Processing device for samples

Abstract

The invention relates to a sample treatment device, which comprises: a magnetic suction uniform mixing mechanism, which comprises a uniform mixing assembly and a magnetic suction assembly, which are respectively used for performing uniform mixing treatment and magnetic suction treatment on a sample; the processing box comprises two groups of processing grooves which are arranged at intervals; wherein at the same time, one of the two groups of treatment tanks is used for treating a sample.

Description

Sample processing device

[0001] Priority information

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310636690.9 filed on May 31, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This specification relates to the field of biological instrument technology, and in particular to a sample processing device. Background Art

[0004] The extraction or purification of target biological substances (e.g., plasmids) is one of the important links in molecular biology and medical research. The effect of extraction or purification directly affects the process and results of research and diagnosis. In modern bioengineering, plasmids are used as carriers for genetic modification. DNA fragments are added by experimenters, then replicated in large quantities by bacteria, and finally the plasmids are extracted from the bacteria. The main steps of the extraction or purification process of target biological substances (e.g., plasmids) include adding specific reagents to the sample to achieve different functions (e.g., cleavage reaction with the sample, separation of magnetic beads and magnetic bead conjugates, etc.), and adding magnetic beads to the sample, using magnetic beads to bind impurities or target biological substances, so as to separate impurities or target biological substances from the solution. The efficiency of reagent and sample mixing, as well as the efficiency of binding of magnetic beads to impurities or target biological substances will affect the extraction or purification effect of the entire target biological substance (e.g., plasmid).

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a sample processing device to effectively improve the mixing efficiency of reagents and samples, as well as the binding efficiency of magnetic beads with impurities or target biological substances.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] One of the embodiments of the present specification provides a sample processing device, comprising: a magnetic mixing mechanism, the magnetic mixing mechanism comprising a mixing component and a magnetic component, for performing mixing and magnetic treatment on the sample, respectively; a processing box, the processing box comprising two groups of processing slots. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] This specification will be further described in the form of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limiting, and in these embodiments, like numbers represent like structures, wherein:

[0009] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a processing device according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0010] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge connected to a mixing assembly according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0012] FIG4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a process cartridge connected to a mixing assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a process cartridge connected to a mixing assembly according to other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a process cartridge connected to a magnetic assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a process cartridge connected to a magnetic assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Reference numerals: processing device 100; magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10; magnetic attraction assembly 11; magnet driving member 110; first driving motor 111; screw 112; connecting rod structure 113; magnet support member 114; linear guide rail 1141; base 1142; screw nut 115; nut track 1151; mixing assembly 12; second driving motor 121; motor fixing plate 1211; mixing table 122; eccentric shaft 1221; first Mixing bearing 1231; second mixing bearing 1232; third mixing bearing 1233; first direction adapter plate 1241; second direction adapter plate 1242; first mixing guide rail 1251; second mixing guide rail 1252; support plate 126; connecting shaft 127; coupling 128; second optical coupler baffle 1291; second optical coupler 1292; processing box 20; processing tank 21; first processing tank 211; second processing tank 212. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification, the following briefly describes the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely examples or embodiments of this specification. Those skilled in the art can apply this specification to other similar scenarios based on these drawings without inventive effort. Unless otherwise apparent from the context or otherwise noted, the same reference numerals in the figures represent the same structure or operation.

