PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) gland linkage mechanism and PCR device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) gland linkage mechanism and a PCR device, the gland linkage mechanism comprises a hot cover and a cold cover, the hot cover covers a PCR reaction module, the cold cover covers a PCR refrigeration module, the gland linkage mechanism further comprises a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used for driving the hot cover to rotate; the linkage mechanism is connected with the cold cover; after the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate by a first angle in the direction away from the PCR reaction module, the hot cover makes contact with the linkage mechanism, the hot cover pushes the linkage mechanism to move, and the linkage mechanism drives the cold cover to rotate in the direction away from the PCR refrigeration module. The hot cover and the cold cover can be driven to move through one driving mechanism, the cost is low, after the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate by a certain angle, the hot cover drives the cold cover to rotate through the linkage mechanism, the hot cover and the cold cover can be opened and closed at the same time, and evaporation of reagents in the test process is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of PCR devices, and in particular to a PCR capping linkage mechanism and a PCR device. Background Art

[0002] A PCR instrument, also known as a gene amplification instrument, is an instrument used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Currently, the hot cover and cold cover of a PCR instrument are generally driven independently by two motion units, requiring two actuators to control the two motion units respectively, resulting in a relatively complex control logic and high cost. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the embodiments of the present specification provide a PCR cover linkage mechanism and a PCR device, which can drive the movement of the hot cover and the cold cover through a driving mechanism, with low cost. After the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate a certain angle, the hot cover drives the cold cover to rotate through the linkage mechanism. The hot cover and the cold cover can be opened and closed at the same time, effectively reducing the evaporation of reagents during the experiment.

[0004] The embodiment of this specification provides the following technical solution: a PCR capping linkage mechanism, comprising a hot cover and a cold cover, wherein the hot cover is arranged on a PCR reaction module, and the cold cover is arranged on a PCR refrigeration module, and the capping linkage mechanism further comprises:

[0005] A driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the thermal cover to rotate;

[0006] A linkage mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism is connected to the cold cover;

[0007] After the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the hot cover contacts the linkage mechanism, the hot cover pushes the linkage mechanism to move, and the linkage mechanism drives the cold cover to rotate in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module.

[0008] Preferably, the linkage mechanism includes an elastic member, and when the cold cover rotates in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module, the elastic member is deformed, and the elastic member always has a tendency to push the cold cover to rotate in a direction close to the PCR cold storage module.

[0009] Preferably, the linkage mechanism further includes a support and a linkage member, the cold cover is rotatably connected to the support via a rotating shaft, the linkage member is connected to the cold cover, and after the hot cover is rotated by a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the hot cover contacts the linkage mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the linkage member comprises a connecting block and a pressure rod, the connecting block is connected to the cold cover, the pressure rod is connected to a side of the connecting block close to the hot cover, and the length of the pressure rod is greater than the distance between the connecting block and the hot cover.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic member comprises a torsion spring.

[0012] Preferably, the first angle is 90 degrees, and the thermal cover contacts the linkage mechanism after rotating 90 degrees in a direction away from the PCR reaction module.

[0013] Preferably, when the hot cover rotates 180 degrees in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the cold cover is driven to rotate 90 degrees in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module.

[0014] Preferably, the driving mechanism comprises a flip motor and a mounting plate, the flip motor is mounted on the mounting plate, and the output end of the flip motor is connected to the thermal cover.

[0015] A PCR device comprises a PCR reaction module, a PCR refrigeration module, a base and a cover linkage mechanism as described in any one of the above items, wherein the driving mechanism, the PCR reaction module and the PCR refrigeration module are all installed on the base.

