Clustered biopharmaceutical sample access system

Abstract

A cluster-type biomedical sample storage and retrieval system includes, from top to bottom, a sample bottle storage unit, a sample bottle retrieval unit, and a sample bottle transport unit. The sample bottle storage unit includes a sample bottle sorting mechanism and an execution mechanism. The sample bottle sorting mechanism uses a sample bottle transport pipeline, which is equipped with a sample bottle transfer channel, a sample bottle outgoing channel, and a sample bottle return channel. The sample bottle storage unit includes a sealed box with a refrigerant exchange port on its side wall, and storage tubes for storing sample bottles are distributed inside the sealed box. The sample bottle transport unit includes a self-sealing unit and a high-pressure gas delivery mechanism. The self-sealing unit includes an upper partition, a middle partition, and a lower partition connected from top to bottom. The high-pressure gas delivery mechanism includes a gas delivery moving mechanism and a gas delivery nozzle, with the gas delivery nozzle connected to the gas delivery moving mechanism. This system achieves sealed, efficient storage, preservation, and rapid batch retrieval of samples in an ultra-low temperature environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for sample storage in the biomedical field, belonging to the field of sample storage technology. Background Technology

[0002] Drug screening involves preserving and managing thousands of valuable compounds or biological samples. Therefore, sample safety, sample tracking, data traceability, and ensuring access to accurate samples when needed are critical concerns for laboratory managers today. Drug screening is typically conducted independently by researchers, each of whom maintains a large number of samples and needs to exchange samples or information with other researchers.

[0003] The proper collection, analysis, and preservation of biopharmaceutical samples are crucial for sustainable research in biopharmaceuticals. Typically, experiments are not conducted immediately after sample collection. Some samples require repeated testing and comparison of results, while others are intended for future use in emerging technologies.

[0004] Samples used in pharmaceutical and medical research have stringent requirements for storage environment. The quality of samples is primarily affected by storage temperature, humidity, and time, especially for items with demanding storage conditions; even minor changes in the storage environment can affect their quality. Some samples are hard-won, and their loss or spoilage can cause irreparable damage. The safe storage and management of samples is a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed, especially the scientific management of samples in laboratories, which is crucial for the rapid development and orderly operation of the entire laboratory.

[0005] Samples generally need to be stored in a frozen or refrigerated environment, and will also be taken out of the frozen or refrigerated environment. In either case, the door of the refrigerated environment (such as a refrigerator or freezer) needs to be opened. Sometimes this is done frequently, which causes air convection between the inside and outside, causing fluctuations in the refrigerated environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) and affecting the stability of the storage environment.

[0006] CN102358485A discloses a pneumatic rotary sample library, comprising a central shaft, sample storage discs, a disc drive mechanism, a lifting device, and an adsorption conveying device. The sample storage discs are mounted parallel to each other on the central shaft, with sealing gaskets between adjacent discs. Sample nests and sample transfer channels are distributed on the discs, and each disc is connected to a disc drive mechanism. The lifting device is located below the bottom sample storage disc and includes a lifting jet pipe and a jet control valve. The adsorption conveying device is located above the top sample storage disc and includes a combined suction seat, suction pipe, suction control valve, conveying pipe, conveying control valve, and vacuum chamber. This sample library stores samples in a sealed environment and achieves automatic sample storage and retrieval through pneumatic technology, solving the problem of storing as many samples as possible in a limited space. However, it suffers from problems such as "high manufacturing cost of the sample storage discs and inability of the central shaft and sample storage discs to adapt to ultra-low temperature environments," preventing operation in such conditions.

[0007] CN102303763A discloses a "Honeycomb Composite Rotary Sample Storage Device," which includes a vertical shaft, sample storage disks, and a disk drive mechanism. The sample storage disks are mounted parallel to each other on the same vertical shaft. Sample cells and sample transfer channels are distributed on the sample storage disks. Each sample storage disk is connected to a disk drive mechanism, and each disk drive mechanism is mounted on a bracket fixed to the bottom of the vertical shaft. The sample cells are arranged in a ring shape, with at least two rings, all concentric, and each ring has at least one sample transfer channel. While this device solves the shortcomings of current sample storage methods by allowing it to be placed in a sealed storage environment and utilizing refrigeration, pneumatic, sensing, barcode recognition, database management, and network communication technologies to achieve automatic sample storage and intelligent data management, it suffers from the problem that "the vertical shaft and sample storage disks cannot adapt to ultra-low temperature environments, and the disk drive mechanism, especially the electrical system, has limited temperature adaptability," thus preventing it from operating in ultra-low temperature environments. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing sample storage technologies by providing a cluster-type biomedical sample storage and retrieval system with large capacity that can meet the requirements of storage in ultra-low temperature environments.

