A PCR instrument

Abstract

The present invention provides a PCR instrument, comprising: a sample loading unit (300) for loading a sample into the PCR instrument or taking a sample out of the PCR instrument; a temperature control unit (100) arranged at the lower side of the sample loading unit (300) for heating and cooling a PCR tube; a lifting assembly (110) arranged at the lower side of the temperature control unit (100) for raising or lowering the temperature control unit (100); and a fluorescence collection unit (200) arranged at the upper side of the sample loading unit (300) for detecting a PCR process by collecting fluorescence signals. The PCR instrument of the present invention can achieve faster temperature rise and fall, and the fluorescence collection unit can achieve fast channel switching to ensure switching accuracy, and can also provide convenience for sample loading.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bioengineering or medical equipment, and in particular to a PCR instrument. Background Art

[0002] There are many problems with existing PCR instruments, such as the heating and cooling rates are not ideal; the excitation channel and fluorescence channel of the fluorescence signal acquisition system are switched independently, the operation time is long, the control is complex, and channel confusion is prone to occur; and sample loading is inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a novel PCR instrument. The purpose of the present invention is also to provide a PCR instrument that solves at least one of the following technical problems: achieving faster temperature rise and fall; the fluorescence collection unit can achieve fast channel switching to ensure switching accuracy; and provide convenience for sample loading.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose or one of the purposes, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A PCR instrument, comprising:

[0006] A sample loading unit, used to load a sample into the PCR instrument or take a sample out of the PCR instrument;

[0007] A temperature control unit is arranged at the lower side of the sample loading unit and is used to increase or decrease the temperature of the PCR strip tube;

[0008] A lifting assembly, disposed at the lower side of the temperature control unit, for raising or lowering the temperature control unit; and

[0009] The fluorescence collection unit is arranged on the upper side of the sample loading unit and is used to detect the PCR process by collecting fluorescence signals.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature control unit comprises:

[0011] a temperature variable element configured to be switchable between a heating mode and a cooling mode;

[0012] A heating and cooling tube tray, used to accommodate PCR tube strips, the heating and cooling tube tray is arranged on one side of the temperature variable element and is configured to increase or decrease the temperature under the action of the temperature variable element;

[0013] The radiator is arranged on the side of the temperature changing element away from the heating and cooling tube coil;

[0014] A duct is provided on one side of the radiator; and

[0015] A fan is disposed on the fluid flow path of the duct.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a graphite sheet is provided between the temperature-changing element and the heating and cooling tube coil; and / or a graphite sheet is provided between the temperature-changing element and the radiator.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating and cooling pipe coil comprises:

[0018] Thermally conductive base plate;

[0019] At least one tube holder is arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate; and

[0020] Temperature sensor.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluorescence collection unit comprises:

[0022] at least two excitation light sources, configured to respectively emit monochromatic light of different wavelengths;

[0023] an excitation light assembly configured to receive monochromatic light from an excitation light source and transmit the monochromatic light to an object to be monitored;

[0024] a fluorescent component configured to receive fluorescent light from an object to be monitored and transmit the fluorescent light; and

[0025] The image acquisition unit is configured to acquire the fluorescence transmitted by the fluorescence component,

[0026] The at least two excitation light sources are configured to be movable together so that the fluorescence collection unit can change between a first state in which one excitation light source is opposite to the excitation light component and a second state in which the other excitation light source is opposite to the excitation light component.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluorescence collection unit further comprises at least two excitation light filters and at least two fluorescence filters, the number of the excitation light filters is the same as the number of the excitation light sources, and the number of the fluorescence filters is the same as the number of the excitation light sources;

[0028] Each excitation light source forms a functional group with an excitation light filter and a fluorescence filter to form at least two functional groups;

[0029] The at least two functional groups are configured to be able to move together so that at a first moment, the excitation light source and the excitation light filter of one functional group are opposite to the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter of the one functional group is opposite to the fluorescence component, while at a second moment different from the first moment, the excitation light source and the excitation light filter of the other functional group are opposite to the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter of the other functional group is opposite to the fluorescence component.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lifting assembly comprises:

[0031] Support base;

[0032] A steering gear is arranged on a supporting base;

[0033] a transmission assembly connected to the steering gear; and

[0034] The support assembly is directly or indirectly connected to the transmission assembly and is configured to change between a first position and a second position under the drive of the steering gear, wherein the vertical height of the first position is greater than the vertical height of the second position.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lifting assembly further comprises:

[0036] A guide column, arranged on the supporting base;

[0037] A linear bearing is configured to be slidably disposed on a guide column,

[0038] Wherein, the support assembly is fixedly connected to the linear bearing.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sample loading unit comprises:

[0040] A door configured to be coupled to a housing of a PCR instrument;

[0041] Screw motor;

[0042] A lead screw is combined with the lead screw motor and extends from the lead screw motor; and

[0043] The drawer is directly or indirectly connected to the screw rod and is configured to be able to move toward or away from the door under the drive of the screw rod.

[0044] Wherein, the compartment door is configured to be able to open under the force of the drawer pushing the compartment door so that the drawer can be extended from the PCR instrument, and to be able to automatically close after the drawer is retracted into the PCR instrument.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sample loading unit further comprises a heat cover, and the heat cover comprises an electric heating film for heating the PCR strip tube;

[0046] The thermal cover is arranged above the drawer in a floating manner when the drawer is retracted.

[0047] The PCR instrument of the present invention can achieve faster temperature rise and fall, and the fluorescence collection unit can achieve rapid channel switching to ensure switching accuracy, and can also provide convenience for sample loading. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Rear view of the PCR machine;

[0050] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a PCR instrument;

[0051] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of a temperature control unit for a PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partial cutaway view of a temperature control unit for a PCR instrument shown;

[0053] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A top view of a temperature control unit for a PCR instrument is shown;

[0054] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A partial top view of a temperature control unit for a PCR instrument is shown, wherein the pressing element and the electrical components on the printed circuit board are removed;

[0055] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a local component of a temperature control unit for a PCR instrument;

[0056] Fig. 9 A three-dimensional diagram of a heating and cooling tube coil of a temperature control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Fig.10 is a stereoscopic diagram of a fluorescence collection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A front view of the fluorescence collection unit shown;

[0059] Fig.12 for Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the fluorescence collection unit shown;

[0060] Fig.13 A perspective view of a movable frame of a fluorescence collection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a mirror frame and a circuit element board etc. are mounted thereon;

[0061] Fig.14 Shown from another angle Fig.13 The movable frame;

[0062] Fig.15 for Fig.13A cross-sectional view of the movable frame shown;

[0063] Fig.16 A movable frame of a fluorescence collection unit according to another embodiment is shown, wherein the movable frame is in a plate shape, the excitation light lens group includes two lenses, and the housing of the excitation light lens group is removed;

[0064] Fig.17 for Fig.16 A partial cross-sectional view of the fluorescence collection unit shown;

[0065] Fig.18 is a perspective view of a lifting assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Fig.19 for Fig.18 a rear view of the lifting assembly shown;

[0067] Fig. 20 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the lifting assembly shown;

[0068] Fig.21 A portion of a PCR instrument including a sample loading unit is shown, with the drawer in an extended state;

[0069] Fig. 22 for Fig.21 a cross-sectional view of the portion shown with the drawer in an extended position;

[0070] Fig.23 For Fig. 22 In the corresponding cross-sectional view, the drawer is in the retracted state and some parts are omitted;

[0071] Fig.24 For Fig. 22 In the corresponding cross-sectional view, the drawer is in a retracted state, and the lifting assembly rises to drive the temperature control unit to rise and combine with the drawer;

[0072] Fig.25 A perspective view of a drawer of a sample loading unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Fig.26 From another perspective Fig.25 Drawers of the specimen loading unit;

[0074] Fig. 27 The combined structure of the heating and cooling pipe tray, enclosure and drawer of the temperature control unit is shown;

[0075] Fig.28 for Fig. 27 a cross-sectional view of the structure shown;

[0076] Fig.29 for Fig. 27A cross-sectional view of another section of the structure shown.

