Multifunctional microbial inoculating loop
By designing a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop with accommodating through holes and guiding grooves on the inoculation rod, the problems of insufficient sample adsorption and cross-contamination are solved, achieving efficient sample transfer and adaptability to multiple sample types, and is suitable for microbial sampling and inoculation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511113960.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Traditional multifunctional microbial inoculation loops suffer from problems such as insufficient sample adsorption, incomplete sample transfer, and high risk of cross-contamination, failing to meet the sampling needs of different types of samples.
A multifunctional microbial inoculation loop was designed, comprising an inoculation handle and an inoculation rod. The inoculation rod is provided with a receiving through hole and a guiding groove. The receiving through hole is along the length of the inoculation rod, and the guiding groove is connected to the receiving through hole. The inoculation end is provided with a spiral drainage groove. The surface of the inoculation rod is smooth and detachable, and it is suitable for stainless steel or platinum alloy materials.
It improves the adsorption capacity and transfer efficiency of a single sample, reduces the risk of cross-contamination, is suitable for sampling and inoculation of liquid, semi-solid and solid samples, has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture and has low cost, and is reusable.
Smart Images
Figure CN120944676A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of microbiological experimental equipment technology, and in particular to a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop. Background Technology
[0002] A multifunctional inoculating loop is a commonly used laboratory tool primarily for transferring and inoculating microbial samples. It is typically made of metal (such as platinum or nickel-chromium alloys) because these materials can withstand high-temperature sterilization without damage. One end of the loop is designed as a small loop or ring to carry a small amount of microbial sample; the other end is usually the inoculation handle. In use, the loop is first sterilized by passing it through a flame (such as an alcohol lamp) to ensure it is free of other microbial contamination. After cooling, it comes into contact with the microbial sample to be transferred, which is then transferred to a culture medium (such as agar plates, broth, etc.). This process is crucial for isolating and purifying microorganisms, conducting microbiological research, or medical diagnosis.
[0003] Traditional multifunctional microbial inoculation loops have the following problems: insufficient sample adsorption, incomplete sample transfer, and risk of cross-contamination. Summary of the Invention
[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop that can improve sampling efficiency and accuracy.
[0005] One embodiment of this application provides a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop.
[0006] A multifunctional microbial inoculation loop, comprising:
[0007] Inoculation handle;
[0008] And, an inoculation rod, the inoculation rod including a connecting end and an inoculation end, the connecting end being connected to the inoculation handle, the inoculation end having a receiving through hole and a guiding groove located on the outer wall of the inoculation end, one end of the guiding groove being connected to the receiving through hole, and the other end of the guiding groove extending to the tip of the inoculation end.
[0009] In some embodiments, the receiving through-hole extends along the length of the inoculation rod.
[0010] In some embodiments, the length of the receiving through hole along the length direction of the inoculation rod is 1.2 to 1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod.
[0011] In some embodiments, the width of the receiving through hole along the length direction perpendicular to the inoculation rod is 0.5 to 0.7 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod.
[0012] In some embodiments, the accommodating through-hole is an elliptical hole.
[0013] In some embodiments, the inner edge of the accommodating through-hole is rounded to create a smooth transition.
[0014] In some embodiments, the fillet radius of the inner edge of the accommodating through hole is 0.05mm to 0.1mm.
[0015] In some embodiments, the number of the guide channels is multiple, and the multiple guide channels are distributed at intervals.
[0016] In some embodiments, the maximum depth of the guide channel is 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm.
[0017] In some embodiments, the depth of the guide channel gradually decreases from near the connection end to away from the connection end.
[0018] In some embodiments, the maximum width of the guide channel is 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm.
[0019] In some embodiments, the guide channel is a semi-circular channel, a semi-elliptical channel, or a V-shaped channel.
[0020] In some embodiments, the inoculation rod is a rod-shaped structure made of stainless steel or platinum alloy.