[0018] As used in this specification and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not refer to the singular but also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "comprises" and "include" only indicate the inclusion of the steps and elements specifically identified, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list. A method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0019] This specification provides a processing device for samples, which may include a processing box for accommodating samples and a magnetic attraction and mixing mechanism, which can be used to perform magnetic attraction and mixing treatments on the samples in the processing box. In some embodiments, the processing device can be used in combination with an extraction device for samples to extract and / or purify target biological substances in the samples, which can greatly reduce the workload of the experimenter and shorten the working time. In addition, the processing device is fully mechanically automated during the working process, has high consistency when performing repeated operations, and the overall extraction and / or purification results are better. In some embodiments, the processing device can be used for high-throughput sample processing, that is, extracting and / or purifying multiple samples at the same time, so that the efficiency of extraction and / or purification is significantly improved. The target biological substance in this specification refers to the substance to be extracted (or separated) and / or purified in the sample. In some embodiments, the target biological substance includes plasmids (e.g., DNA plasmids, RNA plasmids, etc.), proteins, nucleic acids, and any other feasible biological substances. For example, the processing device can be used to process samples to extract and / or purify plasmids. For another example, the processing device can be used to process samples to extract and / or purify proteins. In some embodiments, the sample can be a microbial (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., such as Escherichia coli) culture fluid, blood, saliva, animal tissue, plant, food, or any other feasible sample. Extraction refers to separating the target biological substance in the sample (for example, culture fluid) from other impurities. Purification refers to further purifying the separated target biological substance. It should be understood that the application scenarios of the processing devices in the specification of this application are only some examples or embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, without paying creative work, the present application can also be applied to other similar scenarios based on these drawings.

[0020] FIG1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a processing device 100 for a sample. For ease of description, a coordinate system as shown in FIG1 is used to further describe the components and / or devices of the processing device 100. The coordinate system (e.g., a Cartesian coordinate system) includes an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction (e.g., perpendicular to the ground), the X-axis and the Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction (e.g., parallel to the ground), and the X-axis is perpendicular to the Y-axis. The Y-axis direction is also referred to as the first direction, the X-axis direction is also referred to as the second direction, and the Z-axis direction is also referred to as the third direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the processing device 100 may include a magnetic mixing mechanism 10 and a processing box 20. The magnetic mixing mechanism 10 may include a mixing component 12 and a magnetic component 11. The mixing component 12 may be used to mix the sample, and the magnetic component 11 may be used to magnetically attract the sample. The processing box 20 may include two sets of processing tanks 21.

[0022] In this specification, mixing treatment refers to mixing the mixture in the treatment tank 21 by shaking or vibrating. Magnetic absorption treatment refers to separating impurities or target biological substances from the sample by magnetic adsorption. As an example only, in the process of extracting and / or purifying the sample, it is necessary to add specific reagents to the sample to achieve different functions (for example, to undergo a lysis reaction with the sample, to separate magnetic beads from magnetic bead conjugates), and to add magnetic beads to the sample, and to use the magnetic beads to bind to impurities or target biological substances in the sample to facilitate separation of target biological substances or impurities from the solution. The magnetic beads in this specification are a kind of magnetic particles having surface active groups. Under certain conditions, the surface active groups of the magnetic beads can bind (for example, couple) to the target biological substance (for example, the substance to be extracted) or impurities (for example, other substances other than the substance to be extracted) in the sample, and the magnetic beads can undergo magnetic absorption (i.e., magnetic absorption treatment) under the action of an external magnetic field (for example, a magnetic field formed by a magnetic absorption component), thereby achieving separation of active substances and impurities and / or purification of active substances.

[0023] In some embodiments, the corresponding type of magnetic beads can be selected based on the different particle sizes, dispersivities, magnetic response times and coating matrices of the magnetic beads, and the types of magnetic beads are not limited here. In some embodiments, the types of reagents may include solvents for reacting with samples, for washing magnetic bead conjugates, reagents for eluting magnetic bead conjugates to separate magnetic beads, etc., and the types of reagents are not limited here. Taking the extraction of plasmids through bacterial mud as an example, the reagents may include bacterial mud lysis solution, washing solution, eluent, etc. The magnetic beads may include magnetic beads that can bind to impurities after bacterial mud lysis, magnetic beads that can bind to plasmids, etc. In some embodiments, the mixing component mixes the magnetic beads with the sample to improve the efficiency of the magnetic beads binding to impurities and / or target biological substances in the sample.