[0077] List of reference numerals:

[0078] 11 fan cover; 12 air supply fan; 13 air intake grille; 14 installation part; 15 adapter assembly; 16 radiator; 17 support assembly; 18 pressing element; 19 heating and cooling tube coil; 20 fan interface; 21 enclosure; 22 printed circuit board; 23 electric control interface; 24 duct; 25 exhaust fan; 26 heat insulation element; 27 temperature variable element; 28 fixing bolt; 32 graphite sheet; 35 first horizontal section; 36 second horizontal section; 37 curved transition section; 41 heat conduction bottom plate; 42 pipe seat; 43 hollow part; 44 temperature sensor; 81 support base; 82 steering gear; 83 installation element; 84 turntable; 85 synchronous wheel; 86 arc-shaped connecting rod; 87 supporting part; 88 supporting bearing; 91 guiding column; 92 linear bearing; 93 first bolt; 94 second bolt; 95 third bolt; 96 fourth bolt; 97 fifth bolt; 98 arc-shaped inner concave part; 100 temperature control unit; 101 lower shell of PCR instrument; 102 partition; 103 drawer; 104 door; 105 bearing seat; 106 tension spring; 107 push block; 108 track; 110 lifting assembly; 111 power module; 112 main switch; 113 rotating arm; 114 screw motor; 115 screw; 116 transmission connecting rod; 119 slide rail; 120 hot cover; 121 hanging bolt; 122 spring spring; 126 receiving groove; 127 connecting position; 128 fixing hole; 129 inner peripheral protrusion; 130 outer peripheral protrusion; 131 chamber; 132 lumen; 200 fluorescence collection unit; 211 base frame; 212 actuating part; 213 driving wheel; 214 transmission belt; 215 fixing part; 216 bracket; 217 image collection part; 218 lens barrel; 219 movable frame; 220 fluorescence filter; 221 integration part; 222 object to be monitored; 223 adapter; 224 driven wheel; 225 installation position; 226 installation base; 229 guide rail; 230 optical fiber beam combining assembly; 231 excitation light receiving part; 232 fluorescence return 1. part; 233 excitation light transmitter; 234 fluorescence transmitter; 235 double glued lens group; 236 excitation light lens group; 237 excitation light filter; 238 excitation light source; 239 first accommodating part; 240 transmission belt mounting section; 241 second accommodating part; 242 filter mounting hole; 243 mirror frame; 244 circuit element board; 245 first lens; 246 second lens; 247 third lens; 251 optical fiber lens; 300 sample loading unit; 301 PCR instrument upper shell; 302 operation switch; 303 progress bar; 304 upper exhaust vent; 305 rear air outlet; 306 power socket; 307 network port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0080] Figure 1-3 A PCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, comprising: a sample loading unit 300, used for loading samples into the PCR instrument or taking samples out of the PCR instrument; a temperature control unit 100, arranged at the lower side of the sample loading unit 300, used for heating and cooling the PCR tube; a lifting assembly 110, arranged at the lower side of the temperature control unit 100, used for raising or lowering the temperature control unit 100; and a fluorescence collection unit 200, arranged at the upper side of the sample loading unit 300, used for detecting the PCR process by collecting fluorescence signals. The PCR instrument includes a PCR instrument lower shell 101 and a PCR instrument upper shell 301. A compartment door 104 is arranged on the front side of the PCR instrument lower shell 101, a power socket 306, a network port 307, a main switch 112 and a rear air outlet 305 are arranged on the rear side of the PCR instrument lower shell 101, an operation switch 302 and a progress bar 303 (display bar) are arranged on the front side of the PCR instrument upper shell 301, and an upper air outlet 304 is arranged on the rear side of the PCR instrument upper shell 301.

[0081] The temperature control unit 100, the fluorescence collection unit 200, the lifting assembly 110, and the sample loading unit 300 are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 4-9 As shown, the temperature control unit 100 mainly includes a fan cover 11, a fan, a radiator 16, a pressing element 18, a heating and cooling tube coil 19, a printed circuit board 22, a duct 24, a temperature-variable element 27, a graphite sheet 32, etc. The radiator 16 serves as a basic bearing element, and some elements are directly fixed on the radiator 16. The radiator 16 is supported and connected to other parts of the PCR instrument through a supporting assembly 17. In addition, a transfer assembly 15 is also provided on the radiator 16 for connecting with a lifting assembly 110 of the PCR instrument to achieve a position change of the radiator 16. The radiator 16 is a toothed radiator, including a plurality of fins arranged side by side. Above the radiator 16 are the temperature-variable element 27 and the heating and cooling tube coil 19 in sequence. The temperature-variable element 27 is in a plate shape. In the illustrated embodiment, two temperature-variable elements 27 are provided, such as Figure 8 As shown, they are fixed on the heat sink 16 in juxtaposition. In the present invention, the temperature variable element is preferably a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), which has heating and cooling functions and can be switched between heating mode and cooling mode.

[0082] The heating and cooling tube tray 19 is used to accommodate the PCR tube strips. The heating and cooling tube tray 19 is arranged on the upper side of the temperature variable element 27 and is configured to increase or decrease the temperature under the action of the temperature variable element 27 so as to increase or decrease the temperature of the PCR tube strips. Fig. 9 The heating and cooling tube tray 19 includes: a heat-conducting bottom plate 41; eight tube seats 42, which are centrally arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41 to form a row, and the distances between adjacent tube seats 42 are the same. When performing a PCR experiment, the PCR tubes are accommodated in the tube seats 42; and a temperature sensor 44. The heat-conducting bottom plate 41 is a rectangular plate. In the illustrated embodiment, eight tube seats 42 are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of tube seats 42 can be changed as needed. The tube seats 42 are not limited to one row, and can be multiple rows to form a matrix type tube seat. Advantageously, the heat-cooling tube tray 19 is made of aluminum 6063-T5, but the heat-cooling tube tray 19 is not limited to being made of aluminum material. The heat-cooling tube tray 19 designed above has a large heating area and a fast heating speed, while the prior art has a small heating area and a slow heating speed.

[0083] Generally, the tube sockets 42 of the heating and cooling tube coils 19 are designed according to the joint pipe design. The temperature sensor 44 is preferably arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41, and of course it can also be arranged on the tube sockets 42. The temperature sensor 44 is used to sense the temperature of the heating and cooling tube coils 19 and feed back to the control system so as to quickly make the temperature-changing element 27 respond according to the temperature of the heating and cooling tube coils 19. There is a hollow part 43 between the four tube sockets 42 on the left side and the four tube sockets 42 on the right side of the heat-conducting bottom plate 41, and the hollow part 43 can better ensure the temperature balance between the tube sockets 42. Positioning holes are also arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41 to facilitate positioning when installing the heating and cooling tube coils 19.

