Sensor docking assembly for flexible bag

Abstract

The present invention provides a sensor docking assembly for a flexible bag, comprising: a base for connection with the flexible bag; one end of the optical fiber is connected with the light-emitting equipment; the fixing assembly is located outside the flexible bag and used for fixing the other end of the optical fiber, and the fixing assembly comprises a fixing piece arranged on the base; the fixing part is arranged on the base, the mounting part is arranged on the fixing part, and the mounting part is matched with the fixing part, so that the optical fiber is fixed on the base. The fixing piece is arranged on the base, the mounting piece is inserted into the fixing piece, the optical fiber is inserted into the mounting piece, and the optical fiber is fixed on the base through matching of the mounting piece and the fixing piece, so that the optical fiber is directly butted with the base through a direct insertion type structure, and only one transparent fixing piece is arranged between the optical fiber and liquid; the number of parts between the optical fiber and the liquid can be effectively reduced, and the risk of light loss is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of bioreactors, and particularly to a sensor docking assembly for a flexible bag. Background Art

[0002] Integrating electrodes in a flexible bag to measure or control parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, cell density, osmotic pressure, etc. in a buffer solution or a culture solution is a very common operation means in bioprocesses;

[0003] Bioreactors are used in the bioprocess industry to cultivate cells, for example, for the purpose of producing biopharmaceuticals; disposable bioreactors have been increasingly used and there is an increasing trend in the industry; these disposable bioreactors are flexible bags made of plastic, such as welded polyethylene films. To cultivate cells, it is important to measure some characteristics of the culture environment inside the bioreactor; these characteristics can be, for example, temperature, pH value, and dissolved oxygen (DO) value, etc.; in a flexible bag, sensors are usually provided from the upper side of the bag, such as the Cellbag 50L / pH from GE Healthcare; one disadvantage of this is that the sensors are not always inside the culture environment; optical sensors for measuring, for example, pH value and DO value are provided by PreSens, for example; such optical sensors, sometimes called sensor spots, are typically points of a staining material that includes two different fluorescent materials; when the sensor spot is illuminated, the fluorescent substances at the spot will emit light; by using appropriate fluorescent substances, the light emitted can indicate the nature of the culture environment, such as pH value or DO value. Thus, the returned light can be analyzed and, for example, pH value or DO value can be determined; for optimal performance, these sensors should always be placed in the culture environment; placing sensors in the bottom part of the bag is usually not as convenient as placing them from the upper side because the support structure is usually provided under the bag; in addition, due to chemical incompatibility, these optical sensors typically cannot be directly attached to the bag material;

[0004] In the prior art, for example, the publication number is: CN102652173B, which discloses a sensor attachment assembly for a flexible bag. From the literal part of the specification and the specification Figure 3 it can be known that when the sensor fixing part and the adapter part are connected, the combined mirror and lens direct and concentrate the light from the optical fiber onto the sensor spot, and the sensor is thus illuminated by the optical fiber. That is to say, there are two light guide plates between the optical fiber and the liquid in this patent to refract and receive light, which easily leads to the risk of light loss. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a sensor docking assembly for a flexible bag that is not prone to light loss.

[0006] The invention provides the following technical solutions: A sensor docking component for a flexible bag, comprising:

[0007] A base for connecting with the flexible bag;

[0008] An optical fiber, one end of which is connected to a light-emitting device;

[0009] A fixing component located outside the flexible bag for fixing the other end of the optical fiber;

[0010] The fixing component includes:

[0011] A fixing member disposed on the base;

[0012] A mounting member disposed on the fixing member and cooperating with the fixing member to fix the optical fiber on the base;

[0013] The sensor docking component further includes an electrode patch disposed on the fixing member and in contact with the liquid inside the flexible bag; the light-emitting device emits a light source, and projects light into the liquid inside the flexible bag through the optical fiber.

[0014] Further, an installation hole is formed on the base, and the fixing component is located inside the installation hole.

[0015] Further, the installation hole is divided into a recessed fitting hole and a fixing hole for installing the fixing component. Among them, the fitting hole is used to provide space for installing the fixing component, and the fixing hole is communicated with the inside of the flexible bag.

[0016] Further, the fixing member and the mounting member of the fixing component are respectively a light guide column and a first bracket; wherein, the light guide column is disposed on the base, has a hollow structure inside, and an L-shaped hole communicated with the inside of the light guide column is formed on the outer wall of the light guide column; a protrusion is provided on the outer wall of the first bracket, and the inside is also a hollow structure; the optical fiber is inserted into the inside of the first bracket; the first bracket is inserted into the inside of the light guide column and is connected with the light guide column through the cooperation of the protrusion and the L-shaped hole.

