Automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, ultrasonic cleaning tank and probe cleaning method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of probe cleaning, provides an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, an ultrasonic cleaning tank and a probe cleaning method, and aims to solve the problem that secondary pollution of a probe is caused due to the fact that residues easily appear on the surface of the probe after the probe is cleaned in the prior art. The probe cleaning device for the automatic analyzer comprises a flushing part provided with a liquid inlet pipe, and the liquid inlet pipe is used for flushing the probe of the automatic analyzer subjected to ultrasonic cleaning; an ultrasonic generator is arranged outside the ultrasonic cleaning cavity, and the ultrasonic cleaning cavity is used for carrying out ultrasonic cleaning on the automatic analyzer probe; the ultrasonic cleaning cavity is formed in the bottom of the flushing part and communicates with the flushing part. The probe subjected to ultrasonic cleaning is flushed through the liquid inlet pipe arranged on the flushing part, residual cleaning liquid originally attached to the outer surface of the probe is flushed away, and secondary pollution is avoided. And in the two cleaning modes of ultrasonic cleaning and flushing of the flushing part, the probes are located at the same position, so that the time sequence is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of probe cleaning, and more specifically to an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, an ultrasonic cleaning tank and a probe cleaning method. Background Art

[0002] The sample probe (automatic analyzer probe) is reused during the test process. During the operation, it will come into contact with different liquid media. In order to eliminate the carryover contamination between different media, the probe needs to be cleaned after each sample aspiration to prevent contaminants from being brought into the next reaction, causing cross contamination and affecting the accuracy of the test results.

[0003] At present, ultrasonic cleaning technology is used in automatic analysis devices. After ultrasonic cleaning, the pollutants attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the probe can be cleaned away. Since the pollutants after cleaning enter the cleaning liquid, when the probe is removed from the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid will remain on the surface of the probe. The pollutants that originally entered the cleaning liquid will attach to the surface of the probe again, causing secondary contamination of the probe.

[0004] Therefore, the prior art needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, an ultrasonic cleaning tank and a probe cleaning method to solve the problem that residues are easily left on the surface of the existing probe after cleaning, causing secondary contamination of the probe.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the embodiment of the present invention is:

[0007] An automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, comprising:

[0008] A flushing part, wherein the flushing part is provided with a liquid inlet pipe, and the liquid inlet pipe is used to flush the automatic analyzer probe after ultrasonic cleaning;

[0009] The ultrasonic cleaning chamber is externally provided with an ultrasonic generator and is used for ultrasonically cleaning the probe of the automatic analyzer; the ultrasonic cleaning chamber is arranged at the bottom of the flushing part and is communicated with the flushing part.

[0010] The following are preferred technical solutions of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the technical solutions provided by the present invention. Through the following preferred technical solutions, the objectives and beneficial effects of the present invention can be better achieved and realized.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, an overflow port is provided on the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, the flushing portion is further provided with a first notch and / or a second notch for the automatic analyzer probe to pass through.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, the outlet of the liquid inlet pipe is provided with a third notch, and the first notch and / or the second notch are arranged in a colinear line with the third notch.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, the liquid inlet pipe is arranged obliquely, and the cleaning liquid flows in from the bottom of the liquid inlet pipe and flows out from the top.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, the liquid outlet of the liquid inlet pipe is higher than the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, a slope structure is provided at the connection between the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber and the flushing portion, and the inclination direction of the slope structure is the same as the inclination direction of the liquid inlet pipe.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, in the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, a drain valve is provided at the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

[0018] In a second aspect, an ultrasonic cleaning tank comprises the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device and the probe cleaning positioning device as described in the first aspect, wherein the probe cleaning positioning device is used to position the same probe.

[0019] In a third aspect, a method for cleaning a probe of an automatic analyzer is provided, wherein, based on the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device of the first aspect, the cleaning method comprises:

[0020] Move the probe to be cleaned to the cleaning liquid container and absorb the cleaning liquid;

[0021] Moving the probe to be cleaned to the flushing portion, and discharging the cleaning liquid into the ultrasonic cleaning chamber;

[0022] Lower the probe to be cleaned until the tip is 3-5 mm away from the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber;

[0023] Starting the ultrasonic generator to ultrasonically clean the probe to be cleaned, and after ultrasonic cleaning, raising the needle tip of the probe to above the liquid level of the cleaning solution;