[0016] Preferably, the PCR device further comprises a controller and an actuator, and the controller controls the driving mechanism through the actuator to drive the heat cover to rotate at an angle.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the at least one technical solution adopted in the embodiments of this specification can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The movement of the hot cover and the cold cover can be achieved through a driving mechanism, which has low cost. After the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate a certain angle, the hot cover drives the cold cover to rotate through the linkage mechanism. The hot cover and the cold cover can be opened and closed at the same time, effectively reducing the evaporation of reagents during the test. At the same time, it has a high degree of modularity, a simple structure and high stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the PCR capping linkage mechanism provided in this application;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the cold cover of the PCR capping linkage mechanism provided by the present application when it is half-opened;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the PCR capping linkage mechanism provided by the present application when the cold cover is fully opened;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a second perspective structural schematic diagram of the PCR capping linkage mechanism provided by the present application when the cold cover is fully opened;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the linkage mechanism of the PCR cover linkage mechanism provided in the present application when the cold cover is driven to be fully opened;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the PCR capping linkage mechanism provided in the present application when the cold cover is closed.

[0026] In the figure, 1. PCR reaction module; 2. PCR refrigeration module; 3. hot cover; 4. cold cover; 5. driving mechanism; 51. flip motor; 52. mounting plate; 6. linkage mechanism; 61. elastic member; 62. support; 63. linkage member; 631. connecting block; 632. pressure rod; 7. base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The following describes the implementation methods of the present application through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the contents disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation methods, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0029] It should be noted that various aspects of the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It should be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any specific structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on the present application, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that an aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number and aspect described herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. In addition, other structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects described herein can be used to implement this device and / or practice this method.

[0030] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present application. The drawings only show components related to the present application rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component may be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout may also be more complicated.

[0031] Additionally, in the following description, specific details are provided to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aspects described may be practiced without these specific details.

[0032] In PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology, both the reaction module and the cold storage module play an important role, and these two modules together constitute the basic equipment of PCR experiments. The PCR reaction module is the core part of the PCR instrument, which is used to accommodate and heat the PCR reaction tube, so that the reaction solution undergoes steps such as denaturation, annealing and extension at a specific temperature, thereby achieving DNA amplification. In PCR experiments, the cold storage module is usually used to store PCR reaction solutions, primers, enzymes and other reagents, as well as samples before and after the experiment. The PCR reaction module and the PCR cold storage module need to be equipped with a hot cover and a cold cover. The hot cover and the cold cover of the current PCR instrument are generally driven independently by two motion units, and two actuators are required to control the two motion units respectively. The control logic is relatively complex and the cost is high.

[0033] The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, a PCR cover linkage mechanism includes a hot cover 3 and a cold cover 4, wherein the hot cover 3 is covered on the PCR reaction module 1, and the cold cover 4 is covered on the PCR cold storage module 2, and the cover linkage mechanism 6 also includes:

[0035] A driving mechanism 5, wherein the driving mechanism 5 is used to drive the thermal cover 3 to rotate;

[0036] A linkage mechanism 6, wherein the linkage mechanism 6 is connected to the cold cover 4;

[0037] Among them, after the driving mechanism 5 drives the hot cover 3 to rotate a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module 1, the hot cover 3 contacts the linkage mechanism 6, the hot cover 3 pushes the linkage mechanism 6 to move, and the linkage mechanism 6 drives the cold cover 4 to rotate in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module 2.

[0038] The hot cover 3 cooperates with the PCR reaction module 1, and the cold cover 4 cooperates with the PCR cold storage module 2. When primers need to be added during the PCR reaction, the hot cover 3 is driven to rotate relative to the PCR reaction module 1 by the driving mechanism 5, and the hot cover 3 is separated from the PCR reaction module 1. After the hot cover 3 rotates to a first angle, the side of the hot cover 3 away from the PCR reaction module 1 contacts the linkage mechanism 6. As the hot cover 3 continues to rotate in the direction away from the PCR reaction module 1, the hot cover 3 drives the cold cover 4 to rotate in the direction away from the PCR cold storage module 2 through the linkage mechanism 6, and the cold cover 4 is separated from the PCR cold storage module 2, so that the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 are opened at the same time, which can effectively reduce the evaporation of reagents such as primers during the experiment.