[0021] In some embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the inoculation rod is ≤0.2 μm.
[0022] In some embodiments, the surface of the inoculation end has a hydrophobic layer obtained by fluorination hydrophobic treatment.
[0023] In some embodiments, the contact angle of the hydrophobic layer is >120°.
[0024] In some embodiments, the inoculation end is further provided with an auxiliary through hole, which is spaced apart from the receiving through hole.
[0025] In some embodiments, the auxiliary through hole is a circular hole.
[0026] In some embodiments, the diameter of the auxiliary through hole is 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm.
[0027] In some embodiments, the distance between the auxiliary through hole and the accommodating through hole is 1.5mm to 2mm.
[0028] In some embodiments, the auxiliary through-hole is provided with a nanofiber filter for trapping individual microbial cells.
[0029] In some embodiments, the pore size of the nanofiber filter is 5 μm to 10 μm.
[0030] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the inoculation end is further provided with at least one spiral drainage groove, which intersects and communicates with the guide groove to form a positive channel network.
[0031] In some embodiments, the pitch of the spiral drainage groove is 2mm to 4mm.
[0032] In some embodiments, the inclination angle of the spiral drainage groove is 30° to 40°.
[0033] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the spiral drainage channel has a superhydrophilic coating.
[0034] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic coating comprises SiO2 nanoparticles.
[0035] In some embodiments, the contact angle of the superhydrophilic coating is <10°.
[0036] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle is made of high-temperature resistant plastic or metal material.
[0037] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle is detachably connected to the inoculation rod.
[0038] The aforementioned multifunctional microbial inoculation loop can be used for microbial sampling, inoculation, and culture, offering diverse functions and improving sampling efficiency and accuracy. When used for microbial sampling and inoculation, the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop of this application can increase the amount of sample adsorbed per sample, essentially achieving complete sample transfer, improving inoculation efficiency, and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Specifically, by setting a receiving through-hole on the inoculation rod, the receiving through-hole can accommodate a certain volume of sample, increasing the amount inoculated per sample. By setting a flow-guiding groove, this application enables significant sample transfer on the inoculation rod during inoculation and transfer, achieving a high transfer rate. The flow-guiding groove also accelerates sample transfer, shortens the single inoculation time, and improves inoculation efficiency. Simultaneously, the increased sample transfer rate reduces the risk of sample residue, avoiding or reducing the risk of residual sample contamination in subsequent experiments when using the same needle tip multiple times. Furthermore, by setting the receiving through-hole and the flow-guiding groove, this application can adapt to the sampling and inoculation needs of different types of samples, such as solids, semi-solids, and liquids, enriching the functionality of a single multifunctional microbial inoculation loop.
[0039] In summary, compared with traditional technologies, the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop of this application has the following beneficial effects:
[0040] (1) Improve sampling efficiency: The structure of the accommodating through hole and the guiding groove significantly increases the amount of sample collected in a single operation, which is especially suitable for micro sample operations.
[0041] (2) Precise control of sample volume: The sample volume is precisely controlled by the size design of the accommodating through hole.
[0042] (3) Reduce cross-contamination: The smooth surface of the inoculation rod and the cross-connection of the flow channel and spiral drainage channel form a positive cross-channel network, which can reduce sample residue and facilitate cleaning and sterilization.
[0043] (4) Multifunctional application: suitable for various sample types such as liquid, semi-solid and solid.
[0044] (5) Simple structure: easy to process and manufacture, low cost, and reusable. Attached Figure Description
[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0046] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.
[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to an embodiment of this application;
[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to an embodiment of this application;
[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to another embodiment of this application.
[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0051] 10. Multifunctional microbial inoculation loop; 100. Inoculation handle; 200. Inoculation rod; 210. Connecting end; 220. Inoculation end; 221. Accommodating through hole; 222. Guide channel; 223. Spiral drainage channel. Detailed Implementation
[0052] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0053] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0054] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0055] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0056] In the description of this application, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.
