Microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device. In the present invention, the trapezoidal screw module converts rotational motion into linear motion, and the trapezoidal screw module is connected to the chip sample tray through the tray pre-tightening module. The tray pre-tightening module is provided with a tension spring to provide a tension pre-tightening force, so that the trapezoidal screw module and the chip sample tray are in a contact pre-tightening state until the tray is recovered. When the chip sample tray is in contact with the positioning reference part and positioned, the tension spring is further stretched to separate the tray pre-tightening module from the chip sample tray, and the positioning reference part pushes the ball pin in the sample tray. The chip fixture in the chip sample tray is supported by the spring plunger to provide a compression pre-tightening force. The position of the chip fixture is unique and fixed, and the positioning after recovery is completed. The present invention achieves stable and high microfluidic chip sample positioning through purely mechanical positioning and coordination, without the need to rely on control and sensors to achieve high positioning accuracy and repeatability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transmission device of a single-cell sequencing instrument, in particular to a chip sample transporting and positioning device of the single-cell sequencing instrument. Background Art

[0002] Single-cell sequencers require high repeatability and positioning accuracy during the sample loading and unloading process, especially during the post-injection positioning process. Achieving high positioning accuracy often requires sophisticated sensors and complex control circuits, resulting in high overall costs. The high number of sophisticated sensors and control circuits also makes the entire system difficult to maintain and unstable.

[0003] The existing technical solution is: a spring plunger is provided on the chip sample slot, and the spherical surface of one end of the spring plunger contacts the positioning reference part during the sampling process, and the spherical surface of the other end of the spring plunger contacts the end face of the fixture placed in the sample slot to apply a spring preload force. Under the action of the preload force, the chip fixture is in close contact with the two cylindrical pins set in the sample slot, which can determine the position of the sample slot and the chip fixture. The sample slot as a whole has only one degree of freedom. The end face of the spring plunger set in the sample slot contacts the positioning reference part, which can realize the overall position determination of the sample slot. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in order to achieve higher positioning accuracy in the current process of transporting and positioning microfluidic chip samples, a relatively complex positioning sensor device is required. The cost of using electronic sensors for positioning is high, and the reliability and durability are insufficient.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device.

[0006] The invention comprises a power source, a trapezoidal screw module, a positioning reference component, a slider guide module and a microfluidic chip pressing and sealing mechanism.

[0007] The rotational motion of the output shaft of the power source is converted into linear motion of the tray pre-tightening module through the trapezoidal screw module. The tray pre-tightening module is connected to the chip sample tray through a spring. The chip sample tray is installed on the guide rail and slider module, and stops positioning when it contacts the positioning reference part in the retracted state; the chip sample tray pushes out and retracts the microfluidic chip sample, and after retraction, it is positioned in a one-to-one corresponding position with the microfluidic chip compression and sealing mechanism.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention achieves stable and high microfluidic chip sample positioning through purely mechanical positioning and coordination, without the need for control and sensors to achieve high positioning accuracy and repeatability, which helps to reduce equipment costs and improve stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of the sample loading state of the microfluidic chip sample transport device;

[0010] Figure 1b Schematic diagram of sample recovery and sealing of the microfluidic chip sample transport device;

[0011] Figure 2 Axial view of the microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device;

[0012] Figure 3 This is the front view of the microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device;

[0013] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a sample transport and positioning device for a microfluidic chip;

[0014] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of the sample tray. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present invention provides a microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device. The sample transport and positioning device is provided with a power source, which is mounted in a reserved groove on the base plate. The rotational motion of the output shaft of the power source is converted into linear motion of a tray pre-tightening module via the trapezoidal screw module. The tray pre-tightening module is connected to the chip sample tray via a spring. The chip sample tray is mounted on the guide rail and slider module and stops when it contacts the positioning reference member in the retracted state. A microfluidic chip compression and sealing mechanism is mounted in the reserved positioning groove on the base plate. The chip sample tray pushes out and retracts the microfluidic chip sample, and after retraction, it is positioned in a one-to-one correspondence with the microfluidic chip compression and sealing mechanism.

[0016] The power source drives the trapezoidal lead screw, and the square lead screw nut matched on the trapezoidal lead screw converts the rotational motion into a linear motion and is guided by the optical axis.

[0017] The tray pre-tightening module is provided on the screw nut, and the tray pre-tightening module is connected to the chip sample tray through a tension spring, so that when the chip sample tray is pushed out, it maintains rigid contact with the tray pre-tightening module, and the pushing force is transmitted to the chip sample tray, and the pushing action is completed through the guide rail and the slider module.

[0018] During the recovery process of the chip sample tray after placing the microfluidic chip, the chip sample tray and the tray pre-tightening module maintain rigid contact by pre-stretching the tension spring. When the tray pre-tightening module is recovered under the drive of the square screw nut, the pre-tightening force of the pre-stretching tension spring is greater than the friction force of the tray pre-tightening module during the recovery process, and the chip sample tray and the tray pre-tightening module can maintain rigid contact.