[0017] Further, the inside of the first bracket is adhesively bonded to the outer wall of the optical fiber with glue.

[0018] Further, a receiving groove is formed at one end of the light guide column away from the first bracket, and the electrode patch is embedded in the receiving groove.

[0019] Furthermore, the fixing part and the mounting part of the fixing assembly are respectively a second bracket and a pipe clamp, wherein the interior of the second bracket is a hollow structure, and a sealing ring is provided on the outer wall, and the second bracket is interference assembled with the mounting hole through the sealing ring; the interior of the pipe clamp is a hollow structure, and a second thread is formed on the outer wall, the optical fiber is inserted into the interior of the pipe clamp, and the pipe clamp is threadedly connected to the interior of the second bracket through the second thread.

[0020] Furthermore, the pipe clamp includes a fixing portion, a plurality of second holes are opened around one end of the fixing portion, and the end face of the fixing portion close to the second holes is a slope, and an extrusion surface for extruding the slope of the fixing portion is formed inside the second bracket, and the extrusion surface is used to squeeze the slope by squeezing the second bracket so that the second bracket clamps the optical fiber therein.

[0021] Furthermore, a plurality of undercuts are provided on the outer wall of the second bracket, a step surface is formed in the mounting hole, and the undercuts are in interference fit with the step surface.

[0022] Furthermore, a clamping ring is provided on the base, and the optical fiber passes through the clamping ring and is connected to the fixing component.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the invention are as follows: a fixing part is arranged on the base, a mounting part is inserted into the fixing part, an optical fiber is inserted into the mounting part, and the mounting part cooperates with the fixing part to fix the optical fiber on the base. Thus, through a direct-insert structure, the optical fiber is directly connected to the base, and there is only one transparent fixing part between the optical fiber and the liquid, which can effectively reduce the number of parts between the optical fiber and the liquid and avoid the risk of light loss. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The reference numerals in the drawings are: 1 - base, 11 - connection surface, 2 - mounting hole, 3 - light guide column, 31 - L-shaped hole, 4 - first bracket, 41 - protrusion, 42 - first thread, 43 - first hole, 5 - optical fiber, 6 - electrode patch, 7 - second bracket, 71 - reverse buckle, 72 - groove, 73 - sealing ring, 8 - pipe clamp, 81 - rotating part, 82 - fixing part, 83 - inclined surface, 84 - second thread, 85 - second hole, 9 - snap ring, 10 - communication hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] For the convenience of understanding the present invention, the present invention will be described more comprehensively below with reference to the relevant drawings. Several embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0032] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixedly provided on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of illustration.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The terms used herein in the description of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0034] As Figures 1-3 As shown, the present invention provides a first embodiment, which provides a sensor docking assembly for a flexible bag, including: a base 1, an optical fiber 5, a fixing assembly, and an electrode patch 6;

[0035] Among them, the base 1 is used to connect with the flexible bag. The base 1 is in a disc shape as a whole. An installation hole 2 is formed in the middle of the base 1. The installation hole 2 is divided into a concave adaptation hole and a fixing hole for installing the fixing assembly. The adaptation hole is formed by gradually expanding from the direction close to the fixing hole to the outside. The adaptation hole is used to provide space for installing the fixing assembly into the fixing hole. The fixing hole communicates with the inside of the flexible bag, and the fixing assembly is installed in the fixing hole; As Figure 1 can be seen, the upper surface of the base 1 forms a connection surface 11, and this connection surface 11 is connected to the flexible bag; Figure 3 As

[0036] The optical fiber 5 is different from the light-emitting device for transmitting the emitted light. One end of the optical fiber 5 is connected to the light-emitting device, and the other end is fixed to the base 1 by a fixing component; the light source emitted by the light-emitting device projects the light into the liquid in the flexible bag through the optical fiber 5;

[0037] The fixing component is used to fix the optical fiber 5. The fixing component is located outside the flexible bag and includes a fixing piece and a mounting piece;

[0038] The fixing piece of the fixing component is arranged on the base 1, the mounting piece is arranged on the fixing piece, and the mounting piece cooperates with the fixing piece to fix the optical fiber 5 on the base 1; in this embodiment, the fixing piece and the mounting piece of the fixing component are respectively the light guide column 3 and the first bracket 4;

[0039] Among them, the light guide column 3 is arranged at the mounting hole 2 of the base 1, and the light guide column 3 is combined with the base 1 by secondary injection molding. The light guide column 3 is made of a transparent material. From Figure 2 it can be seen that the inside of the light guide column 3 is a hollow structure, including a top wall and a side wall, one side is open, the whole is a column, and an L-shaped hole 31 communicating with the inside of the light guide column 3 is formed on the outer wall of the light guide column 3;

