Pipetting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipetting system, and belongs to the technical field of biological equipment. The pipetting system comprises a second pipetting device and a driving device; the second pipetting device comprises a second liquid suction assembly, the second liquid suction assembly is provided with a second liquid storage cavity used for containing a liquid reagent, and the second pipetting device is used for transferring the liquid reagent into a plurality of operation holes in the to-be-operated piece in sequence; the driving device is connected to the second pipetting device and is used for driving the second pipetting device to move. According to the pipetting system, liquid can be independently added into each operation hole, the liquid adding operation is flexible, the application range is wide, and the problems that an existing pipetting mode is prone to making mistakes and low in pipetting efficiency are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of biological equipment, and in particular to a liquid transfer system. Background Art

[0002] Many biological experiments have lengthy processes, requiring multiple steps of pipetting, waste liquid treatment, heating, oscillation, and other operations. When a large number of experiments are performed or different people are involved, it is easy to introduce human errors or even operational errors, leading to experimental failure. For experiments with precious samples or expensive reagents, the series of risks brought by manual operations cannot be ignored.

[0003] In the process of biological sample processing in application scenarios such as nucleic acid testing and gene sequencing, it often involves adding liquid reagents to a large number of samples separately. In some cases, since the initial concentrations of each sample may not be uniform, different amounts of liquid reagents need to be added to different samples. Manual operation is time-consuming and labor-intensive, prone to errors and has low pipetting efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a pipetting system to solve the technical problems that the existing pipetting method is prone to errors and has low pipetting efficiency.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present application, a pipetting system is provided, comprising a second pipetting device and a driving device; the second pipetting device comprises a second pipetting component, the second pipetting component has a second liquid storage chamber for accommodating liquid reagents, and the second pipetting device is used to sequentially transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on a part to be operated; the driving device is connected to the second pipetting device to drive the second pipetting device to move.

[0006] The pipetting system provided by the present application includes a second pipetting device and a driving device. The second pipetting device is driven to move by the driving device, so that the second pipetting device can be used to transfer liquid reagents and add liquid to multiple operating holes on the operated part in sequence, so as to improve the flexibility of adding liquid, which is conducive to the application of the scenario of controlling the amount of liquid added in each operating hole separately. Therefore, the pipetting system provided by the present application can realize the separate addition of liquid to each operating hole, the liquid addition operation is flexible, the application range is wide, and the problem that the existing pipetting method is prone to errors and the pipetting efficiency is low is solved.

[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, the pipetting system also includes a first pipetting device, which includes multiple first aspiration components, each of which has a first liquid storage cavity for accommodating liquid reagents, and the first pipetting device is used to simultaneously transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on the operated part; the driving device is connected to the first pipetting device to drive the first pipetting device to move; wherein the volume of the second liquid storage cavity is greater than the volume of the first liquid storage cavity.

[0008] In this solution, the liquid transfer system also includes a first liquid transfer device, which is driven to move by a driving device, so that the first liquid transfer device can be used to transfer liquid reagents and add liquid to multiple operating holes on the operated part at the same time, so as to improve the efficiency of adding liquid, which is conducive to adapting to large-scale liquid addition needs. As a result, the liquid transfer system can not only realize the simultaneous addition of liquid to multiple operating holes, but also realize the separate addition of liquid to each operating hole, and the liquid addition operation is more flexible and has a wider range of applications. In addition, the volume of the second liquid storage chamber of the second liquid transfer device is set to be larger than the volume of the first liquid storage chamber of the first liquid transfer device, so that more liquid reagent raw materials can be stored at one time through the second liquid transfer device, so as to add liquid to different operating holes in turn, which is conducive to saving the time consumption of liquid transfer and improving the efficiency of liquid transfer.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, the second liquid aspiration component is connected to the driving device, and the second liquid aspiration component is configured to be able to extend into the liquid reagent under the action of the driving device; the second pipetting device also includes an air suction component, which is connected to the second liquid aspiration component and connected to the second liquid storage cavity, and the air suction component is configured to be able to change the air pressure in the second liquid storage cavity to suck the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage cavity.

[0010] In this solution, the vacuum assembly is connected to the second liquid storage chamber of the second liquid suction assembly, and the vacuum assembly can be used to vacuum the second liquid storage chamber to generate negative pressure in the second liquid storage chamber, so that the liquid reagent can be sucked into the second liquid storage chamber; or the vacuum assembly can be used to inflate the second liquid storage chamber to form a positive pressure in the second liquid storage chamber, so that the liquid reagent can be discharged from the second liquid storage chamber. Thus, the above method can effectively realize the liquid suction and discharge functions, so as to facilitate the liquid transfer operation using the second liquid transfer device.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the second liquid aspiration component includes a mounting member, a liquid storage member and a liquid aspiration needle; the mounting member is connected to the driving device and the vacuum component, the liquid storage member is connected to the mounting member, the second liquid storage cavity is formed in the liquid storage member, and the liquid aspiration needle is connected to the liquid storage member and communicated with the second liquid storage cavity.

