Gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process

Abstract

This invention discloses a manufacturing process for a gene sequencing reagent kit, comprising the following steps: S1, preparing components for the gene sequencing reagent kit, the gene sequencing reagent kit including: a base box, an outer barrel, a lifting spring, and a pipette tip. The base box has at least two reagent storage cavities. The outer barrel is hinged to the base box, and a guide base is provided inside the outer barrel for guiding the lifting and lowering of the pipette tip. A lifting spring is installed between the pipette tip and the outer barrel; S2, sealing the reagent kit, comprising the following steps: S21, dispensing samples or cell tissues into the actual storage cavities of the base box; S22, placing the base box containing samples or cell tissues into a sealing machine, the sealing machine covering the reagent storage cavities with a sealing film to obtain the reagent base box; S3, storing the actual base box at a constant temperature. This gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process solves the problem in existing technologies that cannot provide a process for filling reagents according to customer specifications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the manufacture of gene sequencing equipment, specifically to a process for producing gene sequencing reagent kits. Background Technology

[0002] In gene sequencing experiments, reagents need to be manually transferred to initiate the reaction, and the reaction time needs to be manually controlled. This process can easily lead to incorrect reagent addition timing or order, thus failing to meet experimental requirements. Therefore, how to automate detection through equipment is a problem that gene sequencing systems aim to solve.

[0003] Chinese patent disclosure discloses a rotatable reagent tray assembly with application number CN202021236977.0. This assembly includes a gear-shaped reagent tray, a mounting base, a top cover, and a retaining strip. The reagent tray has an upper convex structure and a lower convex structure concentric with the tray. The top cover and the mounting base can respectively mate with the upper and lower convex structures. A guide hole is provided on the side of the top cover, into which the retaining strip is inserted. The inner end of the retaining strip has a toothed groove that meshes with the gear of the reagent tray. This assembly enables the reagent tray to remain stable in both the vertical direction (Z-axis) and the rotational direction (Theta axis), thereby preventing unnecessary sliding and vibration of the turntable.

[0004] Although the gear-shaped reagent tray can store reagents and rotate, the rotatable reagent tray assembly does not have a built-in pipette tip and cannot be used for single purposes.

[0005] The applicant has designed a gene sequencing system comprising a gene sequencing kit and a pipette drive mechanism. The gene sequencing kit contains a reagent storage chamber for storing reagents. A pipette tip is also included within the kit and can rotate to align with a specific reagent storage chamber. The entire gene sequencing kit, including the pipette tip, is for single use only. When another experiment is needed, a different gene sequencing kit is required. The pipette drive mechanism is used to rotate the pipette tip to the alignment position with the reagent storage chamber and also to press the tip down to extend it into the chamber. The original design involved the pipette tip rotating on a mounting plate, which could both move up and down relative to the gene sequencing kit and rotate. However, this design was prone to jamming the mounting plate and pipette tip within the kit, leading to damage to the mounting plate and preventing the pipette tip from operating according to the specified path. Furthermore, it failed to provide a gene sequencing kit assembly process that allows customers to load reagents as needed and then assemble the kit. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention aims to provide a manufacturing process for gene sequencing reagent kits, solving the problem in existing technologies that cannot provide a process for filling reagents according to customer specifications.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: This invention discloses a process for manufacturing a gene sequencing reagent kit, comprising the following steps: S1. Components for preparing a gene sequencing kit. The gene sequencing kit includes: a bottom box, an outer barrel, a lifting spring, and a pipette tip. The bottom box has at least two reagent storage cavities. The outer barrel can be hinged to the bottom box. A guide base is provided inside the outer barrel. The guide base is used to guide the lifting and lowering of the pipette tip. A lifting spring is installed between the pipette tip and the outer barrel. S2. Reagent sealing, including the following steps: S21. Dispensing samples or cell tissues into the reagent storage chamber of the bottom box; S22. Placing the bottom box containing samples or cell tissues into a sealing machine, which covers the reagent storage chamber with a sealing film to obtain the reagent bottom box; S3. Keep the reagent box at a constant temperature; S4. Assemble the outer barrel, lifting spring, and pipette tip in the gene sequencing kit to obtain the outer barrel with the pipette tip; S5. Assemble the outer container with the pipette tip to the reagent base box, and after assembly, the outer container can rotate relative to the reagent base box.

