A microtube holder for convenient manipulation under a microscope
By using permanent magnets to clamp microtubes or microfilaments in the holder, the problems of large space occupation and obstruction of vision in the prior art are solved, and flexible, precise positioning and real-time position tracking of microtubes or microfilaments under the microscope are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511494478.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing grippers occupy a large space and obstruct the line of sight when operated under a microscope, making it difficult to track the real-time position of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament, resulting in complex and inaccurate three-dimensional positioning operations of the microtube or microfilament.
The first and second clamps contain mutually attractive permanent magnets, which magnetically clamp the microtubes or microfilaments, simplifying the structure, reducing the volume, exposing the movement trajectory of the lower end of the microtubes or microfilaments, and enabling real-time position tracking.
The clamp has a compact structure and is easy to operate. It allows the movement trajectory of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament to be clearly seen under a microscope, ensuring reliable clamping without obstructing the view and achieving precise positioning of the microtube or microfilament.
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Figure CN121028362A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of clamping device technology, and more particularly to a microtube clamping device that facilitates operation under a microscope. Background Technology
[0002] In some confined areas (the narrowest width being only 3 cm), precise stereotaxic positioning (spatial coordinate error 100 μm) is required to place microtubes (microtube diameter 100 μm to 400 μm) or microfilaments (microfilament diameter 70 μm to 400 μm). The minimum horizontal spacing between multiple microtubes or microfilaments to be placed can reach 1000 μm. This type of operation demands a high level of operator skill and typically requires the use of a stereomicroscope and stereotaxic positioning device, along with a clamping device. For example, referring to… Figure 1 The existing clamp 01 includes a fixed clamping plate 02, a movable clamping plate 03, an adjusting screw 04, and a connecting rod 05. While it can stably clamp microtubes or microfilaments, its clamping function is achieved through the adjusting screw 04, thus occupying a large area of the operating interface. This easily obstructs the view from the microscope, limiting observation to a limited angle and working distance. Consequently, it becomes impossible to track the real-time position of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament, which is highly detrimental to accurately locating the stereoscopic coordinates of the microtube or microfilament within a limited interface and makes the operation quite complex. For example, when implanting multiple 100μm electrode microtubes into the mouse brain using a stereotaxic instrument, the large space occupied by the existing clamp 01 creates a significant spatial conflict with the components of the stereotaxic instrument, preventing the completion of the intended implantation. Furthermore, because the space occupied by the two clamping plates exceeds 2mm, it is impossible to place a second microtube approximately 2mm horizontally after the first microtube has been implanted.
[0003] This type of operation requires precision. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can hold microtubes or microfilaments securely while being delicate, flexible and easy to operate, so that the movement trajectory of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament on the operating interface can be observed under a microscope. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The embodiments of this application provide a microtube holder that is convenient for operation under a microscope. While being able to reliably hold microtubes or microfilaments, it is not only compact and flexible, and easy to operate, but also does not obstruct the microtubes or microfilaments. Thus, under the microscope, all the movement trajectories of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament on the operating interface can be seen, thereby enabling the tracking of the real-time position of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application provide a microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation, comprising a first clamp, a second clamp, and multiple limiting pins; the first clamp and the second clamp are arranged opposite to each other; the first clamp has a first clamping portion at its front end, a first connecting portion at its rear end, and a connecting rod at its top; the second clamp has a second clamping portion at its front end and a second connecting portion at its rear end; both the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are slidably connected to the limiting pins; a first permanent magnet is disposed within the first connecting portion, and a second permanent magnet is disposed within the second connecting portion, the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet attracting each other; the magnetic force between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet can clamp the microtube or microfilament, and the first clamp and the second clamp can be manually separated; under a microscope, it can... The system allows users to observe all movement trajectories of the lower end of a microtube or microfilament on the operating interface, enabling real-time tracking of its position. The clamping surface of the first clamping part has a vertically extending groove, the width of which is 0.8 times the diameter of the microtube or microfilament, ensuring a definite orientation during clamping. The thickness of the first clamping part is less than the thickness of the first connecting part; the thickness of the second clamping part is less than the thickness of the second connecting part. Both the first and second clamping parts are 6mm long, 0.4mm thick, and 1.5mm wide, ensuring reliable clamping of the microtube or microfilament. This allows for the successful positioning of two horizontally adjacent 800μm microtubes or microfilaments during daily operation, exposing their lower ends and allowing for real-time position determination under a microscope.
[0006] Preferably, the top surface of each of the first connecting portions is provided with an upward-facing first mounting cavity, the lower part of the first permanent magnet is embedded in the first mounting cavity, and the upper part of the first permanent magnet extends out of the first mounting cavity for assembling and disassembling the first permanent magnet; the top surface of each of the second connecting portions is provided with an upward-facing second mounting cavity, the lower part of the second permanent magnet is embedded in the second mounting cavity, and the upper part of the second permanent magnet extends out of the second mounting cavity for assembling and disassembling the second permanent magnet.
