Electrophoresis device

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrophoresis device, which comprises: an electrophoresis reaction container which is vertically arranged, the upper end and the lower end of the electrophoresis reaction container are respectively provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively provided with a first electrode and a second electrode; the heating mechanism is arranged on the electrophoresis reaction container; the liquid storage mechanism comprises a plurality of accommodating cavities which are respectively used for storing a sample, a buffer solution and a cleaning solution; the liquid transferring mechanism is arranged above the electrophoresis reaction container; and the liquid pumping mechanism is connected with the liquid outlet. In the whole electrophoresis process, a user only needs to manually load gel into the electrophoresis reaction container, other operations such as sample and buffer solution adding, sample electrophoretic separation and electrophoresis reaction container cleaning are automatically completed by the electrophoresis device, the manual operation process is reduced, the electrophoresis efficiency is high, all links are controlled by the electrophoresis device, problems of all the links are avoided, and the production cost is reduced. Therefore, the accuracy of the analysis result can be effectively ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bioanalysis technology, and particularly to an electrophoresis device. Background Art

[0002] The subject matter discussed in this section should not be considered prior art merely because it is mentioned in this section. Similarly, the technical problems mentioned in this section or associated with the subject matter provided as background art should not be considered to have been previously recognized in the prior art.

[0003] Currently, an electrophoresis tank is commonly used to perform electrophoresis separation on samples. There are various types of electrophoresis tanks, and the common type is a horizontal electrophoresis tank. However, regardless of the type of electrophoresis tank used, manual operation is required. For example, before electrophoresis, samples need to be manually added, electrophoresis conditions need to be set, and electrophoresis needs to be started. After electrophoresis is completed, the electrophoresis tank also needs to be manually cleaned. The entire electrophoresis process is very complex with manual operation, resulting in low electrophoresis efficiency. Moreover, this electrophoresis process has relatively strict requirements for the electrophoresis environment, such as whether the amount of added sample meets the electrophoresis requirements, and whether the electrophoresis tank is cleaned thoroughly without residual waste liquid. If one or more of these links have problems, the accuracy of the analysis results will be greatly reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To at least partly solve at least one of the above technical problems or to provide a practical commercial means, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electrophoresis device.

[0005] An electrophoresis device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: An electrophoresis reaction container, which is vertically arranged, and has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet respectively provided at its upper end and lower end. A first electrode and a second electrode are respectively provided at the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet; A heating mechanism, which is provided on the electrophoresis reaction container; A liquid storage mechanism, which includes a plurality of accommodating cavities respectively for storing samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions; A liquid transfer mechanism, which is provided above the electrophoresis reaction container; and A liquid pumping mechanism, which is connected to the liquid outlet; Wherein, the liquid transfer mechanism loads the sample and the buffer solution into the electrophoresis reaction container. The sample and the buffer solution are mixed with the gel on the electrophoresis reaction container. The first electrode and the second electrode generate a voltage to enable electrophoresis separation of the sample. After the sample completes electrophoresis separation, the heating mechanism heats up. The liquid transfer mechanism loads the cleaning solution into the electrophoresis reaction container. Finally, the liquid pumping mechanism pumps away the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction container.

[0006] In some embodiments, the electrophoretic reaction vessel includes a support base and a reaction base disposed in the support base. A reaction space is provided inside the reaction base, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are respectively disposed at the upper end and the lower end of the reaction base and communicate with the reaction space.

[0007] In some embodiments, a first accommodation groove and a second accommodation groove are respectively provided at the upper end and the lower end of the reaction base. A first electrode and a second electrode are respectively accommodated in the first accommodation groove and the second accommodation groove. The electrophoretic reaction vessel further includes a top base fixedly provided at the upper end of the reaction base and a bottom base at the lower end of the reaction base. The top base and the bottom base respectively abut against the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0008] In some embodiments, the liquid transfer mechanism includes: A multi-axis motion mechanism; A sampling needle and a cleaning needle disposed on the multi-axis motion mechanism; and A first pump mechanism and a second pump mechanism respectively connected to the sampling needle and the cleaning needle.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second pump mechanism is further respectively connected to the first pump mechanism and a accommodation cavity storing the cleaning liquid. A first two-way valve is provided between the second pump mechanism and the first pump mechanism, a second two-way valve is provided between the second pump mechanism and the cleaning needle, and a third two-way valve is provided between the second pump mechanism and the accommodation cavity storing the cleaning liquid.

[0010] In some embodiments, the liquid pumping mechanism includes a waste liquid box connected to the liquid outlet, a cleaning box connected to the waste liquid box, and a third pump mechanism connected to the waste liquid box. A fourth two-way valve is provided between the liquid outlet and the waste liquid box, and a fifth two-way valve is provided between the cleaning box and the waste liquid box.

[0011] In some embodiments, the multi-axis motion mechanism includes: A first motion component, both the sampling needle and the cleaning needle are disposed on the first motion component, and the first motion component is used to drive the sampling needle and the cleaning needle to move in a first direction; A second motion component, the first motion component is disposed on the second motion component, and the second motion component is used to drive the first motion component to move in a second direction; and A support frame, and the second motion component is disposed on the support frame.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first motion component includes a first moving plate, a first driving member, a first driving wheel, a first driven wheel, a first synchronous belt, a first connecting plate, and a first guide rail; the second motion component includes a second driving member, a second driving wheel, a second driven wheel, a second synchronous belt, a second connecting plate, and a second guide rail; The second driving wheel, the second driven wheel and the second guide rail are all arranged on the support frame. The second synchronous belt is wound around the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel. The second driving member is drivingly connected to the second driving wheel. The second connecting plate is arranged on the second guide rail. The first moving plate is connected to the second connecting plate and the second synchronous belt. The first driving wheel, the first driven wheel and the first guide rail are all arranged on the first moving plate. The first synchronous belt is wound around the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel. The first driving member is drivingly connected to the first driving wheel. The first connecting plate is arranged on the first guide rail. The first connecting plate is connected to the first synchronous belt. The sample adding needle and the cleaning needle are both arranged on the first connecting plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the electrophoresis device further includes an imaging mechanism for photographing and imaging the sample that has completed electrophoresis separation. The imaging mechanism includes a camera and a light source. The camera is arranged facing the electrophoresis reaction vessel, and the light source is arranged between the camera and the electrophoresis reaction vessel.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electrophoresis device further includes a frame. The frame is provided with a notch, and the electrophoresis reaction vessel is arranged on the notch. The frame further includes a bearing surface, and both the liquid storage mechanism and the pipetting mechanism are arranged on the bearing surface.