[0009] The bundled biomedical sample retrieval system of the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] The system includes, from top to bottom, a sample bottle retrieval unit, a sample bottle storage unit, and a sample bottle transport unit;

[0011] The sample bottle storage and retrieval unit includes a sample bottle sorting mechanism and an execution mechanism. The sample bottle sorting mechanism uses a sample bottle conveying pipeline, which is equipped with a sample bottle transfer channel, a sample bottle outbound channel, and a sample bottle return channel. The sample bottle transfer channel and the sample bottle return channel are respectively connected to an execution mechanism via connecting hoses (the sample bottle transfer channel is connected to the sample bottle transfer execution mechanism, and the sample bottle return channel is connected to the sample bottle return execution mechanism).

[0012] The sample bottle storage unit includes a sealed box, a cooling medium exchange port is provided on the side wall of the sealed box, and storage tubes for storing sample bottles are distributed inside the sealed box.

[0013] The sample bottle transport unit includes a self-sealing unit and a high-pressure gas delivery mechanism. The self-sealing unit includes an upper partition, a middle partition, and a lower partition connected from top to bottom. The upper partition has upper through holes with ventilation grooves engraved on the inner wall of the upper through holes. The middle partition has circular through holes with sealing balls installed inside them. The lower partition has lower through holes with the diameter of the sealing balls being smaller than the inner diameter of the circular through holes but larger than the inner diameters of the upper and lower through holes. The distribution of the upper, circular, and lower through holes is consistent with the distribution of the storage tubes in the sample bottle storage unit (coaxial and corresponding one-to-one). The high-pressure gas delivery mechanism is located below the self-sealing unit and includes a gas delivery moving mechanism and a gas delivery nozzle, with the gas delivery nozzle connected to the gas delivery moving mechanism.

[0014] The system described above is placed in a temperature and humidity controlled chamber, or in other environments required for sample storage, forming a sealed sample bottle storage and retrieval system within the chamber. The sample bottles containing the samples are stored in the sample bottle storage unit. The storage, retrieval, and preservation of the sample bottles are completed through the combined action of the sample bottle transport unit and the sample bottle retrieval unit.

[0015] Furthermore:

[0016] The sample bottle delivery pipe is spiral-shaped.

[0017] The sample bottle transfer channel and the sample bottle return channel are located at opposite ends of the sample bottle delivery pipeline.

[0018] An identification device is installed at the upper end of the sample bottle outgoing channel.

[0019] The sample bottle transfer channel, sample bottle return channel, and sample bottle outgoing channel are all equipped with control valves.

[0020] The actuator includes a motion mechanism, a mechanical gripper, and a capture nozzle. The mechanical gripper is connected to the motion mechanism, and the capture nozzle is connected to the mechanical gripper. A connecting hose is connected to the capture nozzle to form a closed-loop channel. The motion mechanism uses a two-dimensional moving platform, which is existing technology.

[0021] The storage tube is fixed by tube plates at the top and bottom of the sealed box, and the tube plates have tube plate holes with the same outer diameter as the storage tube.

[0022] The upper partition, middle partition, lower partition, and sealing ball have heat insulation properties (using materials with low thermal conductivity or setting a heat insulation layer) to prevent the temperature of the sample bottle storage unit from overflowing.

[0023] The high-pressure gas transmission mechanism uses a two-dimensional moving platform, which is existing technology.

[0024] When retrieving a sample bottle, the gas delivery moving mechanism drives the gas delivery nozzle to be directly below the through hole of the self-sealing unit corresponding to the storage tube where the sample bottle is located. At the same time, the sample bottle transfer actuator drives the capture nozzle to precisely align with the upper port of the storage tube. Under the action of high-pressure airflow, the sample bottle enters the sample bottle transfer channel from the storage tube through the capture nozzle, and then moves in the sample bottle conveying pipeline. The retrieved sample bottle reaches the exit position from the sample bottle exit channel. Sample bottles that do not need to be exited move to the sample bottle return channel. The sample bottle return actuator drives its capture nozzle to align with the upper port of the storage tube where the sample bottle to be stored (at this time, the capture nozzle of the sample bottle transfer actuator moves away from the storage tube), and the sample bottle enters the storage tube, realizing the return to storage.

