Food sample pathogenic microorganism enrichment and detection integrated device
The integrated food sample pathogenic microorganism enrichment and detection device, which combines microfluidic cartridges and PCR detection components, solves the problems of cumbersome detection processes and cross-contamination in existing technologies, and achieves efficient and automated detection results.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511105232.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing detection procedures for pathogenic microorganisms in food are cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to cross-contamination. Furthermore, existing microfluidic chips lack efficient enrichment modules and have insufficient sensitivity, making them difficult to promote in rapid detection at the grassroots level or on-site.
An integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples was designed, integrating a microfluidic cartridge, a PCR detection component, and an electronic control module to automate the entire process of sample enrichment, mixing, amplification, and detection. It employs negative and positive pressure connectors and a spiral microridge structure to improve mixing efficiency, and achieves automated operation through a transmission component and a solenoid valve array.
It simplifies the operation steps for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples, reduces the risk of cross-contamination, and improves detection efficiency and sensitivity, making it suitable for rapid on-site testing in grassroots laboratories.
Smart Images
Figure CN120966609A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of microbial detection technology, specifically to an integrated device for the enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the routine detection process for pathogenic microorganisms in food typically requires multiple independent steps, such as "enrichment → centrifugation / filtration enrichment → nucleic acid extraction → PCR amplification → electrophoresis or fluorescence detection". The instruments used in each step, such as homogenizers, centrifuges, nucleic acid extractors, PCR instruments, and electrophoresis tanks, are large, cumbersome to operate, and time-consuming. Furthermore, the need for multiple manual transfers of samples between different devices can easily lead to cross-contamination and result deviations.
[0003] In addition, most current microfluidic detection chips only complete the "extraction-amplification-detection" process and lack an efficient "in-situ enrichment" module, resulting in insufficient sensitivity for low concentrations of pathogens. Chips that can simultaneously achieve enrichment and detection often require multiple external pumps, valves, and heaters, making the system complex, costly, and difficult to promote in grassroots laboratories or on-site rapid detection scenarios. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an integrated, automated device that can achieve the entire process of "enrichment-mixing-amplification-detection" using disposable consumables, in order to meet the needs of rapid on-site screening for food safety. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention aims to provide an integrated device for the enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples. Through the integrated design, it can achieve the effect of "enrichment-mixing-amplification-detection" with only one device, thereby saving operation steps, improving detection efficiency and saving costs.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: An integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples includes a housing and a disposable microfluidic cartridge. The housing contains a cartridge working platform, a PCR detection component, and an electronic control module. The microfluidic cartridge contains a sample pool, an enrichment and filtration assembly, a mixing assembly, and a tube feeding section; food samples are sequentially fed into the tube feeding section after passing through the enrichment and filtration assembly and the mixing assembly. The housing has an opening on one side, and the cartridge working platform is slidably connected to the housing at the opening. The cartridge working platform has a groove for placing microfluidic cartridges. The bottom of the cartridge working platform has a transmission component for transporting the tube section of the microfluidic cartridge to the PCR detection component.
[0006] As an improvement, the enrichment filtration assembly includes a filter element and a negative pressure connector. A support is provided inside the sample pool, and the filter element is placed on the support. A negative pressure suction hole is provided at the bottom of the sample pool, and the negative pressure connector is connected to the negative pressure suction hole. A rinsing chamber is provided on one side of the sample pool, and rinsing fluid is provided in the rinsing chamber. The mixing component includes a transfer channel, a forward primer compartment, a reverse primer compartment, and a mixing channel; one end of the transfer channel is connected to the sample cell, and the other end is connected to the mixing channel; the forward primer compartment is connected to the transfer channel through the forward primer channel, and the reverse primer compartment is connected to the transfer channel through the reverse primer channel. The mixing channel is arranged in a loop shape and its end is connected to the pipe section; The pipe section is provided with multiple pipes, and each pipe is connected to the mixing channel through a diversion channel; The rinsing chamber, the forward primer chamber, and the reverse primer chamber are equipped with positive pressure connectors, and the drain pipe section is equipped with a second negative pressure connector.