[0024] In some embodiments, the types of reagents may include solvents for reacting with samples, for washing magnetic bead conjugates, reagents for eluting magnetic bead conjugates to separate magnetic beads, etc., and there is no limitation on the types of reagents herein. Taking the extraction of plasmids through bacterial mud as an example, the reagents may include bacterial mud lysis solution, washing solution, eluent, etc. The magnetic beads may include magnetic beads that can bind to impurities after bacterial mud lysis, magnetic beads that can bind to plasmids, etc. In some embodiments, when a reagent is added for reacting with a sample, the mixing component 12 can be used to mix the reagent with the sample to improve the sample reaction efficiency. When a reagent is added for washing magnetic bead conjugates, the mixing component 12 can be used to mix the reagent with the sample to improve the washing efficiency. When a reagent is added for eluting magnetic bead conjugates to separate magnetic beads, the mixing component 12 can be used to mix the reagent with the sample to improve the separation efficiency of magnetic beads and magnetic bead conjugates.

[0025] The processing device 100 provided herein can adsorb magnetic beads bound to impurities or target biological substances in the processing cartridge 20, thereby facilitating transfer of the remaining solution via a pipetting device to separate the impurities or target biological substances from the solution. Furthermore, the processing device 100 can also mix the mixture in the processing cartridge 20, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the extraction and / or purification of the target biological substance.

[0026] In some embodiments, each group of processing tanks 21 may include a plurality of mounting holes 213, and the plurality of mounting holes 213 may be arranged along the extension direction of the processing tanks 21. The mounting holes 213 may be used to accommodate samples, and the number of mounting holes 213 in the two groups of processing tanks 21 is the same and corresponds one to one. The one-to-one correspondence here may mean that in the distribution direction of the two groups of processing tanks 213, any mounting hole 213 in one group of processing tanks 21 is aligned with a mounting hole 213 in the other group of processing tanks 21, so as to facilitate the transfer of the target biological substance in one group of processing tanks 21 to the other group of processing tanks 21 through a pipetting device (not shown in the figure). For example, as shown in Figure 2, the first processing tank 211 and the second processing tank 212 each include 16 mounting holes 213, and the 16 mounting holes 213 are extended along the Y-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, one mounting hole 213 of the first processing tank 211 is aligned with one mounting hole 213 of the second processing tank 212.

[0027] In some embodiments, at the same time, one of the two groups of processing tanks 21 is used to process samples. In some cases, during the process of extracting and / or purifying target biological substances using the processing device 100 provided herein, since it is necessary to use a magnetic attraction component to magnetically attract the samples in the processing tanks 21, if both processing tanks 21 are used to process samples simultaneously, the magnetic attraction of the sample in one processing tank 21 may affect the sample in the other processing tank 21. For example, as shown in FIG1 and FIG2 , the magnetic beads in one processing tank (which may be referred to as the first processing tank, e.g., the first processing tank 211 in FIG2 ) are bound to impurities, while the magnetic beads in the other processing tank (which may be referred to as the second processing tank, e.g., the second processing tank 212 in FIG2 ) are bound to the target biological substance. When the magnetic attraction is performed on the magnetic beads in the first processing tank 211, the magnetic beads in the second processing tank 212 may be attracted, thereby affecting the sample in the second processing tank 212. Therefore, in order to avoid affecting the samples in the other group of processing tanks 21 , at the same time, only one group of processing tanks 21 in the two groups of processing tanks 21 is used to process samples.