[0012] In this solution, when the second liquid suction component is driven to move, the liquid suction needle can be extended into a narrow space to suck or discharge liquid, so that the application range of the second liquid suction component is wider, which is conducive to expanding the applicable scenarios of the pipetting system.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the vacuum pump assembly includes a vacuum cylinder, a piston member and a driving module; the vacuum cylinder is connected to the mounting member, the piston member is movably connected to the vacuum cylinder and forms a vacuum chamber with the vacuum cylinder, the vacuum chamber is connected to the second liquid storage chamber, the driving module is connected to the piston member, and the driving module is configured to drive the piston member to move relative to the vacuum cylinder so that the air pressure in the vacuum chamber and the second liquid storage chamber changes.

[0014] In this solution, the driving module controls the movement of the piston relative to the vacuum cylinder to achieve extraction or inflation of air into the second liquid storage chamber, which can not only enable the second liquid suction component to effectively realize the liquid suction and discharge functions, but also realize automated operation, which is conducive to accurately controlling the pipetting volume of the second liquid suction component.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the driving module includes a first driving member, a first slider and a first slide rail, the first driving member is connected to the mounting member, the first slider is connected to the first driving member and the piston member, and the first slide rail is connected to the mounting member and is used to cooperate with the first slider.

[0016] In this solution, during the process of the first driving member driving the first slider to move, the movement direction of the first slider can be limited by the first slide rail, thereby limiting the movement direction of the piston member, so that the piston member can effectively cooperate with the vacuum cylinder to achieve the effect of vacuuming or inflating.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the second pipetting device also includes a driving component; the driving component is arranged between the second pipetting component and the driving device and is connected to the second pipetting component and the driving device, and the driving component is used to drive the second pipetting component to move relative to the driving device so that the second pipetting component can absorb the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber.

[0018] In this solution, when the driving device remains stationary, the second pipetting component can be driven by the driving component to move relative to the driving device, that is, the second pipetting component can move relative to the first pipetting device, so that the second pipetting component can be used alone to perform pipetting and discharge operations, which is beneficial to improving the flexibility of use of the second pipetting device.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the driving assembly includes a second driving member, a second slider and a second slide rail, the second driving member is connected to the driving device, the second slider is connected to the second driving member and the second liquid absorption assembly, and the second slide rail is connected to the driving device and is used to cooperate with the second slider.

[0020] In this solution, during the process of the second driving member driving the second slider to move, the second slide rail can limit the movement direction of the second slider, thereby limiting the movement direction of the second liquid absorption component, which is beneficial to accurately control the movement position of the second liquid absorption component for accurate liquid absorption and discharge.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the driving assembly also includes a limit member, which is connected to the driving device and forms a U-shaped groove; the second slider is located in the U-shaped groove, and the second slider is configured to move along the depth direction of the U-shaped groove under the driving action of the second driving member.

[0022] In this solution, during the process of the second driving member driving the second slider and the second liquid absorption assembly to move, the second slider can be limited by the limiting member, and then the second liquid absorption assembly can be limited, which is beneficial to further improve the liquid absorption and discharge accuracy of the second liquid absorption assembly.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the second pipetting device further comprises a support member and a tip adapter; the support member is arranged between the drive assembly and the drive device and is connected to the drive assembly and the drive device; the tip adapter is connected to and protrudes from the support member, and the tip adapter is used to transfer the tip; the second pipetting assembly is configured to be able to move along the Z direction under the driving action of the drive assembly, wherein the Z direction is parallel to the extension direction of the tip adapter.

[0024] In this solution, the support member is used to support the components of the second pipetting device to improve the structural stability of the second pipetting device. In addition, a tip adapter is provided on the support member, and the support member and the tip adapter can be driven by the driving device to move, so as to use the tip adapter to automatically transfer the tip, so as to improve the tip transfer efficiency. In addition, the second liquid absorption component can be driven by the driving component to move relative to the support member and the tip adapter to avoid the second liquid absorption component from interfering with the tip adapter.

[0025] In summary, the liquid transfer system provided in this application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The pipetting system provided by the present application includes a second pipetting device and a driving device. The second pipetting device is driven to move by the driving device, so that the second pipetting device can be used to transfer liquid reagents and add liquid to multiple operating holes on the operated part in sequence, so as to improve the flexibility of adding liquid, which is conducive to the application of the scenario of controlling the amount of liquid added in each operating hole separately. Therefore, the pipetting system provided by the present application can realize the separate addition of liquid to each operating hole, the liquid addition operation is flexible, the application range is wide, and the problem that the existing pipetting method is prone to errors and the pipetting efficiency is low is solved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific implementation or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementations of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid transfer system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a liquid transfer system provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 A front view structural schematic diagram of a liquid transfer system provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a second liquid transfer device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a second liquid transfer device provided in another embodiment of the present application at another angle;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of a second pipetting device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0034] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0035] 10. Liquid transfer system;

