Fluid system and gene sequencer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a fluid system and a gene sequencer. The fluid system comprises a fluid storage container, a fluid using device, a first power source and a second power source, and the fluid using device is selectively communicated with the fluid storage container. The first power source is communicated with the fluid using device and is used for generating negative pressure so as to suck liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid using device; and the second power source is communicated with the fluid using device and is used for generating positive pressure to press the liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid using device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fluid technology, and in particular to a fluid system and a gene sequencer. Background Art

[0002] High-precision life science instruments such as gene sequencers, liquid chromatographs, and mass spectrometers usually have a fluid system to pump the samples to be tested and the reaction reagents into a target detection cavity. With the development of technology, the size of the target detection cavity continues to extend in length and width (usually at the millimeter level), and continues to compress in height (usually at the micrometer level) to meet the needs of high-throughput detection and low detection costs; the internal volume of the entire cavity is at the microliter level, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the amount of samples and reagents used. In the current common microfluidic system, if there is a poorly sealed area in the liquid passage, it is easy to introduce bubbles into the cavity, affecting the flow of liquid and even damaging the sample in the cavity. Utility Model Content

[0003] One object of the present application is to provide a fluid system and a gene sequencer that can reduce the risk of bubble introduction.

[0004] A first aspect of the present application provides a fluid system, comprising a fluid storage container, a fluid using device, a first power source and a second power source, wherein the fluid using device and the fluid storage container are selectively connectable, the first power source is connected to the fluid using device and is used to generate negative pressure to suck the liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid using device, and the second power source is selectively connectable to the fluid using device and is used to generate positive pressure to press the liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid using device.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid storage container includes a storage cavity, which includes a first cavity and a second cavity that are interconnected, the first cavity and the second cavity are surrounded to form a U-shaped recess, the fluid using device is selectively connectable to the first cavity, and the second power source is selectively connectable to the second cavity.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system includes a reagent needle and an insertion port, wherein the reagent needle is connected to the fluid using device and is used to extract the liquid from the first cavity, and the insertion port is connected to the second power source and is used to introduce the positive pressure generated by the second power source into the second cavity.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first cavity is provided with a first opening, and the second cavity is provided with a second opening. The fluid storage container also includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal is sealingly disposed in the first opening, and the second seal is sealingly disposed in the second opening. The reagent needle is used to pass through the first seal to extend into the first cavity, and the insertion port is used to pass through the second seal to extend into the second cavity.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system also includes a first multi-way valve, which includes a first interface, a second interface and a third interface, the first interface is connected to the second power source, the second interface is connected to the external environment, and the third interface is connected to the fluid storage container, and the first power source can be selectively connected to the fluid storage container or the external environment through the first multi-way valve.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system also includes a second multi-way valve and an adsorption component, the second multi-way valve includes a fourth interface, a fifth interface and a sixth interface, the fourth interface is connected to the second power source, the fifth interface is connected to the external environment, and the sixth interface is connected to the adsorption component, the second power source can be selectively connected to the adsorption component or the external environment through the second multi-way valve, and the second power source is also used to generate negative pressure to enable the adsorption component to adsorb the fluid using device.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system further includes a pressure sensor, which is disposed on a pipeline connecting the second power source and the fluid storage container, and is used to sense the positive pressure generated by the second power source.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system further includes a pressure storage container, wherein the pressure storage container is disposed on a pipeline connecting the second power source and the fluid storage container, and the pressure sensor is disposed on the pressure storage container.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid system further comprises a valve assembly, and the fluid-using device is selectively connectable to the fluid storage container through the valve assembly.

[0013] A second aspect of the present application provides a gene sequencer comprising any one of the above-mentioned fluid systems.

[0014] In the fluid system provided by the embodiment of the present application, the second power source generates positive pressure to increase the air pressure in the fluid storage container, thereby increasing the pressure on the liquid in the fluid system, so that the pressure on the liquid in the fluid system is always higher than the atmospheric pressure, making it difficult for the outside air to enter the fluid system through the gaps in the poorly sealed areas (such as the connection positions between the components, etc.), reducing the risk of bubble introduction or precipitation. In addition, since the liquid pressure in the fluid system is relatively large (higher than atmospheric pressure), it is beneficial to reduce the volume of bubbles. Therefore, even if there are bubbles in the fluid system, the volume of the bubbles is relatively small, reducing the risk of bubbles entering the fluid use device and causing damage to the sample. Furthermore, the second power source generates positive pressure to cooperate with the first power source to drive the liquid to be transported in the fluid system, and the upper limit of the pressure difference is greater than the difference between atmospheric pressure and vacuum, which is beneficial to increase the maximum flow rate of the liquid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a fluid system provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The usage status diagram of the fluid system shown.

