Sample preparation device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of sample preparation, in particular to a sample preparation device which comprises a sample tube and a reagent groove. The sample tube comprises an operation port and a liquid circulation port, and a sample is placed in the sample tube; the reagent groove has a set depth, the reagent groove is used for containing a liquid reagent, the liquid circulation opening and part of the sample tube are located in the reagent groove, and a groove opening of the reagent groove is in sealed connection with the outer wall of the sample tube; the operation opening is used for being connected with a pipetting device, so that pressure change is generated in the sample tube to perform liquid suction or liquid discharge operation, and when the sample tube sucks liquid, a liquid reagent in the reagent groove enters the sample tube through the liquid circulation opening and immerses the sample. Multi-step treatment, such as fixing, rinsing, post-fixing, dehydration and embedding, of the biological tissue sample can be continuously completed in the single closed sample tube, sample exposure can be effectively reduced, pollution risks are reduced, reagents are saved, treatment consistency is improved, and the device is particularly suitable for the requirements of laboratories or batch and diversified treatment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of sample preparation, in particular to a sample preparation device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Before biological tissue samples are observed under a microscope, diagnosed pathologically, and detected molecularly, they need to be processed through multiple steps, including steps such as fixation, rinsing, post-fixation, dehydration, impregnation, embedding, polymerization, block trimming, ultrathin sectioning, and staining.

[0003] In the existing multi-step processing process, the sample needs to be frequently transferred, which is time-consuming and increases the labor intensity; the biological tissue sample is exposed to the air multiple times, is easily contaminated externally, and also increases the risk of the operator being exposed to harmful chemicals; there are many residual liquids that cannot be recycled, especially when processing samples in batches, which is a serious waste; there are differences in processing conditions between different operators and different batches, which leads to a decrease in result stability.

[0004] In view of the above problems, there are currently fully automatic tissue processing machines, but such devices are bulky and expensive, and are not suitable for laboratory or batch and diversified processing needs. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve at least the above technical problems in the prior art, the present application provides a sample preparation device.

[0006] In one aspect, the present application provides a sample preparation device, comprising a sample tube and a reagent tank; the sample tube comprises an operation port and a liquid flow port, and is used to place a sample; the reagent tank has a set depth, and is used to hold a liquid reagent; the liquid flow port and part of the sample tube are located in the reagent tank, and the tank opening of the reagent tank is sealingly connected to the outer wall of the sample tube; the operation port is used to connect a pipetting device to cause a pressure change in the sample tube to perform liquid suction or liquid discharge operation; when the sample tube suctions liquid, the liquid reagent in the reagent tank enters the sample tube through the liquid flow port and immerses the sample.

[0007] In some embodiments, a blocking structure is further included, which is arranged in the sample tube; the blocking structure and the inner wall of the sample tube enclose a sample placement space, the sample is arranged in the sample placement space, and the liquid flow port communicates with the sample placement space; when the sample tube suctions liquid, the liquid reagent in the reagent tank enters the sample placement space through the liquid flow port and immerses the sample.

[0008] In some embodiments, the liquid flow port is arranged at the bottom of the sample tube, and the blocking structure comprises a fixed tube; a first end of the fixed tube is arranged towards the liquid flow port, and the first end of the fixed tube is arranged in a spaced manner with the liquid flow port to form the sample placement space.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sample tube comprises a first straight tube portion, a first inclined portion and a second straight tube portion in a top-to-bottom direction, the diameter of the first straight tube portion is greater than that of the second straight tube portion; in the top-to-bottom direction, the diameter of the first inclined portion is reduced from the diameter of the first straight tube portion to the diameter of the second straight tube portion, and the second straight tube portion is arranged in the reagent groove, and the groove opening of the reagent groove is connected in an interference fit with the outer wall of the second straight tube portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sample tube further comprises a second inclined portion and a third straight tube portion in a top-to-bottom direction, the end of the third straight tube portion is the bottom of the sample tube, the diameter of the second straight tube portion is greater than that of the third straight tube portion, and the second inclined portion and the third straight tube portion are arranged in the reagent groove; in the top-to-bottom direction, the diameter of the second inclined portion is reduced from the diameter of the second straight tube portion to the diameter of the third straight tube portion, and the outer wall of the fixed tube is connected in an interference fit with the inner wall of the third straight tube portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the liquid flow port and / or the first end of the fixed tube is provided with a filter screen structure; the pore size of the filter screen structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample.