[0057] In this document, "optionally," "optionally," and "optional" mean that something is optional, that is, it is selected from either "with" or "without." If multiple "options" appear in a technical solution, unless otherwise specified and there are no contradictions or mutual constraints, each "option" is independent. In this application, descriptions such as "optionally contains" and "optionally includes" indicate "contains or does not contain."
[0058] In this document, unless otherwise stated, the reaction steps may be performed in the order described herein or not. For example, other steps may be included between reaction steps, and the order of reaction steps may be appropriately interchanged. This is something that those skilled in the art can determine based on conventional knowledge and experience. Preferably, the reaction methods described herein are performed sequentially.
[0059] In this application, when numerical intervals (i.e., numerical ranges) are mentioned, unless otherwise specified, the distribution of selectable numerical values within the numerical interval is considered continuous, and includes the two endpoints of the numerical interval (i.e., the minimum and maximum values), as well as every numerical value between these two endpoints. Unless otherwise specified, when a numerical interval refers only to integers within that numerical interval, it includes the two endpoint integers of the numerical range, as well as every integer between the two endpoints, which is equivalent to directly listing every integer. When multiple numerical ranges are provided to describe features or characteristics, these numerical ranges can be merged. In other words, unless otherwise specified, the numerical ranges disclosed in this application should be understood to include any and all subranges included therein. The "numerical value" in the numerical interval can be any quantitative value, such as a number, percentage, ratio, etc. The term "numerical interval" can be broadly included to include percentage intervals, ratio intervals, proportion intervals, etc.
[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0061] This application provides a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop to address at least one of the following problems in existing multifunctional microbial inoculation loops: (1) insufficient sample adsorption: the microbial sample is obtained by relying solely on surface adhesion or tip dipping, making it difficult to accurately control the sampling volume; (2) incomplete sample transfer, especially for high-viscosity culture media or liquid samples, where the sample is easily left on the needle tip surface, resulting in low inoculation efficiency; (3) risk of cross-contamination: when the same needle tip is used multiple times, residual sample may cause contamination in subsequent experiments; (4) limited functionality, unable to simultaneously meet the sampling needs of different types of samples (such as solid, semi-solid, and liquid). The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0062] The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 provided in one embodiment of this application is exemplary; please refer to [link to example]. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 provided in one embodiment of this application. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 of this application can be used for microbial inoculation, and can increase the amount of sample adsorbed in a single run, basically achieve complete sample transfer, improve inoculation efficiency, and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
[0063] To more clearly illustrate the structure of the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10, the following description of the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0064] For example, please refer to Figure 1 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10.
[0065] A multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 includes an inoculation handle 100 and an inoculation rod 200. The inoculation rod 200 includes a connecting end 210 and an inoculation end 220. The connecting end 210 is connected to the inoculation handle 100. The inoculation end 220 is provided with a receiving through hole 221 and a guiding groove 222 located on the outer wall of the inoculation end 220. One end of the guiding groove 222 extends to and communicates with the receiving through hole 221. The other end of the guiding groove 222 extends to the tip of the inoculation end 220.
[0066] The aforementioned multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 can be used for microbial sampling, inoculation, and culture. It offers diverse functions and improves sampling efficiency and accuracy. When used for microbial sampling and inoculation, the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 of this application can increase the amount of sample adsorbed per sample, essentially achieving complete sample transfer, improving inoculation efficiency, and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Specifically, by setting a receiving through-hole 221 in the inoculation rod 200, the receiving through-hole 221 can accommodate a certain volume of sample, increasing the amount inoculated per sample. By setting a guiding channel 222, during inoculation and transfer, the guiding effect of the guiding channel 222 enables a significant transfer of the sample on the inoculation rod 200, resulting in a high transfer rate. The guiding channel 222 also accelerates sample transfer, shortens the single inoculation time, and improves inoculation efficiency. Simultaneously, when the sample transfer rate is increased, the risk of sample residue is reduced. When the same needle tip is used for multiple inoculations, the risk of residual sample potentially contaminating subsequent experiments is avoided or reduced. Furthermore, by setting up the receiving through hole 221 and the guiding channel 222, this application can adapt to the sampling and inoculation needs of different types of samples such as solid, semi-solid and liquid, thus enriching the function of a single multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10.
