Reagent batch transfer apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of reagent batch transfer, in particular to reagent batch transfer equipment and a use method. The reagent batch transfer equipment comprises a moving device, a test tube assembly, a dropper assembly and a culture dish, the moving device comprises a workbench, a transfer seat, a driving mechanism, a suction mechanism and a first lifting mechanism; the dropper assembly and the suction mechanism are arranged on the transfer seat; the driving mechanism is matched with the transfer seat to drive the transfer seat to move along the workbench, and the driving mechanism at least can drive the transfer seat to move between the test tube assembly and the culture dish; the suction mechanism can suck the reagent in the test tube into a dropper of the dropper assembly and extrude the reagent from the dropper into the culture dish. Therefore, reagents in the test tubes can be transferred in batches.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of reagent bulk transfer technology, and more specifically, to a reagent bulk transfer device and a method of using it. Background Technology

[0002] In comparative experiments of peptide bioengineering, different types of reagents are injected into different test tubes. After the reagents are initially treated in the test tubes, a portion of the reagents in the test tubes needs to be transferred to new test tubes or petri dishes for further treatment. Currently, this is done by using a dropper to draw up the reagents and then transferring them to new petri dishes for further treatment.

[0003] The current method can only draw reagent from one test tube at a time, making it impossible to draw reagent in batches. Furthermore, since different test tubes contain different reagents, a new dropper needs to be used each time reagents are transferred, which is cumbersome and labor-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention includes, for example, providing a reagent bulk transfer device and a method of use, which is a transfer device capable of bulk transfer of reagents in test tubes.

