Cell cryopreservation tube treatment equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a cell cryopreservation tube processing device, which comprises: a clamping mechanism, which comprises a storage rack and a clamping unit arranged on the storage rack, the top of the storage rack is provided with a storage hole for placing a container pipe fitting, and the clamping unit can abut against and fix the container pipe fitting placed in the storage hole; the centrifugal mechanism can bear the container pipe fitting and perform rotary centrifugation on the container pipe fitting; the culture mechanism comprises a culture box and a liquid shaking unit arranged in the culture box, and the liquid shaking unit is used for bearing and fixing the culture bottle and can control the culture bottle to swing in the culture box; the pipetting mechanism comprises a cap screwing unit for screwing a container pipe fitting or a culture bottle end cap and a pipetting unit for transferring a culture solution in the container pipe fitting or the culture bottle; according to the invention, the problems that the traditional cell cryopreservation tube treatment equipment lacks a synergistic effect in the multi-module working process of fixing, centrifuging, culturing and pipetting and cannot meet the requirements of high-throughput and high-precision cell treatment can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cell cryopreservation tubes, and more specifically to a cell cryopreservation tube processing device. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of cell culture, biopharmaceuticals, and clinical research, the standardized handling of cell cryopreservation tubes and culture flasks is a key step in ensuring cell viability and experimental reproducibility.

[0003] Currently, laboratories generally rely on manual operation to complete processes such as sample fixation, centrifugation, culture, and pipetting, which suffers from low efficiency, poor consistency, and high risk of cross-contamination. Although some automated equipment can perform single functions, such as stand-alone centrifuges or pipetting workstations, there is a lack of coordination between multiple modules, samples need to be transported frequently, it is difficult to build a closed processing environment, and there is insufficient adaptability to container sizes, which cannot meet the needs of high-throughput and high-precision cell processing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention aims to provide a cell cryopreservation tube processing device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention includes:

[0006] The clamping mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping unit disposed on the storage rack. The top of the storage rack has a storage hole for placing container fittings, and the clamping unit can clamp and fix the container fittings placed in the storage hole. The centrifugal mechanism is capable of carrying containers and tubing and rotating them for centrifugal purposes. The culture apparatus includes an incubator and a liquid shaking unit placed inside the incubator, the liquid shaking unit being used to support and fix the culture flasks and to control the swinging of the culture flasks within the incubator; The pipetting mechanism includes a capping unit for screwing on end caps of container fittings or culture flasks and a pipetting unit for transferring culture medium within the container fittings or culture flasks.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, the clamping unit includes push plates disposed on both sides of the storage rack, clamping blocks disposed on the inner side of the push plates, and a first power device for pushing the push plates to move toward the container tube. The clamping blocks are elastically connected to the push plates by means of elastic members, and the clamping blocks have a notch on the side facing the storage rack that is adapted to the shape of the container tube.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, the centrifugation mechanism includes a centrifuge tank, a rotating frame disposed inside the centrifuge tank, and a second power device for driving the rotating frame to rotate. The rotating frame has a plurality of evenly distributed extensions, each extension having a through notch for accommodating a container tube. A guide groove inclined toward its axis is provided above the extension, and a support member for supporting the container tube is rotatably installed in the guide groove.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, the culture mechanism includes a clamping member for securing the culture flask body, a carrier disposed on the clamping member and having a position for accommodating the lower part of the culture flask body, and a third power device for controlling the circumferential rotation of the clamping member.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, the capping unit and the pipetting unit are located at the drive end of the three-axis linear module, and the three-axis linear module can control the capping unit and the pipetting unit to move along the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, a gripping structure for grasping and transporting container tubes and culture flasks is also included, wherein the gripping structure includes a robotic arm and a gripper located at the drive end of the robotic arm.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, a shelf for placing container tubes and culture flasks is also included.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, a first collection tank for collecting waste liquid is also included.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment described above, a second collection bucket for collecting exhaust gas nozzles is also included.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are that the cell cryopreservation tube processing equipment provided in this application significantly improves the efficiency, consistency, and safety of cell sample processing by integrating four functional modules: clamping, centrifugation, culture, and pipetting. Specifically, the clamping mechanism employs an elastic clamping block and notch-fitting design to stably fix various sizes of container tubes, avoiding displacement deviations during capping or pipetting. The centrifugation mechanism, through the dynamic cooperation of the inclined guide groove and rotating support, ensures adaptive adjustment of the tube posture during high-speed centrifugation, improving separation efficiency and operational stability. The culture mechanism, combining a constant-temperature incubator and a swing-type liquid-shaking unit, achieves dual optimization of temperature control and oscillation during cell culture, promoting uniform distribution of nutrients. The pipetting mechanism, driven by a three-axis linear module, precisely completes the capping, liquid transfer, and capping actions, and, in conjunction with a robotic arm transport and waste liquid / waste pipette tip sorting and collection system, forms a closed, low-pollution operating environment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A first embodiment comprising a clamping mechanism, a centrifugation mechanism, a culture mechanism, and a pipetting mechanism; Figure 2 A second embodiment is provided for the clamping mechanism, centrifugation mechanism, culture mechanism, and pipetting mechanism; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism Figure 1 ; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism Figure 2 ; Figure 5 This is the front view of the centrifuge mechanism; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the centrifuge mechanism; Figure 7 This is the main view of the training facility; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the centrifuge mechanism; Figure 9 A diagram showing containers, tubing, and culture flasks placed on a shelf; In the diagram: clamping mechanism 1, storage rack 11, push plate 12, clamping block 13, notch 131, first power unit 14, elastic element 15, centrifugation mechanism 2, centrifuge tank 21, rotating frame 22, extension 221, notch 2211, guide groove 2212, second power unit 23, support element 24, culture mechanism 3, culture box 31, clamping element 32, carrier 33, third power unit 34, pipetting mechanism 4, capping unit 41, pipetting unit 42, container fittings 5, culture bottle 6, three-axis linear module 7, robot arm 81, gripper 82, shelf 91, first collection tank 92, second collection tank 93. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear," which indicate direction or positional relationships, are based on the direction or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0019] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, for example, referring to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the cell cryopreservation tube processing device of the present invention includes a clamping mechanism 1, a centrifugation mechanism 2, a culture mechanism 3, and a pipetting mechanism 4. The clamping mechanism 1 is used to store the container tube 5 and can selectively clamp the outer wall of the container tube 5 so that the pipetting mechanism 4 can screw on the end cap of the corresponding container tube 5 and perform a pipetting operation. The centrifugation mechanism 2 is used to centrifuge the culture medium in the container tube 5. The culture mechanism 3 is used to perform constant temperature culture on the culture medium in the culture flask 6. The pipetting mechanism 4 can screw on the end cap of the container tube 5 and the culture flask 6 and transfer the culture medium inside them. The pipetting mechanism 4 is used to screw on the end cap of the container tube 5 or the culture flask 6 and can transfer the culture medium inside the container tube 5 or the culture flask 6.

[0021] See Figures 1 to 8The clamping mechanism 1 includes a storage rack 11 and a clamping unit. The storage rack 11 has a storage hole at the top for placing the container tube 5. The clamping unit can clamp and fix the container tube 5, so that the container tube 5 is fixed on the storage rack 11. The culture mechanism 3 includes a constant temperature incubator 31 and a shaking unit disposed in the incubator 31. The top cover of the incubator 31 is configured as a pull-out type or a flip-top type. The shaking unit can clamp and fix the culture bottle 6 and swing it at a preset angle. The pipetting mechanism 4 includes a capping unit 41 and a pipetting unit 42. The capping unit 41 can screw on the end cap of the container tube 5 or the culture bottle 6. The pipetting unit 42 can transfer the liquid in the container tube 5 or the culture bottle 6. The capping unit 41 includes at least a pipette tip adapted to the end cap of the container tube 5 or the culture bottle 6, and a servo motor for controlling the rotation of the pipette tip. The pipetting unit 42 includes at least a pipette tip capable of generating negative pressure suction. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device of this application significantly improves operational efficiency and sample quality by integrating four core mechanisms: clamping, centrifugation, culture, and pipetting.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the clamping unit includes push plates 12 disposed on both sides of the storage rack 11, clamping blocks 13 disposed on the inner side of the push plates 12, and a first power device 14 for pushing the push plates 12 to move toward the container tube 5. The clamping blocks 13 are elastically connected to the push plates 12 by means of elastic members 15, and the clamping blocks 13 have a notch 131 on the side facing the storage rack 11 that is adapted to the shape of the container tube 5.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 4 The storage rack 11 is equipped with a slide rail, and the push plate 12 is slidably mounted on the slide rail via a slider. The first power device 14 can be a lead screw module driven by a servo motor, or the first power device 14 can be a telescopic cylinder. The extended shaft end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the push plate 12. The push plate 12 is provided with a rod on the side facing the storage rack 11. The clamping block 13 is slidably mounted on the rod via an elastic element 15. The elastic element 15 can be a spring or an elastic sheet. The clamping block 13 is provided with a notch 131 on the side facing the container tube 5. The notch 131 has a notch 131 that is adapted to the container tube 5. With this arrangement, when the clamping block 13 and the container tube 5 are pressed together and fixed, the contact area between the clamping block 13 and the container tube 5 can be increased, the container tube 5 can be limited, and the problem of rotation when the container tube 5 is capped can be further reduced, thereby improving the capping efficiency of the capping unit 41 for the container tube 5.

