Multi-station automatic synthesizer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a multi-station automatic synthesizer which comprises a rack, and a reagent supply mechanism, a liquid beating control area, a liquid beating area, a reagent synthesis mechanism and a plurality of reagent synthesis stations which are arranged on the rack, the reagent supply mechanism and the liquid injection control area are controlled and communicated through a valve and a pipeline, and the liquid injection control area is communicated with the liquid injection area through a liquid conveying pipe; each reagent synthesis station is connected with the pressurizing mechanism through an air pipe; the rack comprises a support located at the rear end and a base located at the front end. The reagent synthesis mechanism comprises a reagent reactor, an X-direction translation driving unit capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the X direction and a Y-direction translation driving unit capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction; and a jacking mechanism is correspondingly arranged right below each reagent synthesis station. According to the utility model, a plurality of stations can operate independently, and reagent conveying and reagent reaction synthesis are separately and independently operated, so that the synthesis time can be reduced on the whole; the structure is compact, the size is small and the automation degree is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of gene synthesis supporting equipment, and particularly relates to a multi-station automatic synthesizer. Background Art

[0002] With the development of synthetic biology, the demand for synthetic primers is increasing; with the requirements of intelligent manufacturing, integration, platformization and modularization are the current trends. In order to meet the more diverse needs of customers and better serve customers; simplify the production process and improve product performance. Provide another synthesis method for synthesis; enrich the existing product line.

[0003] Although some of the synthesizers currently in use also have two cabins, they do not have the actual operation of independent operation. The two workstations in the two cabins can only move synchronously, which cannot meet various needs. If only one of the workstations is needed to synthesize the product, the other workstation must also move with it, causing unnecessary waste.

[0004] Furthermore, the existing synthesizers have problems such as insufficient compactness in structural design, unreasonable layout, large size and low degree of automation.

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a multi-station automatic synthesizer, which can solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The utility model mainly solves the technical problem of providing a multi-station automatic synthesizer, which is equipped with multiple reagent synthesis stations, separates reagent delivery and reagent reaction synthesis and operates independently, and can reduce the synthesis time overall; the utility model has a compact structure, a small volume and a high degree of automation.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, a technical solution adopted by the utility model is: the utility model provides a multi-station automatic synthesizer, including a frame and a reagent supply mechanism, a liquid injection control area, a liquid injection area, a reagent synthesis mechanism and a plurality of reagent synthesis stations arranged on the frame;

[0008] The reagent supply mechanism is controlled and connected to the liquid injection control area through valves and pipelines, and the liquid injection control area and the liquid injection area are connected through an infusion tube;

[0009] Each of the reagent synthesis stations is connected to the pressurizing mechanism via an air pipe;

[0010] The frame includes a bracket at the rear end and a base at the front end, the liquid injection control area is fixed on the bracket, and the reagent synthesis station is located at the base;

[0011] The reagent synthesis mechanism includes a reagent reactor, an X-direction translation driving unit capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the X direction, and a Y-direction translation driving unit capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction;

[0012] A lifting mechanism is correspondingly arranged directly below each of the reagent synthesis stations, and the reagent reactor is moved onto the lifting mechanism through the cooperation of the X-direction translation drive unit and the Y-direction translation drive unit;

[0013] The reagent reaction mechanism can be docked with the liquid injection area to inject the reagent into the reagent reactor; and the reagent reaction mechanism can also be sealed and docked with the reagent synthesis station to pressurize the reagent reactor at the reagent synthesis station to react and synthesize it.

[0014] Furthermore, the reagent synthesis mechanism also includes a mobile frame, on which the reagent reactor is placed, and a clamping mechanism is provided at one end of the mobile frame, through which the reagent reactor is fixed and limited on the mobile frame, and the mobile frame is driven to translate along the X direction by an X-direction translation drive unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism includes a clamping drive cylinder, a connecting rod, a limit block and a fixed block, the fixed block is fixedly installed on the movable frame, the end of the push rod of the clamping drive cylinder is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod, the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to one end of the limit block, the other end of the limit block is rotatably connected to one end of the fixed block, and one end of the limit block is provided with a limit protrusion extending upward.