[0019] When the end surface of the chip sample tray collides with the positioning reference part, the tray pre-tightening module will continue to move linearly under the drive of the square screw nut, so that the tray pre-tightening module is separated from the chip sample tray, and at the same time, a larger pre-tightening force of the tension spring is obtained.

[0020] The elongation error of the tension spring is allowed to be relatively large, which can reduce the stop position accuracy requirement of the trapezoidal screw module and reduce the control and control accuracy requirements of the power source.

[0021] The chip fixture is placed in the sample tray, and the spring plunger is provided on the through hole reserved on the end face of the sample tray. The spring plunger is interference fit with the ball pin shaft, and a compression spring is sleeved on the shaft of the ball pin shaft. The ball pin shaft slides in a clearance fit with the through hole of the sample tray, and the flange end face of the ball pin shaft is blocked by the baffle in the through hole of the sample tray.

[0022] When the end surface of the chip sample tray collides with the positioning reference member, the ball pin pushes the compression spring to compress, causing the spring plunger to move along the through-hole axis and contact the chip fixture. The spring plunger's spherical surface compresses against the chip fixture, providing a compressive preload force for the chip fixture, thereby achieving a stable position and a fixed position relative to the positioning reference surface. This effectively positions the microfluidic chip, eliminating the need for additional electronic sensors and achieving highly stable microfluidic chip sample positioning through purely mechanical positioning and coordination.

[0023] Preferably, the power source and the trapezoidal screw module transmit rotational motion through a micro-diaphragm coupling, which occupies a small space, has a light weight, and has smooth transmission.

[0024] Preferably, the trapezoidal lead screw and the square lead screw nut have self-locking capabilities and can stop self-locking at any position without the need for additional driving force.

[0025] Preferably, the slider connector of the tray pre-tightening module is connected to the square screw nut by screws, and the tray connector is connected to the chip sample tray by screws. The tension spring connects the slider connector to the chip sample tray and applies a pre-tightening force so that the contact state is maintained during the pushing and recovery process. When the chip sample tray is recovered to be in full contact with the positioning reference part, the tension spring will further perform linear motion through the square screw nut and the slider connector under the drive of the trapezoidal screw, thereby further stretching the tension spring. The pre-tension force provided by the tension spring is further increased in this process, ensuring full contact between the chip sample tray and the positioning reference part.

[0026] The tension spring stretches until the photoelectric trigger plate mounted at the bottom of the square lead screw nut triggers the near-end photoelectric sensor. This stretching of the tension spring makes the chip sample tray's stopping position independent of the trapezoidal lead screw's locking accuracy. This significantly reduces the control requirements of the stepper motor and the positioning requirements for the lead screw stop. The chip sample tray's positioning accuracy depends solely on the position of the positioning reference. The tray preload module, driven by the square lead screw nut, further stretches the tension spring, providing greater preload force to ensure full contact between the chip sample tray and the positioning reference, achieving high positioning accuracy and repeatability.

[0027] Preferably, the end face of the chip sample tray collides with the positioning reference member, causing the ball pin to compress the compression spring, causing the spring plunger to move along the axis of the through-hole and contact the chip fixture. The spherical surface of the spring plunger compresses the chip fixture, providing a compressive preload force for the chip fixture, pushing it onto the positioning reference surface in the chip sample tray slot, thereby establishing a positional relationship between the chip fixture and the chip sample tray. This positioning process is achieved synchronously after the chip sample tray and the positioning reference member are fully in contact. It is a purely mechanical positioning method with a simple structure, and does not require the assistance of control and sensors to achieve high positioning accuracy and repeatability.

[0028] Preferably, the chip sample tray is installed on the guide rail, and the installation positioning grooves reserved on the base plate ensure the accuracy of the installation position relationship between the guide rail slider module, the reference positioning part and the gantry, that is, the accuracy of the position relationship between the microfluidic chip and the clamping sealing mechanism is ensured.

[0029] The following provides embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0030] See also Figure 1a , is a schematic diagram of the sample loading state of the microfluidic chip sample transport device, the chip sample tray 7 is pushed out, see Figure 1b The microfluidic chip pressing and sealing mechanism 8 is installed on the reserved positioning groove on the base plate 1, and the chip sample tray 7 pushes out and retracts the microfluidic chip sample, and after retraction, it is positioned in a one-to-one corresponding position with the microfluidic chip pressing and sealing mechanism 8.

[0031] See also Figure 2 The power source 3 is installed in the reserved groove on the base plate 1. The rotational motion of the output shaft of the power source 3 is converted into the linear motion of the tray pre-tightening module 5 through the trapezoidal screw module 4. The tray pre-tightening module 5 is connected to the chip sample tray 7 by screws. The chip sample tray 7 is installed on the guide rail and the slider module 2. When it is retracted, it contacts the positioning reference part 6 to stop positioning.

[0032] See also Figure 3 Power source 3 includes a stepper motor 3-1. The end face of stepper motor 3-1 is screwed to a flange fixture 3-2. Flange fixture 3-2 is also screwed and mounted in a pre-set positioning notch on top plate 1. The output shaft of stepper motor 3-1 is connected to a micro-diaphragm coupling 3-3. The other end of micro-diaphragm coupling 3-3 is connected to a trapezoidal screw 4-1 in the trapezoidal screw module 4, transmitting rotational motion to trapezoidal screw 4-1.

