Sample blending device, sample analysis system and sample blending method

Abstract

A sample blending device (1), a sample blending system and a blood sample analysis system comprising the sample blending device (1), a corresponding sample blending method, a control device for a sample analysis system, and a computer readable storage medium. Wherein the sample blending device (1) comprises a sample container seat (12) for accommodating the sample container (2) and a driving mechanism (13) for driving the sample container seat (12) to rotate around a rotation axis thereof, and the sample container seat (12) is configured so that when the sample container (2) is accommodated in the sample container seat (12), the driving mechanism (13) drives the sample container seat (12) to rotate around the rotation axis of the sample container seat (12). And the central axis of the sample container (2) and the rotating axis of the sample container seat (12) form an acute included angle (alpha).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application with application number "201980081120.X" and invention name "Sample mixing device, sample analysis system and sample mixing method". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of blood sample analysis, and in particular to a sample mixing device, a sample analysis system and a sample mixing method for mixing extracted blood samples, in particular trace blood samples. Background Art

[0003] Blood sample measurement requires a certain amount of sample to be collected from the patient. Blood collection methods are generally divided into venous blood collection and peripheral blood collection. For patients such as newborns, infants, and intensive care patients who are not suitable for venous blood collection, peripheral blood is often collected.

[0004] When collecting blood, in order to prevent blood coagulation, a blood collection tube containing an anticoagulant is usually used. Blood is composed of blood cells and plasma. Due to the different specific gravities of blood cells and plasma, the anticoagulated blood will be stratified after being left to stand for a period of time. Therefore, the blood sample must be fully mixed before measurement, otherwise the measurement result will have a large deviation.

[0005] When measuring peripheral blood, analyzers currently on the market usually require the peripheral blood sample in the blood collection tube to be mixed in advance using a vortex oscillator or by flicking the finger before being put into the analyzer for measurement. However, this mixing method greatly limits the number of peripheral blood batches that can be measured at one time, and increases the burden of manual operation, which is extremely inconvenient.

[0006] In addition, the prior art also uses an inversion mixing method to mix the peripheral blood samples in the blood collection tube. However, the peripheral blood collection method is characterized by a small amount of blood collected (usually ≤150uL), so the blood sample has poor fluidity. When the blood collection tube is inverted, the peripheral blood often adheres to the blood collection tube cap, the bottom of the blood collection tube or the wall of the tube and does not flow. The inversion mixing technology will cause blood sample loss, which will have an adverse effect on the measurement, and it is still difficult to effectively solve the problem of peripheral blood mixing. Summary of the invention

[0007] Based on the technical problems existing in the sample mixing technology in the prior art and the urgent market demand for fully automated measurement of peripheral blood, the first aspect of the present invention provides a sample mixing device, comprising a sample container seat for accommodating a sample container and a driving mechanism for driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein the sample container seat is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat.

[0008] As an implementation, the sample container seat can be constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container's cavity for accommodating the sample.

[0009] As an implementation method, the sample container seat can be constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat are located in the same plane, and the central axis of the sample container intersects with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and the intersection is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity.

[0010] As an alternative implementation, the sample container seat can be constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat are located in different planes, and the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the cavity of the sample container.

[0011] As an implementation, the sample container seat may have a sample container accommodating cavity that can fixedly accommodate the sample container, and the sample container accommodating cavity may be configured as a accommodating cavity in the form of a hole, or the sample container accommodating cavity may be configured as a cavity surrounded by a plurality of cylinders, and the sample container may be fixedly accommodated in the cavity. The sample container accommodating cavity may be configured so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and preferably the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container.

[0012] As an implementation, an abutment portion may be provided in the sample container accommodating cavity, and the abutment portion is constructed so that when the sample container is accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the sample container abuts against the abutment portion, so that the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and preferably the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container. In addition, the abutment portion may be integrally formed at the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container seat, or the abutment portion may be detachably fixed to the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container seat.

[0013] As an alternative implementation, the sample container accommodating cavity is constructed so that its central axis forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and preferably, the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the cavity of the sample container that accommodates the sample.

[0014] As an implementation manner, the acute angle formed by the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat may be less than or equal to about 45°, preferably within a range of about 2° to about 15°.

[0015] As an implementation, the driving mechanism may have a driving shaft, and the sample container seat is directly fixed on the driving shaft or indirectly connected to the driving shaft via a transmission mechanism, such as a belt, a timing belt, or a gear set component.

[0016] As an alternative implementation, the driving mechanism may drive a rotating wheel with an elastic peripheral gasket, and the peripheral gasket may contact with the periphery of the sample container seat to provide friction force to rotate the sample container seat.

[0017] As an implementation method, the sample container seat may include a shaft fixing hole connected to the driving shaft of the driving mechanism, and the driving shaft of the driving mechanism is inserted into the shaft fixing hole and fixedly connected to the shaft fixing hole, so that the sample container seat rotates as the driving shaft of the driving mechanism rotates.

[0018] As an implementation, the shaft fixing hole can be coaxially arranged with the sample container accommodating cavity; or the shaft fixing hole can also be eccentrically arranged with respect to the sample container accommodating cavity, with an eccentricity of 0 mm to about 5 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

[0019] As an implementation manner, the driving mechanism may be configured as a motor, such as a stepping motor, a DC motor, or a servo motor.

[0020] As an implementation, the sample mixing device may further include a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat. The sensor may be, for example, a through-beam photoelectric sensor, a reflective photoelectric sensor, a Hall sensor, or a capacitive sensor, preferably a through-beam photoelectric sensor.

[0021] As an implementation method, the sample mixing device can be provided with a sensing portion and a notch in the sensing area of ​​the sensor. When the sample mixing seat is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate, the sensing portion and the notch alternately enter the sensing area of ​​the sensor to generate an output pulse signal of the sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat.