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a fluid system provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a fluid system provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a fluid system provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Main component symbols

[0022] Fluid Systems 100

[0023] Fluid storage container 10

[0024] Fluid using device 20

[0025] The first power source 31

[0026] Second power source 32

[0027] Pipeline Networks 101

[0028] Storage cavity 11

[0029] First opening 11b

[0030] Second opening 11c

[0031] Notch 11a

[0032] Valve assembly 40

[0033] Reagent needle 51

[0034] First seal 12

[0035] Plug port 52

[0036] Second sealing member 13

[0037] Flow cell 21

[0038] Waste liquid storage container 50

[0039] First multi-way valve 61

[0040] First interface 611

[0041] Second interface 612

[0042] The third interface 613

[0043] Pressure sensor 62

[0044] Pressure storage vessel 70

[0045] Second multi-way valve 80

[0046] Adsorption component 90

[0047] Fourth interface 81

[0048] Fifth interface 82

[0049] The sixth interface 83 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The technical scheme in the embodiment of the present application is described clearly and in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the present application. The terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0051] In addition, for simplicity and clarity, in the accompanying drawings, the size or thickness of various components, layers may be amplified. Throughout the entire text, the same numerical value refers to the same element. As used herein, the term "and / or", "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related enumerated items. In addition, it should be understood that when element A is referred to as "connected" or "connected" element B, element A may be directly connected or connected to element B, or there may be an intermediate element C and element A and element B may be indirectly connected or connected to each other.

[0052] Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present application means “one or more embodiments of the present application”.

[0053] The technical terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the term "comprising", when used in this specification, refers to the presence of narrated features, values, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or increase of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0054] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts herein, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiment.

[0055] See also Figure 1In one embodiment of the present application, a fluid system 100 is provided, which can be applied to gene sequencers and other in vitro diagnostic instruments, such as blood cell analyzers, biochemical analyzers, etc. The fluid system 100 includes a fluid storage container 10, a fluid use device 20, and a first power source 31. The fluid storage container 10 is used to store liquids that need to be transported to the fluid use device 20, such as reaction reagents, etc. The fluid use device 20 can be selectively connected to the fluid storage container 10 through a pipeline network 101. The liquid in the fluid storage container 10 and the substance (such as a sample) contained in the fluid use device 20 can be mixed and chemically reacted after meeting. The first power source 31 is connected to the fluid use device 20 through the pipeline network 101. The first power source 31 is used to generate negative pressure so that the liquid in the fluid storage container 10 is sucked into the fluid use device 20. When the fluid use device 20 is connected to the fluid storage container 10, the first power source 31 is started to generate negative pressure, and the liquid flows into the fluid use device 20 along the pipeline network 101. By regulating the first power source 31 , the flow rate of the liquid in the fluid system 100 and the volume of the liquid flowing into the fluid using device 20 can be regulated.

[0056] The first power source 31 can be various types of pumps for driving fluid flow, such as air pumps, syringe pumps, plunger pumps, diaphragm pumps, gear pumps, peristaltic pumps, etc. The pipeline network 101 is formed by the pipelines of all devices in the fluid system 100 and the pipelines connecting the devices. The two ends of the pipelines are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of each device, and the fluid can be transported between the devices. These pipelines can be hoses or hard pipes, which are indicated by lines in the drawings.

[0057] The fluid system 100 also includes a second power source 32, which is selectively connected to the fluid storage container 10 through the pipeline network 101. The second power source 32 is used to generate positive pressure to increase the gas pressure in the fluid storage container 10, thereby increasing the pressure of the liquid, and can compress the liquid in the fluid storage container 10 to flow to the fluid use device 20. By configuring the second power source 32, the gas pressure of the liquid in the fluid system 100 can be always higher than the atmospheric pressure, so that it is difficult for the outside air to enter the fluid system 100 through the gaps in the poorly sealed areas (such as the connection positions between the components), reducing the risk of bubble introduction and precipitation, and the larger surface tension of the liquid at these gaps can ensure a suitable positive pressure without causing liquid leakage. In addition, according to the ideal gas equation pV=constant, it can be seen that a larger gas pressure p will result in a smaller gas volume V. Since the liquid pressure in the fluid system 100 is relatively large (higher than atmospheric pressure), it is conducive to reducing the volume of bubbles. Therefore, even if there are bubbles in the fluid system 100, the volume of the bubbles is small, reducing the risk of bubbles entering the fluid use device 20 and causing damage to the sample. Furthermore, the second power source 32 cooperates with the first power source 31 to drive the liquid to be transported in the fluid system 100, and the upper limit of the pressure difference is greater than the difference between atmospheric pressure and vacuum, which is conducive to increasing the maximum flow rate of the liquid. The second power source 32 can be various types of pumps for driving the flow of fluid, such as an air pump, a syringe pump, a plunger pump, a diaphragm pump, a gear pump, a peristaltic pump, etc.