[0036] 100, first liquid transfer device; 110, first liquid pipetting component; 111, connector;

[0037] 200, a second liquid transfer device;

[0038] 210, second liquid aspiration component; 211, mounting member; 212, liquid storage member; 213, liquid aspiration needle;

[0039] 220, air extraction assembly; 221, air extraction cylinder; 222, piston member; 223, driving module; 2231, first driving member; 2232, first sliding block; 2233, first sliding rail;

[0040] 230, driving assembly; 231, second driving member; 232, second sliding block; 233, second sliding rail; 234, limiting member;

[0041] 240, support member;

[0042] 250, suction head adapter;

[0043] 300, driving device; 310, X-direction driving module; 320, Y-direction driving module; 330, Z-direction driving module;

[0044] 400. Suction tip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like appear to indicate the orientation or position relationship, unless otherwise specified, they are understood to be based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0046] In addition, if there is a feature defined as "first" or "second", it is only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the defined features. If there is a description of "plurality", the general meaning is to include at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0047] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and so on should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] In the description of this specification, if the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" appear, it means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, unless they are contradictory.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 The pipetting system 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a second pipetting device 200 and a driving device 300; the second pipetting device 200 includes a second liquid absorption component 210, the second liquid absorption component 210 has a second liquid storage chamber for accommodating liquid reagents, and the second pipetting device 200 is used to sequentially transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated; the driving device 300 is connected to the second pipetting device 200 to drive the second pipetting device 200 to move. The second pipetting device 200 is driven to move by the driving device 300, so that the second pipetting device 200 can be used to transfer liquid reagents and sequentially add liquid to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated, so as to improve the flexibility of adding liquid, which is conducive to the application of the scene of controlling the amount of liquid added in each operating hole separately. Therefore, the pipetting system 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize the separate addition of liquid to each operating hole, the liquid addition operation is flexible, and the scope of application is wide, which solves the problem that the existing pipetting method is prone to errors and the pipetting efficiency is low.

[0050] As a further preferred implementation scheme, based on the above scheme, the specific embodiments of the present application may also include one or more of the following additions or combinations.

[0051] Please refer to Figures 2 to 6 , the pipetting system 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes a first pipetting device 100, and the pipetting system 10 is used to transfer the liquid reagent raw material to the operating hole on the part to be operated. Exemplarily, the liquid reagent raw material can be stored in a raw material tank, and the part to be operated can be a test tube rack, on which multiple test tubes are placed, and the opening of each test tube is the operating hole, and the liquid reagent can be added to the test tube through the operating hole. In order to facilitate the display of the pipetting system 10 of the embodiment of the present application, the parts to be operated in the following embodiments can all be understood as test tube racks, and the operating holes can all be understood as test tubes. The pipetting system 10 is used to transfer the liquid reagent raw material stored in the raw material tank to the test tube.

[0052] Specifically, the first pipetting device 100 includes multiple first pipetting components 110, each of which has a first liquid storage chamber for accommodating liquid reagents, and the first pipetting device 100 is used to simultaneously transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on the operated part; the driving device 300 is connected to the first pipetting device 100 to drive the first pipetting device 100 to move.

[0053] In the operation of transferring liquid reagents, the first pipetting device 100 or the second pipetting device 200 can be selected to transfer the liquid reagents into the operating holes on the part to be operated. Specifically, the first pipetting device 100 is used to simultaneously add liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated, that is, all operating holes receive liquid reagents synchronously; the second pipetting device 200 is used to sequentially transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated, that is, all operating holes receive liquid reagents one by one.

[0054] The driving device 300 is connected to the first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200. The driving device 300 can provide power to drive the first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200 to move between the raw material tank and the part to be operated, so that the first pipetting device 100 or the second pipetting device 200 can transfer the liquid reagent raw material stored in the raw material tank to the operating hole on the part to be operated.

[0055] Based on the above structural design, the first pipetting device 100 is driven to move by the driving device 300, so that the first pipetting device 100 can be used to transfer liquid reagents and add liquid to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated at the same time, so as to improve the efficiency of adding liquid, which is conducive to adapting to large-scale liquid adding needs. The second pipetting device 200 is driven to move by the driving device 300, so that the second pipetting device 200 can be used to transfer liquid reagents and add liquid to multiple operating holes on the part to be operated in sequence, so as to improve the flexibility of adding liquid, which is conducive to the scene of controlling the amount of liquid added in each operating hole separately.

[0056] Therefore, the pipetting system 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application can not only realize the simultaneous addition of liquid into multiple operating holes, but also realize the individual addition of liquid into each operating hole. The liquid addition operation is more flexible and can be widely used in the field of biotechnology, for example, as a biological experimental equipment for gene sequencing and other operations.

[0057] In some optional embodiments, the driving device 300 includes an X-direction driving module 310 , a Y-direction driving module 320 , and a Z-direction driving module 330 , wherein the X-direction, the Y-direction, and the Z-direction are perpendicular to each other and constitute an XYZ space rectangular coordinate system.