[0016] Furthermore, the base and the corresponding reagent reactor are provided with an inlet and outlet for the synthetic plate to enter and exit.

[0017] Furthermore, a Y-direction mounting frame is provided inside the base, and the Y-direction translation drive unit is installed on the Y-direction mounting frame. The Y-direction translation drive unit includes a Y-direction translation drive motor, a gear and a rack extending in the Y direction, and the gear is installed at the power output end of the Y-direction translation drive motor;

[0018] The Y-axis mounting frame is provided with a clamping mechanism, through which the reagent reactor is clamped and fixed;

[0019] The gear is rotated by the Y-direction translation driving motor, and the reagent reactor is translated along the Y-direction under the meshing action of the gear and the rack.

[0020] Furthermore, the reagent reactor is provided with an extension plate extending along the Z direction, and the clamping mechanism includes a clamping drive cylinder and a group of clamping blocks, and the clamping drive cylinder drives two clamping blocks to clamp and fix the extension plate from both sides.

[0021] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting plate and a lifting drive cylinder, the power output end of the lifting drive cylinder fixes the lifting plate, and the reagent reactor is pushed upward by the lifting drive cylinder to maintain a seal with the inner top surface of the base.

[0022] Furthermore, the inner top surface of the base is provided with a groove, and a sealing ring is provided in the groove. The reagent reactor moves to the reagent synthesis station, and the reagent synthesizer is driven to rise by the lifting mechanism and is sealed and connected to the inner top surface of the base through the sealing ring.

[0023] Furthermore, a visual window is provided on the front side of the base facing the reagent synthesis station.

[0024] Furthermore, the X-direction translation driving unit is a linear module driven by a motor, and the reagent reactor is driven to translate along the X-direction by the linear module.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0026] The utility model is provided with multiple reagent synthesis stations, and reagent delivery and reagent reaction synthesis are separated and operated independently, which can reduce the synthesis time overall; the structure is compact, the volume is small, and the degree of automation is high;

[0027] It can also avoid the limitation of two chambers (or reagent reaction mechanisms) running at the same time. A single station or multiple stations can be selected according to the number of synthesis channels, without the need to perform virtual operation on non-working stations as before.

[0028] The utility model is equipped with 4 independent reagent synthesis stations, and the number of reagent synthesis stations to be used can be confirmed according to the number of synthesis. If a universal 384-well synthesis plate is used, the synthesizer can synthesize 1-1536 primers at a time, with a large selection space to meet more customer needs;

[0029] The synthesizer of the utility model can be used as a synthesizer alone, and can also be docked with a subsequent primer processing mechanism window to form a fully automatic production line with strong compatibility.

[0030] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the utility model. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the utility model and implement it according to the contents of the specification, the following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the base of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the base of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a reagent reactor of the utility model;

[0035] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the mobile frame of the utility model;

[0036] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism of the utility model;

[0037] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the X-direction translation drive unit of the utility model;

[0038] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the Y-direction translation drive unit of the utility model;

[0039] Fig. 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the jacking mechanism of the utility model;

[0040] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0041] Frame 1, bracket 11, base 12, inlet and outlet 121, Y-axis mounting frame 122, sealing ring 123, visual window 124;

[0042] Reagent supply mechanism 2, pipeline 21, reagent bottle 22, infusion tube 23;

[0043] Liquid injection control area 3;

[0044] Liquid pumping area 4, liquid pumping connector 41;

[0045] Reagent synthesis station 5, air pipe 51;

[0046] Reagent reactor 61, extension plate 611, limiting boss 612, X-direction translation drive unit 62, Y-direction translation drive unit 63, Y-direction translation drive motor 631, gear 632, rack 633 extending in Y direction, clamping mechanism 634, clamping drive cylinder 6341, clamping block 6342, mobile frame 64, clamping mechanism 65, clamping drive cylinder 651, connecting rod 652, limiting block 653, limiting boss 6531, fixing block 654;

[0047] Lifting mechanism 7, lifting plate 71, lifting drive cylinder 72;

[0048] Composite board 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The following is a specific embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented in other different ways, that is, different modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope disclosed by the present invention.

