An automated flow cell staining device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automated flow cytometry staining device, comprising a base, a staining assembly provided on the base, the staining assembly comprising a plurality of storage tanks provided on the base, the storage tanks being filled with fluorescent stains, a centrifuge provided on one side of the base, two pairs of guide rails provided on the base, the setting direction of any pair of guide rails being the same as the arrangement direction of the storage tanks, the two pairs of guide rails being vertically arranged, a sliding block provided with a slider on the guide rail, one end of the base being connected to one end of the slider via a first telescopic rod, a movable rack provided on the top of the slider, a centrifuge tube being clamped on the movable rack, and a liquid guide assembly provided on the top of the storage tank; the staining assembly provided in the present invention can select fluorescent stains, and there is no need for experimenters to select and drip stains by themselves, thereby improving the efficiency of the experiment; before dripping the stains, the names of different target molecules need to be input into a computer, and the computer will then select the fluorescent stains, and a specified amount of the corresponding stains can be added by moving the centrifuge tubes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cell staining, and more particularly to an automated flow cell staining device. Background Art

[0002] Flow cytometry is a rapid, multi-parameter quantitative analysis of single cells or other biological particles at the cellular and molecular level using monoclonal antibodies. To quickly identify and analyze target cells, target cells usually need to be stained before flow cytometry analysis. The staining steps are clearly defined based on the target's expression site (cell surface or intracellular). When the target is located on the cell surface, fixation and permeabilization are not required, and living cells can be directly tested and analyzed on the flow cytometer. When the target is located inside the cell, the cells need to be fixed and permeabilized to facilitate intracellular staining.

[0003] However, when multiple molecules need to be stained at the same time, weaker fluorescent dyes need to be used for molecules with high expression levels of the target molecules, and most existing flow cytometry staining devices require manual selection of fluorescent antibodies, which increases the human burden during the staining operation and slows down the efficiency of the staining operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an automated flow cytometer staining device to solve the problem that most flow cytometer staining devices in the prior art require manual selection of fluorescent antibodies, which increases the burden on personnel during the staining operation and reduces the efficiency of the staining operation.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An automated flow cytometer staining device comprises a base, wherein a staining assembly is provided on the base, wherein the staining assembly comprises a plurality of storage tanks provided on the base, wherein the storage tanks are filled with fluorescent stain, a centrifuge is provided on one side of the base, two pairs of guide rails are provided on the base, wherein one pair of guide rails is provided in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the storage tanks, the two pairs of guide rails are vertically arranged, a slider is provided on the guide rails, one end of the base is connected to one end of the slider via a first telescopic rod, and the first telescopic rod is controlled by a computer, a movable rack is provided on the top of the slider, a centrifuge tube is clamped on the movable rack, and a liquid guide assembly is provided on the top of the storage tank.

[0007] Preferably, the liquid guide assembly includes a connecting sleeve arranged on the outside of the storage tank, a sliding plate is provided in the connecting sleeve, the top of the sliding plate is connected to a connecting block by a coil spring, the bottom of the sliding plate is connected to a limiting block, one side of the connecting block is connected to a top cover, the top cover is arranged on the top of the storage tank, and the limiting plates arranged at both ends of the connecting block are respectively slidably clamped in the card grooves opened on both sides of the connecting sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, a sealing ring is provided in an annular shape at the bottom end of the top cover, a transfer tube is provided on the inner wall of the top cover, a liquid drawing tube is provided on the inner wall of the storage tank, the top end of the liquid drawing tube is connected to the bottom end of the transfer tube, a sleeve is connected to the outside of the transfer tube, and the sleeve is provided on the outside of the storage tank.

[0009] Preferably, a first spring is provided on the inner top wall of the sleeve, a free end of the first spring is connected to a first connecting tube, and a connecting port is provided on a side of the first connecting tube close to the transfer tube.

[0010] Preferably, the top of the movable frame is connected to a rotating block through a coil spring, the rotating block is hollow and a second connecting tube is connected to the top, the top of the second connecting tube is in contact with the bottom end of any one of the first connecting tubes through an inclined surface, an air bag is provided on the bottom wall of the storage tank, and the air pump provided in the base is connected to the air bag through a pipeline, and the air pump is controlled by a computer.

[0011] Preferably, the rotating block is provided with an opening at one end facing the centrifuge tube, a guide wheel is provided for rotation on the outer side of the movable frame, the bottom end of the rotating block is connected to a pull rope, the free end of the pull rope is connected to a holder, a magnetic block is provided at one end of the holder, the bottom end of the holder is connected to the slider through a second spring, and the bottom end of the centrifuge tube is in contact with the top end of the holder.