[0012] In some embodiments, the filter screen structure is an integral structure with the liquid flow port or the first end of the fixed tube.

[0013] In some embodiments, a detachable sealing cover is arranged on the operation port.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first straight tube portion has a set length; and a label layer is arranged on the outer wall of the first straight tube portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, a plurality of reagent grooves are included, and different types of liquid reagents are arranged in the plurality of reagent grooves; the liquid reagents include one or more of a fixing reagent, a rinsing reagent, a post-fixing reagent, a dehydrating reagent and a mounting reagent.

[0016] This application provides a sample preparation apparatus. During the preparation process, the sample is placed in a sample tube, and the liquid flow port and part of the sample tube are positioned in a reagent tank. A pipette is activated to perform a liquid aspiration operation. The liquid reagent in the reagent tank enters the sample tube through the liquid flow port and immerses the sample. The liquid reagent reacts with the sample. After a set time, the pipette switches to a drain operation, and the liquid reagent flows back into the reagent tank. Then, the reagent tank is replaced, and the next preparation step is performed. The liquid reagent in the reagent tank is different in different preparation steps. The technical solution of this application can continuously complete multi-step processing of biological tissue samples, such as fixation, rinsing, post-fixation, dehydration, and embedding, within a single sealed sample tube. This apparatus can effectively reduce sample exposure, lower the risk of contamination, save reagents, and improve processing consistency. It is particularly suitable for laboratory or batch, diversified processing needs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of this application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this application are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which: In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample tube structure in the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the reagent tank in the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing structure in the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] In the picture: 10: Sample tube; 20: Reagent tank; 30: Fixing tube; 40: Filter structure; 11: Operating port; 12: Liquid flow port; 13: Sample placement space; 14: First straight tube section; 15: First inclined section; 16: Second straight tube section; 17: Second inclined section; 18: Third straight tube section; 19: Sealing cap. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in 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.

[0021] This application provides a sample preparation device, including a sample tube and a reagent tank. The sample tube is equipped with multiple reagent tanks, each containing liquid reagents required for different steps. In each preparation step, the sample tube is connected to a reagent tank. A pipette is used to create a pressure change in the sample tube, drawing the liquid reagent from the reagent tank into the sample tube and reacting with the sample. After a set reaction time, the sample tube is drained, and the liquid reagent flows back into the reagent tank. Then, the reagent tank is replaced, and subsequent preparation steps are performed.

[0022] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, details the various structures of the sample preparation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, the positional relationships between the structures, and the connection relationships.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the sample tube 10 includes an operation port 11 and a liquid flow port 12, and the sample tube 10 is used to place the sample; the reagent tank 20 has a set depth, and the reagent tank 20 is used to hold liquid reagents. The liquid flow port 12 and part of the sample tube 10 are located in the reagent tank 20, and the opening of the reagent tank 20 is sealed to the outer wall of the sample tube 10.

[0024] After connecting the reagent tank 20 to the sample tube 10, the current preparation step can be performed. The operating port 11 is used to connect a pipetting device. The pipetting device creates a pressure change in the sample tube 10. When the sample tube 10 draws liquid, the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 enters the sample tube 10 through the liquid flow port 12 and immerses the sample.

[0025] The sample preparation process involves multiple steps, each requiring the sample to react with different liquid reagents. In this embodiment, the sample remains within the sample tube 10 throughout the entire preparation process without being moved; only the reagent tank 20 is replaced. Different types of liquid reagents are contained in the reagent tank 20 at different stages.

[0026] For example, the pipetting device is connected with the sample tube 10 via the operation port 11, and the pipetting device can be manually controlled or electrically controlled. By starting the pipetting device, the pressure change in the sample tube 10 can be controlled to control the dosage and entering time of the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 into the sample tube 10. After the sample is placed and the liquid flow port 12 is placed in the reagent tank 20, the pipetting device is started to perform the liquid suction operation, the pressure in the sample tube 10 changes, the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 is sucked into the sample tube 10 and remains in the state of being sucked, the sample is kept immersed in the liquid reagent, and after the reaction time is reached, the pipetting device is adjusted to perform the liquid discharge operation, the pressure in the sample tube 10 changes again, and the liquid reagent falls back into the reagent tank 20.

