Compression temperature control device and digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) detection equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a pressing temperature control device and digital PCR detection equipment, and relates to the technical field of nucleic acid detection. The pressing temperature control device comprises a shell, a temperature control mechanism, a pressing plate mechanism, a driving mechanism and a limiting check block. The temperature control mechanism is installed on the shell and used for bearing the reaction disc, the pressing plate mechanism and the driving mechanism are both rotatably installed on the shell, the driving mechanism is in transmission connection with the pressing plate mechanism, the driving mechanism is used for driving the pressing plate mechanism to rotate in the first direction so that the reaction disc can be pressed on the temperature control mechanism, and the limiting check block is installed on the shell. The driving mechanism is further used for rotating in the second direction until the pressing plate mechanism abuts against the limiting stop block after the pressing plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disc, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. According to the pressing temperature control device, continuous pressing of the reaction disc and the temperature control mechanism can be achieved, it is guaranteed that the reaction disc and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly attached, the heat conduction effect is enhanced, the heating and cooling rate is increased, and it is guaranteed that the temperature is evenly distributed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of nucleic acid detection, and in particular to a compression temperature control device and a digital PCR detection device. Background Art

[0002] Droplet digital PCR is an absolute quantitative PCR technology that mainly uses a droplet method to disperse a solution containing the target nucleic acid into a large number of oil-in-water droplets to form tens of thousands of independent micro-reaction systems of equal volume. The initial number of target nucleic acid templates in each droplet is 0, 1 or more. In this way, after the PCR cycle, the droplet with an initial target nucleic acid will give a fluorescent signal, and the droplet without the target nucleic acid will not have a fluorescent signal. The target nucleic acid concentration of the original solution can be inferred based on the relative proportion of the two droplet numbers and the mathematical correction of the Poisson distribution.

[0003] Droplet digital PCR requires thermal cycling (using a temperature control mechanism to cycle the droplets up and down). Current digital PCR detection equipment directly places the reaction plate containing the droplets on the heat-conducting surface of the temperature control mechanism, and uses the reaction plate's own gravity to fit the reaction plate and the heat-conducting surface to achieve the heat-conducting function. However, due to the light weight of the reaction plate, the reaction plate and the heat-conducting surface are not tightly fitted, the heat-conducting effect is poor, the heating and cooling rate is low, and the reaction plate and the heat-conducting surface are not evenly fitted, resulting in uneven temperature distribution at various locations on the reaction plate.

[0004] In view of this, it is particularly important to design and manufacture a compression temperature control device and a digital PCR detection device with high heating and cooling rates and uniform temperature distribution, especially in nucleic acid detection. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a compression temperature control device, which can realize continuous compression of a reaction disk and a temperature control mechanism, ensure that the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly fitted, enhance the heat conduction effect, increase the heating and cooling rate, and ensure uniform temperature distribution.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital PCR detection device that can achieve continuous compression of the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism, ensure that the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism fit tightly and evenly, enhance the thermal conductivity, increase the heating and cooling rate, and ensure uniform temperature distribution.

[0007] The present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions.

[0008] A compression temperature control device comprises a shell, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a driving mechanism and a limit stop block. The temperature control mechanism is installed on the shell, the temperature control mechanism is used to carry a reaction disk and control the temperature of the reaction disk. The pressure plate mechanism and the driving mechanism can be rotatably installed on the shell. The driving mechanism is connected to the pressure plate mechanism in a transmission manner. The driving mechanism is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate along a first direction to press the reaction disk onto the temperature control mechanism. The limit stop block is installed on the shell. The driving mechanism is also used to rotate along a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disk until it abuts against the limit stop block. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0009] Optionally, a travel switch is provided on the limit stopper, the travel switch is electrically connected to the driving mechanism, and the travel switch is used to control the driving mechanism to pause when the driving mechanism abuts against the limit stopper.

[0010] Optionally, the compression temperature control device also includes a tension spring, which is arranged on a side of the driving mechanism away from the limit stopper, one end of the tension spring is connected to the shell, and the other end is connected to the driving mechanism.