[0084] Advantageously, a graphite sheet 32 ​​is provided between the temperature-changing element 27 and the heating and cooling tube coil 19; and a graphite sheet 32 ​​is provided between the temperature-changing element 27 and the radiator 16, such as Figure 8 The pressing element 18 is arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41 of the heating and cooling tube coil 19, and is used to fix the heating and cooling tube coil 19 relative to the temperature-changing element 27. In a specific embodiment, the pressing element 18 is screwed to the upper surface of the radiator 16 by four fixing bolts 28, so that the temperature-changing element 27, the graphite sheet 32, and the heating and cooling tube coil 19 are tightly fixed to the radiator 16.

[0085] As an embodiment, the pressing element 18 is an integrated pressing ring, such as Figure 6 As shown, the pressure ring surrounds the outer circumference of the tube seat 42 and is pressed on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41 . Alternatively, the pressing element 18 may also include two pressure strips, which are respectively located on both sides of the tube seat 42 and pressed on the heat-conducting bottom plate 41 .

[0086] A heat insulating element 26 is provided between the pressing element 18 and the heating and cooling tube coil 19. This is because direct contact between the pressing element 18 and the heating and cooling tube coil 19 will form heat transfer at the contact point, causing heat loss of the heating and cooling tube coil 19, affecting the heating speed. By using heat insulating materials to separate them, the heat insulating property of the heat insulating materials is used to prevent such heat transfer. The heat insulating element can be made of high temperature resistant bakelite, glass fiber board, PC, PCB and other plastics with poor thermal conductivity and good lifespan, or other materials, but the heat insulating element of the present invention is not limited thereto, and preferably glass fiber board is used.

[0087] As an embodiment, the thermal insulation element 26 is a thermal insulation pad, which is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and there are four of them, which are distributed below the pressing element 18 at intervals, such as Figure 7 Advantageously, the heat insulating element 26 may be a heat insulating column, and the shape of the heat insulating column is configured so that the area of ​​the heat insulating column on one side contacting the heating and cooling pipe coil 19 is reduced relative to the horizontal cross-section of other parts of the heat insulating column, for example, the heat insulating column is hemispherical, inverted truncated cone or annular. Since the heat insulating column designed in this way has a reduced contact area with the heating and cooling pipe coil 19, the heat insulating effect is better.

[0088] refer to Figure 4 It can be seen that there is a circle of enclosure 21 on the outside of the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the pressing element 18, and the enclosure 21 surrounds the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the pressing element 18. The function of the enclosure 21 is to make the heating and cooling tube coil 19 relatively closed, thereby reducing the heat exchange between the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the outside world, especially to prevent the wind blown into the duct by the fan from affecting the temperature rise of the heating and cooling tube coil 19.

[0089] The radiator 16 is also attached with a printed circuit board 22, which contains a number of electrical components, including an electrical control interface 23, a fan interface 20, etc., for providing power and control signals. The temperature sensor 44 of the heating and cooling coil 19 is led out through a first sensor lead, and advantageously, a temperature sensor (not shown in the figure) is also provided on the temperature variable element 27, which is led out through a second sensor lead.

[0090] The fans in the present invention include two groups, which are divided into a supply fan 12 and an exhaust fan 25. The supply fan 12 is arranged on the side of the radiator 16 away from the duct 24, and the exhaust fan 25 is arranged on the outlet side of the duct 24. The supply fan 12 is fixed on one side of the radiator 16, and the exhaust fan 25 is directly fixed on the frame of the duct 24. In a specific embodiment, the supply fan 12 and the exhaust fan 25 are respectively composed of two fans. The fan cover 11 is arranged on the outside of the supply fan 12, and an air intake grille 13 is arranged on the fan cover 11. The air intake grille 13 is configured to make the flow direction of the intake air entering the fan cover 11 form a non-zero angle with the horizontal plane. Preferably, the air inlet formed by the air intake grille 13 is inclined at 45 degrees to prevent the fan wind from affecting the heating, which is beneficial to heat preservation and reduces reagent condensation. See. Figure 4 , clearly showing the structure of the fan cover 11. The fan cover 11 is a cover shell, and a plurality of rows of air intake grilles 13 are arranged on the cover shell. The middle air intake grille 13 protrudes outward relative to the air intake grilles 13 on both sides. This is to match the structure on the inner side of the cover shell. There is a mounting portion 14 on each side of the fan cover 11. The mounting portion 14 is connected to the adapter assembly 15 and the radiator 16. The mounting portion 14 and the adapter assembly 15 respectively have connecting holes, which are screwed together with bolts.

[0091] The duct 24 is described below. The duct 24 is arranged on one side of the radiator 16. The duct 24 includes: a first horizontal section 35 arranged on the inlet side of the duct 24; a second horizontal section 36 arranged on the outlet side of the duct 24, the second horizontal section 36 having a vertical height position different from that of the first horizontal section 35; and a curved transition section 37 arranged between the first horizontal section 35 and the second horizontal section 36. A mounting lug is arranged on the outside of the duct 24, and a frame is arranged on the outlet side of the duct 24 for mounting the exhaust fan 25.

[0092] The shape and structure of the duct of the present invention have been optimized through multiple fluid simulations. In the temperature control unit containing the duct, the air supply fan is directly aimed at the duct, so the air supply fan blows air into the duct at the front of the duct, and the exhaust fan discharges the wind in the duct. Due to the existence of the duct, the wind enters and exits the duct in an orderly manner, and there is no wind turbulence inside the entire duct. Moreover, since the space involved for the wind is small and enters and exits in an orderly manner, the wind speed is faster. Compared with the design without duct, since there is no special duct design, the entire structure is full of wind flow, and the wind flow is concentrated at the fan inlet and outlet. Moreover, due to the larger space, under the same conditions, the wind speed is lower than that of the structure containing the duct, and the wind is more disordered, which is easy to form turbulence, affecting the heat dissipation effect. Compared with the temperature control unit without duct, increasing the duct wind speed increases by about 27%, and the temperature of the heating and cooling coils is about 21% lower in the same cooling time.

[0093] The following table illustrates the same test conditions, one of which has a duct and one does not, the heating and cooling rates of the tested toothed radiator and the heating and cooling coil heating and cooling rates, where the test conditions are: the heating and cooling coil is heated from 30°C to 95°C, the heating power of the variable temperature element is 200W, the temperature is cooled from 95°C to 30°C, the cooling power of the variable temperature element is 200W, there is a set of fans before and after the radiator, and the fan speed is 1470 rpm.

[0094] Ducted No duct Toothed heat sink heating rate ℃ / sec 0.27 0.3 Toothed heat sink cooling rate ℃ / second 0.2 0.16 Heating and cooling coil heating rate ℃ / sec 12 12 Heating and cooling coil cooling rate ℃ / sec 10 8

[0095] In summary, the cooling rate of the toothed radiator with a ducted structure is fast, and the cooling rate of the heating and cooling tube coil is fast.