[0028] In some embodiments, the two groups of processing tanks 21 can be spaced apart. In some embodiments, the distance between the two groups of processing tanks 21 can be increased to reduce or avoid the impact on the samples in the other group of processing tanks 21 during magnetic attraction treatment, so that the two groups of processing tanks 21 can be used to process samples at the same time, thereby improving sample processing efficiency. For example, a gap of a preset distance can be set between the two groups of processing tanks 21. In some embodiments, an isolation member 214 can be set between the two groups of processing tanks 21 to reduce or isolate the magnetic force between the two groups of processing tanks 21, so that the two groups of processing tanks 21 can be used to process samples at the same time. In some embodiments, the isolation member 214 may include a magnetic shielding plate made of pure iron or iron-nickel alloy. In some embodiments, the isolation member 214 may not be a magnetic shielding member, but may physically separate the two groups of processing tanks 21. In other embodiments, the two groups of processing tanks 21 may be arranged adjacent to each other.

[0029] It should be noted that the description of the number of process cartridges 20, the number of processing tanks 21 included in the process cartridges 20, and the number of mounting holes 213 in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the number of process cartridges 20, the number of processing tanks 21 included in the process cartridges 20, and the number of mounting holes 213. For example, the process cartridge 20 may include only one processing tank 21, or the process cartridge 20 may include three processing tanks 21, which are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. For another example, the number of process cartridges 20 may be one or more, and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0030] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the magnetic attraction component 11 may include a magnet 101, and the magnet 101 may be arranged on at least one side of the mixing component 12, and the processing box 20 is arranged on the mixing component 12. In this embodiment, the magnet 101 can be used to form an external magnetic field. After the magnetic beads are combined with the impurities or target biological substances in the sample, the magnetic beads in the processing box 20 can be adsorbed by the action of the external magnetic field, so that the magnetic beads are tightly attached to the side wall of the processing tank 21, so that the remaining solution can be transferred by the pipetting device, and then the impurities or target biological substances can be separated from the solution. In some embodiments, the magnet 101 has a predetermined magnetic attraction area. In some embodiments, the magnetic attraction area of ​​the magnet 101 can be the area of ​​the magnetic attraction surface facing the processing box 20 for magnetic attraction treatment.

[0031] In some embodiments, the magnet 101 may include a first magnet 1011, which may be disposed on one side of the mixing assembly 12. In this embodiment, the first magnet 1011 may be used to form a first external magnetic field for magnetically attracting the sample in the first processing tank 211. For example, after the magnetic beads in the first processing tank 211 combine with impurities or target biological substances in the sample, the magnetic beads may be attracted by the first magnet 1011 to separate the impurities or target biological substances from the solution.

[0032] In some embodiments, the magnet 101 may further include a second magnet 1012, which may be disposed on the other side of the mixing assembly 12. In this embodiment, the second magnet 1012 may be used to form a second external magnetic field for magnetically attracting the sample in the second processing tank 212. For example, after the magnetic beads in the second processing tank 212 combine with impurities or target biological substances in the sample, the second magnet 1012 may be used to attract the magnetic beads, thereby separating the impurities or target biological substances from the solution.

[0033] In some embodiments, the processing box 20 can be disposed between the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012, and the arrangement direction of the two groups of processing tanks 21 is the same as the arrangement direction of the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012. As an example only, the extension direction of the first processing tank 211 and the second processing tank 212 can both be parallel to the Y-axis direction, and the first processing tank 211 and the second processing tank 212 can be arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction. The first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction, with the first magnet 1011 being disposed on a side of the first processing tank 211 away from the second processing tank 212, and the second magnet 1012 being disposed on a side of the second processing tank 212 away from the first processing tank 211.