[0011] Optionally, the driving mechanism includes a driving motor, a reduction gearbox and an extension block. The reduction gearbox is rotatably connected to the shell, the input end of the reduction gearbox is connected to the driving motor, the output end of the reduction gearbox is transmission-connected to the pressure plate mechanism, the extension block is connected to one end of the driving motor away from the reduction gearbox, and the extension block is used to abut against a limit stop block.

[0012] Optionally, the compression temperature control device also includes a transmission mechanism, which includes a driving wheel, a transmission belt and a driven wheel. The driving mechanism is connected to the driving wheel, the driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel through the transmission belt, and the driven wheel is connected to the pressure plate mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, the pressure plate mechanism includes a lever arm, a pressure plate and a floating assembly, the lever arm is rotatably connected to the shell, the lever arm is connected to the pressure plate through the floating assembly, and the floating assembly is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate relative to the lever arm to ensure that the pressure plate presses the reaction disk flat.

[0014] Optionally, the floating assembly includes a positioning block, a pin shaft, a first spring and a second spring. The positioning block is fixedly connected to the pressure plate. The pin shaft passes through the positioning block and the lever arm at the same time so that the lever arm can rotate relative to the positioning block. The first spring and the second spring are relatively arranged on both sides of the pin shaft. One end of the first spring and the second spring are both against the pressure plate, and the other end are both against the lever arm.

[0015] Optionally, the pressing plate is provided with a clearance groove, and the side wall of the clearance groove is provided with an electric clamping claw, the clearance groove is used for the disc cover to extend into, and the electric clamping claw is used to clamp the disc cover.

[0016] Optionally, the temperature control mechanism includes a heating and cooling element, a heat conducting plate, a temperature sensor and a radiator. The heating and cooling element and the radiator are both installed on the shell and connected to the heat conducting plate. The heat conducting plate is used to support the reaction disk. The temperature sensor is connected to the heat conducting plate and is used to detect the real-time temperature of the heat conducting plate.

[0017] A digital PCR detection device comprises the above-mentioned pressing and temperature control device, which comprises a shell, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a driving mechanism and a limit stopper. The temperature control mechanism is installed on the shell, and the temperature control mechanism is used to carry a reaction disk and control the temperature of the reaction disk. The pressure plate mechanism and the driving mechanism can be rotatably installed on the shell, and the driving mechanism is connected to the pressure plate mechanism in a transmission manner. The driving mechanism is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate along a first direction to press the reaction disk onto the temperature control mechanism. The limit stopper is installed on the shell, and the driving mechanism is also used to rotate along a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disk until it abuts against the limit stopper. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0018] The compression temperature control device and digital PCR detection equipment provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The compression temperature control device provided by the present invention has a temperature control mechanism installed on a shell, the temperature control mechanism is used to carry a reaction disk and control the temperature of the reaction disk, the pressure plate mechanism and the driving mechanism can be rotatably installed on the shell, the driving mechanism is connected to the pressure plate mechanism in a transmission manner, the driving mechanism is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate along a first direction to press the reaction disk onto the temperature control mechanism, the limit stopper is installed on the shell, and the driving mechanism is also used to rotate along a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disk, until it abuts against the limit stopper, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. Compared with the prior art, the compression temperature control device provided by the present invention adopts a driving mechanism that is rotatably installed on the shell and is connected to the pressure plate mechanism in a transmission manner, so it can achieve continuous compression of the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism, ensure that the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism fit tightly and evenly, enhance the heat conduction effect, increase the heating and cooling rate, and ensure uniform temperature distribution.

[0020] The digital PCR detection equipment provided by the present invention includes a compression temperature control device, which can achieve continuous compression of the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism, ensure that the reaction disk and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly fitted, enhance the heat conduction effect, increase the heating and cooling rate, and ensure uniform temperature distribution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a compression temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram showing a perspective of the transmission connection between a driving mechanism and a pressing plate mechanism in a pressing and temperature controlling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of another perspective of the transmission connection between the driving mechanism and the pressing plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the pressing plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention during the rotation process;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure when the driving mechanism in the compression temperature control device provided by an embodiment of the present invention rotates to abut against the limit stopper;

