Automatic droplet generation equipment and detection system

Abstract

The invention provides automatic droplet generation equipment and a detection system. The automatic droplet generation equipment comprises a controller, a dispatching mechanism, a first carrying table, a second carrying table and a pressurizing assembly, the first carrying table is used for placing a micro-fluidic chip, and the second carrying table is used for placing a bearing tube; the controller controls the scheduling mechanism to place the micro-fluidic chip and the bearing tube on the corresponding carrying tables and then controls the first carrying table and the second carrying table to move relatively, and after the second carrying table is arranged corresponding to the first carrying table, the pressurizing assembly is controlled to apply pressure to the micro-fluidic chip to generate liquid drops; after the liquid drops are collected by the bearing tube, the first carrying table and the second carrying table are controlled to move relatively, and after the first carrying table and the second carrying table are separately arranged, the scheduling mechanism is controlled to move the micro-fluidic chip out of the first carrying table, and / or the scheduling mechanism is controlled to transport the bearing tube out of the second carrying table. According to the automatic droplet generation equipment provided by the invention, the automatic transfer process of the bearing tube and the micro-fluidic chip can be realized, and the automation degree of the automatic droplet generation equipment is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of microfluidics technology, and in particular to an automatic droplet generation device and a detection system. Background Art

[0002] The droplet-based digital polymerase chain reaction (DPCR) technology combines microfluidic chip technology with polymerase chain reaction technology. Before traditional PCR amplification, the sample is processed into droplets, that is, the reaction system containing nucleic acid molecules is divided into thousands of oil-in-water droplets using an automatic droplet generation device, that is, thousands of independent PCR reaction systems. It is simple to operate and consumes little sample. It has been widely used in protein crystallization, cell analysis, rapid enzyme reaction kinetics research, digital PCR, gene sequencing and other detection processes.

[0003] However, in the prior art, the automatic droplet generation equipment in the detection system has a low degree of automation, and manual operation is frequently involved, which cannot ensure the rapid, efficient and accurate generation of droplets in the detection system. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic droplet generation device and a detection system. The processes of loading, transporting and removing the carrier tube and the microfluidic chip in the automatic droplet generation device can be automatically realized. The automatic droplet generation device has a high degree of automation and less manual participation, which is conducive to improving the rapidity, efficiency and accuracy of droplet generation in the detection system.

[0005] In the first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a liquid droplet automatic generation device. The liquid droplet automatic generation device includes a housing, a controller, and a scheduling mechanism and a liquid droplet generation mechanism disposed on the housing; the liquid droplet generation mechanism includes a first carrier, a second carrier, and a pressurizing component, the first carrier is separately disposed from the second carrier, the first carrier, the second carrier, and the pressurizing component are all located in the housing, the first carrier and / or the second carrier are movably connected to the base of the housing, the first carrier is used to place at least one microfluidic sub-chip, and the second carrier is used to place at least one carrier tube;

[0006] The controller is configured to control the scheduling mechanism to place the microfluidic chip on the first carrier, and the controller controls the scheduling mechanism to place the carrier tube on the second carrier;

[0007] After the microfluidic chip and the supporting tube are respectively arranged on the first carrier and the second carrier, the first carrier is controlled to move relative to the second carrier until the second carrier is arranged corresponding to the first carrier, and the pressurizing component is controlled to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip placed on the first carrier to generate droplets; after the supporting tube collects the droplets, the controller also controls the first carrier and the second carrier to move relative to each other again until the first carrier is separated from the second carrier, and the controller controls the scheduling mechanism to move the microfluidic chip out of the first carrier, and / or the controller controls the scheduling mechanism to move the supporting tube out of the second carrier.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the pressurizing component is movably connected to the base, and the controller controls the pressurizing component to directly or indirectly drive the first carrier to move toward one side of the second carrier, so that the droplet outlet of the microfluidic chip extends into the corresponding carrier tube.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the pressurizing component includes a pressurizing member and a supporting seat, the supporting seat is connected to the base, and the pressurizing member can move along a first direction relative to the supporting seat, the pressurizing member is used to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip, and the pressurizing member moves along the first direction to press against the microfluidic chip to push the first carrier to move along the first direction; wherein the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the droplet generating mechanism further includes a linkage component, which connects the pressurizing component and the first carrier; when the pressurizing component moves toward the first carrier along the second direction, the linkage component is used to move the first carrier toward the second carrier; wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the droplet generating mechanism further includes a stopper, the first carrier is movably connected to the stopper, and the stopper is connected between the base and the first carrier, the pressurizing assembly includes a bearing seat, the bearing seat is movably connected to the base along the second direction, a linkage block is provided on the bearing seat, the linkage assembly includes a connecting rod, a first end of the connecting rod abuts against a side of the first carrier toward the base, a second end of the connecting rod abuts against a side of the linkage block toward the base, and a middle portion of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the stopper;

[0012] When the bearing seat moves away from the first platform along the second direction, the first end of the connecting rod pushes the first platform to move away from the base. When the bearing seat moves closer to the first platform, the first end of the connecting rod rotates toward the base, and the first platform falls.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the droplet generating mechanism further includes an elastic member, which is elastically connected between the first carrier and the base; after the pressurizing component applies pressure to the microfluidic chip, the pressurizing component moves along a first direction toward a side away from the base, and the elastic member is used to push the first carrier to move toward a side away from the base; wherein the first direction is parallel to an arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the automatic droplet generation device further includes a refueling component, and the refueling component is connected to the pressurizing component;

[0015] The controller is configured to control the refueling component and the pressurizing component to move along the second direction to one side of the first carrier, and control the refueling component to refuel the microfluidic chip, and then control the pressurizing component to move along the first direction and apply pressure to the microfluidic chip to generate droplets; wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first carrier is used to place at least two microfluidic sub-chips, and the second carrier is used to place at least two supporting tubes; the control is configured to control the second carrier to move relative to the first carrier after one supporting tube of the second carrier collects droplets, and move another supporting tube of the second carrier to below the droplet outlet of another microfluidic sub-chip to collect droplets.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second carrier is movably connected to the base along a second direction, and the first carrier is movably connected to the base along a first direction; the controller is configured to control the first carrier to move along the first direction away from the base after one of the supporting tubes of the second carrier collects the droplets, and control the second carrier to move along the second direction to move the other supporting tube of the second carrier to below the droplet outlet of another microfluidic sub-chip, the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the automatic droplet generation device also includes a loading platform, which is used to place the microfluidic chip and / or the carrier tube; the automatic droplet generation device also includes an information recognition mechanism, and the controller is configured to control the scheduling mechanism to transport the microfluidic chip and / or the carrier tube placed on the loading platform to the information recognition mechanism for information recognition, so as to associate the information of the microfluidic chip and / or the carrier tube, and place the microfluidic chip and / or the carrier tube that have completed information recognition on the corresponding carrier respectively.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a detection system. The detection system includes a droplet automatic generation device in any of the above implementations, and an amplification analysis device or a sample pre-processing device connected to the droplet automatic generation device;

