Automatic interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochip

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips, which mainly comprises a moving module, a multi-channel extraction module, an analysis and image capture module, a rejecting unit and a processing module, and the processing module controls the moving module to move the multi-channel extraction module to one of the analysis and image capture module and the elimination unit, so that multi-channel sample extraction can be performed, and manual misjudgment and working hours can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system capable of automatically performing quantitative and qualitative analysis and interpretation on a specimen through a biochip. Background Art

[0002] With the development of modern medical technology and clinical needs, many diagnostic methods or judgments gradually require quantitative analysis of target genes. However, when performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of target genes, it is often desired to significantly increase the number of nucleic acid detection targets in a short time, so that a small amount of nucleic acid detection targets in the specimen can be increased to a detectable quantity, which is beneficial for subsequent detection of the presence of the nucleic acid detection targets to be detected, and even for determining their quantity, thereby shortening the waiting time for detection.

[0003] Furthermore, when the user manually transfers the specimen between devices with different inspection functions for color reaction, not only may damage occur due to poor temperature control of the specimen, but also unnecessary detection errors may occur during the manual operation. Moreover, when comparing the color of the specimen with the biochip, if the number of specimens is too large and manual color comparison is used, misjudgment is likely to occur due to operator fatigue, or when manually extracting the specimen, the volume of the liquid extracted from the specimen is insufficient, resulting in problems such as the inability of the biochip to develop color. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a system that can automatically extract the required volume of the solution from the specimen for color reaction with the biochip, and automatically compare and interpret the color image of the biochip, so as to improve the disadvantages caused by manual operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of a biochip, which can automatically extract the required volume of the solution from a specimen for color reaction with the biochip, and then automatically compare and interpret the color image result of the biochip.

[0005] To achieve the above object, an automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of a biochip provided by the present invention mainly includes a moving module, a multi-channel extraction module, an analysis and image capture module, a rejection unit, and a processing module. The moving module includes a first moving unit, a second moving unit, and a third moving unit, which move in different directions respectively; the multi-channel extraction module has a body, a plurality of extraction units, a plurality of extraction tubes, and a plurality of conversion units. The body is assembled with at least one of the first moving unit, the second moving unit, and the third moving unit, and the extraction units are accommodated in the body. One end of each extraction tube is assembled with one extraction unit, and the other end of each extraction tube is assembled with one conversion unit; the analysis and image capture module has a frame, a plurality of swing bearing units, a swing driving unit, a cover unit, and an image sensing unit. The frame accommodates and assembles the swing bearing units, and the swing driving unit is disposed on one side of the swing bearing units and drives and controls the swing bearing units assembled on the frame. The cover unit and the image sensing unit are respectively disposed on one side of the swing bearing units; the rejection unit is adjacent to the analysis and image capture module, and the rejection unit has a stop plate and a plurality of stop grooves formed on the stop plate; and the processing module is electrically connected to the moving module, the extraction units, and the analysis and image capture module respectively. Among them, the moving module is disposed around the analysis and image capture module and the rejection unit, and the processing module controls the moving module to move the multi-channel extraction module to one of the analysis and image capture module and the rejection unit.

[0006] Further, the first moving unit moves along a first direction and has at least one first guide rod and at least one first driver. The second moving unit moves along a second direction and has at least one second guide rod and at least one second driver. The third moving unit moves along a third direction and has at least one third guide rod and at least one third driver. The first drivers, the second drivers, and the third drivers are electrically connected to the processing module, and the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction intersect with each other.

[0007] Further, each of the conversion units has a combination part, a channel part, and a conversion part. One end of each combination part is assembled at the other end of the extraction tube where the extraction unit is assembled, and the conversion parts gradually taper from the ends of the adjacent combination parts along the axial direction of the conversion units towards the other ends. Each channel part penetrates through the conversion unit from the end where the combination part is connected to the extraction tube and communicates with the conversion part at the other end.