[0027] Figure 6 An exploded view of a pressing plate mechanism in a pressing and temperature controlling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a pressing plate mechanism in a pressing and temperature controlling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 An exploded view of the cooperation between the pressing plate mechanism and the plate cover in the pressing and temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 9 An exploded view of a temperature control mechanism in a compression temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the bonding of a reaction disk and a disk cover in a compression temperature control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Icons: 100-pressing temperature control device; 110-housing; 111-substrate; 120-temperature control mechanism; 121-heating and cooling element; 122-heat conducting plate; 123-temperature sensor; 124-heat sink; 130-pressing plate mechanism; 131-lever arm; 1311-first limiting groove; 132-pressing plate; 1321-giving groove; 1322-electric clamp; 1323-second limiting groove; 133-floating assembly; 1331-positioning block; 1332-pin shaft; 1333-first spring; 1334-second spring; 140-driving mechanism; 141-driving motor; 142-reduction gearbox; 143-extension block; 150-limit block; 160-tension spring; 170-transmission mechanism; 171-driving wheel; 172-transmission belt; 173-driven wheel; 200-reaction disk; 201-disk body; 202-flexible membrane; 210-disk cover; 211-transparent layer; 212-hanging ear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0034] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "inside", "outside", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", etc. indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "connect", "install", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0038] Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the features of the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The embodiment of the present invention provides a digital PCR detection device (not shown) for nucleic acid detection. It can realize continuous compression of the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, ensure that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly attached, enhance the heat conduction effect, increase the heating and cooling rate, and ensure uniform temperature distribution.

[0040] The digital PCR detection equipment includes a liquid dripping device (not shown), a compression temperature control device 100 and a microscopic photography device (not shown). The liquid dripping device is used to make a large number of oil-in-water droplets (test droplets) from the original solution in a sample, and inject these test droplets into the reaction plate 200 placed on the compression temperature control device 100; the compression temperature control device 100 is used to perform a temperature rise and fall cycle on these test droplets through the reaction plate 200. Each time a temperature rise and fall cycle is performed, the number of target nucleic acids in each test droplet doubles, and this is repeated to greatly increase the number of trace target nucleic acids; the microscopic photography device is used to photograph and measure all the test droplets after the temperature rise and fall cycle is completed. The test droplets with target nucleic acids initially will give a fluorescent signal, and the test droplets without target nucleic acids will not have a fluorescent signal. According to the relative proportion of the two test droplets and the mathematical correction of the Poisson distribution, the target nucleic acid concentration of the original solution in the corresponding sample can be calculated.

[0041] The compression temperature control device 100 includes a housing 110, a temperature control mechanism 120, a pressure plate mechanism 130, a driving mechanism 140 and a limit stopper 150. The temperature control mechanism 120 is installed on the housing 110, and the temperature control mechanism 120 is used to carry the reaction disk 200 and control the temperature of the reaction disk 200. The reaction disk 200 is used to hold the droplets to be tested, and the temperature control mechanism 120 is used to heat or cool the droplets to be tested through the reaction disk 200 to achieve the temperature rise and fall cycle function of the droplets to be tested. The pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 can both be rotatably installed on the housing 110, and the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 can both rotate relative to the housing 110. Specifically, the driving mechanism 140 is connected to the pressure plate mechanism 130 in a transmission manner, and the driving mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate along a first direction to hold the reaction disk 200 on the temperature control mechanism 120, thereby pressing the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120. The limit stopper 150 is installed on the shell 110, and the driving mechanism 140 is also used to rotate in the second direction after the pressure plate mechanism 130 abuts against the reaction disk 200, until it abuts against the limit stopper 150. At this time, the limit stopper 150 can stop and limit the driving mechanism 140 to prevent the driving mechanism 140 from continuing to rotate in the second direction. In this case, the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 are both subjected to resistance and remain motionless, and the entire pressing and temperature control device 100 remains in its original state unchanged, so as to achieve continuous pressing of the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, and ensure that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly fitted, thereby enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0042] Furthermore, the housing 110 includes a base plate 111, and the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 are relatively arranged on both sides of the base plate 111, and are both rotatably connected to the base plate 111, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. Specifically, during the operation of the compression temperature control device 100, the driving mechanism 140 first drives the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate in the first direction to press the reaction disk 200 on the temperature control mechanism 120; when the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are pressed, the pressure plate mechanism 130 is forced to stop rotating, but at this time the driving mechanism 140 still keeps rotating, and relies on the reaction force to make the driving mechanism 140 rotate in the second direction until it abuts against the limit stopper 150.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first direction is counterclockwise, and the second direction is clockwise, but it is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the first direction may be clockwise, and the second direction is counterclockwise.