[0007] Preferably, both the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece are single-piece clamping tips, and both have the same size, which is length × width × height = 20mm × 5mm × 4mm.
[0008] Preferably, an elastic protective pad is provided on the clamping surface of the second clamping part.
[0009] Preferably, the elastic protective pad is a rubber pad adhered to the second clamping part to prevent damage to the microtube or microfilament due to excessive clamping force.
[0010] Preferably, there are three limiting pins, and the line connecting the center points of the end faces of the three limiting pins forms an equilateral triangle, which is used to secure the first clip and the second clip in a three-point plane manner.
[0011] Preferably, the connecting rod is a cylinder with a length of 200mm and a diameter of 6mm, which saves space and reliably connects to the stereo positioning instrument.
[0012] This application has the following advantages over the prior art:
[0013] 1. The microtube holder of this application, by setting a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet that attract each other in the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate respectively, compared with the prior art of clamping microtubes or microfilaments by adjusting screws, provides reliable clamping force for microtubes or microfilaments, simplifies the structure, reduces the volume, and enables the lower end of the microtube or microfilament to be seen under a microscope on the operating interface, thereby tracking the real-time position of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament.
[0014] 2. When loading microtubes or microfilaments, the microtube holder of this application only requires manually separating the two clamps, loading the microtube or microfilament, and then releasing it. The magnetic force of the permanent magnets in the two clamps will automatically clamp the microtube or microfilament, which is reliable and very convenient to operate.
[0015] 3. The microtube holder of this application has a compact structure, which can successfully complete the expected positioning operation of microtubes or microfilaments in a narrow area of up to 30mm, and can well expose the lower end of the microtube or microfilament, so that its real-time position can be determined under a microscope.
[0016] 4. The thickness of the clamping part of the microtube holder in this application is 0.4mm, which can successfully position two adjacent microtubes or microfilaments with a horizontal thickness of 0.8mm. Attached Figure Description
[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the 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.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an existing clamping device;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to an embodiment of this application;
[0020] Figure 3This is an exploded structural diagram of a microtube holder for easy operation under a microscope, as shown in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "joining" should be interpreted broadly, for example, as fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0024] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0025] Embodiments of this application provide a microtube holder that facilitates operation under a microscope. This microtube holder is compact and occupies only 20mm × 8mm × 5mm of interface space, which can be used to smoothly complete the expected positioning operation of microtubes or microfilaments in a narrow area of up to 30mm.
[0026] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3This application provides a microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation, comprising a first clamp 1, a second clamp 2, and multiple limiting pins 3. The first clamp 1 and the second clamp 2 are arranged opposite each other. The first clamp 1 has a first clamping portion 11 at its front end, a first connecting portion 12 at its rear end, and a connecting rod 4 for connecting to a stereotactic instrument at its top. The second clamp 2 has a second clamping portion 21 at its front end and a second connecting portion 22 at its rear end. Both the first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 22 are slidably connected to the limiting pins 3. A first permanent magnet 13 is disposed within the first connecting portion 12, and a second permanent magnet 23 is disposed within the second connecting portion 22. The first permanent magnet 13 and the second permanent magnet 23 attract each other. The magnetic force between the first permanent magnet 13 and the second permanent magnet 23 is sufficient to clamp the microtube or microfilament, and the first clamp 1 and the second clamp 2 can be manually separated.
[0027] Therefore, since the microtube holder of this application embodiment provides a first permanent magnet 13 and a second permanent magnet 23 that attract each other in the first clamping plate 1 and the second clamping plate 2 respectively, compared with the prior art technology of clamping microtubes or microfilaments by adjusting screws, it not only provides reliable clamping force for microtubes or microfilaments, but also simplifies the structure, reduces the volume, and does not obstruct microtubes or microfilaments. Thus, under a microscope, all the movement trajectories of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament on the operating interface can be seen, thereby achieving the purpose of tracking the real-time position of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament.
[0028] Meanwhile, when loading microtubes or microfilaments into the microtube holder according to the embodiments of this application, it is only necessary to manually separate the two clamps, load the microtube or microfilament, and then release it. The magnetic force of the permanent magnets in the two clamps will automatically clamp the microtube or microfilament, which is reliable and very convenient to operate.
[0029] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments, the top surface of the first connecting portion 12 is provided with an upward-opening first mounting cavity 14, the lower part of the first permanent magnet 13 is embedded in the first mounting cavity 14, and the upper part of the first permanent magnet 13 extends out of the first mounting cavity 14. The top surface of the second connecting portion 22 is provided with an upward-opening second mounting cavity 24, the lower part of the second permanent magnet 23 is embedded in the second mounting cavity 24, and the upper part of the second permanent magnet 23 extends out of the second mounting cavity 24. This facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the first permanent magnet 13 and the second permanent magnet 23.