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a reagent batch transfer device, comprising: Mobile devices, test tube assemblies, dropper assemblies, petri dishes; The mobile device includes a worktable, a transfer seat, a drive mechanism, a suction mechanism, and a first lifting mechanism; The dropper assembly includes multiple droppers, the test tube assembly includes multiple test tubes, and the culture dish includes multiple culture tanks; the number of droppers, test tubes, and culture tanks are the same and correspond one-to-one, and the relative positions between adjacent droppers, adjacent test tubes, and adjacent culture tanks are kept the same, so as to realize the one-time batch transfer of reagents from multiple test tubes to the culture dish; The first lifting mechanism is connected to the transfer seat to drive the suction mechanism to move up or down to approach or move away from the test tube assembly; The dropper assembly and the aspiration mechanism are both disposed on the transfer seat; the driving mechanism cooperates with the transfer seat to drive the transfer seat to move along the worktable, and the driving mechanism can at least drive the transfer seat to move between the test tube assembly and the culture dish; the aspiration mechanism can aspirate the reagent in the test tube into the dropper of the dropper assembly, and squeeze the reagent from the dropper into the culture dish.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, the transfer seat includes a connecting frame, a connecting plate, a base, and a cover plate; The connecting plate is connected to the driving mechanism so that the transfer seat can move on the worktable by the driving mechanism; one end of the connecting frame is connected to the connecting plate and the other end is connected to the base; the cover plate is disposed above the base, and the base and the cover plate together form a receiving cavity for accommodating the suction mechanism.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the dropper includes a glass tube, a cap, and a rubber bulb connected in sequence; A frame plate is fixed inside the base; the bottom of the frame plate is provided with a plurality of first annular ribs, the bottom of the first annular ribs abutting against the inner wall of the base; the top of the frame plate is provided with a plurality of second annular ribs; the top of the second annular ribs abuts against the bottom of the cover plate; the frame plate is provided with a plurality of through first mating holes, and the bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of through second mating holes; the number of the first annular ribs, the second annular ribs, the first mating holes, the second mating holes, and the dropper are the same and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; The lower end of the glass tube is located below the transfer seat, the cap is fixed inside the first annular rib, and the rubber head is located inside the second annular rib above the frame plate.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the suction mechanism includes an airbag and a plurality of annular sleeves; the number of the annular sleeves is the same as the number of the second annular ribs and corresponds one-to-one. The annular sleeve is fitted over the corresponding second annular rib, and the second annular rib has multiple notches on its side; the sidewall of the annular sleeve has a thin-walled protrusion corresponding to the notch, and the thin-walled protrusion passes through the notch and extends into the second annular rib; the airbag is located in the receiving cavity, and the airbag has a second cavity; multiple annular sleeves and multiple second annular ribs are all located in the second cavity; The second cavity has an air inlet and an air outlet; the air inlet is configured to allow air to pass through the second cavity, causing the air pressure inside the second cavity to increase and the thin-walled protrusion to expand outward and squeeze the rubber head, so that the rubber head is in a compressed state; the air outlet is configured to exhaust air from the second cavity, so that the thin-walled protrusion recovers its deformation after the air pressure inside the second cavity is restored, and the rubber head can also recover its deformation at this time.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the transfer seat further includes a top plate; the top plate is fixed to the upper part of the cover plate, and a first cavity is formed between the cover plate and the top plate; The top plate is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, both of which extend from the outer wall of the top plate to the first cavity; The cover plate includes a plurality of first through holes corresponding one-to-one with the dropper, and a mounting groove located above each first through hole; a check valve is fixed in the mounting groove; and a connector communicating with the inner cavity of the dropper is provided on the top of the dropper. The first through hole, the mounting groove, and the rubber head are connected in sequence so that the cleaning fluid can enter the inner cavity of the rubber head from the inlet through the first cavity, the mounting groove, the check valve, and the connector, thereby completing the cleaning of the dropper.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, a push plate is provided above the top plate; the push plate is provided above the top plate; a second lifting mechanism is fixed on the upper part of the connecting frame, the second lifting mechanism is connected to the push plate and can drive the push plate to move up and down; the top plate includes a clearance hole corresponding to the mounting groove; a push pin corresponding to the clearance hole is fixed on the lower part of the push plate; the push pin passes through the top plate from top to bottom and is inserted into the first cavity, and a sealing head is fixed at the lower end of the push pin; The push plate can drive the ejector pin to move up and down, so that the sealing head moves downward to insert into the mounting groove to block the mounting groove or moves upward to abut against the lower surface of the top plate and block the lower opening of the clearance hole.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, a cleaning tank and a drying tank, both disposed on the workbench, are also included; the drive mechanism is capable of moving the transfer seat to the cleaning tank and / or the drying tank; the cleaning tank is used to store the fluid after the dropper has been cleaned; the drying tank is used to dry the dropper assembly.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, a tube rack is also included, the tube rack comprising a limiting frame and a partition; a plurality of test tubes are disposed on the limiting frame; the limiting frame has a plurality of through clearance openings, the number of clearance openings being the same as the number of test tubes and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the partition is disposed on the limiting frame by a support column, the partition being located above the opening of the test tube, and the clearance opening being directly above the opening of the corresponding test tube.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, a silicone sheet is provided on the clearance opening, the silicone sheet including a thin sheet area corresponding to the clearance opening, and a second through hole in the middle of the thin sheet area; the diameter of the second through hole is less than or equal to the size of the lower end of the glass tube of the dropper; When the dropper descends toward the test tube, the lower end of the glass tube will first pass through the second through hole, and the thin film area will always be in close contact with the outer wall of the glass tube.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention provides a method of use, the method of use being based on the reagent batch transfer device described in any of the foregoing embodiments; the method of use includes at least the following steps; The transfer seat is moved above the test tube assembly, with each dropper corresponding to a test tube. The transfer seat descends, the glass tube of the dropper is inserted into the reagent corresponding to the test tube, and the aspiration mechanism draws the reagent into the dropper; After the transfer seat rises, it moves above the culture dish via the drive mechanism. The transfer seat descends, causing the glass tube of the dropper to insert into the culture tank of the corresponding culture dish, and squeezing the reagent in the dropper into the culture tank.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention include, for example: The reagent batch transfer device of this solution includes a moving device, a test tube assembly, a dropper assembly, and a culture dish. A drive mechanism works in conjunction with the transfer seat to move the transfer seat along the worktable, and the drive mechanism can at least move the transfer seat between the test tube assembly and the culture dish; the suction mechanism can suction the reagent from the test tube into the dropper of the dropper assembly, and squeeze the reagent from the dropper into the culture dish. In summary, this reagent batch transfer device can achieve batch transfer of reagents, is easy to operate, and has low labor intensity. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the reagent batch transfer device of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram; Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view from the main viewpoint of the transfer seat of the present invention; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A partial schematic diagram; Figure 5 This is a top-view cross-sectional view of the transfer seat of the present invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial schematic diagram; Figure 7This is a partial cross-sectional view of the test tube at the tube rack after the reagent has been drawn from the test tube according to the present invention.