[0044] Preferably, a travel switch (not shown) is provided on the limit stop 150, and the travel switch is electrically connected to the driving mechanism 140. The travel switch is used to control the driving mechanism 140 to pause when the driving mechanism 140 abuts against the limit stop 150, so as to avoid mechanical loss caused by continuous ineffective rotation of the driving mechanism 140 and save energy.

[0045] Preferably, the compression temperature control device 100 further includes a tension spring 160, and the driving mechanism 140 has a self-locking function. The tension spring 160 is arranged on the side of the driving mechanism 140 away from the limit stopper 150, one end of the tension spring 160 is connected to the housing 110, and the other end is connected to the driving mechanism 140. The tension spring 160 is always in a stretched state, and can apply elastic force to the driving mechanism 140, so that the driving mechanism 140 has a tendency to rotate in a first direction, that is, the driving mechanism 140 has a tendency to rotate in a direction away from the limit stopper 150, so that the pressing plate mechanism 130 connected to the driving mechanism 140 has a tendency to rotate in the first direction, and then the pressing plate mechanism 130 continuously applies pressure to the reaction disk 200, so as to realize continuous compression of the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, and ensure that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly fitted.

[0046] The driving mechanism 140 includes a driving motor 141, a reduction box 142 and an extension block 143. The reduction box 142 is rotatably connected to the housing 110, and the reduction box 142 can rotate relative to the base plate 111 of the housing 110. The input end of the reduction box 142 is connected to the driving motor 141, and the output end of the reduction box 142 is transmission-connected to the pressing plate mechanism 130. The driving motor 141 is used to drive the pressing plate mechanism 130 to rotate through the reduction box 142. The reduction box 142 is used to reduce the speed, increase the torque, and realize the self-locking function. The extension block 143 is connected to one end of the driving motor 141 away from the reduction box 142, and is connected to the tension spring 160. The extension block 143 is used to abut against the limit block 150. The limit block 150 can stop and limit the extension block 143, thereby stopping and limiting the entire driving mechanism 140. The extension block 143 can contact the travel switch on the limit block 150 to control the driving motor 141 to pause through the travel switch.

[0047] Preferably, the compression temperature control device 100 further includes a transmission mechanism 170. The transmission mechanism 170 includes a driving wheel 171, a transmission belt 172 and a driven wheel 173. The reduction box 142 of the driving mechanism 140 is connected to the driving wheel 171. The driving wheel 171 is connected to the driven wheel 173 through the transmission belt 172. The driven wheel 173 is connected to the pressing plate mechanism 130. The driving mechanism 140 can drive the driving wheel 171 to rotate, thereby driving the driven wheel 173 to rotate through the transmission belt 172, and then driving the pressing plate mechanism 130 to rotate. Among them, the driving wheel 171 and the driven wheel 173 are relatively arranged on both sides of the substrate 111, and the transmission belt 172 is arranged through the substrate 111 to realize the function that the driving mechanism 140 and the pressing plate mechanism 130 are respectively on both sides of the substrate 111 and rotate relative to the substrate 111.

[0048] It should be noted that during the operation of the compression temperature control device 100, the driving motor 141 first drives the driving wheel 171 to rotate in the first direction through the reduction box 142, so as to drive the driven wheel 173 to rotate in the first direction through the transmission belt 172, thereby driving the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate in the first direction, so as to press the reaction disk 200 on the temperature control mechanism 120; when the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are compressed, the pressure plate mechanism 130 is forced to stop rotating, the driven wheel 173 stops rotating, and the transmission belt 172 and the driving wheel 171 both stop rotating, but at this time the driving motor 141 still keeps rotating, and the driving mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the driving motor 141, the reduction box 142 and the extension block 143) rotates in the second direction by relying on the reaction force. In this process, the extension block 143 is rotated in the second direction. Block 143 continuously pulls the tension spring 160 to stretch and deform; when the extension block 143 abuts against the limit stopper 150, the extension block 143 contacts the travel switch to control the drive motor 141 to pause. At this time, the drive motor 141 no longer outputs power. Through the self-locking characteristics of the reduction box 142 and the elastic force of the tension spring 160, the drive mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the drive motor 141, the reduction box 142 and the extension block 143) has a tendency to rotate in the first direction, that is, the driving wheel 171, the transmission belt 172 and the driven wheel 173 all have a tendency to rotate in the first direction, so that the pressure plate mechanism 130 has a tendency to rotate in the first direction, and then continuously applies pressure to the reaction disk 200 to ensure that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are always in a compressed state.