[0058] For example, the X-axis drive module 310 may include a motor, a drag chain, a guide rail, and other structures for Figure 1 and Figure 2The first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200 are driven in the longitudinal direction under the viewing angle shown. The Y-direction driving module 320 and the Z-direction driving module 330 can adopt a similar structural design to the X-direction driving module 310, wherein the Y-direction driving module 320 is used to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200 are driven in the width direction under the viewing angle shown, and the Z-direction driving module 330 is used to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200 are driven in the height direction under the viewing angle. Unless otherwise specified, the definitions of the X direction, Y direction and Z direction in this document can be understood accordingly.

[0059] Thus, the first pipetting device 100 and the second pipetting device 200 can be driven to move to any position of the XYZ space rectangular coordinate system through the X-axis driving module 310, the Y-axis driving module 320 and the Z-axis driving module 330 to facilitate accurate pipetting.

[0060] In some optional embodiments, the first pipetting device 100 includes multiple first pipetting components 110, each of which has a first liquid storage cavity for containing liquid reagents; the second pipetting device 200 includes a second pipetting component 210, and the second pipetting component 210 has a second liquid storage cavity for containing liquid reagents; the volume of the second liquid storage cavity is greater than the volume of the first liquid storage cavity.

[0061] Reference Figures 2 to 6 , when the first liquid transfer device 100 is used for liquid transfer, the plurality of first liquid absorption components 110 correspond to the plurality of operation holes respectively, and each first liquid absorption component 110 is used for transferring the liquid reagent to the corresponding operation hole. Since the first liquid transfer device 100 can use the plurality of first liquid absorption components 110 to perform liquid addition operation on the plurality of operation holes at the same time, the volume of the first liquid storage cavity of each first liquid absorption component 110 only needs to meet the requirement of adding the liquid reagent into the operation hole once, that is, the volume and capacity of the first liquid storage cavity are small. When the second liquid transfer device 200 is used for liquid transfer, the second liquid absorption component 210 needs to be used for liquid addition operation on the plurality of operation holes in sequence. Therefore, the volume of the second liquid storage cavity of the second liquid absorption component 210 is set to be larger than the volume of the first liquid storage cavity of the first liquid absorption component 110, and more liquid reagent raw materials can be stored at one time through the second liquid transfer device 200, so as to add liquid into different operation holes in sequence, which is conducive to saving the time consumption of liquid transfer and improving the efficiency of liquid transfer.

[0062] In some optional embodiments, the first pipetting device 100 also includes a housing and a liquid suction drive, the liquid suction drive is disposed in the housing, and is used to suck the liquid reagent into the first liquid storage cavity. For example, the liquid suction drive can be a peristaltic pump, and the first liquid storage cavity can be surrounded by the housing. The first liquid suction component 110 includes a connector 111, the connector 111 is connected to and protrudes from the housing, one end of the connector 111 is connected to the liquid suction drive via the first liquid storage cavity and the pipeline, and the other end of the connector 111 is used to connect and communicate with the suction head. When the first pipetting device 100 is used for pipetting, the suction head is controlled to extend into the liquid reagent raw material in the raw material tank, and then the liquid suction drive is turned on to suck the liquid reagent raw material into the first liquid storage cavity.

[0063] Specifically, when it is necessary to transfer the liquid reagent into the operating hole, the driving device 300 is first used to drive the first pipetting device 100 to move to the top of the raw material tank and allow the pipette tip to extend into the liquid reagent, and then the liquid suction driving component provides power to suck the liquid reagent into the first liquid storage chamber in the pipette tip, and then the driving device 300 drives the first pipetting device 100 to move and allow the pipette tip to be located above the operating hole on the part to be operated, and then the liquid suction driving component provides power to discharge the liquid reagent in the first liquid storage chamber into the operating hole, thereby realizing the pipetting operation.

[0064] By the above method, the liquid aspiration driving member is connected to the connectors 111 of the multiple first liquid aspiration components 110 respectively, so that the multiple first liquid aspiration components 110 can be used to aspirate and discharge liquid, thereby realizing the function of synchronously transferring liquid reagents to multiple operating holes.

[0065] In some optional embodiments, the second liquid aspiration component 210 is connected to the driving device 300, and the second liquid aspiration component 210 is configured to be able to extend into the liquid reagent under the action of the driving device 300; the second pipetting device 200 also includes a vacuum component 220, which is connected to the second liquid aspiration component 210 and connected to the second liquid storage chamber. The vacuum component 220 is configured to be able to change the air pressure in the second liquid storage chamber to suck the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber.

[0066] The vacuum component 220 is connected to the second liquid storage chamber of the second liquid aspiration component 210. The vacuum component 220 can be used to vacuum the second liquid storage chamber to generate a negative pressure in the second liquid storage chamber, thereby sucking the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber; or the vacuum component 220 can be used to inflate the second liquid storage chamber to generate a positive pressure in the second liquid storage chamber, thereby discharging the liquid reagent out of the second liquid storage chamber.