[0020] The shell is provided with a transfer window; the controller is configured to control the scheduling mechanism to place the microfluidic chip transferred from the sample pre-treatment device through the transfer window on the first carrier; and / or to transfer the carrying tube after collecting the droplets to the amplification analysis device through the transfer window.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present application, the controller can control the scheduling mechanism to transfer the microfluidic chip and the carrier tube to the corresponding carrier, and can also control the coordination between the structures within the automatic droplet generation device before and after the pressurization process. After the carrier tube collects the droplets, the controller can also control the scheduling mechanism to move the carrier tube out of the second carrier, effectively improving the degree of automation of the automatic droplet generation device, avoiding the operator's manual transfer of the carrier tube, and improving the efficiency and reliability of the detection system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of an automatic droplet generation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of the automatic droplet generation device in some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a scheduling mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0025] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the coordination between the partial structure of the scheduling mechanism and the microfluidic chip in some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 5 Yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the cooperation between a partial structure of the dispatching mechanism and a supporting tube in some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a droplet generating mechanism provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the application of the droplet generating mechanism shown in another state;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the application of the droplet generating mechanism shown in another state;

[0030] Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another droplet generating mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the droplet generating mechanism shown in another state;

[0032] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of an application of a detection system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of a detection system in some embodiments is shown.

[0034] 1-detection system, 1000-automatic droplet generation device, 100-housing, 101-film coating position, 102-transfer position, 103-cache position, 11-base, 12-side wall, 13-transfer window, 131-first transfer window, 132-second transfer window, 200-droplet generation mechanism, 21-first carrier, 22-second carrier, 23-pressurizing component, 231-fourth lateral movement component, 232-carrying seat, 232a-through hole, 2321-linkage block, 233-second lifting component, 234-pressurizing component, 2331-second lifting motor, 2332-second lifting component, 241-drawer, 25-shift component, 26-third lateral moving component, 262-third lateral moving motor, 261-third lateral moving component, 27-elastic component, 28-linkage component, 281-connecting rod, 2812-middle part, 2811-first end, 2813-second end, 29-refueling component, 29 1- oiling part, 293- fifth transverse motor, 292- fifth transverse part, 300- loading platform, 400- scheduling mechanism, 41- first transverse part, 42- second transverse part, 43- first lifting part, 431- driving part, 432- moving part, 44- hooking part, 441- pick-and-place driving motor, 442- hooking part, 442a- clamping plate, 442b- bump, 2000- microfluidic chip, 200a- microfluidic sub-chip , 2000a-notch, 2001-generation pool, 2001a-aqueous phase storage pool, 2001b-oil phase storage pool, 2001c-droplet outlet, 2002-first fixed frame, 3000-carrying tube, 3001-second fixed frame, 4000-sample pre-treatment equipment, 4001-first transfer track, 4002-second transfer track, 5000-amplification analysis equipment, Z-first direction, X-second direction, Y-third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0037] The directional terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present application, such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "bottom", "side", etc., are only references to the directions of the drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer explanation and understanding of the embodiments of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and "fifth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and "fifth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of an automatic droplet generation device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The illustrated schematic diagram is a schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of the automatic droplet generation device 1000 in some embodiments.

[0040] It is to be understood that, for the sake of convenience in the following description, in the embodiments of the present application, the following definitions are used: Figure 1 The automatic droplet generation device 1000 shown has a first direction Z, a second direction X and a third direction Y. The first direction Z can be parallel to the height direction of the automatic droplet generation device 1000, the second direction X can be parallel to the width direction of the automatic droplet generation device 1000, and the third direction Y can be parallel to the length direction of the automatic droplet generation device 1000. Any two of the first direction Z, the second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to each other.

[0041] The automatic droplet generation device 1000 may include a shell 100 and a droplet generation mechanism 200. The droplet generation mechanism 200 may include a first carrier 21, a second carrier 22 and a pressurizing component 23. The first carrier 21, the second carrier 22 and the pressurizing component 23 are all located in the shell 100. The first carrier 21 and / or the second carrier 22 are movably connected to the shell 100. The first carrier 21 is used to place at least one microfluidic sub-chip 200a, the second carrier 22 is used to place at least one supporting tube 3000, the pressurizing component 23 is used to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000 placed on the first carrier 21 to generate droplets, and the supporting tube 3000 on the second carrier 22 is used to collect the generated droplets. Among them, the first platform 21 and / or the second platform 22 can be movably connected to the shell 100. In other words, the relative positions of the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 can be changed. For example, the second platform 22 can be arranged corresponding to the first platform 21. At this time, the projection of the second platform 22 on the first platform 21 along the first direction Z coincides with at least part of the first platform 21. For another example, the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 can be arranged separately, and the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 can be arranged at intervals in the second direction X, and / or the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 can be arranged at intervals in the third direction Y. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0042] The microfluidic chip 2000 may include at least one generation pool 2001, and each generation pool 2001 may include an aqueous phase storage pool 2001a, an oil phase storage pool 2001b, and a droplet outlet 2001c (as shown in the following figure). Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the water phase storage pool 2001a and the oil phase storage pool 2001b can be arranged along the second direction X, and the droplet outlet 2001c is connected to one end of the water phase storage pool 2001a and the oil phase storage pool 2001b. Under the action of ventilation and pressurization of the pressurizing component 23, the materials in the water phase storage pool 2001a and the oil phase storage pool 2001b are squeezed, flowed and mixed to form "oil-in-water" tiny droplets. The generated tiny droplets can flow out of the microfluidic chip 2000 through the droplet outlet 2001c and flow into the supporting tube 3000 set corresponding to the droplet outlet 2001c, so as to realize the collection process of the droplets by the supporting tube 3000.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present application, the first carrier 21 and / or the second carrier 22 are movably connected to the base 11, and the relative position between the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 can be flexibly adjusted according to different requirements. Specifically, when the microfluidic chip 2000 needs to be loaded onto the first carrier 21 and / or the carrying tube 3000 needs to be loaded onto the second carrier 22, the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 can be separately arranged in the first direction Z and the second direction X, so as to provide a larger operating space for the process of installing the microfluidic chip 2000 onto the first carrier 21 and / or the process of installing the carrying tube 3000 onto the second carrier 22. In addition, the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 can be separately arranged, that is, the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 can be separately arranged. Compared with making the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 into an integrated structure, it is beneficial to reduce the design difficulty and manufacturing cost. The number and specifications of the microfluidic sub-chips 200a placed on the first carrier 21 and the number of carrier tubes 3000 placed on the second carrier 22 can be flexibly set according to actual needs, thereby improving the flexibility of the detection process in the automatic droplet generation device 1000.