[0067] In some of these implementations, please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the accommodating through hole 221 extends along the length direction of the inoculation rod 200.
[0068] In some embodiments, the inoculation rod 200 is generally cylindrical. Optionally, at the inoculation end 220 away from the inoculation handle 100, the inoculation rod 200 has a needle-like structure with a gradually decreasing outer diameter. It should be noted that the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200 mentioned below refers to the size of the inoculation rod 200 at the non-needle-tip position.
[0069] In some embodiments, the length of the receiving through-hole 221 along the length direction of the inoculation rod 200 is 1.2 to 1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200. The value of the multiple of the length of the receiving through-hole 221 along the length direction of the inoculation rod 200 to the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200 includes, but is not limited to: 1.2 times, 1.3 times, 1.4 times, 1.5 times, or any range between the two aforementioned.
[0070] In this application, when the length of the accommodating through-hole 221 along the length direction of the inoculation rod 200 is 1.2 to 1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200, sufficient sample accommodating space can be provided while ensuring the structural strength of the inoculation rod 200. If the length of the accommodating through-hole 221 is too small, for example, less than 1.2 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200, the volume of the accommodating through-hole 221 will be relatively small, unable to accommodate enough inoculated samples, resulting in insufficient sampling volume per inoculation, and failing to meet the needs of some experiments requiring larger sample volumes. Moreover, when processing high-viscosity samples, a smaller accommodating through-hole 221 may impede sample flow, increasing the risk of sample residue and reducing inoculation efficiency. Conversely, if the length of the accommodating through-hole 221 is too large, for example, greater than 1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200, although it can accommodate more samples, it will weaken the structural strength of the inoculation rod 200. During operation, the inoculation rod 200 may bend or break due to the weight of the sample and external forces during operation, affecting the normal use of the inoculation loop and increasing the risk of experimental operation. Therefore, setting the length of the accommodating through hole 221 to 1.2-1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200 is an optimized and balanced design that can meet the sample containment requirements while ensuring the structural stability and operational reliability of the inoculation rod 200.
[0071] In some embodiments, the width of the receiving through-hole 221 along the length direction perpendicular to the inoculation rod 200 is 0.5 to 0.7 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200. The value of the multiple of the width of the receiving through-hole 221 along the length direction perpendicular to the inoculation rod 200 to the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200 includes, but is not limited to: 0.5 times, 0.6 times, 0.7 times, or any range between the two mentioned above.
[0072] In this application, setting the width of the accommodating orifice 221 to 0.5 to 0.7 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200 provides suitable sample accommodating space and good sample flowability while ensuring the structural stability of the inoculation rod 200. For solid samples, a suitable width allows the sample to smoothly enter the accommodating orifice 221, while avoiding uneven sample distribution within the orifice due to excessive width, which would affect sampling accuracy. For semi-solid and liquid samples, this width range ensures smooth flow out under the guidance of the guiding channel 222, reducing sample residue. If the width of the accommodating orifice 221 is greater than 0.7 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200, it will excessively weaken the structural strength of the inoculation rod 200. During operation, the inoculation rod 200 is prone to deformation, affecting sampling accuracy and inoculation stability. Moreover, an excessively large width may cause the sample to flow too quickly within the orifice, making it difficult to control the sampling volume, especially during precise sampling, which would increase the difficulty and error of the experiment. If the width of the accommodating orifice 221 is less than 0.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod 200, the volume of the accommodating orifice 221 will be limited, making it unable to accommodate a sufficient number of samples. This is particularly problematic for experiments requiring large sample volumes. Furthermore, an excessively small width of the accommodating orifice 221 increases the flow resistance of the sample within the orifice, leading to poor sample outflow, potential sample residue within the orifice, reduced sample transfer rate, and decreased inoculation efficiency.