[0018] Icons: 1-Workbench; 11-Support Plate; 12-Drive Mechanism; 13-Washing Box; 14-Drying Box; 2-Transfer Seat; 21-Connecting Frame; 22-Connecting Plate; 23-First Cylinder; 24-Base; 25-Cover Plate; 251-First Through Hole; 252-Mounting Slot; 26-Top Plate; 261-Allowing Hole; 27-First Cavity; 28-Liquid Inlet; 29-Liquid Outlet; 3-Drop Tube; 31-Glass Tube; 32-Cover; 33-Glue Nozzle; 34-Connector; 4-Push Plate ; 41-Second cylinder; 42-Ejector pin; 43-Sealing head; 5-Tube rack; 51-Limiting frame; 52-Partition plate; 53-Allowing opening; 54-Silicone sheet; 55-Thin sheet area; 56-Second through hole; 57-Support column; 6-Test tube; 7-Frame plate; 71-First annular rib; 72-Second annular rib; 73-Notch; 8-Airbag; 81-Annular sleeve; 82-Second cavity; 83-Protrusion; 84-Air inlet; 85-Exhaust port; 9-Check valve; 100-Cultured dish. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0021] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0025] Example 1 Please refer to Figure 1 This embodiment provides a reagent batch transfer device for batch transfer of reagents in test tubes 6, which includes a workbench 1, a transfer seat 2 and a dropper 3.

[0026] The reagent batch transfer equipment includes a moving device, a test tube assembly, a dropper assembly, and a 100-cell petri dish; The moving device includes a worktable 1, a transfer seat 2, a drive mechanism 12, a suction mechanism, and a first lifting mechanism; The dropper assembly includes multiple droppers 3, the test tube assembly includes multiple test tubes 6, and the culture dish 100 includes multiple culture tanks; the number of droppers 3, test tubes 6, and culture tanks are the same and correspond one-to-one, and the relative positions between adjacent droppers 3, adjacent test tubes 6, and adjacent culture tanks are kept the same, so as to realize the one-time batch transfer of reagents from multiple test tubes 6 to the culture dish 100; The first lifting mechanism is connected to the transfer seat 2 to drive the suction mechanism to move closer to or away from the test tube assembly; The dropper assembly and the aspiration mechanism are both located on the transfer seat 2; the drive mechanism 12 cooperates with the transfer seat 2 to drive the transfer seat 2 to move along the worktable 1, and the drive mechanism 12 can at least drive the transfer seat 2 to move between the test tube assembly and the petri dish 100; the aspiration mechanism can aspirate the reagent in the test tube 6 into the dropper 3 of the dropper assembly, and squeeze the reagent from the dropper 3 into the petri dish 100.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the workbench 1 includes a support plate 11 and a drive mechanism 12. The support plate 11 is fixedly connected to the upper part of the workbench 1. The drive mechanism 12 is a screw drive mechanism 12 (which is existing technology) and is installed on the support plate 11. The transfer seat 2 includes a connecting frame 21 and a connecting plate 22. The connecting plate 22 is located above the connecting frame 21 and is connected to the drive mechanism 12. The drive mechanism 12 can drive the transfer seat 2 to move along the length direction of the workbench 1. A first cylinder 23 is fixedly mounted on the upper part of the connecting plate 22. The end of the telescopic rod of the first cylinder 23 is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 21. The first cylinder 23 can drive the transfer seat 2 to move up and down.

[0028] Furthermore, the transfer seat 2 includes a connecting frame 21, a connecting plate 22, a base 24, and a cover plate 25; The connecting plate 22 is connected to the drive mechanism 12 so that the transfer seat 2 can move on the worktable 1 via the drive mechanism 12; one end of the connecting frame 21 is connected to the connecting plate 22 and the other end is connected to the base 24; the cover plate 25 is disposed above the base 24, and the base 24 and the cover plate 25 together form a receiving cavity for accommodating the suction mechanism.

[0029] Furthermore, a frame plate 7 is fixed inside the base 24; the bottom of the frame plate 7 is provided with a plurality of first annular ribs 71, the bottom of the first annular ribs 71 abutting against the inner wall of the base 24; the top of the frame plate 7 is provided with a plurality of second annular ribs 72; the top of the second annular ribs 72 abuts against the bottom of the cover plate 25; the frame plate 7 is provided with a plurality of through first mating holes, and the bottom of the base 24 is provided with a plurality of through second mating holes; the number of first annular ribs 71, second annular ribs 72, first mating holes, second mating holes, and dropper 3 are the same and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the lower end of the glass tube 31 is located at the lower part of the transfer seat 2, the cover 32 is embedded in the first annular rib 71 and fixed, and the glue head 33 is located in the second annular rib 72 above the frame plate 7.