[0022] A second aspect of the present invention provides a sample mixing system, comprising a sample container for accommodating a sample and a sample mixing device for mixing the sample in the sample container, wherein the sample mixing device is constructed according to one of the sample mixing devices described above.

[0023] As an implementation manner, the sample container is configured as a micro-blood collection tube for containing peripheral blood, and / or the sample container is configured as a closed-lid container or an open-lid container.

[0024] A third aspect of the present invention provides a sample analysis system, comprising:

[0025] A sample mixing device, in particular the sample mixing device described above, is configured to mix a sample in a sample container and comprises a sample container seat for accommodating the sample container and a driving mechanism for driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein the sample container seat is configured so that when the sample container is accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat;

[0026] The control device is configured to be in communication connection with the driving mechanism to control the driving mechanism to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis.

[0027] As an implementation mode, the control device may be configured to control the driving mechanism in the following manner:

[0028] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction, preferably the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction periodically; or

[0029] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis alternately in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, after the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the first direction for a predetermined period of time, the driving mechanism is stopped, and the driving mechanism is started again after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0030] As an implementation method, the sample mixing device may further include a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat, and the sensor can be communicatively connected to the control device so as to transmit the detected rotation state of the sample container seat to the control device, and the control device can adjust the driving parameters of the driving mechanism according to the rotation state of the sample container seat or can determine whether the sample container seat or the driving mechanism has a fault according to the rotation state of the sample container seat.

[0031] As an implementation method, the sample analysis system may further include:

[0032] A first transport device, configured to be communicatively connected with the control device and used to place the sample container into the sample container seat under the control of the control device;

[0033] The second transport device is configured to be in communication connection with the control device and is used to take the sample container out of the sample container seat under the control of the control device.

[0034] The first conveying device and the second conveying device may be configured as the same device or different devices.

[0035] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a sample mixing method, comprising:

[0036] The sample container is fixedly placed in a rotatable sample container seat, so that the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, preferably so that the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in a vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity containing the sample;

[0037] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate the driving mechanism around its rotation axis to perform sample mixing operation.

[0038] As an implementation method, the sample container can be fixedly placed in a rotatable sample container seat, so that the acute angle formed by the center axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat is less than or equal to about 45°, preferably in the range of about 2° to about 15°.

[0039] As an implementation method, the step of driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis by a driving mechanism to perform a sample mixing operation may include:

[0040] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction. Preferably, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction periodically; or

[0041] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis alternately in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, after the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the first direction for a predetermined period of time, the driving mechanism is stopped, and the driving mechanism is started again after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0042] As an implementation manner, the method may further include:

[0043] The sensor detects the rotation state of the sample container seat;

[0044] Adjusting a driving parameter of the driving mechanism, such as a rotational speed, according to the rotational state; and / or

[0045] Whether the sample container seat or the driving mechanism fails is determined according to the rotation state.

[0046] In addition, the method further includes stopping the driving mechanism after completing the sample mixing operation, and after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container, taking out the sample container or directly aspirating the sample in the sample container.

[0047] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a control device for a sample analysis system, comprising:

[0048] at least one processor; and

[0049] A memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the sample analysis system executes each step of the aforementioned sample mixing method.

[0050] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor of a sample analysis system, enable the sample analysis system to perform each step of the aforementioned sample mixing method.

[0051] According to the present invention, by making the central axis of the sample container contained in the sample container seat tilt relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat, the sample container seat can better meet the sample mixing requirements when driving the sample container therein to rotate, and can control the liquid level of the sample to be mixed during rotation by adjusting the tilt angle between the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat, thereby preventing the sample to be mixed from overflowing the sample container. In other words, by reasonably adjusting the rotation speed and the tilt angle, a dynamic balance can be finally achieved, that is, the sample to be mixed can rotate in a circle around the rotation axis at a large angular velocity, and the liquid level will not climb too high, thereby preventing the sample from overflowing the sample container, and by suppressing the liquid level during the rotation of the sample, the amount of sample hanging liquid residue on the inner wall of the sample container cavity is reduced, thereby reducing the sample loss. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a sample mixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a sample container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of a sample container seat of a sample mixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a sensor output signal of a sample mixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sample container seat of a sample mixing device of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a sample container seat in a stationary state together with a sample container accommodated in a sample container accommodating cavity thereof, wherein a sample is accommodated in the sample container;

[0058] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the sample container seat in the embodiment of the present invention when rotating together with the sample container accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity thereof, wherein the sample container accommodates a sample;

[0059] Figure 8 A perspective view of a second embodiment of a sample container seat of a sample mixing device of the present invention;

[0060] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of force analysis of a sample in a sample container when the sample container seat according to an embodiment of the present invention rotates;

[0061] Figures 10 to 12 is a schematic diagram of the intersection of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the sample container seat of the sample mixing device of the present invention;

[0063] Fig.14 for Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of a sample container seat in a stationary state together with a sample container accommodated in a sample container accommodating cavity thereof, wherein a sample is accommodated in the sample container;

[0064] Fig.15 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a sample container seat of a sample mixing device of the present invention;

[0065] Fig.16 for Fig.15 A cross-sectional view of a sample container seat in a stationary state together with a sample container accommodated in a sample container accommodating cavity thereof, wherein a sample is accommodated in the sample container;

[0066] Fig.17 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the sample mixing device of the present invention;

[0067] Fig.18 A schematic structural diagram of an implementation scheme of a sample analysis system of the present invention;

[0068] Fig.19 is a schematic flow chart of a first embodiment of a sample mixing method of the present invention;

[0069] Fig. 20 is a schematic flow chart of a first mixing mode of the sample mixing method of the present invention;

[0070] Fig.21 is a schematic flow chart of a second mixing mode of the sample mixing method of the present invention;

[0071] Fig. 22 is a schematic flow chart of a third mixing mode of the sample mixing method of the present invention;

[0072] Fig.23 It is a schematic flow chart of the second embodiment of the sample mixing method of the present invention.

