Smear device for biomedical tests and biomedical test system

Abstract

The application provides a smearing device for biomedical examination and a biomedical examination system, and relates to the technical field of biomedical examination devices. The smearing device comprises a bearing device, a sample liquid smearing unit and a driving mechanism. The bearing device comprises a support frame and a bearing table. The bearing table has a plurality of bearing positions for bearing glass slides. The sample liquid smearing unit comprises a support seat and a plurality of sample liquid smearing devices. Each sample liquid smearing device is arranged above the bearing table and is arranged in one-to-one correspondence with a glass slide. The driving mechanism drives the bearing table and the sample liquid smearing devices to rotate relative to each other and drives the sample liquid smearing devices and the bearing table to move vertically relative to each other. In this way, the sample liquid in a sample liquid container is smearing onto a glass slide through a conveying unit and a diffusion unit to make a slide. The smearing device can make a batch of slides by arranging a plurality of bearing positions and a plurality of sample liquid smearing devices. Therefore, the smearing efficiency of the smearing device is improved, and the slide making time cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of biomedical testing equipment technology, and in particular to a smear device and a biomedical testing system for biomedical testing. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biomedical testing, by coating sample solutions onto glass slides, it is possible to visually observe and analyze the microorganisms, cells, and blood present in the sample solutions. It is also widely used in water pollution detection and analysis; bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms in water can be observed more clearly by coating water samples onto glass slides, allowing for the analysis of pollutant components in the water.

[0003] In related technologies, the methods of coating the sample solution onto the glass slide are divided into manual coating and coating using automated equipment. Both methods include the sequential steps of adding sample solution to the glass slide, scraping the slide, and drying.

[0004] Therefore, the related technologies have technical problems such as low slide preparation efficiency, uneven distribution of sample liquid on the slide and uneven coating thickness, resulting in low slide preparation reliability, and sample liquid contamination of the environment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a slide preparation device and a biomedical testing system for biomedical testing, aiming to solve the technical problems of low slide preparation efficiency, uneven distribution of sample liquid on glass slides, uneven film thickness, resulting in low slide preparation reliability, as well as the technical problem of sample liquid contamination of the environment, thereby improving the slide preparation efficiency of the slide preparation device, saving slide preparation time, improving the slide preparation reliability of the slide preparation device, and reducing environmental pollution.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] The first aspect of this application provides a smear device for biomedical testing, comprising:

[0008] A support device includes a support frame and a support platform, the support platform being disposed above and connected to the support frame, the support platform having at least two spaced-apart support positions along its circumference, each of the support positions being configured to support a glass slide;

[0009] The sample coating unit includes a support base and at least two sample coating devices disposed on the support base. Each sample coating device is disposed above the support platform and is spaced apart along the circumference of the support platform. Each sample coating device is disposed in one-to-one correspondence with a glass slide. Vertically, each sample coating device includes a sample container, a delivery pipe and a diffusion unit connected in sequence. The diffusion unit is disposed close to the support platform.

[0010] The driving mechanism drives the support platform and the sample coating device to rotate relative to each other, and drives the sample coating device and the support platform to move vertically relative to each other. The diffusion unit is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide so that the sample liquid in the sample container is coated onto the glass slide by the delivery unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bearing platform has a circular outline and is rotatably connected to the support frame, so that the drive mechanism drives the bearing platform to rotate relative to the support frame about a defined axis; the drive mechanism drives the sample liquid coating device to move vertically up and down relative to the bearing platform.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diffusion unit includes a diffusion pad and a thickness limiting washer. The thickness limiting washer is disposed on the side of the diffusion pad facing the support stage and is fixedly connected to the diffusion pad. The thickness limiting washer defines a coating area and is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide so that a coating gap is formed between the glass slide and the corresponding diffusion pad.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sample coating apparatus further includes a drive member and a stirring member, the stirring member being disposed within the sample container, and the drive member being configured to drive the stirring member to rotate relative to the sample container.

[0014] In some embodiments, the driving component is a drive motor, the stirring component is a stirring rod, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the stirring rod; or...

[0015] The driving component is a driving coil, and the stirring component is an electromagnetic stirring rod. The driving coil generates a magnetic field force to drive the electromagnetic stirring rod to rotate relative to the sample liquid container.

[0016] In some embodiments, the smearing device further includes at least two metering pumps and a controller. The metering pumps are configured one-to-one with the sample coating device. The input end of the metering pump is connected to the outlet end of the sample container, and the output end of the metering pump is connected to the inlet end of the delivery pipeline. Each metering pump is electrically connected to the controller to control the output volume of the metering pump.