[0044] For another example, when it is necessary to collect droplets, the second carrier 22 can be arranged corresponding to the first carrier 21 and located below the first carrier 21, so that the carrier tube 3000 can correspond to the droplet outlet 2001c (such as Figure 4 When the supporting tube 3000 corresponds to the liquid droplet outlet 2001c of the microfluidic chip 2000, the supporting tube 3000 and the liquid droplet outlet 2001c may be spaced apart in the first direction Z, or the liquid droplet outlet 2001c may extend into the supporting tube 3000.

[0045] Exemplarily, the housing 100 may include a base 11 and four side walls 12, the four side walls 12 may be respectively connected to the four sides of the base 11, and the base 11 and the four side walls 12 may together enclose an internal space of the housing 100 for accommodating structural components in the automatic droplet generation device 1000, such as the first stage 21, the second stage 22, and the pressurizing assembly 23. The first stage 21 and / or the second stage 22 may be movably connected to the base 11.

[0046] In some examples, a transfer window 13 may be provided on the side wall 12, and the transfer window 13 is used to connect the internal space of the housing 100 and the external space of the housing 100, so as to transfer the microfluidic chip 2000 and the supporting tube 3000 and other devices from the external space of the housing 100 into the automatic droplet generation device 1000 through the transfer window 13, and / or to transport the supporting tube 3000 with collected droplets out of the automatic droplet generation device 1000 through the transfer window 13. The number of the transfer windows 13 may be one, two, three or more, and different transfer windows 13 may be provided on the same side wall 12 of the housing 100, or may be provided on different side walls 12 of the housing 100, so as to realize different transfer processes between the automatic droplet generation device 1000 and the external space of the housing 100.

[0047] Exemplarily, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may include a loading platform 300 , which may be used to place the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the supporting tube 3000 transported from the external space of the housing 100 to the automatic droplet generation device 1000 .

[0048] In some examples, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may include a drawer 241, which is installed on the first transport window 131 (the transport window 13 here is referred to as the first transport window 131 for distinction), and the drawer 241 is slidably connected to the base 11 of the housing 100, and can be extended relative to the first transport window 131 on the side wall 12 of the housing 100. At this time, the sample loading platform 300 can be formed in the drawer 241, in other words, the sample loading platform 300 can be exposed or retracted relative to the first transport window 131 as the drawer 241 moves. When manual loading is required, the drawer 241 can be pulled out so that the loading platform 300 is exposed relative to the shell 100, which makes it convenient for the operator to place the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000 into the loading platform 300; pushing the drawer 241 in can drive the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 into the internal space of the shell 100 of the automatic droplet generation device 1000. By setting the drawer 241, the difficulty of loading samples for the operator is effectively reduced.

[0049] For another example, a transfer track may be provided at the second transfer window 132 (the transfer window 13 here is recorded as the second transfer window 132 for distinction), and the transfer track may connect the automatic droplet generation device 1000 with other devices (for example, a sample pre-treatment device for processing the microfluidic chip 2000, such as a system construction instrument, or an amplification analysis device for amplification analysis of droplets). By providing a transfer track at the second transfer window 132, the part to be transported (for example, the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000) may be directly moved from one device to another through the transfer track, thereby reducing the degree of manual participation and improving the degree of automation of transportation within the automatic droplet generation device 1000. Wherein, when the transfer track is used to connect the sample pre-treatment device with the automatic droplet generation device 1000, the loading platform 300 may be formed on the part of the transfer track extending into the automatic droplet generation device 1000. In the embodiment of the present application, two transport methods at the transfer window 13 are exemplarily introduced. In other embodiments, there may be other transport methods, which are not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0050] In some embodiments, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 further includes a scheduling mechanism 400, which is disposed in the housing 100, and the scheduling mechanism 400 is used to realize the transport process of the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000 in the housing 100 of the automatic droplet generation device 1000. For example, the scheduling mechanism 400 can be used to transport the microfluidic chip 2000 from the sample loading platform 300 to the first carrier 21, and / or, the scheduling mechanism 400 can be used to move the microfluidic chip 2000 out of the first carrier 21, and / or, the scheduling mechanism 400 can be used to transport the carrier tube 3000 from the sample loading platform 300 to the second carrier 22, and / or, the scheduling mechanism 400 can move the carrier tube 3000 out of the second carrier 22. By setting up the dispatching mechanism 400 to transport the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000, it is helpful to reduce the manual operation links in the detection process, and can effectively improve the transportation efficiency and automation level of the automatic droplet generation device 1000.

[0051] In some embodiments, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 also includes a controller, which is the control center of the automatic droplet generation device 1000 and can use various interfaces and lines to connect various components within the automatic droplet generation device 1000. For example, the controller can be electrically and communicatively connected with structural parts such as the pressurizing component 23 and the scheduling mechanism 400 and their related components to coordinate the coordinated work of various components within the automatic droplet generation device 1000 and improve the degree of automation of the automatic droplet generation device 1000.

[0052] For example, when the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000 are stored in the sample loading platform 300, the controller can control the scheduling mechanism 400 to transfer the microfluidic chip 2000 of the sample loading platform 300 to the first carrier 21, and / or the controller controls the scheduling mechanism 400 to transfer the carrier tube 300 of the sample loading platform 300 to the second carrier 22, wherein the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 are separately arranged at this time;

[0053] For another example, after the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 are respectively arranged on the first stage 21 and the second stage 22, the controller can control the first stage 21 and the second stage 22 to move relative to each other until the second stage 22 is arranged corresponding to the first stage 21, and the controller can control the pressurizing component 23 to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000 placed on the first stage 21 to generate droplets;

[0054] After the carrier tube 3000 collects the droplets, the controller further controls the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 to move relative to each other again, until the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 are separated, and then controls the scheduling mechanism 400 to move the microfluidic chip 2000 out of the first carrier 21, and / or controls the scheduling mechanism 400 to move the carrier tube 3000 out of the second carrier 22. For example, after each generation pool 2001 in the microfluidic chip 2000 has been ventilated and pressurized, the scheduling mechanism 400 can move the microfluidic chip 2000 out of the first carrier 21 and transport it to the waste box area for disposal.