[0039] It should be noted that the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 can be opened separately or simultaneously. When it is necessary to open only the hot cover 3, the driving mechanism 5 can drive the hot cover 3 to rotate at an angle smaller than the first angle, and the hot cover 3 will not contact the linkage mechanism 6, so that the hot cover 3 can be opened separately. When it is necessary to open only the cold cover 4, the cold cover 4 can be opened manually separately.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the linkage mechanism 6 includes an elastic member 61. When the cold cover 4 rotates in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module 2, the elastic member 61 is deformed, and the elastic member 61 always has a tendency to push the cold cover 4 to rotate in a direction close to the PCR cold storage module 2. By setting the elastic member 61, when the linkage mechanism 6 drives the cold cover 4 to rotate and open, the elastic member 61 will be deformed. Under the elastic force of the elastic member 61, the cold cover 4 has a tendency to rotate in a direction close to the PCR cold storage module 2. When the primer addition is completed and the hot cover 3 is closed, under the action of the elastic member 61, the cold cover 4 also falls down, ensuring that the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 are closed at the same time.

[0041] like Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, the linkage mechanism 6 also includes a support 62 and a linkage member 63, the cold cover 4 is rotatably connected to the support 62 through a rotating shaft, and the linkage member 63 is connected to the cold cover 4. After the hot cover 3 rotates a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module 1, the hot cover 3 contacts the linkage mechanism 6. By setting the support 62 and the linkage member 63, the cold cover 4 is rotatably connected to the support 62 through a rotating shaft, the cold cover 4 can rotate relative to the support 62, and the linkage member 63 is fixedly connected to the cold cover 4. When the hot cover 3 rotates a first angle, the hot cover 3 contacts the linkage member 63. As the hot cover 3 continues to rotate, the hot cover 3 presses the linkage member 63 to move, and the linkage member 63 drives the cold cover 4 to rotate toward the direction of the PCR cold storage module 2, so that the cold cover 4 is separated from the PCR cold storage module 2, and the cold cover 4 and the hot cover 3 are opened at the same time, effectively reducing the evaporation of reagents during the experiment.

[0042] like Figure 5-Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the linkage member 63 includes a connecting block 631 and a pressing rod 632, the connecting block 631 is connected to the cold cover 4, the pressing rod 632 is connected to a side of the connecting block 631 close to the hot cover 3, the length of the pressing rod 632 is greater than the distance between the connecting block 631 and the hot cover 3, the connecting block 631 is fixedly connected to the cold cover 4, the pressing rod 632 is fixedly connected to the connecting block 631, and the pressing rod 632 extends toward the hot cover 3. When the hot cover 3 rotates to the first angle, the hot cover 3 contacts the pressing rod 632. As the hot cover 3 continues to rotate, the hot cover 3 drives the cold cover 4 to rotate through the pressing rod 632, so that both the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 are in an open state. At this time, the pipette can absorb the primer and add it to the PCR reaction module 1, which can effectively reduce the evaporation of reagents such as primers during the experiment.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the elastic member 61 includes a torsion spring. By using a torsion spring as the elastic member 61, the torsion spring can restore to its original state after being subjected to an external force, thereby ensuring that the cold cover 4 can return to its initial position (i.e., the position covered on the PCR refrigeration module 2) after being opened. At the same time, the cost is low and the service life is long.

[0044] like Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the first angle is 90 degrees, and the hot cover 3 contacts the linkage mechanism 6 after rotating 90 degrees in the direction away from the PCR reaction module 1. When the hot cover 3 rotates 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the side of the hot cover 3 away from the PCR reaction module 1 just contacts the linkage mechanism 6. When the hot cover 3 continues to rotate, the cold cover 4 is driven to rotate through the linkage mechanism 6.

