Temperature processing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a temperature processing device which is small in size and easy to mount a sample container, the temperature processing device comprising: a top cover which is provided with an insertion hole into which the sample container is inserted and which is fixed and held in a state in which the sample container is inserted into the insertion hole; the horizontal moving mechanism enables the top cover to rotate in a horizontal plane; the plurality of temperature controllers are respectively arranged in the moving range of the container holding part below the top cover and are mutually independent; and a vertical movement mechanism that moves the plurality of temperature controllers in the vertical direction. Wherein the vertical moving mechanism is provided with elastic parts which elastically support the temperature controller respectively, and in a state that the sample part of the sample container held by the top cover is accommodated in the temperature control interface of the temperature controller, when the temperature controller is further raised by the vertical moving mechanism, the vertical moving mechanism moves the temperature controller to the vertical moving mechanism. And elastic force can be generated in the direction of extruding the inner surface of the temperature control interface and the outer surface of the sample part which are in contact with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of PCR processing equipment, in particular to a temperature processing device. Background Art

[0002] PCR is a well-known method for amplifying genes in a sample, and temperature control devices for automatically performing PCR are also well known. This temperature control device includes a first temperature control interface for adjusting the temperature of a sample container to a first temperature and a second temperature control interface for adjusting the temperature to a second temperature. A robotic arm performs temperature control by alternately moving the sample container between the first and second temperature control interfaces, thereby periodically changing the temperature of the sample within the container (see Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6138223).

[0003] To perform multiple PCRs simultaneously, multiple temperature processing devices must be used and arranged side by side. Placing multiple temperature processing devices side by side requires a considerable amount of installation space, and the work of attaching sample containers to each device is also complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature processing device that is compact and easy to install a sample container.

[0005] The technical solution is as follows: a temperature treatment device, which uses a sample container having a sample portion at the bottom, wherein the sample portion is used to store the sample placed inside, and the temperature treatment device includes: a top cover having an insertion hole for inserting the sample container from above, and wherein when the sample container is inserted into the insertion hole to a predetermined depth, the sample container is fixedly held in a state in which the sample portion is exposed downward; A horizontal movement mechanism, the horizontal movement mechanism is used to rotate the top cover in a horizontal plane; The temperature processing device is characterized in that the temperature processing device further comprises: a plurality of temperature controllers, each of the plurality of temperature controllers being provided with a temperature control interface on an upper surface thereof having an inner surface shape corresponding to an outer surface shape of the sample portion, the inner surface being in contact with the outer surface of the sample portion received in the temperature control interface, and being used to adjust the temperature of the sample accumulated in the sample portion; a vertical movement mechanism configured to move the temperature controller in a vertical direction so as to place the sample portion in the temperature control interface of any one of the plurality of temperature controllers; In which, elastic components are provided on the vertical moving mechanism to elastically support the temperature controller respectively. When the sample part of the sample container held by the top cover is accommodated in the temperature control interface of the temperature controller, when the vertical moving mechanism further raises the temperature controller, elastic force is generated in the direction of squeezing the inner surface of the temperature control interface and the outer surface of the sample part that are in contact with each other.

[0006] Furthermore, the sample container is provided with a wing portion extending radially outward on an outer surface above the sample portion; The top cover has: a cover body provided with the insertion hole; and an engaging portion provided on the lower surface side of the cover body, for engaging with the wing portion inserted into the insertion hole and elastically displacing so that a gap is formed between the engaging portion and the cover body when the sample container is inserted to a predetermined depth, thereby holding the wing portion; The sample container is inserted to the predetermined depth and rotated at least by a predetermined angle, so that the sample container can be fixed on the top cover.

[0007] Furthermore, the vertical movement mechanism includes a common base supporting the plurality of thermostats, and the elastic component is interposed between the base and each of the plurality of thermostats.

[0008] Furthermore, the horizontal movement mechanism includes a horizontal drive shaft for rotating the top cover in a horizontal plane, and the vertical movement mechanism is used to move the base along the horizontal drive shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, a measuring device is provided on the base. The measuring device has a measuring interface on an upper surface for receiving the sample portion of the sample container, and performs optical measurement on the sample in the sample portion received in the measuring interface.