[0040] The inside of the first bracket 4 is also a hollow structure, the whole is also a column, both ends are open, and a protrusion 41 is arranged on the outer wall. The protrusion 41 is cylindrical; the optical fiber 5 is inserted into the inside of the first bracket 4 and is bonded to the inside of the first bracket 4 by glue to prevent the optical fiber 5 from detaching from the first bracket 4, but the glue will not touch the bottom plane of the optical fiber 5; As Figure 1 shown, the first bracket 4 is inserted into the inside of the light guide column 3. By rotating the light guide column 3, the rotation of the light guide column 3 drives the protrusion 41 to rotate so that the protrusion 41 rotates into the end of the L-shaped hole 31, so that the protrusion 41 and the L-shaped hole 31 are interference-fitted, thereby connecting the light guide column 3 and the first bracket 4;

[0041] Further, as Figure 3 shown, a first thread 42 is arranged at one end of the first bracket 4 away from the light guide column 3, and a plurality of first holes 43 are formed at the first thread 42. That is to say, by rotating a nut into the first thread 42, the threaded part of the first bracket 4 is closed inward, so as to further clamp and fix the optical fiber 5 to prevent the optical fiber 5 from falling off the first bracket 4;

[0042] As Figure 2 shown, a receiving groove is formed at one end of the light guide column 3 away from the first bracket 4, and the electrode patch 6 is embedded in the receiving groove and fits with the receiving groove. The electrode patch 6 is used to enhance the light source, and the electrode patch 6 is in contact with the liquid in the flexible bag.

[0043] As Figures 4-6As shown, the present invention also provides another embodiment, which is different from the first embodiment in that: the fixing assembly of this embodiment is different from the fixing assembly of the first embodiment, and the shape of the mounting hole 2 is different from that of the mounting hole 2 of the first embodiment;

[0044] Specifically, the mounting hole 2 in this embodiment is also divided into a recessed adapter hole and a fixing hole for installing a fixing component. Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, it is a concave arc shape so that there is enough space to install the fixing component. A step surface is formed in the fixing hole so that the undercut 71 is engaged with the step surface, and a connecting hole 10 communicating with the fixing hole is also provided;

[0045] In this embodiment, the fixing member and the mounting member of the fixing assembly are respectively the second bracket 7 and the pipe clamp 8.

[0046] Among them, the interior of the second bracket 7 is a hollow structure, including a top wall and side walls, one end of which is open, and the whole is cylindrical and transparent. Two annular grooves 72 are provided on the outer wall away from the pipe clamp 8. The two grooves 72 each accommodate a sealing ring 73. In other embodiments, the number of grooves 72 can be appropriately increased or decreased, so that the second bracket 7 is directly inserted into the fixing hole, and the sealing ring 73 is interference fit with the fixing hole, thereby connecting the second bracket 7 to the fixing hole; a plurality of undercuts 71 are provided on the outer wall of the middle part of the second bracket 7, and the undercut 71 is deformable, and a concave hole for moving the undercut 71 inward is provided at the undercut 71 of the second bracket 7. In this embodiment, there are two undercuts 71, which can be appropriately increased or decreased in other embodiments. When the second bracket 7 is inserted into the inverted fixing hole, the undercut 71 first moves and retracts toward the concave hole. When the undercut 71 moves to the step surface of the fixing hole, the undercut 71 is reset and matched with the step surface, and the second bracket 7 is further firmly fixed in the fixing hole. The second bracket 7 is provided with an internal thread for matching with the second thread 84 of the pipe clamp 8. An extrusion surface is formed inside the second bracket 7 for squeezing the inclined surface 83 of the second bracket 7. The second bracket 7 is also provided with a receiving groove for accommodating the electrode patch 6 on the end away from the pipe clamp 8. The liquid in the flexible bag can be in contact with the electrode patch 6 through the setting of the connecting hole 10. The diameter of the electrode patch 6 is larger than the diameter of the connecting hole 10, thereby preventing the electrode patch 6 from moving out of the connecting hole 10.

[0047] The pipe clamp 8 is also cylindrical in shape and has openings at both ends. The optical fiber 5 can pass through the pipe clamp 8. The pipe clamp 8 includes a fixed portion 82 and a rotating portion 81.

