A detection apparatus and a droplet generation system

Abstract

The application relates to a detection device and a droplet generation system. The detection device and the droplet generation system respectively comprise a liquid supply device, the liquid supply device comprising a container, a liquid nozzle capable of being driven to move along a preset path and having a first position and a second position, and a locking device for keeping the liquid nozzle at the first position; the liquid supply device has a first state and a second state; when in the first state, the liquid nozzle is at the first position, the liquid nozzle is tightly connected with the container, and an internal passage of the liquid nozzle is in communication with a liquid outlet of the container; when in the second state, the liquid nozzle is at the second position, the liquid nozzle is separated from the container, and the internal passage of the liquid nozzle is disconnected from the liquid outlet of the container; the detection device can be a PCR device, and the liquid supply device is an oil supply device. The detection device and the droplet generation system can conveniently disassemble and install the liquid container, can avoid liquid spilling during disassembly and replacement, and can effectively improve detection efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a detection device such as a PCR device, and in particular to a liquid supply device and a droplet generation system of the detection device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a detection device such as a digital PCR device, a liquid supply device is provided for supplying liquid (e.g. reagent oil) as required for generating droplets and the like. In the case of a digital PCR device, a liquid supply device used in the prior art generally comprises a container having a liquid containing space, a cover body which can be detached relative to the container, and a liquid delivery tube which penetrates from inside the container to outside the container and is used to connect a rear end mechanism outside the container. With this structure, when the container is replaced and the cover body is detached, the liquid delivery tube needs to be pulled out of the container by opening the cover body. In this process, the pulled-out liquid delivery tube carries part of the liquid out of the container and causes the liquid to spill and contaminate the working area. At the same time, the installation of this structure requires the liquid delivery tube to be inserted into the container, making it difficult to achieve quick and convenient assembly. SUMMARY

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide an improved detection device, the liquid supply device of which can be conveniently replaced and liquid spilling can be avoided.

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, one technical solution adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0005] A detection device has a liquid passage and a liquid supply device for supplying liquid to the liquid passage, the liquid supply device comprising a container having a liquid containing space and a liquid outlet, a liquid nozzle which can be driven to move along a predetermined path and has a first position and a second position, and a locking device for keeping the liquid nozzle in the first position, the liquid nozzle having an internal passage; the liquid supply device has a first state and a second state; when in the first state, the liquid nozzle is in the first position, the liquid nozzle is tightly connected with the container, and the internal passage of the liquid nozzle is in communication with the liquid outlet of the container; when in the second state, the liquid nozzle is in the second position, the liquid nozzle is separated from the container, and the internal passage of the liquid nozzle is disconnected from the liquid outlet of the container.

[0006] According to one specific embodiment of the present application, the detection device comprises a support, the support having a first mounting portion, and the liquid nozzle is arranged on the first mounting portion. In another specific embodiment, the support has both a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the liquid nozzle is arranged on the first mounting portion, and the second mounting portion is used to accommodate and / or support the container.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present application, the preset path extends in the up-down direction, particularly vertically; when the liquid nozzle is in the first position, the liquid nozzle can be located above or below the container, and the liquid outlet is arranged on the top or bottom of the container; preferably, when the liquid nozzle is located above the container, the container further has a guide pipe, one end of which is in communication with the liquid outlet and the other end extends to the bottom of the container.

[0008] Preferably, the liquid supply device further comprises a driving device for driving the liquid nozzle to move along the preset path between the first position and the second position, which can be a manual driving device, an electric driving device or a driving device capable of being manually and electrically driven.

[0009] The locking device in the present application is not particularly limited and can be those conventional in the art. According to a preferred mode of the present application, the locking device is arranged between the driving device and the container. In a specific and preferred embodiment, the locking device comprises a clamping groove arranged on the container and a clamping head connected with the driving device, which is embedded in the clamping groove when in the first state.

[0010] Further, the driving device comprises a driving member rotatably arranged and a touch ring formed on the outer periphery of the liquid nozzle, which drives the liquid nozzle to move linearly by abutting against the touch ring when the driving member rotates.

[0011] Further, the detection device comprises a support having a first mounting portion on which the liquid nozzle is arranged, the driving member has a driving arm and a connecting portion rotatably connected with the first mounting portion, and the touch ring comprises an upper touch ring and a lower touch ring arranged at intervals and respectively located on both sides of the driving arm.

[0012] Preferably, the driving device further comprises an operating handle connected with the driving member, and the locking device comprises a clamping groove arranged on the container and a clamping head formed on one end of the operating handle, which is embedded in the clamping groove when in the first state.