[0055] For another example, after the support tube 3000 has collected the droplets, the scheduling mechanism 400 can transfer the support tube 3000 on the second platform 22 to a designated position, wherein the designated position can be but is not limited to a coating position 101, a transfer position 102 or a cache position 103, the cache position 103 is used to cache the support tube 3000, the transfer position 102 is used to transfer the support tube 3000 to the outside of the shell 100, and the coating position 101 is used to perform coating operations on the support tube 3000.

[0056] For example, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may have a coating position 101, and a coating mechanism may be provided in the automatic droplet generation device 1000, which may be used to coat the carrier tube 3000 to seal the carrier tube 3000. In other words, the coating position 101 may be considered as an area in the automatic droplet generation device 1000 where the carrier tube 3000 can be coated by the coating mechanism. When the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets needs to be transferred to the coating position 101, the controller may control the scheduling mechanism 400 to transfer the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets from the second carrier 22 to the coating position 101 for coating.

[0057] For another example, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may have a transfer position 102, and the automatic droplet generation device 1000 is connected to other devices such as an amplification analysis device through a transfer track. The transfer position 102 can be considered as any position on the transfer track extending into the automatic droplet generation device 1000. When the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets needs to be transferred out of the automatic droplet generation device 1000, the controller can control the scheduling mechanism 400 to transfer the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets to the transfer position 102 on the transfer track to wait for being transferred to the outside of the shell 100 through the transfer track.

[0058] For another example, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may also have a cache position 103. When the laminating position 101 is occupied, or the transfer position 102 is occupied, or the automatic droplet generation device 1000 does not include the laminating position 101 and / or the transfer position 102, the scheduling mechanism 400 may transfer the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets to the cache position 103 to cache the carrier tube 3000. In some examples, the cache position 103 may be located on the sample loading platform 300. For example, the cache position 103 may also be formed on the drawer 241, and move relative to the housing 100 with the extension and contraction of the drawer 241. When the drawer 241 is pulled out, the carrier tube 3000 moves with the movement of the drawer 241 to be exposed relative to the housing 100, effectively reducing the difficulty of the operator to remove the carrier tube 3000 from the automatic droplet generation device 1000. In some other embodiments, the cache position 103 may also be any position in the housing 100, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0059] Exemplarily, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 also includes an information recognition mechanism, which can be located in the housing 100. The scheduling mechanism 400 transports the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000 placed on the loading platform 300 to the information recognition mechanism for information recognition, so as to associate the information of the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000, and place the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 that have completed information recognition on the corresponding carrier. In the embodiment of the present application, the information recognition mechanism is provided to help improve the reliability of the detection process in the automatic droplet generation device 1000, and the scheduling mechanism 400 can perform information recognition via the information recognition mechanism when transporting the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000, which can also effectively improve the working efficiency in the automatic droplet generation device 1000.

[0060] Please refer to Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of a scheduling mechanism 400 provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 yes Figure 3The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the coordination between a partial structure of the scheduling mechanism 400 and the microfluidic chip 2000 in some embodiments. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between a partial structure of the dispatching mechanism 400 and the supporting tube 3000 in some embodiments.

[0061] Exemplarily, the scheduling mechanism 400 may include a first transverse moving component 41, a second transverse moving component 42, a first lifting component 43 and a hooking component 44, the hooking component 44 is connected to the first lifting component 43, the first lifting component 43 is used to drive the hooking component 44 to move along the first direction Z, the first lifting component 43 is connected to the first transverse moving component 41, the first transverse moving component 41 is used to drive the first lifting component 43 and the hooking component 44 to move along the second direction X, and the second transverse moving component 42 is used to drive the first transverse moving component 41 to drive the lifting component and the hooking component 44 to move along the third direction Y.

[0062] When sampling, the scheduling mechanism 400 provided in the embodiment of the present application can drive the hook component 44 to move horizontally and lift in different directions through the first transverse moving component 41, the second transverse moving component 42, and the first lifting component 43, thereby realizing the movement and lifting of the hook component 44, thereby transferring the hook component 44 to each target position to take and place the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000.

[0063] Exemplarily, the first lifting component 43 may include a driving part 431 and a moving part 432, the hooking component 44 may be connected to the moving part 432, and the moving part 432 may be movably connected to the driving part 431. For example, the driving part 431 may include a first lifting motor and a turbine connected to the output shaft of the first lifting motor, the moving part 432 may be provided with a worm, the worm extends along the first direction Z, the hooking component 44 is connected to the worm, and the turbine is meshed with the worm. Through the cooperation of the turbine and the worm, when the first lifting motor is working, the turbine rotates, drives the worm to move, thereby driving the hooking component 44 to move in the first direction Z, realizing the energy transfer of the first lifting motor, and using the cooperation of the turbine and the worm, the transmission structure between the first lifting motor and the hooking component 44 is simple and compact, reducing the number of structural parts or components used for transmission between the first lifting motor and the hooking component 44, and the meshing between the turbine and the worm is continuous, and the transmission is relatively stable, which is conducive to realizing the first lifting component 43 driving the hooking component 44 to lift smoothly and quickly. In other embodiments, the first lifting component 43 may have other structures, and the first lifting component 43 may drive the hooking component 44 to move along the first direction Z in other ways, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] Exemplarily, the first transverse moving member 41 may include a first transverse moving motor and a first transverse moving member, the first transverse moving motor drives the first transverse moving member to move along the second direction X, and the driving portion 431 of the first lifting member 43 may be connected to the first transverse moving member, so that when the first transverse moving member moves along the second direction X, the first lifting member 43 is driven to move in the second direction X. The first transverse moving member may be a structure such as a screw rod or a side belt in a pulley group, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0065] Exemplarily, the second transverse moving member 42 may include a second transverse moving motor and a second transverse moving member, the second transverse moving motor may be fixedly connected to the base 11, the second transverse moving motor drives the second transverse moving member to move along the third direction Y, and the first driving motor of the first transverse moving member 41 may be connected to the second transverse moving member, so that the second transverse moving member drives the first transverse moving member 41 to move along the third direction Y. The second transverse moving member may be a structure such as a screw rod or a side belt in a pulley group, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0066] Exemplarily, the hooking component 44 may include a pick-and-place drive motor 441 and a hooking member 442, wherein the hooking member 442 includes two clamping plates 442a arranged along the third direction Y, and the pick-and-place drive motor 441 is used to drive the clamping plates 442a to move, so as to change the spacing between the two clamping plates 442a, so as to pick and place the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000. It can be understood that when the hooking component 44 clamps the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000, the spacing between the two clamping plates 442a may be smaller than the spacing between the two clamping plates 442a when the hooking component 44 releases the microfluidic chip 2000 and / or the carrier tube 3000.