[0050] Embodiment: A multi-station automatic synthesizer, such as Figures 1 to 9 As shown, it includes a frame 1 and a reagent supply mechanism 2, a liquid injection control area 3, a liquid injection area 4, a reagent synthesis mechanism (not shown in the figure) and a plurality of reagent synthesis stations 5 arranged on the frame;

[0051] The reagent supply mechanism is controlled and connected to the liquid injection control area through a valve and a pipeline 21, and the liquid injection control area and the liquid injection area are connected through a liquid infusion tube 23;

[0052] Each of the reagent synthesis stations is connected to a pressurizing mechanism (not shown) via an air pipe 51;

[0053] The frame includes a support 11 at the rear end and a base 12 at the front end, the liquid injection control area is fixed on the support, and the reagent synthesis station is located at the base;

[0054] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the reagent synthesis mechanism includes a reagent reactor 61, an X-direction translation driving unit 62 capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the X direction, and a Y-direction translation driving unit 63 capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction;

[0055] like Figure 3 and Fig. 9 As shown, a lifting mechanism 7 is correspondingly arranged directly below each of the reagent synthesis stations, and the reagent reactor is moved onto the lifting mechanism through the cooperation of the X-direction translation drive unit and the Y-direction translation drive unit;

[0056] The reagent reaction mechanism can be docked with the liquid injection area to inject the reagent into the reagent reactor; and the reagent reaction mechanism can also be sealed and docked with the reagent synthesis station to pressurize the reagent reactor at the reagent synthesis station to react and synthesize it.

[0057] The number of the Y-direction translation drive units is consistent with the number of the lifting mechanisms, and the positions correspond one to one. The reagent reactor is transported to the corresponding lifting mechanism through the Y-direction translation drive unit.

[0058] like Figure 1As shown, the reagent supply mechanism includes a plurality of independent reagent bottles 22 for placing reagents, each of which is connected to a valve corresponding to the liquid injection control area. In this embodiment, the liquid injection control area is composed of a plurality of valves, each of which controls a corresponding reagent bottle, thereby injecting the required reagent into the reagent synthesizer.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the liquid-pumping area 4 includes a plurality of liquid-pumping connectors 41, the upper end of each liquid-pumping connector is connected to a valve of a corresponding liquid-pumping control area, and the lower end of the liquid-pumping connector can be aligned with and connected to a desired position of the reagent reactor.

[0060] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the reagent synthesis mechanism also includes a mobile frame 64, on which the reagent reactor is placed, and a clamping mechanism 65 is provided at one end of the mobile frame, through which the reagent reactor is fixed and limited on the mobile frame, and the mobile frame is driven to translate along the X direction by an X-direction translation drive unit.

[0061] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the clamping mechanism 65 includes a clamping drive cylinder 651, a connecting rod 652, a stopper 653 and a fixed block 654. The fixed block is fixedly mounted on the mobile frame. The end of the push rod of the clamping drive cylinder is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod, the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to one end of the stopper, the other end of the stopper is rotatably connected to one end of the fixed block, and one end of the stopper is provided with a stopper protrusion 6531 extending upward. When the push rod of the clamping drive cylinder is extended, the connecting rod is driven to rotate, and finally the stopper protrusion is pushed to clamp the edge of the reagent reactor to fix it; when the push rod of the clamping drive cylinder is retracted, the connecting rod is driven to rotate in the opposite direction, and finally the stopper protrusion is pulled to move the stopper protrusion outward to release the edge of the reagent reactor, and no longer fix it.

[0062] In this embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the base and the corresponding reagent reactor are provided with an inlet and outlet port 121 for the synthetic board 10 to enter and exit. In this embodiment, the upper end surface of the reagent reactor is provided with a limiting boss 612 for limiting the movement of the synthetic board, but when the synthetic board moves to a point where it can no longer move (i.e., the end of the synthetic board abuts against the limiting boss), it indicates that it is placed in place.