[0012] Preferably, a through hole is provided at the connection between the two pairs of guide rails, a rotating plate is rotatably provided in the through hole, a pair of guide rails is also provided on the rotating plate, and a connecting button is provided at the top of the rotating plate.

[0013] Preferably, a second telescopic rod with a sliding connection is provided on one side of the base, a sleeve provided at the output end of the second telescopic rod is sleeved on the connecting button, and the second telescopic rod is connected to the inner wall of the base through a third spring.

[0014] Preferably, a third telescopic rod is provided on the base, a connecting frame is provided on the top of the third telescopic rod, one end of the internal channel of the connecting frame is connected to a suction device, and the free end of the internal channel of the connecting frame is connected to a pump through a pipeline.

[0015] Preferably, a ray source and a receiver are provided at the bottom end of the connecting frame, and the ray source, the receiver and the bottom opening of the absorber are arranged on the same horizontal line.

[0016] The principle and beneficial effects of this technical solution:

[0017] (1) The dyeing component provided in the present invention can select the fluorescent dye, and the experimenter does not need to select and drip the dye by himself, thereby improving the efficiency of the experiment. Before dripping the dye, the name of the different target molecules to be dyed must be input into the computer. The computer will select the fluorescent dye according to the molecular expression corresponding to the molecular name to be dyed. After the selection is completed, the air pump is controlled according to the amount of fluorescent agent added. At this time, the air pump will quantitatively inflate the air bag in the storage tank storing the corresponding fluorescent agent through the pipeline system. At this time, the pressure in the storage tank increases, and the liquid level in the liquid pumping tube increases. It will rise. After the pressurization is completed, the computer drives the first telescopic rod to shorten, and the first telescopic rod will drive the slider and the mobile rack to slide along the guide rail. The centrifuge tube clamped on the mobile rack will move horizontally along the guide rail. At this time, the rotating block and the second connecting tube connected by the coil spring on the mobile rack will squeeze the first connecting tubes set on the outside of different storage tanks through the inclined surface in sequence. The liquid in the liquid drawing tube will enter the transferring tube under the action of pressure, and finally be introduced into the rotating block connected to the second connecting tube through the transferring tube. The opening set at one end of the rotating block facing the centrifuge tube will introduce the fluorescent agent into the centrifuge tube for dyeing.

[0018] (2) The liquid guide assembly provided in the present invention can prevent the dye from overflowing when the user adds the dye. When the dye needs to be added to the storage tank, the top cover is lifted upwards. At this time, the sliding plate connected to the outer side of the top cover by the connecting block will move upwards, and the limit plates provided at both ends of the connecting block will gradually slide out of the slot. When the limit plates completely slide out of the slot, since a coil spring is provided at the hinge between the connecting block and the sliding plate, the coil spring will drive the connecting block and the top cover to rotate to a vertical direction. At the same time, the transfer tube provided on the inner wall of the top cover will also be disconnected from the liquid drawing tube when the top cover moves upwards, thereby preventing the fluorescent agent from overflowing.

[0019] (3) The absorber provided in the present invention can absorb the supernatant after the centrifugation is completed. After the centrifugation is completed by the centrifuge and the centrifuge tube is reloaded onto the movable rack, and then the second telescopic rod is shortened. The second telescopic rod will pull the connecting button provided at the top of the rotating plate through the sleeve provided at the output shaft end, so that the rotating plate rotates in the through hole until the rotating plate drives the slider and the movable rack to rotate 90 degrees. At this time, the guide rail provided on the rotating plate is aligned with the other pair of guide rails, driving the slider and the movable rack to slide to the bottom of the absorber, turning on the radiation source and the receiver, and then driving the third telescopic rod to shorten. At this time, the connecting rack connected to the top of the third telescopic rod and the absorber will move downward synchronously. When the light intensity received by the receiver drops significantly, the third telescopic rod is stopped and the pump is started. The pump will suck out the supernatant through the pipeline and the absorber. After the absorption is completed, the third telescopic rod is reset and the centrifuge tube is removed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure after the present invention is disassembled;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of area A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle B area;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle C region;