[0024] Specifically, when the capping unit 41 screws the cap on the container fitting 5, it first uses the first power device 14 to control the push plate 12 to move toward the container fitting 5, so that the outer wall of the container fitting 5 is pressed against the concave notch 131 of the clamping block 13 and fixed, so that the container fitting 5 is fixed on the storage rack 11. Then, the capping unit 41 can be used to unscrew the end cap. It has the characteristics of high efficiency and high success rate in screwing the cap on the container fitting 5, and is practical.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the centrifugation mechanism 2 includes a centrifugation tank 21, a rotating frame 22 disposed inside the centrifugation tank 21, and a second power device 23 for driving the rotating frame 22 to rotate. The second power device 23 may be a rotary cylinder or a servo motor. The rotating frame 22 has a plurality of evenly distributed extensions 221. Each extension 221 has a through notch 2211 for accommodating the container tube 5. A guide groove 2212 inclined toward its axis is provided above the extension 221. A support member 24 for supporting the container tube 5 is rotatably installed in the guide groove 2212.

[0026] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 The rotating frame 22 has four extensions 221, which are evenly distributed around the central axis of the rotating frame 22. Each extension 221 has a recess 2211 that extends vertically through it. A guide groove 2212 is provided at the upper part of the recess 2211 of the extension 221. The opening of the guide groove 2212 is inclined toward the central axis of the rotating frame 22. A support member 24 is rotatably installed in the guide groove 2212. The support member 24 includes a rotating shaft and a ring connected to each other. The rotating shaft is rotatably installed in the guide groove 2212, and the ring is placed in the recess 2211. The ring is used to place the container tube 5.

[0027] Specifically, when centrifuging the culture medium in the container tube 5, the container tube 5 containing the culture medium is first placed on the annular part of the support 24. Then, the second power device 23 is used to control the centrifuge tank 21 to rotate at a preset speed. Under the action of centrifugal force, the rotating shaft of the support 24 rotates in the recess 2211, so that the bottom end of the container tube 5 deflects away from the central axis of the rotating frame 22, thereby centrifuging the culture medium in the container tube 5.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the culture mechanism 3 includes a clamping member 32 for fastening the body of the culture flask 6, a carrier 33 disposed on the clamping member 32 and having a position for accommodating the lower part of the body of the culture flask 6, and a third power device 34 for controlling the clamping member 32 to rotate circumferentially. The third power device 34 may be a pulley module controlled by a servo motor, or the third power device 34 may be a rotary cylinder.

[0029] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 The clamping component 32 can be a gripper cylinder, and the carrier 33 has a groove to accommodate the lower part of the culture bottle 6. The carrier 33 is mounted on the clamping component 32 by a plate so that the carrier 33 and the clamping component 32 can rotate synchronously.

[0030] Specifically, when incubating the culture medium in the culture bottle 6 at a constant temperature, the culture bottle 6 is first placed in the groove of the carrier 33, and the top cover of the constant temperature incubator 31 is closed to keep the culture bottle 6 in a closed constant temperature environment. Then, the bottle body of the culture bottle 6 is clamped and fixed by the clamping member 32, and then the third power device 34 is used to control the clamping member 32 and the carrier 33 to swing back and forth at a preset angle so that the culture medium in the culture bottle 6 can be incubated in the constant temperature incubator 31 for a preset time.

[0031] This application uses clamping member 32 to precisely secure the body of culture flask 6. The carrier 33 is installed synchronously with the clamping member 32 through a plate and has a groove to accommodate the lower part of the flask body, forming a dual fixing mechanism of flask body clamping and flask bottom bearing, which avoids flask body shaking or displacement during culture. Furthermore, the clamping member 32 and carrier 33 can be driven to swing back and forth at a preset angle through the third power device 34, which can promote uniform mixing of culture medium, full exchange of oxygen and nutrients, and optimize the environment for cell adhesion growth and proliferation.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the capping unit 41 and the pipetting unit 42 are located at the drive end of the three-axis linear module 7, and the three-axis linear module 7 can control the capping unit 41 and the pipetting unit 42 to move along the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis direction.