[0045] like Figure 1-Figure 4As shown, in some embodiments, when the hot cover 3 rotates 180 degrees in the direction away from the PCR reaction module 1, it drives the cold cover 4 to rotate 90 degrees in the direction away from the PCR refrigeration module 2, and the hot cover 3 is driven by the driving mechanism 5 to perform a 180-degree flipping motion, so that the cold cover 4 can be opened 90 degrees, so that both the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 are in an open state.

[0046] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the driving mechanism 5 includes a flip motor 51 and a mounting plate 52, the flip motor 51 is mounted on the mounting plate 52, the output end of the flip motor 51 is connected to the heat cover 3, and the flip motor 51 drives the heat cover 3 to rotate, so that the heat cover 3 can perform a 180-degree flip movement.

[0047] See also Figure 1-Figure 6 Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present specification provides a PCR device, comprising a PCR reaction module 1, a PCR cold storage module 2, a base 7 and a cover linkage mechanism 6 as described in any one of the above items, wherein the driving mechanism 5, the PCR reaction module 1 and the PCR cold storage module 2 are all installed on the base 7, the PCR reaction module 1 and the PCR cold storage module 2 are installed on the base 7, so that the PCR reaction module 1 and the PCR cold storage module 2 are fixed, the flip motor 51 is installed on the base 7 through the mounting plate 52, and the support 62 is installed on the base 7.

[0048] In implementation, the PCR device also includes a controller and an actuator. The controller controls the driving mechanism 5 to drive the hot cover 3 to rotate through the actuator, and controls the movement of the hot cover 3 and the cold cover 4 through an actuator. When applied to automated equipment, one actuator drives two motion units (hot cover 3 and cold cover 4), which reduces costs. At the same time, simpler control logic can improve equipment stability.

[0049] The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the method embodiment described later, since it corresponds to the system, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the system embodiment.

[0050] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A PCR capping linkage mechanism, comprising a hot cover and a cold cover, wherein the hot cover is arranged on a PCR reaction module, and the cold cover is arranged on a PCR refrigeration module, characterized in that: The cover pressing linkage mechanism also includes: A driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the thermal cover to rotate; A linkage mechanism, wherein the linkage mechanism is connected to the cold cover; After the driving mechanism drives the hot cover to rotate a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the hot cover contacts the linkage mechanism, the hot cover pushes the linkage mechanism to move, and the linkage mechanism drives the cold cover to rotate in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module.

2. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage mechanism includes an elastic member. When the cold cover rotates in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module, the elastic member is deformed, and the elastic member always has a tendency to push the cold cover to rotate in a direction close to the PCR cold storage module.

3. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The linkage mechanism also includes a support and a linkage member. The cold cover is rotatably connected to the support via a rotating shaft. The linkage member is connected to the cold cover. After the hot cover rotates a first angle in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the hot cover contacts the linkage mechanism.

4. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The linkage member comprises a connecting block and a pressure rod, wherein the connecting block is connected to the cold cover, the pressure rod is connected to a side of the connecting block close to the hot cover, and the length of the pressure rod is greater than the distance between the connecting block and the hot cover.

5. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic member includes a torsion spring.

6. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first angle is 90 degrees, and the thermal cover contacts the linkage mechanism after rotating 90 degrees in a direction away from the PCR reaction module.

7. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the hot cover rotates 180 degrees in a direction away from the PCR reaction module, the cold cover is driven to rotate 90 degrees in a direction away from the PCR cold storage module.

8. The PCR capping linkage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism comprises a flip motor and a mounting plate, the flip motor is mounted on the mounting plate, and the output end of the flip motor is connected to the thermal cover.

9. A PCR device, characterized in that: It comprises a PCR reaction module, a PCR cold storage module, a base and a cover linkage mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the driving mechanism, the PCR reaction module and the PCR cold storage module are all installed on the base.

10. The PCR device according to claim 9, characterized in that The PCR device further comprises a controller and an actuator, wherein the controller controls the driving mechanism to drive the heat cover to rotate at an angle through the actuator.

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