[0025] When storing sample bottles, the bottles enter the sample bottle transfer channel via a connecting hose and move within the sample bottle delivery pipeline. Simultaneously, the sample return actuator moves its capture nozzle to align with the upper port of the storage tube into which the corresponding sample bottle is to be placed. Driven by the actuator, the sample bottle reaches the predetermined position and enters the corresponding storage tube, completing the storage process.

[0026] This invention has the following characteristics:

[0027] 1. Sample bottles are transported, screened, released, stored, and returned within a closed channel, overcoming the impact of environmental changes on sample quality during storage and retrieval, reducing sample management risks, and achieving efficient storage, preservation, and retrieval in medium and low temperature environments.

[0028] 2. The sample bottle sorting mechanism has a spiral-shaped sample bottle conveying pipe, which extends the length of the sample bottle conveying pipe within the effective space. The extended sample bottle conveying pipe increases the number of sample bottles that can be accommodated, thus solving the contradiction between "fast" sample bottle retrieval and "slow" sorting.

[0029] 3. The sample bottle transfer channel is located at the beginning of the sample bottle conveying pipeline, the sample bottle return channel is located at the end of the sample bottle conveying pipeline, and the identification device and sample bottle outbound channel are located in the middle section of the sample bottle conveying pipeline. This can effectively divert sample bottles and balance the outbound and inbound speeds.

[0030] 4. The sample bottle transfer channel is located at the beginning of the sample bottle delivery pipeline, which enables rapid storage of sample bottles.

[0031] 5. Placing the storage tube in a sealed box allows the sample vials to enjoy a unique temperature and humidity storage environment, meeting the environmental requirements for sample storage. At the same time, it can also create a lower storage temperature environment to meet the specific sample storage requirements.

[0032] 6. Placing the storage tube in a sealed box prevents heat leakage, facilitating the creation of a storage environment below -25°C. This allows the use of conventional materials, devices, components, and mechanisms, reducing equipment costs and improving safety and reliability. It meets the requirements for conventional actuators operating in environments above -25°C (>-25°C).

[0033] 7. The self-sealing mechanism achieves autonomous and efficient sealing by relying on the mass of the sealing ball and the principle of universal gravitation, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the bundled biomedical sample storage and retrieval system of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle storage and retrieval unit in this invention.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle sorting mechanism of the sample bottle storage and retrieval unit in this invention.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the actuator of the sample bottle storage and retrieval unit in this invention.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle storage unit in this invention.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the sample bottles inside the storage tube in the sample bottle storage unit.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle transport unit in this invention.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the self-sealing unit in the sample bottle transport unit of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper partition of the sample bottle transport unit in this invention.

[0043] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the partition structure of the sample bottle transport unit in this invention.

[0044] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the lower partition structure of the sample bottle transport unit in this invention.

[0045] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the high-pressure gas delivery mechanism of the sample bottle transport unit in this invention.

[0046] The components include: 1. Temperature and humidity control box; 2. Sample bottle storage and retrieval unit; 3. Sample bottle storage unit; 4. Sample bottle transport unit.

[0047] 21. Sample bottle sorting mechanism; 22. Connecting hose; 23. Actuator;

[0048] 211. Sample bottle conveying pipeline; 212. Sample bottle transfer channel; 213. Sample bottle return channel; 214. Sample bottle outbound channel; 215. Identification device; 2121. Upper port; 2122. Lower port; 2131. Lower port; 2141. Lower port;

[0049] 231. Motion mechanism; 232. Mechanical gripper; 233. Capturing nozzle; 2331. Upper port; 2332. Lower port;

[0050] 31. Sealed box; 311. Refrigeration medium exchange port; 32. Storage tube; 33. Sample bottle;

[0051] 41. Self-sealing unit; 42. High-pressure gas transmission mechanism;

[0052] 411. Upper partition, 412. Middle partition, 413. Sealing ball, 414. Lower partition; 4111. Upper through hole, 4112. Vent groove, 4141. Lower through hole, 4142. Rounded chamfer;

[0053] 421. Gas delivery moving mechanism; 422. Gas delivery nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The bundled biomedical sample retrieval system of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a sample bottle storage unit 2, a sample bottle storage unit 3, and a sample bottle transport unit 4. These three units are housed within a temperature and humidity controlled chamber 1, or in other environments required for sample storage. They are connected sequentially from top to bottom, forming a sealed sample bottle storage and retrieval system within the temperature and humidity controlled chamber 1. The sample bottles 33 containing the samples are stored in the sample bottle storage unit 3. The storage, retrieval, and preservation of the sample bottles are completed through the combined action of the sample bottle transport unit 4 and the sample bottle storage unit 2.