[0073] In some of these implementations, please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the accommodating through hole 221 is an elliptical hole.
[0074] In some embodiments, the inner edge of the accommodating through-hole 221 is rounded to create a smooth transition.
[0075] In some embodiments, the fillet radius of the inner edge of the accommodating through hole 221 is 0.05mm to 0.1mm. The value of the fillet radius of the inner edge of the accommodating through hole 221 includes, but is not limited to: 0.05mm, 0.06mm, 0.07mm, 0.08mm, 0.09mm, 0.1mm or any range between the two mentioned above.
[0076] In some embodiments, there are multiple guide channels 222, which are distributed at intervals.
[0077] In some embodiments, the maximum depth of the guide channel 222 is 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. The maximum depth of the guide channel 222 includes, but is not limited to, 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, 0.1 mm, or any range between the two aforementioned.
[0078] In some embodiments, the depth of the guide channel 222 gradually decreases from near the connection end 210 to away from the connection end 210.
[0079] In some embodiments, the maximum width of the guide channel 222 is 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. The maximum width of the guide channel 222 may be, but is not limited to, 0.1 mm, 0.12 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.18 mm, 0.19 mm, 0.2 mm, or any range between the two aforementioned.
[0080] In some implementations, see Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 according to an embodiment of this application. The guide channel 222 is a semi-circular channel, a semi-elliptical channel, or a V-shaped channel.
[0081] In some embodiments, the inoculation rod 200 is a rod-shaped structure made of stainless steel or platinum alloy, such as a round rod-shaped structure.
[0082] In some embodiments, the surface roughness Ra of the inoculation rod 200 is ≤0.2μm. Setting the surface roughness Ra of the inoculation rod 200 to ≤0.2μm reduces the risk of contamination: the ultra-smooth surface (Ra≤0.2μm) significantly reduces the likelihood of bacteria, microorganisms, or other contaminants adhering, thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination, which is particularly important in medical, laboratory, and biopharmaceutical fields. It improves cleaning efficiency: the smooth surface of the inoculation rod 200 is easier to clean and disinfect, and residues are less likely to remain, facilitating rapid and efficient cleaning processes, especially in applications requiring frequent sterilization. It enhances corrosion resistance: the low surface roughness of the inoculation rod 200 reduces micro-gaps and defects, thereby reducing the likelihood of corrosion and extending the service life of the inoculation rod 200, especially when in contact with chemical reagents or used in humid environments. It improves operational precision and consistency: during microbial inoculation, the smooth surface of the inoculation rod 200 ensures a more uniform and stable inoculation process, avoiding uneven inoculation or sample loss caused by uneven surface of the inoculation rod 200, and improving the repeatability and accuracy of experimental results. Compliant with industry standards: Many medical devices and laboratory instruments require high-precision manufacturing. A surface roughness of Ra≤0.2μm typically meets international standards such as ISO and GMP, making it suitable for high-standard clean environments. Improved fluid control performance: In applications involving liquid transfer or micro-volume operations, the smooth surface of the inoculation rod 200 helps control droplet behavior, reducing surface adsorption and retention, and improving operational efficiency and accuracy. The surface roughness of the inoculation rod 200, achieving Ra≤0.2μm, not only enhances its hygiene, safety, and durability but also meets the technical requirements of high-precision, high-cleanliness applications.
[0083] In some embodiments, the surface of the inoculation end 220 has a hydrophobic layer obtained by fluorination hydrophobic treatment. The hydrophobic layer is not shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0084] In some embodiments, the contact angle of the hydrophobic layer is >120°.
[0085] In some embodiments, the inoculation end 220 is also provided with an auxiliary through hole. The auxiliary through hole is spaced apart from the receiving through hole 221.