[0013] When the driving device is an electric driving device or a driving device capable of being manually and electrically driven, the driving device further comprises an electric push rod connected with the driving member.

[0014] According to a specific embodiment of the present application, the liquid outlet comprises a liquid outlet hole and a sealing ring arranged on the hole wall of the liquid outlet hole.

[0015] Preferably, the liquid nozzle comprises a liquid pipe having the internal passage, the liquid pipe is opposite to the sealing ring, and one end of the liquid pipe towards the sealing ring has an inclined surface; the side end surface of the sealing ring towards the liquid pipe also has an inclined surface; and when in the first state, the inclined surface of the liquid pipe is pressed against the inclined surface of the sealing ring.

[0016] Furthermore, the container has an installation hole, a container cap is fixed inside the installation hole, and a liquid outlet is opened on the container cap.

[0017] Preferably, the container lid is also provided with vent holes.

[0018] Preferably, the edge of the mounting hole is provided with a hole wall located outside the container, and the outer periphery of the container lid is provided with a protruding edge that abuts against the end face of the hole wall.

[0019] Preferably, the detection device further includes a guide seat for guiding the movement of the nozzle along a preset path, the guide seat being arranged around the nozzle.

[0020] Preferably, the detection device is a PCR device, and the liquid supply device is an oil supply device.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention provides a droplet generation system, which includes the liquid supply device as described above.

[0022] Due to the application of the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The present invention adopts an improved liquid supply device, which can not only facilitate the disassembly and installation of the liquid supply container during the container replacement process, but also avoid problems such as liquid spillage during disassembly and replacement, which helps to ensure the smooth progress of testing and promote work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Appendix Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a digital PCR device.

[0024] Appendix Figure 2 This is a partial front view schematic diagram of the detection device of the present invention.

[0025] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the detection device of the present invention in its first state.

[0026] Appendix Figure 4 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of part B of the detection device of the present invention.

[0027] Appendix Figure 5 This is a schematic AA cross-sectional view of the detection device of the present invention in the second state.

[0028] Appendix Figure 6 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of section C of the detection device of the present invention.

[0029] In the above drawings: 1, container; 2, liquid nozzle; 3, support; 4, first mounting portion; 5, second mounting portion; 6, conduit; 7, liquid outlet; 8, driving piece; 9, upper touch ring; 10, lower touch ring; 11, operating handle; 12, clamping groove; 13, clamping head; 14, sealing ring; 15, liquid outlet hole; 16, container cover; 17, guide seat; 18, X-axis slide rail; 19, Y-axis slide rail; 20, base; 21, movement detection platform; 22, micro-droplet generation unit; 23, optical detection unit; 24, movement bearing platform; 25, thermal cycle unit; 26, driving device; 27, driving lead screw; 28, oil supply device; 29, steady flow sample injection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to enable persons skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by persons skilled in the art without creative labor should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for description purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral connection; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] As shown in the drawings Figure 1The digital PCR device shown includes a base 20 with an X-axis slide rail 18 and a Y-axis slide rail 19, a movable detection platform 21 slidably mounted on the base 20 via the X-axis slide rail 18, a drive device 26 for moving the movable detection platform 21, a microdroplet generation unit 22 mounted on the movable detection platform 21, an optical detection unit 23 mounted on the movable detection platform 21, a movable support platform 24 mounted within the base 20 via the Y-axis slide rail 19, a drive screw 27 for driving the movable support platform 24, and multiple thermal circulation units 25 mounted on the movable support platform 24. The microdroplet generation unit 22 for microdropletizing samples includes an oil supply device 28 for providing formulated oil and a steady-flow injection device 29 for aspirating samples and injecting them into the formulated oil to form microdroplets. The oil supply device 28 is connected to the injection microtube in the steady-flow injection device 29 via a tubing, thereby allowing the formulated oil to be introduced into the injection microtube to purge any gas.

[0034] In the aforementioned digital PCR device, the oil supply device 28 employs a liquid supply device having a liquid passage and a liquid supply device for supplying liquid to the liquid passage.

[0035] As attached Figure 2 To be continued Figure 6 As shown, the liquid supply device includes a container 1 with a liquid holding space and a liquid outlet 7. The liquid holding space contains the required liquid, such as oil. The liquid outlet 7 connects the inside and outside of the container 1, allowing the liquid inside the container 1 to be discharged outside. The liquid supply device also includes a nozzle 2 with an internal channel. The nozzle 2 is movably disposed outside the container 1 and can be driven to move along a preset path. The nozzle 2 also has a first position and a second position, which can be switched between when the nozzle 2 moves along the preset path. The liquid supply device also includes a locking device that holds the nozzle 2 in the first position when it reaches that position. The nozzle 2 is used to connect to a downstream liquid circuit system to deliver oil.