[0063] In this embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 8As shown, a Y-direction mounting frame 122 is provided inside the base, and the Y-direction translation driving unit is installed on the Y-direction mounting frame. The Y-direction translation driving unit 63 includes a Y-direction translation driving motor 631, a gear 632 and a rack 633 extending in the Y direction, and the gear is installed at the power output end of the Y-direction translation driving motor;

[0064] The Y-axis mounting frame is provided with a clamping mechanism 634, through which the reagent reactor is clamped and fixed;

[0065] The gear is rotated by the Y-direction translation driving motor, and the reagent reactor is translated along the Y-direction under the meshing action of the gear and the rack.

[0066] In this embodiment, Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the reagent reactor is provided with an extension plate 611 extending along the Z direction, and the clamping mechanism 634 includes a clamping drive cylinder 6341 and a group of clamping blocks 6342. The clamping drive cylinder drives two clamping blocks to clamp and fix the extension plate from both sides.

[0067] like Fig. 9 As shown, the lifting mechanism 7 includes a lifting plate 71 and a lifting drive cylinder 72. The power output end of the lifting drive cylinder fixes the lifting plate, and the reagent reactor is pushed upward by the lifting drive cylinder to keep a seal with the inner top surface of the base. After completing the action, it returns to its original position with a certain gap with the reagent reactor, but it is not limited to this. Other mechanisms can also be used as long as they can drive the reagent reactor to rise and fall.

[0068] In this embodiment, the inner top surface of the base is provided with a groove (not shown in the figure), and a sealing ring 123 is provided in the groove. The reagent reactor moves to the reagent synthesis station, and the reagent synthesizer is driven to rise by the lifting mechanism and is sealed and connected with the inner top surface of the base through the sealing ring. However, it is not limited to this, and the sealing ring can also be provided at the mouth of the reagent reactor, and the reagent reactor can be sealed and connected when it is attached to the inner top surface of the base.

[0069] In this embodiment, a visual window 124 is provided on the front of the base and directly facing the reagent synthesis station, and the visual window is convenient for observing the internal reaction conditions.

[0070] In this embodiment, the X-axis translation driving unit is a linear module driven by a motor, and the reagent reactor is driven to translate along the X-axis by the linear module; but it is not limited thereto, and other mechanisms are also acceptable as long as they can drive the reagent reactor to translate.

[0071] In this embodiment, the pressurizing mechanism is located at the support, which is not marked in the figure, and is used to pressurize the reagent synthesis process.

[0072] The working principle and working process of the utility model are as follows:

[0073] At the start time, the mobile frame is located at the inlet and outlet, at which time the clamping mechanism limits and fixes the reagent reactor on the mobile frame, and then pushes the synthesis plate into the reagent reactor through the inlet and outlet, and then the X-axis translation drive unit drives the mobile frame to move to the bottom of the liquid injection area, the liquid injection connector is docked with the reagent reactor, the corresponding valve is opened, and various reagents required for primer synthesis are injected into the reagent reactor, and then the X-axis translation drive unit drives the reagent reactor to move in the opposite direction to the reagent synthesis station on the far left (or any other reagent synthesis station), and then the clamping drive cylinder drives the two clamping blocks to clamp and fix the extension plate of the reagent reactor from both sides, and then the clamping mechanism is released, and then the Y-axis translation drive unit drives the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction. To the top of the lifting mechanism (at this time, the extension plate will enter the gap between the two lifting plates, and there will be no motion interference), and then the lifting drive cylinder drives the lifting plate to lift the reagent reactor, and the reagent synthesizer rises and is sealed and connected to the inner top surface of the base through the sealing ring, and then the corresponding pressurizing mechanism pressurizes it through the corresponding air pipe for reagent synthesis; after synthesis, the lifting mechanism descends, driving the reagent reactor to descend, and then the Y-direction translation drive unit drives the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction to the mobile rack, and then the clamping mechanism clamps the reagent reaction container, the clamping mechanism releases the reagent reactor, and then the X-direction translation drive unit drives the mobile rack to the inlet and outlet, and the synthesis plate after reagent synthesis can be taken out;

[0074] The above description is the complete process when a single station is working. If multiple stations are working, after the mobile frame moves the reagent reaction container to the Y-axis translation drive unit corresponding to a certain station, the mobile frame can repeat the above action process and move the next reagent reaction container to the Y-axis translation drive unit corresponding to another station. This reciprocating process can maximize the liquid injection efficiency and shorten the overall synthesis time.

