A pipetting device

Abstract

The application discloses a pipetting device, which comprises a mounting frame, at least two pipetting assemblies and a spacing adjusting mechanism. The pipetting assemblies are movably arranged on the mounting frame and can move in the front-rear direction. The pipetting assemblies are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. The pipetting assemblies are provided with pipetting needles arranged in the up-down direction. The lower ends of the pipetting needles are provided with liquid passing openings. The spacing adjusting mechanism is arranged on the mounting frame. The spacing adjusting mechanism is used for simultaneously driving each pipetting assembly to move in the front-rear direction, so as to adjust the spacing between two adjacent pipetting assemblies. When different specifications of detection reagent cards are needed, the pipetting device can adjust the spacing between the pipetting assemblies arranged at equal intervals through the spacing adjusting mechanism, that is, adjust the spacing between different pipetting needles, so that the pipetting needles can be inserted into corresponding reagent accommodating holes in the detection reagent card in alignment, thereby being applicable to different specifications of reagent detection cards and improving the universality of the pipetting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to testing equipment, and more particularly to a pipetting device. Background Technology

[0002] Some existing testing devices require the use of pipetting components to aspirate the liquid to be tested and inject it into a test reagent card. These test reagent cards typically have multiple reagent wells arranged in an array, each containing a test reagent. The pipetting device includes a mounting frame and multiple pipetting components arranged in an array, each equipped with a pipetting needle. Multiple pipetting components can simultaneously aspirate the liquid to be tested and inject it into different reagent wells on the test reagent card for batch testing. However, different sizes of test reagent cards may have different well spacing, making the pipetting device unsuitable for different sizes of test reagent cards, thus lacking versatility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a pipetting device that can be applied to test reagent cards of different specifications, thereby improving versatility.

[0004] A pipetting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting frame, at least two pipetting components, and a spacing adjustment mechanism. The pipetting components are movably mounted on the mounting frame and can move in a front-to-back direction. The pipetting components are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction, and each pipetting component is provided with a pipetting needle arranged in a vertical direction, with a flow port at its lower end. The spacing adjustment mechanism is disposed on the mounting frame and is used to simultaneously drive each of the pipetting components to move in the front-to-back direction to adjust the spacing between adjacent pipetting components.

[0005] The pipetting device according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: when it is necessary to adapt to test reagent cards of different specifications, the pipetting device can adjust the distance between the pipetting components arranged at equal intervals by means of a spacing adjustment mechanism, that is, adjust the spacing between different pipetting needles so that the pipetting needles can be aligned with the corresponding reagent receiving holes in the test reagent card, thereby adapting to test reagent cards of different specifications and improving the versatility of the pipetting device.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the spacing adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment member and an adjustment driver. The adjustment member is movably disposed on the mounting frame in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. The adjustment member is provided with a number of strip-shaped guide portions equal to the number of pipetting components. The extension direction of the strip-shaped guide portions is inclined relative to the front-back direction. The pipetting components are provided with guide mating portions. The guide mating portions are connected one-to-one with the strip-shaped guide portions. The guide mating portions can move along the corresponding strip-shaped guide portions. The adjustment driver is used to drive the adjustment member to move relative to the mounting frame.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adjusting member is a plate, the adjusting member is arranged in the vertical direction, the adjusting member is slidably connected to the mounting bracket in the vertical direction, and the adjusting driver is used to drive the adjusting member to slide up and down.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the strip guide portion is a strip groove, the guide mating portion is a guide slider, and the guide slider is slidably connected to the strip groove.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one end of all the strip guide portions is arranged in the front-back direction, the other end of all the strip guide portions is arranged in the front-back direction, and all the guide mating portions are arranged in the front-back direction.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pipetting assembly includes a transverse frame, a lifting frame, and a lifting driver. The transverse frame is movably disposed on the mounting frame in the front-to-back direction. The guide mating part is disposed on the transverse frame. The lifting frame is movably disposed on the transverse frame in the up-down direction. The lifting driver is disposed between the transverse frame and the lifting frame and is used to drive the lifting frame to move up and down. The lifting frame is provided with the pipetting needle.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the lower ends of all the lifting frames are close together, and the pipette is connected to the lower end of the lifting frame.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the mounting bracket is further comprising a base and a moving drive mechanism, wherein the mounting bracket is movably disposed on the base in a horizontal direction, and the moving drive mechanism is used to drive the mounting bracket to move horizontally relative to the base.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the base includes a main frame and a guide frame, the guide frame being slidably connected to the main frame in a left-right direction, the moving drive mechanism including a first drive structure and a second drive structure, the first drive structure being disposed on the main frame and used to drive the guide frame to move left-right relative to the main frame, the mounting frame being slidably connected to the guide frame in a front-back direction, and the second drive structure being disposed on the guide frame and used to drive the mounting frame to move front-back relative to the guide frame.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pipetting assembly is provided with four.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the pipetting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the pipetting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the pipetting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the spacing adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure label: Mounting bracket 100; Pipetting assembly 200, liquid picker 210, pipetting needle 211, guide mating part 220, transverse frame 230, lifting frame 240, lifting driver 250; Spacing adjustment mechanism 300, adjustment component 310, strip guide 311, adjustment driver 320; Base 400, main frame 410, guide frame 420; The mobile drive mechanism 500, the first drive structure 510, and the second drive structure 520 are included. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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.