[0073] Fig.24 Schematic diagram of the structure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In order to enable a more detailed understanding of the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present invention, the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are for reference only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample mixing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the sample mixing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a sample container seat 12 for fixedly accommodating a sample container (not shown) and a driving mechanism 13 for driving the sample container seat 12 to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein the sample container seat 12 is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat 12, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12, which will be further described in detail below.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present application, the sample container in the sample container fixing seat 12 not only has a revolution motion around the rotation axis but also has a rotation motion when driven by the driving mechanism 13 , so as to achieve a better mixing effect.

[0077] Especially for Figure 2 As for the sample container 2 shown, the sample container 2 has a tube body 21 and an inner cavity 211 and is suitable for containing a trace amount of blood sample, and the bottom 212 of the inner cavity 211 is higher than the bottom end of the tube body 21. The self-rotation of the sample container 2 is particularly important for mixing the sample at a specific distance between the inner cavity bottom 212 and the lowest point of the tube body 21. The self-rotation of the sample container 2 can achieve a better mixing effect for the sample at a specific distance between the inner cavity bottom 212 and the lowest point of the tube body 21, thereby making the mixing device 1 more adaptable to sample containers of different shapes.

[0078] It should be noted here that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the rotation axis of the sample container seat is the rotation axis of the sample container or the sample accommodated in the sample container.

[0079] In some embodiments, the driving mechanism 13 can be configured as a motor to drive the sample container holder 12 to rotate in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction. The motor can be, for example, a stepper motor, a DC motor, a servo motor, or other device that can provide rotational power. The driving mechanism 13 configured as a stepper motor is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] In some embodiments, the sample container seat 12 is rotationally connected to the driving mechanism 13, especially the motor, so that the sample container seat 12 rotates around the rotation axis together with the sample container fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat 12. The sample container seat 12 can be directly fixed on the driving shaft of the motor 13, or it can be indirectly rotationally connected to the driving shaft of the motor 13 through a transmission mechanism, such as a belt, a synchronous belt, a gear set component, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the driving mechanism 13 can drive a rotating wheel with an elastic peripheral gasket, and the peripheral gasket contacts with the periphery of the sample container seat 12 to provide friction to rotate the sample container seat 12. Among them, directly fixing the sample container seat 12 on the rotating shaft of the motor 13 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, because this connection method has a more compact structure, uses the least parts, and has the advantages of miniaturization and low cost.

[0081] Furthermore, the driving mechanism 13 may be communicatively connected to a control device (not shown), which is configured to control the start, stop and rotation speed of the driving mechanism 13 .

[0082] In addition, Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the sample mixing device 1 further includes a sensor 14, which is configured to detect the rotation state of the sample container holder 12, such as detecting whether the sample container holder 12 rotates and its rotation speed. In some embodiments, the sensor 14 may be a through-beam photoelectric sensor, a reflective photoelectric sensor, a Hall sensor, or a capacitive sensor. It is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the sensor 14 is a through-beam photoelectric sensor.

[0083] Furthermore, the sensor 14 may also be connected to the control device in communication so as to transmit the rotation state of the sample container seat 12 to the control device. The control device may adjust the rotation speed of the driving mechanism 13 according to the rotation state of the sample container seat 12, and may further determine whether the sample mixing device 1 is faulty, such as whether the sample container seat is stuck, according to the rotation state of the sample container seat 12. For example, when the sensor 14 detects that the rotation speed of the sample container seat is zero during the mixing operation, the control device may determine that the sample mixing device 1 is faulty, such as the control device may not successfully start the driving mechanism 13 or the connection between the sample container seat 12 and the driving mechanism 13 is disconnected or the sample container seat is stuck. Alternatively, when the rotation speed of the sample container seat detected by the sensor 14 is less than the predetermined rotation speed, the control device may also determine that the sample mixing device 1 is faulty, such as the connection between the sample container seat 12 and the driving mechanism 13 is loosened, resulting in slippage, thereby reducing the rotation speed.

[0084] In addition, Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the sample mixing device 1 further comprises a bracket 11 for fixing a driving mechanism 13 and a sensor 14 .

[0085] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sample container seat 12 of a sample mixing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the sample container holder 12 has a sample container accommodating cavity 121 that can fixedly accommodate the sample container. In this embodiment, the sample container accommodating cavity 121 is arranged above the sample container holder. In addition, a sensing portion 124 and a notch 125 are arranged below the sample container holder 12. When the driving mechanism 13 drives the sample container holder 12 to rotate, the sensing portion 124 and the notch 125 will cyclically and alternately pass through the sensing area of ​​the sensor 14, that is, the sensing area of ​​the sensor 14 will alternately switch between the blocking state and the non-blocking state, and the sensor 14 outputs as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The pulse signal shown in (a) or (b) of FIG. 1 can be used to determine whether the sample container holder 12 is rotating and the rotation speed, etc., through the pulse signal output by the sensor 14. For example, by obtaining the number of pulse signals output by the sensor 14, the number of rotations of the sample container holder 12 can be determined, and the control device connected to the sensor 14 can determine whether the number of rotations meets expectations. Figure 4 The signal period T of the pulse signal shown can be used to calculate the rotation speed of the sample container holder 12, so that the control device connected to the sensor 14 can determine whether the rotation speed meets expectations.