[0025] The figure marks in the drawings of the specification include: 1, storage tank; 2, base; 3, centrifuge; 4, first telescopic rod; 5, connecting frame; 6, extractor; 7, radiation source; 8, receiver; 9, third telescopic rod; 10, pump; 11, transfer tube; 12, top cover; 13, limit plate; 14, connecting block; 15, sliding plate; 16, limit block; 17, slot; 18, connecting sleeve; 19, sleeve; 20, first spring; 21, first connecting pipe; 22, connecting port; 23, sealing ring; 24, liquid drawing pipe; 25, second connecting pipe; 26, rotating block; 27, pull rope; 28, moving frame; 29, guide wheel; 30, card seat; 31, second spring; 32, centrifuge tube; 33, slider; 34, rotating plate; 35, sleeve; 36, guide rail; 37, through hole; 38, second telescopic rod; 39, third spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0027] Example:

[0028] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides an automated flow cytometry staining device, including a base 2, a staining assembly is provided on the base 2, the staining assembly includes a plurality of storage tanks 1 provided on the base 2, the storage tanks 1 are filled with fluorescent dye, a centrifuge 3 is provided on one side of the base 2, two pairs of guide rails 36 are provided on the base 2, one pair of guide rails 36 is provided in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the storage tanks 1, the two pairs of guide rails 36 are vertically arranged, a slider 33 is provided on the guide rail 36, one end of the base 2 is connected to one end of the slider 33 through a first telescopic rod 4, the first telescopic rod 4 is controlled by a computer, a movable rack 28 is provided on the top of the slider 33, a centrifuge tube 32 is clamped on the movable rack 28, and a liquid guide assembly is provided on the top of the storage tank 1.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the liquid guide assembly includes a connecting sleeve 18 arranged on the outside of the storage tank 1, a sliding plate 15 is provided in the connecting sleeve 18, the top of the sliding plate 15 is connected to the connecting block 14 by a coil spring, the bottom end of the sliding plate 15 is connected to the limiting block 16, one side of the connecting block 14 is connected to the top cover 12, the top cover 12 is provided on the top of the storage tank 1, and the limiting plates 13 provided at both ends of the connecting block 14 are respectively slidably clamped in the card slots 17 opened on both sides of the connecting sleeve 18.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, a sealing ring 23 is annularly provided at the bottom end of the top cover 12, a transfer tube 11 is provided on the inner wall of the top cover 12, a liquid drawing tube 24 is provided on the inner wall of the storage tank 1, the top end of the liquid drawing tube 24 is connected to the bottom end of the transfer tube 11, and a sleeve 19 is connected to the outside of the transfer tube 11, and the sleeve 19 is provided on the outside of the storage tank 1.

[0031] The liquid guide component can prevent the dye from overflowing when the user adds dye. When dye needs to be added to the storage tank 1, the top cover 12 is lifted up. At this time, the sliding plate 15 connected to the outside of the top cover 12 through the connecting block 14 will move up, and the limit plates 13 set at both ends of the connecting block 14 will gradually slide out of the slot 17. When the limit plates 13 completely slide out of the slot 17, since a coil spring is set at the hinge between the connecting block 14 and the sliding plate 15, the coil spring will drive the connecting block 14 and the top cover 12 to rotate to a vertical direction. At the same time, the transfer tube 11 set on the inner wall of the top cover 12 will also be disconnected from the liquid drawing tube when the top cover 12 moves up, thereby preventing the fluorescent agent from overflowing.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, a first spring 20 is provided on the inner top wall of the sleeve 19 , and a first connecting tube 21 is connected to the free end of the first spring 20 . A connecting port 22 is provided on the side of the first connecting tube 21 close to the transfer tube 11 .

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the top of the movable frame 28 is connected to the rotating block 26 through a coil spring. The rotating block 26 is hollow and a second connecting tube 25 is connected to the top. The top of the second connecting tube 25 contacts the bottom end of any first connecting tube 21 through an inclined surface. An air bag is provided on the bottom wall of the storage tank 1. The air pump provided in the base 2 is connected to the air bag through a pipeline, and the air pump is controlled by a computer.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, an opening is provided at one end of the rotating block 26 facing the centrifuge tube 32, a guide wheel 29 is provided for rotation on the outer side of the movable frame 28, a pull rope 27 is connected to the bottom end of the rotating block 26, a free end of the pull rope 27 is connected to the holder 30, a magnetic block is provided at one end of the holder 30, the bottom end of the holder 30 is connected to the slider 33 through a second spring 31, and the bottom end of the centrifuge tube 32 is in contact with the top end of the holder 30.

