Pathology specimen testing instrument

Abstract

The application discloses a pathological specimen detector, which comprises a well plate, a base hole is formed in the well plate, a filter is arranged at the bottom of the base hole, an optical detection lens is arranged for detecting biological particles on the filter, a transfer tube is arranged with a first check valve at the lower end, the first check valve allows the base liquid mixed with biological particles in the transfer tube to flow out from the lower end of the transfer tube and reversely stops, a joint part is arranged with at least a first air inlet channel and a second air inlet channel, the first air inlet channel is communicated with the transfer tube, the air outlet of the second air inlet channel penetrates through the outer circumferential surface of the section of the joint part which is not inserted into the transfer tube, a moving end is installed on a second mechanical arm, the upper end surface of the joint part is connected to the lower end surface of the moving end to align the base hole and insert the transfer tube into the base hole, and the stepped surface of the joint part is pressed against the outer side of the upper end of the base hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to pathological biological specimen measurement and detection technology, and more particularly to a pathological specimen detection instrument. Background Technology

[0002] The detection process for biological particle specimens (e.g., pathological biological specimens, such as microcells) typically involves: separating microparticles from larger particles using centrifugation and filtration; then, transferring the substrate solution and the separated microparticles to the wells of a well plate using a transfer tube. A filter with pores significantly smaller than the microparticles is located at the bottom of each well. This filter serves two purposes: firstly, it intercepts the microparticles to prevent them from entering the drainage holes at the bottom of the well with the substrate solution; secondly, it allows the substrate solution to leak slowly through the filter, thus maintaining cell viability before the microparticles are examined. However, because the substrate solution drains slowly, microparticle detection can only be performed after the substrate solution has completely drained, thus prolonging the detection cycle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the existing technology, the present invention provides a pathological specimen testing instrument.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A pathological specimen testing instrument, comprising: A perforated plate having multiple base holes arranged in a matrix and a drainage channel located below the base holes and communicating with the bottom of the base holes, wherein filter plates are arranged in each base hole. An optical inspection lens, attached to a first robotic arm, is used to detect biological particles located on a filter. A transfer tube with an open lower end to form a lower port, wherein a first check valve is arranged at the lower port of the transfer tube, the first check valve allowing the base liquid mixed with biological particles in the transfer tube to flow out from the lower port of the transfer tube and then being blocked in the reverse direction. A connector component, the lower end of which is screwed into the upper port of the transfer tube, wherein the connector component is provided with at least a first air inlet channel and a second air inlet channel, the air outlet of the first air inlet channel extends to the lower end face of the connector component to communicate with the transfer tube, the air outlet of the second air inlet channel extends to the outer peripheral surface of the section of the connector component not inserted into the transfer tube, and a stepped surface is formed on the connector component above the air outlet of the second air inlet channel for abutting against the outer side of the upper port of the base hole; A movable end cap, mounted on a second robotic arm, has its upper end face contacting the lower end face of the movable end cap to align with the base hole and insert the transfer tube into the base hole, such that the stepped surface of the connector component presses against the outer side of the upper port of the base hole; wherein: Air is supplied to the transfer tube through the first air inlet channel to force the first check valve to open, allowing the base liquid mixed with biological particles in the transfer tube to enter the base pore from the lower port of the transfer tube. Subsequently, air is supplied to the base pore through the second air inlet channel to force the base liquid above the filter to enter the drain channel through the filter.

[0005] Preferably, a filter layer is arranged in the middle region of the transfer tube. The filter layer intercepts large biological particles while allowing small biological particles to pass through. Thus, the biological particles that enter the filter plate through the lower port of the transfer tube are small biological particles.

[0006] Preferably, the pathological specimen testing instrument further includes a liner for placement within the base hole, the upper end of the liner having an edge to overlap the outer side of the upper port of the base hole, and the filter being disposed at the lower port of the liner; wherein: The outlet of the second air inlet channel is connected to the interior of the liner.

[0007] Preferably, the connector component further includes a liquid inlet channel extending to the lower end face of the connector component to communicate with the transfer tube, wherein: A second check valve is arranged in the liquid inlet channel. The second check valve allows the base liquid mixed with biological particles to enter the transfer tube and then shuts off in the reverse direction.

[0008] Preferably, the air inlet of the first air inlet channel and the air inlet of the second air inlet channel are located at the upper port of the connector component so as to be connected to and communicate with the first air supply channel and the second air supply channel that extend to the lower end face of the movable end, respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the first check valve is a plate valve.

[0010] Preferably, the second check valve is a plate valve or a duckbill valve.

[0011] Preferably, a magnetic ring is attached and fixed to the upper edge of the liner.