[0027] For example, when the liquid flow port 12 is arranged at the bottom of the sample tube 10 and connected with the reagent tank 20, the bottom of the sample tube 10 and part of the sample tube 10 are inserted into the reagent tank 20.

[0028] For example, the capacity of the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 meets the requirement of immersing the sample, that is, the amount of the liquid reagent from the reagent tank 20 into the sample tube 10 can immerse the sample.

[0029] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present application, the sample preparation device includes a blocking structure arranged in the sample tube 10. The blocking structure and the inner wall of the sample tube 10 enclose the sample placement space 13, the sample is arranged in the sample placement space 13, and the liquid flow port 12 is in communication with the sample placement space 13. In the sample tube 10, the sample is fixed at a specified position by arranging the sample placement space 13, and the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 can effectively immerse the sample by entering the sample placement space 13 via the liquid flow port 12.

[0030] For example, when the liquid flow port 12 is located at the bottom of the sample tube 10, the sample placement space 13 can be designed at the bottom of the sample tube 10. The blocking structure is a blocking structure in the sample tube 10, which is fixed and limited at a specified position with the inner wall of the sample tube 10. For example, the blocking structure includes a fixed tube 30, the first end of the fixed tube 30 is arranged towards the liquid flow port 12, and the first end of the fixed tube 30 is arranged in a spaced manner with the liquid flow port 12 to form the sample placement space 13.

[0031] The volume of the sample placement space 13 is determined according to the volume of the sample. In the process of the sample preparation device, the sample is first placed in the sample tube 10, and then the fixed tube 30 is installed, and the first end of the fixed tube 30 limits the sample. For example, by limiting the sample through the fixed tube 30, the sample can be prevented from being suspended in the liquid reagent.

[0032] For example, the liquid flow port 12 and the first end of the fixed tube 30 are provided with a filter screen structure 40; the pore size of the filter screen structure 40 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample. By setting the filter screen structure 40, the sample can be further limited, avoiding the sample passing through the liquid flow port 12 or the first end of the fixed tube 30, and ensuring that the liquid reagent can flow, and also ensuring the limitation of the sample.

[0033] For example, the filter screen structure 40 and the first end of the liquid flow port 12 or the fixed tube 30 are an integral structure. When preparing the sample tube 10 and the fixed tube 30, the filter screen structure 40 is synchronously prepared and formed, the integral structure has stable connection effect, and the probability of separation and falling of the filter screen structure 40 and the first end of the liquid flow port 12 or the fixed tube 30 is effectively reduced.

[0034] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present application, the sample tube 10 includes a plurality of straight tube portions and inclined portions along the top-to-bottom direction, wherein the diameters of different straight tube portions gradually decrease, and the inclined portion and the straight tube portion located at the lowermost end are located in the reagent groove 20.

[0035] For example, the sample tube 10 includes a first straight tube portion 14, a first inclined portion 15, a second straight tube portion 16, a second inclined portion 17, and a third straight tube portion 18, the diameter of the first straight tube portion 14 is greater than that of the second straight tube portion 16; along the top-to-bottom direction, the diameter of the first inclined portion 15 decreases from the diameter of the first straight tube portion 14 to the diameter of the second straight tube portion 16, the end of the third straight tube portion 18 is the bottom of the sample tube 10, the diameter of the second straight tube portion 16 is greater than that of the third straight tube portion 18, and the second inclined portion 17 and the third straight tube portion 18 are located in the reagent groove 20.

[0036] For example, when the reagent groove 20 is installed, the groove of the reagent groove 20 is connected in interference fit with the outer wall of the second straight tube portion 16. When the fixed tube 30 is installed, the outer wall of the fixed tube 30 is connected in interference fit with the inner wall of the third straight tube portion 18.

[0037] For example, the first straight tube portion 14 has a set length; and a label layer is arranged on the outer wall of the first straight tube portion 14. By setting the length of the first straight tube portion 14, the storage and taking of the sample tube 10 are facilitated, and after the label layer is arranged, information can be marked in the label layer, and the information is used to identify the sample laboratory source and sample tissue name.