[0036] The liquid supply device has the following features: Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 The first state shown and as attached Figure 5 and attached Figure 6 The second state is shown. In the first state, the nozzle 2 is in the first position, the nozzle 2 is tightly connected to the container 1, and the internal channel of the nozzle 2 is connected to the liquid outlet 7 of the container 1. In the second state, the nozzle 2 is in the second position, the nozzle 2 is separated from the container 1, and the internal channel of the nozzle 2 is disconnected from the liquid outlet 7 of the container 1.

[0037] The locking device comprises a cooperating clamping groove 12 and a clamping head 13, the clamping groove 12 is arranged on the container 1, and the clamping head 13 is connected with the driving device. When the liquid supply device is in the first state, the clamping head 13 is embedded in the clamping groove 12, at this time, the driving device cannot move freely, thereby keeping the liquid nozzle 2 in the first position by limiting the driving device.

[0038] The detection device comprises a support 3 for supporting and mounting each component, the support 3 has a first mounting portion 4, the liquid nozzle 2 is arranged on the first mounting portion 4 and can move relative to the first mounting portion 4. The first mounting portion 4 can be in the form of a plate, a through hole is formed in the plate, and the liquid nozzle 2 is arranged in the through hole. The support 3 can have the first mounting portion 4 and a second mounting portion 5 for receiving and / or supporting the container 1.

[0039] The preset path of the liquid nozzle 2 is in the up-down direction, that is, the liquid nozzle 2 can move in the up-down direction. The liquid nozzle 2 comprises a liquid pipe having an internal passage, and the axial direction of the liquid pipe is arranged in the movement direction of the liquid nozzle 2, that is, the up-down direction. When the liquid nozzle 2 is in the first position, the liquid nozzle 2 is above or below the container 1, and the liquid outlet 7 is arranged on the top or bottom of the container 1. In this embodiment, the liquid nozzle 2 is arranged above the container 1, and a guide pipe 6 is arranged in the container 1, one end (upper end) of the guide pipe 6 is communicated with the liquid outlet 7 of the container 1, and the other end (lower end) of the guide pipe 6 extends to the lower half of the container 1, close to the bottom of the container 1, and is preferably arranged as an inclined end surface and contacts the bottom of the container 1. The lower end of the liquid nozzle 2 is used to connect the container 1, and the upper end is used to connect the rear-end liquid system, for example, a connecting bayonet is arranged on the upper end of the liquid nozzle 2, and a flexible hose can be connected to the rear-end liquid system through the connecting bayonet.

[0040] The liquid nozzle 2 can move along the preset path between the first position and the second position, in order to facilitate the stable and controllable movement of the liquid nozzle, the liquid supply device further comprises a driving device for driving the liquid nozzle 2. The driving device can be a manual driving device, an electric driving device, or a driving device that can be manually driven and electrically driven.

[0041] In the embodiment, the driving device comprises a driving member 8, a touch ring and an operating handle 11. The driving member 8 is movably arranged and drives the liquid nozzle 2 to move when it moves. In the embodiment, the driving member 8 is rotatably connected to the first mounting portion 4 of the support 3 through a rotating shaft. The driving member 8 comprises a connecting portion rotatably connected to the first mounting portion 4 at one end, a driving arm connected to the other end of the connecting portion, and the axis of the connecting portion forms an angle with the axis of the driving arm. In the embodiment, the axis of the connecting portion is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the driving arm, thereby forming a bent arm. The rotating shaft and the connecting portion are located at one side of the liquid nozzle 2, and the driving arm extends from both sides of the middle portion of the liquid nozzle 2 to the other side of the liquid nozzle 2. Two parallel rib plates can be arranged on the first mounting portion 4 for mounting the rotating shaft to rotatably mount the driving member 8. The touch ring is arranged around the outer periphery of the liquid nozzle 2 and can be in contact with the driving member 8, specifically, in contact with the driving arm of the driving member 8, so that when the driving member 8 rotates, the touch ring can be pushed to drive the liquid nozzle 2 to move. The touch ring comprises an upper touch ring 9 arranged at one side of the driving member 8 and a lower touch ring 10 arranged at the other side of the driving member 8. The two touch rings 9, 10 are arranged at intervals and are respectively used to realize the movement of the liquid nozzle 2 in two moving directions, i.e., upward and downward. When the driving member 8 rotates upward, it pushes the upper touch ring 9 from below to drive the liquid nozzle 2 to move upward. When the driving member 8 rotates downward, it pushes the lower touch ring 10 from above to drive the liquid nozzle 2 to move downward. The movement of the driving member 8 can be manually driven by a person or electrically driven. In the embodiment, the driving device is a manually driven device, which further comprises an operating handle 11 connected to the driving arm of the driving member 8, so that the driving member 8 can be operated by operating the operating handle 11. One end of the operating handle 11 is fixedly connected to the driving member 8, and a protrusion for a person to apply a force can be arranged at the middle portion of the operating handle 11. Based on the scheme comprising the operating handle 11, the clamping head 13 in the locking device is formed at one end of the operating handle 11. When in the first state, the operating handle 11 is rotated toward the direction of the container 1 so that the clamping head 13 at one end thereof is embedded into the clamping groove 12 on the container 1. The surface in contact between the clamping groove 12 and the clamping head 13 is a bevel surface, so that the clamping head 13 is not easy to slide out of the clamping groove 12 freely under the action of the bevel surface, but needs to apply a certain size of external force to slide out of the clamping groove 12 to realize unlocking.