[0034] In some embodiments, the number of process cartridges 20 can be one or more, and the number of mixing components 12 and magnetic components 11 can be adapted to the number of process cartridges 20. By way of example only, a process cartridge 20 can be mixed by an independent mixing component 12 and magnetically attracted by two independent magnetic components 11, one of which is used to drive the first magnet 1011 to extend or retract from the upper side of the magnetic mixing mechanism 10, and the other is used to drive the second magnet 1012 to extend or retract from the upper side of the magnetic mixing mechanism 10. That is, the number of process cartridges 20 is n, the number of mixing components 12 is n, and the number of magnetic components 11 is 2n. In another example, as shown in FIG1 , there are three process cartridges 20, three mixing assemblies 12, and four magnetic assemblies 11. The three process cartridges 20 are spaced apart along the X-axis, with one mixing assembly 12 corresponding to one process cartridge 20. The process cartridges 20 are each located on a mixing platform (e.g., mixing platform 122 in FIG5 ) of the corresponding mixing assembly 12. The four magnetic assemblies 11 are spaced apart from the process cartridges 20 along the X-axis. Two adjacent process cartridges 20 share the same magnetic assembly 11, thereby reducing the number of magnetic assemblies 11 and lowering equipment costs. In some embodiments, multiple process cartridges 20 can be mixed by the same mixing assembly 12.

[0035] It should be noted that the division of the magnet 101 into the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 is for illustrative purposes only, and is intended to illustrate the positional relationship between the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 and a particular process cartridge 20, and does not limit the specific structures, materials, etc. of the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012. In some embodiments, the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 can be the same or similar, for example, the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 can be the same material, size, etc. In some embodiments, the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 can be different. In some embodiments, the magnet 101 can serve as both the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the Y-axis direction, the magnet 101 located on the right side of the rightmost processing box 20 (which can be called the first processing box) can be called the first magnet 1011, and the magnet 101 located on the left side of the first processing box can be called the second magnet 1011, and for the middle processing box 20 (which can be called the second processing box), the magnet 101 located on the left side of the first processing box can be called the first magnet 1011.

[0036] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 1, 3, and 4, the magnetic attraction assembly 11 may further include a magnet driver 110 for driving the magnet 101 to perform lifting motion. The lifting motion of the magnet 101 is the movement of the magnet 101 in the vertical direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction). The magnet driver 110 drives the magnet 101 to perform lifting motion in the vertical direction, which can achieve flexible control of the position of the magnet 101 in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the number of magnet drivers 110 can be one or more. For example, when the magnet 101 only includes the first magnet 1011, the number of magnet drivers 110 can be one, and one magnet driver drives the first magnet 1011 to perform lifting motion. For another example, when the magnet 101 includes the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012, the number of magnet drivers 110 can be two, and the two magnet drivers 110 respectively drive the first magnet 1011 and the second magnet 1012 to perform lifting motion.

[0037] In some embodiments, the magnet driver 110 can be transmission-connected to the magnet 101, and the magnet driver 110 drives the magnet 101 to perform lifting motion. In some embodiments, the magnet driver 110 can include a first drive motor 111, a screw 112 and a connecting rod structure 113, the screw 112 is transmission-connected to the first drive motor 111, one end of the connecting rod structure 113 (also called the first end) is hinged to the screw 112, and the other end of the connecting rod structure 113 (also called the second end) is hinged to the magnet 101, and the magnet 101 can extend or retract from the upper side of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10 under the drive of the first drive motor 111. The upper side of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10 can refer to the surface of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10 for carrying the processing box 20. For example, the mixing component 12 can include a mixing table (for example, the mixing table 122 in Figure 5), and the processing box 20 can be arranged on the upper side of the mixing table. When the magnet 101 extends out of the upper side of the mixing platform, it can adsorb the magnetic beads in the processing box 20. When the magnet 101 retracts into the upper side of the mixing platform, the magnetic beads in the processing box 20 are not affected by the magnet 101.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 can be directly hinged to the magnet 101. For example, the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 and the magnet 101 can both be provided with hinges, and the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 and the magnet 101 can be hinged via the hinges. In some embodiments, the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 and the magnet 101 can be indirectly hinged. For example, the magnet 101 can be disposed on the magnet support 114 of FIG. 3 , and the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 can be hinged to the magnet support 114.