[0017] In some embodiments, the sample coating apparatus further includes a drying unit configured to dry the coating gap.

[0018] In some embodiments, the drying unit includes a hot air blowing assembly and a vacuum assembly. The hot air blowing assembly includes a heating element, a fan, and a fan duct. The heating element is fixed on the bearing position. The two ends of the fan duct are respectively connected to the air outlet of the fan and the coating gap. The vacuum assembly includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum duct. The two ends of the vacuum duct are respectively connected to the air inlet of the vacuum pump and the coating gap.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sample container is a sealed container; and / or,

[0020] The sample container is detachably connected to the metering pump; and / or

[0021] When the diffusion unit includes the diffusion pad and the thickness limiting gasket, the diffusion pad and the delivery pipe are detachably connected.

[0022] In some embodiments, the sample coating apparatus further includes a scanning element fixed to the delivery pipe and electrically connected to the controller. The glass slide has an encoding, and the scanning element is used to scan and identify the encoded information; and / or,

[0023] The sample coating device further includes a film thickness detection element, which is fixedly disposed at one end of the delivery pipe near the support platform. The film thickness detection element is configured to detect the coating thickness of the sample solution on the glass slide, and is electrically connected to the controller; and / or,

[0024] The sample coating device further includes a waste liquid output pipe and a waste liquid collection tank. The conveying pipe has an output port. The first end of the waste liquid output pipe is selectively connected to the output port, and the second end of the waste liquid output pipe is sealed to the waste liquid collection tank.

[0025] A second aspect of this application provides a biomedical testing system, including a smear device as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0026] The biomedical slide preparation device provided in this application embodiment, by setting multiple glass slides on a support platform and multiple sample solution coating devices above the support platform, and driven by a driving mechanism, allows multiple sample solution coating devices to simultaneously coat multiple glass slides, enabling the slide preparation device to perform batch preparation, thereby improving the slide preparation efficiency and reducing the slide preparation time cost. Furthermore, the storage, addition, and film thickness control of the sample solution to be tested can all be completed independently by the sample solution coating device. Compared to setting different devices at different stages, this reduces the switching actions between separate devices, thereby further improving the slide preparation efficiency and further reducing the slide preparation time cost.

[0027] The biomedical testing system provided in this application has the same beneficial effects as the smear equipment for biomedical testing provided in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0028] In addition to the technical problems solved by the embodiments of this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions described above, other technical problems that can be solved by the smear equipment and biomedical testing system for biomedical testing provided by the embodiments of this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further described in detail in the specific implementation. Attached Figure Description

[0029] 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 some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a coating device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a support platform provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a sample coating device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 10 - Slide preparation equipment; 20 - Glass slide;

[0035] 100 - Load-bearing device;

[0036] 101-Support frame; 102-Bearing platform;

[0037] 110 - Sample coating device;

[0038] 111 - Sample liquid container; 112 - Delivery pipeline; 113 - Diffusion unit;

[0039] 120 - Mixing component;

[0040] 130 - Metering pump. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, 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, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0042] In the field of biomedical testing, by coating sample solutions onto glass slides, it is possible to visually observe and analyze the microorganisms, cells, and blood present in the sample solutions. It is also widely used in water pollution detection and analysis; bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms in water can be observed more clearly by coating water samples onto glass slides, allowing for the analysis of pollutant components in the water.

[0043] In related technologies, the methods for coating sample solutions onto glass slides are divided into manual coating methods and coating methods using automated equipment. Both methods involve sequential steps of adding sample solution to the glass slide, scraping the slide, and drying. Therefore, there are technical problems such as low slide preparation efficiency, uneven distribution of sample solution on the glass slide and uneven coating thickness, resulting in low slide preparation reliability, and sample solution contamination of the environment.

[0044] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a smear preparation device and a biomedical testing system for biomedical testing, thereby improving slide preparation efficiency, saving slide preparation time, enhancing the reliability of the smear preparation device, and reducing environmental pollution.

[0045] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.

[0046] The biomedical testing system provided in this application includes a smear device 10 for biomedical testing. The smear device 10 has the function of storing sample liquids such as microorganisms, cells, blood, and water samples, and the function of coating the corresponding sample liquids onto glass slides 20 for slide preparation, so as to facilitate subsequent storage and testing.

[0047] In addition, the biomedical testing system also includes a cleaning device. After the slide preparation device 10 has finished preparing the slide, it can be cleaned by the cleaning device to remove the previous sample solution from the slide preparation device 10, so as to facilitate the reuse of the slide preparation device 10.