[0067] Specifically, when the second pipetting device 200 is used for pipetting, the second pipetting device 200 is first driven by the driving device 300 to move to the top of the raw material tank and the second liquid aspiration component 210 is extended into the liquid reagent raw material, and then the second liquid storage cavity is evacuated by the vacuum component 220 to absorb the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage cavity, and then the second pipetting device 200 is driven by the driving device 300 to move and the second liquid aspiration component 210 is located above the operation hole, and then the second liquid storage cavity is inflated by the vacuum component 220 to discharge the liquid reagent in the second liquid storage cavity into the operation hole. Based on the above method, after a certain amount of liquid reagent is discharged into the operation hole, the second liquid aspiration component 210 is driven by the driving device 300 to move to the top of the next operation hole for adding liquid, thereby effectively realizing the functions of aspiration and discharge, so that the second pipetting device 200 can be used to perform pipetting operations in different operation holes in turn.

[0068] In some optional embodiments, the second liquid aspiration component 210 includes a mounting member 211, a liquid storage member 212 and a liquid aspiration needle 213; the mounting member 211 is connected to the driving device 300 and the vacuum component 220, the liquid storage member 212 is connected to the mounting member 211, a second liquid storage cavity is formed in the liquid storage member 212, and the liquid aspiration needle 213 is connected to the liquid storage member 212 and communicates with the second liquid storage cavity.

[0069] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The liquid storage part 212 is connected to the output end of the driving device 300 via the mounting part 211, and the liquid suction needle 213 is connected to the bottom of the liquid storage part 212. The liquid suction needle 213 is used to extend into the liquid reagent raw material to suck the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage cavity. When the second liquid transfer device 200 is driven to move by the driving device 300, the liquid suction needle 213 can be used to extend into a small space to suck or discharge liquid, so that the application range of the second liquid transfer device 200 is wider, which is conducive to expanding the applicable scenarios of the liquid transfer system 10.

[0070] In some optional embodiments, the second pipetting device 200 also includes a capacitance sensor, which is electrically connected to the liquid suction needle 213. The liquid suction needle 213 is made of conductive material, such as a steel needle material. In the process of driving the second pipetting device 200 to move to absorb the liquid reagent raw material by the driving device 300, when the liquid suction needle 213 contacts the liquid reagent raw material, the capacitance sensor can detect that the capacitance of the liquid suction needle 213 changes, and the position of the liquid suction needle 213 can be determined by the moving position of the driving device 300, so that the liquid level of the liquid reagent raw material can be judged according to the height change of the position of the liquid suction needle 213. Thus, the storage amount of the liquid reagent raw material can be judged according to the liquid level of the liquid reagent raw material, so that when the storage amount of the liquid reagent raw material is insufficient, the liquid reagent is replenished in time to ensure that the pipetting operation is carried out normally.

[0071] In some optional embodiments, the vacuum assembly 220 includes a vacuum cylinder 221, a piston member 222 and a driving module 223; the vacuum cylinder 221 is connected to the mounting member 211, the piston member 222 is movably connected to the vacuum cylinder 221 and forms a vacuum chamber with the vacuum cylinder 221, the vacuum chamber is connected to the second liquid storage chamber, the driving module 223 is connected to the piston member 222, and the driving module 223 is configured to drive the piston member 222 to move relative to the vacuum cylinder 221 to change the air pressure in the vacuum chamber and the second liquid storage chamber.

[0072] Reference Figures 4 to 6 The vacuum cylinder 221 is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, one end of the piston member 222 is connected to the output end of the driving module 223, and the other end of the piston member 222 is arranged inside the vacuum cylinder 221 and forms a sealed vacuum chamber with the vacuum cylinder 221. When the driving module 223 controls the piston member 222 to move downward, the volume of the vacuum chamber increases, so that a negative pressure is generated in the second liquid storage chamber connected to the vacuum chamber, and the liquid reagent raw material can be sucked into the second liquid storage chamber. When the driving module 223 controls the piston member 222 to move upward, the volume of the vacuum chamber decreases, so that a positive pressure is generated in the second liquid storage chamber connected to the vacuum chamber, and the liquid reagent raw material can be discharged from the second liquid storage chamber.

[0073] Therefore, by controlling the piston 222 to move relative to the vacuum cylinder 221 through the driving module 223 to achieve extraction or inflation of air into the second liquid storage chamber, the second liquid suction component 210 can not only effectively realize the liquid suction and discharge functions, but also realize automated operation, which is conducive to accurately controlling the pipetting volume of the second liquid suction component 210.

[0074] In some optional embodiments, the driving module 223 includes a first driving member 2231, a first slider 2232 and a first slide rail 2233, the first driving member 2231 is connected to the mounting member 211, the first slider 2232 is connected to the first driving member 2231 and the piston member 222, and the first slide rail 2233 is connected to the mounting member 211 and is used to cooperate with the first slider 2232.