[0020] In the description of this invention, "multiple" refers to two or more. The use of "first" and "second" is for distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or their sequential relationship.

[0021] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0022] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The pipetting apparatus of this invention includes a mounting frame 100, at least two pipetting components 200, and a spacing adjustment mechanism 300. The pipetting components 200 are movably mounted on the mounting frame 100 and can move in the front-to-back direction. The pipetting components 200 are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction. Each pipetting component 200 is provided with a pipetting needle 211, which is arranged in the vertical direction and has a discharge port at its lower end. The spacing adjustment mechanism 300 is mounted on the mounting frame 100 and is used to simultaneously drive each pipetting component 200 to move in the front-to-back direction to adjust the spacing between adjacent pipetting components 200.

[0023] When it is necessary to adapt to test reagent cards of different specifications, the pipetting device can adjust the distance between the pipetting components 200 arranged at equal intervals through the spacing adjustment mechanism 300, that is, adjust the spacing between different pipetting needles 211 so that the pipetting needles 211 can be aligned with the corresponding reagent receiving holes in the test reagent card, thereby adapting to test reagent cards of different specifications and improving the versatility of the pipetting device.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4In this embodiment, the spacing adjustment mechanism 300 includes an adjustment member 310 and an adjustment driver 320. The adjustment member 310 is movably disposed on the mounting frame 100 in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. The adjustment member 310 is provided with the same number of strip-shaped guide portions 311 as the pipetting assembly 200. The extension direction of the strip-shaped guide portions 311 is inclined relative to the front-back direction. The pipetting assembly 200 is provided with a guide mating portion 220. The guide mating portion 220 is connected to the strip-shaped guide portions 311 in a one-to-one correspondence. The guide mating portion 220 can move along the corresponding strip-shaped guide portion 311. The adjustment driver 320 is used to drive the adjustment member 310 to move relative to the mounting frame 100.

[0025] When the adjusting actuator 320 drives the adjusting member 310 to move, the guiding mating part 220 moves relative to the strip guide part 311. Since the strip guide part 311 is tilted relative to the front-back direction, the adjusting member 310 applies force to the guiding mating part 220, causing the pipetting assembly 200 to move in the front-back direction. This changes the distance between different pipetting assemblies 200, thus adjusting the distance between two adjacent pipetting assemblies 200. One adjusting actuator 320 and one adjusting member 310 can achieve the distance adjustment between all pipetting assemblies 200, which is simple in structure and easy to implement.

[0026] Specifically, the adjusting drive 320 can be, for example, a motor, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut. The lead screw nut is mounted on the adjusting component 310, the motor is mounted on the mounting bracket 100, and the lead screw is positioned vertically. The motor and the lead screw are driven together, and the lead screw and the lead screw nut are engaged. When the motor drives the lead screw to rotate, it drives the adjusting component 310 to move up and down through the lead screw nut, thereby adjusting the position of the adjusting component 310. This facilitates the self-locking of the adjusting component 310 to maintain the adjusted position, resulting in good stability.