[0008] Further, the cover unit includes a cover driver and a cover body. The cover driver is electrically connected to the processing module and controls the pivotally connected cover body to cover the swinging bearing units.

[0009] Further, a storage unit is provided on the periphery of the rejection unit. The storage unit is adjacent to the analysis and image capture module and has a plurality of storage slots, and these storage slots have different sizes.

[0010] Further, a collector is provided under the baffle plate of the rejection unit.

[0011] Further, the image sensing unit has a fourth driver and at least one image sensor. The fourth driver controls the assembled image sensors to move along the axial direction of the swinging bearing units.

[0012] Further, each of the swinging bearing units is provided with a temperature control unit, and at least one waste liquid collection unit is arranged below the temperature control units.

[0013] In the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention, the processing module controls the moving module to move the multi-channel extraction module to a designated position by the first moving unit, the second moving unit and the third moving unit, and each of the extraction units is tightly fitted with a micropipette (tip) that meets the required solution volume through the assembled extraction tubes and the conversion units assembled at the other ends of the extraction tubes, and transfers the sample extracted by the micropipette to the analysis and image capture module, so that the sample reacts with the biochip. Then, the image sensing unit captures an image of the color development result of the reaction between the biochip and the sample, and performs comparison analysis and interpretation on the captured image data. In this way, not only can manual misjudgment be reduced, but also man-hours can be reduced. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 : A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 : A side view of the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 : A partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the analysis and image capture module, the rejection unit and the storage unit of the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 : A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the conversion unit of the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention.

[0018] Among them, reference numerals:

[0019] 10: Moving module

[0020] 11: First moving unit

[0021] 111: First guide rod

[0022] 112: First driver

[0023] 12: Second moving unit

[0024] 121: Second guide rod

[0025] 122: Second driver

[0026] 13: Third moving unit

[0027] 131: Third guide rod

[0028] 132: Third driver

[0029] 20: Multi-channel extraction module

[0030] 21: Body

[0031] 22: Extraction unit

[0032] 23: Extraction tube body

[0033] 24: Conversion unit

[0034] 241: Combination part

[0035] 242: Channel part

[0036] 243: Conversion part

[0037] 30: Analysis and image capture module

[0038] 31: Swing bearing unit

[0039] 32: Swing drive unit

[0040] 33: Cover unit

[0041] 331: Cover driver

[0042] 332: Hood

[0043] 34: Image sensing unit

[0044] 341: Fourth driver

[0045] 342: Image sensor

[0046] 35: Temperature control unit

[0047] 36: Waste liquid collection unit

[0048] 37: Frame

[0049] 40: Rejection unit

[0050] 41: Stop plate

[0051] 42: Stop groove

[0052] 43: Collector

[0053] 50: Storage unit

[0054] 51: Storage groove

[0055] 60: Processing module

[0056] 200: Micropipette

[0057] X: First direction

[0058] Y: Second direction

[0059] Z: Third direction Detailed implementation mode

[0060] Hereinafter, several preferred embodiments of the technical features and operation modes of the present invention are given, and are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for review. Furthermore, for the convenience of illustration, the scale of the drawings in the present invention is not necessarily drawn according to the actual scale, and the scale in the drawings is not used to limit the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0061] Regarding the technology of the present invention, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides an automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips, used for quantitative and qualitative analysis and automated interpretation of biological specimens, which mainly includes a moving module 10, a multi-channel extraction module 20, an analysis and image capture module 30, a rejection unit 40, a storage unit 50, and a processing module 60, wherein:

[0062] The moving module 10 has a first moving unit 11 moving along the first direction X, a second moving unit 12 moving along the second direction Y, and a third moving unit 13 moving along the third direction Z. Among them, the first moving unit 11 has two first guide rods 111 and two first drivers 112, the second moving unit 12 has two second guide rods 121 and two second drivers 122, the third moving unit 13 has two third guide rods 131 and two third drivers 132, and the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z intersect with each other;