[0048] For example, the cleaning equipment includes a pipeline cleaner, a drying and sterilization chamber, a wastewater treatment device, etc., to clean, dry, and sterilize the coating equipment 10 with ultraviolet light, and to treat the wastewater after cleaning the coating equipment 10.

[0049] Further details are shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a coating apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the smear device 10 for biomedical testing includes a carrier device 100 and a sample coating unit.

[0050] The support device 100 includes a support frame 101 and a support platform 102. The support platform 102 is disposed above the support frame 101 and connected to the support frame 101. The support platform 102 has at least two spaced support positions along its circumference, and each support position is configured to support a glass slide 20.

[0051] For example, the outline of the support platform 102 can be circular, square, elliptical, polygonal, etc. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the bearing platform 102 has a circular outline and its diameter can range from 300 to 500 mm. For example, the diameter of the bearing platform 102 is 300 mm, 350 mm, 400 mm, 450 mm, 500 mm, etc. The support frame 101 is a shaft-shaped structure. Specifically, the support frame 101 is a circular shaft, and along its axial direction, the cross-sectional diameter ranges from 70 to 90 mm. For example, the cross-sectional diameter is 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, etc.

[0052] For example, the number of bearing positions on the bearing platform 102 can be two, three, four, six, eight, ten, etc. The number of bearing positions can be comprehensively set according to the installation space of the coating equipment 10 and the volume of the film to be prepared. When the installation space of the coating equipment 10 is larger and the required volume of the film to be prepared is larger, then more bearing positions should be set on the bearing platform 102. Of course, the size of the bearing platform 102 needs to be adaptively adjusted according to the change in the number of bearing positions. Specifically, for example... Figure 2As shown, this embodiment of the application takes a bearing platform 102 with four spaced bearing positions along its circumference as an example for illustration.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the sample coating unit includes a support base (not shown) and at least two sample coating devices 110 disposed on the support base. Each sample coating device 110 is disposed above the support platform 102 and is spaced apart along the circumference of the support platform 102. The sample coating devices 110 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with the glass slides 20.

[0054] For example, the number of sample coating devices 110 is the same as the number of bearing positions on the bearing platform 102.

[0055] It should be noted that each sample coating device 110 has the function of storing sample liquid and coating the sample liquid onto the corresponding glass slide 20. During the process of the sample coating unit coating the sample liquid onto the glass slide 20, each sample coating device 110 is in direct contact with the corresponding glass slide 20.

[0056] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sample coating device 110 includes a sample container 111, a delivery pipe 112, and a diffusion unit 113 connected in sequence along the vertical direction. The diffusion unit 113 is located near the support platform 102. The sample container 111 stores the sample solution to be tested, and the delivery unit transports the sample solution from the sample container 111 to the diffusion unit 113. During the coating process of the sample coating unit, the diffusion unit 113 directly contacts the corresponding glass slide 20 and assists in the uniform diffusion of the sample solution on the glass slide 20. Here, the sample container 111, delivery pipe 112, and diffusion unit 113 in the sample coating device 110 are connected in sequence, and during the coating process of the sample coating device 110, the diffusion unit 113 directly contacts the glass slide 20, thus making the flow of the sample solution from the sample container 111 to the glass slide 20 a completely closed process, free from aerosol pollution, protecting the environment from pollution, and safeguarding the health of operators or supervisors.

[0057] For example, the sample container 111 is a sealed container, thereby improving the sealing performance of the sample container 111 and further reducing aerosol pollution, protecting the environment from pollution, and protecting the health of operators or supervisors. Specifically, the sample container 111 can be a polypropylene cup, and the shape of the sample container 111 can be a round bottle with a diameter of 22 mm and a height of 25 mm.

[0058] In addition, to facilitate the replacement of the glass slide 20, before and after the sample coating device 110 coats the corresponding glass slide 20, the sample coating device 110 and the corresponding glass slide 20 are staggered and have a gap between them in the vertical direction, so as to avoid installation errors between the sample coating device 110 and the support stage 102 and accidental contact.

[0059] Therefore, the smear apparatus 10 also includes a drive mechanism (not shown in the figure). The drive mechanism drives the support stage 102 to rotate relative to the sample liquid coating device 110, and drives the sample liquid coating device 110 and the support stage 102 to move vertically relative to each other. The diffusion unit 113 is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide 20 so that the sample liquid in the sample liquid holding container 111 is coated onto the glass slide 20 via the transport unit.