[0075] For example, the first driving member 2231 may be a motor, and the first slider 2232 is threadedly connected to the output shaft of the motor and slides in cooperation with the first slide rail 2233. When the first driving member 2231 drives the first slider 2232 to move, the first slide rail 2233 may limit the movement direction of the first slider 2232, thereby limiting the movement direction of the piston member 222 connected to the first slider 2232, so that the piston member 222 can effectively cooperate with the vacuum cylinder 221, thereby achieving the effect of pumping or inflating.

[0076] In some optional embodiments, the second liquid pipetting device 200 further includes a driving assembly 230; the driving assembly 230 is disposed between the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 and the driving device 300 and is connected to the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 and the driving device 300, and the driving assembly 230 is used to drive the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 to move relative to the driving device 300 so that the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 can absorb the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber. When the driving device 300 remains stationary, the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 can be driven to move relative to the driving device 300 by the driving assembly 230, that is, the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 can move relative to the first liquid pipetting device 100, so as to facilitate the use of the second liquid pipetting assembly 210 for liquid pipetting and liquid discharge operations, which is conducive to improving the flexibility of use of the second liquid pipetting device 200.

[0077] In some optional embodiments, the driving assembly 230 includes a second driving member 231, a second slider 232, and a second slide rail 233, the second driving member 231 is connected to the driving device 300, the second slider 232 is connected to the second driving member 231 and the second liquid suction assembly 210, and the second slide rail 233 is connected to the driving device 300 and is used to cooperate with the second slider 232.

[0078] For example, the second driving member 231 may be a motor, the second slider 232 is threadedly connected to the output shaft of the motor and slides with the second slide rail 233, and the second slide rail 233 is extended in the vertical direction. In the process of the second driving member 231 driving the second slider 232 to move, the second slide rail 233 can limit the movement direction of the second slider 232, so that the movement direction of the second liquid absorption assembly 210 connected to the second slider 232 can be limited, which is conducive to accurately controlling the movement position of the second liquid absorption assembly 210, so that the second liquid absorption assembly 210 can accurately absorb and discharge liquid.

[0079] In some optional embodiments, the driving assembly 230 also includes a limit member 234, which is connected to the driving device 300, and the limit member 234 forms a U-shaped groove; the second slider 232 is located in the U-shaped groove, and the second slider 232 is configured to move along the depth direction of the U-shaped groove under the driving action of the second driving member 231.

[0080] Reference Figures 4 to 6, the opening of the U-shaped groove of the limiting member 234 faces upward, and the depth direction of the U-shaped groove is the vertical direction under the perspective of the diagram. In the process of the second driving member 231 driving the second slider 232 and the second liquid absorption assembly 210 to move, the second slider 232 can be limited by the limiting member 234, and then the second liquid absorption assembly 210 can be limited so that the second liquid absorption assembly 210 can accurately extend into the liquid reagent raw material, thereby further improving the accuracy of the second liquid absorption assembly 210 in absorbing and discharging liquid. In addition, the two sides of the limiting member 234 can protect the second slider 232 from the front and rear directions under the perspective of the diagram, and the bottom of the limiting member 234 can also protect the second slider 232, which is conducive to ensuring that the second slider 232 and the second liquid absorption assembly 210 connected thereto can operate stably.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, the second pipetting device 200 also includes a support member 240 and a tip adapter 250; the support member 240 is disposed between the driving assembly 230 and the driving device 300 and is connected to the driving assembly 230 and the driving device 300; the tip adapter 250 is connected to and protrudes from the support member 240, and the tip adapter 250 is used to transfer the tip 400; the second pipetting assembly 210 is configured to be able to move along the Z direction under the driving action of the driving assembly 230, wherein the Z direction is parallel to the extension direction of the tip adapter 250.

[0082] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The support member 240 is used to support the components of the second pipetting device 200 to improve the structural stability of the second pipetting device 200. The tip adapter 250 can be matched with the disposable tip 400 used for biological experiments. The tip adapter 250 is used to take the tip 400 or discard the tip 400, so that the first pipetting device 100 can selectively stop adding liquid to some operating holes. Specifically, the tip adapter 250 is set on the support member 240, and the support member 240 and the tip adapter 250 are driven by the driving device 300 to move, so as to use the tip adapter 250 to automatically transfer the tip 400, which can improve the transfer efficiency of the tip 400.

[0083] In order to clearly demonstrate the function of the pipette tip adapter 250, the following is a detailed description of the matching relationship between the pipette tip adapter 250 and the first pipetting device 100. As described in some of the embodiments above, the first pipetting device 100 may include a first pipetting assembly 110, a housing and a pipetting drive, and the first pipetting assembly 110 includes a connector 111 for connecting to the pipette tip. In order to avoid cross contamination of liquid reagents, when the type of liquid reagent needs to be changed, the first pipetting device 100 needs to be replaced with a new pipette tip 400. The pipette tip 400 is generally stored in a pipette tip box. When the pipette tip 400 is replaced, the first pipetting device 100 is first driven by the driving device 300 to move to the top of the pipette tip box, so that the positions of the multiple connectors 111 and the multiple pipette tips 400 on the pipette tip box correspond one by one, and then the first pipetting device 100 is driven by the driving device 300 to move downward so that each connector 111 is engaged with a corresponding pipette tip 400, so that a new pipette tip 400 can be assembled on the connector 111.