[0063] The multi-channel extraction module 20 includes a main body 21, a plurality of extraction units 22, a plurality of extraction tubes 23, and a plurality of conversion units 24. The main body 21 is assembled with at least one of the first moving unit 11, the second moving unit 12, and the third moving unit 13. In this embodiment, the main body 21 is assembled with the first moving unit 11 and the third moving unit 13. The extraction units 22 are accommodated in the main body 21. One end of each extraction tube 23 is assembled with one extraction unit 22, and the other end of each extraction tube 23 is assembled with one conversion unit 24. Please refer to Figure 4 as shown. Among them, the conversion units 24 each have a combination part 241, a channel part 242, and a conversion part 243. One end of each combination part 241 is assembled at the other end of the extraction tube 23 where the extraction unit 22 is assembled. The conversion parts 243 gradually taper from the ends of the adjacent combination parts 241 along the axial direction of the conversion units 24 towards the other end. The conversion parts 243 have different sizes for coupling micropipettes 200 of different volumes. The conversion units 24 in this embodiment respectively have three different sizes of conversion parts 243. Each channel part 242 penetrates through the conversion unit 24 from the end of the combination part 241 connected to the extraction tube 23 and communicates with the conversion part 243 at the other end. Among them, the conversion units 24 may also have four different sizes of conversion parts 243, but this is not limiting;

[0064] The analysis and image capture module 30 includes a plurality of swing carrier units 31, a swing drive unit 32, a cover unit 33, an image sensing unit 34, a plurality of temperature control units 35, a plurality of waste liquid collection units 36, and a frame 37. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the frame 37 accommodates and assembles the swing bearing units 31, and the swing drive unit 32 is assembled on one side of the swing bearing units 31 to drive and control the swing bearing units 31 assembled on the frame 37. The cover unit 33 and the image sensing unit 34 are respectively assembled on one side of the swing bearing units 31. Each of the swing bearing units 31 is provided with a temperature control unit 35, and a waste liquid collection unit 36 is arranged below the temperature control units 35. Among them, the image sensing unit 34 has a fourth driver 341 and an image sensor 342. The fourth driver 341 controls the assembled image sensor 342 to move along the axial direction of the swing bearing units 31, so that the image sensor 342 arranged on the fourth driver 341 is used to sense and intercept the image of the color reaction carried out by the specimens and biochips placed on the swing bearing units 31. The image sensor 342 in this embodiment can be a CCD sensing unit or an optical sensing unit, etc. The user can set the required image sensor 342 according to the needs to sense general images, specific wavelength images or specific color images, and then can sense the color images of wavelengths such as fluorescence or chemiluminescence generated by the biochip. The image sensing unit 34 can also be provided with multiple image sensors 342 capable of sensing different sensing wavelengths, but this is not limited thereto. In addition, the cover unit 33 includes a cover driver 331 and a cover 332. The cover driver 331 controls the pivotally connected cover 332 to cover the swing bearing units 31;

[0065] The rejection unit 40 is adjacent to the analysis and image capture module 30. The rejection unit 40 has a stop plate 41 and a plurality of stop grooves 42 formed on the stop plate 41, and a collector 43 is provided on the lower side of the stop plate 41 of the rejection unit 40;

[0066] The storage unit 50 is adjacent to the rejection unit 40 and the analysis and image capture module 30. The storage unit 50 has a plurality of storage slots 51, and the storage slots 51 have different sizes. The storage slots 51 in this embodiment have three different sizes, and are used to store the micropipettes 200 with different solution volumes for sucking different solution volumes of specimens for three kinds of specimens, and the storage unit 50 is arranged on the periphery of the rejection unit 40, but this is not limited thereto;

[0067] The processing module 60 is electrically connected to the first drivers 112, the second drivers 122, the third drivers 132 of the moving module 10, the extraction units 22 of the multi-channel extraction module 20, the swing drive unit 32, the cover driver 331, the fourth driver 341 and the temperature control units 35 of the analysis and image capture module 30. Among them, the processing module 60 stores the color image data of the reaction of the biochip to the standard product;