[0086] Next reference Figures 5 to 7 A first embodiment of the sample container holder 12 of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the sample container seat 12 of the sample mixing device 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 for Figure 5 The sample container holder 12 in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sample container 2 contained in the sample container accommodating cavity 121 thereof when at rest, wherein the sample container 2 contains a sample 3, and Figure 7 for Figure 5 1 is a cross-sectional view of the sample container holder 12 when rotating together with the sample container 2 accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity 121 thereof, wherein the sample container 2 contains a sample 3.

[0087] like Figure 5As shown, the sample container seat 12 has a sample container accommodating cavity 121, and the diameter of the sample container accommodating cavity 121 at the entrance is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample container. An abutment portion 122 is provided at the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity 121, and the abutment portion 122 is configured so that when the sample container 2 is accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity 121, the sample container 2 abuts against the abutment portion 122, so that the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 and the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 or the rotation axis A1 of the sample container 2 form an acute angle, especially so that the intersection of the projection line of the central axis A3 of the sample container and the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the cavity of the sample container 2 that accommodates the sample 3. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 122 is integrally formed at the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity 121 of the sample container seat 12. Of course, in other embodiments not shown, the abutment portion 122 may be detachably fixed to the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity 121 of the sample container holder 12 . Such a structure can facilitate replacement of the abutment portion to accommodate different sample containers.

[0088] exist Figures 5 to 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the sample container seat 12 is configured as a receiving cavity in the form of a hole, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 8 As shown, the sample container seat 12 can also be constructed as a cavity 121 surrounded by a plurality of (three or more) columns, and the sample container 12 can be fixedly accommodated in the cavity 121. Figure 8 In the embodiment, an abutment portion 122 is also provided at the bottom of the cavity 121, and the abutment portion 122 is constructed so that when the sample container 2 is accommodated in the cavity 121, the sample container 2 abuts against the abutment portion 122, so that the central axis of the sample container 2 forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 or the rotation axis of the sample container 2. Figure 8 For other features of the embodiments, refer to Figures 5 to 7 The description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0089] exist Figures 5 to 7 In the embodiment shown, the sample container seat 12 further includes a shaft fixing hole 123 at the bottom, and the driving shaft of the driving mechanism 13 is inserted into the shaft fixing hole 13 and fixedly connected to the shaft fixing hole 13, so that the sample container seat 12 rotates with the driving shaft of the driving mechanism 13. In this way, the axis A1 of the shaft fixing hole 123 is the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12. Figure 5As shown, the axis A1 of the rotating shaft fixing hole 123 and the center axis A2 of the sample container accommodating cavity 121 may not coincide, that is, the sample container accommodating cavity 121 may be eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation axis of the sample container holder 12, and the eccentricity d may be, for example, 0 mm to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm. In the case of the eccentric arrangement, the sensor 14 may also be used to locate the initial position of the sample container holder 12.

[0090] The function of the abutment portion 122 is to keep the sample container 2 tilted relative to the sample container accommodating cavity 121 when the sample container 2 is placed in the sample container accommodating cavity 121, that is, when the sample container 2 is placed in the sample container accommodating cavity 121, the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 forms an acute angle α with the rotation axis A1 of the sample container holder 12, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 In this embodiment, when the sample container 2 is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat 12, the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 and the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 are located in the same plane, that is, the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 intersects with the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12. In some preferred embodiments, the included angle α of the acute angle may be less than or equal to about 45°, and preferably may be about 2° to about 15°.

[0091] In addition, Figure 6 As shown, the intersection point P of the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 and the rotation axis A1 of the sample container holder 12 is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2. Specifically, the intersection point P of the rotation axis A1 of the sample container holder 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 can be located above the entrance of the sample cavity of the sample container 2, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 as shown; it can also be Fig.11 As shown, the intersection point P of the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 is located between the sample cavity inlet and the sample cavity bottom of the sample container 2 .

[0092] When the driving mechanism 13 drives the sample container seat 12 to rotate around its rotation axis A1, the sample (such as a blood sample) 3 in the sample container 2 moves from the sample container 2 to the sample container 2. Figure 6 The status shown changes to Figure 7 Under the action of centrifugal force, the sample 3 is thrown away from the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and rises along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 .

[0093] In this case, if Figure 8As shown, the force analysis of the sample on the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 is as follows: According to the principle of action and reaction, the sample unit S located on the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 is subjected to a force F perpendicular to the inner wall of the cavity, and the force F can be decomposed into component forces F1 and F2, where F1 = F × cosα, F2 = F × sinα, and further F2 = F1 × tanα. Force F1 provides the centripetal force for the sample unit S to rotate around the rotation axis A1, while force F2 can prevent the sample unit S from rising along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2.

[0094] According to the centripetal force formula F1=Δmω 2 r shows that the centripetal force F1 is proportional to the square of the angular velocity ω of the sample unit S rotating around the rotation axis A1, where F1 is the centripetal force required for the sample unit S to rotate around the rotation axis A1, Δm is the mass of the sample unit S, ω is the angular velocity of the sample unit S rotating around the rotation axis A1, and r is the radius of the sample unit S rotating around the rotation axis A1. Those skilled in the art should understand that due to the fluidity of the liquid, the greater the angular velocity ω of the liquid rotation, the more serious the tendency of the liquid to leave the center of rotation, that is, the tendency of the sample unit S to rise along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 increases as the angular velocity ω of its rotation around the rotation axis A1 increases. However, further deduction shows that F2 = Δmω 2 r×tanα, as the angular velocity ω increases, the force F2 that prevents the sample unit S from rising along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 also increases, which offsets the tendency of the sample unit S to rise along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2. Therefore, not only can the requirement of sample mixing be met by adjusting the angular velocity ω, that is, the driving speed of the driving mechanism, but also the liquid level during sample rotation can be controlled by adjusting the acute angle α. In other words, by reasonably adjusting the magnitude of the two parameters, the angular velocity ω and the angle α, a dynamic balance can be finally achieved, that is, the sample unit S can rotate in a circle around the rotation axis A1 at a large angular velocity ω, but the liquid level will not climb too high, thereby preventing the sample from overflowing the sample container 2. Moreover, by suppressing the liquid level during sample rotation, the amount of sample 3 remaining on the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2 is reduced, thereby reducing sample loss.