[0055] The following is a detailed description of the specific structure of each unit.

[0056] 1. Sample bottle storage and retrieval unit

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, the sample bottle storage and retrieval unit 2 includes a sample bottle sorting mechanism 21, a connecting hose 22, and an actuator 23.

[0058] Sample bottle sorting mechanism 21 Figure 3 As shown, the system includes a sample bottle conveying pipeline 211, which is equipped with a sample bottle transfer channel 212, a sample bottle return channel 213, and a sample bottle outgoing channel 214. The sample bottle transfer channel 212 is located at the beginning of the sample bottle conveying pipeline 211. The sample bottle return channel 213 is located at the end of the sample bottle conveying pipeline 211. The sample bottle outgoing channel 214 is located in the middle section of the sample bottle conveying pipeline 211, and an identification device 215 is installed at its upper end. The identification device 215 can be an existing QR code reader, RFID reader, etc., which can accurately identify QR codes and RFID tags on the sample bottles. Control valves are installed in the sample bottle transfer channel, sample bottle return channel, and sample bottle outgoing channel.

[0059] The upper port 2121 and lower port 2122 of the sample bottle transfer channel 212, the lower port 2131 of the sample bottle return channel 213, and the lower port 2141 of the sample bottle outgoing channel 214 are each connected to a set of connecting hoses 22. A valve is installed at the upper port 2121 of the sample bottle transfer channel 212 to control the direction of the sample bottle 43. The connecting hoses 22 connected to the lower port 2122 and the connecting hoses connected to the lower port 2131 are respectively connected to a set of actuators 23. That is, the sample bottle transfer channel 212 is connected to the sample transfer actuator by a set of connecting hoses, so that the upper port of the storage tube 32 is docked with the sample bottle transfer channel 212 when the sample is taken out. The sample bottle return channel 213 is connected to the sample return actuator by another set of connecting hoses, so that the sample bottle return channel 213 is docked with the storage tube 32.

[0060] The structure of actuator 23 is as follows Figure 4 As shown, the device includes a motion mechanism 231, a mechanical gripper 232, and a capture nozzle 233. The mechanical gripper 232 is connected to the motion mechanism 231, and the capture nozzle 233 is connected to the mechanical gripper 232. The motion mechanism 231 adopts a two-dimensional moving platform as used in the prior art. The mechanical gripper 232 adopts various existing manipulator structures. Each set of connecting hoses 22 is connected to the upper port 2331 of the corresponding capture nozzle 233, forming a closed-loop channel.

[0061] When sample bottle 33 is retrieved, the sample transfer actuator precisely aligns the lower port 2332 of its capturing nozzle 233 with the upper port of the storage tube 32. Under the action of high-pressure airflow, sample bottle 33 enters the sample bottle transfer channel 212 from the storage tube 32 and moves within the sample bottle delivery pipe 211 driven by airflow (a valve is installed at the upper port 2121 of the sample bottle transfer channel 212, preventing sample bottle 33 from exiting the channel and instead guiding it into the delivery pipe 211). When sample bottle 33 passes the identification device 215, information on the sample bottle 33 is captured. Based on the captured information, it is determined whether the sample bottle 33 needs to be retrieved or not. If it is a sample bottle that needs to be retrieved, it enters the sample bottle retrieval channel 214, where the control valve opens, allowing it to reach the retrieval position via a connected hose. If the sample bottle 33 does not need to be shipped out, it continues to move in the sample bottle conveying pipe 211. When it reaches the sample bottle return channel 213, it enters the connected hose 22 through the lower port 2131 of the sample bottle return channel 213. Under the action of the sample return execution mechanism, it reaches the upper port of the corresponding storage pipe 32 to realize the return to the warehouse.