[0015] In the electrophoresis device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user loads the prepared gel into the electrophoresis reaction vessel, and then the pipetting mechanism loads the sample and the buffer solution into the electrophoresis reaction vessel. The sample and the buffer solution are mixed with the gel. The first electrode and the second electrode generate a voltage to enable the sample to achieve electrophoresis separation. Then the heating mechanism heats, and the mixture of the sample, the buffer solution and the gel becomes liquid. The pipetting mechanism then loads the cleaning solution into the electrophoresis reaction vessel, and finally the liquid pumping mechanism pumps away the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction vessel. The electrophoresis device is a semi-automatic device. For the entire electrophoresis process, the user only needs to manually load the gel into the electrophoresis reaction vessel, and the remaining operations such as adding the sample, the buffer solution, performing electrophoresis separation on the sample, and cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessel are automatically completed by the electrophoresis device, reducing the manual operation process, having high electrophoresis efficiency, and each link being controlled by the electrophoresis device to avoid problems in each link, thereby effectively ensuring the accuracy of the analysis result.

[0016] In the additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, some will be given in the following description, some will become obvious from the following description, or will be understood through the practice of the embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become obvious and easy to understand from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the electrophoresis device provided by the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrophoresis device from another perspective provided by the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Schematic diagrams of the electrophoresis reaction vessel and the heating mechanism provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the reaction seat provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the first electrode provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 Schematic diagrams of the heating sheet and the support seat provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the liquid storage mechanism provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the multi-axis motion mechanism provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 is based on Figure 8 Partial enlarged view of part A; Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the principle of the liquid adding and pumping process of an electrophoresis reaction vessel provided by the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the principle of the liquid adding and pumping process of two electrophoresis reaction vessels provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0018] The following details the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The embodiments described by referring to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention provide an electrophoresis device. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , it includes: An electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, which is vertically arranged, and its upper end and lower end are respectively provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, and a first electrode 130 and a second electrode are respectively arranged at the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet; A heating mechanism 500, which is arranged on the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100; A liquid storage mechanism 200, which includes a plurality of accommodating cavities respectively used for storing samples, buffer solutions and cleaning solutions; A pipetting mechanism 300, which is arranged above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100; and A liquid extraction mechanism 400, which is connected to the liquid outlet; Among them, the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the sample and the buffer into the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. The sample and the buffer are mixed with the gel on the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. The first electrode 130 and the second electrode generate a voltage to enable electrophoresis separation of the sample. After the sample completes electrophoresis separation, the heating mechanism 500 heats up, the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the cleaning solution into the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, and finally the liquid extraction mechanism 400 pumps out the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100.

[0021] The electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 provides an environment for the sample to perform electrophoresis separation. A reaction space is formed between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet. After loading the sample, the buffer and the gel into the liquid inlet, power is supplied to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode, and the sample performs electrophoresis separation in the reaction space.

[0022] For example, for a sample containing DNA, the first electrode 130 is the negative electrode and the second electrode is the positive electrode. After loading the nucleic acid sample, the buffer and the gel into the liquid inlet, power is supplied to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode. The nucleic acid sample moves under the action of the electric field force. Since there are nucleic acid fragments of different lengths in the nucleic acid sample, differential separation of nucleic acid fragments of different lengths is achieved, forming multiple bands. After analyzing the bands, information such as the length, concentration, and integrity of the nucleic acid fragments corresponding to each band of the nucleic acid sample can be obtained. For a sample containing other biological substances, electrophoresis separation can also be performed through the electrophoresis device, and after completing electrophoresis separation, the sample is analyzed.

[0023] Furthermore, a molecular weight standard (Ladder) is loaded into the nucleic acid sample. The nucleic acid sample and the molecular weight standard perform electrophoresis separation under the action of the electric field force. During subsequent analysis, the bands separated by the molecular weight standard are used as a reference, and the bands separated by the molecular weight standard are compared with the bands separated by the nucleic acid sample to calculate the length, concentration, and nucleic acid integrity index of the nucleic acid fragments corresponding to the bands separated by the nucleic acid sample. Of course, it is possible that there is no need to load a molecular weight standard into the nucleic acid sample, and directly based on the bands of the nucleic acid sample after electrophoresis separation, the length, concentration, and nucleic acid integrity index of the nucleic acid fragments corresponding to the bands separated by the nucleic acid sample are calculated.

[0024] Among them, since the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is vertically arranged, after the sample, buffer solution and gel are loaded onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, the glycerol (or sucrose) in the loading buffer of the sample can increase the sample density, making the sample density greater than that of the buffer solution, so that the sample settles near the upper surface of the gel. On the other hand, a low voltage (a typical low voltage is 10 V for 10 seconds) can be applied to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode before electrophoresis to make the sample accumulate near the upper surface of the gel. After the sample completes electrophoresis, it is possible to compress the width of the bands separated by electrophoresis and increase the theoretical plate number, thus bringing better analysis results. In addition, since the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is vertically arranged, the sample, buffer solution, gel and cleaning solution will all move downward due to gravity, so that the waste liquid can accumulate below the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 and near the liquid outlet, which helps the subsequent liquid pumping mechanism 400 to pump away the waste liquid, and then reliably complete the cleaning of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100.

[0025] The heating mechanism 500 can be arranged inside the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 to provide heat for the mixture of the sample, buffer solution and gel, or can be arranged outside the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 to provide heat for the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, so as to realize providing heat for the mixture of the sample, buffer solution and gel in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. Among them, the gel is a conventional agarose gel with a higher melting point or a low melting point agarose gel with a lower melting point after chemical modification. When the gel is heated to a certain temperature range, such as the conventional agarose gel is heated to 90 - 95 °C and the low melting point agarose gel is heated to 62 - 65 °C, the high temperature breaks the hydrogen bond links between agarose molecules, and the gel will start to melt to form a homogeneous solution.

[0026] The liquid storage mechanism 200 is provided with a plurality of independent accommodating cavities for storing the sample, buffer solution and cleaning solution respectively, so as to avoid the mutual mixing and influence of the sample, buffer solution and cleaning solution. Among them, the sample is added to the accommodating cavity before each electrophoresis. The buffer solution and cleaning solution are usually of a single type. For example, the buffer solution is TAE buffer solution and the cleaning solution is pure water. Therefore, the buffer solution and cleaning solution do not need to be frequently replaced, and a relatively large amount can be placed in the accommodating cavity each time to meet the dosage requirements for multiple electrophoresis and post - electrophoresis cleaning, and avoid adding buffer solution or cleaning solution to the accommodating cavity before each electrophoresis.

[0027] The pipetting mechanism 300 is arranged above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 and is used to transfer the sample, buffer solution and cleaning solution respectively. Before electrophoresis, the pipetting mechanism 300 can load the sample and buffer solution onto the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 respectively. After the sample completes electrophoresis separation and the heating mechanism 500 heats the gel to a certain temperature range, the pipetting mechanism 300 can load the cleaning solution onto the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100.