[0030] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, the upper end of the dropper 3 is inserted into the transfer seat 2 and fixed. Multiple droppers 3 are arranged at intervals. The transfer seat 2 also includes a base 24 and a cover plate 25 fixed on the upper part of the base 24. A frame plate 7 is fixed inside the base 24. The lower part of the frame plate 7 is provided with multiple first annular ribs 71 corresponding to the droppers 3. The dropper 3 includes a glass tube 31, a cap 32 and a rubber head 33. The lower end of the glass tube 31 extends beyond the lower part of the transfer seat 2. The cap 32 is embedded in the first annular ribs 71 and fixed. The rubber head 33 is located above the frame plate 7. Furthermore, the upper part of the frame plate 7 is provided with second annular ribs 72 corresponding to the first annular ribs 71. The rubber head 33 is located inside the second annular ribs 72. The lower part of the cover plate 25 abuts against the upper part of the second annular ribs 72. In this invention, the base 24 and the frame plate 7 cooperate to fix the dropper 3 to the transfer seat 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the suction mechanism includes an airbag 8 and multiple annular sleeves 81; the number of annular sleeves 81 is the same as the number of second annular ribs 72 and corresponds one-to-one; the annular sleeves 81 are fitted onto the outside of the corresponding second annular ribs 72, and the second annular ribs 72 have multiple notches 73 on their sides; the sidewalls of the annular sleeves 81 have thin-walled protrusions 83 corresponding to the notches 73, the thin-walled protrusions 83 pass through the notches 73 and extend into the second annular ribs 72; the airbag 8 is located in the receiving cavity, and the airbag 8 has a second cavity 82; multiple annular sleeves 81 Multiple second annular ribs 72 are located inside the second cavity 82; the second cavity 82 has an air inlet 84 and an air outlet; the air inlet 84 is configured to allow air to pass through the second cavity 82, causing the air pressure inside the second cavity 82 to increase, and the thin-walled protrusion 83 to expand outward and squeeze the rubber head 33, so that the rubber head 33 is in a compressed state; the air outlet is configured to exhaust air from the second cavity 82, so that the thin-walled protrusion 83 recovers its deformation after the air pressure inside the second cavity 82 is restored, and the rubber head 33 can also recover its deformation at this time.

[0032] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, an airbag 8 is provided in the space above the frame plate 7 inside the base 24. The outer wall of the airbag 8 is attached to the inner wall of the base 24. The airbag 8 includes a second cavity 82 and an annular sleeve 81 corresponding to the second annular rib 72. The annular sleeve 81 is fitted outside the second annular rib 72. The side of the second annular rib 72 is provided with multiple notches 73. The side wall of the annular sleeve 81 is provided with thin-walled protrusions 83 corresponding to the notches 73. The thin-walled protrusions 83 penetrate the notches 73 and are inserted into the second annular rib 72. In this invention, by venting air into the second cavity 82, the air pressure inside the second cavity 82 increases. Since the protrusion 83 is a thin-walled structure, it is easily deformed. Therefore, when the air pressure inside the second cavity 82 increases, the protrusion 83 will expand outward and squeeze the rubber head 33, so that the rubber head 33 is in a compressed state. When the airbag 8 deflates, the protrusion 83 returns to its original shape, and at this time the rubber head 33 can also return to its original shape.

[0033] Furthermore, the airbag 8 has an air inlet 84 and an exhaust outlet 85 on its side. The air inlet 84 is connected to an external air source for air intake of the airbag 8, and the exhaust outlet 85 is connected to an external solenoid valve (not shown in the figure). When the solenoid valve is opened, it can realize the exhaust operation inside the airbag 8.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a tube rack 5 and a culture dish 100 are positioned on the upper part of the workbench 1 along its length. Two positioning grooves are provided on the upper part of the workbench 1. The tube rack 5 and the culture dish 100 are placed in the positioning grooves respectively. Multiple test tubes 6 are placed in the tube rack 5. The number and relative position of the test tubes 6 and the culture tank of the culture dish 100 are consistent with the dropper 3 fixed on the transfer seat 2. The steps for transferring the reagent from test tube 6 to petri dish 100 include: 1. Move the transfer seat 2 above the tube rack 5, so that the dropper 3 corresponds to the test tube 6 one by one; 2. Inflate the airbag 8, causing the protrusion 83 to expand outward and squeeze the rubber head 33; 3. The transfer seat 2 descends, and the glass tube 31 of the dropper 3 is inserted into the reagent in the corresponding test tube 6; 4. When the airbag 8 is deflated, the protrusion 83 and the rubber head 33 are reset. During the reset process, the rubber head 33 can draw the reagent into the dropper 3. 5. After the transfer seat 2 rises, it moves above the culture dish 100 via the drive mechanism 12; 6. The transfer seat 2 descends, causing the glass tube 31 of the dropper 3 to be inserted into the corresponding culture tank; 7. Inflate the air bag 8, the protrusion 83 expands outward and squeezes the rubber head 33, thereby squeezing the reagent in the dropper 3 into the culture tank.