[0067] Exemplarily, the microfluidic chip 2000 may be provided with a hooking portion that cooperates with the hooking member 442. For example, a protrusion 442b may be provided on the clamp 442a, and the protrusion 442b may be located on the side of the clamp 442a facing the other clamp 442a. The microfluidic chip 2000 may be provided with a notch 2000a. When the microfluidic chip 2000 needs to be clamped, the pick-and-place drive motor 441 drives the clamp 442a to move, so that the distance between the two clamps 442a is reduced, so that the protrusion 442b is embedded in the notch 2000a, thereby driving the microfluidic chip 2000 to move with the hooking member 442. When the microfluidic chip 2000 needs to be put down, the pick-and-place drive motor 441 can drive the clamp 442a to move in the opposite direction, so that the distance between the two clamps 442a is increased, so that the protrusion 442b is disengaged from the notch 2000a, thereby releasing the microfluidic chip 2000. Among them, the notch 2000a can be set on the periphery of the microfluidic chip 2000, or the microfluidic chip 2000 can also be installed in the first fixed frame 2002, and the periphery of the first fixed frame 2002 can be provided with a notch 2000a, and the hook member 442 is connected to the microfluidic chip 2000 by connecting the first fixed frame 2002, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0068] Similarly, the supporting tube 3000 may be provided with a hooking portion that cooperates with the hooking member 442. For example, the clamping plate 442a may be provided with a protrusion 442b, and the protrusion 442b may be located on the side of the clamping plate 442a facing the other clamping plate 442a. The supporting tube 3000 may be provided with a notch 2000a. When it is necessary to clamp the supporting tube 3000, the pick-and-place drive motor 441 drives the clamping plate 442a to move, so that the distance between the two clamping plates 442a is reduced, so that the protrusion 442b is embedded in the notch 2000a, thereby driving the supporting tube 3000 to move with the hooking member 442; when it is necessary to put down the supporting tube 3000, the pick-and-place drive motor 441 can drive the clamping plate 442a to move in the opposite direction, so that the distance between the two clamping plates 442a is increased, so that the protrusion 442b is disengaged from the notch 2000a, thereby releasing the supporting tube 3000. Among them, the notch 2000a can be set on the tube wall of the supporting tube 3000, or the supporting tube 3000 can also be installed on the second fixed frame 3001, and the periphery of the second fixed frame 3001 can be provided with a notch 2000a, and the hook member 442 is connected to the supporting tube 3000 by connecting the second fixed frame 3001, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0069] In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, the coordination mode of the dispatching mechanism 400 and the carrier tube 3000 is the same as the coordination mode of the dispatching mechanism 400 and the microfluidic chip 2000. A set of dispatching mechanisms 400 is provided in the automatic droplet generation device 1000, which can be used to transport both the carrier tube 3000 and the microfluidic chip 2000, which is conducive to saving costs and saving space in the housing 100. In some other embodiments, the coordination mode of the dispatching mechanism 400 and the carrier tube 3000 may be different from the coordination mode of the dispatching mechanism 400 and the microfluidic chip 2000. The automatic droplet generation device 1000 may also include multiple sets of dispatching mechanisms 400, which are used to transport the carrier tube 3000 and the microfluidic chip 2000, respectively. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0070] See also Figures 6 to 8 , Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a droplet generating mechanism 200 provided in some embodiments of the present application. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The droplet generating mechanism 200 is shown as a schematic diagram of application in another state. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The droplet generating mechanism 200 is shown as a schematic diagram of application in another state.

[0071] Exemplarily, the first carrier 21 can be spaced apart from the base 11 in the first direction Z, and the first carrier 21 can be movably connected to the base 11 in the first direction Z, and the second carrier 22 can be movably connected to the base 11 in the second direction X, so as to realize that the first carrier 21 and the second carrier 22 can be movably connected to the base 11. By setting the movement of the second carrier 22, the second carrier 22 can drive the support tube 3000 to move to the corresponding droplet outlet 2001c, and then by the movement of the first carrier 21, the first carrier 21 can drive the microfluidic chip 2000 to move toward the side of the base 11, so that the droplet outlet 2001c of the microfluidic chip 2000 extends into the support tube 3000, which is conducive to improving the reliability of the process of collecting droplets by the support tube 3000.

[0072] In some examples, the droplet generation mechanism 200 may include a stopper 25, the stopper 25 is connected between the base 11 and the first stage 21, the first stage 21 is movably connected to the stopper 25, and the first stage 21 may be located on the side of the stopper 25 away from the base 11. It can be understood that when the first stage 21 is subjected to pressure in the first direction Z, the first stage 21 will move toward the base 11. By providing the stopper 25, when the first stage 21 abuts against the stopper 25, the stopper 25 can block the movement of the first stage 21 to limit the distance of the first stage 21 moving along the first direction Z, so as to avoid the first stage 21 from being excessively pressed downward and damaging the supporting tube 3000 on the second stage 22. Among them, in the embodiment of the present application, the shifting member 25 can be fixedly connected to the base 11, and the first carrier 21 can be movably connected to the shifting member 25 to realize the movably connection of the first carrier 21 to the base 11. In some other embodiments, the shifting member 25 can also be movably connected to the base 11, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0073] The dimension of the stopper 25 in the first direction Z may be greater than or equal to the dimension of the second stage 22 in the first direction Z. It is understandable that when no pressure is applied, the first stage 21 and the stopper 25 are spaced apart in the first direction Z. By setting the spacing between the second stage 22 and the base 11 to be less than or equal to the spacing between the stopper 25 and the base 11, the stopper 25 can ensure that the second stage 22 can be smoothly moved to the bottom of the first stage 21 while playing a limiting role, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the coordination of the various components of the automatic droplet generation device 1000.

[0074] In some examples, the droplet generation mechanism 200 further includes a third transverse moving member 26, which may include a third transverse moving member 261 and a third transverse moving motor 262, the third transverse moving motor 262 is used to drive the third transverse moving member 261 to move along the second direction X, and the second carrier 22 may be fixedly connected to the third transverse moving member 261 to move along the second direction X relative to the base 11 with the third transverse moving member 261. The third transverse moving member 261 may be a structure such as a screw rod or a side belt in a pulley group, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The controller may control the movement of the second carrier 22 relative to the base 11 by controlling the operating state of the third transverse moving motor 262.