[0024] The valve of the liquid inlet pipe is opened to rinse the outer surface of the probe, and after the rinsing is completed, the probe is removed from the cleaning part.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device provided by the present invention are at least:

[0026] The present invention can perform ultrasonic cleaning on the probe by setting an ultrasonic cleaning chamber, and utilizes the ultrasonic cleaning principle, cavitation, acceleration or straight flow in the liquid and the direct and indirect effects on the liquid and the pollutants, so that the pollutants on the inner and outer walls of the sample needle tube are dispersed, emulsified and peeled off, the cleaning time is short, and the cleaning effect is significantly improved. The probe after ultrasonic cleaning is rinsed with a liquid inlet pipe arranged on the flushing part, and the residual cleaning liquid (containing pollutants) attached to the outer surface of the probe is rinsed clean, avoiding secondary contamination. Since the probe is in the same position in both ultrasonic cleaning and flushing of the flushing part, the timing is saved. Obvious cleaning effect can be obtained, and the cross contamination rate is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 A top view of an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device provided by an embodiment of the present invention (ultrasonic cleaning mode).

[0031] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device provided by an embodiment of the present invention (flushing mode). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[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 only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. 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.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0035] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps described in these embodiments, the numerical expressions and numerical values ​​do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be clear that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, methods and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, methods and equipment should be regarded as part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0036] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below their position devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0037] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, comprising: a flushing portion 10, wherein the flushing portion 10 is provided with a liquid inlet pipe 11, wherein the liquid inlet pipe 11 is used to flush the automatic analyzer probe 30 after ultrasonic cleaning; an ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20, which is used to hold a cleaning liquid to ultrasonically clean the automatic analyzer probe 30; the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 is arranged at the bottom of the flushing portion 10 and is connected to the flushing portion 10. Among them, the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 can be a cylindrical chamber arranged in the middle, and the outer part is a columnar shape, and a micro-nano structure (not shown) is arranged on the inner wall of the chamber to increase the hydrophobicity of the inner wall of the chamber to prevent the cleaning liquid from remaining on the inner wall of the chamber after cleaning. The material of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 can be an inert material such as stainless steel or platinum that does not react with the cleaning solution used. The aspect ratio of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 can be set according to the actual use situation, which must be able to hold enough cleaning solvent and must not be too large to affect its coordination with other components.

[0038] An ultrasonic Langevin vibrator (not shown) is provided outside the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20, and the ultrasonic Langevin vibrator is located at the bottom. By controlling the ultrasonic Langevin vibrator, low-frequency (less than 100kHz) ultrasonic waves can be formed in the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20. Ultrasonic cleaning at low frequencies utilizes cavitation generated in the liquid (the phenomenon of the generation and disappearance of bubbles caused by the pressure difference generated in the liquid). The cavitation effect, acceleration effect or straight flow effect in the liquid directly or indirectly affects the liquid and the pollutants, so that the pollutants are dispersed, emulsified and peeled off to achieve the purpose of cleaning.

[0039] In one implementation of the present invention, an overflow port 22 is provided near the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20. By providing the overflow port 22, the excess cleaning liquid in the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 can be discharged to avoid overflow of the cleaning liquid and affecting the normal cleaning operation. The overflow port 22 can be tilted on the side wall of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20. By tilting, the overflowed cleaning liquid can be quickly discharged. It is easy to understand that the overflow port 22 is externally connected to a drain pipe (which can be understood as a branch pipe externally connected to the side wall of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber), and a valve (not shown) is provided on the drain pipe. The valve used can be an electromagnetic valve, which can be automatically controlled by providing an electromagnetic valve.

[0040] In one implementation of the present invention, a drain port 23 is provided at the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20, the drain port 23 is externally connected to a drain pipe, and an electromagnetic valve (not shown) is also provided on the drain pipe to discharge the used cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the liquid outlet of the drain pipe can be connected to a micro pump (not shown), and the cleaning liquid in the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 can be quickly discharged through the micro pump. And because the micro pump is used to discharge the liquid, the cleaning liquid is discharged more thoroughly, and the cleaning liquid can be prevented from remaining at the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20.

[0041] In one implementation of the present invention, a connecting fixture 24 is provided outside the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20, and the connecting fixture 24 can be fixed to a device adapted thereto by cooperating with a bolt through a screw hole on the connecting fixture 24, for example, it can be fixed to a cleaning tank by the connecting fixture 24. The connecting fixture 24 can be in an L-shape or other shapes. It is easy to understand that in addition to being connected by bolts, it can also be fixed to a device adapted thereto by connection methods such as clamping, welding, etc.