[0008] Preferably, the top cover is prepared simultaneously in step S1 and assembled simultaneously in step S4. The top cover is engaged with the outer barrel with a snap-fit ​​mechanism, and the top cover blocks the gun head and lifting spring inside the top cover.

[0009] Preferably, step S4 includes the following steps: S41. Place the lifting spring into the mounting hole formed by the outer tub, and the outer tub supports the lifting spring. S42. Insert the gun head into the lifting spring and extend it into the mounting hole. A downward step is formed on the outer wall of the gun head, and the downward step is in close contact with the lifting spring. S43. Attach the top cover to the outer barrel. The top cover has a perforation that aligns with the nozzle.

[0010] Preferably, a rotation aid is formed inside the outer barrel, and the rotation aid protrudes from the central hole in the top cover.

[0011] Preferably, an isolation cylinder is formed inside the outer barrel, and an annular cavity is formed between the isolation cylinder and the inner wall of the outer barrel. The annular cavity is sealed by a top cover, and the lifting spring and the gun head are located inside the annular cavity, as is the rotating part.

[0012] Preferably, step S5 includes the following steps: S51. Press the outer barrel with the nozzle onto the bottom box, and ensure that the extension tube formed by the bottom of the outer barrel is inserted into the guide tube formed by the bottom box, and the extension tube and the guide tube are engaged in a snap-fit ​​relationship. S52. Rotate the outer barrel so that the protruding part on the outer wall of the outer barrel is aligned with the notch on the bottom box.

[0013] Preferably, step S5 further includes: S53. Rotate the top cover so that the pull-up part on the top cover is aligned with the protrusion on the outer barrel, and the pull-up part is aligned with the perforation.

[0014] Preferably, the outer wall of the extension cylinder protrudes to form a locking protrusion, and the extension cylinder has a notch located next to the locking protrusion, which engages with the guide cylinder wall.

[0015] Preferably, a sealing gasket is also prepared in step S1. The sealing gasket is made of an elastic material and can be passed through by the gun tip. Before step S5, after performing step S4, a sealing gasket is attached to the bottom surface of the outer barrel.

[0016] Preferably, the gun head includes: a first end section, a second end section, an intermediate section, a first transition section, and a second transition section. The first end section is located above the second end section. The first end section and the intermediate section are hollow cylindrical structures or hollow frustum structures. The second end section is a needle-type structure. An intermediate section is provided between the first end section and the second end section. The outer diameter of the first end section is larger than the outer diameter of the intermediate section, and the outer diameter of the intermediate section is larger than the outer diameter of the second end section. The top end of the intermediate section is connected to the first end section through the first transition section, and the bottom end of the intermediate section is connected to the second end section through the second transition section. Both the first transition section and the second transition section are hollow frustum structures.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In this application, the process object is a gene sequencing reagent kit, which achieves the following functions: the bottom box stores reagents; the outer container and the pipette tip can rotate together relative to the bottom box, thereby aligning the pipette tip with each reagent storage chamber in sequence; the pipette tip can then rise and fall relative to the outer container, allowing it to extend into the reagent storage chamber when pressed down by external force; finally, the pipette tip is kept away from the reagent storage chamber by the spring force of the lifting spring, avoiding obstruction when the pipette tip rotates with the outer container. Based on the above structural design, this process for the gene sequencing reagent kit adopts the idea of ​​manufacturing the bottom box, outer container, lifting spring, sealing film, and pipette tip accessories in the factory; the customer fills the reagents on-site according to needs; the sealing film is sealed using a sealing machine; and then the kit is assembled into the kit. On-site assembly is convenient, and it is also easy to fasten the bottom box and outer container together, improving production efficiency.

[0018] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a gene sequencing kit produced according to the gene sequencing kit manufacturing process.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a gene sequencing kit.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a gene sequencing kit.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the gun head.