[0095] As described above, when the sample 3 in the sample container 2 is mixed, the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 is tilted relative to the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 when the sample container 2 is placed in the sample container seat 12, that is, the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 are staggered, that is, an acute angle is formed. Preferably, the intersection of the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2, which can not only prevent the sample from being splashed, but also reduce the wall loss when the sample 2 is mixed. This is especially important for samples with a small sampling volume, such as peripheral blood samples, because too much wall loss will affect the reliability of sample aspiration after sample mixing.

[0096] Of course, the mixing device 1 proposed in the embodiment of the present invention can also be used to mix sample containers containing a larger amount of sample. Therefore, the sample container 2 that can be placed in the sample container accommodating cavity 121 of the sample container seat 12 is not limited to a micro blood collection tube containing a small amount of sample, such as a small amount of peripheral blood, but can also be a vacuum blood collection tube containing a large amount of venous blood, or other types of sample containers, such as sample containers for urine, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural effusion, etc. However, for micro blood collection tubes containing a small amount of sample, such as peripheral blood, the mixing device in the embodiment of the present invention has obvious advantages.

[0097] In addition, the sample container 2 that can be placed in the sample container accommodating cavity 121 of the sample container holder 12 can be either a closed container or an open container. Since the mixing device 1 proposed in the embodiment of the present invention can effectively prevent the sample in the sample container 2 from flowing toward the opening of the cavity of the sample container 2 when mixing the sample 3 in the sample container 2, there is no need to worry about the risk of spilling when mixing the sample even if it is an open container.

[0098] It should be particularly noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the central axis of the sample container 2 is tilted relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 when the sample container 2 is accommodated in the sample container seat 12 to obtain a better mixing effect, especially to prevent the sample from overflowing the sample container 2 and to suppress the liquid level when the sample rotates. Therefore, it is best to make the intersection point P of the rotation axis of the sample container 2 (i.e., the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12) and the central axis of the sample container 2 located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2, such as Fig.10 and Fig.11 When the intersection point P of the rotation axis of the sample container 2 and the central axis of the sample container 2 is located below the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2, as shown in FIG. Fig.11As shown, the direction of the component force F2 will be upward along the inner wall of the cavity of the sample container 2, which may cause a risk of sample overflowing from the sample container 2 when the sample is mixed. If this embodiment is adopted, the risk of sample overflow can be avoided by reducing the rotation speed.

[0099] In some embodiments not shown, when the sample container 2 is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat 12, the central axis of the sample container 2 and the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 may also be located in different planes. In this case, the central axis of the sample container 2 and the projection line of the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 in the vertical plane form an acute angle α. Preferably, the intersection of the central axis of the sample container 2 and the projection line of the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2. That is to say, when the sample container 2 is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat 12, the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 can be two non-parallel and non-intersecting skew straight lines, and the intersection of the projection lines of the axis A1 and the axis A3 in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2. In this way, when the driving mechanism 13 drives the sample container seat 12 to rotate around the rotation axis A1, the sample 3 in the sample container 2 is subjected to a component force directed toward the bottom of the cavity of the sample container 2 by the side wall of the cavity of the sample container 2, and then the mixing effect and the height of the sample liquid level in the sample container 2 during mixing are balanced by reasonably setting the angular velocity ω of the sample container seat 12 rotating around the rotation axis A1 and the inclination angle of the sample container 2.

[0100] Next reference Fig.13 and Fig.14 A second embodiment of the sample container holder 12 of the present invention is described, wherein: Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the sample container seat 12 of the sample mixing device 1 of the present invention, and Fig.14 for Fig.13 The sample container holder 12 in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the sample container 2 contained in the sample container receiving cavity thereof when at rest, wherein the sample container 2 contains a sample. Figures 5 to 7 The difference of the first embodiment shown is that the axis of the rotating shaft fixing hole 123 of the sample container seat 12 coincides with the central axis of the sample container accommodating cavity 121, that is, the sample container accommodating cavity 121 is arranged concentrically with respect to the rotating axis of the sample container seat 12. In the second embodiment, the sample container 2 is also kept tilted by arranging the abutment portion 122 in the sample container accommodating cavity 121. Fig.14 As shown, the intersection point P of the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat 12 and the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 is also located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container 2, which can also prevent the sample from overflowing the sample container 2 and suppress the liquid level height when the sample rotates when the sample container seat 12 rotates.

[0101] In addition, reference Fig.15 and Fig.16 A third embodiment of the sample container holder 12 of the present invention is described, wherein: Fig.15 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the sample container seat 12 of the sample mixing device 1 of the present invention, and Fig.16 for Fig.15 The sample container holder 12 is a cross-sectional view of the sample container 2 contained in the sample container receiving cavity thereof when at rest, wherein the sample container 2 contains a sample. Figures 5 to 7 The first embodiment shown or Fig.13 and Fig.14 The difference of the second embodiment shown is that in this third embodiment, the sample container seat 12 is provided with a sample container accommodating cavity 121 and a motor shaft fixing hole 123, but the abutting portion 122 for abutting against the sample container 2 is not provided in the sample container accommodating cavity 121. Instead of providing the abutting portion 122, the sample container accommodating cavity 121 is constructed so that the central axis A2 forms an acute angle α with the rotation axis of the sample container seat 12 (in this embodiment, the axis center line A1 of the shaft fixing hole 123), so that when the sample container 2 is accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity 121, the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 forms an acute angle α with the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat, preferably so that the intersection point P of the projection line of the central axis A3 of the sample container 2 and the rotation axis A1 of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample accommodating cavity of the sample container 2. The acute angle α can be less than or equal to about 45°, preferably about 2° to about 15°. This also makes it possible to prevent the sample from overflowing from the sample container 2 when the sample container holder 12 is rotated and to suppress the liquid level when the sample is rotated.