[0035] like Figure 5As shown, a through hole 37 is provided at the connection between the two pairs of guide rails 36, and a rotating plate 34 is rotatably mounted in the through hole 37. A pair of guide rails 36 is also provided on the rotating plate 34, and a connecting button is provided at the top of the rotating plate 34.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, a second telescopic rod 38 with a sliding connection is provided on one side of the base 2, and a sleeve 35 provided at the output end of the second telescopic rod 38 is sleeved on the connecting button. The second telescopic rod 38 is connected to the inner wall of the base 2 through a third spring 39.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a third telescopic rod 9 is provided on the base 2, a connecting frame 5 is provided on the top of the third telescopic rod 9, one end of the internal channel of the connecting frame 5 is connected to a suction device 6, and the free end of the internal channel of the connecting frame 5 is connected to a pump 10 through a pipeline.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, a ray source 7 and a receiver 8 are provided at the bottom end of the connecting frame 5 , and the ray source 7 , the receiver 8 and the bottom opening of the absorber 6 are arranged on the same horizontal line.

[0039] After the centrifugation is completed, the absorber 6 can absorb the supernatant. After the centrifugation is completed by the centrifuge 3 and the centrifuge tube 32 is reloaded onto the movable rack 28, and then the second telescopic rod 38 is shortened. The second telescopic rod 38 will pull the connecting button provided at the top of the rotating plate 34 through the sleeve 35 provided at its output shaft end, so that the rotating plate 34 rotates in the through hole 37 until the rotating plate 34 drives the slider 33 and the movable rack 28 to rotate 90 degrees. At this time, the guide rails 36 provided on the rotating plate 34 are aligned with the other pair of guide rails 36, driving the slider 33 and the movable rack 28 to slide to the bottom of the absorber 6, turning on the radiation source 7 and the receiver 8, and then driving the third telescopic rod 9 to shorten. At this time, the connecting rack 5 and the absorber 6 connected to the top of the third telescopic rod 9 will move downward synchronously. When the light intensity received by the receiver 8 drops significantly, the third telescopic rod 9 is stopped and the pump 10 is started. The pump 10 will suck out the supernatant through the pipeline and the absorber 6. After the suction is completed, the third telescopic rod 9 is reset and the centrifuge tube 32 is removed.

[0040] The specific usage and function of this embodiment are as follows:

[0041] The dyeing component provided in the present invention can select fluorescent dyes, and there is no need for the experimenter to select and drip the dyes by himself, thereby improving the efficiency of the experiment. Before dripping the dyes, the names of the different target molecules to be dyed must be input into the computer first. The computer will select the fluorescent dyes according to the molecular expression corresponding to the molecular name to be dyed. After the selection is completed, the air pump is controlled according to the amount of fluorescent agent added. At this time, the air pump will quantitatively inflate the air bag in the storage tank 1 storing the corresponding fluorescent agent through the pipeline system. At this time, the pressure in the storage tank increases, and the liquid level in the liquid drawing tube will rise. After the pressurization is completed, the computer drives the first telescopic rod 4 to shorten, and the first telescopic rod 4 will drive the slider 33 and the movable frame 28 to slide along the guide rail 36. The clamped The centrifuge tube 32 will translate along the guide rail 36. At this time, the rotating block 26 and the second connecting tube 25 connected by the coil spring on the movable frame 28 will sequentially squeeze the first connecting tube 21 provided on the outside of different storage tanks 1 through the inclined surface. When the second connecting tube 25 squeezes the first connecting tube 21 provided on the outside of the pressurized storage tank 1, the first connecting tube 21 moves upward and compresses the first spring 20. At the same time, the connecting port 22 provided on the side of the first connecting tube 21 close to the transfer tube 11 will be directly connected to the transfer tube 11. At this time, the liquid in the liquid drawing tube will enter the transfer tube 11 under the action of pressure, and finally be introduced into the rotating block 26 connected to the second connecting tube 25 through the transfer tube 11. The opening provided on one end of the rotating block 26 facing the centrifuge tube 32 will introduce the fluorescent agent into the centrifuge tube 32 for dyeing.

[0042] When the slider 33 and the movable frame 28 are moved to the top of the rotating plate 34, the first telescopic rod 4 stops shortening. At this time, the centrifuge tube 32 is manually pressed down until the holder 30 set at the bottom end of the centrifuge tube 32 is attracted by the slider 33 through the magnetic block. During the downward movement of the holder 30, the pull rope 27 is pulled to make the rotating block 26 connected to the free end of the pull rope 27 rotate along the top of the movable frame 28, and at the same time, the coil spring set at the top of the movable frame 28 is contracted. When the holder 30 is attracted by the slider 33 through the magnetic block, the rotating block 26 is rotated to the vertical direction. At this time, the centrifuge tube 32 is removed and the slider 33 and the movable frame 28 are reset by the first telescopic rod 4. When the device is used again, the holder 30 is manually lifted so that the holder 30 can lift the centrifuge tube 32.