[0048] Among them, the fixing part 82 is in the shape of a long ring, and one end of the fixing part 82 surrounds a plurality of second holes 85 opened. The specific number of the second holes 85 can be adjusted according to the actual situation and is not limited here. The opening of the second holes 85 enables the end of the fixing part 82 to have a deformation ability. The second holes 85 are in a linear shape and are opened from the end of the fixing part 82 towards the inner side. The end face of the fixing part 82 close to the second holes 85 is an inclined surface 83. The second thread 84 is provided on the outer wall of the middle part of the fixing part 82. It can be understood that the operator can rotate the fixing part 82 to cooperate with the internal thread of the second bracket 7 through the second thread 84, so that the fixing part 82 is connected to the second bracket 7. And when the fixing part 82 is placed in the second bracket 7, the inclined surface 83 of the fixing part 82 is extruded by the extrusion surface in the second bracket 7, so that the part of the fixing part 82 provided with the second holes 85 closes inwards, thereby clamping the optical fiber 5 and preventing the optical fiber 5 from falling off; the rotating part 81 is generally in a conical shape, and a plurality of concave strips are provided on the outer surface to increase its rotational friction. The rotating part 81 is connected to the fixing part 82 and exposed outside the base 1. The operator can drive the fixing part 82 to rotate by rotating the rotating part 81, so as to screw the fixing part 82 out of or install it in the second bracket 7.

[0049] For reference Figure 4 In addition, the present invention also provides a third embodiment, which further includes on the basis of the first embodiment or the second embodiment: a snap ring 9 provided on the base 1, the optical fiber 5 passes through the snap ring 9 and is connected to the fixing component. The snap ring 9 has self-adhesive, and is attached to the base 1 through the self-adhesive, and the snap ring 9 is tightly matched with the optical fiber 5, so as to further fix the optical fiber 5.

[0050] In summary, in the present invention, the fixing member is arranged on the base 1, the mounting member is inserted into the fixing member, and the optical fiber 5 is inserted into the mounting member. Through the cooperation of the mounting member and the fixing member, the optical fiber 5 is fixed on the base 1. Thus, through the direct insertion structure, the optical fiber 5 is directly docked with the base 1. Furthermore, there is only one transparent fixing member between the optical fiber 5 and the liquid, which can effectively reduce the components between the optical fiber 5 and the liquid and avoid the risk of light loss.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations 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.

[0052] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. Their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent for the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several variations and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent for the present invention shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sensor docking assembly for a flexible bag, characterized in that, Comprising: A base for connecting with the flexible bag; An optical fiber, one end of which is connected to a light-emitting device; A fixing component located outside the flexible bag for fixing the other end of the optical fiber; The fixing component includes: A fixing member provided on the base; A mounting member provided on the fixing member and cooperating with the fixing member to fix the optical fiber on the base; The sensor docking component further includes an electrode patch provided on the fixing member and in contact with the liquid in the flexible bag; the light-emitting device emits a light source, and projects light into the liquid in the flexible bag through the optical fiber.

2. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 1, wherein An installation hole is formed on the base, and the fixing component is located in the installation hole.

3. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The installation hole is divided into a recessed adaptation hole and a fixing hole for installing the fixing component. Among them, the adaptation hole is used to provide space for installing the fixing component, and the fixing hole is communicated with the interior of the flexible bag.

4. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 1, wherein The fixing member and the mounting member of the fixing component are respectively a light guide column and a first bracket; wherein, the light guide column is provided on the base, has a hollow structure inside, and an L-shaped hole communicating with the inside of the light guide column is formed on the outer wall of the light guide column; a protrusion is provided on the outer wall of the first bracket, and it also has a hollow structure inside; the optical fiber is inserted into the first bracket; the first bracket is inserted into the light guide column, and is connected to the light guide column through the cooperation of the protrusion and the L-shaped hole.

5. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The inside of the first bracket is adhesively bonded to the outer wall of the optical fiber with glue.

6. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 4, wherein, A receiving groove is formed at one end of the light guide column away from the first bracket, and the electrode patch is embedded in the receiving groove.

7. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing member and the mounting member of the fixing component are respectively a second bracket and a pipe clamp. Among them, the second bracket has a hollow structure inside, and a sealing ring is sleeved on the outer wall. The second bracket is assembled with interference to the installation hole through the sealing ring; the pipe clamp has a hollow structure inside, and a second thread is formed on the outer wall. The optical fiber is inserted inside the pipe clamp, and the pipe clamp is threadedly connected to the inside of the second bracket through the second thread.

8. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 7, wherein The pipe clamp includes a fixing part, and a plurality of second holes are formed around one end of the fixing part. The end face of the fixing part close to the second holes is an inclined surface. An extrusion surface for extruding the inclined surface of the fixing part is formed inside the second bracket. By extruding the inclined surface through the extrusion surface, the second bracket clamps the optical fiber inside it.

9. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 7, wherein A plurality of buckles are provided on the outer wall of the second bracket, and a step surface is formed in the installation hole. The buckles are in interference fit with the step surface.

10. The sensor docking assembly according to claim 1, wherein, A snap ring is provided on the base, and the optical fiber passes through the snap ring and is connected to the fixing component.

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