[0058] The fluid storage container 10 includes at least one storage chamber 11. The storage chamber 11 has a first opening 11b and a second opening 11c. The first opening 11b is selectively connected to the fluid use device 20 through the pipeline network 101, and the liquid in the storage chamber 11 can be output to the fluid use device 20 through the pipeline network 101. The second opening 11c is selectively connected to the second power source 32 through the pipeline network 101, and the positive pressure generated by the second power source 32 can be applied to the storage chamber 11 through the second opening 11c to accelerate the flow rate of the liquid output to the fluid use device 20. In some embodiments, the storage chamber 11 is a U-shaped tube structure, and the storage chamber 11 includes a first cavity 111 and a second cavity 112 that are connected to each other, and the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 112 are surrounded to form a U-shaped recess 11a. The first opening 11b is set in the first cavity 111, and the second opening 11c is set in the second cavity 112. The storage cavity 11 is configured with a U-shaped tube structure, and the liquid can fill the first cavity 111, so that the liquid can be easily discharged from the storage cavity 11. The number of storage cavities 11 can be set according to actual needs. Figure 1 Two storage cavities 11 are shown.

[0059] The fluid system 100 further includes a valve assembly 40 to accommodate the situation where the fluid storage container 10 includes a plurality of storage chambers 11. Different storage chambers 11 can store different liquids, and the valve assembly 40 selectively connects the fluid-using device 20 with the plurality of storage chambers 11 through the pipeline network 101. In some embodiments, the valve assembly 40 is a selection valve, and the plurality of inlets of the selection valve are respectively connected to the plurality of storage chambers 11 through the pipeline network 101, and the outlet of the selection valve is connected to the fluid-using device 20 through the pipeline network 101. In another embodiment, the valve assembly 40 can be a valve such as a solenoid valve.

[0060] In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 also includes at least one reagent needle 51. When the first power source 31 starts to generate negative pressure, the reagent needle 51 is used to extract (absorb, extract) the liquid in the storage chamber 11 to the fluid using device 20. One end of the reagent needle 51 is communicated with the valve assembly 40 through the pipeline network 101, and the other end of the reagent needle 51 is used to communicate with the first cavity 111 through the first opening 11b. In some embodiments, the number of reagent needles 51 is equal to the number of storage chambers 11, and the reagent needles 51 and the first cavity 111 correspond one to one. In another embodiment, the reagent needle 51 can perform rotation, translation and other movements so that one reagent needle 51 can correspond to multiple first cavities 111.

[0061] In some embodiments, the reagent needle 51 can perform mechanical movement to extend into the first cavity 111 through the first opening 11b. The fluid storage container 10 also includes a first sealing member 12, which is disposed in the first opening 11b and seals the first opening 11b. The reagent needle 51 can pass through the first sealing member 12 to extend into the first cavity 111. When the reagent needle 51 passes through the first sealing member 12, the reagent needle 51 and the first sealing member 12 are maintained sealed so that the storage chamber 11 is maintained sealed. In some embodiments, the first sealing member 12 is provided with a through hole (not shown) for inserting the reagent needle 51.

[0062] In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes at least one plug port 52. When the second power source 32 starts to generate positive pressure, the plug port 52 is used to introduce the positive pressure generated by the second power source 32 into the storage chamber 11. One end of the plug port 52 is connected to the second power source 32 through the pipeline network 101, and the other end of the plug port 52 is used to communicate with the second cavity 112 through the second opening 11c. In some embodiments, the number of plug ports 52 is equal to the number of storage cavities 11, and the plug ports 52 correspond to the second cavities 112 one by one. In another embodiment, the plug port 52 can perform rotation, translation and other movements, so that one plug port 52 can correspond to multiple second cavities 112.