[0049] When the heating and cooling cycle is completed, the driving motor 141 drives the active wheel 171 to rotate in the second direction through the reduction box 142, so as to drive the driven wheel 173 to rotate in the second direction through the transmission belt 172. During this process, the driving mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the driving motor 141, the reduction box 142 and the extension block 143) is first rotated in the first direction, and the tension spring 160 is continuously contracted and reset until the driving mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the driving motor 141, the reduction box 142 and the extension block 143) is in contact with the substrate 111; then the pressure plate mechanism 130 is rotated in the second direction to make way for the reaction disk 200 to facilitate microscopic photography of the reaction disk 200.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The pressure plate mechanism 130 includes a lever arm 131, a pressure plate 132 and a floating assembly 133. The lever arm 131 is rotatably connected to the base plate 111 of the housing 110, and the lever arm 131 can rotate relative to the base plate 111. The lever arm 131 is connected to the pressure plate 132 through the floating assembly 133, and the floating assembly 133 is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate 132 relative to the lever arm 131 to ensure that the pressure plate 132 presses the reaction disk 200 flatly, thereby ensuring that the pressure applied by the pressure plate 132 to the reaction disk 200 is uniform, and further ensuring that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly fitted.

[0051] The floating assembly 133 includes a positioning block 1331, a pin 1332, a first spring 1333 and a second spring 1334. The positioning block 1331 is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 132, and the pin 1332 is arranged through the positioning block 1331 and the lever arm 131 at the same time, so that the lever arm 131 can rotate relative to the positioning block 1331, so that the pressure plate 132 has a certain free rotation space around the pin 1332 relative to the lever arm 131. Specifically, the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are arranged on both sides of the pin 1332, one end of the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are both against the pressure plate 132, and the other end of the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are both against the lever arm 131, the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are both in a compressed state, and the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 can apply elastic force to the pressure plate 132.

[0052] When the pressure plate 132 does not apply pressure to the reaction disk 200, since the elastic forces of the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are the same, the pressure plate 132 and the lever arm 131 always remain in a parallel state, thereby preventing the pressure plate 132 from rotating arbitrarily due to the change in the center of gravity caused by the rotation of the lever arm 131, thereby ensuring the clamping effect; when the pressure plate 132 applies pressure to the reaction disk 200, since the height of the reaction disk 200 has a certain manufacturing error (some reaction disks 200 are higher, and some reaction disks 200 are lower), the pressure position of the pressure plate 132 on the reaction disk 200 will be different in height. At this time, since the pin shaft 1332 is simultaneously rotated with the positioning block 1331 and the lever arm 131, the floating assembly 133 provides the pressure plate 132 with a certain degree of rotational freedom, so as to adaptively eliminate the slight non-parallelism between the lever arm 131 and the reaction disk 200 during clamping, thereby ensuring that the reaction disk 200 is evenly pressed.

[0053] On the contrary, if the lever arm 131 is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 132 (without the floating assembly 133), when the height of the reaction disk 200 is relatively low, the lever arm 131 will rotate excessively, at which time the distal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end away from the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will contact the reaction disk 200, while the proximal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end close to the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will not contact the reaction disk 200; and when the height of the reaction disk 200 is relatively high, the lever arm 131 will not rotate properly, at which time the proximal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end close to the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will contact the reaction disk 200, while the distal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end away from the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will not contact the reaction disk 200; both situations will cause the pressure applied by the pressure plate 132 to the reaction disk 200 to be uneven, thereby causing uneven temperature distribution in the reaction disk 200.