[0062] When storing sample bottles 33 (in storage), sample bottles 33 enter the sample bottle transport channel 212 via a flexible tube, entering the sample bottle transport pipe 211 and moving within it (driven by airflow). Simultaneously, the sample return actuator moves its capture nozzle 233, with its lower port 2332 aligning with the upper port of the storage tube 32 to which the corresponding sample bottle 33 is to be placed. Driven by the actuator 23, the sample bottle 33 reaches the predetermined position and enters the corresponding storage tube 32.

[0063] 2. Sample bottle storage unit

[0064] Sample bottle storage unit 3 adopts a bundled tube structure, such as Figure 5 As shown, the system includes a sealed box 31. A refrigerant exchange port 311 is provided on the side wall of the sealed box 31. Storage tubes 32 are vertically arranged inside the sealed box 31. The storage tubes 32 are fixed by tube plates at both ends of the sealed box 31 (the tube plates have holes with the same outer diameter as the storage tubes 32). Both ends of the storage tubes 32 are open. The storage tubes 32 are used to store sample bottles 33, such as... Figure 6 As shown. The functions of the sealed box 31 are: firstly, to provide the sample bottle storage unit with an independent and stable storage temperature and humidity environment, the temperature of which can be lower than -25℃; secondly, to isolate the sample bottle storage unit 3 from the sample bottle access unit 2 and the sample bottle transport unit 4, so that they have different temperature and humidity environments.

[0065] The sample bottle storage unit 3 and the sample bottle transport unit 4 are connected by fasteners. The distribution of the storage tubes 32 in the sample bottle storage unit 3 (the distribution of the tube plate holes on the tube plate) is consistent with the distribution of the upper through holes 4111 on the upper partition 411 in the sample bottle transport unit 4. The storage tubes 32 and the upper through holes 4111 correspond one-to-one and are coaxial.

[0066] The actuator 23 can move the lower port 2332 of the capture nozzle 233 to be positioned directly above the port of the required storage tube 32, achieving precise docking.

[0067] 3. Sample bottle transport unit

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, the sample bottle transport unit 4 includes a self-sealing unit 41 and a high-pressure gas delivery mechanism 42.

[0069] The structure of the self-sealing unit 41 is as follows Figure 8 As shown, it includes an upper partition 411, a middle partition 412, and a lower partition 414 connected together from top to bottom. A sealing ball 413 is provided in the through holes distributed on the middle partition 412.

[0070] like Figure 9 As shown, the upper partition 411 has upper through holes 4111 distributed in a manner consistent with that of the storage tube 32, and they correspond one-to-one. Ventilation grooves 4112 are engraved on the inner wall of the upper through holes 4111. The diameter of the inscribed circle of the upper through hole 4111 is smaller than the diameter of the sealing ball 413, preventing the sealing ball 413 from passing through the upper through hole 4111. Ventilation grooves are evenly distributed on the upper through hole 4111, and the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the ventilation grooves is larger than the diameter of the sealing ball 413, providing a channel for high-pressure gas to escape.

[0071] like Figure 10 As shown, the partition plate 412 has through holes 4121 distributed on it. The diameter of the through holes 4121 is larger than the diameter of the sealing ball 413. It is the area where the sealing ball is suspended and also the high-pressure gas channel.

[0072] like Figure 11 As shown, the lower partition plate 414 has lower through holes 4141 distributed on it. The upper end of the lower through hole 4141 is rounded and chamfered to form an arc-shaped spherical surface 4142. The diameter of the arc-shaped spherical surface 4142 is not greater than the diameter of the sealing ball 413. When the sealing ball 413 loses the external pressure, it falls into the spherical arc surface 4142 by its own weight, sealing the lower through hole 4141.

[0073] The upper through holes 4111 distributed on the upper partition 411, the round through holes 4121 distributed on the middle partition 412, and the lower through holes 4141 distributed on the lower partition 414 are concentric and correspond one-to-one, forming a sample bottle pneumatic transport channel from bottom to top.

[0074] The upper partition 411, middle partition 412, lower partition 414, and sealing ball 413 are all made of materials with certain heat insulation properties, or are treated with heat insulation layers to prevent the temperature of the sample bottle storage unit from overflowing.

[0075] like Figure 12 As shown, the high-pressure gas transmission mechanism 42 includes a gas transmission moving mechanism 421 and a gas transmission nozzle 422, with the nozzle 422 connected to the moving mechanism 421. The moving mechanism 421 employs a two-dimensional moving platform, which is existing technology. Driven by the moving mechanism 421, the nozzle 422 moves to directly below the corresponding lower through hole 4141 (the required storage pipe 32) on the lower partition 414.