[0010] Furthermore, an elastic component is interposed between the base and the measuring device, and is used to elastically displace the measuring device in a vertical direction relative to the base.

[0011] Furthermore, each of the plurality of temperature controllers independently includes a heater and a fan.

[0012] Advantageous Effects: The temperature processing device of the present invention allows for easy installation of a sample container onto the device, and the temperature controller can be moved vertically via a vertical movement mechanism to accommodate the sample portion of the sample container within the temperature control interface of the temperature controller. Furthermore, when the sample portion is accommodated within the temperature control interface, an elastic component allows the temperature control interface to be brought into close contact with the sample portion. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanism to apply downward force to the sample container to ensure close contact between the temperature control interface and the sample portion, thereby enabling miniaturization of the device. Furthermore, compared to methods of increasing or decreasing the temperature using a single temperature controller, changing the sample temperature by sequentially accommodating the sample container within multiple temperature controllers pre-adjusted to a fixed temperature significantly reduces the energy required to change the sample temperature, while enabling rapid changes in the sample temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of a temperature treatment device; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sample container used in this embodiment; Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the top cover structure of this embodiment; Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the insertion port structure of the top cover of this embodiment; Figure 5 1 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the temperature controller and the measuring device inside the device body of this embodiment; Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the temperature controller and the mounting table in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the temperature treatment device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, the temperature treatment device 1 includes a cylindrical device body 2 and a top cover 4 that covers the upper surface of the device body 2 and rotates in a horizontal plane. The top cover 4 is provided with a sample container 100 (see Figure 2 ) insertion port 6. The top cover 4 can fix and hold the sample container 100 inserted into the insertion port 6. The structure of the top cover 4 for holding the sample container 100 will be described below. Two temperature controllers 8 and Figure 1 A measuring device 24 (not shown) Figure 5 ).

[0016] like Figure 2As shown, the sample container 100 has a sample portion 102 at the bottom for storing a sample therein, and includes wings 104 extending radially outward from the outer circumference of a cylindrical portion located above the sample portion 102 .

[0017] like Figure 3 As shown, the top cover 4 comprises a cover body 5, an engaging portion receiving member 12, an engaging portion 14, and an elastic member 18. The center of the cover body 5 is fixed to the upper end of a vertically arranged drive shaft 11 by a bolt 10. The cover body 5 rotates horizontally as the drive shaft 11 rotates via a motor 20 (stepping motor). The cover body 5 is provided with an insertion port 6, shaped to correspond to the wing portion 104 of the sample container 100. This port is located away from the center of rotation of the top cover 4 and moves in a circular motion within the horizontal plane as the top cover 4 rotates. The drive shaft 11 and motor 20 constitute a horizontal movement mechanism for moving the insertion port 6 within the horizontal plane.

[0018] Below the insertion opening 6 of the lid body 5, a snap-fitting receiving member 12 is mounted, into which a snap-fitting portion 14 and an elastic member 18 are embedded. The snap-fitting receiving member 12 is a generally hollow cylindrical member, while the snap-fitting portion 14 is a hollow disc-shaped member having a through-hole 16 for allowing the portion below the wing 104 of the sample container 100 to pass. The elastic member 18 is a coil spring, interposed between the snap-fitting receiving member 12 and the snap-fitting portion 14 in a compressed state. The snap-fitting portion 14 is biased upward by the elastic member 18, causing the upper edge of the snap-fitting portion 14 to contact the lower edge of the insertion opening 6 on the lid body 5.

[0019] like Figure 4 As shown in (A), the shape of the wing 104 matches the insertion port 6, and the Figure 3 (A) The side of the insertion port 6 has an outwardly protruding notch (non-circular). After the sample container 100 is inserted into the insertion port 6 from the front end, the wing portion 104 of the sample container 100 engages with the upper surface of the engaging portion 14 (i.e., the engagement is achieved by placing the wing portion 104 in the notch).