[0096] The temperature control unit of the present invention is mainly composed of a temperature variable element, a heating and cooling tube coil, a radiator, a duct and a fan. The heating and cooling tube coil, the temperature variable element and the radiator are connected in sequence. When the temperature variable element works in the heating mode, the heating and cooling tube coil is heated and heated. When cooling is required, the temperature variable element works in the cooling mode. In the cooling mode, heat is transferred from the heating and cooling tube coil to the radiator via the temperature variable element. The duct and the fan are arranged near the radiator to accelerate the heat dissipation of the radiator. The fan is designed to include two groups of fans, one group of air supply fans is arranged on the side of the radiator away from the duct, and one group of exhaust fans is arranged on the outlet side of the duct. The air supply fan blows backward to blow the heat of the radiator backward into the duct, and the exhaust fan draws the heat from the duct and discharges it out of the duct. The temperature control unit designed in this way can achieve rapid temperature rise and temperature drop of the PCR tube, and can effectively reduce the PCR experiment time.

[0097] The air supply fan located on the front side is installed in a fan cover of a specific shape. The fan cover is designed to guide the flow direction of the intake air entering the fan cover so that it forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the horizontal plane. The intake air blows the heat of the radiator backward to the duct. The duct of the present invention has undergone scientific structural design, and it is in the form of a double-fold line, that is, it includes a first horizontal segment and a second horizontal segment at different horizontal heights and a curved transition segment connecting them. The duct of such shape and structure is obtained through multiple fluid simulation optimizations, which can quickly discharge excess heat and improve the heating and cooling rate of the overall system.

[0098] The temperature-variable element and heating and cooling tube coil of the present invention have been structurally optimized. Graphite sheets are installed at the upper and lower sides of the temperature-variable element where they contact the heating and cooling tube coil and the radiator, which can achieve rapid heat transfer. As a heat-conducting and heat-dissipating material, the graphite sheet conducts heat evenly in two directions and has an excellent thermal conductivity, which is better than that of metal. By adding the graphite sheet, it can be ensured that the heat of the temperature-variable element is quickly and evenly transferred to the heating and cooling tube coil (and the PCR tube). Among them, the heating and cooling tube coil has also been structurally optimized, and the structural design is more reasonable. It is composed of a heat-conducting base plate and a plurality of tube seats. The tube seats are arranged longitudinally near the center line of the heat-conducting base plate. A high-sensitivity temperature sensor is provided on the heating and cooling tube coil to ensure that the temperature of the heating and cooling tube coil is obtained in real time and fed back to the system, which is convenient and quick to control.

[0099] In the temperature control unit of the present invention, the heating and cooling tube coil is fixed relative to the temperature variable element by a pressing element. One solution is to fix it by a pressure strip, and the other solution is to fix it by a pressure ring. The heating and cooling tube coil is fastened by the pressing element. There is a specific heat insulation material between the pressing element and the heating and cooling tube coil to prevent heat from being transferred to the pressing element during the temperature rise process, reduce the heat transfer loss here, and increase the temperature rise rate. Advantageously, the pressing element adopts an insulation column, which is in the shape of an inverted cone, a hemispherical or annular, so that the contact area between the insulation column and the heating and cooling tube coil is minimized, so that less heat is transferred and the heat transfer loss is maximized.

[0100] The present invention realizes faster temperature rise and fall through a series of reasonable settings, thereby reducing the PCR experiment time.

[0101] Combine the following Figure 10-17 The fluorescence collection unit of the present invention is described in detail, such as Figure 10-12As shown, the fluorescence collection unit 200 mainly includes a base frame 211, a movable frame 219, a bracket 216, a driving part and an optical device. The base frame 211 is used as a basic bearing component to carry other main components of the fluorescence collection unit. The movable frame 219 is attached to the base frame 211 and can move relative to the base frame 211. The driving part is connected to the movable frame 219 and is used to drive the movable frame 219 to move. The optical device is installed on the base frame 211, the movable frame 219 or the bracket 216. The optical device used in the present invention is introduced below along the optical path. The fluorescence collection unit 200 includes an excitation light source 238, an excitation light lens group 236, an excitation light filter 237, an excitation light transmitter 233, an excitation light receiving part 231, a fiber beam combining assembly 230, a fiber lens 251, a fluorescence return part 232, a fluorescence transmitter 234, a fluorescence filter 220, a double glued lens group 235 and an image collection part 217. Among them, the excitation light receiving part 231 can be set in the form of an excitation light optical fiber, the fluorescence return part 232 can be set in the form of a fluorescent optical fiber, the excitation light transmitter 233 can be set in the form of an excitation light optical fiber head, and the fluorescence transmitter 234 can be set in the form of a fluorescent optical fiber head.

[0102] The excitation light source 238 uses a monochromatic LED, and its number is greater than 1, that is, at least two excitation light sources 238. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four excitation light sources 238, which are configured to emit monochromatic light of different wavelengths respectively; in front of the excitation light source 238, the fluorescence collection unit 200 includes an excitation light lens group 236 with the same number as the excitation light source 238, and the excitation light lens group 236 is arranged between the excitation light source 238 and the excitation light filter 237. The number of lenses in the excitation light lens group 236 can be 1, 2, 3 or more, and the lenses in the excitation light lens group 236 will be described in conjunction with specific embodiments later. The function of the excitation light lens group 236 installed at the front end of the LED is to focus light. It can use an LED lens, a single convex lens, a double convex lens or a Fresnel lens, etc., to achieve the effect of focusing and homogenizing light, and ensure the uniformity of light entering each excitation light receiving part 231.

[0103] In front of the excitation light lens group 236 is an excitation light filter 237. The number of excitation light filters 237 is the same as the number of excitation light sources 238. In front of the excitation light filter 237 is an excitation light assembly. The excitation light passes through the excitation light filter 237 and then irradiates the excitation light assembly. The excitation light assembly receives monochromatic light from the excitation light source 238 and transmits the monochromatic light to the object to be monitored 222 (e.g., the reagent in a PCR tube). In the illustrated embodiment, the object to be monitored 222 is placed in an 8-well tube. The excitation light assembly includes: an excitation light receiving part 231 (8 pieces) and an excitation light transmitter 233. The excitation light transmitter 233 is configured to integrate the ends of the 8 excitation light receiving parts 231 together. The excitation light transmitter 233 is opposite to the excitation light filter 237.

[0104] The excitation light enters the excitation light receiving part 231 through the excitation light transmitter 233, and then enters the fiber optic beam combiner 230 and the fiber optic lens 251, and then excites the monitored object 222 to generate fluorescence, and the fluorescence then passes through the fiber optic lens 251, the fiber optic beam combiner 230, and enters the fluorescence component. The fluorescence component receives the fluorescence from the monitored object and transmits the fluorescence, and the fluorescence component includes: a fluorescence return part 232 (8) and a fluorescence transmitter 234, and the fluorescence transmitter 234 is configured to integrate the ends of the 8 fluorescence return parts 232 together. The fiber optic beam combiner 230 is a component that integrates the end of an excitation light receiving part 231 and the end of a fluorescence return part 232 together. The number of fiber optic beam combiners 230 is 8, and multiple fiber optic beam combiners 230 are integrated together through the integration part 221, for example, integrated into a row, to facilitate alignment with the PCR tube. Here, the excitation light transmitter 233 is configured to be opposite to the excitation light source 238 or the excitation light filter 237, and the fluorescence transmitter 234 is configured to be opposite to the fluorescence filter 220. After passing through the fluorescence filter 220, the fluorescence enters the doublet lens group 235, and then enters the image acquisition unit 217. The image acquisition unit 217 is configured to collect the fluorescence transmitted by the fluorescence component. The image acquisition unit 217 can use CMOS or CCD.