[0028] Among them, the loading order of the buffer solution and the gel can be not limited. For example, the buffer solution can be loaded first, then the gel, and finally the sample; or the gel can be loaded first, then the buffer solution, and finally the sample. Generally, it is necessary to load the sample after the buffer solution and the gel are loaded.

[0029] The pipetting mechanism 300 is only used for the transfer of the sample, buffer solution, and cleaning solution. Since it is considered that the gel is in a gel state, if the gel is also transferred by the pipetting mechanism 300, the gel will adhere to the pipetting mechanism 300, making it impossible to smoothly load the gel into the electrophoresis reaction container 100. Therefore, the electrophoresis device provided by the present invention is designed as a semi-automatic device, and the user needs to manually load the prepared gel into the electrophoresis reaction container 100 instead of loading the gel into the electrophoresis reaction container 100 through the pipetting mechanism 300.

[0030] After the sample completes electrophoresis separation, the heating mechanism 500 heats the gel to a certain temperature range, and the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the cleaning solution into the electrophoresis reaction container 100, the liquid extraction mechanism 400 is started to extract the waste liquid (the waste liquid refers to the mixture of the sample, buffer solution, gel, and cleaning solution) in the electrophoresis reaction container 100. If the waste liquid flows away naturally from the liquid outlet, there will be a situation of waste liquid residue. Therefore, the electrophoresis device adopts the method of using the liquid extraction mechanism 400 to extract the waste liquid, which can empty the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction container 100, thereby avoiding the influence of the waste liquid on the next electrophoresis process.

[0031] Here, the working process of the electrophoresis device is described in detail. The user loads the prepared gel into the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction container 100, and then the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the sample and buffer solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200 into the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction container 100 respectively. The sample, buffer solution, and gel slowly descend from the liquid inlet and enter the reaction space. Then, power is supplied to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode, and the sample realizes electrophoresis separation under the action of the electric field force. After the sample completes electrophoresis separation, the heating mechanism 500 provides high temperature for the sample, buffer solution, and gel, and the gel gradually melts. Then, the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the cleaning solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200 into the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction container 100, and the cleaning solution descends from the liquid inlet and enters the reaction space, mixes with the sample, buffer solution, and gel. Finally, the liquid extraction mechanism 400 extracts the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction container 100 from the liquid outlet. After the cleaning is completed, the next process of sample electrophoresis separation and cleaning is carried out to realize the recycling of the electrophoresis reaction container 100.

[0032] If there are multiple electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, multiple heating mechanisms 500 can be provided, and the pipetting mechanism 300 can be provided with one or more, and the liquid pumping mechanism 400 can be provided with one or more. Similarly, the user loads the prepared gels into the liquid inlets of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100 simultaneously or successively, and then the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the samples and buffer solutions in the liquid storage mechanism 200 into the liquid inlets of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100 simultaneously or successively. After the samples are electrophoretically separated, the heating mechanism 500 heats the corresponding electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 to melt the gel, and then the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the cleaning solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200 into the liquid inlets of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100 simultaneously or successively. Finally, the liquid pumping mechanism 400 simultaneously or successively pumps out the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 from the liquid outlet.

[0033] The electrophoresis device provided by the present invention is a semi-automatic device. For the entire electrophoresis process, the user only needs to manually load the gel into the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, and the remaining operations, such as adding samples and buffer solutions, electrophoretically separating the samples, and cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, are automatically completed by the electrophoresis device, reducing the manual operation process, having high electrophoresis efficiency, and each link is controlled by the electrophoresis device. For example, the pipetting mechanism 300 controls the loading amounts of the samples and buffer solutions, and the heating mechanism 500, the pipetting mechanism 300, and the liquid pumping mechanism 400 cooperate to complete the cleaning of the electrophoresis reaction device, which can avoid problems in each link, thereby effectively ensuring the accuracy of the analysis results.

[0034] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figures 1-6 , the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 includes a support base 110 and a reaction base 120 provided in the support base 110. A reaction space is provided inside the reaction base 120, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively provided at the upper end and the lower end of the reaction base 120 and communicate with the reaction space.

[0035] The support base 110 includes a first plate 111, a second plate 112, and a third plate 113. The first plate 111 and the second plate 112 are horizontal to each other and are both vertically provided on the third plate 113. A cavity is formed between the first plate 111, the second plate 112, and the third plate 113. The reaction base 120 is designed in an "I" shape. The upper end of the reaction base 120 penetrates upward through the cavity, and the lower surface of the upper end of the reaction base 120 contacts the upper surface of the upper end of the support base 110. The lower end of the reaction base 120 penetrates downward through the cavity, and the upper surface of the lower end of the reaction base 120 contacts the lower surface of the lower end of the support base 110. After the support base 110 is fixed, the support base 110 provides a supporting function for the reaction base 120 to prevent the reaction base 120 from tilting and shaking.

[0036] Among them, the first plate 111, the second plate 112, and the third plate 113 can be fixedly connected to each other by integral molding, or the first plate 111 and the second plate 112 can be fixed to the third plate 113 by screw fixing. The support seat 110 and the reaction seat 120 can adopt the screw fixing method. One screw passes through the upper ends of the reaction seat 120 and the support seat 110, and the other screw passes through the lower ends of the reaction seat 120 and the support seat 110 to realize the fixed connection between the support seat 110 and the reaction seat 120. Or the width of the cavity of the support seat 110 is designed so that the support seat 110 squeezes the reaction seat 120, and the supporting force provided by the upper surface of the upper end of the support seat 110 to the lower surface of the upper end of the reaction seat 120 is utilized to realize the fixed connection between the support seat 110 and the reaction seat 120.

[0037] After the user loads the prepared gel into the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction container 100 and the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the sample and the buffer solution into the liquid inlet, the sample, the buffer solution, and the gel slowly descend from the liquid inlet and enter the reaction space. After the sample completes electrophoresis separation and the heating mechanism 500 provides high temperature by heating, the pipetting mechanism 300 loads the cleaning solution into the liquid inlet. The cleaning solution descends from the liquid inlet and enters the reaction space, mixes with the sample, the buffer solution, and the gel, and then the liquid pumping mechanism 400 pumps the waste liquid in the reaction space out of the liquid outlet to complete the cleaning of the reaction seat 120. After the reaction seat 120 is cleaned, the next process of sample electrophoresis separation and cleaning can be carried out to realize the recycling of the reaction seat 120.

[0038] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a first receiving groove 121 and a second receiving groove are respectively provided at the upper end and the lower end of the reaction seat 120. The first electrode 130 and the second electrode are respectively received in the first receiving groove 121 and the second receiving groove. Referring to Figure 3 , the electrophoresis reaction container 100 further includes a top seat 150 fixedly provided at the upper end of the reaction seat 120 and a bottom seat 160 at the lower end of the reaction seat 120. The top seat 150 and the bottom seat 160 respectively abut against the first electrode 130 and the second electrode.