[0054] In this embodiment, the number of the positioning blocks 1331, the pin shaft 1332, the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are all two, the two positioning blocks 1331 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, and are relatively arranged at the two ends of the pressing plate 132, each pin shaft 1332 passes through the lever arm 131 and a positioning block 1331, and each first spring 1333 and a second spring 1334 are relatively arranged on both sides of a pin shaft 1332. The two positioning blocks 1331, the two pin shafts 1332, the two first springs 1333 and the two second springs 1334 act together to further improve the uniformity of the pressure applied by the pressing plate 132 to the reaction disk 200, and ensure that the reaction disk 200 is uniformly pressurized.

[0055] In this embodiment, the lever arm 131 is provided with four first limiting grooves 1311, and the pressure plate 132 is provided with four second limiting grooves 1323. The positions of the four first limiting grooves 1311 correspond to the positions of the four second limiting grooves 1323, and are distributed in a rectangular array. The first limiting groove 1311 is used to limit one end of the first spring 1333 or the second limiting groove 1323, and the second limiting groove 1323 is used to limit the other end of the first spring 1333 or the second limiting groove 1323.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 8 Preferably, the reaction disk 200 is covered with a disk cover 210, and a transparent layer 211 (made of glass, plastic or resin material) is provided at the bottom of the disk cover 210 to achieve the purpose of thinning the oil layer and facilitating optical photography after amplification, and the droplets to be tested are arranged between the reaction disk 200 and the disk cover 210. Further, the pressing plate 132 is provided with a clearance groove 1321, and the side wall of the clearance groove 1321 is provided with an electric clamp 1322, the clearance groove 1321 is used for the disk cover 210 to extend into, and the electric clamp 1322 is used to clamp the disk cover 210 to fix the relative position of the disk cover 210 and the pressing plate 132, so that the pressing plate 132 drives the disk cover 210 to press the reaction disk 200.

[0057] Specifically, the two sides of the disk cover 210 are respectively provided with hanging ears 212, and the hanging ears 212 are used to be clamped by the electric clamping claws 1322, and the contact position of the disk cover 210 with the reaction disk 200 is coated with adhesive. During the operation of the compacting temperature control device 100, the reaction disk 200 is first placed on the temperature control mechanism 120; then the electric clamping claws 1322 are opened, and the disk cover 210 is extended into the clearance groove 1321; then the electric clamping claws 1322 are closed, and the hanging ears 212 are clamped and fixed by the electric clamping claws 1322; then the driving mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressing plate 132 to rotate, so as to synchronously drive the disk cover 210 to rotate, so as to press the disk cover 210 on the reaction disk 200, and press the reaction disk 200 on the temperature control mechanism 120. In this process, since the disk cover 210 is coated with adhesive, the disk cover 210 and the reaction disk 200 can be fixed by adhesive bonding. When the temperature rise and fall cycle is completed, the electric clamp 1322 is first opened to prevent the subsequent pressing plate 132 from taking away the disk cover 210; then the driving mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressing plate 132 to reverse to make way for the combination of the disk cover 210 and the reaction disk 200 to facilitate its removal.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention adopts a rotational pressing method to press the reaction disk 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120, and also has the following advantages: since the pressure plate mechanism 130 is rotationally pressed, before the reaction disk 200 is completely pressed, there is a certain inclination angle between the disk cover 210 and the reaction disk 200, and the inclination angle is constantly changing. Therefore, the air between the disk cover 210 and the reaction disk 200 can be completely pressed out by controlling the rotational pressing speed of the pressure plate mechanism 130, thereby avoiding the generation of bubbles between the disk cover 210 and the reaction disk 200, and the bubble removal effect is good.