[0020] like Figure 4 (B) shows that Figure 4 When the sample container 100 is further pushed downward in state (A), the elastic member 18 is compressed, and the engaging portion 14 is elastically displaced downward, creating a gap between the edge of the insertion opening 6 on the lower surface of the cover body 5 and the upper surface of the engaging portion 14 .

[0021] Sample container 100 Figure 4When the axial rotation is performed in the state (B), the wings 104 rotate to enter the gap between the edge of the insertion opening 6 and the upper surface of the engaging portion 14. In this state, the pressure on the sample container 100 is released, and the wings 104 of the sample container 100 are retained between the lid body 5 and the engaging portion 14 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 18. As a result, the sample container 100 is inserted into the insertion opening 6 to the specified depth and is fixed to the top cover 4. At this point, the sample portion 102 of the sample container 100 protrudes and is exposed below the top cover 4.

[0022] like Figure 5 As shown, within the apparatus body 2, two temperature controllers 8 and one measuring device 24 are arranged on a common mounting table 22. Furthermore, while two temperature controllers 8 are provided in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and three or more temperature controllers 8 may also be provided. Since the sample temperature within the sample container needs to be periodically varied, providing multiple temperature controllers 8 allows the sample container 100 to be sequentially placed in multiple temperature controllers 8 pre-adjusted to a fixed temperature to change the sample temperature. This significantly reduces the energy required to change the sample temperature and allows for rapid temperature changes.

[0023] Each temperature controller 8 includes a temperature control interface 28 whose inner surface conforms to the outer surface of the sample portion 102 at the bottom of the sample container 100. The interface 28 is located on the upper surface of a temperature control block 26, which has excellent heat transfer efficiency. The block 26 is held in a housing 30 made of a heat-resistant resin, such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). A heater 32 is mounted on the outer circumference of the block 26, and a cooling fan 34 is mounted on the housing 30 to blow cooling air toward the block 26. By simultaneously heating the block 26 with the heater 32 and blowing air with the cooling fan 34, the temperature of the block 26, including the interface 28, is controlled with high precision and stability. Furthermore, by stopping the heater 32 and operating only the cooling fan 34, the temperature control block 26 can be quickly cooled. The heaters 32 and cooling fans 34 of the two thermostats 8 are controlled independently of each other. In other words, the temperatures of the two temperature control interfaces 28 can be controlled independently of each other.

[0024] The measuring device 24 has a measurement interface 36 on its upper surface. The inner surface of the measurement interface 36 corresponds to the outer surface of the sample portion 102 at the bottom of the sample container 100. Although not shown in the figure, the measuring device 24 is equipped with a light-emitting element for irradiating light toward the sample portion 102 housed in the measurement interface 36 and a light-receiving element for detecting light from the sample portion 102. This allows optical measurement of the sample in the sample portion 102 housed in the measurement interface 36.

[0025] The two temperature control interfaces 28 and the measurement interface 36 are respectively arranged below the moving path of the insertion port 6 which moves with the rotation of the top cover 4. Figure 6 As shown, the mounting table 22 uses the drive shaft 11 as a guide and is moved up and down by a motor 40 (a stepping motor). The mounting table 22 and the motor 40 form a vertical movement mechanism that moves the temperature controller 8 up and down to adjust the sample portion 102 of the sample container 100 to a state in which the sample portion 102 is accommodated in the temperature control interface 28 or the measurement interface 36, or a state in which the sample portion 102 is not accommodated in the temperature control interface 28 or the measurement interface 36.

[0026] An elastic member 38 is interposed between the lower surface of each housing 30 of the two temperature controllers 8 and the upper surface of the mounting table 22. Each temperature controller 8 is constantly biased upward by the elastic member 38. In this embodiment, the elastic member 38 is a coil spring. To adjust the sample in the sample container 100 secured to the top cover 4 to a predetermined temperature, the mounting table 22 is raised while the sample container 100 is positioned directly above the temperature control interface 28, which has been controlled to the predetermined temperature. At this point, if the mounting table 22 is further raised from the position where the sample portion 102 of the sample container 100 is secured within the temperature control interface 28, the height of the temperature controller 8 in contact with the sample container 100 secured to the top cover 4 remains unchanged, and only the mounting table 22 is raised. As a result, the elastic member 38 is compressed, generating an elastic force that pushes the temperature controller 8 upward. Therefore, the outer surface of the sample portion 102 of the sample container 100 and the inner surface of the temperature control interface 28 are pressed against each other and in close contact, thereby improving the temperature control efficiency of the sample portion 102.