[0023] Reference numerals: 1. Base box; 10. Guide tube; 11. Notch; 2. Outer barrel; 20. Rotation aid; 21. Isolation tube; 22. Protrusion; 23. Extension tube; 230. Groove; 231. Locking protrusion; 24. Rotation aid; 3. Lifting spring; 4. Gun head; 40. Pressing step; 41. First end section; 42. Second end section; 43. Middle section; 45. First transition section; 46. Second transition section; 5. Sealing membrane; 6. Top cover; 7. Sealing gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention clearer and easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this invention discloses a gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process, comprising the following steps: S1. Components for preparing a gene sequencing kit. The gene sequencing kit includes: a bottom box 1, an outer barrel 2, a lifting spring 3, and a pipette tip 4. The bottom box 1 has at least two reagent storage cavities. The outer barrel 2 can be hinged to the bottom box 1. A guide base is provided inside the outer barrel 2. The guide base is used to guide the lifting and lowering of the pipette tip 4. A lifting spring 3 is installed between the pipette tip 4 and the outer barrel 2. S2. Reagent sealing, including the following steps: S21. Dispense the sample or cell tissue into the reagent storage cavity of the bottom box 1; S22. Place the bottom box 1 containing the sample or cell tissue into the sealing machine, and the sealing machine covers the reagent storage cavity with the sealing film 5 to obtain the reagent bottom box 1; S3. Keep reagent box 1 at a constant temperature; S4. Assemble the outer barrel 2, lifting spring 3 and pipette head 4 in the gene sequencing kit to obtain the outer barrel 2 with pipette head 4; S5. Assemble the outer barrel 2 with the pipette tip 4 and the reagent base box 1, and after assembly, the outer barrel 2 can rotate relative to the reagent base box 1.

[0026] In step S1, the top cover 6 is prepared simultaneously, and in step S4, the top cover 6 is assembled simultaneously. The top cover 6 is snapped together with the outer barrel 2, and the top cover 6 blocks the gun head 4 and the lifting spring 3 inside the top cover 6.

[0027] Step S4 includes the following steps: S41, insert the lifting spring 3 into the mounting hole formed in the outer tub 2, with the outer tub 2 supporting the lifting spring 3; S42, insert the nozzle 4 into the lifting spring 3 and extend it into the mounting hole, with a downward step 40 formed on the outer wall of the nozzle 4, which is in close contact with the lifting spring 3; S43, fasten the top cover 6 onto the outer tub 2, with a through hole aligned with the nozzle 4. Installation is convenient; during installation, simply insert the lifting spring 3 and nozzle 4, and finally fasten the top cover 6 to prevent the lifting spring 3 and nozzle 4 from leaking out of the outer tub 2.

[0028] An auxiliary rotation part 2420 is formed inside the outer barrel 2, and the auxiliary rotation part 2420 protrudes from the central hole of the top cover 6. This facilitates the rotation of the outer barrel 2 by external forces.

[0029] An isolation cylinder 21 is formed inside the outer barrel 2, and an annular cavity is formed between the isolation cylinder 21 and the inner wall of the outer barrel 2. The annular cavity is sealed by the top cover 6. The lifting spring 3 and the pipette tip 4 are located inside the annular cavity, and the auxiliary rotating part 2420 is located inside the annular cavity. The annular cavity is sealed and aligned with the reagent storage cavity, which facilitates the sealing of the reagent storage cavity and avoids external influences.

