Sample tube cap opening device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a sample tube cap opening device, which belongs to the technical field of sample tube processing equipment and comprises a rack, and a turntable and a negative pressure cap opening station are arranged on the rack; a plurality of pipe frames are arranged at the top of the rotating disc in the circumferential direction; the negative-pressure cap opening station comprises a negative-pressure bin and a cap opening mechanism, and the bin wall of the negative-pressure bin is provided with a first opening and a second opening for the pipe frame to enter and exit. According to the sample tube uncapping device provided by the utility model, the sample tubes inserted into the tube frame sequentially reach the information identification station and the uncapping station in the process of rotating along with the turntable. At the uncapping station, only one sample tube enters the negative pressure bin at the same time to be uncapped, and a sample sprayed from a tube opening of the sample tube is discharged out of the negative pressure bin in time under the action of negative pressure suction force, so that the sprayed aerosol is prevented from polluting the next sample in the sample tube entering the negative pressure bin to be uncapped, and the sample detection accuracy is improved. After cap opening is completed, the sample tube leaves the negative pressure bin along with rotation of the tray and then moves to the designated tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a sample tube capping device, belonging to the technical field of sample tube processing equipment. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in the process of medical examination, vacuum sample tubes are often used to collect blood and other body fluids for testing. Before conducting the test, the cap of the vacuum sample tube needs to be removed. The vacuum sample tube still has a certain negative pressure after collecting blood. After the cap of the sample tube is removed, problems such as sample splashing and aerosol diffusion will occur. When removing the cap of the sample tube, the existing sample tube uncapping equipment usually operates on a row of sample tubes at the same time, that is, the caps of multiple sample tubes are removed together at the same time. The splashed sample and aerosol transmission will lead to the risk of mutual contamination between samples, affecting the accuracy of the next step of detection and analysis.

[0003] It should be noted that the above contents belong to the technical knowledge of the inventor and do not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the utility model provides a sample tube capping device, which realizes the single tube capping and avoids the formation of aerosol pollution between sample tubes.

[0005] The utility model achieves the above-mentioned purpose by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0006] A sample tube capping device comprises a frame, on which a turntable and a negative pressure capping station are arranged;

[0007] The turntable is mounted on a frame for rotation around a vertical direction, and a plurality of pipe racks are arranged on the top of the turntable along a circumferential direction;

[0008] The negative pressure capping station comprises a negative pressure bin and a capping mechanism, and the negative pressure bin and the capping mechanism do not rotate with the turntable;

[0009] The negative pressure bin is arranged above the turntable, and a first opening and a second opening are provided on the bin wall of the negative pressure bin for the pipe racks to enter and exit. The first opening and the second opening are spaced apart on the circular motion path of the pipe racks, and each pipe rack enters and exits the negative pressure bin in sequence as the turntable rotates;

[0010] The capping mechanism is used to perform a capping operation on a sample tube entering the negative pressure chamber.

[0011] The sample tube capping device provided by the utility model also includes a purification chamber connected to the negative pressure chamber through a pipeline, a filter element is installed in the negative pressure chamber, and the airflow in the negative pressure chamber passes through the purification chamber through a negative pressure generating fan.

[0012] Optionally, the cap opening mechanism includes a tube body clamping mechanism and a cap screwing mechanism, wherein the tube body clamping mechanism is used to clamp the tube body of the sample tube, and the cap screwing mechanism is used to clamp the tube cap of the sample tube and drive the tube cap to rotate and move upward.

[0013] Optionally, each tube rack is mounted on a turntable for rotation around a vertical direction, and the sample tube capping device further includes a visual identifier, which is used to identify information of the sample tubes placed in the tube rack.

[0014] The sample tube capping device provided by the utility model also includes a sensor for detecting whether the sample tube is placed in the tube rack.