[0039] The first electrode 130 and the second electrode are designed to be circular. The first receiving groove 121 and the second receiving groove are designed as circular grooves adapted to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode. The first electrode 130 and the second electrode are provided with bosses, and the first receiving groove 121 and the second receiving groove are provided with boss grooves adapted to the bosses of the first electrode 130 and the second electrode. The first electrode 130 and the second electrode are connected to the power supply through the bosses, and the power supply supplies power to the first electrode 130 and the second electrode. As shown in Figure 5 , the first electrode 130 is provided with a first boss 131. Referring to Figure 4, the first accommodation groove 121 is provided with a first boss groove 1211; similarly, the second electrode is provided with a second boss, and the second accommodation groove is provided with a second boss groove.

[0040] The cross-sectional shape of the top seat 150 along the horizontal plane is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the upper end of the reaction seat 120 along the horizontal plane, and the cross-sectional shape of the bottom seat 160 along the horizontal plane is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the lower end of the reaction seat 120 along the horizontal plane.

[0041] The top seat 150 abuts against the first electrode 130, and the top seat 150 can provide a limiting function for the first electrode 130. The bottom seat 160 abuts against the second electrode, and the bottom seat 160 can provide a limiting function for the second electrode and can also prevent the second electrode from falling downwards.

[0042] A through hole is provided at the middle position of the top seat 150. When loading the sample, buffer solution and gel into the liquid inlet, since the sample, buffer solution and gel can only slowly descend from the liquid inlet and enter the reaction space, the sample, buffer solution and gel that have not entered the reaction space extend around. However, due to the blocking effect of the hole wall of the through hole, the sample, buffer solution and gel will not overflow from the liquid inlet, thus ensuring that the sample, buffer solution and gel will enter the reaction space.

[0043] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, refer to Figure 5 , both the first electrode 130 and the second electrode are porous electrodes.

[0044] The first electrode 130 and the second electrode can be electrode blocks. The electrode blocks can be made of graphite material or other materials, such as metal materials, copper, aluminum, platinum, etc. Multiple holes arranged regularly or irregularly can be drilled through the electrode blocks by manual operation or mechanical processing to complete the preparation of the porous electrodes.

[0045] When loading the sample, buffer solution and gel into the liquid inlet, the sample, buffer solution and gel can pass through the holes of the first electrode 130 and enter the reaction space. When performing the cleaning operation, the liquid extraction mechanism 400 is started, and the waste liquid can pass through the holes of the second electrode, and the liquid extraction mechanism 400 can smoothly extract the waste liquid from the liquid outlet.

[0046] The first electrode 130 and the second electrode can also adopt other implementation manners, such as a square design with an area smaller than the sizes of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, which can also enable the sample, buffer solution and gel to pass through. However, if the first electrode 130 and the second electrode adopt a porous design, the radius of the holes is smaller, which can realize the slow descent of the sample, buffer solution and gel, and avoid the situation that just after loading the sample, buffer solution and gel into the liquid inlet, they quickly fall to the liquid outlet, resulting in the failure to successfully achieve the electrophoresis separation of the sample after the first electrode 130 and the second electrode are powered on.

[0047] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 6 , the heating mechanism 500 includes at least one heating sheet 510 disposed between the support base 110 and the reaction base 120.

[0048] The heating sheet 510 can be of the electrothermal film type, such as a high-temperature electrothermal film sheet, or of the heating wire type, such as a silicone heating sheet.

[0049] Three heating sheets 510 are provided, respectively disposed between the support base 110 and the reaction base 120. Specifically, they are respectively disposed between the first plate 111 and the reaction base 120, between the second plate 112 and the reaction base 120, and between the third plate 113 and the reaction base 120, so that the heating sheet 510 can contact multiple outer surfaces of the reaction base 120, avoiding ineffective heating of some positions of the reaction base 120, and further avoiding the situation where some gels cannot be smoothly heated and melted.

[0050] The heating sheets 510 are connected to each other. One heating sheet 510 is connected to a power source, and the power source supplies power to this heating sheet 510, and this heating sheet 510 then transfers the electricity to the remaining heating sheets 510; alternatively, the heating sheets 510 are not connected to each other and are respectively connected to a power source, and the power source supplies power to each heating sheet 510.

[0051] After the power source supplies power to the heating sheet 510, the heat is transferred to the reaction space in the reaction base 120, realizing the heating of the sample, buffer solution, and gel.

[0052] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 7 , the liquid storage mechanism 200 includes a storage box 210. In the storage box 210, a first accommodation cavity 211 for storing a sample, a second accommodation cavity 212 for storing a buffer solution, and a third accommodation cavity 213 for storing a cleaning solution are respectively provided.

[0053] The first accommodation cavity 211, the second accommodation cavity 212, and the third accommodation cavity 213 are independent of each other, and can avoid the mutual mixing and influence of the sample, buffer solution, and cleaning solution.

[0054] Among them, considering the usage amounts of the sample, buffer solution, and cleaning solution, the volume of the first accommodation cavity 211 is smaller than the volume of the second accommodation cavity 212, and the volume of the second accommodation cavity 212 is smaller than the volume of the third accommodation cavity 213.

[0055] The implementation method of designing multiple accommodating cavities through a single storage box 210 can reduce the occupied space of the storage box 210 while meeting the storage requirements of samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions compared to the implementation method of designing a single accommodating cavity for each of the multiple storage boxes 210, thereby reducing the volume of the device. Integrating multiple accommodating cavities in a single storage box 210 helps control the stroke of the pipetting mechanism 300, thereby contributing to improving the transfer efficiency and accuracy of samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions.

[0056] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 、 2 、8, 9, the pipetting mechanism 300 includes: A multi-axis motion mechanism; A sampling needle 320 and a cleaning needle 330 provided on the multi-axis motion mechanism; and A first pump mechanism 340 and a second pump mechanism 350 respectively connected to the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330.

[0057] The multi-axis motion mechanism can drive the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move in multiple directions to achieve position transfer of the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330. The first pump mechanism 340 provides driving force for the sampling needle 320 to enable the sampling needle 320 to extract samples and buffer solutions, and the second pump mechanism 350 provides power for the cleaning needle 330 to enable the cleaning needle 330 to extract cleaning solutions.

[0058] The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to move above the accommodating cavity storing the sample in the liquid storage mechanism 200, then drives the sampling needle 320 to descend so that the sampling needle 320 enters the accommodating cavity storing the sample. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to extract the sample. The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to rise, then drives the sampling needle 320 to move above the electrophoresis reaction container 100, and then drives the sampling needle 320 to descend. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to load the sample onto the electrophoresis reaction container 100. The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to rise to complete the process of loading the sample.