[0059] Please refer to Fig. 9 The temperature control mechanism 120 includes a temperature rise and fall element 121, a heat conducting plate 122, a temperature sensor 123 and a radiator 124. The temperature rise and fall element 121 and the radiator 124 are both mounted on the housing 110 and are both connected to the heat conducting plate 122. The temperature rise and fall element 121 is used to heat or cool the heat conducting plate 122, and the radiator 124 is used to cool the heat conducting plate 122. The heat conducting plate 122 is used to carry the reaction plate 200, and the heat conducting plate 122 can heat or cool the droplets to be measured through the reaction plate 200. The temperature sensor 123 is connected to the heat conducting plate 122, and the temperature sensor 123 is used to detect the real-time temperature of the heat conducting plate 122, and feedback to the controller to form a closed-loop temperature control to improve the accuracy of temperature control. The controller can control the temperature rise and fall element 121 and the radiator 124 according to the real-time temperature of the heat conducting plate 122 to realize the temperature rise and fall cycle function of the droplets to be measured.

[0060] In this embodiment, the temperature rise and fall element 121 is a Peltier element, and the radiator 124 is an air-cooled radiator 124. However, this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the temperature rise and fall element 121 may be a resistor, and the radiator 124 may be a water-cooled radiator. The types of the temperature rise and fall element 121 and the radiator 124 are not specifically limited.

[0061] Please refer to Fig.10Preferably, the compression temperature control device 100 further includes a vacuum pump (not shown). The reaction disk 200 includes a disk body 201 and a flexible membrane 202. The bottom of the disk body 201 is hollowed out, and the flexible membrane 202 is connected to the bottom of the disk body 201. The flexible membrane 202 is used to carry the droplets to be tested, and the temperature control mechanism 120 is used to heat or cool the droplets to be tested through the flexible membrane 202. Specifically, when the reaction disk 200 is normally placed on the heat conducting plate 122, there will inevitably be a gap between the heat conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202, so that the contact between the heat conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202 is uneven, thereby causing the heat transfer from the heat conducting plate 122 to the flexible membrane 202 to be not fast and uniform enough. Therefore, the heat conducting plate 122 is provided with an exhaust hole (not shown), and the vacuum pump is connected to the exhaust hole. The vacuum pump is used to extract the air between the flexible membrane 202 and the heat conducting plate 122 so that the flexible membrane 202 and the heat conducting plate 122 can fit tightly together, eliminate the gap between the heat conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202, improve the heat transfer efficiency, thereby increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0062] It should be noted that the driving mechanism 140 drives the pressing plate mechanism 130 to press the disk body 201 of the reaction disk 200 onto the heat conducting plate 122 of the temperature control mechanism 120. On the one hand, it can ensure that the disk body 201 and the heat conducting plate 122 are tightly and evenly fitted, thereby enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution. On the other hand, it can eliminate the gap between the disk body 201 and the heat conducting plate 122, improve the air tightness, and ensure that a stable vacuum field is formed between the heat conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202, thereby improving the vacuuming effect, ensuring that the flexible membrane 202 and the heat conducting plate 122 are tightly fitted, further enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0063] In this embodiment, the reaction tray 200 includes a tray body 201 and a flexible film 202, the flexible film 202 is connected to the bottom of the tray body 201, and the tray body 201 and the flexible film 202 are closely attached to the heat conducting plate 122 (the flexible film 202 is closely attached to the heat conducting plate 122 by vacuuming). However, this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the reaction tray 200 can be an integral structure, and the bottom of the reaction tray 200 can be a glass plate or an aluminum plate. The structure and material of the reaction tray 200 are not specifically limited.

[0064] It should be noted that, during the use of the compacting temperature control device 100, the reaction disk 200 is first placed on the heat conducting plate 122; then the vacuum pump is started to extract the air between the flexible film 202 and the heat conducting plate 122, so that the flexible film 202 and the heat conducting plate 122 are closely attached; then the disk cover 210 coated with adhesive is installed into the clearance groove 1321 of the pressing plate 132, and the disk cover 210 is clamped and fixed by the electric clamp 1322; then the droplet to be tested is injected into the reaction disk 140; then the driving mechanism 140 is started to drive the pressing plate mechanism 130 to rotate along the first direction through the transmission mechanism 170, so as to The disk cover 210 is pressed against the reaction disk 200, and the reaction disk 200 is pressed against the heat conducting plate 122. During this process, the floating assembly 133 adjusts the posture of the pressure plate 132 relative to the lever arm 131 to ensure that the pressure plate 132 presses the reaction disk 200 flatly. Thereafter, the driving mechanism 140 rotates in the second direction until it abuts against the limit stopper 150, and the driving mechanism 140 is paused by controlling the travel switch. Then, the temperature control mechanism 120 is started to perform a temperature rise and fall cycle operation on the droplets to be tested in the reaction disk 200, so as to facilitate subsequent observation and measurement, thereby realizing the nucleic acid detection function.