[0084] In normal use scenarios, multiple connectors 111 of the first pipetting device 100 will be equipped with pipette tips 400 at the same time. At this time, multiple pipette tips 400 need to be placed correspondingly in the pipette tip box, so that the multiple pipette tips 400 are respectively assembled to the corresponding connectors 111, so as to transfer liquid reagents to multiple operating holes at the same time. In some cases, when it is necessary to stop transferring liquid reagents to some operating holes, the driving device 300 can be used to drive the tip adapter 250 to move to the top of the tip box and correspond to some of the tips 400, and then drive the tip adapter 250 to move down to cooperate with the part of the tips 400, so that the tip adapter 250 can be used to transfer the part of the tips 400; then the driving device 300 drives all the connectors 111 to move to the top of the tip box to assemble the tips 400. At this time, since some of the tips 400 are transferred, the corresponding part of the connectors 111 cannot be assembled with the tips 400, and the part of the connectors 111 cannot perform the pipetting operation, thereby realizing the function of stopping the pipetting to the operating hole corresponding to the part of the connectors 111. Therefore, by using the pipetting system 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application, before each pipetting operation step begins, the pipette tip 400 at the corresponding position can be automatically obtained and discarded through the pipette tip adapter 250, so as to achieve the purpose of stopping the transfer of liquid reagents into some operation holes, thereby improving the flexibility of the pipetting operation.

[0085] In addition, when the tip adapter 250 is driven by the driving device 300 to transfer the tip 400, the second pipette component 210 can be driven by the driving component 230 to move upward relative to the support 240 and the tip adapter 250, thereby avoiding the second pipette component 210 from interfering with the tip adapter 250 when the tip adapter 250 moves downward to take the tip 400.

[0086] In a specific embodiment, the pipetting process of the pipetting system 10 is introduced by taking the concentration equalization scenario of the gene sequencing process using the pipetting system 10 as an example. Among them, concentration equalization refers to the process of processing multiple initial samples containing DNA with different concentrations so that the DNA concentration in each sample is the same.

[0087] Generally, there are two strategies for concentration equalization. Strategy A is to take samples and water with different volumes respectively, and then dilute them to the same concentration and volume. Strategy B is to take samples with the same volume, and then dilute them to the same concentration but different volumes with water with different volumes respectively. Here, taking the concentration equalization of 96 samples as an example, the two strategies will be elaborated respectively.

[0088] When operating with the synchronous 96-channel pipetting device in the prior art, since it is necessary to add the corresponding samples into each operation hole one by one and then add water with different volumes for dilution one by one, the synchronous 96-channel pipetting device can only operate one by one in a single-channel manner. Assuming that the time consumed by the liquid aspiration and drainage actions are both T, the average moving time between the sample hole and the operation hole is T1, and the average moving time between the water tank and the operation hole is T2, then the total operation time consumed for processing 96 samples in the way of Strategy A is S1=(T*4 + T1*2 + T2*2)*96, and the total operation time consumed for processing 96 samples in the way of Strategy B is S2=(T*2 + T1*2)*1+(T*2 + T2*2)*96.

[0089] When operating with the pipetting system 10 in the embodiment of the present application, the pipetting operation can be carried out one by one through the second pipetting device 200. Specifically, the second pipetting device 200 can aspirate the water required for all 96 samples at one time, and then sequentially dilute the samples in each operation hole, and move to the next adjacent operation hole each time for dilution. Assuming that the time consumed by the liquid aspiration and drainage actions are both T, the average moving time between the sample hole and the operation hole is T1, the average moving time between the water tank and the operation hole is T2, and the moving time between adjacent operation holes is T3, then the total operation time consumed for processing 96 samples in the way of Strategy A is S3=(T*2 + T1*2)*96+(T + T2*2 + T*96 + T3*95), and the total operation time consumed for processing 96 samples in the way of Strategy B is S4=(T*2 + T1*2)*1+(T + T2*2 + T*96 + T3*95). Since only the next adjacent operation hole needs to be moved to each time when adding water for dilution, the moving distance is significantly shorter than the distance from the operation hole to the sample hole and the distance from the operation hole to the water tank, that is, T3<<T1, T3<<T2, and since the liquid aspiration volume is usually very small in the concentration equalization scenario, most of the time is consumed on the round-trip moving distance, that is, T<<T1, T<<T2. It can be seen that in the ways of Strategy A and Strategy B, after using the pipetting system 10 of the present application, the pipetting efficiency is far higher than that of the existing synchronous 96-channel pipetting device.