[0039] In some embodiments, the magnet driver 110 may include a screw nut 115, which is connected between the screw 112 and the connecting rod structure 113. The screw nut 115 is connected to the end of the screw 112 away from the first drive motor 111, and the screw nut 115 is hinged to the first end of the connecting rod structure 113. The screw nut 115 can slide on the nut track 1151. The extension direction of the nut track 1151 is the first direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction). That is, the screw nut 1151 can move along the first direction. When the first drive motor 111 is working, it drives the screw 112 to roll, and the rolling motion of the screw 112 drives the screw nut 115 to move along the first direction. The movement of the screw nut 115 further drives the connecting rod structure 113 to rotate in the YZ plane, thereby driving the magnet to perform lifting motion along the vertical direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction).

[0040] In some embodiments, the magnetic assembly 11 may further include a magnet support 114, which is used to secure the magnet 101. In some embodiments, the magnet support 114 may be hinged to the connecting rod structure 113. The magnet 101 is secured to the magnet support 114, thereby enabling an indirect hinged connection between the second end of the connecting rod structure 113 and the magnet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the upper end of the magnet support member 114 has a larger dimension in the Y-axis direction, while the lower end of the magnet support member 114 has a smaller dimension in the Y-axis direction. The upper end of the magnet support member 114 may be the end supporting the magnet 101, while the lower end of the magnet support member 114 may be the end hingedly connected to the connecting rod structure 113. Since the upper end of the magnet support member 114 has a larger dimension in the Y-axis direction, it is more convenient to support the magnet 101, while the lower end of the magnet support member 114 has a smaller dimension in the Y-axis direction, it is more convenient to hingely connect to the connecting rod structure 113.

[0042] In some embodiments, a linear guide rail 1141 can be provided on both sides of the magnet support 114. The extension direction of the linear guide rail 1141 is the vertical direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction). The magnet support 114 can move in the vertical direction on the linear guide rail 1141. By providing the linear guide rails 1141 on both sides of the magnet support 114, it can be ensured that the magnet support 1141 remains balanced when moving in the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the magnet support 114 can be connected to the base 1142 through the linear guide rail 1141, thereby enabling the magnet support 114 to move relative to the base 1142 along the linear guide rail 1141. The first drive motor 111 is located at the bottom of the magnet support 114, and the screw nut 115 is connected to the magnet support 114 through the connecting rod structure 113. When the first drive motor 111 is working, it drives the screw rod 112 to roll. The rolling motion of the screw rod 112 drives the screw nut 115 to move along the first direction. The movement of the screw nut 115 further drives the connecting rod structure 113 to rotate in the YZ plane, thereby driving the magnet support 114 to move on the linear guide rail 1141, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering movement of the magnet.

[0043] In some embodiments, the magnetic attraction component 11 may also include a lifting position sensor, which can be used to determine the position of the magnet 101. For example, determine whether the magnet 101 is in the first position (i.e., the magnet 101 is fully extended from the upper side of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10) or the second position (i.e., the magnet 101 is fully retracted from the upper side of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism 10). As an example only, the lifting position sensor may include a first optical coupler and a first optical coupler baffle. A first optical coupler (not shown) is provided at the bottom and top of the base 1142, respectively, and a first optical coupler baffle (not shown) is fixed on the magnet support 114. When the magnet support 114 moves along the linear guide 1141 so that the first optical coupler at the top of the base 1142 contacts the first optical coupler baffle, the first optical coupler baffle can generate a signal, thereby determining that the magnet 101 is in the first position. When the magnet support 114 moves along the linear guide rail 1141 so that the first optical coupler at the bottom of the base 1142 contacts the first optical coupler barrier, the first optical coupler barrier can generate a signal, thereby determining that the magnet 101 is located at the second position.

[0044] It should be noted that, in other embodiments, the magnet driver 110 can also be used to drive the magnet 101 to perform movement in other directions. For example, movement along the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction. In some embodiments, the number of magnet drivers 110 can be set to multiple, and the multiple magnet drivers 110 are used to drive the magnet 101 to move along different directions (for example, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction).