[0038] For example, the operation port 11 is provided with a detachable sealing cover 19. By arranging the sealing cover 19, it can be ensured that the sample tube 10 is in a sealed state, the exposure time of the sample during preparation can be reduced, and during storage and transportation, the whole process is ensured to be closed and operated, and gas and liquid leakage is prevented.

[0039] For example, the diameter of the third straight pipe portion 18 is adapted to the outer diameter of the sample, while the diameters of the third straight pipe portion 18 and the second straight pipe portion 16 are relatively smaller than the diameter of the first straight pipe portion 14. In use, the sample can be immersed without using an excessive amount of liquid reagent.

[0040] In the embodiment of the present application, the sample preparation device includes a plurality of reagent tanks 20, and different types of liquid reagents are contained in the plurality of reagent tanks 20. During the preparation process, the entire preparation process can be completed by replacing part of the reagent tank 20.

[0041] For example, the liquid reagents include fixing reagents, rinsing reagents, post-fixing reagents, dehydrating reagents, and embedding reagents, which can respectively realize the operation steps of fixing, rinsing, post-fixing, dehydrating, and embedding the sample. In the embodiment of the present application, the types and specific components of the liquid reagents are not limited, and the functions of the corresponding steps are met.

[0042] By using one sample tube 10 to adapt to a plurality of reagent tanks 20 and corresponding liquid reagents, precise liquid supply can be realized in each operation step, and waste liquid can be recycled or treated after the step operation is completed, thereby effectively improving the utilization rate of the liquid reagents.

[0043] The following describes the multiple operation steps prepared by the sample preparation device in detail. For example, the sample preparation device includes the steps of fixing, rinsing, post-fixing, dehydrating, and embedding.

[0044] First, the sample position is fixed. The sample tube 10 is taken out, the sample is placed in the sample tube 10, and the fixing tube 30 is placed. The fixing tube 30 cooperates with the sample tube 10 to fix the sample at the bottom of the sample tube 10. When the operation port 11 of the sample tube 10 needs to be operated (sample placement, pipetting, etc.), the operation port 11 is opened, and when there is no operation, the operation port 11 is sealed in time by the sealing cover 19. The reagent tank 20 configured with the fixing reagent is taken out, the bottom of the sample tube 10 is placed in the reagent tank 20, and the tank opening of the reagent tank 20 is sealingly connected to the outer wall of the sample tube 10. The sample tube 10 is connected to the pipetting device, and the pipetting device causes a pressure change in the sample tube 10. When liquid is sucked, the fixing reagent in the reagent tank 20 is sucked into the sample tube 10, the fixing reagent immerses the sample, the pipetting device maintains a set pressure state in the sample tube 10, the sample and the fixing reagent fully react, and the fixing step is completed. Subsequently, the liquid is discharged, the pressure in the sample tube 10 changes again, and the fixing reagent flows back to the reagent tank 20.

[0045] After the fixing reagent flows back, the reagent tank 20 can be separated from the sample tube 10, and the fixing reagent in the separated reagent tank 20 can be uniformly treated. Thus, the fixing step is completed.

[0046] Then, the reagent tank 20 provided with the rinsing reagent, the reagent tank 20 provided with the post-fixing reagent, the reagent tank 20 provided with the dehydrating reagent and the reagent tank 20 provided with the embedding reagent are sequentially replaced on the sample tube 10, and different liquid reagents are respectively contacted with the sample to sequentially complete the rinsing, post-fixing, dehydrating and embedding steps.

[0047] After the above steps are completed, the sample can be taken out of the sample tube 10 and subsequent operations can be performed; or the reagent tank 20 can be arranged at the bottom of the sample tube 10, the inside of the sample tube 10 is in a sealed state by the reagent tank 20, gas-liquid leakage is prevented, and the sample tube 10 in the closed state is convenient for storage or transportation; or further, a label information can be attached to the sample tube 10, and the label information records the related information of preparation, which is convenient for the staff to master the current preparation situation.