[0042] Combination Figure 1 A flushing portion 10 is connected to the end of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber. The flushing portion 10 is provided with a first notch 100 and / or a second notch 120 for the automatic analyzer probe to pass through. When two notches are provided, the first notch 100 and the second notch 120 are arranged opposite to each other. By providing notches on the flushing portion 10, the probe to be cleaned can be conveniently moved to the cleaning position, and the probe after cleaning can be conveniently removed.

[0043] In one implementation of the present invention, a notch 110 is also provided on the liquid inlet pipe 11 provided on the flushing portion 10. The notch 110 may be a V-shaped or U-shaped notch. The notch 110 and the first notch 100 and the second notch 120 are provided on the same straight line, which is convenient for cleaning the probe and for moving the probe into and out of the flushing portion 10, and is easy to operate. It should be noted that the size and shape of the notch can be set according to actual needs. The flushing portion 10 and the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 may be integrally formed or may be separately processed and then assembled. A screw hole is provided on the flushing portion 10, and the liquid inlet pipe extends into the flushing portion through the screw hole. The liquid inlet pipe may be fixed by threaded fixing or other fixing methods.

[0044] In one implementation of the present invention, the angle between the liquid inlet pipe and the probe (vertically downward) during the cleaning process is less than or equal to 45 degrees, such as 30 degrees. At the same time, the liquid inlet pipe has a low-in and high-out method, that is, the cleaning liquid flows in from the bottom of the liquid inlet pipe and flows out from the top, and the height of the liquid outlet of the liquid inlet pipe is higher than the height of the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20. By controlling the inclination angle and liquid inlet method of the liquid inlet pipe, the probe can be better cleaned, the cleaning efficiency is improved, and the amount of cleaning liquid used is saved.

[0045] In one implementation of the present invention, a slope structure 130 is further provided at the junction of the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 and the flushing portion 10, and the inclination direction of the slope structure 130 is the same as the inclination direction of the liquid inlet pipe 11. By providing the slope structure 130, the cleaning liquid flowing out of the liquid inlet pipe 11 can flow into the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 better.

[0046] In one implementation of the present invention, the liquid inlet pipe 11 and the overflow branch pipe connected to the ultrasonic cleaning chamber 20 are located on the same side, so that the probe cleaning device is more compact in structure, the volume of the device is reduced, and the device is miniaturized.

[0047] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides an ultrasonic cleaning tank, which includes the above-mentioned automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, a cleaning agent storage unit and a probe cleaning positioning device, wherein the probe cleaning positioning device is used to position the same probe. It should be noted that the specific structure and model of the probe cleaning positioning device involved are not limited here, as long as it is a commonly used component in the field that can achieve inductive positioning.

[0048] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, and the cleaning method includes:

[0049] S10, moving the probe to be cleaned to the cleaning liquid container, and absorbing the cleaning liquid.

[0050] Specifically, all drain valves on the probe cleaning device are closed in advance, and the probe to be cleaned is moved to the cleaning liquid container to absorb the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid container here can be the ultrasonic cleaning tank mentioned above, or it can be a separate container.

[0051] S20, moving the probe to be cleaned to the flushing portion, and draining the cleaning liquid into the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

[0052] Specifically, the probe that has absorbed the cleaning liquid is moved to the top of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber through the notch on the flushing part, and then lowered a certain distance to spit the cleaning liquid into the ultrasonic cleaning chamber. The movement of the probe and the removal of the cleaning liquid can be operated by an external mobile control component. The relevant technology in this field is mature technology and is not limited here.

[0053] S30, lowering the probe to be cleaned until the tip is 3-5 mm away from the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

[0054] Specifically, combined Figure 3 As shown, after the operation of step S20 is completed, the probe to be cleaned is further lowered until the needle tip is 4 mm away from the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber. That is, a certain gap is reserved between the needle tip of the probe and the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber to facilitate ultrasonic cleaning of the inner wall and outer surface of the probe.

[0055] S40, starting the ultrasonic generator to perform ultrasonic cleaning on the probe to be cleaned, and after ultrasonic cleaning, raising the needle tip of the probe to above the liquid level of the cleaning solution.