[0086] In some embodiments, the auxiliary through hole is a circular hole.
[0087] In some embodiments, the diameter of the auxiliary through hole is 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. The diameter of the auxiliary through hole includes, but is not limited to, 0.3 mm, 0.32 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.37 mm, 0.39 mm, 0.4 mm, or any range between the two aforementioned.
[0088] In some embodiments, the distance between the auxiliary through hole and the receiving through hole 221 is 1.5mm to 2mm. The value of the distance between the auxiliary through hole and the receiving through hole 221 includes, but is not limited to: 1.5mm, 1.6mm, 1.7mm, 1.8mm, 1.9mm, 2mm or any range between the two mentioned above.
[0089] In some embodiments, a nanofiber filter for trapping individual microbial cells is disposed within the auxiliary through-holes. The nanofiber filter is not shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0090] In some embodiments, the pore size of the nanofiber filter is 5 μm to 10 μm. The pore size of the nanofiber filter includes, but is not limited to, 5 μm, 6 μm, 7 μm, 8 μm, 9 μm, 10 μm or any range between the foregoing.
[0091] In some implementations, see Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The diagram below shows a multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 according to another embodiment of this application. The outer wall of the inoculation end 220 is also provided with at least one spiral drainage groove 223. The spiral drainage groove 223 and the guiding groove 222 are intersected and communicate with each other to form a positive communication channel network.
[0092] In some embodiments, the pitch of the spiral drainage groove 223 is 2mm to 4mm. The pitch of the spiral drainage groove 223 includes, but is not limited to, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm or any range between the two mentioned above.
[0093] In some embodiments, the inclination angle of the spiral drainage groove 223 is 30° to 40°.
[0094] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the spiral drainage channel 223 has a superhydrophilic coating. The superhydrophilic coating is not shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0095] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic coating on the inner wall of the spiral drainage channel 223 can be formed by spraying.
[0096] In some embodiments, the superhydrophilic coating comprises SiO2 nanoparticles.
[0097] In some embodiments, the contact angle of the superhydrophilic coating is <10°. The setting of a contact angle of <10° for the superhydrophilic coating on the inner wall of the spiral drainage channel 223 has the following beneficial effects: Enhanced liquid flowability: The superhydrophilic coating allows the liquid to spread rapidly and flow smoothly on the inner wall of the drainage channel, reducing liquid residue. Reduced risk of cross-contamination: Liquid can be drained more completely, reducing the chance of cross-contamination between different samples or between reagents and samples. Improved cleaning efficiency: The superhydrophilic surface is easier to clean, and any residual substances can be easily removed with the water flow. Prevention of bubble formation: The superhydrophilic coating promotes rapid wetting of the inner wall by the liquid, thereby effectively reducing bubble formation. Optimized operating procedures: Due to more efficient and precise liquid handling, the entire operating procedure is thus optimized.
[0098] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle 100 is made of high-temperature resistant plastic or metal material.
[0099] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle 100 and the inoculation rod 200 are detachably connected. This detachable connection facilitates the replacement, cleaning, and other operations of either the inoculation handle 100 or the inoculation rod 200.
[0100] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle 100 and the inoculation rod 200 are connected by threads.
[0101] In some embodiments, the inoculation handle 100 and the inoculation rod 200 are interlocked by grooves and protrusions.
[0102] The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 of this application is used for microbial inoculation by the following steps:
[0103] (1) Sampling: The inoculation end 220 of the microbial inoculation rod 200 is vertically immersed into the sample, so that the accommodating through hole 221 is completely immersed in the sample. The sample is filled into the accommodating through hole 222 and the accommodating through hole 221 by capillary action along the guiding groove 222.
[0104] (2) Inoculation: Transfer the microbial inoculation to the target culture medium, and gently press or rotate the 220 needle tip of the inoculation end to make the sample evenly distributed in the target culture medium.