[0076] The working principle of the above sample bottle transport unit 4 is as follows:

[0077] Under the control of the gas delivery moving mechanism 421, the gas delivery nozzle 422 connects with a lower through-hole 4141 on the lower partition 414 at the corresponding position. High-pressure gas enters the corresponding lower through-hole 4141 on the lower partition 414 through the gas delivery nozzle 422. Under the action of the high-pressure gas, the sealing ball 413 is suspended in the corresponding middle channel 4121 of the middle partition 412. The high-pressure gas enters a set storage tube 32 through the corresponding venting groove 4112 on the upper partition 411, pushing the sample bottle 33 in the storage tube 32 upward. When the gas pressure is released, the sealing ball 413 falls into the spherical arc surface 4142 of the upper and lower through-holes 4141 of the lower partition 414 by its own gravity, achieving a self-sealing effect. The sealing ball 413 must have a sufficiently high density so that it cannot suspend without the action of high-pressure gas flow.

[0078] The entire system operation process is as follows.

[0079] When a specific sample bottle 33 needs to be retrieved, the gas delivery nozzle 422, under the control of the gas delivery moving mechanism 421, aligns with a lower through hole 4141 on the lower partition 414 of the self-sealing unit 41 corresponding to the lower port of the storage tube 32 storing the sample bottle 33. Simultaneously, the capturing nozzle 233, driven by the motion mechanism 231, moves to the upper port of the storage tube 32 of the sample bottle 33 and aligns with the lower port 2332 of the capturing nozzle 233.

[0080] High-pressure gas is ejected from the gas delivery nozzle 422, passes through the channel corresponding to the self-sealing unit 41, and enters the designated storage tube 32, blowing the sample bottle 33 out of the storage unit 2. The sample bottle 33 is then blown into the sample bottle conveying pipe 211 through the capture nozzle 233, the connecting hose 22, and the sample bottle transfer channel 212. Under the propulsion of the airflow, the sample bottle 33 moves in the sample bottle conveying pipe 211. When the sample bottle 33 enters the identification area of ​​the identification device 215, the information of the sample bottle 33 is captured and fed back through the information control system to determine whether it is a sample bottle that needs to be released or not. If it is a sample bottle that needs to be released, the sample bottle 33 enters the sample bottle release channel 214. The lower port 2141 of the sample bottle release channel 214 is connected to the connecting hose 22. Driven by the motion mechanism 23, the sample bottle 33 reaches the release position. If the sample bottle 33 does not need to be retrieved, it continues to move forward in the sample bottle transport pipe 211. When it reaches the sample bottle return channel 213, the sample bottle 33 enters the storage tube 32 through the lower port 2131 of the sample bottle transport channel 213, the connecting hose 22, and the capturing nozzle 23, thus returning to the storage. At this time, the upper port of the connecting hose 22 is connected to the lower port 2131 of the sample bottle transport channel 213, and the lower port of the connecting hose 22 is connected to the upper port 2331 of the capturing nozzle 233. The lower port 2332 of the capturing nozzle 233 is aligned with the upper port in the designated storage tube 32 under the drive of the motion mechanism 23.

[0081] When storing sample bottle 33, sample bottle 33 enters the transfer channel 212 through the channel formed by connecting hose 22 and upper port 2121, and reaches the predetermined position under the drive of actuator 23, and enters the corresponding storage tube 32.

[0082] Specific embodiments are given below.

[0083] Temperature chamber 1 is designed to be 1200mm long, 1200mm wide, and 1800mm high, with a 50mm thick insulation layer, and is equipped with a temperature and humidity control system.

[0084] The sample bottle storage unit 3 is designed to be 1000mm long, 1000mm wide, and 1000mm high. The storage tubes are made of acrylic round tubes with an inner diameter of Φ20mm, an outer diameter of Φ24mm, and a length of 900mm. The upper and lower tube sheets are 800mm long, 800mm wide, and 10mm thick, made of acrylic, with 961 evenly distributed stepped holes. The center distance of the outer holes is 40mm from the edge, and the hole spacing is 30mm. The large hole of the stepped hole is Φ24mm, and the small hole is Φ20mm. First, the storage tubes are inserted one by one into the Φ24mm holes of the lower tube sheet, then one by one into the Φ24mm holes of the upper tube sheet, and then fixed in place. The storage tube bundle is now complete. A 5mm thick insulation layer is installed around the longitudinal perimeter of the storage tube bundle, and four Φ100mm refrigerant exchange holes are left on two symmetrical sides. The sample bottle storage unit is now complete.