[0063] In some embodiments, the plug port 52 can perform mechanical movement to extend into the second cavity 112 through the second opening 11c. The fluid storage container 10 also includes a second seal 13, which is disposed in the second opening 11c and seals the second opening 11c. The plug port 52 can pass through the second seal 13 to extend into the second cavity 112. When the plug port 52 passes through the second seal 13, the plug port 52 and the second seal 13 are sealed to maintain the storage cavity 11 sealed. In some embodiments, the second seal 13 is provided with a through hole (not shown) for inserting the plug port 52.

[0064] In some embodiments, the fluid using device 20 uses a slide having a flow cell 21. The slide is provided with at least two openings (not shown), and the fluid flows into the flow cell 21 through one of the openings and flows out of the flow cell 21 through the other opening.

[0065] In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes a waste liquid storage container 50, which is connected to the first power source 31 through the pipeline network 101 to store liquid discharged from the fluid-using device 20. When the liquid discharged from the fluid-using device 20 is small, or the volume inside the first power source 31 is large, the liquid can be stored in the first power source 31; when the liquid discharged from the fluid-using device 20 is large, or the volume inside the first power source 31 is small, the liquid is discharged from the first power source 31 to the waste liquid storage container 50. In some embodiments, the liquid in the first power source 31 can be directly output to the external environment through the outlet 322.

[0066] See also Figure 2When in use, first, the reagent needle 51 passes through the first sealing member 12 and extends into the liquid contained in the first cavity 111, the valve assembly 40 is opened to connect the reagent needle 51 and the fluid using device 20, the first power source 31 is started to generate negative pressure, and the second power source 32 is closed, so that the liquid is extracted from the storage cavity 11 through the reagent needle 51, and the liquid is driven to flow through the pipeline network 101, the valve assembly 40 and the fluid using device 20 and enter the first power source 31. In this process, the first power source 31 is controlled to drive the liquid to infiltrate the pipeline network 101 at a slower flow rate, so that there is no obvious gas residue in the pipeline network 101. Then, the insertion port 52 passes through the second sealing member 13 and extends into the second cavity 112 and is separated from the liquid contained in the second cavity 112 by a preset distance, and the second power source 32 and the first power source 31 are started. The second power source 32 generates positive pressure to increase the air pressure in the second cavity 112 to compress the liquid in the second cavity 112 to flow to the first cavity 111, and the first power source 31 generates negative pressure and extracts the liquid in the first cavity 111 through the reagent needle 51 and delivers it to the fluid using device 20. In this process, the flow rate and volume of the liquid depend on the first power source 31, and the second power source 32 makes the pressure of the liquid higher than the atmospheric pressure when the liquid flows. The pressure value of the liquid higher than the atmospheric pressure depends on the positive pressure generated by the second power source 32.

[0067] See also Figure 3 In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes a first multi-way valve 61. The fluid storage container 10 can selectively connect to the second power source 32 or to the outside world through the first multi-way valve 61. In this embodiment, the first multi-way valve 61 is a three-way valve. The first multi-way valve 61 includes a first interface 611, a second interface 612, and a third interface 613. The first interface 611 is connected to the second power source 32 through the pipeline network 101, the second interface 612 is connected to the outside world through the pipeline network 101, and the third interface 613 is connected to the plug interface 52 through the pipeline network 101.

[0068] When the first multi-way valve 61 is activated to connect the first interface 611 and the third interface 613, the second power source 32 is connected to the storage chamber 11 through the first multi-way valve 61, so as to generate positive pressure to increase the air pressure in the storage chamber 11. When the first multi-way valve 61 is activated to connect the second interface 612 and the third interface 613, the storage chamber 11 is connected to the outside through the first multi-way valve 61, and the air pressure in the storage chamber 11 is atmospheric pressure.

[0069] In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes a pressure sensor 62. The pressure sensor 62 is disposed on a pipeline network 101 connecting the second power source 32 and the fluid storage container 10, and is used to sense the positive pressure generated by the second power source 32. Based on the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 62, the second power source 32 is regulated so that the positive pressure generated by the second power source 32 is maintained within a preset range, which is conducive to stabilizing the air pressure.

[0070] See also Figure 4 In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes a pressure storage container 70. The pressure storage container 70 is disposed on the pipeline network 101 connecting the second power source 32 and the fluid storage container 10, and is selectively connected to the second power source 32 and the fluid storage container 10. By configuring the pressure storage container 70, it is helpful to improve the stability of the gas pressure in the fluid system 100. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor 62 is disposed on the pressure storage container 70 to sense the gas pressure in the pressure storage container 70.