[0075] For example, at least two microfluidic sub-chips 200a (combined with Figure 2As shown), the second carrier 22 is used to place at least two supporting tubes 3000. After one supporting tube 3000 of the second carrier 22 collects the droplets, the other supporting tube 3000 of the second carrier 22 can be moved to below the droplet outlet 2001c of another microfluidic sub-chip 200a to collect the droplets through the relative movement of the second carrier 22 and the first carrier 21, so that a larger-sized microfluidic chip 2000 or more microfluidic sub-chips 200a can be loaded on the first carrier 21 of the automatic droplet generation device 1000. The droplets at different positions can be received by moving the second carrier 22, which reduces the number of times the scheduling unit loads the microfluidic chip 2000 from the loading platform 300 to the first carrier 21. Among them, the multiple microfluidic sub-chips 200a placed on the first carrier 21 can be an integrated structure. For example, the microfluidic sub-chip 200a can be understood as multiple sub-regions of a larger-sized microfluidic chip 2000, or, the multiple microfluidic sub-chips 200a can also be manufactured separately as a split structure, and the multiple microfluidic sub-cores 200a form the microfluidic chip 2000 by gluing or other methods, or, the multiple microfluidic sub-chips 200a can also be installed in the first fixed frame 2002 to form an integral component together with the first fixed frame 2002 for easy transportation. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present application, the first carrier 21 is movably connected to the base 11 along the first direction Z, and the second carrier 22 is movably connected to the base 11 along the second direction X. For example, after one of the carrier tubes 3000 of the second carrier 22 collects the droplets, the first carrier 21 can move along the first direction Z to the side away from the base 11, and the second carrier 22 moves along the second direction X to move the other carrier tube 3000 of the second carrier 22 to the droplets of another microfluidic sub-chip 200a. Below the liquid outlet 2001c, in some other embodiments, the droplet generating mechanism 200 may also have other structures. For example, the third transverse movement component 26 may also be connected to the first carrier 21, the second carrier 22 may be fixedly connected to the base 11, and the first carrier 21 may be movably connected to the base 11 in both the first direction Z and the second direction X. Through the transverse movement and lifting and lowering movement of the first carrier 21, the droplet outlet 2001c of the microfluidic chip 2000 can be extended into the corresponding supporting tube 3000. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. The specific adjustment process can be set as needed, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0077] In some embodiments, the pressurizing component 23 may include a supporting seat 232, a second lifting component 233 and a pressurizing component 234, the droplet generating mechanism 200 further includes a fourth transverse moving component 231, the fourth transverse moving component 231 may include a fourth transverse moving motor and a fourth transverse moving component, the second lifting component 233 may include a second lifting motor 2331 and a second lifting component 2332, the pressurizing component 234 may be connected to the second lifting component 2332, the second lifting motor 2331 is used to drive the second lifting component 2332 to drive the pressurizing component 234 to move up and down along the first direction Z, and the second lifting component 2333 may include a second lifting motor 2331 and a second lifting component 2332. The motor 2331 is fixedly connected to the bearing seat 232, and the bearing seat 232 is provided with a through hole 232a, the second lifting member 2332 passes through the through hole 232a, the pressure member 234 is located on the side of the bearing seat 232 away from the second lifting motor 2331, the bearing seat 232 is fixedly connected to the fourth transverse member, the fourth transverse motor is fixedly connected to the base 11, the fourth transverse motor is used to drive the fourth transverse member to drive the bearing seat 232 and the pressure member 234 to move along the second direction X, and the pressure member 234 is used to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000 to realize the pressurization function of the pressure component 23. Among them, the fourth transverse member can be a structure such as a screw rod or a belt on one side of a pulley group, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present application, the pressurizing component 23 includes a fourth transverse moving component 231 and a second lifting component 233. The pressurizing component 234 can be moved along the first direction Z relative to the supporting seat 232 through the second lifting component 233. The supporting seat 232 is movably connected to the base 11 through the fourth transverse moving component 231. By controlling the working status of the fourth transverse moving motor and the second lifting motor 2331, the pressurizing component 234 can be transferred to the microfluidic chip 2000 to realize the pressurization process of the microfluidic chip 2000.

[0079] Specifically, after the microfluidic chip 2000 and the carrier tube 3000 are placed on the corresponding carriers respectively, the controller can control the fourth transverse movement motor to work so that the pressure member 234 moves to the top of the first carrier 21. When pressure needs to be applied to the microfluidic chip 2000, the controller can control the second lifting motor 2331 to work so that the pressure member 234 presses the microfluidic chip 2000 to realize the pressurization process.

[0080] Among them, in the embodiment of the present application, when the pressurizing component 23 moves toward the first carrier 21 (that is, when the fourth traverse motor and / or the second lifting motor 2331 are working), the pressurizing component 23 can directly or indirectly drive the first carrier 21 to move toward one side of the second carrier 22, so that the microfluidic chip 2000 extends into the corresponding carrier tube 3000, which can effectively reduce the complexity of the structure in the automatic droplet generation device 1000, and does not need to set up an additional set of driving mechanisms to drive the movement of the first carrier 21, saving the manufacturing cost of the droplet generation mechanism 200. In some other embodiments, an additional driving mechanism can also be set up to drive the first carrier 21 to move, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0081] The following is an exemplary introduction of two different structures of the droplet generating mechanism 200. The movement of the pressurizing component 23 in the droplet generating mechanism 200 drives the first carrier 21 to move. In some other embodiments, the droplet generating mechanism 200 may also have other structures, which is not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0082] Solution 1: Please refer to Figures 6 to 8 The pressurizing component 23 can directly drive the first carrier 21 to move. For example, the pressurizing component 234 moves along the first direction Z to press against the microfluidic chip 2000 to push the first carrier 21 to move along the first direction Z.

[0083] For example, the controller can first control the fourth transverse movement motor to work, so that the pressure member 234 moves to the top of the microfluidic chip 2000 along with the movement of the fourth transverse movement member and the supporting seat 232, and then control the second lifting motor 2331 to work, so that the pressure member 234 moves the second lifting member 2332 along the first direction Z toward the first carrier 21, and because the first carrier 21 is movably connected to the base 11, when the pressure member 234 moves along the first direction Z to press the microfluidic chip 2000, the pressure member 234 will provide downward pressure to the first carrier 21, thereby pushing the first carrier 21 to drive the microfluidic chip 2000 to move downward, so that the droplet outlet 2001c (such as Figure 4 As shown) extends into the corresponding supporting tube 3000.