[0012] Preferably, the edge of the filter element is pressed shut by a cap screwed onto the lower end of the liner.

[0013] Preferably, a rubber pad is provided on the stepped surface.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the pathological specimen testing instrument disclosed in this invention are: The transfer tube in the detector provided by this invention can not only automatically screen out small biological particles when transferring biological particles, but also quickly drain the base liquid from the filter after the small biological particles are transferred to the base pores with the base liquid, thereby greatly shortening the base liquid drainage time and significantly shortening the detection cycle.

[0015] The overview of various implementations or examples of the technology described in this invention is not a complete disclosure of the full scope or all features of the disclosed technology. Attached Figure Description

[0016] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. The same reference numerals with or without letter suffixes may indicate different instances of similar parts. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain embodiments of the invention. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the apparatus or method.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front cross-sectional view of a pathological specimen testing instrument provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 A state view of the process of injecting a measured amount of biological particles into the filter at the bottom of the liner using a transfer tube.

[0019] Figure 3 A state view of the process of draining the base liquid from the filter.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a view showing the filter element being removed from the bottom of the liner.

[0021] Figure label: 10-Transfer tube; 11-First check valve; 12-Filter layer; 20-Connector component; 21-First air inlet channel; 22-Second air inlet channel; 23-Liquid inlet channel; 231-Second check valve; 24-Stepped surface; 25-Rubber pad; 30-Moving end; 31-First air supply channel; 32-Second air supply channel; 33-Liquid supply channel; 40-Locking nut; 50-Liner; 51-Edge; 52-Capping; 53-Magnetic ring; 60-Orifice plate; 61-Base hole; 62-Drainage channel; 70-Filter sheet; 80-Optical inspection lens. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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," 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. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0023] To keep the following description of the embodiments of the present invention clear and concise, detailed descriptions of known functions and known components are omitted.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention discloses a pathological specimen detection instrument, which is used to detect the geometry and biological morphology of biological particles such as blood cells. The instrument includes: a well plate 60, an optical detection lens 80, a transfer tube 10, a connector component 20, a moving end 30, a liner 50, a control platform (not shown) with a control module and a display module, and a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm (not shown) controlled by the control platform.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the orifice plate 60 has a plurality of matrix-arranged base holes 61, which extend to the upper surface of the orifice plate 60 to form the upper port of the base hole 61. The orifice plate 60 has a laterally extending drainage channel 62, and the bottom of all the base holes 61 is connected to the drainage channel 62. Preferably, the bottom of the base hole 61 forms a tapered constriction.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the transfer tube 10 has a cylindrical body, and the lower part of the transfer tube 10 forms a tapered constriction. Therefore, the radial dimension of the lower port of the transfer tube 10 is significantly smaller than the radial dimension of the tube body. The transfer tube 10 can be made of a transparent material such as silicon-based glass or plexiglass. A first check valve 11 is installed at the lower port of the transfer tube 10. The first check valve 11 allows the base liquid containing biological particles in the transfer tube 10 to drain from the lower port of the transfer tube 10 while restricting the reverse flow of fluid into the transfer tube 10 through the lower port. Preferably, the first check valve 11 is a plate valve that can be opened by elastic deformation and closed by reset.

[0027] A filter layer 12 is disposed in the middle of the transfer tube 10. The pore size of the filter layer 12 is configured to be larger than the particle size of the small biological particles to be detected but smaller than the particle size of the large biological particles not yet detected. Thus, when the base liquid containing biological particles, located above the filter layer 12, passes through the filter layer 12, the small biological particles can pass through the filter layer 12 and enter the lower part of the transfer tube 10 with the base liquid, while the large biological particles are intercepted by the filter layer 12. The biological particles described in this invention can be human blood cells or other cells, but are not limited to cells. Preferably, the filter layer 12 can be formed by 3D printing or chemical etching to obtain the filter pores. Preferably, the transfer tube 10 has a split structure, thereby facilitating the installation and replacement of the filter layer 12.