[0085] Sample bottle transport unit 4 is designed as follows:

[0086] 1. The upper partition is 1000mm long, 1000mm wide, and 10mm thick. It is made of engineering plastic and has 961 ventilation slots and through holes that correspond one-to-one with the 961 holes in the tube bundle. The center distance of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line. The diameter of the inner circle of the through hole is Φ14mm and the diameter of the outer circle of the ventilation slot is Φ20mm.

[0087] 2. The pneumatic channel is 1000mm long, 1000mm wide, and 20mm thick. It is made of engineering plastic and has 961 ventilation slots and holes that correspond one-to-one with the 961 holes on the upper partition. The center of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line and the diameter of the hole is Φ20mm.

[0088] The lower partition is 1000mm long, 1000mm wide, and 10mm thick. It is made of stainless steel and has 961 ventilation slots and through holes that correspond one-to-one with the 961 holes in the upper and middle partitions. The center of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line, the diameter of the through hole is Φ10mm, and the rounded chamfer is R3.

[0089] 3. The diameter of the sealing ball is Φ18mm. Place the middle partition plate on top of the lower partition plate, place the 961 sealing rings into the through holes of the middle partition plate, and then place the upper partition plate on top of the middle partition plate. Connect them together with fasteners to complete the assembly of the sample bottle transport unit.

[0090] From bottom to top, the sample bottle transport unit, sample bottle storage unit, and sample bottle retrieval unit are integrated into one unit and placed in a temperature control mechanism. Then, the relevant actuators are installed separately, and a cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system is assembled.

Claims

1. A cluster-type biomedical sample storage and retrieval system, characterized in that: It includes a sample bottle retrieval unit, a sample bottle storage unit, and a sample bottle transport unit arranged from top to bottom; The sample bottle storage and retrieval unit includes a sample bottle sorting mechanism and an execution mechanism. The sample bottle sorting mechanism uses a sample bottle conveying pipeline, which is equipped with a sample bottle transfer channel, a sample bottle outbound channel, and a sample bottle return channel. The sample bottle transfer channel and the sample bottle return channel are respectively connected to an execution mechanism via connecting hoses. The sample bottle storage unit includes a sealed box, a cooling medium exchange port is provided on the side wall of the sealed box, and storage tubes for storing sample bottles are distributed inside the sealed box. The sample bottle transport unit includes a self-sealing unit and a high-pressure gas delivery mechanism. The self-sealing unit includes an upper partition, a middle partition, and a lower partition connected from top to bottom. The upper partition has upper through holes, and the inner wall of the upper through holes is provided with a venting groove. The middle partition has round through holes, and a sealing ball is placed in each round through hole. The lower partition has lower through holes. The diameter of the sealing ball is smaller than the inner diameter of the round through holes but larger than the inner diameters of the upper and lower through holes. The distribution of the upper through holes, round through holes, and lower through holes is consistent with the distribution of the storage tubes in the sample bottle storage unit. The high-pressure gas delivery mechanism is located below the self-sealing unit and includes a gas delivery moving mechanism and a gas delivery nozzle. The gas delivery nozzle is connected to the gas delivery moving mechanism. The sample bottle delivery pipe is spiral-shaped; The sample bottle transfer channel and the sample bottle return channel are located at opposite ends of the sample bottle delivery pipeline; An identification device is installed at the upper end of the sample bottle outgoing channel; A control valve is installed in the sample bottle outgoing channel.

2. The cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator includes a motion mechanism, a mechanical gripper, and a capture nozzle. The mechanical gripper is connected to the motion mechanism, and the capture nozzle is connected to the mechanical gripper. The capture nozzle is connected to the connecting hose to form a closed-loop channel.

3. The cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The motion mechanism employs a two-dimensional moving platform.

4. The cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage tube is fixed by tube plates at the top and bottom of the sealed box, and the tube plates have tube plate holes with the same outer diameter as the storage tube.

5. The cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas delivery moving mechanism adopts a two-dimensional moving platform.

6. The cluster-type biomedical sample retrieval system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper partition, middle partition, lower partition, and sealing ball have heat insulation properties.

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