[0068] Among them, the moving module 10 is disposed around the analysis and image capture module 30 and the rejection unit 40. The processing module 60 controls the moving module 10 to move the multi-channel extraction module 20 to move the specimen with the required volume of the extracted solution to one of the analysis and image capture module 30 and the rejection unit 40. In addition, the processing module 60 transmits the colorimetric image of the biochip sensed and captured by the image sensor 342 to the cloud database through the Internet, and then the cloud database provides it to the relevant servo computer. The servo computer then compares it with the colorimetric image data of the stored corresponding standard product, and stores the comparison result in the cloud database for subsequent processing.

[0069] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the user inputs relevant test and relevant test comparison program data into the processing module 60. The processing module 60 controls the multi-channel extraction module 20 to move to the storage unit 50 by the moving module 10, and controls the corresponding extraction units 22 to extend the extraction tubes 23, so as to enable the conversion units 24 to be combined with the micropipettes 200 with the required solution volume. After the micropipettes 200 are combined, the moving module 10 moves the multi-channel extraction module 20 back to the storage unit 50 for accommodating the specimen. The processing module 60 then controls the extraction units 22 to make the micropipettes 200 aspirate the specimen with the required solution volume, and transports the aspirated specimen to the analysis and image capture module 30, and places it into the corresponding biochip to react with the specimen, that is, to make the nucleic acid of the specimen react with the probes on the biochip on the swinging carrier units 31, and then wash the unreacted and combined parts and cover the redundant holes to avoid non-specific binding of the specimen. Then, the probes of the biochip detect the reaction of the nucleic acid of the specimen, and make the specimen and the biochip perform a colorimetric reaction. Then, the image sensing unit 34 intercepts the image of the colorimetric result of the reaction of the biochip with the specimen, and the processing module 60 then provides the intercepted image to the corresponding cloud database, so that the corresponding servo computer obtains the image data from the cloud database to compare and interpret with the image data of the standard product.

[0070] Specifically, the processing module 60 first selects the micropipettes 200 corresponding to the required solution volume of the specimen at the storage unit 50 according to the solution volume of the specimen required during the test, and controls the extraction units 22 to move the extraction tubes 23 along the third direction Z. The conversion parts 243 of the conversion units 24 combined with the extraction tubes 23 are tightly fitted to the selected micropipettes 200 one by one, and then move the body 21 to make the extraction units 22 aspirate the specimen with the required solution volume from the micropipettes 200. Please refer to Figure 4As shown, when the extraction units 22 perform extraction, the extraction units 22 use the vacuum principle to allow the air at the micro pipette 200 to reach the extraction tube body 23 along the channel portion 242 of each conversion unit 24, and the micro pipette 200 extracts the required volume of the sample solution from the centrifuge tube. Then, the sample aspirated into the micro pipette 200 is transferred to the colorimetric cassette body of the swing carrying units 31 of the analysis and image capture module 30.

[0071] Furthermore, the multi-channel extraction module 20 removes the used micro pipette 200 through the removal unit 40, that is, the micro pipette 200 tightly fitted to the conversion portion 243 is clamped against the corresponding stop groove 42 on the stop plate 41, and then the extraction units 22 move along the third direction Z to remove the micro pipette 200 from the tightly fitted conversion portions 243, and the micro pipette 200 will fall into the collector 43 provided below; also, the processing module 60 controls the swing drive unit 32 of the analysis and image capture module 30, the swing drive unit 32 swings the swing carrying units 31 left and right, and the temperature control units 35 provide the temperature required for the swing carrying units 31 when placing the sample. After the reaction between the samples placed in the colorimetric cassette bodies of the swing carrying units 31 and the placed biochips is completed, the fourth driver 341 of the image sensing unit 34 moves along the second direction Y to allow the image sensor 342 to capture the colorimetric results of the biochips one by one. The processing module 60 then interprets according to the received colorimetric results. In this way, the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention performs the inspection and interpretation procedures in an automated manner, reducing the troubles of inaccurate manual inspection and manual interpretation.