[0033] See also Figure 4 The trapezoidal screw 4-1 (proximal end) is mounted on the base plate 1 via a deep groove ball bearing 4-4 ​​in conjunction with the proximal bearing support 4-5. The trapezoidal screw 4-1 (distal end) is mounted on the base plate 1 via a deep groove ball bearing in conjunction with the distal bearing support 4-13. The locking nut 4-2 secures the inner ring of the deep groove ball bearing 4-4 ​​through the collar 4-3. The bearing end cover 4-6 secures the outer ring of the deep groove ball bearing 4-4 ​​through screws connected to the proximal bearing support 4-5. One end of the optical axis 4-8 is mounted on the mounting hole reserved on the proximal bearing support 4-5, and the other end is mounted on the distal bearing support 4-13. The anti-collision limit ring 4-7 is respectively mounted on both ends of the optical axis 4-8. The square screw nut 4-10 is respectively engaged with the two optical axes 4-8 and the trapezoidal screw 4-1. A limit trigger baffle 4-11 is provided at the bottom of the square screw nut 4-10. The corresponding trapezoidal screw 4-1 has grooves at its two ends, located on the bottom plate 1, for mounting the near-end photoelectric sensor 4-9 and the far-end photoelectric sensor 4-12. The top of the square screw nut 4-10 is screwed with a slider connector 5-1. The slider connector 5-1 is connected to the tray connector 5-2 via a pin contacting the tension spring 5-3. The tray connector 5-2 is screwed to the chip sample tray 7.

[0034] See also Figure 5 The sample tray 7-1 is mounted on the linear guide rail 2-1 by screws. The linear guide rail 2-1 cooperates with the guide rail slider 2-2 to guide and slide. The guide rail slider 2-1 is mounted on the positioning groove reserved in the base plate 1 by screws.

[0035] The microfluidic chip fixture 7-2 is placed in the sample tray 7-1. A spring plunger 7-3 is provided on the through hole reserved on the end face of the sample tray 7-1. The spring plunger 7-3 has an interference fit with the ball pin 7-5. A compression spring 7-4 is sleeved on the shaft of the ball pin 7-5. The ball pin 7-5 slides in a clearance fit with the through hole of the sample tray 7-1. The flange end face of the ball pin 7-5 is blocked by a baffle 7-6 in the through hole of the sample tray. Figure 5 When the sample tray 7-1 is recovered to the positioning position, the ball head of the ball pin 7-5 contacts the surface of the positioning reference part.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above specific implementation methods are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the technical solution of the present invention is modified or replaced with equivalents with reference to the preferred embodiment, it does not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present invention and should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device, characterized in that: It includes a power source, a trapezoidal screw module, a positioning reference component, a slider guide module and a microfluidic chip compression and sealing mechanism; The rotational motion of the output shaft of the power source is converted into linear motion of the tray pre-tightening module through the trapezoidal screw module. The tray pre-tightening module is connected to the chip sample tray by a spring. The chip sample tray is mounted on the slider guide module and stops positioning when it contacts the positioning reference member in the retracted state. The chip sample tray pushes out and retracts the microfluidic chip sample, and after retraction, forms a one-to-one corresponding positioning position with the microfluidic chip compression and sealing mechanism. The trapezoidal screw in the trapezoidal screw module is matched with a corresponding square screw nut, and a slider connector is installed on the top of the square screw nut. The slider connector is pre-tightened and connected to the tray connector through a tension spring; the tension spring connects the slider connector to the chip sample tray and applies a pre-tightening force so that the slider connector and the chip sample tray always maintain contact during the pushing and retrieving process; The chip sample tray is provided with a ball pin shaft and a spring plunger having an interference fit, the ball pin shaft is provided with a compression spring, and the ball pin shaft, the compression spring, and the spring plunger are installed as a whole in a reserved hole position on the surface of the chip sample tray that contacts the positioning reference member; After the chip sample tray contacts the contact surface of the positioning reference part, the tension spring further performs linear motion through the square screw nut and the slider connector under the drive of the trapezoidal screw, thereby further stretching the tension spring. The pre-tension force provided by the tension spring is further increased to ensure sufficient contact between the chip sample tray and the positioning reference part; at the same time, the ball pin is pushed into the hole of the chip sample tray, and the spring plunger is pushed out to contact and compress the microfluidic chip fixture, providing a pre-tightening force to position the microfluidic chip fixture.

2. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power source transmits the rotational motion of the output shaft to the trapezoidal screw in the trapezoidal screw module through a micro-diaphragm coupling.

3. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The square lead screw nut moves linearly through the optical axis.

4. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A limit trigger baffle is also installed at the bottom of the square screw nut.

5. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chip sample tray is mounted on the slider guide rail module for guided sliding.

6. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The chip sample tray is fixed to the tray connecting piece with screws, and the chip sample tray is fully in contact with the positioning reference piece in the recovered state to achieve chip sample tray positioning.

7. The microfluidic chip sample transport and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip fixture is placed in the sample slot of the chip sample tray.

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