[0028] The connector component 20 can be made of a polymer material such as nylon. The overall shape of the connector component 20 is roughly cylindrical. The lower part of the connector component 20 is threaded and screwed into the upper port of the transfer tube 10, so that the transfer tube 10 is attached to the connector component 20. The connector component 20 has a first air inlet channel 21, a second air inlet channel 22, and a liquid inlet channel 23. The air inlet of the first air inlet channel 21 extends to the upper end face of the connector component 20, and the air outlet of the first air inlet channel 21 extends laterally to the outer peripheral surface of the section of the connector component 20 where the transfer tube 10 is not screwed in. The air inlet of the second air inlet channel 22 extends to the upper end face of the connector component 20, and the air outlet of the second air inlet channel 22 extends to the lower end face of the connector component 20, thereby communicating with the interior of the transfer tube 10. The liquid inlet of the liquid inlet channel 23 extends to the upper end face of the connector component 20, and the liquid outlet of the liquid inlet channel 23 extends to the lower end face of the connector component 20. A stepped surface 24 is formed on the connector component 20 above the air outlet of the second air intake channel 22. After the transfer tube 10 is inserted into the base hole 61, the stepped surface 24 abuts against the outer side of the upper port of the base hole 61. Preferably, a rubber pad 25 is installed on the stepped surface 24. The rubber pad 25 is used to directly abut against the outer side of the upper port, thereby forming a seal between the connector component 20 and the upper port.

[0029] A second check valve 231 is provided in the inlet channel 23. Preferably, the second check valve 231 is arranged near the inlet of the inlet channel 23. The second check valve 231 allows the base liquid mixed with biological particles to enter the inlet channel 23 and then enter the transfer pipe 10, while restricting the reverse flow of fluid. The second check valve 231 can be a plate valve or a duckbill valve.

[0030] The movable end head 30 is mounted on the second robotic arm. The upper end face of the connector component 20 is abutted against the lower end face of the movable end head 30 and locked in place by a locking nut 40. The movable end head 30 has a first air supply channel 31, a second air supply channel 32, and a liquid supply channel 33. The air inlets of the first air supply channel 31 and the second air supply channel 32 extend to the outer peripheral surface of the movable end head 30, and the liquid inlet of the liquid supply channel 33 extends to the outer peripheral surface of the movable end head 30. The air outlets of the first air supply channel 31 and the second air supply channel 32 both extend to the lower end face of the movable end head 30 and are respectively sealed and connected to the air inlets of the first air inlet channel 21 and the second air inlet channel 22 in the connector component 20. The liquid outlet of the liquid supply channel 33 is sealed and connected to the liquid inlet of the air inlet channel in the connector component 20. In this way, the transfer tube 10 is attached to the second robotic arm.

[0031] The liner 50 has a cylindrical body, an upper port at the top, and a lower port at the bottom. The upper port has a radially outwardly convex outer edge 51, and the lower port is provided with a filter 70. The filter 70 has a small mesh size that allows the base liquid to pass through only under a certain pressure while completely restricting the passage of small biological particles. Preferably, the edge of the filter 70 is pressed shut by a cap 52 screwed onto the liner 50, so that the filter 70 can be installed and removed without disassembly. In use, the liner 50 extends into the base hole 61, so that the filter 70 is located at the lower part of the base hole 61, and the outer edge 51 of the liner 50 overlaps the outer side of the upper port of the base hole 61. Preferably, a magnetic ring 53 is attached and fixed to the outer edge of the liner 50.

[0032] An optical inspection lens 80 is attached to the first robotic arm, allowing it to move above each aperture 61 under the arm's control to observe the morphology, movement, size, and uniformity of the small biological particles on the filter 70 within the aperture 61. The optical inspection lens 80 can detect parameters of the biological particles both when immersed in the substrate solution and after the substrate solution has been drained.

[0033] The working process of the detector described above is explained below.

[0034] The base liquid mixed with biological particles is supplied into the space above the filter layer 12 of the transfer tube 10 through the liquid supply channel 33 of the movable end 30 and the liquid inlet channel 23 of the connector component 20. At this time, the gas in the upper part of the transfer tube 10 can be discharged through the first air inlet channel 21 and / or the second air inlet channel 22. Small biological particles entering the transfer tube 10 flow with the base liquid through the filter layer 12 into the section of the transfer tube 10 below the filter layer 12, while large biological particles are intercepted by the filter layer 12. In this way, the small biological particles are screened out.

[0035] The console controls the second robotic arm to move the transfer tube 10 above the base hole 61 and insert the transfer tube 10 into the bushing 50 in the base hole 61, so that the stepped surface 24 of the connector component 20 abuts against the outside of the upper port of the base hole 61.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, a certain amount of airflow is supplied to the transfer pipe 10 through the first air supply channel 31 and the first air intake channel 21, which forces the first check valve 11 below the transfer pipe 10 to open, thereby allowing a certain amount of base liquid mixed with small biological particles to fall onto the filter plate 70 of the liner 50.

[0037] If it is necessary to observe the state and parameters of small biological particles mixed in the base liquid, the transfer tube 10 is removed from the base hole 61 using the second robotic arm, and the optical detection lens 80 is driven by the first robotic arm to be aligned with the port of the base hole 61.