[0105] It can be seen that the excitation light is irradiated to the end face of the excitation light transmitter 233 through the excitation light filter 237, and irradiated to the object to be monitored through the excitation light receiving part 231, the fiber beam combining assembly 230 and the fiber lens 251 (which is a double convex lens with equal focal length). The fiber lens 251 will focus the light emitted from the optical fiber on the reagent in the consumable sample hole, and the excited fluorescence will pass through the fiber lens 251, and then focus on the end face of the fiber beam combining assembly 230. The fluorescence passes through the fluorescence return part 232, the fluorescence transmitter 234 and the fluorescence filter 220, and finally passes through the double glued lens group 235, and finally collects the image on the image acquisition part 217 such as CMOS. The double glued lens group 235 plays the role of achromatic aberration, eliminating edge distortion, and reducing interference between holes. Among them, the fiber lens 251, as a part of the fiber beam combining assembly 230, is arranged at the end of the excitation light receiving part 231 and the end of the fluorescence return part 232. The vertical lower side.

[0106] Only one excitation light works at a time, and four excitation lights are provided in the embodiment, which means that the PCR instrument is a four-channel PCR instrument. To make different excitation lights work, different excitation lights need to enter the excitation light transmitter 233. To this end, in the present invention, more than two excitation light sources 238 are configured to be able to move together so that the fluorescence collection unit 200 can change between a first state in which one excitation light source 238 is opposite to the excitation light transmitter 233 of the excitation light assembly and a second state in which another excitation light source 238 is opposite to the excitation light transmitter 233 of the excitation light assembly.

[0107] The number of excitation light filters 237, the number of fluorescence filters 220 and the number of excitation light sources 238 are exactly the same, and each excitation light source 238 forms a functional group with an excitation light filter 237 and a fluorescence filter 220 to form a plurality of functional groups; further, the plurality of functional groups are configured to be able to move together so that at a first moment, the excitation light source 238 and the excitation light filter 237 of one functional group are opposite to the excitation light transmitter 233 of the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter 220 of the one functional group is opposite to the fluorescence transmitter 234 of the fluorescence component, while at a second moment different from the first moment, the excitation light source 238 and the excitation light filter 237 of another functional group are opposite to the excitation light transmitter 233 of the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter 220 of the other functional group is opposite to the fluorescence transmitter 234 of the fluorescence component, thereby realizing switching of four channels.

[0108] Specifically, the simultaneous movement of multiple functional groups is achieved through a movable frame 219, which is configured to be able to move along a first direction; the excitation light source 238 is attached to the movable frame 219 and arranged along the first direction; the excitation light filter 237 is attached to the movable frame 219 and arranged along the first direction; the fluorescence filter 220 is attached to the movable frame 219 and arranged along the first direction.

[0109] The fluorescence collection unit 200 includes: a base frame 211; an actuating part 212, which is arranged on the base frame 211; a driving wheel 213 and a driven wheel 224, wherein the driving wheel 213 is in transmission connection with the actuating part 212; and a transmission belt 214, which is wrapped around the driving wheel 213 and the driven wheel 224, wherein the movable frame 219 is fixed on the transmission belt 214 through a fixing part 215, so that the movement of the transmission belt 214 drives the movable frame 219 to move. The actuating part 212 is generally a motor, which is installed on the base frame 211 through an adapter 223. Preferably, the transmission belt 214 is a toothed belt, and the driving wheel 213 and the driven wheel 224 are respectively provided with teeth, and the toothed belt is clamped on the driving wheel 213 and the driven wheel 224 to prevent slipping. Two groups of fixing parts 215 can be provided, and each group of fixing parts 215 includes two clamping blocks, and the transmission belt 214 is clamped between the two clamping blocks, one of which is fixed on the movable frame 219, and the other clamping block is pressed on the one clamping block, and the two clamping blocks can be fixed by bolts. A guide rail 229 is provided on the base frame 211, and the movable frame 219 is configured to be able to slide along the guide rail 229. The guide rail 229 supports the movable frame 219 and acts as a limit for the movable frame 219. The guide rail 229 can be one or two parallel ones. The transmission belt 214 can be moved under the drive of the motor, thereby driving the movable frame 219 to move.

[0110] Advantageously, a mounting position 225 is provided on the base frame 211, and the mounting position 225 is a recessed portion recessed from the surface of the base frame 211. A mounting base 226 is provided in the mounting position 225, and the driven wheel 224 is mounted on the mounting base 226 through a bearing. A bracket 216 is also provided on the base frame 211, and the image acquisition part 217 is provided on the bracket 216, and the fluorescence acquisition unit 200 further includes a lens barrel 218, and the lens barrel 218 is provided between the image acquisition part 217 and the fluorescence filter 220, and the double cemented lens group 235 is provided in the lens barrel 218. The lens barrel 218 extends from the image acquisition part 217 to the fluorescence filter 220, thereby reducing external interference.

[0111] Refer to the following Figure 13-14The movable frame of an embodiment of the present invention is described, and the movable frame 219 includes: a first accommodating portion 239, used to accommodate the at least two fluorescent filters 220; a transmission belt mounting section 240, used to be fixedly connected to the transmission belt 214; a second accommodating portion 241, used to accommodate the excitation light source 238 and the excitation light filter 237, wherein the transmission belt mounting section 240 is arranged between the first accommodating portion 239 and the second accommodating portion 241. The first receiving portion 239 is in the shape of a groove, and its bottom surface has a filter mounting hole 242, and the fluorescent filter 220 is installed in the filter mounting hole 242. The second receiving portion 241 is in an open L-shape. The first receiving portion 239 and the second receiving portion 241 both face the base frame 211, and the transmission belt mounting section 240 faces away from the base frame 211. The fixing portion 215 is installed on the transmission belt mounting section 240, and the back side of the transmission belt mounting section 240 is in the shape of a U-shaped groove, so that there are protrusions extending toward the base frame 211 on the top and bottom of it. The protrusions can block the excitation light and the fluorescence, separate the excitation light and the fluorescence, avoid mutual interference between them, and also shield external stray light. The fluorescence collection unit 200 also includes a mirror frame 243 and a circuit element board 244, and the mirror frame 243 and the circuit element board 244 are arranged in the second receiving portion 241; the excitation light lens group 236 and the excitation light filter 237 are arranged in the mirror frame 243.

[0112] like Fig.12 , 15 As shown, the excitation light lens group 236 includes three lenses, namely a first lens 245, a second lens 246 and a third lens 247, which can use a combination of LED lenses, single convex lenses, double convex lenses or Fresnel lenses, which play the role of collimation, focusing and homogenization. In the embodiments shown in 16 and 17, the movable frame 219 is presented in another form, which is a flat plate.