[0059] The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to move above the accommodating cavity storing the buffer solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200, then drives the sampling needle 320 to descend so that the sampling needle 320 enters the accommodating cavity storing the buffer solution. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to extract the buffer solution. The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to rise, then drives the sampling needle 320 to move above the electrophoresis reaction container 100, and then drives the sampling needle 320 to descend. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to load the buffer solution onto the electrophoresis reaction container 100. The multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to rise to complete the process of loading the buffer solution.

[0060] After the sample is electrophoretically separated and the heating mechanism 500 heats the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100, the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to move above the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100, and then drives the cleaning needle 330 to descend. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning liquid onto the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100 until the loading amount of the cleaning liquid meets the cleaning requirements, and then the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to ascend; alternatively, the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to move above the accommodation cavity storing the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage mechanism 200, and then drives the cleaning needle 330 to descend so that the cleaning needle 330 enters the accommodation cavity storing the cleaning liquid. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to extract the cleaning liquid, the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to ascend, then drives the cleaning needle 330 to move above the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100, and then drives the cleaning needle 330 to descend. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning liquid onto the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100, and the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to ascend. The above operations are repeated until the loading amount of the cleaning liquid meets the cleaning requirements.

[0061] It is worth mentioning that during the process of loading the cleaning liquid, the heating mechanism 500 is started synchronously so that the heating mechanism 500 heats the sample, buffer solution and gel in the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100; or before loading the cleaning liquid, the heating mechanism 500 is started so that the heating mechanism 500 heats the sample, buffer solution and gel in the electrophoretic reaction vessel 100. After the gel melts, the process of loading the cleaning liquid is carried out.

[0062] Since the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 adopts a vertical design, if the pipetting mechanism 300 uses a pipeline transportation method, such as directly connecting the pipeline to the liquid inlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 instead of using the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330, some pipelines connected to the liquid inlet will hang on the side wall of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, resulting in unreliability when transporting samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions through the pipelines. Moreover, using the pipeline transportation method has a risk of cross-contamination. To avoid cross-contamination, multiple sets of pipelines often need to be designed, which will complicate the device and greatly increase the cost. In addition, since the required amounts of samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions are small, there will be inaccurate quantification if the pipeline transportation method is used. Furthermore, if the pipetting mechanism 300 uses the pipeline transportation method, when cleaning is performed after each electrophoresis, the pipelines and pumps need to be cleaned, so there are more positions to be cleaned, the cleaning mechanism will become more complex, and there is a risk of incomplete cleaning. Therefore, the pipetting mechanism 300 of the electrophoresis device uses the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330, which can ensure the reliability of transporting samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions, and the device has a simple structure and is easy to implement, without excessive cost. In addition, it can ensure the quantification accuracy of samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions, and the required cleaning mechanism can be designed relatively simply and can also meet the requirement of complete cleaning.

[0063] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 、 2 、10, 11, the second pump mechanism 350 is also respectively connected to the first pump mechanism 340 and the accommodating cavity for storing the cleaning solution. A first two-way valve 360 is provided between the second pump mechanism 350 and the first pump mechanism 340, a second two-way valve 370 is provided between the second pump mechanism 350 and the cleaning needle 330, and a third two-way valve 380 is provided between the second pump mechanism 350 and the accommodating cavity storing the cleaning solution.

[0064] When loading samples and buffer solutions, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, and the third two-way valve 380 are closed.

[0065] When loading the cleaning liquid, the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to move above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, and then drives the cleaning needle 330 to descend. At this time, the first two-way valve 360 and the second two-way valve 370 are closed, and the third two-way valve 380 is opened. The second pump mechanism 350 extracts the cleaning liquid. Then, the first two-way valve 360 remains closed, the third two-way valve 380 is closed, and the second two-way valve 370 is opened. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning liquid onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. Repeat this process multiple times until the loading amount of the cleaning liquid meets the cleaning requirements. Then, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, and the third two-way valve 380 are closed, and the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to rise again. If the cleaning needle 330 uses the method of the needle moving back and forth to extract and load the liquid like the sampling needle 320, since the internal space of the cleaning needle 330 is small, the amount of cleaning liquid that can be stored at one time is less, and the required amount of cleaning liquid is more. It is necessary to extract and load the cleaning liquid multiple times to meet the usage requirements. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second pump mechanism 350 is directly connected to the accommodating cavity for storing the cleaning liquid. The second pump mechanism 350 can drive the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning liquid without the cleaning needle 330 moving back and forth, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0066] After the cleaning of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is completed, first, the first two-way valve 360 and the second two-way valve 370 are closed, and the third two-way valve 380 is opened. The second pump mechanism 350 extracts the cleaning liquid. Then, the second two-way valve 370 remains closed, the third two-way valve 380 is closed, and the first two-way valve 360 is opened. The first pump mechanism 340 and the second pump mechanism 350 drive the sampling needle 320 to discharge the cleaning liquid. Repeat this process once or multiple times to discharge the remaining liquid in the sampling needle 320, realizing the cleaning of the sampling needle 320, and avoiding the samples and buffer solutions loaded in the current time from affecting the next electrophoresis process. Moreover, in this embodiment, the second pump mechanism 350 is directly connected to the first pump mechanism 340 and the accommodating cavity for storing the cleaning liquid. The first pump mechanism 340 and the second pump mechanism 350 can drive the sampling needle 320 to discharge the cleaning liquid without the sampling needle 320 moving back and forth, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0067] Among them, the first pump mechanism 340 and the second pump mechanism 350 can be syringe pumps.

[0068] Among them, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, and the third two-way valve 380 can be two-way solenoid valves.

[0069] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, refer to Figure 1 、 2, 10, 11, the liquid extraction mechanism 400 includes a waste liquid box 410 connected to the liquid outlet, a cleaning box 420 connected to the waste liquid box 410, and a third pump mechanism 430 connected to the waste liquid box 410. A fourth two-way valve 440 is provided between the liquid outlet and the waste liquid box 410, and a fifth two-way valve 460 is provided between the cleaning box 420 and the waste liquid box 410.

[0070] When loading the sample and buffer solution, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 are closed.

[0071] When loading the cleaning solution, the multi-axis movement mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to move above the electrophoresis reaction container 100, and then drives the cleaning needle 330 to descend. At this time, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 are closed, the third two-way valve 380 is opened, and the second pump mechanism 350 extracts the cleaning solution. Then, the first two-way valve 360, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 remain closed, the third two-way valve 380 is closed, the second two-way valve 370 is opened, and the second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning solution onto the electrophoresis reaction container 100. Repeat this process multiple times until the loading amount of the cleaning solution meets the cleaning requirements. Then, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 are closed, and the multi-axis movement mechanism drives the cleaning needle 330 to rise. Then, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third three-way valve 380, and the fifth two-way valve 460 remain closed, the fourth two-way valve 440 is opened, and the third pump mechanism 430 drives the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction container 100 to be discharged into the waste liquid box 410. After discharging the waste liquid, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, and the fifth two-way valve 460 remain closed, and the fourth two-way valve 440 is closed.