[0060] Here, the operating logic of the drive mechanism is as follows: In the initial state, the sample coating devices 110 in the sample coating unit are misaligned with their corresponding bearing positions on the support platform 102. At this time, each glass slide 20 is installed on its respective bearing position, so that the sample coating devices 110 and their corresponding glass slides 20 are also misaligned. Then, the drive mechanism drives the support platform 102 and the sample coating devices 110 to rotate relative to each other, so that the sample coating devices 110 and their corresponding glass slides 20 change from a misaligned state to an aligned state, that is, so that the diffusion unit 113 in the sample coating device 110 is directly above the corresponding glass slide 20. The drive mechanism then drives the sample coating devices 110 and the support platform 102 to move vertically downward relative to each other, so that the diffusion unit 113 directly contacts the corresponding glass slide 20. In this way, the sample coating device 110 can perform the coating action on the corresponding glass slide 20, that is, the sample liquid in the sample container 111 is coated onto the glass slide 20 via the transport unit.

[0061] Of course, after the slide preparation equipment 10 completes the slide preparation, that is, after the sample liquid coating unit coats the sample liquid to be tested onto the glass slide 20, the drive mechanism needs to drive the liquid coating device and the support stage 102 to move vertically relative to each other to release the direct contact between the diffusion unit 113 and the corresponding glass slide 20. Then the drive mechanism drives the support stage 102 and the sample liquid coating device 110 to rotate relative to each other so that each sample liquid coating device 110 and the corresponding glass slide 20 change from the aligned state to the misaligned state. At this time, the glass slides 20 that have been prepared can be collected for subsequent inspection.

[0062] One example is that the driving mechanism drives the support platform 102 to rotate relative to the sample coating device 110. This can be achieved by the driving mechanism driving the support platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101, so that the support platform 102 rotates relative to the sample coating device 110; or by the driving mechanism driving each sample coating device 110 to rotate relative to the support seat, so that the sample coating device 110 rotates relative to the support platform 102.

[0063] Secondly, for example, the driving mechanism drives the sample coating device 110 and the support platform 102 to move vertically relative to each other. This can be achieved by the driving mechanism driving the sample coating device 110 to move up and down relative to the support base, so as to realize the sample coating device 110 rising or falling relative to the support platform 102; or by the driving mechanism driving the support platform 102 to move up and down relative to the support frame 101, so as to realize the support platform 102 rising or falling relative to the sample coating device 110.

[0064] This application provides a smear preparation device 10 for biomedical testing. By setting multiple glass slides 20 on a support stage 102 and multiple sample solution coating devices 110 above the support stage 102, and driven by a driving mechanism, the multiple sample solution coating devices 110 can simultaneously coat multiple glass slides 20, enabling the smear preparation device 10 to perform batch preparation, thereby improving the preparation efficiency of the smear preparation device 10 and reducing preparation time costs. Furthermore, the storage, addition, and film thickness control of the sample solution to be tested can all be completed independently by the sample solution coating device 110. Compared to setting different devices at different stages, this reduces the switching actions between separate devices, thereby further improving the preparation efficiency of the smear preparation device 10 and further reducing preparation time costs.

[0065] In some specific embodiments, the bearing platform 102 has a circular outline and is rotatably connected to the support frame 101, so that the drive mechanism drives the bearing platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101 about a defined axis, wherein the defined axis is the axis of the support frame 101. For example, when the rotatable connection position between the bearing platform 102 and the support frame 101 is at the center of the bearing platform 102, when the drive mechanism drives the bearing platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101, it means that the drive mechanism drives the bearing platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101 about its own axis. The rotatable connection between the bearing platform 102 and the support frame 101 can be achieved by using bearings or bushings.

[0066] Specifically, the drive mechanism includes a first drive motor and a first gear. The first drive motor is fixed to the side wall of the support frame 101, with its output shaft facing the bearing platform 102 and coaxially connected to the first gear. The bearing platform 102 has a second gear extending circumferentially on its ground-facing side, with the tips of the second gear facing the ground, such that the first gear and the second gear mesh perpendicularly. This allows the drive motor to drive the bearing platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101 via the first and second gears. For example, the first drive motor and the support frame 101, and the first gear and the output shaft are both fixedly connected. The fixed connections include, but are not limited to, welding, bonding, and bolt-nut connections.

[0067] Furthermore, after the drive mechanism drives the support platform 102 to rotate relative to the support frame 101, the drive mechanism drives the sample liquid coating device 110 to move vertically up and down relative to the support platform 102, so that the diffusion unit 113 directly contacts the corresponding glass slide 20.