[0084] It can be understood that, in this solution, there is no restriction on the working order of the fourth transverse motor and the third transverse motor 262. In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, the third transverse motor 262 can be started first to drive the second platform 22 to move to the bottom of the first platform 21, and then the fourth transverse motor can be driven to move the pressure member 234 to the top of the first platform 21. When the pressure member 234, the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 are arranged along the first direction Z, the controller controls the second lifting motor 2331 to work to realize the pressurization process. ; Alternatively, the fourth transverse movement motor may be started first to move the pressure member 234 to the top of the first platform 21, and then the third transverse movement motor 262 may be started to drive the second platform 22 to move to the bottom of the first platform 21. When the pressure member 234, the first platform 21 and the second platform 22 are arranged along the first direction Z, the controller controls the second lifting motor 2331 to work to realize the pressurization process. Alternatively, the controller may control the third transverse movement motor 262 and the fourth transverse movement motor to start at the same time. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0085] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, taking the pressure component 23 including the fourth transverse movement motor and the second lifting motor 2331 as an example, the movement process of the internal components of the droplet generating mechanism 200 is introduced. In some other embodiments, the pressure component 23 may not include the fourth transverse movement component 231, and the support seat 232 may be fixedly connected to the base 11 so that the pressure member 234 can be arranged and spaced with the first carrier 21 along the first direction Z. When pressurization is required, the controller can control the second lifting motor 2331 to work, so that the pressure member 234 is pressed against the microfluidic chip 2000 and pushes the first carrier 21 to move along the first direction Z. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0086] Exemplarily, the droplet generating mechanism 200 also includes an elastic member 27, which is elastically connected between the first carrier 21 and the base 11; after the pressure member 234 applies pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000, the pressure member 234 moves along the first direction Z toward the side away from the base 11, and the elastic member 27 is used to push the first carrier 21 to move toward the side away from the base 11. It can be understood that when the pressure member 234 applies pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000, the first carrier 21 moves toward the second carrier 22, and the elastic member 27 is compressed. When the pressure member 234 moves along the first direction Z toward the side away from the base 11, the restoring force of the elastic member 27 can push the first carrier 21 to move toward the side away from the base 11, so that the first carrier 21 returns to its original position to wait for the next pressurization process, thereby improving the reusability of the droplet generating mechanism 200, and by utilizing the restoring force of the elastic member 27 as a driving force, compared with setting an additional driving mechanism for driving the first carrier 21 to return to its original position, the complexity of the structure inside the droplet automatic generating device 1000 and the manufacturing cost are effectively reduced.

[0087] For option 2, please refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , Fig. 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of another droplet generating mechanism 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 The droplet generating mechanism 200 shown is a schematic diagram of the mechanism in another state.

[0088] The pressurizing component 23 can also indirectly drive the first carrier 21 to move. Exemplarily, the droplet generating mechanism 200 also includes a linkage component 28, which connects the pressurizing component 23 and the first carrier 21. When the pressurizing component 23 moves along the second direction X toward the first carrier 21, the linkage component 28 is used to move the first carrier 21 toward the second carrier 22.

[0089] Exemplarily, the linkage assembly 28 may include a connecting rod 281, and a middle portion 2812 of the connecting rod 281 may be rotatably connected to the stopper 25. Before the pressure assembly 23 moves along the second direction X close to the first carrier 21, the first end 2811 of the connecting rod 281 abuts against the side of the first carrier 21 facing the base 11, and the second end 2813 of the connecting rod 281 abuts against the linkage block 2321 fixed on the bearing seat 232 facing the base 11. When the pressure assembly 23 moves along the second direction X close to the first carrier 21, the connecting rod 281 The second end 2813 of the connecting rod 281 is disengaged from the linkage block 2321, and the pressure of the linkage block 2321 on the second end 2813 of the connecting rod 281 is released. The connecting rod 281 can rotate counterclockwise with the middle part 2812 of the connecting rod 281 as the rotation center, so that the first end 2811 of the connecting rod 281 moves toward the base 11, and the first carrier 21 also falls under the action of gravity and moves toward one side of the base 11, so that the droplet outlet 2001c of the microfluidic chip 2000 can extend into the corresponding supporting tube 3000.

[0090] After the pressurization is completed, when the pressurizing assembly 23 moves along the second direction X toward the side away from the first carrier 21, the linkage block 2321 moves along the second direction X with the bearing seat 232 toward the side away from the first carrier 21, until the linkage block 2321 moves to the second end 2813 of the pressing connecting rod 281, after which the second end 2813 of the connecting rod 281 is subjected to the downward pressure of the linkage block 2321, so that the connecting rod 281 rotates clockwise with the middle part 2812 of the connecting rod 281 as the rotation center, and the first end 2811 of the connecting rod 281 moves toward the side away from the base 11, pushing the first carrier 21 upward to move along the first direction Z toward the side away from the base 11, thereby resetting the first carrier 21. In other embodiments, the linkage assembly 28 may also have other structures, and the linkage assembly 28 may have other connection relationships with the pressurizing assembly 23 and the first carrier 21, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0091] In some embodiments, the automatic droplet generation device 1000 may further include an oiling component 29 , which may be connected to the pressurizing component 23 to implement an oiling process for the oil phase storage pool 2001 b of the microfluidic chip 2000 .

[0092] In the embodiment of the present application, by setting up the refueling component 29, the process of the operator manually refueling the oil phase storage pool 2001b can be reduced, and the refueling component 29 is set on the pressurizing component 23, and the refueling component 29 can move along the second direction X with the pressurizing component 23. When the controller controls the pressurizing component 23 to move to one side of the first carrier 21 along the second direction X, the refueling component 29 moves along the second direction X to one side of the first carrier 21 with the pressurizing component 23. After that, the controller can control the refueling component 29 to automatically refuel the oil phase storage pool 2001b of the microfluidic chip 2000. After that, the pressurizing component 23 is controlled to move along the first direction Z and apply pressure to the microfluidic chip 2000 to generate droplets, which effectively improves the degree of automation of the droplet automatic generation device 1000.

[0093] In some examples, the refueling assembly 29 may also include a refueling member 291, a fifth transverse member 292 and a fifth transverse motor 293. The fifth transverse motor 293 may be fixedly connected to the bearing seat 232. The refueling member 291 may be connected to the fifth transverse member 292. The fifth transverse motor 293 is used to drive the fifth transverse member 292 to drive the refueling member 291 to move along the third direction Y. Among them, the fifth transverse member 292 may be a structure such as a screw rod or a side belt in a pulley group, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The refueling member 291 is used to refuel the oil phase storage tank 2001b. By setting the refueling assembly 29 to include the fifth transverse motor 293 and the fifth transverse member 292, the refueling member 291 can move in the third direction Y to refuel the multiple oil phase storage tanks 2001b on the first carrier 21 one by one, which is conducive to improving the refueling accuracy and reducing overflow and other problems.