[0043] The above is only an embodiment of the present invention, and the common knowledge such as the specific technical solutions and / or characteristics in the solution are not described in detail here. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, several variations and improvements can be made, which should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention, and these will not affect the effect of the implementation of the present invention and the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection required by this application shall be based on the content of its claims, and the specific implementation methods and other records in the description can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. An automated flow cytometry staining device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base (2), wherein a dyeing assembly is provided on the base (2), wherein the dyeing assembly comprises a plurality of storage tanks (1) provided on the base (2), wherein the storage tanks (1) are filled with a fluorescent dye, and a centrifuge (3) is provided on one side of the base (2). Two pairs of guide rails (36) are provided on the base (2), wherein the setting direction of one pair of guide rails (36) is the same as the arrangement direction of the storage tanks (1), and the two pairs of guide rails (36) are vertically arranged, and a slider (33) is provided on the guide rails (36). One end of the base (2) is connected to one end of the slider (33) through a first telescopic rod (4), and the first telescopic rod (4) is controlled by a computer. A movable rack (28) is provided at the top of the slider (33), and a centrifuge tube (32) is clamped on the movable rack (28). A liquid guide assembly is provided at the top of the storage tank (1); The liquid guide assembly includes a connecting sleeve (18) arranged on the outside of the storage tank (1), a sliding plate (15) is provided in the connecting sleeve (18), the top end of the sliding plate (15) is connected to the connecting block (14) through a coil spring, the bottom end of the sliding plate (15) is connected to the limiting block (16), one side of the connecting block (14) is connected to the top cover (12), the top cover (12) is provided on the top of the storage tank (1), and the limiting plates (13) provided at both ends of the connecting block (14) are respectively slidably fixed in the card slots (17) opened on both sides of the connecting sleeve (18); A sealing ring (23) is provided in an annular shape at the bottom end of the top cover (12), a transfer tube (11) is provided on the inner wall of the top cover (12), a liquid drawing tube (24) is provided on the inner wall of the storage tank (1), the top end of the liquid drawing tube (24) is communicated with the bottom end of the transfer tube (11), a sleeve (19) is connected to the outside of the transfer tube (11), and the sleeve (19) is provided on the outside of the storage tank (1); A first spring (20) is provided on the inner top wall of the sleeve (19); a free end of the first spring (20) is connected to a first connecting tube (21); and a connecting port (22) is provided on a side of the first connecting tube (21) close to the transfer tube (11); The top of the movable frame (28) is rotatably connected to a rotating block (26) via a coil spring. The rotating block (26) is hollow and has a second connecting tube (25) connected to the top. The top of the second connecting tube (25) contacts the bottom of any of the first connecting tubes (21) via an inclined surface. An air bag is provided on the bottom wall of the storage tank (1). An air pump provided in the base (2) is connected to the air bag via a pipeline. The air pump is controlled by a computer. The rotating block (26) is provided with an opening at one end facing the centrifuge tube (32), and a guide wheel (29) is rotatably provided on the outer side of the movable frame (28). The bottom end of the rotating block (26) is connected to a pull rope (27), and the free end of the pull rope (27) is connected to a holder (30). A magnetic block is provided at one end of the holder (30), and the bottom end of the holder (30) is connected to the slider (33) via a second spring (31). The bottom end of the centrifuge tube (32) contacts the top end of the holder (30).

2. An automated flow cytometry staining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through hole (37) is provided at the connection between the two pairs of guide rails (36), a rotating plate (34) is provided in the through hole (37), a pair of guide rails (36) is also provided on the rotating plate (34), and a connecting button is provided at the top of the rotating plate (34).

3. An automated flow cytometry staining device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second telescopic rod (38) is provided on one side of the base (2) for sliding connection. A sleeve (35) provided at the output end of the second telescopic rod (38) is sleeved on the connecting button. The second telescopic rod (38) is connected to the inner wall of the base (2) via a third spring (39).

4. The automated flow cytometry staining device according to claim 3, wherein: A third telescopic rod (9) is provided on the base (2), a connecting frame (5) is provided at the top end of the third telescopic rod (9), one end of the internal channel of the connecting frame (5) is connected to a suction device (6), and the free end of the internal channel of the connecting frame (5) is connected to a pump (10) via a pipeline.

5. The automated flow cytometry staining device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A ray source (7) and a receiver (8) are provided at the bottom end of the connecting frame (5), and the ray source (7), the receiver (8) and the bottom openings of the absorber (6) are arranged on the same horizontal line.

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