[0068] For example, the support base has at least two support rods, which are arranged one-to-one with the sample coating device 110. The two ends of each support rod are fixedly connected to the delivery pipe 112 in the corresponding sample coating device 110 and the ground, respectively. Alternatively, the two ends of each support rod are fixedly connected to the delivery pipe 112 in the corresponding sample coating device 110 and the support frame 101, respectively. The fixed connection methods include, but are not limited to, bolt and nut connection, snap-fit ​​connection, pin connection, etc.

[0069] Specifically, the support rod includes a first section and a second section that are slidably connected in sequence. The first section can move vertically relative to the second section. The end of the first section away from the second section is fixedly connected to the corresponding delivery pipe 112. The end of the second section away from the first section is fixedly connected to the ground or the support frame 101. Thus, when the drive mechanism drives the first section to slide relative to the second section, the first section drives the sample liquid coating device 110 to rise and fall vertically relative to the support platform 102.

[0070] The drive mechanism also includes a second drive motor and a lead screw. The second drive motor is fixed on the second section, and the lead screw extends vertically and is connected to the second drive motor. The first section has a lead screw nut, and the lead screw and the lead screw nut are screwed together. Thus, under the drive of the second drive motor, the first section can move up and down relative to the second section through the lead screw and the lead screw nut, so that the sample liquid coating device 110 rises or falls vertically relative to the support platform 102.

[0071] In the above embodiments, by having the relative rotation and relative lifting movements between the support platform 102 and the sample coating device 110 respectively undertaken by the support platform 102 and the sample coating device 110, compared to concentrating all the movements in one component, interference and conflict between the movements are reduced, making each corresponding movement easier to achieve and the movements more stable.

[0072] In some embodiments, by fixing the duration of the process from the initial misalignment of the sample coating device 110 with the corresponding glass slide 20, to the final alignment of the sample coating device 110 with the corresponding glass slide 20, and then back to the initial misalignment of the sample coating device 110 with the corresponding glass slide 20 after coating, the batch production quantity can be controlled within a specified time, thereby further improving the coating efficiency of the coating equipment 10. For example, the process duration is fixed within a range of 12~18s, such as 12s, 14s, 15s, 16s, 18s, etc.

[0073] In some embodiments, the diffusion unit 113 includes a diffusion pad and a thickness limiting washer. The thickness limiting washer is disposed on the side of the diffusion pad facing the support stage 102 and is fixedly connected to the diffusion pad. The thickness limiting washer defines the coating area and is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide 20 so that a coating gap is formed between the glass slide 20 and the corresponding diffusion pad. This limits the coating area and coating thickness during the coating operation of the sample liquid coating device 110 on the corresponding glass slide 20, thereby limiting the shape of the film formed by the sample liquid on the glass slide 20, thereby improving the uniformity of the film thickness on the glass slide 20 and improving the quality uniformity of each glass slide 20 after coating.

[0074] For example, the diffusion pad can be made of glass fiber, polyester fiber, cellulose, nylon membrane, etc. The diffusion pad has the functions of adsorbing excess sample liquid, controlling the diffusion range of the sample liquid, and uniformly dispersing the sample liquid, thereby further improving the uniformity of the film thickness formed after the sample liquid is coated on the glass slide 20. The thickness of the diffusion pad ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and the pore size ranges from 35 to 45 μm. Specifically, the thickness of the diffusion pad is 0.4 mm, and the adsorption pore size is 40 μm. Here, the adsorption pore size refers to the size of the pores inside the diffusion pad.

[0075] Furthermore, the diffusion pad and the delivery pipe 112 are detachably connected. After the smearing device 10 completes the smearing operation, i.e., after the drive mechanism drives the sample liquid coating device 110 to be misaligned with the corresponding glass slide 20, the diffusion pad, along with the thickness limiting gasket, can be removed from the delivery pipe 112. The delivery pipe 112 can then be cleaned using the cleaning equipment in the biomedical testing system. Before the sample liquid coating device 110 operates again, a new diffusion pad and thickness limiting gasket should be installed. Specifically, the detachable connection between the diffusion pad and the delivery pipe 112 can be a threaded connection, a snap-fit ​​connection, etc.

[0076] For example, the material of the thickness limiting gasket can be silicone rubber, fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc.; the thickness range of the thickness limiting gasket is 15~35μm, for example, 15μm, 25μm, 35μm, etc., and the thickness of the thickness limiting gasket can be selected according to the required coating thickness on the glass slide 20.