[0033] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 The three-axis linear module 7 includes an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module, and a Z-axis linear module. The X-axis linear module controls the movement of the Y-axis and Z-axis linear modules along the X-axis, the Y-axis linear module controls the movement of the Z-axis linear module along the Y-axis, and the capping unit 41 and the pipetting unit 42 are controlled to move along the Z-axis by the Z-axis linear module. This configuration enables rapid control of the positions of the capping unit 41 and the pipetting unit 42, achieving a fast response to cap tightening or pipetting control, thus possessing practicality.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, a gripping structure is also included for gripping and transferring the container tube 5 and the culture bottle 6. The gripping structure includes a robot arm 81 and a gripper 82 disposed at the drive end of the robot arm 81.

[0035] See Figure 1The gripper 82 can be a gripper cylinder, and the gripper 82 is installed on the drive end of the robot arm 81. When changing the position of the container tube 5 or culture bottle 6, the robot arm 81 can control the gripper 82 to grab the container tube 5 or culture bottle 6 and transfer it to the preset position. Through this setting, the manual intervention process can be reduced and the bottle can be quickly repositioned.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, a shelf 91 for placing the container tubing 5 and the culture flask 6 is also included. See also Figure 1 , Figure 9 The shelf 91 has a first part for placing container tubes 5 and a second part for placing culture bottles 6. This arrangement allows for the categorized placement of container tubes 5 and culture bottles 6, facilitating their organization and gripping operations.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, a first collection tank 92 for collecting waste liquid is also included. See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 The first collection bucket 92 is used to collect residual waste liquid from pipette tips in a directional manner, avoiding tabletop contamination, cross-contamination, and biosafety risks caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste liquid.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, a second collection bucket 93 for collecting exhaust gas nozzles is also included. See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 This application addresses the issue of standardized disposal of waste pipette tips after pipetting operations by setting up a second collection bucket 93 for collecting waste gas pipette tips. This avoids clutter on the work surface, cross-contamination, and the risk of contact with operators caused by random discarding. Centralized storage facilitates subsequent autoclaving or professional recycling.

[0039] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it. They should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cell cryopreservation tube processing device, characterized in that, include: The clamping mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping unit disposed on the storage rack. The top of the storage rack has a storage hole for placing container fittings, and the clamping unit can clamp and fix the container fittings placed in the storage hole. The centrifugal mechanism is capable of carrying containers and tubing and rotating them for centrifugal purposes. The culture apparatus includes an incubator and a liquid shaking unit placed inside the incubator, the liquid shaking unit being used to support and fix the culture flasks and to control the swinging of the culture flasks within the incubator; The pipetting mechanism includes a capping unit for screwing on end caps of container fittings or culture flasks and a pipetting unit for transferring culture medium within the container fittings or culture flasks.

2. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping unit includes push plates on both sides of the storage rack, clamping blocks on the inner side of the push plates, and a first power device for pushing the push plates to move toward the container fitting. The clamping blocks are elastically connected to the push plates by means of elastic members, and the clamping blocks have a notch on the side facing the storage rack that is adapted to the shape of the container fitting.

3. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The centrifugation mechanism includes a centrifuge bucket, a rotating frame disposed inside the centrifuge bucket, and a second power device for driving the rotating frame to rotate. The rotating frame has a plurality of evenly distributed extensions, each extension having a through notch for accommodating a container tube. A guide groove inclined toward its axis is provided above the extension, and a support member for supporting the container tube is rotatably installed in the guide groove.

4. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culture mechanism includes a clamp for securing the culture flask body, a carrier disposed on the clamp and having a position for accommodating the lower part of the culture flask body, and a third power device for controlling the circumferential rotation of the clamp.

5. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The capping unit and the pipetting unit are located at the drive end of the three-axis linear module, which can control the capping unit and the pipetting unit to move along the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis.

6. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a gripping structure for grasping and transferring container fittings and culture flasks, the gripping structure including a robotic arm and a gripper located at the drive end of the robotic arm.

7. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes shelves for placing containers, tubing, and culture flasks.

8. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first collection tank for collecting waste liquid.

9. The cell cryopreservation tube processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second collection bucket for collecting exhaust gas nozzles.

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