[0035] Therefore, this invention can achieve independent and batch aspiration and transfer of reagents in each test tube 6, which is highly efficient and greatly reduces the time consumption in comparative experiments in biopeptide engineering. Furthermore, the automatic aspiration and transfer method can effectively avoid reagent misplacement during the transfer process, ensuring high reliability.

[0036] Example 2: Based on Example 1, such as Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the reagent batch transfer device also includes a tube rack 5, which includes a limiting frame 51 and a partition 52; multiple test tubes 6 are all set on the limiting frame 51; the limiting frame 51 has multiple through clearance openings 53, the number of clearance openings 53 is the same as the number of test tubes 6 and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the partition 52 is set on the limiting frame 51 through a support column 57, the partition 52 is located above the tube opening of the test tube 6, and the clearance opening 53 is directly above the tube opening of the corresponding test tube 6.

[0037] Furthermore, a silicone sheet 54 is provided on the clearance opening 53. The silicone sheet 54 includes a thin sheet area 55 corresponding to the clearance opening 53. The thin sheet area 55 has a second through hole 56 in the middle. The diameter of the second through hole 56 is less than or equal to the size of the lower end of the glass tube 31 of the dropper 3. When the dropper 3 descends toward the test tube 6, the lower end of the glass tube 31 will first pass through the second through hole 56, and the thin sheet area 55 will always be in close contact with the outer wall of the glass tube 31.

[0038] Specifically, a partition 52 is provided above the tube rack 5. The partition 52 is located above the test tube 6. The partition 52 includes a support column 57 located at the bottom. The lower part of the support column 57 abuts against the upper part of the tube rack 5 and is fixedly connected to the tube rack 5. The partition 52 includes a clearance opening 53 corresponding to the test tube 6. The diameter of the clearance opening 53 is larger than the diameter of the test tube 6. A silicone sheet 54 is fixed inside the partition 52 by a secondary injection molding process (secondary injection molding is a conventional process for connecting plastic parts and silicone parts). The silicone sheet 54 includes a thin sheet area 55 corresponding to the clearance opening 53. The thin sheet area 55 is easily deformable. It has a second through hole 56 in its middle. The diameter of the second through hole 56 is slightly smaller than the size of the lower end of the glass tube 31. When the dropper 3 descends toward the test tube 6, the lower end of the glass tube 31 first passes through the second through hole 56. Since the second through hole 56 is small, the glass tube 31 will squeeze the second through hole 56, causing it to deform. When the dropper 3 rises after drawing the reagent, the second through hole 56 remains in close contact with the outer wall of the glass tube 31 during the rising process. This allows the residual reagent on the outer wall of the glass tube 31 to be scraped off, preventing the residual reagent on the outer wall of the glass tube 31 from dripping and coming into contact with other types of reagents during the reagent transfer process, thus improving the reliability of reagent transfer.

[0039] Example 3: Based on Example 2, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the transfer seat 2 also includes a top plate 26; the top plate 26 is fixed to the upper part of the cover plate 25, and a first cavity 27 is formed between the cover plate 25 and the top plate 26; the top plate 26 is provided with an inlet 28 and an outlet, both of which extend from the outer wall of the top plate 26 to the first cavity 27; the cover plate 25 includes a plurality of first through holes 251 corresponding one-to-one with the dropper 3, and an installation groove 252 located above each first through hole 251; a check valve 9 is fixed in the installation groove 252; the top of the rubber head 33 is provided with a connector 34 communicating with the inner cavity of the rubber head 33; the first through holes 251, the installation groove 252 and the rubber head 33 are connected in sequence so that the cleaning liquid can enter the inner cavity of the rubber head 33 from the inlet 28 through the first cavity 27, the installation groove 252, the check valve 9 and the connector 34 in sequence, thereby completing the cleaning of the dropper 3.