[0038] If it is necessary to observe the state and parameters of the small biological particles after the base liquid has been drained, the transfer tube 10 must still be kept in the base hole 61. Subsequently, as Figure 3 As shown, airflow is supplied to the liner 50 through the second air supply channel 32 and the second air intake channel 22. At this time, the first check valve 11 will not allow the intake air to flow into the transfer tube 10. Thus, the airflow applies pressure to the base liquid on the filter 70, forcing the base liquid to pass through the filter 70 quickly and be discharged, so that it is not necessary to wait for the base liquid to be discharged naturally. Then the transfer tube 10 is transferred so that the optical detection lens 80 is aligned with the upper port of the base hole 61 to observe the state and parameters of the small biological particles.

[0039] If it is necessary to transfer the small biological particles at the bottom of the liner 50, the upper end of the liner 50 is picked up using a tube with a magnet at the bottom, thereby removing the liner 50 from the base hole 61. Then, as... Figure 4 As shown, unscrew the cap 52 at the bottom of the liner 50 and remove the filter 70.

[0040] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described in this invention, their scope includes any and all embodiments based on the invention that have equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., schemes involving intersections of various embodiments), adaptations, or alterations. Elements in the claims will be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the implementation of this application, and such examples will be interpreted as non-exclusive. Therefore, this specification and examples are intended to be considered illustrative only, and the true scope and spirit are indicated by the full scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

[0041] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more of them) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be used by those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Furthermore, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the invention. This should not be construed as an intention that a disclosed feature, which is not claimed, is necessary for any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may be less than all the features of the particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated herein by reference as examples or embodiments, wherein each claim is independently considered as a separate embodiment, and these embodiments are contemplated as being possible in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0042] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within its spirit and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pathological specimen testing instrument, characterized in that, include: A perforated plate having multiple base holes arranged in a matrix and a drainage channel located below the base holes and communicating with the bottom of the base holes, wherein filter plates are arranged in each base hole. An optical inspection lens, attached to a first robotic arm, is used to detect biological particles located on a filter. A transfer tube with an open lower end to form a lower port, wherein a first check valve is arranged at the lower port of the transfer tube, the first check valve allowing the base liquid mixed with biological particles in the transfer tube to flow out from the lower port of the transfer tube and then being blocked in the reverse direction. A connector component, the lower end of which is screwed into the upper port of the transfer tube, wherein the connector component is provided with at least a first air inlet channel and a second air inlet channel, the air outlet of the first air inlet channel extends to the lower end face of the connector component to communicate with the transfer tube, the air outlet of the second air inlet channel extends to the outer peripheral surface of the section of the connector component not inserted into the transfer tube, and a stepped surface is formed on the connector component above the air outlet of the second air inlet channel for abutting against the outer side of the upper port of the base hole; A movable end cap, mounted on a second robotic arm, has its upper end face contacting the lower end face of the movable end cap to align with the base hole and insert the transfer tube into the base hole, such that the stepped surface of the connector component presses against the outer side of the upper port of the base hole; wherein: Air is supplied to the transfer tube through the first air inlet channel to force the first check valve to open, allowing the base liquid mixed with biological particles in the transfer tube to enter the base pore from the lower port of the transfer tube. Subsequently, air is supplied to the base pore through the second air inlet channel to force the base liquid above the filter to enter the drain channel through the filter.

2. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter layer is arranged in the middle region of the transfer tube. The filter layer intercepts large biological particles while allowing small biological particles to pass through. Thus, the biological particles that enter the filter plate through the lower port of the transfer tube are small biological particles.

3. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pathological specimen testing instrument further includes a liner for placement within the base hole. The upper end of the liner has an edge that overlaps the outer side of the upper port of the base hole. The filter is disposed at the lower port of the liner. Wherein: The outlet of the second air inlet channel is connected to the interior of the liner.

4. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector component also has a liquid inlet channel, which extends to the lower end face of the connector component to communicate with the transfer tube, wherein: A second check valve is arranged in the liquid inlet channel. The second check valve allows the base liquid mixed with biological particles to enter the transfer tube and then shuts off in the reverse direction.

5. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet of the first air inlet channel and the air inlet of the second air inlet channel are located at the upper port of the connector component so as to connect and communicate with the first air supply channel and the second air supply channel that extend to the lower end face of the movable end head, respectively.

6. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first check valve is a plate valve.

7. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second check valve is a plate valve or a duckbill valve.

8. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that, A magnetic ring is attached and fixed to the upper edge of the liner.

9. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that, The edge of the filter element is pressed together by a cap screwed onto the lower end of the liner.

10. The pathological specimen testing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that, A rubber pad is provided on the stepped surface.

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