[0030] Step S5 includes the following steps: S51, pressing the outer barrel 2 with the nozzle 4 onto the bottom box 1, ensuring that the extension tube 23 formed by the bottom of the outer barrel 2 is inserted into the guide tube 10 formed by the bottom box 1, and the extension tube 23 and the guide tube 10 are engaged; S52, rotating the outer barrel 2 so that the protrusion 22 on the outer wall of the outer barrel 2 is aligned with the notch 11 on the bottom box 1. 1) In this application, by setting the protrusion on the outer barrel 2 as the pressing base of the rotating disk in the gene sequencing automated execution system, the bottom box 1 and the outer barrel 2 can be stably supported by the mounting base in the gene sequencing automated execution system. The bottom box 1 and the outer barrel 2 will not jump during liquid aspiration and drainage, avoiding liquid splashing and insufficient subsequent reaction volume, and avoiding affecting the reaction results. 2) The protrusion in this application not only serves as a foundation for bearing the downward pressure, but also serves to align with the notch 11 of the bottom box 1. Different reagent storage cavities in the bottom box 1 are likely to store different reagents, so initial positioning is required. Initially, the notch 11 is manually aligned with the protrusion to facilitate the nozzle 4 to be aligned with the first designated reagent storage cavity. This allows the nozzle 4 to walk along the path to a certain reagent storage cavity, draw up the reagent, and inject it into a designated reagent storage cavity, ensuring that the subsequent steps of adding a certain reagent can proceed smoothly.

[0031] Step S5 also includes: S53, rotating the top cover 6 so that the pull-up part on the top cover 6 is aligned with the protrusion 22 on the outer barrel 2, and the pull-up part is aligned with the perforation. In this way, the perforation is also aligned with the protrusion 22, and the protrusion 22 is aligned with the notch 11, achieving three alignments. After the perforation is aligned, it is convenient to press down the gun head 4. After the protrusion 22 is aligned with the notch 11, it is convenient to know the initial position of the gun head 4, so as to control the gun head 4 to move to the designated reagent storage chamber position in sequence.

[0032] The outer wall of the extension cylinder 23 protrudes to form a locking protrusion 231. The extension cylinder 23 has a notch 230 located next to the locking protrusion 231, which engages with the wall of the guide cylinder 10. The notch 230 is provided so that the locking protrusion 231 has a deformable position when it is squeezed, ensuring that the locking protrusion 231 and the wall of the guide cylinder 10 can be engaged.

[0033] In step S1, a sealing gasket 7 is also prepared. The sealing gasket 7 is made of elastic material and can be passed through by the gun head 4. Before step S5, after performing step S4, the sealing gasket 7 is glued to the bottom surface of the outer barrel 2. Since the extension tube 23 at the bottom of the outer barrel 2 is inserted into the guide tube 10, the guide tube 10 rotates by guiding the extension tube 23, and then guides the outer barrel 2 to rotate relative to the entire bottom box 1. Since the extension tube 23 and the guide tube 10 are engaged, it is inevitable that the installation will not be perfectly in place in the axial direction. Therefore, the sealing gasket 7 is set to avoid slight movement in the axial direction from affecting the relative rotation and to ensure smooth rotation.

[0034] The gun head 4 includes: a first end section 41, a second end section 42, a middle section 43, a first transition section 45, and a second transition section 46. The first end section 41 is located above the second end section 42. The first end section 41 and the middle section 43 are hollow cylindrical structures or hollow frustum structures. The second end section 42 is a needle-like structure. The middle section 43 is provided between the first end section 41 and the second end section 42. The outer diameter of the first end section 41 is larger than the outer diameter of the middle section 43. The outer diameter of the middle section 43 is larger than the outer diameter of the second end section 42. The top end of the middle section 43 is connected to the first end section 41 through the first transition section 45, and the bottom end of the middle section 43 is connected to the second end section 42 through the second transition section 46. Both the first transition section 45 and the second transition section 46 are hollow frustum structures. To accommodate the installation gap between the reagent storage box and the rotating base and reduce the height of the rotating base, an internal pipette tip 4 is designed, which can be divided into three sections: a first end section 41, a second end section 42, and a middle section 43. The first transition section 45 and the second transition section 46 achieve two diameter changes: the first is the change from the second end section 42 to the middle section 43, and the second is the change from the middle section 43 to the first end section 41. The diameter changes are relatively large during these two changes, so the first transition section 45 and the second transition section 46 are designed to achieve this. This allows for the change from the extremely small diameter of the second end section 42 to the larger diameter of the middle section 43, and also allows for the change from the larger diameter of the middle section 43 to the first end section 41. In this way, the overall length of the second end section 42 and the middle section 43 is greatly reduced compared to the liquid aspiration extension section in the prior art, while still meeting the storage capacity requirements. This reduces the length of the built-in pipette tip 4 and the height of the outer container 2 while ensuring that the storage requirements are met. This reduces costs and space requirements, and also ensures that the amount of solution adhering to the outer wall after the second end section 42 extends into the reagent storage cavity is small.