[0027] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the regulating driver 320 may also be other linear drivers, such as electric cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or linear motors, which can be selected by those skilled in the art according to actual needs.

[0028] Reference Figure 4 In this embodiment, the adjusting member 310 is a plate, and is arranged in the vertical direction. The adjusting member 310 is slidably connected to the mounting bracket 100 in the vertical direction, and the adjusting driver 320 is used to drive the adjusting member 310 to slide up and down. The plate shape of the adjusting member 310 and its ability to slide in the vertical direction facilitate a more compact layout between the adjusting member 310 and the pipetting assembly 200, thereby enabling the pipetting device to be miniaturized.

[0029] It is conceivable that in some other embodiments, the adjusting member 310 may also be slidably connected to the mounting bracket 100 in the left-right direction. In this case, the strip guide portion 311 is located on the horizontal plane. When the adjusting member 310 moves left and right, the guide mating portion 220 can also be driven to move back and forth through the strip guide portion 311, that is, the distance between the pipetting components 200 is adjusted.

[0030] Specifically, the angles between the strip guides 311 arranged along the front-back direction and the front-back axis first increase and then decrease, allowing different pipetting components 200 to move away from and towards each other at equal intervals. In this embodiment, four strip guides 311 are provided, with the outer two strip guides 311 having smaller angles with the front-back axis and the inner two strip guides 311 having larger angles with the front-back axis.

[0031] Reference Figure 4 In this embodiment, the strip guide portion 311 is a strip groove, and the guide mating portion 220 is a guide slider, which is slidably connected to the strip groove. The strip guide portion 311 and the guide mating portion 220 described above have simple structures and are relatively easy to manufacture. It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the strip guide portion 311 can also be a slide rail, and the guide mating portion 220 can be a slider, which is slidably connected to the slide rail. When the adjusting member 310 is moved, the sliding rail can also transmit power to the slider, thereby driving the pipetting assembly 200 to move back and forth; or the strip guide portion 311 can be a guide post, and the guide mating portion 220 can be a guide sleeve, with the guide post passing through the guide sleeve. When the adjusting member 310 is moved, the guiding post can also transmit power to the guide sleeve, thereby driving the pipetting assembly 200 to move back and forth.

[0032] Reference Figure 4 In this embodiment, one end of all the strip guide portions 311 is arranged in the front-back direction, the other end of all the strip guide portions 311 is arranged in the front-back direction, and all the guide mating portions 220 are arranged in the front-back direction. When the adjusting member 310 moves to its limit position, all the guide mating portions 220 can move synchronously to the same end of the corresponding strip guide portion 311, so that the stroke adjustment of each pipetting assembly 200 is more consistent.

[0033] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the spacing adjustment mechanism 300 may also have other structures. For example, the spacing adjustment mechanism 300 may include the same number of linear motors as the number of pipetting components 200, with each linear motor driving one pipetting component 200 to move back and forth, thereby enabling the spacing between different pipetting components 200 to be adjusted.

[0034] Reference Figure 2In this embodiment, the pipetting assembly 200 includes a horizontal transfer frame 230, a lifting frame 240, a lifting driver 250, and a liquid dispenser 210. The horizontal transfer frame 230 is movably connected to the mounting frame 100 in the front-to-back direction. A guide mating part 220 is disposed on the horizontal transfer frame 230. The lifting frame 240 is movably connected to the horizontal transfer frame 230 in the vertical direction. The lifting driver 250 is disposed between the horizontal transfer frame 230 and the lifting frame 240 and is used to drive the lifting frame 240 to move up and down. The liquid dispenser 210 is fixedly mounted on the lifting frame 240 and is provided with a pipetting needle 211. The liquid dispenser 210 is disposed on the lifting frame 240 and has the aforementioned pipetting needle 211. The lifting driver 250 can drive the lifting frame 240 to move up and down relative to the horizontal transfer frame 230, thereby facilitating the downward insertion of the pipetting needle 211 into a designated position for aspiration or injection, and improving the automation level of the equipment.

[0035] Specifically, the liquid dispenser 210 is the same liquid dispenser 210 available on the market, which will not be described in detail here.