[0072] In summary, the automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips of the present invention is controlled by the processing module 60 to move the multi-channel extraction module 20 to a specified position by the moving module 10. Each conversion unit 24 is tightly fitted with a micro pipette 200 that meets the required volume of the extracted solution, and the required volume of the solution is extracted through the extraction and replacement units 22 and the extraction tube bodies 23. The sample extracted by the micro pipette 200 is transferred to the analysis and image capture module 30 to react with the biochip. Then, the image sensing unit 34 captures the colorimetric results of the reaction between the biochip and the sample, and the captured image data is compared, analyzed, and interpreted. In this way, not only can the misjudgment of manual work be reduced, but also the working hours can be reduced.

[0073] The content of the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. That is, all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention should still fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips, characterized in that, it performs quantitative and qualitative analysis and automated interpretation on biological specimens, and mainly includes: A moving module, including a first moving unit, a second moving unit and a third moving unit, and the first moving unit, the second moving unit and the third moving unit move in different directions respectively; A multi-channel extraction module, having a body, a plurality of extraction units, a plurality of extraction tubes and a plurality of conversion units, the body is assembled with at least one of the first moving unit, the second moving unit and the third moving unit, and the extraction units are accommodated in the body, one end of each extraction tube is assembled with one of the extraction units, and the other end of each extraction tube is assembled with one of the conversion units; An analysis and image capture module, including a frame, a plurality of swing bearing units, a swing drive unit, a cover unit and an image sensing unit, the frame accommodates and assembles the swing bearing units, and the swing drive unit is disposed on one side of the swing bearing units and drives and controls the swing bearing units assembled on the frame, and the cover unit and the image sensing unit are respectively disposed on one side of the swing bearing units; A rejection unit, adjacent to the analysis and image capture module, the rejection unit includes a stop plate and a plurality of stop grooves formed on the stop plate; and A processing module, electrically connected to the moving module, the extraction units and the analysis and image capture module respectively; wherein, the moving module is disposed around the analysis and image capture module and the rejection unit, and the processing module controls the moving module to move the multi-channel extraction module to one of the analysis and image capture module and the rejection unit.

2. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first moving unit moves along a first direction and has at least one first guide rod and at least one first driver, the second moving unit moves along a second direction and has at least one second guide rod and at least one second driver, the third moving unit moves along a third direction and has at least one third guide rod and at least one third driver, the first drivers, the second drivers and the third drivers are electrically connected to the processing module, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction intersect with each other.

3. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, characterized in that, each of the conversion units has an assembly part, a channel part and a conversion part, one end of each assembly part is assembled at the other end of the extraction tube where the extraction unit is assembled, and the conversion parts gradually taper from the ends of the adjacent assembly parts along the axial direction of the conversion units towards the other ends, and each channel part penetrates through the conversion unit from the end where the assembly part connects the extraction tube and communicates with the conversion part at the other end.

4. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover unit includes a cover driver and a cover body. The cover driver is electrically connected to the processing module and controls the pivotally connected cover body to cover the swinging bearing units.

5. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, wherein, A storage unit is provided on the peripheral side of the rejection unit. The storage unit is adjacent to the analysis and image capture module and has a plurality of storage slots with different sizes.

6. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, wherein, A collector is provided under the stop plate of the rejection unit.

7. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, wherein, The image sensing unit has a fourth driver and at least one image sensor. The fourth driver controls the set of image sensors to move along the axial direction of the swinging bearing units.

8. The automated interpretation system for quantitative and qualitative analysis of biochips according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the swinging bearing units is provided with a temperature control unit, and at least one waste liquid collection unit is provided below the temperature control units.

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