[0007] As an improvement, the bottom of the groove of the card box working platform is provided with a connecting part that is respectively connected to the negative pressure connector, the positive pressure connector and the second negative pressure connector; An air pump is installed inside the housing, and the air pump is connected to each connection part through an array of solenoid valves.
[0008] As an improvement, a pipe insertion slot is provided on one side of the groove, and a heating and cooling component is provided on the outside of the pipe insertion slot; The bottom of the card box working platform is equipped with an air pipe connector and a power supply board. The power supply board is electrically connected to the electronic control module and is used to supply power to the heating and cooling components. The solenoid valve array is located inside the air pipe connector, and the air pipe connector is connected to the air pump through an air pipe.
[0009] As an improvement, the card box working platform is provided with sliders on both sides, and the housing is provided with slide rails at corresponding positions; The slider has a rack on its inner side, and the housing has a motor and a drive gear at the corresponding rack.
[0010] As an improvement, the electronic control module includes a display screen and a control circuit board, with the display screen located on the front side of the housing.
[0011] As an improvement, heat dissipation windows are provided below the display screen and at the rear of the housing.
[0012] As an improvement, the microfluidic cartridge is made of high-transmittance plastic or acrylic material.
[0013] As an improvement, the inner wall of the mixing channel is provided with a spiral microridge structure, the height of which is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the mixing channel, which is used to generate turbulence during fluid flow to improve the mixing efficiency of primers and samples.
[0014] The advantages of this invention are: This invention is an integrated enrichment and detection device that achieves enrichment and amplification effects through a disposable microfluidic cartridge. The invention uses a disposable microfluidic cartridge as the main consumable, integrating a sample pool, enrichment filtration assembly, mixing assembly, and tube loading section, enabling continuous sample processing within a closed space. The cartridge platform automatically transfers, washes, mixes, and dispenses samples within the cartridge, and ultimately precisely delivers the tube loading section to the detection site, achieving the "enrichment-mixing-amplification-detection" effect. This invention effectively reduces the complexity of operational steps, manpower requirements, and the risk of cross-contamination during transfer. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the usage status of the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0017] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the microfluidic cartridge in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the microfluidic cartridge in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0019] Figure 5 This is a bottom structural diagram of the microfluidic cartridge in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the mixing channel in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0021] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the integrated packaging and detection platform for pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0022] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the bottom of the integrated packaging box working platform for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0023] Figure 9 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0024] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the air pump system in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0025] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the motor in the integrated device for enriching and detecting pathogenic microorganisms in food samples in Example 1.
[0026] Marked in the image: 1. Shell; 11. Opening; 12. Slide rail; 13. Heat dissipation window; 2. Microfluidic cartridge; 21. Sample cell; 211. Support; 212. Negative pressure suction port; 213. Washing chamber; 214. Washing solution; 22. Enrichment and filtration assembly; 221. Filter sheet; 222. Negative pressure connector; 23. Mixing assembly; 231. Transfer channel; 232. Forward primer chamber; 233. Reverse primer chamber; 234. Mixing channel; 2341. Spiral microridge structure; 235. Forward primer channel; 236. Reverse primer 1. Channel; 24. Pipeline section; 241. Pipeline; 242. Diversion channel; 25. Positive pressure connector; 26. Second negative pressure connector; 3. Card box working platform; 31. Groove; 32. Transmission assembly; 33. Connecting part; 34. Pipeline insertion slot; 35. Air pipe connector; 36. Power supply board; 37. Slider; 38. Rack; 4. PCR detection assembly; 5. Electrical control module; 51. Display screen; 6. Air pump; 61. Solenoid valve array; 62. Air pipe; 7. Heating and cooling assembly; 8. Motor; 81. Drive gear. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.
[0028] Example 1 Integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a housing 1 and a microfluidic cartridge 2. The housing 1 contains a cartridge working platform 3, a PCR detection component 4, and an electronic control module 5.
[0029] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the microfluidic cartridge 2 is equipped with a sample pool 21, an enrichment and filtration component 22, a mixing component 23, and a tube arrangement section 24. The food sample is sequentially fed into the tube arrangement section 24 through the enrichment and filtration component 22 and the mixing component 23, and then detected by the PCR detection component 4 after the amplification process.