[0036] Specifically, the transverse frame 230 can be slidably mounted on the mounting frame 100 in the front-to-back direction via a slide rail slider structure, and the lifting frame 240 can be slidably connected to the transverse frame 230 in the up-down direction via a slide rail slider structure. The lifting driver 250 can be a structure using a motor, a lead screw, and a lead screw nut to drive the lifting frame 240 to move up and down. It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the transverse frame 230 can also be movable relative to the mounting frame 100 in the front-to-back direction via, for example, a guide post and guide sleeve structure, and the lifting frame 240 can also be movable relative to the transverse frame 230 in the up-down direction via, for example, a guide post and guide sleeve structure. The lifting driver 250 can also be a linear drive structure such as a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or electric cylinder to drive the lifting frame 240 to move up and down; those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate method according to actual needs.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 In this embodiment, the lower ends of each lifting frame 240 are brought closer together in the front-to-back direction, and the liquid dispenser 210 is installed at the lower end of the lifting frame 240. This structure allows all the pipettes 211 to be arranged relatively compactly front-to-back, adapting to test reagent cards with small reagent port spacing and improving compatibility with test reagent cards.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, the device also includes a base 400 and a moving drive mechanism 500. The mounting bracket 100 is movably disposed on the base 400 in a horizontal direction, and the moving drive mechanism 500 is used to drive the mounting bracket 100 to move horizontally relative to the base 400.

[0039] The moving drive mechanism 500 can drive the mounting bracket 100 to move horizontally, which in turn can drive the pipette 211 to move horizontally to adjust its position, thus adapting to multi-station testing equipment and having good versatility.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, the base 400 includes a main frame 410 and a guide frame 420. The guide frame 420 is slidably connected to the main frame 410 in the left-right direction. The moving drive mechanism 500 includes a first drive structure 510 and a second drive structure 520. The first drive structure 510 is disposed on the main frame 410 and is used to drive the guide frame 420 to move left-right relative to the main frame 410. The mounting frame 100 is slidably connected to the guide frame 420 in the front-back direction. The second drive structure 520 is disposed on the guide frame 420 and is used to drive the mounting frame 100 to move back-forward relative to the guide frame 420.

[0041] The first drive structure 510 drives the guide frame 420 to move left and right relative to the main frame, and the second drive structure 520 drives the mounting frame 100 to move back and forth relative to the guide frame 420. This allows the mounting frame 100 to move the pipette 211 horizontally. In conjunction with the lifting frame 240, the pipette 211 can be raised and lowered relative to the transverse frame 230, thus enabling the pipette 211 to move and adjust its position along three axes. This is suitable for switching positions at different workstations, and the pipetting device has good versatility.

[0042] Specifically, the guide frame 420 is slidably connected to the main frame 410 via a slide rail slider structure. The first drive structure 510 can be a motor working with a synchronous belt, which is arranged in the left-right direction. The guide frame 420 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt at one point. When the motor drives the synchronous belt, it can move the guide frame 420 left and right. The mounting frame 100 is slidably connected to the guide frame 420 via a slide rail slider structure. The second drive structure 520 also uses a motor working with a synchronous belt, which is arranged in the front-back direction. The mounting frame 100 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt at one point. When the motor drives the synchronous belt, it can move the mounting frame 100 back and forth.

[0043] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the guide frame 420 may also be movable relative to the main frame 410 via, for example, a guide post and guide sleeve structure, and the first drive structure 510 may be a linear drive structure such as an electric cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a linear motor; the mounting frame 100 may also be movable relative to the guide frame 420 via, for example, a guide post and guide sleeve structure, and the second drive structure 520 may be a linear drive structure such as an electric cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a linear motor.

[0044] It is conceivable that in some other embodiments, the motion drive mechanism 500 may also be a three-axis manipulator that drives the mounting bracket 100 to move.

[0045] Reference Figure 2In this embodiment, four pipetting assemblies 200 are provided, meaning the pipetting device has four pipetting needles 211, which can be adapted to a test card with four reagent receiving wells. It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the pipetting device may have two, three, five, or more pipetting assemblies 200, which can be selected by those skilled in the art according to actual needs.