[0040] Furthermore, the transfer seat 2 also includes a top plate 26, a liquid inlet 28, and a liquid outlet 29. The top plate 26 is fixed to the upper part of the cover plate 25, and a first cavity 27 is formed between the cover plate 25 and the top plate 26. The liquid inlet 28 and the liquid outlet 29 are both connected to the first cavity 27. The liquid inlet 28 is connected to an external cleaning device (not shown in the figure), and the liquid outlet 29 is connected to an external wastewater collection tank through a solenoid valve and a pipeline (not shown in the figure).

[0041] The cover plate 25 includes a first through hole 251 corresponding to the dropper 3 and a mounting groove 252 located above the first through hole 251. A connector 34 is fixed to the top of the head 33. The connector 34 is made of plastic and is connected to the head 33 by secondary injection molding. The upper end of the connector 34 is inserted into the first through hole 251 and fixed and sealed to the inner wall of the first through hole 251. A check valve 9 is fixed in the mounting groove 252. The first cavity 27 and the inside of the head 33 are unidirectionally connected through the check valve 9. The connection direction is from the first cavity 27 to the head 33. In this embodiment, by connecting the first cavity 27 and the head 33, the cleaning operation inside the dropper 3 can be realized, thereby realizing the reuse of the dropper 3. Furthermore, by setting the check valve 9, the connection between the first cavity 27 and the head 33 can be effectively avoided during the absorption and extrusion of reagents.

[0042] Furthermore, it also includes a cleaning box 13 and a drying box 14, both of which are set on the workbench 1; the drive mechanism 12 can drive the transfer seat 2 to move to the cleaning box 13 and / or the drying box 14; the cleaning box is used to store the fluid after the dropper 3 is cleaned; the drying box 14 is used to dry the dropper assembly.

[0043] After the reagent transfer is complete, dropper 3 needs to be cleaned. The steps include: 1. After moving the transfer seat 2 above the cleaning tank 13, the transfer seat 2 is lowered, and the lower part of the transfer seat 2 blocks the upper opening of the cleaning tank 13, and the dropper 3 is located inside the cleaning tank 13; 2. With the drain port 29 closed, the external cleaning equipment supplies cleaning fluid to the inlet port 28. The cleaning fluid passes through the first chamber 27, the check valve 9, and the connector 34 in sequence, and finally enters the rubber head 33 and quickly fills the entire dropper 3. After filling the dropper 3, it is discharged from the lower end of the glass tube 31 into the cleaning tank 13, and then discharged from the cleaning tank 13 into the wastewater collection tank, thus achieving the cleaning of the inside of the dropper 3. 3. The nozzle at the bottom of the cleaning tank 13 sprays cleaning solution onto the outside of the dropper 3 to clean the outside of the dropper 3; 4. The drain port 29 is opened to discharge the liquid in the first chamber 27 to the outside. Since the check valve 9 requires a certain opening pressure, the remaining cleaning liquid in the first chamber 27 will not enter the dropper 3. 5. Transfer the transfer seat 2 into the drying oven 14. The hot air outlets on both sides of the inner wall of the drying oven 14 blow hot air onto the dropper 3 and dry the dropper 3.

[0044] Furthermore, a push plate 4 is provided above the top plate 26; a second lifting mechanism is fixed on the upper part of the connecting frame 21, the second lifting mechanism is connected to the push plate 4 and can drive the push plate 4 to move up and down; the interior of the top plate 26 includes a clearance hole 261 corresponding to the mounting groove 252; a pin 42 corresponding to the clearance hole 261 is fixed on the lower part of the push plate 4; the pin 42 penetrates the top plate 26 from top to bottom and is inserted into the first cavity 27, and a sealing head 43 is fixed at the lower end of the pin 42; the push plate 4 can drive the pin 42 to move up and down, so that the sealing head 43 moves downward to insert into the mounting groove 252 to block the mounting groove 252 or moves upward to abut against the lower surface of the top plate 26 and block the lower opening of the clearance hole 261.