[0102] In some embodiments, Fig.17 As shown, the entrance of the sample container fixing hole 121 of the sample container fixing seat 12 of the mixing device 1 is set to be tooth-shaped, such as round teeth, and the inner diameter of the tooth is larger than the diameter of the sample container 2. In this way, when the barcode label of the sample container 2 is not firmly pasted and the edge of the barcode label paper is open, when the sample container is transported to the sample container fixing seat 12, the probability of the sample container being unable to be inserted into the sample container fixing hole 121 of the sample container fixing seat 12 is reduced.

[0103] On the other hand, Fig.18 As shown, the present invention also describes a sample analysis system 100, in particular, a blood automatic analysis system with a peripheral blood measurement mode, such as a single blood automatic analyzer or a blood automatic analysis pipeline system with one or more blood automatic analyzers. The sample analysis system includes:

[0104] A sample mixing device 110, configured to mix a sample in a sample container and comprising a sample container seat for accommodating the sample container and a driving mechanism for driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein the sample container seat is configured so that when the sample container is accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat;

[0105] The control device (not shown) is configured to be in communication connection with the driving mechanism to control the driving mechanism to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis.

[0106] The structure of the sample mixing device 110 can be the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment. Figures 1 to 17 The structure of the mixing device shown is exactly the same and will not be repeated here.

[0107] The control device may be any device capable of issuing control instructions, such as a microcontroller, etc. The communication connection includes a wireless communication connection, such as a WIFI connection, and a wired communication connection, such as a direct connection through a USB interface or a network port.

[0108] Further, the control device may be configured to control the driving mechanism in the following manner:

[0109] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction, preferably the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction periodically; or

[0110] The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis alternately in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, after the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the first direction for a predetermined period of time, the driving mechanism is stopped, and the driving mechanism is started again after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the sample mixing device also includes a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat, and the sensor is communicatively connected to the control device so as to transmit the detected rotation state of the sample container seat to the control device, and the control device can adjust the driving parameters of the driving mechanism according to the rotation state of the sample container seat or can determine whether the sample container seat or the driving mechanism is faulty according to the rotation state of the sample container seat. For example, the sensor can be used to determine whether the sample container base is rotating, so that the control device can determine whether the driving mechanism or the sample container base is damaged based on this. Or the sensor can also be used to determine whether the rotation speed of the sample container base meets expectations. If the predetermined rotation speed is not reached, the mixing effect will be affected.

[0112] Furthermore, the sample analysis system further includes:

[0113] A first transport device, configured to be communicatively connected with the control device and used to place the sample container into the sample container seat under the control of the control device;

[0114] The second transport device is configured to be communicatively connected with the control device and is used to take the sample container out of the sample container seat under the control of the control device.

[0115] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first transport device places the sample container to be mixed in the sample container seat to mix the sample in the sample container, and the second transport device takes the mixed sample container out of the sample container seat to allow the next sample to be mixed to be accommodated and loaded in the sample container seat.

[0116] Furthermore, the first conveying device and the second conveying device may be configured as the same device or different devices.

[0117] exist Fig.18 In the illustrated embodiment, the first transport device and the second transport device are configured as the same sample container handling device 120 .

[0118] In addition, the sample analysis system 100 may further include a sample suction device 130 , which is configured to be in communication connection with the control device and to suction the sample mixed by the sample mixing device 110 under the control of the control device.

[0119] Furthermore, the sample analysis system 100 may further include a sample rack conveying device 140 configured to convey a sample rack 150 that can be loaded with at least one sample container 2 .

[0120] The working process of the sample analysis system 100 according to the present invention is as follows: the sample rack conveying device 140 conveys the sample rack 150 loaded with the sample container 2 to the mixing position of the sample analysis system 100, and then the sample container transporting device 120 transports the sample container 2 from the sample rack 150 to the sample mixing device 110, and the sample mixing device 110 mixes the sample 3 in the sample container 2, and then the sample container transporting device 120 transports the sample container 2 from the sample mixing device 110 back to the sample rack 150, and finally the sample rack conveying device 140 further transports the sample rack 150 where the sample container 2 loaded with the mixed sample is located to the sample suction position of the sample analysis system 100 for the sample suction device 130 to suction the sample for sample detection.

[0121] In yet another aspect, the present invention further describes a sample mixing method, in particular, a sample mixing method implemented by using the sample mixing device 1 described above.

[0122] Fig.19 A schematic flow chart of a first embodiment of a sample mixing method 200 of the present invention is shown, wherein the sample mixing method 200 comprises:

[0123] 201. (Using a manipulator or manually) fix the sample container in a rotatable sample container seat so that the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, preferably the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in a vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container, and more preferably the acute angle formed by the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat is less than or equal to about 45°, preferably in the range of about 2° to about 15°.

[0124] 202. The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis to perform a sample mixing operation.

[0125] In addition, after completing the sample mixing operation, the driving mechanism is stopped, especially after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container, the sample container is taken out, and then the sample in the sample container is sucked by the sample suction device, or the sample in the sample container is directly sucked by the sample suction device.