[0048] In the preparation process of the sample preparation device provided in the present application, the sample is placed in the sample tube 10, the liquid flow passage 12 and part of the sample tube 10 are located in the reagent tank 20, the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 enters the sample tube 10 through the liquid flow passage 12 and immerses the sample, the liquid reagent reacts with the sample, after a set time, the liquid reagent flows back to the reagent tank 20 by switching the pipetting device to the liquid discharge operation, then, the reagent tank 20 is replaced to perform the next step of preparation, and the liquid reagent in the reagent tank 20 is different in different preparation steps. The technical scheme of the present application can continuously complete the multi-step processing of biological tissue samples, such as fixing, rinsing, post-fixing, dehydrating and embedding, in a single sealed sample tube 10. The device can effectively reduce sample exposure, reduce pollution risk, save reagents and improve processing consistency, and is especially suitable for laboratory or batch and diversified processing requirements.

[0049] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, the person skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0050] In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one feature. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0051] The above merely provides the specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of the changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample preparation device, characterized by, The device comprises a sample tube (10) and a reagent tank (20); The sample tube (10) comprises an operation port (11) and a liquid flow port (12), and is used for placing a sample; The reagent tank (20) has a set depth, is used for containing liquid reagents, and the liquid flow port (12) and part of the sample tube (10) are located in the reagent tank (20), and the tank opening of the reagent tank (20) is sealingly connected with the outer wall of the sample tube (10); The operation port (11) is used for connecting a pipetting device to generate pressure change in the sample tube (10) to perform liquid suction or discharge operation, and when the sample tube (10) sucks liquid, the liquid reagents in the reagent tank (20) enter the sample tube (10) through the liquid flow port (12) and immerse the sample.

2. The sample preparation device of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a blocking structure arranged in the sample tube (10); The blocking structure and the inner wall of the sample tube (10) form a sample placement space (13), and the sample is arranged in the sample placement space (13), and the liquid flow port (12) is in communication with the sample placement space (13); When the sample tube (10) sucks liquid, the liquid reagents in the reagent tank (20) enter the sample placement space (13) through the liquid flow port (12) and immerse the sample.

3. The sample preparation device of claim 2, wherein, The liquid flow port (12) is arranged at the bottom of the sample tube (10), and the blocking structure comprises a fixed tube (30); The first end of the fixed tube (30) is arranged towards the liquid flow port (12), and the first end of the fixed tube (30) is arranged in spaced relation with the liquid flow port (12) to form the sample placement space (13).

4. The sample preparation device of claim 3, wherein, The sample tube (10) comprises a first straight tube portion (14), a first inclined portion (15) and a second straight tube portion (16) from top to bottom, and the diameter of the first straight tube portion (14) is greater than that of the second straight tube portion (16); From top to bottom, the diameter of the first inclined portion (15) is reduced from that of the first straight tube portion (14) to that of the second straight tube portion (16), the second straight tube portion (16) is arranged in the reagent tank (20), and the tank opening of the reagent tank (20) is connected with the outer wall of the second straight tube portion (16) in interference fit.

5. The sample preparation device of claim 4, wherein, The sample tube (10) further comprises a second inclined portion (17) and a third straight tube portion (18) from top to bottom, the end of the third straight tube portion (18) is the bottom of the sample tube (10), the diameter of the second straight tube portion (16) is greater than that of the third straight tube portion (18), and the second inclined portion (17) and the third straight tube portion (18) are arranged in the reagent tank (20); From top to bottom, the diameter of the second inclined portion (17) is reduced from that of the second straight tube portion (16) to that of the third straight tube portion (18), and the outer wall of the fixed tube (30) is connected with the inner wall of the third straight tube portion (18) in interference fit.

6. The sample preparation device of claim 3, wherein, The liquid flow port (12) and / or the first end of the fixed tube (30) are provided with a filter structure (40). The pore size of the filter structure (40) is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample.

7. The sample preparation device of claim 6, wherein, The filter structure (40) is an integral structure with the liquid flow port (12) or the first end of the fixed tube (30).

8. The sample preparation device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The operating port (11) is provided with a removable sealing cover (19).

9. The sample preparation device of claim 4, wherein, The first straight tube section (14) has a set length; A label layer is provided on the outer wall of the first straight tube section (14).

10. The sample preparation device of claim 9, wherein, It includes multiple reagent tanks (20), each containing different types of liquid reagents; The liquid reagent includes one or more of the following: fixation reagent, rinsing reagent, post-fixation reagent, dehydration reagent, and embedding reagent.

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