[0077] like Figure 3 As shown, the sample coating device 110 also includes a drive (not shown) and a stirrer 120. The stirrer 120 is disposed inside the sample container 111. The drive is configured to drive the stirrer 120 to rotate relative to the sample container 111, so that the sample liquid stored in the sample container 111 generates micro-vortex flow, avoids the sample liquid stored in the sample container 111 from stratifying, and makes the components in the sample liquid more uniformly mixed, thereby improving the uniformity of the coating components coated on the glass slide 20 and improving the reliability and accuracy of the slide preparation of the coating device 10.

[0078] For example, the driving component is a drive motor, and the stirring component 120 is a stirring rod. The output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to the stirring rod. The drive motor can be fixed to a support base or a conveying pipe 112. The fixed connection between the drive motor and the support base or conveying pipe 112, and between the output shaft and the stirring rod, can be achieved through bonding, bolt and nut connection, snap-fit ​​connection, etc. Furthermore, the stirring rod has multiple branch stirring rods to further improve the stirring effect and ensure more uniform mixing of the components in the sample solution within the sample solution container 111. The combination of the drive motor and the stirring rod is simple, reliable, and easy to implement.

[0079] In one example, the driving component is a driving coil, and the stirring component 120 is an electromagnetic stirring rod. The driving coil generates a magnetic field force to drive the electromagnetic stirring rod to rotate relative to the sample liquid container 111. It should be noted that the driving coil is located around the outer periphery of the sample liquid container 111. The electromagnetic stirring rod and the driving coil are driven without contact, which can further improve the sealing performance of the sample liquid container 111.

[0080] In addition, the stirring component for agitating the sample solution in the sample container 111 can also be an impeller; alternatively, an ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic vibrator, etc., can be installed in the sample container 111 to prevent sedimentation and stratification of the sample solution stored in the sample container 111 by using ultrasonic vibration. For example, the ultrasonic frequency range is 35~45kHz, specifically, the ultrasonic frequencies are 35kHz, 40kHz, and 45kHz.

[0081] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the smearing apparatus 10 also includes at least two metering pumps 130 and a controller (not shown in the figure). The metering pumps 130 are configured one-to-one with the sample solution coating device 110. The input end of the metering pump 130 is connected to the outlet end of the sample solution container 111, and the output end of the metering pump 130 is connected to the inlet end of the delivery pipe 112. The metering pump 130 is also electrically connected to the controller to control the output volume of the metering pump 130. On the one hand, the metering pump 130 serves as a power source, driving the sample solution to flow from the sample solution container 111 to the diffusion unit 113. On the other hand, under the control of the controller, the metering pump 130 controls the amount of sample solution flowing from the sample solution container 111 to the diffusion unit 113. This allows for precise control of the amount of sample solution coated on the glass slide 20, avoiding excessive coating that could affect the coating thickness on the glass slide 20. This further improves the uniformity of the film thickness formed by the sample solution coating on the glass slide 20, thereby enhancing the slide preparation reliability of the smearing apparatus 10.

[0082] For example, the sample solution container 111 and the metering pump 130 are detachably connected to facilitate the replacement of the sample solution container 111. It should be noted that the sample solution container 111 is a disposable container; one sample solution corresponds to one sample solution container 111. Therefore, during the replacement of the sample solution container 111, the agitator 120 needs to be removed from the sample solution container 111 and cleaned using the cleaning equipment in the biomedical testing system to avoid sample solution residue. Specifically, the detachable connection between the sample solution container 111 and the metering pump 130, and between the agitator 120 and the sample solution container 111, can be a threaded connection, a snap-fit ​​connection, etc.

[0083] Furthermore, the metering pump 130 can be a gear-type metering pump 130, with a stroke calibration of 10~100μL.

[0084] Furthermore, the sample coating device 110 also includes a drying unit, which is configured to dry the coating gap so that after the sample is coated on the glass slide 20, it is dried to form a film state, thereby preliminarily fixing the sample in the sample solution for subsequent preservation, or for subsequent staining or testing steps on the sample in the sample solution.

[0085] In some embodiments, the drying unit includes a hot air blowing assembly and a vacuuming assembly.

[0086] The hot air purging assembly includes a heating element, a fan, and a fan duct. The heating element is fixed on a support position. Both ends of the fan duct are connected to the fan's air outlet and the coating gap, respectively. The heating element heats the sample liquid on the glass slide 20. The fan and fan duct work together to purge the coating gap, making the heating more uniform and causing the liquid water in the sample liquid coated on the glass slide 20 to convert into gaseous water. For example, the heating element is a heating wire or heating coil, and the heating temperature range of the heating element is 50~70℃, such as 50℃, 55℃, 60℃, 65℃, 70℃, etc.