[0105] (3) Cleaning: After inoculation, the inoculation rod 200 can be directly disassembled and sterilized at high temperature or chemically cleaned. The inoculation rod 200 can be reused. The inoculation handle 100 can be sterilized at high temperature or chemically cleaned for reuse or for single use.
[0106] In summary, compared with traditional technologies, the multifunctional microbial inoculation loop 10 of this application has the following beneficial effects:
[0107] (1) Improve sampling efficiency: The structure of the accommodating through hole 221 and the guiding groove 222 significantly increases the amount of sample collected in a single operation, which is especially suitable for micro sample operations.
[0108] (2) Precise control of sample volume: The sample volume is precisely controlled by the size design of the accommodating through hole 221.
[0109] (3) Reduce cross-contamination: The smooth surface of the inoculation rod 200 and the flow channel 222 and spiral flow channel 223 are interconnected to form a positive flow channel network, which can reduce sample residue and facilitate cleaning and sterilization.
[0110] (4) Multifunctional application: suitable for various sample types such as liquid, semi-solid and solid.
[0111] (5) Simple structure: easy to process and manufacture, low cost, and reusable.
[0112] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.
[0113] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0114] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A multifunctional microbial inoculation loop, characterized in that, include: Inoculation handle; And, an inoculation rod, the inoculation rod including a connecting end and an inoculation end, the connecting end being connected to the inoculation handle, the inoculation end having a receiving through hole and a guiding groove located on the outer wall of the inoculation end, one end of the guiding groove being connected to the receiving through hole, and the other end of the guiding groove extending to the tip of the inoculation end.
2. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to claim 1, characterized in that, The accommodating through-hole extends along the length of the inoculation rod.
3. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to claim 2, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The length of the accommodating through hole along the length direction of the inoculation rod is 1.2 to 1.5 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod; (2) The width of the accommodating through hole along the length direction perpendicular to the inoculation rod is 0.5 to 0.7 times the maximum outer diameter of the inoculation rod.
4. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The accommodating through hole is an elliptical hole; (2) The inner edge of the accommodating through hole is rounded to form a smooth transition; the radius of the rounded corner of the inner edge of the accommodating through hole is 0.05mm~0.1mm; (3) There are multiple guide channels, and the multiple guide channels are distributed at intervals.
5. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The maximum depth of the guide channel is 0.05mm~0.1mm; (2) The depth of the guide channel gradually decreases from near the connection end to away from the connection end; (3) The maximum width of the guide channel is 0.1mm~0.2mm; (4) The guide channel is a semi-circular channel, a semi-elliptical channel or a V-shaped channel.
6. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The inoculation rod is a rod-shaped structure made of stainless steel or platinum alloy; (2) The surface roughness Ra of the inoculation rod is ≤0.2μm; (3) The surface of the inoculation end has a hydrophobic layer obtained by fluorination hydrophobic treatment.
7. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The inoculation end is also provided with an auxiliary through hole, which is spaced apart from the receiving through hole.
8. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The auxiliary through hole is a circular hole; (2) The diameter of the auxiliary through hole is 0.3mm~0.4mm; (3) The distance between the auxiliary through hole and the accommodating through hole is 1.5mm~2mm; (4) The auxiliary through hole is provided with a nanofiber filter for trapping individual microbial cells.
9. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 8, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The inoculation handle is made of high-temperature resistant plastic or metal material; (2) The inoculation handle and the inoculation rod are detachably connected; (3) The outer wall of the inoculation end is also provided with at least one spiral drainage groove, which is intersected and connected with the guide groove to form a positive channel network.
10. The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop according to claim 9, characterized in that, The multifunctional microbial inoculation loop satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) The pitch of the spiral drainage groove is 2mm~4mm; (2) The inclination angle of the spiral drainage groove is 30°~40°; (3) The inner wall of the spiral drainage groove has a superhydrophilic coating.