[0030] The enrichment filtration assembly 22 includes a filter element 221 and a negative pressure connector 222. A support member 211 is provided inside the sample pool 21, and the filter element 221 is mounted on the support member 211. A negative pressure suction hole 212 is provided at the bottom of the sample pool 21, and the negative pressure connector 222 is connected to the negative pressure suction hole 212. A rinsing chamber 213 is provided on one side of the sample pool 21, and rinsing fluid 214 is provided inside the rinsing chamber 213. In the enrichment filtration assembly 22, the filter element 221 adsorbs and retains target microorganisms in the food sample through negative pressure. The support member 211 ensures that the filter element 221 stably covers the negative pressure suction hole 212. The rinsing fluid 214 in the rinsing chamber 213 automatically rinses the filter element 221 after enrichment, improving the purity of microbial enrichment.
[0031] The mixing component 23 includes a transfer channel 231, a forward primer chamber 232, a reverse primer chamber 233, and a mixing channel 234. One end of the transfer channel 231 is connected to the sample cell 21, and the other end is connected to the mixing channel 234. The forward primer chamber 232 is connected to the transfer channel 231 through the forward primer channel 235, and the reverse primer chamber 233 is connected to the transfer channel 231 through the reverse primer channel 236. The mixing channel 234 is arranged in a U-shape, and its end is connected to the tube arrangement section 24. The tube arrangement section 24 is provided with multiple tubes 241, and each tube 241 is connected to the mixing channel 234 through a branch channel 242.
[0032] The rinsing chamber 213, the forward primer chamber 232, and the reverse primer chamber 233 are equipped with positive pressure connectors 25, and a second negative pressure connector 26 is provided at the tube outlet 24. The inner wall of the mixing channel 234 has a spiral micro-ridge structure 2341, the height of which is 1 / 3–1 / 2 of the depth of the mixing channel 234, used to generate turbulence during fluid flow to improve the mixing efficiency of primers and samples. In the mixing assembly 23, the transfer channel 231 transports the enriched microbial sample to the mixing channel 234, while positive pressure drives the injection of forward and reverse primers, ensuring thorough mixing with the sample. Figure 6 As shown, the loop-shaped mixing channel 234, combined with the helical microridge structure 2341, enhances mixing uniformity through mechanical turbulence, significantly improving the binding efficiency of primers and target nucleic acids. The second negative pressure connector 26 draws the mixture into the drain tube 241, and the diversion channel 242 enables parallel multi-path distribution. The microfluidic cartridge 2 is made of highly transparent plastic or acrylic material, which improves the cartridge's light transmittance and ensures the accuracy of PCR detection.
[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the shell 1 has an opening 11 on one side, and the cartridge working platform 3 is slidably connected to the shell 1 at the opening 11. The cartridge working platform 3 has a groove 31 for placing the microfluidic cartridge 2. The bottom of the cartridge working platform 3 has a transmission component 32 for transporting the tube section 24 of the microfluidic cartridge 2 to the PCR detection component 4.
[0034] The bottom of the groove 31 of the cartridge working platform 3 is provided with connecting parts 33 that are respectively connected to the negative pressure connector 222, the positive pressure connector 25, and the second negative pressure connector 26; an air pump 6 is provided inside the housing 1, and the air pump 6 is connected to each connecting part 33 through a solenoid valve array 61. A tube insertion slot 34 is provided on one side of the groove 31, and a heating and cooling assembly 7 is provided on the outside of the tube insertion slot 34. The heating and cooling assembly is the same as that on existing PCR machines, and will not be described further here.
[0035] The bottom of the cartridge working platform 3 is equipped with a gas tube connector 35 and a power supply board 36. The power supply board 36 is electrically connected to the electronic control module 5 and is used to supply power to the heating and cooling assembly 7. The solenoid valve array 61 is located inside the gas tube connector 35, which is connected to the air pump 6 via a gas tube 62. In the cartridge working platform 3, the groove 31 automatically aligns with the various gas path interfaces in the microfluidic cartridge 2 via the connecting part 33, enabling the air pump 6 to precisely drive the cartridge fluid via the solenoid valve array 61. The tube insertion slot 34 cooperates with the heating and cooling assembly 7 to provide a precise temperature control environment for the tubes 241. At the same time, the transmission assembly 32 moves the tubes 241 to the PCR detection position, completing the fully automated closed loop of "enrichment-mixing-amplification-detection".
