Automatic liquid treatment platform system with anti-pollution function

Abstract

The invention relates to an automatic liquid treatment platform system with an anti-pollution function, and the system comprises a housing which is internally provided with a workbench; the liquid transfer module is arranged above the workbench in a sliding manner and is used for transferring nucleic acid liquid and adding the nucleic acid liquid into the pore plate; the PCR amplification module is arranged on the workbench and is used for carrying out amplification, enzyme digestion and marking on nucleic acid; the nucleic acid extraction / purification module is arranged on the workbench and is used for extracting and purifying the nucleic acid treated by the PCR amplification module; the nucleic acid concentration detection module is also arranged on the workbench and is used for detecting the concentration of extracted and purified nucleic acid; and the control unit is used for controlling each module to act so as to realize the automatic nucleic acid processing flow. The system solves the problem of low efficiency caused by respective operation of a nucleic acid extraction / purification module set, a PCR amplification module set, a nucleic acid concentration detection module set and the like at present.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function, belonging to the field of liquid handling technology. Background Technology

[0002] Nucleic acid testing is currently widely used in clinical diagnosis, agricultural monitoring, food safety, and other fields. Especially during large-scale infectious disease outbreaks, nucleic acid testing can serve as the gold standard for disease diagnosis. The most commonly used nucleic acid testing method is PCR. The general principle of PCR is that, under the catalysis of DNA polymerase, using the parental DNA strand as a template and specific primers as extension start points, a daughter DNA strand complementary to the parental DNA strand is replicated in vitro.

[0003] In related technologies, nucleic acid testing machines require multiple modules to work together to extract parenteral DNA. These modules use movable grippers to transfer consumables, enabling the extraction of parenteral DNA from samples using extraction reagents. However, the transfer of consumables between different modules requires different grippers. For example, currently, nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection modules need to be operated separately, resulting in low efficiency. Furthermore, manual operation between different modules may introduce unnecessary contamination. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function. By integrating modules such as nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection into the same device, it can improve experimental efficiency and solve the problem of low efficiency caused by the need for separate operation of current modules such as nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function includes: An outer casing, wherein a worktable is provided inside the outer casing; A liquid transfer module is slidably disposed above the worktable for transferring nucleic acid liquid and adding it into the well plate; A PCR amplification module, set on the workbench, is used for amplifying, digesting, and labeling nucleic acids; A nucleic acid extraction / purification module, set on the workbench, is used to extract and purify the nucleic acids processed by the PCR amplification module; A nucleic acid concentration detection module is also installed on the workbench to detect the concentration of extracted and purified nucleic acid. The control unit is used to control the actions of each module to achieve an automated nucleic acid processing flow.

[0006] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function is further provided with a display controller on the outer shell, and the control unit is located in the display controller.

[0007] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function has a filter air inlet at the bottom of the side wall of the outer shell.

[0008] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function is equipped with a HEPA filter at the air inlet.

[0009] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function has a filter air outlet provided on the top of the outer shell.

[0010] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function is also equipped with a HEPA filter at the air outlet.

[0011] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function is further provided with a fan at the filter outlet.

[0012] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function is further provided with a handle on the outer shell.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom of the outer shell of the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function is also provided with casters.

[0014] Preferably, the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-pollution function also includes an electrical box inside the outer casing.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages due to the adoption of the above technical solutions: A fan is installed at the air outlet. When the fan is turned on, the airflow is directed outward, creating negative pressure inside the casing. Since the equipment is sealed except for the air inlet and outlet, outside air enters the equipment through the air inlet and passes through a HEPA filter to protect the test samples inside the cabinet from external dust or bacteria contamination. A HEPA filter is also installed at the air outlet to protect the outside of the equipment from sample contamination. In addition to the fan, an ultraviolet lamp is installed in the filtration system to further disinfect pollutants in the air. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 An external schematic diagram of the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function provided by the present invention; Figure 2An internal schematic diagram of the automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function provided by the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow direction inside the system of the present invention; The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-Outer shell; 2-Display controller; 3-Filter air inlet; 4-Filter air outlet; 5-Liquid transfer module; 6-Workbench; 7-PCR amplification module; 8-Nucleic acid extraction / purification module; 9-Nucleic acid concentration detection module; 10-Electrical box; 11-Handle; 12-Wheel casters. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and similar terms used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0019] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "above," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure.

[0020] Currently, nucleic acid testing machines require multiple modules to work together to extract parenteral DNA. These modules use movable grippers to transfer consumables between them, enabling the extraction of parenteral DNA from the sample using extraction reagents. However, the transfer of consumables between different modules requires different grippers. For example, the nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection modules currently need to be operated separately, resulting in low efficiency. Furthermore, manual operation between different modules may introduce unnecessary contamination.