[0065] The compression temperature control device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a temperature control mechanism 120 installed on the shell 110, the temperature control mechanism 120 is used to carry the reaction disk 200 and control the temperature of the reaction disk 200, the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 can be rotatably installed on the shell 110, the driving mechanism 140 is transmission-connected with the pressure plate mechanism 130, the driving mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate along a first direction to press the reaction disk 200 on the temperature control mechanism 120, the limit stopper 150 is installed on the shell 110, and the driving mechanism 140 is also used to rotate along a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism 130 abuts against the reaction disk 200, until it abuts against the limit stopper 150, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. Compared with the prior art, the compression temperature control device 100 provided by the present invention adopts a driving mechanism 140 that is rotatably mounted on the housing 110 and is transmission-connected to the pressing plate mechanism 130, so that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 can be continuously compressed, ensuring that the reaction disk 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly fitted, enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution. This makes the digital PCR detection equipment have high detection efficiency and good detection effect.

[0066] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compacting temperature control device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a driving mechanism and a limit stopper, wherein the temperature control mechanism is installed on the shell, the temperature control mechanism is used to carry a reaction disk and perform temperature control on the reaction disk, the pressure plate mechanism and the driving mechanism are both rotatably installed on the shell, the driving mechanism is transmission-connected with the pressure plate mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate along a first direction to press the reaction disk onto the temperature control mechanism, the limit stopper is installed on the shell, and the driving mechanism is also used to rotate along a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disk until it abuts against the limit stopper, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

2. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limit stopper is provided with a travel switch, the travel switch is electrically connected to the driving mechanism, and the travel switch is used to control the driving mechanism to pause when the driving mechanism abuts against the limit stopper.

3. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compression temperature control device also includes a tension spring, which is arranged on a side of the driving mechanism away from the limit stopper, one end of the tension spring is connected to the shell, and the other end is connected to the driving mechanism.

4. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism includes a driving motor, a reduction gearbox and an extension block. The reduction gearbox is rotationally connected to the shell, the input end of the reduction gearbox is connected to the driving motor, the output end of the reduction gearbox is transmission-connected to the pressure plate mechanism, the extension block is connected to one end of the driving motor away from the reduction gearbox, and the extension block is used to abut against the limit stop block.

5. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compression temperature control device also includes a transmission mechanism, which includes a driving wheel, a transmission belt and a driven wheel. The driving mechanism is connected to the driving wheel, the driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel through the transmission belt, and the driven wheel is connected to the pressure plate mechanism.

6. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure plate mechanism includes a lever arm, a pressure plate and a floating assembly. The lever arm is rotatably connected to the shell, and the lever arm is connected to the pressure plate through the floating assembly. The floating assembly is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate relative to the lever arm to ensure that the pressure plate presses the reaction disk flatly.

7. The compression temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The floating assembly includes a positioning block, a pin shaft, a first spring and a second spring. The positioning block is fixedly connected to the pressure plate. The pin shaft passes through the positioning block and the lever arm at the same time so that the lever arm can rotate relative to the positioning block. The first spring and the second spring are relatively arranged on both sides of the pin shaft. One end of the first spring and the second spring are both against the pressure plate, and the other end is against the lever arm.

8. The compression temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pressing plate is provided with a clearance groove, and the side wall of the clearance groove is provided with an electric clamping claw. The clearance groove is used for the disc cover to extend into, and the electric clamping claw is used for clamping the disc cover.

9. The compression temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control mechanism includes a temperature rising and falling element, a heat conducting plate, a temperature sensor and a radiator. The temperature rising and falling element and the radiator are both installed on the shell and connected to the heat conducting plate. The heat conducting plate is used to carry the reaction disk. The temperature sensor is connected to the heat conducting plate and is used to detect the real-time temperature of the heat conducting plate.

10. A digital PCR detection device, characterized in that: It comprises a compression temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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