) away from the mixing structure (20) to move to change the volume of the inner cavity. The dispensing unit (60) is replaceably and detachably connected to the mixing drive unit (40).

2. The mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional diameter of the end of the mixing structure (20) near the sample container (10) is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the mixing structure (20) away from the sample container (10); the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the sample container (10) near the mixing structure (20) is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the end of the sample container (10) away from the mixing structure (20).

3. The mixing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transition structure (30) also includes: The first connector (33) is connected to one end of the mixing rod (32) away from the transition pipe (31), and the first connector (33) is connected to the connecting end of the mixing drive unit (40) at one end away from the mixing rod (32).

4. The mixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mixing drive unit (40) includes: A connecting device, one end of which is connected to the end of the transition structure (30) away from the mixing structure (20); and The power source (43) is connected to the end of the connecting device away from the transition structure (30).

5. The mixing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting device includes: The second connector (42) has one end connected to the output end of the power source (43); the end of the second connector (42) away from the output end of the power source (43) is magnetically connected to the first connector (33).

6. The mixing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: An identification device is mounted on the second connector (42); the identification device is configured to generate an identification signal when the end of the transition structure (30) away from the mixing structure (20) is connected to the second connector (42); The control device is configured to acquire the identification signal generated by the identification device and generate a trigger signal based on the identification signal; The power source (43) is configured to receive the trigger signal sent by the control device and drive the connecting device to move along the axial direction of the output end of the power source (43).

7. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distribution unit (60) includes: The input port (61) is connected to the end of the sample container (10) away from the mixing structure (20); The mixing interface (62) is movably connected to one end of the transition structure (30) away from the mixing structure (20), and the end of the transition structure (30) near the mixing structure (20) is disposed within the receiving space of the distribution part (60); The liquid sample in the sample container (10) can be output from the output port (64) in the form of droplets; and Output channel (65), one end of which is connected to the output port (64), and the other end of which extends vertically to the bottom of the distribution section (60).

8. The mixing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: A sealing element (63) is nested on the mixing interface (62) of the dispensing part (60) and sleeved and connected to the end of the transition structure (30) away from the mixing structure (20).

9. The mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The angle between the central axis of the transition structure (30) and the central axis of the mixing structure (20) is configured as a first angle, and the angle between the central axis of the mixing structure (20) and the central axis of the sample container (10) is configured as a second angle.

10. The mixing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first included angle ranges from 90° to 180°, and the second included angle ranges from 10° to 90°.

Images