[0042] In order to ensure that the liquid nozzle 2 moves along the preset path and reduce deviation, the detection device further comprises a guide seat 17 for guiding the movement of the liquid nozzle 2 along the preset path. The guide seat 17 is arranged around the liquid nozzle 2 and can be mounted on the first mounting portion 4.

[0043] When the driving device is an electric driving device or a driving device capable of being driven manually or electrically, the driving device further comprises an electric push rod connected with the driving member 8. The electric push rod can be hingedly connected with the first mounting portion 4 and the driving member 8 at two ends thereof, and when the electric push rod is extended or shortened, the driving member 8 can be driven to rotate.

[0044] The liquid outlet 7 of the container 1 comprises a liquid outlet hole 15 and a sealing ring 14 arranged on the hole wall of the liquid outlet hole 15. In the embodiment, a mounting hole is formed on the container 1, and a container cover 16 is fixedly arranged at the mounting hole, and the liquid outlet hole 15 is formed on the container cover 16. More specifically, the edge of the mounting hole is provided with a hole wall outside the container 1, and the outer periphery of the container cover 16 is provided with a protrusion abutting against the end surface of the hole wall, so that the container cover 16 is mounted by cooperation of the protrusion and the end surface of the hole wall. The thickness of the container cover 16 is large, the axial length of the liquid outlet hole 15 formed on the container cover 16 is larger than the axial length of the sealing ring 14, and the sealing ring 14 is fixedly arranged on the hole wall of the middle portion of the liquid outlet hole 15 by a stepped structure. Above the liquid outlet hole 15 and the sealing ring 14, the liquid pipe of the liquid nozzle 2 has an inclined surface towards the end portion of the sealing ring 14 of the container 1, and the end surface of the sealing ring 14 towards the liquid nozzle 2 also has an inclined surface. When in the first state, the inclined surface of the liquid pipe is pressed against the inclined surface of the sealing ring 14, so that the sealing ring 14 is elastically deformed to realize axial and circumferential sealing connection. The container cover 16 is further provided with a gas permeable hole to communicate the inside and outside of the container 1, and a pair of gas permeable holes can be formed on the opposite sides of the liquid outlet hole 15. For the unused container 1, the container cover 16 is provided with a sealing film covering the liquid outlet hole 15 and the gas permeable hole, so as to ensure the sealing of the unused container 1 during transportation, and avoid liquid spilling.

[0045] The process of replacing the container 1 of the liquid supply device is as follows: unlock the locking device, rotate the driving member 8 upward by manual or electric mode, and in the process, the liquid nozzle 2 is moved upward by the upper touch ring 9 under the guidance of the guide seat 17, so that the lower end of the liquid nozzle 2 is separated from the liquid outlet part 7 of the container 1. Peel off the sealing film on the container cover 16 of the unused container 1 and place the container 1 on the designated position of the support 3, rotate the driving member 8 downward by manual or electric mode, and in the process, the liquid nozzle 2 is moved to the limit position by the lower touch ring 10 under the guidance of the guide seat 17, so that the lower end of the liquid nozzle 2 is connected with the container 1 by entering the liquid outlet hole 15 and being in close contact with the sealing ring 14, at this time, the internal passage of the liquid nozzle 2 is communicated with the liquid outlet hole 15 of the liquid outlet part 7 of the container 1, and the clamping head 13 at the end of the operating handle 11 is embedded in the clamping groove 12 to lock the position of the liquid nozzle 2. At this time, the gas in the liquid nozzle 2 and the internal conduit 6 of the container 1 can be exhausted to the inside of the container 1 through the rear end liquid path system, and then oil liquid is injected into the rear end. The air vent hole on the container 1 can timely supplement the pressure in the container 1, so that the pressure inside and outside the container 1 is equal. In the above process of replacing the container 1, the liquid in the container 1 will not spill and pollute the detection environment, and the process is convenient and time-saving.