[0126] In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to drive the sample container containing the sample to rotate around the rotation axis, so that the sample in the sample container is mixed, wherein the central axis of the sample container is inclined relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat. When the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate, the sample in the sample container rotates along the inner wall of the sample container's cavity and climbs toward the sample cavity opening of the sample container. When the sample container seat stops rotating, the sample that has climbed a certain distance along the inner wall of the sample container's cavity toward the sample cavity opening of the sample container flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the sample 3 in the sample container is mixed by rotating, climbing, and reflowing.

[0127] Fig. 20 A schematic flow chart showing a first mixing mode of step 202 of the sample mixing method 200, wherein step 202 comprises:

[0128] 2021a, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis along a first direction;

[0129] 2021b. The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0130] 2021c. Stop the driving mechanism to stop the sample container seat from rotating and wait for the sample in the sample container to flow back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container.

[0131] Fig.21 A schematic flow chart showing a second mixing mode of step 202 of the sample mixing method 200, wherein step 202 includes:

[0132] 2022a, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis;

[0133] 2022b, stop the driving mechanism, stop the sample container seat from rotating, and wait for the sample in the sample container to flow back to the bottom of the sample container cavity;

[0134] 2022c. Repeat 2022a and 2022b multiple times.

[0135] Fig. 22 A schematic flow chart of a third mixing method of step 202 of the sample mixing method 200 is shown, wherein step 202 includes:

[0136] 2023a, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis along a first direction;

[0137] 2023b, stop the driving mechanism, stop the sample container seat from rotating, and wait for the sample in the sample container to flow back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container;

[0138] 2023c, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction;

[0139] 2023d. Stop the driving mechanism to stop the sample container seat from rotating and wait for the sample in the sample container to flow back to the bottom of the containing cavity of the sample container.

[0140] Preferably, in this embodiment, steps 2023a to 2023d may also be repeated multiple times.

[0141] By rotating the sample container in the sample container fixing seat 12 in the forward direction and the reverse direction, a better mixing effect can be obtained for a trace sample, especially a trace blood sample.

[0142] According to the present invention, in particular, by rotating the sample in the sample container and repeatedly climbing and refluxing, a better sample mixing effect can be obtained.

[0143] Fig.23 A schematic flow chart of a second embodiment of a sample mixing method 300 of the present invention is shown, wherein steps 301 and 302 of the sample mixing method 300 are similar to steps 303 and 304 of the sample mixing method 300. Fig.19 Steps 201 and 202 of the sample mixing method 200 are the same, and the sample mixing method 300 further includes:

[0144] 303. Detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat by a sensor;

[0145] 304. Adjust a driving parameter, such as a rotation speed, of the driving mechanism according to the rotation state; and / or determine whether a fault occurs in the sample container seat or the driving mechanism according to the rotation state.

[0146] The embodiment of the present invention also describes a control device for a sample analysis system, wherein the sample analysis system has the above-mentioned sample mixing device, and the control device is communicatively connected with a driving mechanism and a sensor (if any) of the sample mixing device.

[0147] Fig.24 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control device 400 includes at least one processor 401 and a memory 402. The memory 402 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 401. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor 401, the sample analysis system executes the steps of the above-mentioned sample mixing method.

[0148] In addition, the control device 400 may also include at least one network interface 404 and a user interface 403. The various components in the control device 400 are coupled together via a bus system 405. It is understood that the bus system 405 is used to achieve connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 405 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, Fig.24 Various buses are labeled as bus system 405 .

[0149] The user interface 403 may include a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a click wheel, keys, buttons, a touch pad or a touch screen.

[0150] It can be understood that the memory 402 can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, and can also include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic random access memory (FRAM), a flash memory, a magnetic surface memory, an optical disk, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memory 402 described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0151] The memory 402 in the embodiment of the present invention includes but is not limited to: a ternary content addressable memory, a static random access memory, and is capable of storing various types of data such as received sensor signals to support the operation of the control device 400 .

[0152] The processor 401 of the embodiment of the present invention may be a central processing unit (CPU, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0153] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, such as a memory 402 including a computer program, and the computer program can be executed by the processor 401 of the controller 400, so that the sample analysis system performs each step of the sample mixing method. The computer-readable storage medium can be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disk, or CD-ROM; or it can be various devices including one or any combination of the above memories.

[0154] The above-mentioned features can be combined with each other as desired as long as they are meaningful within the scope of the present invention. The advantages and features described for the sample mixing device apply in a corresponding manner to the corresponding system and the corresponding method.

[0155] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample mixing device, comprising a sample container seat for accommodating a sample container and a driving mechanism for driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein: The sample container seat is configured such that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat; When the sample container is placed in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container is tilted relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and the rotation axis of the sample container seat extends in the vertical direction; the sample container is constructed as a micro-blood collection tube for accommodating peripheral blood samples.

2. The sample mixing device according to claim 1, wherein: The sample container seat is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity accommodating the sample.

3. The sample mixing device according to claim 2, wherein: The sample container seat is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat are located in the same plane, and the central axis of the sample container intersects with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and the intersection point is located above the bottom of the cavity of the sample container.

4. The sample mixing device according to claim 2, wherein: The sample container seat is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat are located in different planes, and the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the cavity of the sample container.

5. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The sample container seat has a sample container accommodating cavity which can fixedly accommodate the sample container. The sample container accommodating cavity is constructed so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat form an acute angle. Preferably, the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in a vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity for accommodating the sample.

6. The sample mixing device according to claim 5, wherein: An abutment portion is provided in the sample container accommodating cavity, and the abutment portion is constructed so that when the sample container is accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the sample container abuts against the abutment portion, so that the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat form an acute angle, preferably so that the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in the vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity for accommodating the sample.

7. The sample mixing device according to claim 6, wherein: The abutting portion is integrally formed at the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container seat, or the abutting portion is detachably fixed to the bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity of the sample container seat.