[0094] See also Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the application of a detection system 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.12 yes Fig.11 The schematic diagram of the application of a partial structure of a detection system 1 in some embodiments is shown. The above-mentioned automatic droplet generation device 1000 can be applied to the detection system 1, and can also be applied to other detection systems 1, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0095] In some embodiments, the detection system 1 may further include a sample pre-treatment device 4000 and a first transfer track 4001 (the transfer track here is recorded as the first transfer track 4001 for distinction), the sample pre-treatment device 4000 is used to treat the microfluidic chip 2000, and the side of the automatic droplet generation device 1000 close to the sample pre-treatment device 4000 may be provided with a second transfer window 132, the first transfer track 4001 passes through the second transfer window 132, and connects the automatic droplet generation device 1000 and the sample pre-treatment device 4000, the first transfer track 4001 can transport the microfluidic chip 2000 from the sample pre-treatment device 4000 to the automatic droplet generation device 1000, and thereafter, the controller can control the scheduling mechanism 400 to move the microfluidic chip 2000 from the first transfer track 4001 and place it on the first carrier 21. In some other embodiments, the detection system 1 may not include the sample pre-treatment device 4000, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0096] In some embodiments, the detection system 1 may further include an amplification analysis device 5000, which may be used to amplify and analyze droplets. The automatic droplet generation device 1000 may be provided with a second transfer window 132 on the side close to the amplification analysis device 5000, and a second transfer track 4002 (the transfer track here is referred to as the second transfer track 4002 for distinction) is provided in the second transfer window 132. The second transfer track 4002 may connect the automatic droplet generation device 1000 and the amplification analysis device 5000, and the dispatching mechanism 400 may transfer the carrier tube 3000 that has collected the droplets to the second transfer track 4002, and transfer it to the amplification analysis device 5000 through the second transfer track 4002 at the second transfer window 132. In some other embodiments, the detection system 1 may not include the amplification analysis device 5000, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0097] The above are only some embodiments and implementation methods of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by any 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 subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A droplet automatic generation device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing, a controller, and a scheduling mechanism and a droplet generating mechanism arranged on the housing; the droplet generating mechanism comprises a first carrier, a second carrier and a pressurizing component, the first carrier and the second carrier are arranged separately, the first carrier, the second carrier and the pressurizing component are all located in the housing, the first carrier and / or the second carrier are movably connected to the base of the housing, the first carrier is used to place a microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip comprises at least one microfluidic sub-chip, and the second carrier is used to place at least one carrying tube; The controller is configured to control the scheduling mechanism to place the microfluidic chip on the first stage and the carrying tube on the second stage, and after the microfluidic chip and the carrying tube are respectively placed on the first stage and the second stage, control the first stage and the second stage to move relative to each other until the second stage is arranged corresponding to the first stage, and control the pressurizing component to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip placed on the first stage to generate droplets; After the supporting tube collects the droplets, the first carrier and the second carrier are controlled to move relative to each other again until the first carrier and the second carrier are separated, and then the scheduling mechanism is controlled to move the microfluidic chip out of the first carrier, and / or the scheduling mechanism is controlled to move the supporting tube out of the second carrier.

2. The automatic droplet generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressurizing component is movably connected to the base, and the controller controls the pressurizing component to directly or indirectly drive the first carrier to move toward one side of the second carrier, so that the droplet outlet of the microfluidic chip extends into the corresponding carrier tube.

3. The automatic droplet generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressurizing component includes a pressurizing member and a supporting seat, the supporting seat is connected to the base, and the pressurizing member can move along a first direction relative to the supporting seat, the pressurizing member is used to apply pressure to the microfluidic chip, and the pressurizing member moves along the first direction to press against the microfluidic chip to push the first carrier to move along the first direction; wherein, the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

4. The automatic droplet generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The droplet generation mechanism further includes a linkage component, wherein the linkage component connects the pressurizing component and the first carrier; When the pressurizing component moves toward the first carrier along the second direction, the linkage component is used to make the first carrier move toward the second carrier; wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

5. The automatic droplet generation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The droplet generating mechanism further comprises a stopper, the first stage is movably connected to the stopper, and the stopper is connected between the base and the first stage, the pressurizing assembly comprises a bearing seat, the bearing seat is movably connected to the base along the second direction, a linkage block is provided on the bearing seat, the linkage assembly comprises a connecting rod, a first end of the connecting rod abuts against a side of the first stage facing the base, a second end of the connecting rod abuts against a side of the linkage block facing the base, and a middle part of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the stopper; When the supporting seat moves away from the first platform along the second direction, the first end of the connecting rod pushes the first platform to move away from the base. When the supporting seat moves closer to the first platform, the first end of the connecting rod rotates toward the base, and the first platform falls.

6. The automatic droplet generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The droplet generating mechanism further comprises an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is elastically connected between the first carrier and the base; After the pressurizing component applies pressure to the microfluidic chip, the pressurizing component moves along a first direction toward a side away from the base, and the elastic member is used to push the first carrier to move toward a side away from the base; The first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

7. The automatic droplet generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The automatic droplet generation device further includes a refueling component, which is connected to the pressurizing component; The controller is configured to control the refueling component and the pressurizing component to move along the second direction to one side of the first carrier, and control the refueling component to refuel the microfluidic chip, and then control the pressurizing component to move along the first direction and apply pressure to the microfluidic chip to generate the droplets; wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first carrier and the base.

8. The automatic droplet generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first carrier is used to place at least two microfluidic sub-chips, and the second carrier is used to place at least two supporting tubes; The controller is configured to, after one of the supporting tubes of the second platform has collected the droplets, control the second platform to move relative to the first platform, and move another supporting tube of the second platform to below the droplet outlet of another microfluidic sub-chip to collect the droplets.

9. The automatic droplet generation device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second stage is movably connected to the base along the second direction, and the first stage is movably connected to the base along the first direction; The controller is configured to, after one of the supporting tubes of the second platform has collected the droplets, control the first platform to move along a first direction away from the base, and control the second platform to move along a second direction, so as to move another supporting tube of the second platform to below the droplet outlet of another microfluidic sub-chip; wherein the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the arrangement direction of the first platform and the base.

10. A detection system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a liquid droplet automatic generation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, and an amplification analysis device and / or a sample pre-processing device connected to the liquid droplet automatic generation device; the housing is provided with a transfer window; The controller is configured to control the scheduling mechanism to place the microfluidic chip transferred from the sample pre-treatment device through the transfer window on the first carrier; and / or to transfer the carrier tube that has collected the droplets to the amplification analysis device through the transfer window.

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