[0046] In the above liquid supply device, the conduit 6 in the container 1 is embedded in the bottom, which can maximize the use of liquid and reduce liquid residue and waste. The sealing ring 14 is embedded in the hole wall of the liquid outlet hole 15 on the container cover 16 or is secondarily injection molded in the liquid outlet hole 15, and the sealing communication between the liquid nozzle 2 and the container 1 is realized through the cooperation between the inclined surface on the sealing ring 14 and the inclined surface on the liquid nozzle 2.

[0047] The same detection equipment can be provided with multiple sets (for example, two sets) of the above liquid supply device to realize the supply function of different liquids or the supply and standby supply function of the same liquid.

[0048] The above liquid supply device is not limited to be applied in the digital PCR equipment, but also can be applied to other detection equipment which needs to be provided with a liquid supply device.

[0049] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and characteristics of the present application, the purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present application and implement it, and cannot limit the protection scope of the present application. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present application shall be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A detection apparatus having a liquid passage and a liquid supply device for supplying a liquid to the liquid passage, the liquid supply device including a container having a liquid accommodating space and a liquid outlet, characterized by: The liquid supply device further comprises a liquid nozzle capable of being driven to move along a preset path and having a first position and a second position, and a locking device for keeping the liquid nozzle in the first position, the liquid nozzle having an internal passage; the liquid supply device has a first state and a second state; When in the first state, the liquid nozzle is in the first position, the liquid nozzle is tightly connected with the container, and the internal passage of the liquid nozzle is in communication with the liquid outlet of the container; when in the second state, the liquid nozzle is in the second position, the liquid nozzle is separated from the container, and the internal passage of the liquid nozzle is disconnected from the liquid outlet of the container; The liquid supply device further comprises a driving device for driving the liquid nozzle to move along the preset path between the first position and the second position, the driving device being a manual driving device or an electric driving device or a driving device capable of being driven manually and electrically; the driving device comprises a driving member rotatably arranged, a touch ring formed on the outer periphery of the liquid nozzle, the driving member driving the liquid nozzle to move linearly by abutting against the touch ring when the driving member is rotated; the detection device comprises a support, the support having a first mounting portion, the liquid nozzle being arranged on the first mounting portion, the driving member having a driving arm and a connecting portion rotatably connected with the first mounting portion, the touch ring comprising an upper touch ring and a lower touch ring arranged at intervals and located on the two sides of the driving arm respectively; The liquid outlet comprises a liquid outlet hole and a sealing ring arranged on the hole wall of the liquid outlet hole; the container is provided with a mounting hole, and a container cover is fixedly arranged in the mounting hole, and the liquid outlet hole is arranged on the container cover; The liquid nozzle comprises a liquid pipe having the internal passage, the liquid pipe being opposite to the sealing ring, and one end of the liquid pipe towards the sealing ring having a bevel; one side end surface of the sealing ring towards the liquid pipe also has a bevel; when in the first state, the bevel of the liquid pipe is pressed against the bevel of the sealing ring.

2. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The support further has a second mounting portion for accommodating and / or supporting the container.

3. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The preset path extends in the up-down direction; when the liquid nozzle is in the first position, the liquid nozzle is located above or below the container, and correspondingly, the liquid outlet is arranged on the top or bottom of the container; when the liquid nozzle is located above the container, the container further has a guide pipe, one end of the guide pipe being in communication with the liquid outlet and the other end extending to be close to the bottom of the container.

4. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The locking device comprises a clamping groove arranged on the container and a clamping head connected with the liquid nozzle or the driving device, the clamping head being embedded in the clamping groove when in the first state.

5. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The driving device further comprises an operating handle connected with the driving member, and the locking device comprises a clamping groove arranged on the container and a clamping head formed on one end of the operating handle, the clamping head being embedded in the clamping groove when in the first state.

6. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The container cover is further provided with a ventilation hole; and / or, the edge of the mounting hole is provided with a hole wall outside the container, and the outer periphery of the container cover is provided with a protruding edge abutting against the end surface of the hole wall.

7. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The detection device further comprises a guide seat for guiding the movement of the liquid nozzle along a preset path, and the guide seat is arranged around the liquid nozzle.

8. The detection device of claim 1, wherein: The detection device is a PCR device, and the liquid supply device is an oil supply device.

9. A droplet generation system comprising a liquid supply device, characterised in that: The liquid supply device is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images