[0113] In the fluorescence collection unit of the present invention, the functional group consisting of the excitation light source, the excitation light lens group, the excitation light filter and the fluorescence filter can be switched at the same time, and the switching time is short. Compared with the existing technology in which the excitation light lens group and the fluorescence lens group are switched separately, the fluorescence collection unit of the present invention can ensure the switching accuracy and eliminate the random errors of the separate switching. The excitation light source of the present invention adopts monochromatic light, such as monochromatic LED, which has a long life, a stable light source, occupies a small space, and has a simple and compact structure. The movable frame or mirror frame carrying the excitation light source can be made of a material with good thermal conductivity, and the excitation light source can be welded thereon, which can ensure the effective heat dissipation of the excitation light source and avoid the light source fluctuation caused by the temperature rise after the LED is lit.

[0114] An excitation light lens group is used in front of the excitation light source to ensure the intensity of the single LED light source, while ensuring that the light spot size is appropriate, the light spot is uniform, and the consistency is good; in addition, a double-cemented lens group is used at the fluorescent end to achieve the effect of eliminating edge distortion, eliminating chromatic aberration, and reducing phase difference.

[0115] Figure 18-20 The lifting assembly 110 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The lifting assembly 110 constitutes a part of the PCR instrument. Its function is to enable the temperature control unit in the PCR instrument to be lifted and lowered to facilitate loading or removing samples therefrom. The lifting assembly 110 is connected to the temperature control unit 100 in the PCR instrument through the support assembly 81 and the adapter assembly 15.

[0116] The temperature control unit of the PCR instrument has been introduced above. The radiator 16 is fixed to the support assembly 17 by a plurality of first bolts 93. An adapter assembly 15 is also provided on the radiator 16. The radiator 16 is connected to the adapter assembly 15 by a plurality of second bolts 94. In particular, there is a circle of enclosure 21 on the outside of the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the pressing element 18. The enclosure 21 surrounds the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the pressing element 18. The function of the enclosure 21 is to make the heating and cooling tube coil 19 relatively closed, thereby reducing the heat exchange between the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and the outside world, and in particular, it can prevent the wind from the fan from affecting the temperature rise of the heating and cooling tube coil 19.

[0117] The lifting assembly 110 includes a support base 81, a steering gear 82, a mounting element 83, a synchronous wheel 85, an arc-shaped connecting rod 86, a support portion 87, a support bearing 88, a guide column 91, a linear bearing 92, and the like. The support base 81, as a bearing element of the lifting assembly 110, is arranged in the PCR instrument. It is a support plate. The steering gear 82 is arranged on the support base 81. The steering gear 82 is fixedly arranged on the support base 81 through the mounting element 83, and a silicone pad is arranged between the steering gear 82 and the support base 81. In a specific embodiment, the number of the mounting elements 83 is two, which are L-shaped plates, and one side is fixed to the support base 81 by bolts. In particular, each mounting element 83 has an arc-shaped inner concave portion 98, and the arc-shaped inner concave portion 98 is used to prevent the mounting element 83 from interfering with the output shaft of the steering gear 82. The synchronous wheel 85 and the arc-shaped connecting rod 86 constitute a transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is connected to the output shaft of the steering gear 82.

[0118] The support assembly 17 can be directly or indirectly connected to the transmission assembly, and is configured to change between a first position and a second position under the drive of the steering gear 82, wherein the vertical height of the first position is greater than the vertical height of the second position. Specifically, the steering gear 82 includes a turntable 84 for outputting a rotational torque; a synchronous wheel 85 is configured to be connected to the steering gear 82 in synchronous rotation, and one side of the synchronous wheel 85 is fixedly connected to the turntable 84; one end of the arc connecting rod 86 is connected to the synchronous wheel 85, so that the rotation of the synchronous wheel 85 can drive the arc connecting rod 86 to move in the vertical direction, and the other end of the arc connecting rod 86 is connected to the adapter assembly 15. The other side of the synchronous wheel 85 is supported in a support portion 87, and the support portion 87 is arranged on the support base 81. The lifting assembly 110 also includes a support bearing 88, and the support bearing 88 is supported on the synchronous wheel 85 at an intermediate position between one side and the other side of the synchronous wheel 85.

[0119] In a specific embodiment, the synchronous wheel 85 includes a rotating shaft and a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from each other on the rotating shaft, the first wheel on the left side is fixedly connected to the rotating disk 84, the first wheel and the rotating disk 84 have the same outer diameter, and they respectively have a plurality of bolt holes, which fit together so that the bolt holes correspond to each other, and then the first wheel of the synchronous wheel 85 is fixed to the rotating disk 84 by using a plurality of third bolts 95, the one end of the arc connecting rod 86 is connected to the second wheel, and the support bearing 88 is located below the second wheel and in contact with the second wheel; the rotating shaft is supported in the support portion 87. In particular, the arc connecting rod 86 includes two arc sub-connecting rods, and the two arc sub-connecting rods are respectively located on both sides of the second wheel.

[0120] As shown in the figure, the lifting assembly 110 also includes two guide columns 91 and two linear bearings 92. The two guide columns 91 are respectively arranged on both sides of the support base 81 and fixed on the support base 81. The linear bearings 92 are configured to be slidably arranged on the guide columns 91. The support assembly 17 is fixedly connected to a linear bearing 92 on both sides. The adapter assembly 15 is U-shaped, the bottom surface of the U-shape supports the bottom surface of the radiator 16, the two vertical walls of the U-shape fit the side of the radiator 16, the second bolt 94 fixes the adapter assembly 15 to the radiator 16 on the two vertical walls of the U-shape and the side of the radiator 16, the other end of the arc connecting rod 86 is connected to the adapter assembly 15 by a fourth bolt 96, and on the lower side of the two arc sub-connecting rods, they are fixed to the second wheel by a fifth bolt 97.

[0121] The present invention provides a lifting assembly, which can realize the lifting and lowering of the temperature control unit in the PCR instrument. The heating and cooling tube tray, the radiator, etc. of the present invention are supported by the supporting assembly, and the transmission assembly is indirectly connected to the radiator, so that under the drive of the steering gear, the steering gear drives the radiator and the heating and cooling tube tray to rise or fall through the transmission assembly. When it is necessary to load or unload the PCR tubes in the heating and cooling tube tray, the lifting assembly can be controlled to lower the heating and cooling tube tray so that the drawer for accommodating the PCR tubes can be extended to facilitate the PCR tubes. When the PCR instrument is working, the lifting assembly is controlled to raise the heating and cooling tube tray to the working position to combine with the PCR tubes so as to heat or cool the PCR tubes.

[0122] The existing lifting system for PCR instruments usually uses guide rails for guidance, and adopts a lead screw motor or a cam structure, and usually requires the use of components such as photoelectric switches or Hall sensors for origin detection. The lifting assembly of the present invention uses a servo as an actuating device, and uses a linear bearing and a guide column to guide the lifting of the support assembly. The control circuit of the servo is simple. If other types of motors are used, a motor control module is also required, but this is not required if a servo is used. Currently, no similar instrument uses a servo as an actuating device for the lifting system. The servo can control the start and stop at any angle (0-360°), while other motors need to set the starting point and the end point (such as photoelectric or displacement sensors), and can only move at two points. The use of a servo can achieve the hovering of the support assembly at any position. In addition, the software logic of the servo is simple and easy to implement.