[0035] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Components for preparing a gene sequencing kit. The gene sequencing kit includes: a bottom box, an outer barrel, a lifting spring, and a pipette tip. The bottom box has at least two reagent storage cavities. The outer barrel can be hinged to the bottom box. A guide base is provided inside the outer barrel. The guide base is used to guide the lifting and lowering of the pipette tip. A lifting spring is installed between the pipette tip and the outer barrel. S2. Reagent sealing, including the following steps: S21. Dispensing samples or cell tissues into the reagent storage chamber of the bottom box; S22. Placing the bottom box containing samples or cell tissues into a sealing machine, which covers the reagent storage chamber with a sealing film to obtain the reagent bottom box; S3. Keep the reagent box at a constant temperature; S4. Assemble the outer barrel, lifting spring, and pipette tip in the gene sequencing kit to obtain the outer barrel with the pipette tip; S5. Assemble the outer container with the pipette tip to the reagent base box, and after assembly, the outer container can rotate relative to the reagent base box.

2. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the top cover is prepared simultaneously, and in step S4, the top cover is assembled simultaneously. The top cover is engaged with the outer barrel with a snap-fit ​​mechanism, and the top cover blocks the gun head and the lifting spring inside the top cover.

3. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 2, characterized in that, Step S4 includes the following steps: S41. Place the lifting spring into the mounting hole formed by the outer tub, and the outer tub supports the lifting spring. S42. Insert the gun head into the lifting spring and extend it into the mounting hole. A downward step is formed on the outer wall of the gun head, and the downward step is in close contact with the lifting spring. S43. Attach the top cover to the outer barrel. The top cover has a perforation that aligns with the nozzle.

4. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 2, characterized in that, An auxiliary rotation section is formed inside the outer barrel, and the auxiliary rotation section leaks out from the central hole in the top cover.

5. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 3, characterized in that, An isolation cylinder is formed inside the outer barrel, and an annular cavity is formed between the isolation cylinder and the inner wall of the outer barrel. The annular cavity is sealed by the top cover. The lifting spring and the gun head are located inside the annular cavity, and the rotating part is located inside the annular cavity.

6. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, Step S5 includes the following steps: S51. Press the outer barrel with the nozzle onto the bottom box, and ensure that the extension tube formed by the bottom of the outer barrel is inserted into the guide tube formed by the bottom box, and the extension tube and the guide tube are engaged in a snap-fit ​​relationship. S52. Rotate the outer barrel so that the protruding part on the outer wall of the outer barrel is aligned with the notch on the bottom box.

7. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 5, characterized in that, Step S5 also includes: S53. Rotate the top cover so that the pull-up part on the top cover is aligned with the protrusion on the outer barrel, and the pull-up part is aligned with the perforation.

8. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the extension cylinder protrudes to form a locking protrusion. The extension cylinder has a notch located next to the locking protrusion, and the locking protrusion engages with the guide cylinder wall.

9. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step S1, a sealing gasket is also prepared. The sealing gasket is made of an elastic material and can be passed through by the gun tip. Before step S5, after performing step S4, a sealing gasket is attached to the bottom surface of the outer barrel.

10. The gene sequencing reagent kit manufacturing process according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The gun head includes: a first end section, a second end section, a middle section, a first transition section, and a second transition section. The first end section is located above the second end section. The first end section and the middle section are hollow cylindrical structures or hollow frustum structures. The second end section is a needle-type structure. A middle section is provided between the first end section and the second end section. The outer diameter of the first end section is larger than the outer diameter of the middle section, and the outer diameter of the middle section is larger than the outer diameter of the second end section. The top of the middle section is connected to the first end section through the first transition section, and the bottom of the middle section is connected to the second end section through the second transition section. Both the first transition section and the second transition section are hollow frustum structures.

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