[0045] In some embodiments, the mixing component 12 can be driven by a motor (eg, an electric transmission drive or a shaker electromagnetic drive, etc.) or any other feasible driving method (eg, a hydraulic drive, a pneumatic drive, etc.).

[0046] 1 and 5-7 , in some embodiments, the mixing assembly 12 may include a second drive motor 121 and a mixing table 122, and the mixing table 122 is driven by the second drive motor 121 to shake or vibrate. In some embodiments, the processing box 20 can be installed on the mixing table 122. For example, the processing box 20 can be manually installed on the mixing table 122, or manually removed from the mixing table 122. When the second drive motor 121 is working, it can drive the mixing table 122 to shake or vibrate, thereby causing the processing box 20 on the mixing table 122 to shake or vibrate, so as to mix the sample in the processing box 20. For example, the processing box 20 moves rapidly along the X-axis and Y-axis directions in the horizontal plane (i.e., the XY plane) so that the sample in the processing box 20 is mixed.

[0047] In some embodiments, the mixing table 122 may include an eccentric shaft 1221, and the second drive motor 121 is in transmission connection with the eccentric shaft 1221. When the processing cartridge 20 is mounted on the mixing table 122, the eccentric shaft 1221 is driven by the second drive motor 121 to rotate. The rotation of the eccentric shaft 1221 can in turn cause the mixing table 122 to shake or vibrate, thereby mixing the sample in the processing cartridge 20.

[0048] As an example only, the mixing assembly 12 may include a first mixing bearing 1231, a second mixing bearing 1232, a third mixing bearing 1233, a first direction adapter plate 1241, a second direction adapter plate 1242, a first mixing guide rail 1251, a second mixing guide rail 1252, a motor fixing plate 1211, and a support plate 126. The first direction adapter plate 1241, the second direction adapter plate 1242, and the support plate 126 are parallel to each other. In the third direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction), the mixing stage 122 is located above the first direction adapter plate 1241, the second direction adapter plate 1242 is located below the first direction adapter plate 1241, and the support plate 126 is located below the second direction adapter plate 1242. The first direction adapter plate 1241 is connected to the second direction adapter plate 1242 through the first mixing guide rail 1251, and the second direction adapter plate 1242 is connected to the support plate 126 through the second mixing guide rail 1252. The first mixing guide rail 1251 can be perpendicular to the second mixing guide rail 1252, the first mixing guide rail 1251 can extend along the second direction (i.e., the X-axis direction), and the second mixing guide rail 1252 can extend along the first direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction). The motor fixing plate 1211 can be connected to the bottom of the support plate 126, and the second drive motor 121 can be connected to the motor fixing plate 1211. One end of the eccentric shaft 1221 is connected to the second drive motor 121, and the other end passes through the support plate 126 and the second direction adapter plate 1242 and is connected to the first direction adapter plate 1241 through the first mixing bearing 1231. The eccentric shaft 1221 is connected to the second direction adapter plate 1242 via the second mixing bearing 1232, and is connected to the support plate 126 via the third mixing bearing 1233. When the second drive motor 121 drives the eccentric shaft 1221 to move, the eccentric shaft 1221 can drive the second direction adapter plate 1242 to move along the second mixing guide rail 1252 relative to the support plate 126, and drive the first direction adapter plate 1241 to move along the first mixing guide rail 1251 relative to the second direction adapter plate 1242, thereby driving the mixing stage 122 to vibrate in the first and second directions, thereby achieving mixing of the sample.