[0056] Specifically, the ultrasonic generator (ultrasonic Langevin vibrator) is turned on, and the cavitation effect, acceleration effect or straight flow effect of the ultrasonic wave in the liquid and the pollutants are directly or indirectly used to disperse, emulsify and peel off the pollutants on the inner and outer walls of the probe. The cleaning time can be shortened by using ultrasonic cleaning. After the ultrasonic cleaning is completed, the probe tip is moved above the cleaning liquid surface.

[0057] S50, opening the valve of the liquid inlet pipe to rinse the outer surface of the probe, and after the rinsing is completed, removing the probe from the cleaning part.

[0058] Specifically, combined Figure 4As shown, open the drain valve on the device to discharge the cleaning liquid in the ultrasonic cleaning chamber, then open the valve of the liquid inlet pipe, and use the cleaning liquid flowing out of the liquid inlet pipe to rinse the outer surface of the probe and the probe tip. The rinsed cleaning liquid can flow out through the overflow port and / or the drain port at the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber. After the rinse is completed, close each valve, raise the cleaned probe back to the starting position and transfer it to the next working position. It should be noted that the rinse mode can also be directly selected according to the actual application scenario, that is, the probe is directly rinsed with cleaning liquid without ultrasonic cleaning first.

[0059] In summary, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, comprising: a flushing part, an ultrasonic cleaning chamber, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning chamber is arranged below the flushing part, and the two are interconnected. The flushing part is provided with a liquid inlet pipe for flushing, and is also provided with a notch for convenient probe passage. The ultrasonic cleaning chamber is provided with an overflow port, a liquid discharge port is provided at the bottom, and an ultrasonic Langevin vibrator is externally arranged. The ultrasonic cleaning principle is utilized, and the cavitation effect, acceleration effect or straight flow effect in the liquid directly and indirectly act on the liquid and pollutants, so that the pollutants on the inner and outer walls of the sample needle tube are dispersed, emulsified, and peeled off, the cleaning time is short, and the cleaning effect is obvious; the cleaning liquid is discharged in large quantities from the surge water outlet to flush the sample needle suction and exhalation end position. The loose attachments are rinsed clean to avoid secondary contamination; the ultrasonic cleaning and surge flushing are performed at the same position where the sample needle swings, saving time. Obvious cleaning effect can be obtained and the cross contamination rate can be improved.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic analyzer probe cleaning device, characterized in that: include: A flushing part, wherein the flushing part is provided with a liquid inlet pipe, and the liquid inlet pipe is used to flush the automatic analyzer probe after ultrasonic cleaning; The ultrasonic cleaning chamber is externally provided with an ultrasonic generator and is used for ultrasonically cleaning the probe of the automatic analyzer; the ultrasonic cleaning chamber is arranged at the bottom of the flushing part and is communicated with the flushing part.

2. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic cleaning chamber is provided with an overflow port.

3. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flushing portion is further provided with a first notch and / or a second notch for the automatic analyzer probe to pass through.

4. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outlet of the liquid inlet pipe is provided with a third notch, and the first notch and / or the second notch are arranged on the same line with the third notch.

5. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid inlet pipe is arranged obliquely, and the cleaning liquid flows in from the bottom of the liquid inlet pipe and flows out from the top.

6. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The liquid outlet of the liquid inlet pipe is higher than the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

7. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A slope structure is provided at the connection between the liquid inlet of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber and the flushing portion, and the inclination direction of the slope structure is the same as the inclination direction of the liquid inlet pipe.

8. The automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A drain valve is arranged at the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber.

9. An ultrasonic cleaning tank, characterized in that: It comprises the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device and the probe cleaning and positioning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe cleaning and positioning device is used to position the same probe.

10. A method for cleaning an automatic analyzer probe, characterized in that: Based on the automatic analyzer probe cleaning device according to claim 1, the cleaning method comprises: Move the probe to be cleaned to the cleaning liquid container and absorb the cleaning liquid; Moving the probe to be cleaned to the flushing portion, and discharging the cleaning liquid into the ultrasonic cleaning chamber; Lower the probe to be cleaned until the tip is 3-5 mm away from the bottom of the ultrasonic cleaning chamber; Starting the ultrasonic generator to ultrasonically clean the probe to be cleaned, and after ultrasonic cleaning, raising the needle tip of the probe to above the liquid level of the cleaning solution; The valve of the liquid inlet pipe is opened to rinse the outer surface of the probe, and after the rinsing is completed, the probe is removed from the cleaning part.

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