[0036] The card box working platform 3 has sliders 37 on both sides, and the housing 1 has slide rails 12 at the corresponding positions. The inner side of the sliders 37 has racks 38, and the housing 1 has motors 8 and drive gears 81 at the corresponding racks 38. The sliders 37 and slide rails 12 form a guiding mechanism, which, together with the racks 38 and motor drive gears 81, realizes the precise linear transmission of the working platform 3, ensuring the accurate alignment of the tube arrangement section 24 and the PCR detection component 4.
[0037] The electronic control module 5 includes a display screen 51 and a control circuit board. The display screen 51 is located on the front side of the housing 1. Heat dissipation vents 13 are located below the display screen 51 and at the rear of the housing 1. The display screen 51 displays the operating status and detection results in real time. The heat dissipation vents 13 achieve system thermal management through air convection, ensuring long-term operational stability.
[0038] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. An integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples, comprising a shell, characterized in that, The device also includes a disposable microfluidic cartridge, and the housing contains a cartridge working platform, a PCR detection component, and an electronic control module; The microfluidic cartridge contains a sample pool, an enrichment and filtration assembly, a mixing assembly, and a tube feeding section; food samples are sequentially fed into the tube feeding section after passing through the enrichment and filtration assembly and the mixing assembly. The housing has an opening on one side, and the cartridge working platform is slidably connected to the housing at the opening. The cartridge working platform has a groove for placing microfluidic cartridges. The bottom of the cartridge working platform has a transmission component for transporting the tube section of the microfluidic cartridge to the PCR detection component.
2. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The enrichment filtration assembly includes a filter element and a negative pressure connector. A support is provided inside the sample pool, and the filter element is placed on the support. A negative pressure suction hole is provided at the bottom of the sample pool, and the negative pressure connector is connected to the negative pressure suction hole. A rinsing chamber is provided on one side of the sample pool, and rinsing fluid is provided in the rinsing chamber. The mixing component includes a transfer channel, a forward primer compartment, a reverse primer compartment, and a mixing channel; one end of the transfer channel is connected to the sample cell, and the other end is connected to the mixing channel; the forward primer compartment is connected to the transfer channel through the forward primer channel, and the reverse primer compartment is connected to the transfer channel through the reverse primer channel. The mixing channel is arranged in a loop shape and its end is connected to the pipe section; The pipe section is provided with multiple pipes, and each pipe is connected to the mixing channel through a diversion channel; The rinsing chamber, the forward primer chamber, and the reverse primer chamber are equipped with positive pressure connectors, and the drain pipe section is equipped with a second negative pressure connector.
3. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the groove of the card box working platform is provided with a connecting part that is respectively connected to the negative pressure connector, the positive pressure connector and the second negative pressure connector; An air pump is installed inside the housing, and the air pump is connected to each connection part through an array of solenoid valves.
4. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 3, characterized in that, A pipe insertion slot is provided on one side of the groove, and a heating and cooling component is provided on the outside of the pipe insertion slot; The bottom of the card box working platform is equipped with an air pipe connector and a power supply board. The power supply board is electrically connected to the electronic control module and is used to supply power to the heating and cooling components. The solenoid valve array is located inside the air pipe connector, and the air pipe connector is connected to the air pump through an air pipe.
5. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 3, characterized in that, The card box working platform is provided with sliders on both sides, and the housing is provided with slide rails at corresponding positions; The slider has a rack on its inner side, and the housing has a motor and a drive gear at the corresponding rack.
6. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic control module includes a display screen and a control circuit board, with the display screen located on the front side of the housing.
7. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 6, characterized in that, The display screen is provided with ventilation windows below it and at the rear of the housing.
8. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microfluidic cartridge is made of high-transmittance plastic or acrylic material.
9. The integrated device for enrichment and detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food samples according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner wall of the mixing channel is provided with a spiral microridge structure, the height of which is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the mixing channel. This structure is used to generate turbulence during fluid flow to improve the mixing efficiency of primers and samples.