[0075] The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure made using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, is also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-station automatic synthesizer, characterized in that: It comprises a frame (1) and a reagent supply mechanism (2), a liquid injection control area (3), a liquid injection area (4), a reagent synthesis mechanism and a plurality of reagent synthesis stations (5) arranged on the frame; The reagent supply mechanism is controlled and connected to the liquid injection control area through a valve and a pipeline (21), and the liquid injection control area is connected to the liquid injection area through a liquid infusion tube (23); Each of the reagent synthesis stations is connected to the pressurizing mechanism via an air pipe (51); The frame comprises a support (11) at the rear end and a base (12) at the front end, the liquid injection control area is fixed on the support, and the reagent synthesis station is located at the base; The reagent synthesis mechanism comprises a reagent reactor (61), an X-direction translation driving unit (62) capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the X direction, and a Y-direction translation driving unit (63) capable of driving the reagent reactor to translate along the Y direction; A lifting mechanism (7) is correspondingly arranged directly below each of the reagent synthesis stations, and the reagent reactor is moved onto the lifting mechanism through the cooperation of the X-direction translation drive unit and the Y-direction translation drive unit; The reagent reaction mechanism can be docked with the liquid injection area to inject the reagent into the reagent reactor; and the reagent reaction mechanism can also be sealed and docked with the reagent synthesis station to pressurize the reagent reactor at the reagent synthesis station to react and synthesize it.

2. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reagent synthesis mechanism also includes a mobile frame (64), on which the reagent reactor is placed, and one end of the mobile frame is provided with a clamping mechanism (65), by which the reagent reactor is fixed and limited on the mobile frame, and the mobile frame is driven to translate along the X direction by an X-direction translation driving unit.

3. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping mechanism (65) comprises a clamping drive cylinder (651), a connecting rod (652), a limit block (653) and a fixed block (654); the fixed block is fixedly mounted on the movable frame; the end of the push rod of the clamping drive cylinder is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod; the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to one end of the limit block; the other end of the limit block is rotatably connected to one end of the fixed block; and one end of the limit block is provided with a limit protrusion (6531) extending upward.

4. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base and the corresponding reagent reactor are provided with an inlet and outlet (121) for the synthetic plate (10) to enter and exit.

5. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A Y-direction mounting frame (122) is provided inside the base, the Y-direction translation drive unit is mounted on the Y-direction mounting frame, the Y-direction translation drive unit (63) comprises a Y-direction translation drive motor (631), a gear (632) and a rack (633) extending in the Y direction, the gear being mounted on a power output end of the Y-direction translation drive motor; The Y-axis mounting frame is provided with a clamping mechanism (634), through which the reagent reactor is clamped and fixed; The gear is rotated by the Y-direction translation driving motor, and the reagent reactor is translated along the Y-direction under the meshing action of the gear and the rack.

6. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The reagent reactor is provided with an extension plate (611) extending along the Z direction, and the clamping mechanism (634) includes a clamping drive cylinder (6341) and a group of clamping blocks (6342). The clamping drive cylinder drives two clamping blocks to clamp and fix the extension plate from both sides.

7. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (7) comprises a lifting plate (71) and a lifting drive cylinder (72), wherein the power output end of the lifting drive cylinder fixes the lifting plate, and the reagent reactor is pushed upward by the lifting drive cylinder to maintain a seal with the inner top surface of the base.

8. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner top surface of the base is provided with a groove, and a sealing ring (123) is provided in the groove. The reagent reactor moves to the reagent synthesis station, and the reagent synthesizer is driven to rise by the lifting mechanism and is sealed and connected to the inner top surface of the base through the sealing ring.

9. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A visual window (124) is provided on the front side of the base and directly facing the reagent synthesis station.

10. The multi-station automatic synthesizer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The X-direction translation driving unit is a linear module driven by a motor, and the reagent reactor is driven to translate along the X-direction by the linear module.

Images