[0015] The sample tube capping device provided by the utility model further includes a tube rack rotating mechanism, which is used to drive the tube rack to rotate around a vertical direction. The tube rack rotating mechanism includes:

[0016] A driven magnetic wheel is arranged corresponding to each pipe rack one by one, and each driven magnetic wheel is coaxially connected to the corresponding pipe rack;

[0017] The driving magnetic wheel is arranged on the frame, and each driven magnetic wheel approaches the driving magnetic wheel in sequence as the turntable rotates. When the driving magnetic wheel rotates, it drives the driven magnetic wheels close to it to rotate in a vertical direction.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this application include but are not limited to:

[0019] The sample tube uncapping device provided by the utility model has a plurality of tube racks distributed along the circumferential direction on the turntable. When working, a sample tube is grabbed from the tray and moved to the corresponding tube rack on the turntable, and then the sample tube is inserted into the tube rack. The sample tube inserted into the tube rack reaches the information recognition station and the uncapping station in sequence during the rotation of the turntable. At the uncapping station, only one sample tube enters the negative pressure chamber to uncap at the same time. The sample sprayed from the tube mouth of the sample tube is discharged from the negative pressure chamber in time under the action of the negative pressure suction force, preventing the sprayed sample from forming an aerosol and contaminating the sample in the next sample tube entering the negative pressure chamber for uncapping, thereby improving the accuracy of sample detection. After the uncapping is completed, the sample tube rotates with the tray to leave the negative pressure chamber and then moves to the designated tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a sample tube cap opening device provided by the utility model from one angle;

[0022] Figure 2A three-dimensional diagram of the sample tube cap opening device provided by the utility model from another angle;

[0023] In the figure, 100, a rack; 200, a turntable; 300, a pipe rack; 410, a negative pressure chamber; 411, a first opening; 412, a second opening; 420, an opening mechanism; 500, a purification chamber; 600, a visual identifier; 700, a sensor mounting bracket; 810, a driven magnetic wheel; and 820, a driving magnetic wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to clearly illustrate the technical features of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below through specific implementation methods and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] It should be noted that many specific details are described in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, but the present invention can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , the sample tube capping device provided by the utility model includes a frame 100, and a turntable 200 and a negative pressure capping station are arranged on the frame 100.

[0027] The turntable 200 is mounted on the frame 100 for rotation in a vertical direction. A plurality of tube racks 300 are arranged on the top of the turntable 200 along a circumferential direction. The tube racks 300 are used to insert sample tubes.

[0028] The negative pressure uncapping station includes a negative pressure chamber 410 and an uncapping mechanism 420 , and the negative pressure chamber 410 and the uncapping mechanism 420 do not rotate with the turntable 200 .

[0029] The negative pressure bin 410 is disposed above the turntable 200 . The bin wall of the negative pressure bin 410 is provided with a first opening 411 and a second opening 412 for the pipe rack 300 to enter and exit. The first opening 411 and the second opening 412 are spaced apart on the circular motion path of the pipe rack 300 .

[0030] When the turntable 200 rotates around the vertical direction which is also the axis direction of the turntable 200, each tube rack 300 will rotate synchronously. The sample tube is placed in the tube rack 300, and the sample tubes on each tube rack 300 enter and exit the negative pressure chamber 410 in sequence during the rotation of the turntable 200. The capping mechanism 420 is used to perform the capping operation on the sample tubes entering the negative pressure chamber 410. The size of the negative pressure chamber 410 only allows one sample tube to enter at the same time. After the sample tube is opened by the capping mechanism 420, the sample sprayed from the tube mouth of the sample tube is promptly discharged from the negative pressure chamber 410 under the action of the negative pressure suction force, so as to prevent the sprayed sample from forming an aerosol in the negative pressure chamber 410 and contaminating the sample in the next sample tube entering the negative pressure chamber 410 for capping.

[0031] Furthermore, the sample tube capping device provided by the utility model also includes a purification chamber 500 connected to the negative pressure chamber 410 through a pipeline, and a filter element is installed in the negative pressure chamber 410. During the process of the airflow in the negative pressure chamber 410 passing through the purification chamber 500 by the negative pressure generating fan, the sample carried in the airflow is intercepted and collected by the filter element, so that the airflow discharged from the purification chamber 500 is purified.