[0030] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the limiting pin 3 is a cylindrical pin, and there are three limiting pins 3. The line connecting the center points of the end faces of the three limiting pins 3 forms an equilateral triangle. Thus, the first clamping piece 1 and the second clamping piece 2 are securely attached in a three-point plane manner. It should be noted that the number of limiting pins 3 can also be two or four, and there is no limitation here.
[0031] Continue to refer to Figure 3To ensure a fixed vertical orientation during microtube or microfilament clamping and prevent damage, in some embodiments, the clamping surface of the first clamping part 11 is provided with a groove 25 extending vertically, the width of which is 0.8 times the diameter of the microtube or microfilament. An elastic protective pad 5 is provided on the clamping surface of the second clamping part 21. Specifically, the elastic protective pad 5 is a rubber pad that is adhered to or bound to the second clamping part 21. This ensures a definite orientation during microtube or microfilament clamping and prevents damage due to excessive clamping force.
[0032] In some embodiments, the connecting rod 4 is a stainless steel cylinder with a length of 200mm and a diameter of 6mm. This saves space while ensuring reliable connection to the stereo positioning device.
[0033] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 To ensure sufficient clamping force while minimizing the size of the first clamping piece 1 and the second clamping piece 2, in some embodiments, the length × width × height of the first clamping piece 1 is 20mm × 5mm × 4mm, and the dimensions of the second clamping piece 2 are the same as those of the first clamping piece 1. Both the first clamping piece 1 and the second clamping piece 2 are single-piece clamps, meaning the thickness of the first clamping portion 11 is less than the thickness of the first connecting portion 12, and the thickness of the second clamping portion 21 is less than the thickness of the second connecting portion 22. Specifically, the length of both the first clamping portion 11 and the second clamping portion 21 is 6mm, the thickness is 0.4mm, and the width is 1.5mm. Therefore, this microtube holder, while reliably clamping microtubes or microfilaments, can not only successfully position two horizontally adjacent 800μm microtubes or microfilaments sequentially in daily work, but also effectively expose the lower end of the microtube or microfilament, allowing for real-time position determination under a microscope.
[0034] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A microtube holder for convenient operation under a microscope, characterized in that, It includes a first clamping piece, a second clamping piece, and multiple limiting pins; the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece are arranged opposite to each other; The first clamping piece has a first clamping part at the front end, a first connecting part at the rear end, and a connecting rod at the top; The second clamping piece has a second clamping part at its front end and a second connecting part at its rear end; Both the first connecting part and the second connecting part are slidably connected to the limiting pin; the first connecting part is provided with a first permanent magnet, and the second connecting part is provided with a second permanent magnet, which attract each other; the magnetic force between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet can clamp the microtube or microfilament, and the first clamp and the second clamp can be manually separated; under a microscope, all the movement trajectories of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament on the operating interface can be seen, realizing the real-time tracking of the lower end of the microtube or microfilament; The clamping surface of the first clamping part is provided with a groove extending in the vertical direction. The groove width is 0.8 times the diameter of the microtube or microfilament, which is used to ensure that the microtube or microfilament has a definite direction when clamped. The thickness of the first clamping part is less than the thickness of the first connecting part; the thickness of the second clamping part is less than the thickness of the second connecting part; the length of the first clamping part and the second clamping part are both 6 mm, the thickness is both 0.4 mm, and the width is both 1.5 mm. Under the premise of reliably clamping microtubes or microfilaments, two horizontally adjacent 800 μm microtubes or microfilaments can be successfully positioned successively in daily work, exposing the lower end of the microtubes or microfilaments, and their real-time position can be determined under a microscope.
2. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of each of the first connecting parts is provided with an upward-facing first mounting cavity. The lower part of the first permanent magnet is embedded in the first mounting cavity, and the upper part of the first permanent magnet extends out of the first mounting cavity for assembling and disassembling the first permanent magnet. The top surface of the second connecting part is provided with an upward-facing second mounting cavity. The lower part of the second permanent magnet is embedded in the second mounting cavity, and the upper part of the second permanent magnet extends out of the second mounting cavity for assembling and disassembling the second permanent magnet.
3. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece are single-piece clamping mouths, and they have the same size, which is length × width × height = 20mm × 5mm × 4mm.
4. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, An elastic protective pad is provided on the clamping surface of the second clamping part.
5. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic protective pad is a rubber pad that is pasted on the second clamping part to prevent damage to the microtube or microfilament due to excessive clamping force.
6. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are three limiting pins, and the line connecting the center points of the end faces of the three limiting pins forms an equilateral triangle, which is used to secure the first clip and the second clip in a three-point plane manner.
7. The microtube holder for convenient microscopic operation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod is cylindrical, with a length of 200mm and a diameter of 6mm, designed to save space and reliably connect to the stereo positioning device.