[0049] In some embodiments, the second drive motor 121 can be directly fixed to the motor fixing plate 1211. In some embodiments, the second drive motor 121 can be fixed to the motor fixing plate 1211 via a connecting shaft 127. In some embodiments, the eccentric shaft 1221 can be directly connected to the rotation output shaft of the second drive motor 121. In some embodiments, the mixing assembly 12 can include a coupling 128, and the eccentric shaft 1221 can be connected to the rotation output shaft of the second drive motor 121 via the coupling 128.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6 , a second optical coupling baffle 1291 is provided on the eccentric shaft 1221, and a second optical coupler 1292 is provided on the motor fixing plate 1211. When the eccentric shaft 1221 rotates, the second optical coupling baffle 1291 is driven to rotate. When the second optical coupling baffle 1291 moves to the position of the second optical coupler 1292, it can be determined that the eccentric shaft 1221 is in the initial position, and then the processing box 20 is determined to be in the initial position. In some embodiments, the processing box is closer to the magnet 101 when it is in the initial position. In some cases, by providing the second optical coupling baffle 1291 and the second optical coupler 1292 to determine whether the processing box 20 is in the initial position, on the one hand, it can help the pipetting device to position when taking liquid from the processing box 20; on the other hand, when magnetic suction processing is required, the processing box 20 can be placed in the initial position so that the processing box is closer to the magnet 101.

[0051] The beneficial effects of the sample processing device provided in this specification may include but are not limited to: (1) the processing device provided in this specification can adsorb the magnetic beads combined with impurities or target biological substances in the processing box, thereby facilitating the transfer of the remaining solution through the pipetting device to separate the impurities or target biological substances from the solution. In addition, the processing device can also mix the mixture in the processing box, thereby improving the efficiency and effect of extracting and / or purifying the target biological substance; (2) by providing a magnetic drive component, the magnet can be controlled to retract to the upper side of the magnetic mixing mechanism when the sample does not need to be magnetically processed, and can be controlled to retract to the upper side of the magnetic mixing mechanism when the sample needs to be magnetically processed. The magnet extends out of the upper side of the magnetic attraction mixing mechanism so that the processing device can meet the various requirements of different steps of target biological substance extraction and / or purification, thereby improving applicability; (3) in order to avoid affecting the samples in the other group of processing tanks, at the same time, only one group of the two groups of processing tanks is used to process the samples; (4) the processing device can be used in combination with the extraction equipment for samples to extract and / or purify the target biological substances in the samples, which can greatly reduce the workload of the experimenters and shorten the working time. In addition, the processing device is mechanically automated throughout the working process, has high consistency when performing repeated operations, and has better overall extraction and / or purification results.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this specification and is not intended to limit this specification. Any modifications, equivalent replacements and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this specification should be included in the scope of protection of this specification.

Claims

1. A sample processing device, characterized in that: include: A magnetic mixing mechanism, the magnetic mixing mechanism comprising a mixing component and a magnetic component, for respectively performing mixing and magnetic treatment on the sample; A processing box includes two sets of processing tanks.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The magnetic attraction component comprises a magnet, and the magnet is arranged on at least one side of the mixing component, and the processing box is arranged on the mixing component.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The magnet includes a first magnet, and the first magnet is arranged on one side of the mixing component.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The magnet also includes a second magnet, which is arranged on the other side of the mixing component.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The processing box is arranged between the first magnet and the second magnet, and the arrangement direction of the two groups of processing slots is the same as the arrangement direction of the first magnet and the second magnet.

6. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The magnetic attraction assembly also includes a magnet driving component for driving the magnet to perform lifting motion.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The magnet driving component includes a first driving motor, a screw rod and a connecting rod structure. The screw rod is drivingly connected to the first driving motor, one end of the connecting rod structure is hinged to the screw rod, and the other end of the connecting rod structure is directly or indirectly hinged to the magnet. The magnet extends out or retracts to the upper side of the magnetic suction mixing mechanism under the drive of the first driving motor.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The magnetic attraction assembly also includes a magnet support member, which is used to fix the magnet, and the connecting rod structure is hinged to the magnet support member.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The mixing component includes a second driving motor and a mixing table, and the mixing table shakes or vibrates when driven by the second driving motor.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The mixing table comprises an eccentric shaft, and the second driving motor is drivingly connected to the eccentric shaft.

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