[0123] The mechanical structure of the lifting assembly of the present invention is simple, compact and low-cost. The steering gear is installed on the support base on the lower side. A silicone pad is installed at the connection between the support base and the steering gear to achieve flexible connection and ensure that the output shaft of the steering gear does not bear radial force. The steering gear has a turntable, which is fastened to the synchronous wheel with bolts. An arc connecting rod is installed on the synchronous wheel. The upper part of the arc connecting rod is connected to the adapter assembly (as well as the radiator and the support assembly). The support assembly moves up and down along the guide column, and a linear bearing is used to cooperate with the guide column to reduce sliding friction. In addition, a support bearing is installed at the bottom of the synchronous wheel to further prevent the steering gear from being subjected to radial force.

[0124] Fig.21 The figure shows the lower housing 101 of the PCR instrument. A portion of the top of the lower housing is closed by a partition 102. An integration piece 221 is provided on the partition 102. The integration piece 221 is used to connect with the optical fiber combination assembly 230 in the upper part of the PCR instrument to integrate the optical fiber combination assembly 230. The multiple optical fiber combination assembly holes in the integration piece 221 are used to connect with the optical fiber combination assembly 230 to achieve the transmission of excitation light and fluorescence. A power module 111 is provided in the lower housing 101 of the PCR instrument, and a main switch 112 is provided on the lower housing 101 of the PCR instrument.

[0125] The temperature control unit 100 is located above the lifting assembly 110 and is combined with the lifting assembly 110. It can move up and down under the action of the lifting assembly 110. The sample loading unit 300 is located above the temperature control unit 100. When the temperature control unit 100 rises, the sample loading unit 300 can be combined with the temperature control unit 110, so that the temperature control unit 100 can be used to control the temperature of the sample. When the temperature control unit 100 descends, the sample loading unit 300 is disengaged from the temperature control unit 110. At this time, the drawer 103 of the sample loading unit 300 can be pushed out of the PCR instrument to load or unload the sample.

[0126] When in use, the temperature control unit 100, the lifting assembly 110 and the sample loading unit 300 are linked to ensure that when the sample needs to be loaded, the lifting assembly 110 drives the temperature control unit 100 to descend, disengages from the sample loading unit 300, and then the drawer of the sample loading unit 300 extends out. When the sample is loaded and work needs to be done, the drawer of the sample loading unit 300 retracts, and the lifting assembly 110 drives the temperature control unit 100 to rise, and combines with the sample loading unit 300 to control the temperature.

[0127] The sample loading unit 300 mainly includes a door 104, a screw motor 114, a screw 115, a drawer 103, etc. The door 104 is configured to be combined with the housing of the PCR instrument, and the door 104 can be rotated around the hinge point to realize opening and closing. Specifically, a tension spring 106, a rotating arm 113 and a push block 107 are arranged on the door 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of the tension spring 106, the rotating arm 113 and the push block 107 are two respectively. One end of the tension spring 106 is connected to the door 104, and the other end is fixed to the housing of the PCR instrument. One end of the rotating arm 113 is fixed to the door 104, and the other end is hinged to the housing of the PCR instrument. The push block 107 is arranged on the side of the door 104 facing the drawer 103, and is configured to contact with the drawer 103 and receive the thrust from the drawer 103. The push block 107 can be a wing, and the part in contact with the drawer 103 is arc-shaped.

[0128] The screw motor 114 is fixed in the lower housing 101 of the PCR instrument, the screw 115 is combined with the screw motor 114 and extends from the screw motor 114, the drawer 103 is indirectly connected to the screw 115, and is configured to be able to move toward or away from the compartment door 104 under the drive of the screw 115. Specifically, one end of the screw 115 is connected and fixed to the transmission connecting rod 116, and the end of the transmission connecting rod 116 away from the screw 115 is fixed to the drawer 103. The compartment door 104 is configured to be able to open under the force of the drawer 103 pushing the compartment door 104 so that the drawer 103 can be extended from the PCR instrument, and can be automatically closed after the drawer 103 is retracted into the PCR instrument.

[0129] Combine the following Figure 25-26 The drawer is described. Two symmetrical rails 108 are provided on the drawer 103 for cooperating with the slide rail 119 in the PCR instrument. A receiving groove 126 is provided in the drawer 103. A supporting seat 105 is provided in the supporting groove 126 for receiving PCR tubes. When the drawer is opened, the PCR tubes are placed in the supporting seat 105. As shown in the figure, there are 8 through holes in the supporting seat 105. The upper end of the PCR tube is stuck on the supporting seat 105, and the lower end of the PCR tube extends from the supporting seat 105 so that it can be extended into the heating and cooling tube tray 19 of the temperature control unit 100.

[0130] A connection position 127 is provided on one side of the drawer 103 close to the screw motor 114, and a fixing hole 128 is provided in the connection position 127. One end of the transmission connecting rod 116 away from the screw 115 is fixed to the connection position 127 through the fixing hole 128. An inner peripheral protrusion 129 and an outer peripheral protrusion 130 are provided on the vertical lower side of the drawer 103. Both the inner peripheral protrusion 129 and the outer peripheral protrusion 130 surround the bearing seat 105, and the inner peripheral protrusion 129 is located inside the outer peripheral protrusion 130; the height of the inner peripheral protrusion 129 along the vertical direction is greater than the height of the outer peripheral protrusion 130 along the vertical direction. In the process of the drawer 103 pushing the warehouse door 104, the bottom edge of the inner peripheral protrusion 129 or the bottom edge of the outer peripheral protrusion 130 abuts against and pushes the push block 107. The inner protrusion 129 and the outer protrusion 130 have two functions. On the one hand, their bottom edges can be used as components for pushing the push block 107. On the other hand, they form a heat-insulating structure together with the enclosure 21. Figure 27-29 As shown, the enclosure 21 extends between the inner protrusion 129 and the outer protrusion 130, so that the structure formed by the inner protrusion 129, the outer protrusion 130 and the enclosure 21 produces a chamber 131, which surrounds the heating and cooling tube coil 19 and achieves an enclosing effect. The heating and cooling tube coil 19 forms 8 tube cavities 132, and the lower end of the PCR link tube extends into the tube cavity 132.

[0131] Preferably, the sample loading unit 300 further comprises a heat cover 120, the heat cover 120 comprises an electric heating film for heating the PCR strip tube; the heat cover 120 is arranged above the drawer 103 in a floating manner when the drawer 103 is retracted. A partition 102 is arranged in the housing of the PCR instrument, the heat cover 120 is arranged on the partition 102 by a hanging bolt 121, and a spring 122 is arranged between the partition 102 and the heat cover 120 and sleeved on the hanging bolt 121.

[0132] The sample loading unit provided by the present invention can greatly facilitate the sample loading of the PCR instrument after being installed on the PCR instrument. The sample is designed to be loaded on a bearing seat in a drawer, and the drawer can be extended or retracted under the drive of a screw motor. When the sample needs to be loaded, the screw motor is controlled to push the drawer out of the PCR instrument. When the sample is loaded, the drawer is controlled to retract. When the sample needs to be unloaded, the same operation is performed. The sample loading unit is also provided with a separate compartment door to close the drawer. When the PCR instrument is not in use or the PCR instrument is working normally, the compartment door is in a closed state. The compartment door is only opened when the drawer needs to be extended from the PCR instrument, thereby preventing leakage of the sample and improving biosafety.