[0090] In addition, the pipetting system 10 of the embodiment of the present application has advantages in other automated scenarios of reagent mixing and reagent distribution. For example, in a scenario where sample contamination is not involved, multiple reagents can be sucked up in sequence, then transferred to a buffer container, mixed evenly in the buffer container, and then the mixed liquid is sucked up and distributed to multiple operating holes again. Mixing reagents in this way can ensure the consistency of the mixed liquid in each operating hole, which is better than the mixing effect of existing multi-channel pipetting equipment.

[0091] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Those skilled in the art can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid transfer system (10), characterized in that: It comprises a second liquid transfer device (200) and a driving device (300); The second liquid transfer device (200) comprises a second liquid transfer component (210), the second liquid transfer component (210) having a second liquid storage cavity for accommodating a liquid reagent, and the second liquid transfer device (200) is used to sequentially transfer the liquid reagent to a plurality of operation holes on the to-be-operated component; The driving device (300) is connected to the second liquid transfer device (200) so as to drive the second liquid transfer device (200) to move.

2. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid transfer system (10) further comprises a first liquid transfer device (100), wherein the first liquid transfer device (100) comprises a plurality of first liquid transfer components (110), each of the first liquid transfer components (110) having a first liquid storage cavity for accommodating a liquid reagent, and the first liquid transfer device (100) is used to simultaneously transfer the liquid reagent to a plurality of operation holes on the workpiece to be operated; The driving device (300) is connected to the first liquid transfer device (100) to drive the first liquid transfer device (100) to move; Wherein, the volume of the second liquid storage chamber is greater than the volume of the first liquid storage chamber.

3. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second liquid-absorbing component (210) is connected to the driving device (300), and the second liquid-absorbing component (210) is configured to be able to extend into the liquid reagent under the action of the driving device (300); The second liquid transfer device (200) further comprises an air suction component (220), which is connected to the second liquid aspiration component (210) and communicated with the second liquid storage chamber, and the air suction component (220) is configured to change the air pressure in the second liquid storage chamber so as to suck the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber.

4. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second liquid aspiration component (210) comprises a mounting member (211), a liquid storage member (212) and a liquid aspiration needle (213); The mounting member (211) is connected to the driving device (300) and the air extraction assembly (220), the liquid storage member (212) is connected to the mounting member (211), the second liquid storage cavity is formed in the liquid storage member (212), and the liquid aspiration needle (213) is connected to the liquid storage member (212) and communicates with the second liquid storage cavity.

5. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The air extraction assembly (220) comprises an air extraction cylinder (221), a piston member (222) and a driving module (223); The vacuum cylinder (221) is connected to the mounting member (211), the piston member (222) is movably connected to the vacuum cylinder (221) and forms a vacuum chamber with the vacuum cylinder (221), the vacuum chamber is connected to the second liquid storage chamber, the driving module (223) is connected to the piston member (222), and the driving module (223) is configured to drive the piston member (222) to move relative to the vacuum cylinder (221) so that the air pressure in the vacuum chamber and the second liquid storage chamber changes.

6. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving module (223) includes a first driving member (2231), a first slider (2232) and a first slide rail (2233), wherein the first driving member (2231) is connected to the mounting member (211), the first slider (2232) is connected to the first driving member (2231) and the piston member (222), and the first slide rail (2233) is connected to the mounting member (211) and is used to cooperate with the first slider (2232).

7. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second liquid transfer device (200) further comprises a drive assembly (230); The driving component (230) is arranged between the second liquid aspiration component (210) and the driving device (300) and is connected to the second liquid aspiration component (210) and the driving device (300). The driving component (230) is used to drive the second liquid aspiration component (210) to move relative to the driving device (300) so that the second liquid aspiration component (210) can absorb the liquid reagent into the second liquid storage chamber.

8. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The driving assembly (230) comprises a second driving member (231), a second slider (232) and a second slide rail (233); the second driving member (231) is connected to the driving device (300); the second slider (232) is connected to the second driving member (231) and the second liquid pipetting assembly (210); the second slide rail (233) is connected to the driving device (300) and is used to cooperate with the second slider (232).

9. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The driving assembly (230) further comprises a limiting member (234), wherein the limiting member (234) is connected to the driving device (300), and the limiting member (234) is formed with a U-shaped groove; The second sliding block (232) is located in the U-shaped groove, and the second sliding block (232) is configured to move along the depth direction of the U-shaped groove under the driving action of the second driving member (231).

10. The liquid transfer system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second liquid transfer device (200) further comprises a support member (240) and a pipette tip adapter member (250); The support member (240) is disposed between the drive assembly (230) and the drive device (300) and is connected to the drive assembly (230) and the drive device (300); The suction tip adapter (250) is connected to and protrudes from the support (240), and the suction tip adapter (250) is used to transfer the suction tip (400); The second liquid suction component (210) is configured to be able to move along a Z direction under the driving action of the driving component (230), wherein the Z direction is parallel to the extension direction of the suction head adapter (250).

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