[0046] Specifically, the operation of the pipetting device is as follows. The second drive structure 520 drives the mounting frame 100 to move back and forth, and the first drive structure 510 drives the guide frame 420 to move left and right until it reaches the appropriate position. Then, the lifting driver 250 can drive the lifting frame 240 and the pipetting needle 211 to descend, so that the pipetting needle 211 can be inserted into the designated position for aspiration or injection. Afterwards, the lifting frame 240 returns to its original position. When it is necessary to adjust the spacing of the pipetting needles 211, the adjusting driver 320 drives the adjusting member 310 to move. The adjusting member 310 is transmitted to the guide mating part 220 of the mounting frame 100 through the strip guide part 311, thereby adjusting the spacing between different pipetting components 200.

[0047] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0048] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pipetting device, characterized in that, include: Mounting bracket (100); At least two pipetting assemblies (200) are movably mounted on the mounting frame (100) and can move in the front-to-back direction. The pipetting assemblies (200) are arranged at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction. Each pipetting assembly (200) is provided with a pipetting needle (211), which is arranged in the up-down direction. The lower end of the pipetting needle (211) is provided with a liquid outlet. A spacing adjustment mechanism (300) is disposed on the mounting bracket (100). The spacing adjustment mechanism (300) is used to simultaneously drive each of the pipetting components (200) to move in the front-back direction to adjust the spacing between two adjacent pipetting components (200).

2. The pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spacing adjustment mechanism (300) includes an adjustment member (310) and an adjustment driver (320). The adjustment member (310) is movably disposed on the mounting frame (100) in a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. The adjustment member (310) is provided with the same number of strip guide portions (311) as the pipetting assembly (200). The extension direction of the strip guide portions (311) is inclined relative to the front-back direction. The pipetting assembly (200) is provided with a guide mating portion (220). The guide mating portion (220) is connected to the strip guide portions (311) one by one. The guide mating portion (220) can move along the corresponding strip guide portion (311). The adjustment driver (320) is used to drive the adjustment member (310) to move relative to the mounting frame (100).

3. The pipetting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The adjusting member (310) is a plate, the adjusting member (310) is arranged in the vertical direction, the adjusting member (310) is slidably connected to the mounting bracket (100) in the vertical direction, and the adjusting driver (320) is used to drive the adjusting member (310) to slide up and down.

4. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The strip guide part (311) is a strip groove, and the guide mating part (220) is a guide slider, which is slidably connected to the strip groove.

5. The pipetting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of all the strip guide portions (311) is arranged in the front-back direction, the other end of all the strip guide portions (311) is arranged in the front-back direction, and all the guide mating portions (220) are arranged in the front-back direction.

6. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pipetting assembly (200) includes a transverse frame (230), a lifting frame (240), a lifting driver (250), and a liquid picker (210). The transverse frame (230) is movably connected to the mounting frame (100) in the front-to-back direction. The guide mating part (220) is disposed on the transverse frame (230). The lifting frame (240) is movably connected to the transverse frame (230) in the up-down direction. The lifting driver (250) is disposed between the transverse frame (230) and the lifting frame (240) and is used to drive the lifting frame (240) to move up and down. The liquid picker (210) is fixedly installed on the lifting frame (240) and is provided with the pipetting needle (211).

7. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lower ends of each of the lifting frames (240) are brought together in the front-to-back direction, and the liquid extractor (210) is installed at the lower end of the lifting frame (240).

8. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a base (400) and a moving drive mechanism (500), wherein the mounting bracket (100) is movably disposed on the base (400) in the horizontal direction, and the moving drive mechanism (500) is used to drive the mounting bracket (100) to move in the horizontal direction relative to the base (400).

9. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that: The base (400) includes a main frame (410) and a guide frame (420). The guide frame (420) is slidably connected to the main frame (410) in the left-right direction. The moving drive mechanism (500) includes a first drive structure (510) and a second drive structure (520). The first drive structure (510) is disposed on the main frame (410) and is used to drive the guide frame (420) to move left and right relative to the main frame (410). The mounting frame (100) is slidably connected to the guide frame (420) in the front-back direction. The second drive structure (520) is disposed on the guide frame (420) and is used to drive the mounting frame (100) to move back and forth relative to the guide frame (420).

10. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipetting assembly (200) is provided in four parts.

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