8. The sample mixing device according to claim 5, wherein: The sample container accommodating cavity is constructed so that its central axis forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, so that when the sample container is fixedly accommodated in the sample container accommodating cavity, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat. Preferably, the intersection of the projection lines of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in a vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample container cavity for accommodating the sample.

9. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: The sample container accommodating cavity is configured as a hole-shaped accommodating cavity, or the sample container accommodating cavity is configured as a cavity surrounded by a plurality of cylinders, and the sample container can be fixedly accommodated in the cavity.

10. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The acute angle formed by the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat is less than or equal to about 45°, preferably in the range of about 2° to about 15°.

11. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The driving mechanism has a driving shaft, and the sample container seat is directly fixed on the driving shaft or is indirectly connected to the driving shaft through a transmission mechanism; or The driving mechanism drives the rotating wheel with the elastic outer peripheral gasket, and the outer peripheral gasket contacts with the outer periphery of the sample container seat to provide friction force to rotate the sample container seat.

12. The sample mixing device according to claim 11, wherein: The sample container seat comprises a shaft fixing hole connected to the driving shaft of the driving mechanism, the driving shaft of the driving mechanism is inserted into the shaft fixing hole and fixedly connected to the shaft fixing hole, so that the sample container seat rotates with the driving shaft of the driving mechanism.

13. The sample mixing device according to claim 12, wherein: The rotating shaft fixing hole is coaxially arranged with the sample container accommodating cavity; or the rotating shaft fixing hole is eccentrically arranged with the sample container accommodating cavity, and the eccentricity is 0 mm to about 5 mm, preferably about 1 mm to about 2 mm.

14. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The driving mechanism is configured as a motor, such as a stepping motor, a DC motor, or a servo motor.

15. The sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The sample mixing device further comprises a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat, such as a through-beam photoelectric sensor, a reflective photoelectric sensor, a Hall sensor, a capacitive sensor, preferably a through-beam photoelectric sensor.

16. The sample mixing device according to claim 15, wherein: The sample mixing device is provided with a sensing portion and a notch in the sensing area of ​​the sensor. When the sample mixing seat is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate, the sensing portion and the notch alternately enter the sensing area of ​​the sensor to generate an output pulse signal of the sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat.

17. A sample mixing system, comprising a sample container for containing a sample and a sample mixing device for mixing the sample in the sample container, wherein: The sample mixing device is designed according to one of claims 1 to 16 .

18. The sample mixing system according to claim 17, wherein: The sample container is configured as a closed-lid container or an open-lid container.

19. A sample analysis system, comprising: A sample mixing device, in particular the sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, configured to mix a sample in a sample container and comprising a sample container seat for accommodating the sample container and a driving mechanism for driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis, wherein the sample container seat is configured so that when the sample container is accommodated in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat; wherein when the sample container is placed in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container is tilted relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat; The control device is configured to be in communication connection with the driving mechanism to control the driving mechanism to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis.

20. The sample analysis system according to claim 19, wherein: The control device is configured to control the drive mechanism in the following manner: The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction, preferably the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction periodically; or The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis alternately in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, after the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the first direction for a predetermined period of time, the driving mechanism is stopped, and the driving mechanism is started again after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

21. The sample analysis system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The sample mixing device also includes a sensor for detecting the rotation state of the sample container seat, and the sensor can be communicatively connected to the control device so as to transmit the detected rotation state of the sample container seat to the control device. The control device can adjust the driving parameters of the driving mechanism according to the rotation state of the sample container seat or can determine whether the sample container seat or the driving mechanism has a fault according to the rotation state of the sample container seat.

22. The sample analysis system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: The sample analysis system further comprises: A first transport device, configured to be communicatively connected with the control device and used to place the sample container into the sample container seat under the control of the control device; The second transport device is configured to be communicatively connected with the control device and is used to take the sample container out of the sample container seat under the control of the control device.

23. The sample analysis system according to claim 22, wherein: The first conveying device and the second conveying device may be configured as the same device or different devices.

24. A sample mixing method, the method comprising: The sample container is fixedly placed in a rotatable sample container seat, so that the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the sample container seat, preferably so that the intersection of the projection line of the central axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat in a vertical plane is located above the bottom of the sample cavity of the sample container; wherein, when the sample container is placed in the sample container seat, the central axis of the sample container is tilted relative to the rotation axis of the sample container seat, and the rotation axis of the sample container seat extends in the vertical direction; the sample container is configured as a micro-blood collection tube for accommodating peripheral blood samples; The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis to perform sample mixing operation.

25. The sample mixing method according to claim 24, wherein: The sample container is fixedly placed in the rotatable sample container seat so that the acute angle formed by the center axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the sample container seat is less than or equal to about 45°, preferably in the range of about 2° to about 15°.

26. The sample mixing method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein: The step of driving the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis by the driving mechanism to perform sample mixing operation includes: The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction. Preferably, the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the same direction periodically; or The driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis alternately in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Preferably, after the driving mechanism drives the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the first direction for a predetermined period of time, the driving mechanism is stopped, and the driving mechanism is started again after the sample flows back to the bottom of the cavity of the sample container to drive the sample container seat to rotate around its rotation axis in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

27. The sample mixing method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein: The method further comprises: The sensor detects the rotation state of the sample container seat; Adjusting a driving parameter of the driving mechanism, such as a rotational speed, according to the rotational state; and / or Whether the sample container seat or the driving mechanism fails is determined according to the rotation state.

28. A control device for a sample analysis system, comprising: at least one processor; as well as A memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the sample analysis system performs each step of the method according to any one of claims 24 to 27.

29. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein when the computer-executable instructions are executed by at least one processor of a sample analysis system, the sample analysis system performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 24 to 27.

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