[0072] After the cleaning of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is completed, first, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 are closed, the third two-way valve 380 is opened, and the second pump mechanism 350 extracts the cleaning liquid. Then, the second two-way valve 370, the fourth two-way valve 440, and the fifth two-way valve 460 remain closed, the third two-way valve 380 is closed, the first two-way valve 360 is opened, and the multi-axis motion mechanism drives the sampling needle 320 to move above the cleaning box 420. The first pump mechanism 340 and the second pump mechanism 350 drive the sampling needle 320 to discharge the cleaning liquid into the cleaning box 420, repeating once or multiple times. Then, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, and the fourth two-way valve 440 remain closed, the first two-way valve 360 is closed, the fifth two-way valve 460 is opened, and the third pump mechanism 430 drives the waste liquid (the waste liquid includes the cleaning liquid, part of the sample remaining on the sampling needle 320, and the buffer solution) in the cleaning box 420 to be discharged into the waste liquid box 410. After the waste liquid is discharged, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, and the fourth two-way valve 440 remain closed, and the fifth two-way valve 460 is closed.

[0073] In some embodiments that can be implemented if there are multiple electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, referring to Figure 11 , there are electrophoresis reaction vessels a and b. A fourth two-way valve 440 is provided between the liquid outlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel a and the waste liquid box 410, and a sixth two-way valve 450 is provided between the liquid outlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel b and the waste liquid box 410.

[0074] During the process of adding samples, performing electrophoresis, and cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessel a, the sixth two-way valve 450 remains closed. Among them, in the process of adding the sample, the first sample in the first accommodating cavity 211 is added to the electrophoresis reaction vessel a, and in the process of adding the buffer solution, the buffer solution in the second accommodating cavity 212 is added to the electrophoresis reaction vessel a.

[0075] During the process of adding samples, performing electrophoresis, and cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessel b, the fourth two-way valve 440 remains closed. Among them, in the process of adding the sample, the second sample in the fourth accommodating cavity 214 is added to the electrophoresis reaction vessel b. Since the same type of buffer solution can be used for different samples, in the process of adding the buffer solution, the buffer solution in the second accommodating cavity 212 can still be added to the electrophoresis reaction vessel b.

[0076] In this way, in the case of multiple electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, only one set of pipetting mechanism 300 and liquid extraction mechanism 400 can achieve the processes of adding samples, cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, and cleaning the sampling needle 320, thereby improving the device reuse rate and effectively reducing the device cost.

[0077] Among them, the first pump mechanism 340 and the second pump mechanism 350 can be syringe pumps, and the third pump mechanism 430 can be a diaphragm air pump.

[0078] Among them, the first two-way valve 360, the second two-way valve 370, the third two-way valve 380, and the fifth two-way valve 460 can be two-way solenoid valves, and the fourth two-way valve 440 and the sixth two-way valve 450 can be pressure tube valves, such as large-aperture pressure tube valves.

[0079] Furthermore, a heating wire 390 is provided between the cleaning needle 330 and the second pump mechanism 350. The cleaning liquid extracted by the cleaning needle 330 can be heated through the heating wire 390. After the cleaning liquid is heated, the cleaning needle 330 is then driven to load the cleaning liquid onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. The high-temperature cleaning liquid is mixed with the gel, which can prevent the melted gel from cooling and solidifying again on the inner wall of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 and being difficult to draw away.

[0080] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the liquid extraction mechanism 400 further includes a pressure detection mechanism 470 provided on the waste liquid box 410.

[0081] Among them, the pressure detection mechanism 470 can be a pressure sensor.

[0082] The pressure detection mechanism 470 is used to detect the pressure of the waste liquid box 410. If it is detected that the pressure of the waste liquid box 410 reaches a preset negative pressure threshold (such as -80 kPa), it is determined that the negative pressure of the waste liquid box 410 can meet the requirements, and the third pump mechanism 430 is closed, so that the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is discharged into the waste liquid box 410 or the waste liquid in the cleaning box 420 is discharged into the waste liquid box 410.

[0083] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the multi-axis motion mechanism includes: A first motion component 311, on which the sample adding needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 are both arranged. The first motion component 311 is used to drive the sample adding needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction; A second motion component 312, on which the first motion component 311 is arranged. The second motion component 312 is used to drive the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction; and A support frame 313, on which the second motion component 312 is arranged.

[0084] The first direction is the y direction as shown in Figure 8 , and the second direction is Figure 8The x-direction shown. It should be noted that the y-direction is not only the direction indicated by the arrow. Both the direction indicated by the arrow and the opposite direction of the direction indicated by the arrow belong to the y-direction; the x-direction is not only the direction indicated by the arrow. Both the direction indicated by the arrow and the opposite direction of the direction indicated by the arrow belong to the x-direction.

[0085] The second moving component 312 drives the first moving component 311 to move in the second direction. The sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 are both arranged on the first moving component 311, thus realizing driving the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move in the second direction. For example, it realizes driving the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move above the liquid storage mechanism 200 and above the electrophoresis reaction container 100. The first moving component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction. For example, it realizes driving the sampling needle 320 to move to the position where the liquid storage mechanism 200 is located, and then realizes the process of the sampling needle 320 extracting the sample and buffer solution. For example, it realizes driving the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move to the position where the electrophoresis reaction container 100 is located, and then realizes the process of the sampling needle 320 loading the sample and buffer solution, and the cleaning needle 330 loading the cleaning solution.

[0086] The second moving component 312 drives the first moving component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the sampling needle 320 moves above the accommodation cavity storing the sample in the liquid storage mechanism 200. The first moving component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 descends and enters the accommodation cavity storing the sample. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to extract the sample. The first moving component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 ascends. The second moving component 312 drives the first moving component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the sampling needle 320 moves above the electrophoresis reaction container 100. Then the first moving component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 descends. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to load the sample onto the electrophoresis reaction container 100. The first moving component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 ascends, completing the process of loading the sample.

[0087] The second motion component 312 drives the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the sampling needle 320 moves above the accommodating cavity for storing the buffer solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200. The first motion component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 descends and enters the accommodating cavity for storing the buffer solution. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to extract the buffer solution. The first motion component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 ascends. The second motion component 312 drives the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the sampling needle 320 moves above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. Then the first motion component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 descends. The first pump mechanism 340 drives the sampling needle 320 to load the buffer solution onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. The first motion component 311 drives the sampling needle 320 to move in the first direction, so that the sampling needle 320 ascends, completing the process of loading the buffer solution.