[0087] The vacuum assembly includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum pipe. The two ends of the vacuum pipe are connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump and the coating gap, respectively, to draw gaseous moisture from the coating gap to the outside of the coating gap, thereby completing the drying of the sample solution coated on the glass slide 20 and completing the slide preparation. For example, the vacuum pump's suction pressure range is -40 to -20 kPa, such as -40 kPa, -30 kPa, or -20 kPa.

[0088] Furthermore, after drying the sample solution on the glass slide 20, a coating is formed on the glass slide 20, and the coating thickness variance is controlled within 2.3~2.5μm.

[0089] In other embodiments, the coating gaps can also be dried by infrared or microwave heating.

[0090] In addition, the sample coating device 110 also includes a scanner, which is fixed to the delivery pipe 112 and electrically connected to the controller. The glass slide 20 has a code, and the scanner scans and identifies the code information, allowing the sample solution to be coated onto the designated glass slide 20 via the sample coating device 110. When the scanner detects a match between the code information on the glass slide 20 and the corresponding sample solution, the controller starts the metering pump 130. When the scanner detects a mismatch between the code information on the glass slide 20 and the corresponding sample solution, the controller keeps the metering pump 130 in a stopped state. For example, the scanner is a barcode scanner. The fixed connection between the scanner and the delivery pipe 112 includes, but is not limited to, bonding, bolt and nut connection, and snap-fit ​​connection.

[0091] In some specific embodiments, the sample coating device 110 further includes a film thickness detection element. The film thickness detection element is fixed to one end of the delivery pipe 112 near the support platform 102. The film thickness detection element is configured to detect the coating thickness of the sample solution on the glass slide 20, and is electrically connected to the controller. After the sample solution on the glass slide 20 is dried by the drying unit, a film is formed on the glass slide 20. At this time, the sample solution coating thickness detected by the film thickness detection element is the final thickness of the sample solution on the glass slide 20 after slide preparation. When the film thickness detection element detects that the film thickness exceeds a specified value, it can feed back to the controller, determining that the coated slide is unqualified. Exemplarily, the film thickness detection element can be a laser interferometer, a white light interferometer, a spectrophotometer, a fiber optic probe, etc.

[0092] In addition, the sample coating device 110 may also include a buzzer and an alarm light. Both the buzzer and the alarm light are connected to the controller via electrical signals. When the coating thickness on a certain slide 20 exceeds the specified value, the buzzer sounds and the alarm light illuminates to provide a warning.

[0093] In some embodiments, the sample coating device 110 also includes a waste liquid output pipe and a waste liquid collection tank. The conveying pipe 112 has an output port. The first end of the waste liquid output pipe is selectively connected to the output port, and the second end of the waste liquid output pipe is sealed to the waste liquid collection tank.

[0094] Furthermore, a first valve is provided on the conveying pipe 112, which is located between the output port and the outlet end of the conveying pipe 112; a second valve is provided on the waste liquid output pipe, so that the first end of the waste liquid output pipe is selectively connected to the output port; when the sample liquid coating device 110 is ready to coat the sample liquid onto the glass slide 20, the first valve needs to be opened and the second valve needs to be confirmed to be closed before starting the metering pump 130; after the sample liquid coating device 110 coats the sample liquid onto the glass slide 20, the metering pump 130 stops running and the first valve is closed. At this time, the coating gap can be dried first, so that the film thickness detection device can be used to detect whether the film thickness on the glass slide 20 meets the specified value. If it does not meet the requirement, the corresponding sample liquid coating device 110 needs to perform the coating step again until the prepared slide is a qualified slide.

[0095] When the remaining sample liquid in the sample liquid container 111 is to be recycled, the first valve is confirmed to be closed, the second valve is opened, and the metering pump 130 is started to transport the remaining sample liquid in the sample liquid container 111 to the waste liquid collection tank for centralized treatment through the waste liquid output pipeline.

[0096] For example, the first valve and the second valve can be manual valves or electric valves. When the first valve and the second valve are electric valves, they are connected to the controller via electrical signals. Specifically, the type of the first valve can be a gate valve, butterfly valve, ball valve, etc.

[0097] In addition, a sealing ring can be installed between the second end of the waste liquid output pipe and the waste liquid collection tank to ensure a sealed connection between the two.