[0133] The opening and closing of the door are automatic. The door rotates relative to the housing of the PCR instrument through a rotating arm. The door is normally closed under the action of a tension spring. When the drawer extends outward to push the push block inside the door, the door overcomes the tension of the tension spring and rotates outward to open. When the drawer retracts, the door closes automatically. Therefore, only the entry and exit of the drawer is used as the execution power of the door. The drawer is actuated by a through-shaft screw motor, and photoelectric sensors are arranged at the starting position and the end position, so that the precise position control of the drawer can be achieved. In addition, the present invention adopts a floating hot cover. The temperature control unit of the present invention heats and controls the tube wall of the PCR tube. The hot cover heats the PCR tube on the upper side. When the drawer is in the working position, the hot cover is tightly attached to the PCR tube in the drawer under the pressure of the spring. When the drawer needs to move, the lifting assembly first drives the temperature control unit to descend, and the PCR tube is no longer pushed upward by the temperature control unit. Therefore, the PCR tube is separated from the hot cover, so that the drawer can be pushed out smoothly.

[0134] Advantageously, the drawer of the sample loading unit of the present invention adopts a special structure, and two layers of protrusions are arranged on the lower bottom surface of the drawer, the inner peripheral protrusion and the outer peripheral protrusion, the inner peripheral protrusion and the outer peripheral protrusion both surround the bearing seat, and the inner peripheral protrusion is located inside the outer peripheral protrusion, and the height of the inner peripheral protrusion along the vertical direction is greater than the height of the outer peripheral protrusion along the vertical direction. Correspondingly, on the side of the temperature control unit of the PCR instrument, a fence is arranged on the periphery of the heating and cooling tube tray, and the inner peripheral protrusion, the outer peripheral protrusion and the fence are all rectangular. When the PCR instrument is working, the temperature control unit rises close to the PCR tube in the drawer, and the heating and cooling tube tray rises, so that the PCR tube just enters the heating and cooling tube tray to control the temperature of the PCR tube. After rising, the fence of the temperature control unit just extends into the space between the inner peripheral protrusion and the outer peripheral protrusion, thereby forming a better PCR tube, heating and cooling tube tray and bearing seat closure, reducing heat exchange with the outside world, and achieving a good insulation effect. Using the sample loading unit of the present invention to load samples, the loading process is simple, and the dependence of the operation process on the operator can be reduced.

[0135] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of application of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A PCR instrument, characterized in that: The PCR instrument comprises: A sample loading unit (300), used for loading a sample into the PCR instrument or removing a sample from the PCR instrument; A temperature control unit (100) is arranged at the lower side of the sample loading unit (300) and is used to increase or decrease the temperature of the PCR tube strip; A lifting assembly (110), arranged at the lower side of the temperature control unit (100), used to lift or lower the temperature control unit (100); and The fluorescence collection unit (200) is arranged on the upper side of the sample loading unit (300) and is used to detect the PCR process by collecting fluorescence signals. Wherein, the temperature control unit (100) comprises: a temperature-variable element (27) configured to be switchable between a heating mode and a cooling mode; A heating and cooling tube tray (19) for accommodating PCR tube strips, wherein the heating and cooling tube tray (19) is disposed on one side of the temperature-changing element (27) and is configured to increase or decrease the temperature under the action of the temperature-changing element (27); A radiator (16) is arranged on a side of the temperature changing element (27) away from the heating and cooling tube coil (19); A duct (24) is disposed on one side of the radiator (16); and a fan, the fan being arranged on the fluid flow path of the duct (24), Wherein, the duct (24) comprises: A first horizontal section (35) disposed on the inlet side of the duct (24); a second horizontal section (36) disposed on the outlet side of the duct (24), the second horizontal section (36) having a vertical position different from that of the first horizontal section (35); and The curved transition section (37) is arranged between the first horizontal section (35) and the second horizontal section (36). The temperature control unit (100) further comprises a pressing element (18), and a circle of enclosure (21) is provided outside the heating and cooling pipe coil (19) and the pressing element (18), and the enclosure (21) surrounds the heating and cooling pipe coil (19) and the pressing element (18).

2. The PCR instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: A graphite sheet (32) is arranged between the temperature-changing element (27) and the heating and cooling tube coil (19); and / or a graphite sheet (32) is arranged between the temperature-changing element (27) and the radiator (16).

3. The PCR instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating and cooling tube coil (19) comprises: A heat-conducting base plate (41); At least one tube seat (42) is arranged on the heat-conducting bottom plate (41); and Temperature sensor (44).

4. The PCR instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluorescence collection unit (200) comprises: at least two excitation light sources (238), configured to respectively emit monochromatic light of different wavelengths; an excitation light assembly configured to receive monochromatic light from an excitation light source (238) and transmit the monochromatic light to an object to be monitored; a fluorescent component configured to receive fluorescent light from an object to be monitored and transmit the fluorescent light; and The image acquisition unit (217) is configured to acquire the fluorescence transmitted by the fluorescence component. Wherein, the at least two excitation light sources (238) are configured to be able to move together so that the fluorescence collection unit (200) can change between a first state in which one excitation light source (238) is relative to the excitation light component and a second state in which the other excitation light source (238) is relative to the excitation light component.

5. The PCR instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fluorescence collection unit (200) further comprises at least two excitation light filters (237) and at least two fluorescence filters (220), the number of the excitation light filters (237) being the same as the number of the excitation light sources (238), and the number of the fluorescence filters (220) being the same as the number of the excitation light sources (238); Each excitation light source (238) forms a functional group with an excitation light filter (237) and a fluorescence filter (220) to form at least two functional groups; The at least two functional groups are configured to be able to move together so that at a first moment, the excitation light source (238) and the excitation light filter (237) of one functional group are opposite to the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter (220) of the one functional group is opposite to the fluorescence component, while at a second moment different from the first moment, the excitation light source (238) and the excitation light filter (237) of the other functional group are opposite to the excitation light component and the fluorescence filter (220) of the other functional group is opposite to the fluorescence component.

6. The PCR instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly (110) comprises: Support base (81); A steering engine (82) is arranged on the supporting base (81); A transmission assembly connected to the steering gear (82); and The support assembly (17) is directly or indirectly connected to the transmission assembly and is configured to change between a first position and a second position under the drive of a steering gear (82), wherein the vertical height of the first position is greater than the vertical height of the second position.

7. The PCR instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that The lifting assembly (110) further comprises: A guide column (91) is arranged on the support base (81); The linear bearing (92) is configured to be slidably disposed on the guide column (91). Wherein, the support assembly (17) is fixedly connected to the linear bearing (92).

8. The PCR instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample loading unit (300) comprises: A door (104) is configured to be coupled to a housing of a PCR instrument; Screw motor (114); A lead screw (115) is combined with the lead screw motor (114) and extends from the lead screw motor (114); and The drawer (103) is directly or indirectly connected to the screw rod (115) and is configured to be able to move toward the door (104) or away from the door (104) under the drive of the screw rod (115). The compartment door (104) is configured to be able to open under the force of the drawer (103) pushing the compartment door (104) so ​​that the drawer (103) can be extended from the PCR instrument, and to be able to automatically close after the drawer (103) is retracted into the PCR instrument.

9. The PCR instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sample loading unit (300) further comprises a heat cover (120), wherein the heat cover (120) comprises an electric heating film for heating the PCR tube strip; The thermal cover (120) is arranged above the drawer (103) in a floating manner when the drawer (103) is retracted.

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