[0088] After the sample has completed electrophoresis separation and the heating mechanism 500 has heated the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, the second motion component 312 drives the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 moves above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. Then the first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 descends. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning solution onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 until the loading amount of the cleaning solution meets the cleaning requirements. The first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 ascends; or, the second motion component 312 drives the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 moves above the accommodating cavity for storing the cleaning solution in the liquid storage mechanism 200. The first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 descends and enters the accommodating cavity for storing the cleaning solution. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to extract the cleaning solution. The first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 ascends. The second motion component 312 drives the first motion component 311 to move in the second direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 moves above the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. Then the first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 descends. The second pump mechanism 350 drives the cleaning needle 330 to load the cleaning solution onto the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. The first motion component 311 drives the cleaning needle 330 to move in the first direction, so that the cleaning needle 330 ascends, and the above operations are repeated until the loading amount of the cleaning solution meets the cleaning requirements.

[0089] It is worth mentioning that during the process of the first motion component 311 and the second motion component 312 cooperating to load the cleaning liquid, the heating mechanism 500 is started synchronously, so that the heating mechanism 500 heats the sample, buffer solution and gel in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100; or before the first motion component 311 and the second motion component 312 cooperate to load the cleaning liquid, the heating mechanism 500 is started, so that the heating mechanism 500 heats the sample, buffer solution and gel in the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. After the gel melts, the process of loading the cleaning liquid is carried out.

[0090] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the first motion component 311 includes a first moving plate 3111, a first driving member 3112, a first driving wheel 3113, a first driven wheel 3114, a first synchronous belt 3115, a first connecting plate 3116 and a first guide rail 3117; the second motion component 312 includes a second driving member 3121, a second driving wheel 3122, a second driven wheel 3123, a second synchronous belt 3124, a second connecting plate and a second guide rail 3126; The second driving wheel 3122, the second driven wheel 3123 and the second guide rail 3126 are all arranged on the support frame 313. The second synchronous belt 3124 is wound around the second driving wheel 3122 and the second driven wheel 3123. The second driving member 3121 is drivingly connected to the second driving wheel 3122. The second connecting plate is arranged on the second guide rail 3126. The first moving plate 3111 is connected to the second connecting plate and the second synchronous belt 3124; the first driving wheel 3113, the first driven wheel 3114 and the first guide rail 3117 are all arranged on the first moving plate 3111. The first synchronous belt 3115 is wound around the first driving wheel 3113 and the first driven wheel 3114. The first driving member 3112 is drivingly connected to the first driving wheel 3113. The first connecting plate 3116 is arranged on the first guide rail 3117. The first connecting plate 3116 is connected to the first synchronous belt 3115. The sample adding needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 are both arranged on the first connecting plate 3116.

[0091] The first driving member 3112 can drive the first driving wheel 3113 to rotate. For example, if the first driving member 3112 is a motor, the output shaft of the motor is connected to the first driving wheel 3113. When the motor works, it drives the first driving wheel 3113 to rotate through the output shaft.

[0092] The second driving member 3121 can drive the second driving wheel 3122 to rotate. For example, if the second driving member 3121 is a motor, the output shaft of the motor is connected to the second driving wheel 3122. When the motor works, it drives the second driving wheel 3122 to rotate through the output shaft.

[0093] When the second driving member 3121 operates, it transmits power to the second driving wheel 3122. The second driving wheel 3122 rotates, driving the second synchronous belt 3124 and the second driven wheel 3123 to rotate. The second synchronous belt 3124 drives the first moving plate 3111 to move, realizing the overall movement of the first motion assembly 311, and further realizing the movement of the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330. When the first moving plate 3111 moves, the second connecting plate moves on the second guide rail 3126, and the second guide rail 3126 indirectly provides a guiding function for the first moving plate 3111.

[0094] Further, a third connecting plate 31111 is provided on the first moving plate 3111. One end of the third connecting plate 31111 is fixedly arranged on the second synchronous belt 3124, and the other end of the third connecting plate 31111 is fixedly arranged on the first moving plate 3111. When the second synchronous belt 3124 moves, the second synchronous belt 3124 drives the third connecting plate 31111 to move, and the third connecting plate 31111 drives the first moving plate 3111 to move.

[0095] When the first driving member 3112 operates, it transmits power to the first driving wheel 3113. The first driving wheel 3113 rotates, driving the first synchronous belt 3115 and the first driven wheel 3114 to rotate. The first synchronous belt 3115 drives the first connecting plate 3116 to move, realizing the movement of the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330. When the first synchronous belt 3115 drives the first connecting plate 3116 to move, the first connecting plate 3116 moves on the first guide rail 3117, and the first guide rail 3117 provides a guiding function for the first connecting plate 3116.

[0096] Further, a fixing seat 3118 is provided on the first connecting plate 3116. The sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 are fixedly installed on the fixing seat 3118. When the first connecting plate 3116 moves, the first connecting plate 3116 drives the fixing seat 3118 to move, and the fixing seat 3118 drives the sampling needle 320 and the cleaning needle 330 to move.

[0097] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electrophoresis device further includes an imaging mechanism 600 for photographing and imaging the sample that has completed electrophoresis separation. The imaging mechanism 600 includes a camera 610 and a light source 620. The camera 610 is arranged facing the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, and the light source 620 is arranged between the camera 610 and the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100.

[0098] The light source 620 can emit an illumination beam towards the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100. When the illumination beam irradiates on the sample, it excites the sample to emit a fluorescence signal. The light source 620 can form a light-emitting surface in a square, circular, triangular, diamond or other irregular shape. The light-emitting surface can be arranged parallel to the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 so that the illumination beam irradiates the sample perpendicular to the surface of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, thereby improving the excitation efficiency.

[0099] A lens is provided on the camera 610. The camera 610 can receive the fluorescence signal emitted by the sample through the lens, convert the fluorescence signal emitted by the sample into an image, and finally analyze the image to obtain relevant information about the sample.

[0100] Thus, the user only needs to load the gel into the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100, and the remaining operations such as adding the sample, buffer solution, performing electrophoresis separation on the sample, taking a photo of the sample for imaging, obtaining the analysis result, and cleaning the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 are all automatically completed by the electrophoresis device, and the degree of automation of the electrophoresis device is high.

[0101] Furthermore, if there are multiple electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, one or more imaging mechanisms 600 are provided.

[0102] If one imaging mechanism 600 is provided, the field of view of the camera 610 needs to be sufficient to cover all the electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, so as to take pictures of the images of each electrophoresis reaction vessel 100; alternatively, a driving mechanism is provided, such as the driving mechanism includes a conveying track, a fixing plate arranged on the conveying track, and a motor drivingly connected to the fixing plate. The camera 610 and the light source 620 are arranged on the fixing plate, and the motor drives the fixing plate to move on the conveying track, and the fixing plate drives the camera 610 and the light source 620 to move to the corresponding positions of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, so that the camera 610 and the light source 620 cooperate to take pictures of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100.