[0027] Figure 6 Although only the structure in which the temperature controller 8 is elastically supported on the mounting table 22 via the elastic member 38 is shown, the measuring device 24 is also elastically supported on the mounting table 22 via the elastic member, thereby enabling stable optical measurement inside the sample portion 102 .

[0028] Furthermore, a control board 42 is mounted on the mounting table 22. This board controls the operation of the motor 20 that rotates the top cover 4, the thermostats 8, the measuring device 24, and the motor 40 that moves the mounting table 22 vertically. This control board 42 moves vertically along with the thermostats 8 and the measuring device 24. Mounting the control board 42 on the mounting table 22 eliminates the need for space within the device body 2 for the control board 42, enabling a reduction in the size of the device body 2. While the control board 42 can be mounted outside the housing of the device body 2, mounting it inside the housing prevents operators from accidentally touching the control board 42.

Claims

1. A temperature processing device, comprising: a sample container having a sample portion at its lower portion, the sample portion being used to store a sample placed therein; and a top cover having an insertion hole for inserting the sample container from above, and wherein when the sample container is inserted into the insertion hole to a predetermined depth, the sample container is fixedly held in a state in which the sample portion is exposed downward; A horizontal movement mechanism, the horizontal movement mechanism is used to rotate the top cover in a horizontal plane; The temperature processing device is characterized in that the temperature processing device further comprises: a plurality of temperature controllers, each of the plurality of temperature controllers being provided with a temperature control interface on an upper surface thereof having an inner surface shape corresponding to an outer surface shape of the sample portion, the inner surface being in contact with the outer surface of the sample portion received in the temperature control interface, and being used to adjust the temperature of the sample accumulated in the sample portion; a vertical movement mechanism configured to move the temperature controller in a vertical direction so as to place the sample portion in the temperature control interface of any one of the plurality of temperature controllers; In which, elastic components are provided on the vertical moving mechanism to elastically support the temperature controller respectively. When the sample part of the sample container held by the top cover is accommodated in the temperature control interface of the temperature controller, when the vertical moving mechanism further raises the temperature controller, elastic force is generated in the direction of squeezing the inner surface of the temperature control interface and the outer surface of the sample part that are in contact with each other.

2. The temperature treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample container is provided with a wing portion extending in a radially outward direction on an outer surface above the sample portion; The top cover has: a cover body provided with the insertion hole; and an engaging portion provided on the lower surface side of the cover body, for engaging with the wing portion inserted into the insertion hole and elastically displacing so that a gap is formed between the engaging portion and the cover body when the sample container is inserted to a predetermined depth, thereby holding the wing portion; The sample container is inserted to the predetermined depth and rotated at least by a predetermined angle, so that the sample container can be fixedly held on the top cover.

3. The temperature treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical movement mechanism includes a common base that supports the plurality of thermostats, and the elastic member is interposed between the base and each of the plurality of thermostats.

4. The temperature treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The horizontal movement mechanism includes a horizontal drive shaft for rotating the top cover in a horizontal plane, and the vertical movement mechanism is for moving the base along the horizontal drive shaft.

5. The temperature treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base is provided with a measuring device having a measurement interface on an upper surface for accommodating the sample portion of the sample container, and optically measuring the sample in the sample portion accommodated in the measurement interface.

6. The temperature treatment device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic component is interposed between the base and the measuring instrument and is used to elastically displace the measuring instrument in a vertical direction relative to the base.

7. The temperature treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the plurality of thermostats independently includes a heater and a fan.

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