[0021] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this invention provides an automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination capabilities. By integrating modules such as nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection into the same device, it can improve experimental efficiency and solve the problem of low efficiency caused by the need for separate operation of current modules for nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection.

[0022] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the automated liquid processing platform system with anti-contamination function involved in this invention includes: a shell 1, within which a workbench 6 is disposed; a liquid transfer module 5, slidably disposed above the workbench 6, for transferring nucleic acid liquid and adding it to well plates; a PCR amplification module 7, disposed on the workbench 6, for amplifying, digesting, and labeling nucleic acids; a nucleic acid extraction / purification module 8, disposed on the workbench 6, for extracting and purifying the nucleic acids processed by the PCR amplification module 7; a nucleic acid concentration detection module 9, also disposed on the workbench 6, for detecting the concentration of extracted and purified nucleic acids; and a control unit, for controlling the actions of each module to realize an automated nucleic acid processing flow.

[0023] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a display controller 2 is also provided on the outer casing 1, and the control unit is located in the display controller 2.

[0024] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a filter air inlet 3 is provided at the bottom of the side wall of the outer casing 1.

[0025] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a HEPA filter is provided at the air inlet 3.

[0026] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a filter outlet 4 is provided on the top of the outer casing 1.

[0027] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a HEPA filter is also provided at the air outlet 4.

[0028] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fan is also provided at the filter outlet 4.

[0029] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer casing 1 is also provided with a handle 11.

[0030] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the outer casing 1 is also provided with casters 12.

[0031] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electrical box 10 is also provided inside the outer 1.

[0032] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ultraviolet lamp is also provided inside the outer casing 1 to further disinfect pollutants in the air.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, a fan is installed at the air outlet. When the fan is turned on, the airflow is directed outward, creating negative pressure inside. Since the equipment is sealed except for the air inlet and outlet, external air enters the equipment through the air inlet and passes through a HEPA filter to protect the test samples inside the cabinet from external dust or bacteria contamination. A HEPA filter is also installed at the air outlet to protect the outside of the equipment from sample contamination. In addition to the fan, an ultraviolet lamp is installed in the filtration system to further disinfect pollutants in the air.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the PCR amplification module is used to amplify specific DNA fragments. This method can be performed outside of living organisms, without relying on organisms such as E. coli or yeast. Because the PCR amplification module requires heating during operation, a large amount of amplification products are released when the lid is opened, causing serious contamination of the entire working chamber. By installing a fan to maintain a lower air pressure in the working area than the external air pressure, any aerosols generated are quickly absorbed by the HEPA filter and cleaned away by the relatively low pressure environment of the working area.

[0035] The system of this invention is equipped with a negative pressure protection system and filters at both the air inlet and outlet to ensure that the samples inside the equipment are not contaminated and that the outside of the equipment is not contaminated by the experimental samples.

[0036] This invention integrates modules for solution preparation and transfer, nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection into a single device, thereby improving experimental efficiency and solving the problem of low efficiency caused by the need for separate operation of current modules for nucleic acid extraction / purification, PCR amplification, and nucleic acid concentration detection. It also improves experimental efficiency while ensuring biosafety.

[0037] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention 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 of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function, characterized in that, include: The outer casing (1) is provided with a worktable (6) inside the outer casing (1); The liquid transfer module (5) is slidably disposed above the worktable (6) for transferring nucleic acid liquid and adding it into the well plate; A PCR amplification module (7) is set on the workbench (6) and is used for amplifying, digesting and labeling nucleic acids; The nucleic acid extraction / purification module (8) is set on the workbench (6) and is used to extract and purify the nucleic acid processed by the PCR amplification module (7); The nucleic acid concentration detection module (9) is also set on the workbench (6) and is used to detect the concentration of nucleic acid after extraction and purification; The control unit is used to control the actions of each module to achieve an automated nucleic acid processing flow.

2. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer casing (1) is also provided with a display controller (2), and the control unit is located in the display controller (2).

3. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the side wall of the outer casing (1) is provided with a filter air inlet (3).

4. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 3, characterized in that, A HEPA filter is installed at the air inlet (3).

5. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the outer casing (1) is provided with a filter outlet (4).

6. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 5, characterized in that, A HEPA filter is also installed at the air outlet (4).

7. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 6, characterized in that, A fan is also installed at the air outlet (4) of the filter.

8. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outer casing (1) is also provided with a handle (11).

9. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom of the outer casing (1) is also provided with casters (12).

10. The automated liquid handling platform system with anti-contamination function according to claim 9, characterized in that, An electrical box (10) is also provided inside the outer casing (1).

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