[0098] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and "some embodiments" used in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0099] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "one" can be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0100] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this application should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on top of something” but also “on top of something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0101] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0102] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A smear device for biomedical testing, characterized in that, include: The support device (100) includes a support frame (101) and a support platform (102), the support platform (102) being disposed above the support frame (101) and connected to the support frame (101), the support platform (102) having at least two spaced-apart support positions along its circumference, each of the support positions being configured to support a glass slide (20). The sample coating unit includes a support base and at least two sample coating devices (110) disposed on the support base. Each sample coating device (110) is disposed above the support platform (102) and is spaced apart circumferentially along the support platform (102). Each sample coating device (110) corresponds to a glass slide (20). Vertically, each sample coating device (110) includes a sample container (111), a delivery pipe (112), and a diffusion unit (113) connected in sequence. The diffusion unit (113) is disposed close to the support platform (102). The driving mechanism drives the support platform (102) to rotate relative to the sample coating device (110), and drives the sample coating device (110) and the support platform (102) to move vertically relative to each other. The diffusion unit (113) is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide (20) so that the sample liquid in the sample container (111) is coated onto the glass slide (20) through the delivery pipe. The driving mechanism is configured such that, in the initial state, each sample liquid coating device (110) and its corresponding support position are misaligned; the driving mechanism first drives the support platform (102) and the sample liquid coating device (110) to rotate relative to each other, so that each sample liquid coating device (110) and its corresponding glass slide (20) change from misaligned state to aligned state; then the driving mechanism drives the sample liquid coating device (110) and the support platform (102) to move downward relative to each other in the vertical direction, so that the diffusion unit (113) directly contacts the corresponding glass slide (20); The diffusion unit (113) includes a diffusion pad and a thickness limiting gasket. The thickness limiting gasket is disposed on the side of the diffusion pad facing the support stage (102) and is fixedly connected to the diffusion pad. The thickness limiting gasket defines the coating area. The thickness limiting gasket is configured to directly contact the corresponding glass slide (20) so that a coating gap is formed between the glass slide (20) and the corresponding diffusion pad.

2. The coating equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outline of the support platform (102) is circular. The support platform (102) is rotatably connected to the support frame (101) so that the driving mechanism drives the support platform (102) to rotate relative to the support frame (101) around a defined axis; the driving mechanism drives the sample liquid coating device (110) to move vertically up and down relative to the support platform (102).

3. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, The sample coating device (110) further includes a drive and a stirring element (120), the stirring element (120) being disposed inside the sample container (111), and the drive being configured to drive the stirring element (120) to rotate relative to the sample container (111).

4. The coating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driving component is a drive motor, and the stirring component (120) is a stirring rod, with the output shaft of the drive motor fixedly connected to the stirring rod; or... The driving component is a driving coil, and the stirring component (120) is an electromagnetic stirring rod. The driving coil generates a magnetic field force to drive the electromagnetic stirring rod to rotate relative to the sample liquid container (111).

5. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smearing device (10) further includes at least two metering pumps (130) and a controller. The metering pumps (130) are configured one-to-one with the sample coating device (110). The input end of the metering pump (130) is connected to the outlet end of the sample container (111), and the output end of the metering pump (130) is connected to the inlet end of the delivery pipe (112). Each metering pump (130) is electrically connected to the controller to control the output volume of the metering pump (130).

6. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sample coating apparatus (110) further includes a drying unit configured to dry the coating gap.

7. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drying unit includes a hot air blowing assembly and a vacuum assembly. The hot air blowing assembly includes a heating element, a fan, and a fan duct. The heating element is fixed on the bearing position. The two ends of the fan duct are respectively connected to the air outlet of the fan and the coating gap. The vacuum assembly includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum duct. The two ends of the vacuum duct are respectively connected to the air inlet of the vacuum pump and the coating gap.

8. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sample solution container (111) is a sealed container; and / or, The sample container (111) and the metering pump (130) are detachably connected; and / or, When the diffusion unit (113) includes the diffusion pad and the thickness limiting gasket, the diffusion pad and the delivery pipe (112) are detachably connected.

9. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sample coating device (110) further includes a scanning element fixed to the delivery pipe (112) and electrically connected to the controller. The slide (20) has a code, and the scanning element is used to scan and identify the code information; and / or, The sample coating device (110) further includes a film thickness detection element, which is fixed to one end of the delivery pipe (112) near the support platform (102). The film thickness detection element is configured to detect the coating thickness of the sample solution on the glass slide (20), and the film thickness detection element is electrically connected to the controller; and / or, The sample coating device (110) also includes a waste liquid output pipe and a waste liquid collection tank. The conveying pipe (112) has an output port. The first end of the waste liquid output pipe is selectively connected to the output port, and the second end of the waste liquid output pipe is sealed to the waste liquid collection tank.

10. A biomedical testing system, characterized in that, Includes the coating apparatus (10) as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images