[0071] See also Figure 5 In some embodiments, the fluid system 100 further includes a second multi-way valve 80 and an adsorption assembly 90. The second power source 32 can selectively connect to the adsorption assembly 90 or the outside world through the second multi-way valve 80, and is used to generate negative pressure so that the adsorption assembly 90 adsorbs the fluid using device 20. The second multi-way valve 80 and the first multi-way valve 61 are respectively located upstream and downstream of the second power source 32. The second multi-way valve 80 can be a three-way valve. The second multi-way valve 80 includes a fourth interface 81, a fifth interface 82 and a sixth interface 83. The fourth interface 81 is connected to the second power source 32 through the pipeline network 101, the fifth interface 82 is connected to the external environment through the pipeline network 101, and the sixth interface 83 is connected to the adsorption assembly 90 through the pipeline network 101.

[0072] When the second multi-way valve 80 is connected to the fourth interface 81 and the sixth interface 83 to connect the second power source 32 and the adsorption assembly 90, the first multi-way valve 61 is started to connect the first interface 611 and the second interface 612 to connect the second power source 32 with the outside world, and the second power source 32 is started to generate negative pressure, and the adsorption assembly 90 applies adsorption pressure to the fluid use device 20, so that the fluid use device 20 is adsorbed on the adsorption assembly 90 to achieve positioning. When the second multi-way valve 80 is connected to the fifth interface 82 and the sixth interface 83 to connect the second power source 32 with the outside world through the second multi-way valve 80, the first multi-way valve 61 is started to connect the first interface 611 and the third interface 613 to connect the second power source 32 with the storage chamber 11 through the first multi-way valve 61, and the second power source 32 is started to generate positive pressure to increase the air pressure in the storage chamber 11.

[0073] An embodiment of the present application further provides a gene sequencer, which includes the fluid system 100 .

[0074] The above disclosure is only a preferred implementation mode of the present application, and certainly cannot be used to limit the present application. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the present application are still within the scope covered by the present application.

Claims

1. A fluid system, comprising a fluid storage container and a fluid using device, characterized in that: The fluid system also includes a first power source and a second power source, and the fluid-using device can be selectively connected to the fluid storage container. The first power source is connected to the fluid-using device and is used to generate negative pressure to suck the liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid-using device, and the second power source is connected to the fluid-using device and is used to generate positive pressure to press the liquid in the fluid storage container into the fluid-using device.

2. The fluid system according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid storage container includes a storage cavity, which includes a first cavity and a second cavity that are interconnected, the first cavity and the second cavity are surrounded to form a U-shaped recess, the fluid using device is selectively connected to the first cavity, and the second power source is connected to the second cavity.

3. The fluid system according to claim 2, characterized in that The fluid system includes a reagent needle and an insertion port, wherein the reagent needle is connected to the fluid use device and is used to extract the liquid from the first cavity, and the insertion port is connected to the second power source and is used to introduce the positive pressure generated by the second power source into the second cavity.

4. The fluid system according to claim 3, characterized in that The first cavity is provided with a first opening, and the second cavity is provided with a second opening. The fluid storage container also includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal is sealingly arranged in the first opening, and the second seal is sealingly arranged in the second opening. The reagent needle is used to pass through the first seal to extend into the first cavity, and the insertion port is used to pass through the second seal to extend into the second cavity.

5. The fluid system according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid system also includes a first multi-way valve, which includes a first interface, a second interface and a third interface. The first interface is connected to the second power source, the second interface is connected to the external environment, and the third interface is connected to the fluid storage container. The first power source can be selectively connected to the fluid storage container or the external environment through the first multi-way valve.

6. The fluid system according to claim 5, characterized in that The fluid system also includes a second multi-way valve and an adsorption component, the second multi-way valve includes a fourth interface, a fifth interface and a sixth interface, the fourth interface is connected to the second power source, the fifth interface is connected to the external environment, and the sixth interface is connected to the adsorption component. The second power source can be selectively connected to the adsorption component or the external environment through the second multi-way valve, and the second power source is also used to generate negative pressure to enable the adsorption component to adsorb the fluid using device.

7. The fluid system according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid system further includes a pressure sensor, which is disposed on a pipeline connecting the second power source and the fluid storage container, and is used to sense the positive pressure generated by the second power source.

8. The fluid system according to claim 7, characterized in that The fluid system further includes a pressure storage container, which is disposed on a pipeline connecting the second power source and the fluid storage container, and the pressure sensor is disposed on the pressure storage container.

9. The fluid system according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid system further comprises a valve assembly, through which the fluid-using device can be selectively connected to the fluid storage container.

10. A gene sequencer, characterized in that: Comprising the fluid system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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