[0103] If multiple imaging mechanisms 600 are provided, each imaging mechanism 600 is arranged at the corresponding position of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, so that the imaging mechanism 600 takes pictures of different electrophoresis reaction vessels 100.

[0104] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the electrophoresis device further includes a frame 700. The frame 700 is provided with a notch, and the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 is arranged on the notch; the frame 700 further includes a bearing surface, and both the liquid storage mechanism 200 and the liquid transfer mechanism 300 are arranged on the bearing surface.

[0105] The rack 700 includes a bearing platform 710 and a plurality of support feet 720 disposed below the bearing platform 710. The support feet 720 are arranged at the four corners below the bearing platform 710 to provide support for the bearing platform 710. The above-mentioned notch is provided on the bearing platform 710, and the above-mentioned bearing surface is the upper surface of the bearing platform 710.

[0106] Placing the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 on the notch can facilitate the vertical setting of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 and facilitate the connection of the liquid outlet of the electrophoresis reaction vessel 100 to the liquid extraction mechanism 400.

[0107] Furthermore, if there are multiple electrophoresis reaction vessels 100, the electrophoresis reaction vessels 100 are arranged in sequence on the notch and are adjacent to each other, thereby facilitating the transfer of samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions by the liquid transfer mechanism 300.

[0108] Placing the liquid storage mechanism 200 and the liquid transfer mechanism 300 on the bearing surface helps the liquid transfer mechanism 300 transfer the samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions in the liquid storage mechanism 200, and helps the liquid transfer mechanism 300 load the samples, buffer solutions, and cleaning solutions onto the electrophoresis reaction vessels 100.

[0109] Furthermore, the camera 610 and the light source 620 are fixedly arranged on the notch or the bearing surface. In some embodiments, the camera 610 is fixedly installed on the bearing surface by screwing, and the light source 620 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the notch through a fixed shaft.

[0110] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "certain examples", "specific examples", or "embodiments" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the said embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0111] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrophoresis device, characterized in that: include: An electrophoresis reaction container, wherein the electrophoresis reaction container is vertically arranged, and an inlet and an outlet are respectively arranged at the upper end and the lower end thereof, and the inlet and the outlet are respectively arranged with a first electrode and a second electrode; A heating mechanism, wherein the heating mechanism is arranged on the electrophoresis reaction container; A liquid storage mechanism, the liquid storage mechanism comprising a plurality of accommodating chambers for storing samples, buffer solutions and cleaning solutions respectively; A liquid transfer mechanism, wherein the liquid transfer mechanism is arranged above the electrophoresis reaction container; as well as A liquid pumping mechanism, the liquid pumping mechanism is connected to the liquid outlet; The pipetting mechanism loads the sample and the buffer into the electrophoresis reaction container, the sample and the buffer are mixed with the gel on the electrophoresis reaction container, the first electrode and the second electrode generate a voltage to achieve electrophoretic separation of the sample; after the electrophoretic separation of the sample is completed, the heating mechanism heats it, the pipetting mechanism loads the cleaning solution into the electrophoresis reaction container, and finally the liquid extraction mechanism extracts the waste liquid in the electrophoresis reaction container.

2. The electrophoresis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrophoresis reaction container comprises a support seat and a reaction seat arranged in the support seat, a reaction space is arranged inside the reaction seat, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively arranged at the upper end and the lower end of the reaction seat and communicated with the reaction space.

3. The electrophoresis device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end and the lower end of the reaction seat are also respectively provided with a first accommodating groove and a second accommodating groove, the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively accommodated in the first accommodating groove and the second accommodating groove, the electrophoresis reaction container also includes a top seat fixedly arranged at the upper end of the reaction seat and a base at the lower end of the reaction seat, the top seat and the base respectively resist the first electrode and the second electrode.

4. The electrophoresis device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipetting mechanism comprises: Multi-axis motion mechanism; A sample addition needle and a cleaning needle disposed on the multi-axis motion mechanism; and A first pump mechanism and a second pump mechanism are respectively connected to the sample addition needle and the cleaning needle.

5. The electrophoresis device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second pump mechanism is also respectively connected to the first pump mechanism and the accommodating chamber for storing the cleaning liquid. A first two-way valve is arranged between the second pump mechanism and the first pump mechanism, a second two-way valve is arranged between the second pump mechanism and the cleaning needle, and a third two-way valve is arranged between the second pump mechanism and the accommodating chamber for storing the cleaning liquid.

6. The electrophoresis device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The liquid extraction mechanism includes a waste liquid box connected to the liquid outlet, a cleaning box connected to the waste liquid box and a third pump mechanism connected to the waste liquid box, a fourth two-way valve is arranged between the liquid outlet and the waste liquid box, and a fifth two-way valve is arranged between the cleaning box and the waste liquid box.

7. The electrophoresis device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The multi-axis motion mechanism comprises: A first motion component, the sample adding needle and the cleaning needle are both arranged on the first motion component, and the first motion component is used to drive the sample adding needle and the cleaning needle to move in a first direction; a second motion component, the first motion component being disposed on the second motion component, and the second motion component being used to drive the first motion component to move in a second direction; and A support frame, wherein the second motion component is arranged on the support frame.

8. The electrophoresis device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first motion assembly includes a first moving plate, a first driving member, a first driving wheel, a first driven wheel, a first synchronous belt, a first connecting plate and a first guide rail; the second motion assembly includes a second driving member, a second driving wheel, a second driven wheel, a second synchronous belt, a second connecting plate and a second guide rail; The second driving wheel, the second driven wheel and the second guide rail are all arranged on the supporting frame, the second synchronous belt is wound around the second driving wheel and the second driven wheel, the second driving member is drivingly connected to the second driving wheel, the second connecting plate is arranged on the second guide rail, and the first movable plate is connected to the second connecting plate and the second synchronous belt; the first driving wheel, the first driven wheel and the first guide rail are all arranged on the first movable plate, the first synchronous belt is wound around the first driving wheel and the first driven wheel, the first driving member is drivingly connected to the first driving wheel, the first connecting plate is arranged on the first guide rail, the first connecting plate is connected to the first synchronous belt, and the sample addition needle and the cleaning needle are both arranged on the first connecting plate.

9. The electrophoresis device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The electrophoresis device also includes an imaging mechanism for photographing and imaging the sample after electrophoresis separation. The imaging mechanism includes a camera and a light source. The camera is arranged toward the electrophoresis reaction container, and the light source is arranged between the camera and the electrophoresis reaction container.

10. The electrophoresis device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The electrophoresis device further comprises a frame, the frame is provided with a notch, and the electrophoresis reaction container is arranged on the notch; the frame further comprises a bearing surface, and the liquid storage mechanism and the liquid transfer mechanism are both arranged on the bearing surface.

Images