[0045] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, a push plate 4 is provided above the top plate 26, and a second cylinder 41 is fixed on the upper part of the connecting frame 21. The second cylinder 41 is connected to the push plate 4 and can drive the push plate 4 to move up and down. The top plate 26 includes a clearance hole 261 corresponding to the mounting groove 252. A push pin 42 corresponding to the clearance hole 261 is fixed on the lower part of the push plate 4. The push pin 42 passes through the top plate 26 from top to bottom and is inserted into the first cavity 27. A rubber sealing head 43 is fixed at the lower end of the push pin 42. The push plate 4 can drive the push pin 42 to move up and down, so that the sealing head 43 moves down to insert into the mounting groove 252 to block the mounting groove 252 or moves up to abut against the lower surface of the top plate 26 and block the lower opening of the clearance hole 261. When the dropper 3 does not need to be cleaned, the sealing head 43 blocks the mounting groove 252, which, together with the check valve 9, prevents the first chamber 27 and the inside of the dropper 3 from communicating during the process of drawing and squeezing out reagents; when the dropper 3 needs to be cleaned, the sealing head 43 blocks the clearance hole 261 to prevent the cleaning liquid in the first chamber 27 from leaking out.

[0046] Secondly, the present invention provides a method of use, the method of use being based on the reagent batch transfer device of any of the foregoing embodiments; the method of use includes at least the following steps; Move the transfer seat 2 above the test tube assembly, so that the dropper 3 corresponds to the test tube 6 one by one; The transfer seat 2 descends, and the glass tube 31 of the dropper 3 is inserted into the reagent in the corresponding test tube 6. The suction mechanism draws the reagent into the dropper 3. After the transfer seat 2 rises, it moves above the culture dish 100 via the drive mechanism 12. The transfer seat 2 descends, causing the glass tube 31 of the dropper 3 to be inserted into the corresponding culture tank, and squeezing the reagent in the dropper 3 into the culture tank.

[0047] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide a reagent batch transfer device and a method for using it, which have at least the following advantages: Multiple droppers 3 are fixed inside the transfer seat 2. When the transfer seat 2 descends, the droppers 3 can be inserted into the corresponding test tubes 6. By deflating the air bladder 8 inside the transfer seat 2, the reagent in the test tube 6 can be drawn into the dropper 3. Then, the dropper 3 containing the reagent is transferred to the culture dish 100 through the transfer seat 2. Finally, by inflating the air bladder 8, the reagent in the dropper 3 can be transferred to the corresponding culture dish 100 for processing. This enables batch transfer of reagents, which is convenient to operate and has low labor intensity.

[0048] The reagent batch transfer equipment can perform deep cleaning and drying operations on dropper 3.

[0049] The reagent batch transfer equipment can scrape off the reagent residue on the outer wall of the glass tube 31, preventing the reagent residue on the outer wall of the glass tube 31 from dripping and coming into contact with other types of reagents during the reagent transfer process, thus improving the reliability of reagent transfer.

[0050] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A reagent batch transfer device, characterized in that, include: Mobile devices, test tube assemblies, dropper assemblies, petri dishes; The mobile device includes a worktable, a transfer seat, a drive mechanism, a suction mechanism, and a first lifting mechanism; The dropper assembly includes multiple droppers, the test tube assembly includes multiple test tubes, and the culture dish includes multiple culture tanks; the number of droppers, test tubes, and culture tanks are the same and correspond one-to-one, and the relative positions between adjacent droppers, adjacent test tubes, and adjacent culture tanks are kept the same, so as to realize the one-time batch transfer of reagents from multiple test tubes to the culture dish; The first lifting mechanism is connected to the transfer seat to drive the suction mechanism to move up or down to approach or move away from the test tube assembly; The dropper assembly and the aspiration mechanism are both disposed on the transfer seat; the driving mechanism cooperates with the transfer seat to drive the transfer seat to move along the worktable, and the driving mechanism can at least drive the transfer seat to move between the test tube assembly and the culture dish; the aspiration mechanism can aspirate the reagent in the test tube into the dropper of the dropper assembly, and squeeze the reagent from the dropper into the culture dish.

2. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transfer seat includes a connecting frame, a connecting plate, a base, and a cover plate; The connecting plate is connected to the driving mechanism so that the transfer seat can move on the worktable by the driving mechanism; one end of the connecting frame is connected to the connecting plate and the other end is connected to the base; the cover plate is disposed above the base, and the base and the cover plate together form a receiving cavity for accommodating the suction mechanism.

3. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dropper comprises a glass tube, a cap, and a rubber nozzle connected in sequence; A frame plate is fixed inside the base; the bottom of the frame plate is provided with a plurality of first annular ribs, the bottom of the first annular ribs abutting against the inner wall of the base; the top of the frame plate is provided with a plurality of second annular ribs; the top of the second annular ribs abuts against the bottom of the cover plate; the frame plate is provided with a plurality of through first mating holes, and the bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of through second mating holes; the number of the first annular ribs, the second annular ribs, the first mating holes, the second mating holes, and the dropper are the same and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; The lower end of the glass tube is located below the transfer seat, the cap is fixed inside the first annular rib, and the rubber head is located inside the second annular rib above the frame plate.

4. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The suction mechanism includes an airbag and multiple annular sleeves; the number of the annular sleeves is the same as the number of the second annular ribs and corresponds one-to-one. The annular sleeve is fitted over the corresponding second annular rib, and the second annular rib has multiple notches on its side; the sidewall of the annular sleeve has a thin-walled protrusion corresponding to the notch, and the thin-walled protrusion passes through the notch and extends into the second annular rib; the airbag is located in the receiving cavity, and the airbag has a second cavity; multiple annular sleeves and multiple second annular ribs are all located in the second cavity; The second cavity has an air inlet and an air outlet; the air inlet is configured to allow air to pass through the second cavity, causing the air pressure inside the second cavity to increase and the thin-walled protrusion to expand outward and squeeze the rubber head, so that the rubber head is in a compressed state; the air outlet is configured to exhaust air from the second cavity, so that the thin-walled protrusion recovers its deformation after the air pressure inside the second cavity is restored, and the rubber head can also recover its deformation at this time.

5. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transfer seat also includes a top plate; the top plate is fixed to the upper part of the cover plate, and a first cavity is formed between the cover plate and the top plate; The top plate is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, both of which extend from the outer wall of the top plate to the first cavity; The cover plate includes a plurality of first through holes corresponding one-to-one with the dropper, and a mounting groove above each first through hole; a check valve is fixed in the mounting groove; and a connector communicating with the inner cavity of the dropper is provided on the top of the dropper. The first through hole, the mounting groove, and the rubber head are connected in sequence so that the cleaning fluid can enter the inner cavity of the rubber head from the inlet through the first cavity, the mounting groove, the check valve, and the connector, thereby completing the cleaning of the dropper.

6. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A push plate is provided above the top plate; a second lifting mechanism is fixed on the upper part of the connecting frame, the second lifting mechanism is connected to the push plate and can drive the push plate to move up and down; the top plate includes a clearance hole corresponding to the mounting groove; a push pin corresponding to the clearance hole is fixed on the lower part of the push plate; the push pin passes through the top plate from top to bottom and is inserted into the first cavity, and a sealing head is fixed at the lower end of the push pin; The push plate can drive the ejector pin to move up and down, so that the sealing head moves downward to insert into the mounting groove to block the mounting groove or moves upward to abut against the lower surface of the top plate and block the lower opening of the clearance hole.

7. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a cleaning tank and a drying tank, both of which are mounted on the workbench; the drive mechanism can move the transfer seat to the cleaning tank and / or the drying tank; the cleaning tank is used to store the fluid after the dropper has been cleaned. The drying chamber is used to dry the dropper assembly.

8. The reagent batch transfer device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: It also includes a tube rack, which includes a limiting frame and a partition; multiple test tubes are disposed on the limiting frame; the limiting frame has multiple through clearance openings, the number of which is the same as the number of test tubes and is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence; the partition is disposed on the limiting frame by a support column, the partition is located above the opening of the test tube, and the clearance opening is directly above the opening of the corresponding test tube.

9. The reagent batch transfer device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A silicone sheet is provided on the clearance opening. The silicone sheet includes a thin sheet area corresponding to the clearance opening, and a second through hole is provided in the middle of the thin sheet area. The diameter of the second through hole is less than or equal to the size of the lower end of the glass tube of the dropper. When the dropper descends toward the test tube, the lower end of the glass tube will first pass through the second through hole, and the thin film area will always be in close contact with the outer wall of the glass tube.

10. A method of use, characterized in that: The method of use is based on the reagent bulk transfer device according to any one of claims 1-9; the method of use includes at least the following steps; The transfer seat is moved above the test tube assembly, with each dropper corresponding to a test tube. The transfer seat descends, the glass tube of the dropper is inserted into the reagent corresponding to the test tube, and the aspiration mechanism draws the reagent into the dropper; After the transfer seat rises, it moves above the culture dish via the drive mechanism. The transfer seat descends, causing the glass tube of the dropper to insert into the culture tank of the corresponding culture dish, and squeezing the reagent in the dropper into the culture tank.

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