[0032] In one specific embodiment, the capping mechanism 420 includes a tube body clamping mechanism and a cap screwing mechanism, wherein the tube body clamping mechanism is used to clamp the tube body of the sample tube, and the cap screwing mechanism is used to clamp the tube cap of the sample tube and drive the tube cap to rotate and move upward, thereby opening the tube cap on the sample tube. Usually, the execution end of the tube body clamping mechanism is located in the negative pressure chamber 410, and the execution end of the cap screwing mechanism is located above the negative pressure chamber 410. After the execution end of the cap screwing mechanism moves downward into the negative pressure chamber 410, it can cooperate with the tube body clamping mechanism to perform the capping operation on the sample tube. When the execution end of the cap screwing mechanism moves upward and leaves the negative pressure chamber 410, the screwed-off tube cap can be removed.

[0033] The structure of the tube body clamping mechanism and the screw cap mechanism can refer to the utility model patent of the applicant with announcement number CN218058395U, entitled "A sample tube code scanning and capping device".

[0034] The sample tube capping device provided by the utility model also includes a visual identifier 600, which is used to identify the information of the sample tube placed in the tube rack 300, and the corresponding position of the turntable 200 facing the visual identifier 600 can be defined as an information identification station.

[0035] Furthermore, in the present invention, each tube rack 300 is mounted on the turntable 200 so as to rotate in a vertical direction. Specifically, the tube rack 300 rotates in a vertical direction under the drive of the tube rack rotating mechanism. The sample tube inserted into the tube rack 300 rotates with the tube rack 300, so that the label information and other information on the tube body are completely scanned and acquired by the visual identifier 600.

[0036] The sample tube capping device provided by the utility model also includes a sensor for detecting whether a sample tube is placed in the tube rack 300, and a photoelectric sensor can be used specifically. The sensor is fixed to the negative pressure chamber 410 through the sensor mounting bracket 700. When the manipulator clamps a sample tube and moves it to the vicinity of the turntable 200, the sensor needs to detect whether the tube rack 300 in the figure is in an empty state. In the empty state, the manipulator performs the operation of inserting the sample tube. For example, Figure 1 The position of the tube rack 300 with the test tube inserted in the middle is the insertion station. The sensor detects that a sample tube is inserted into the tube rack 300 at the insertion station, and the turntable 200 rotates counterclockwise to rotate the sample tube to the information recognition station to obtain the sample tube information. After the information recognition is completed, the turntable 200 drives the tube rack 300 and the sample tube to continue rotating and arrive at the capping station to perform the capping operation. When there are 4 tube racks 300 distributed on the turntable 200, the turntable 200 can rotate 90° each time to reach the next station.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the pipe rack rotating mechanism includes:

[0038] A driven magnetic wheel 810 is arranged corresponding to each pipe rack 300, and each driven magnetic wheel 810 is coaxially connected to the corresponding pipe rack 300;

[0039] The driving magnetic wheel 820 is arranged on the frame 100. Each driven magnetic wheel 810 approaches the driving magnetic wheel 820 in sequence as the turntable 200 rotates. When the driving magnetic wheel 820 rotates, it drives the driven magnetic wheels 810 close to it to rotate in the vertical direction.

[0040] The sample tube uncapping device provided by the utility model has a plurality of tube racks 300 distributed along the circumferential direction on the turntable 200. When working, a sample tube is grabbed from the tray by a three-axis manipulator and moved to the corresponding tube rack 300 on the turntable 200, and then the sample tube is inserted into the tube rack 300. The sample tube inserted into the tube rack 300 arrives at the information recognition station and the uncapping station in sequence during the rotation of the turntable 200. At the uncapping station, only one sample tube enters the negative pressure chamber 410 for uncapping at the same time, and the sample sprayed from the tube mouth of the sample tube is discharged from the negative pressure chamber 410 in time under the action of the negative pressure suction force, so as to prevent the sprayed sample from forming an aerosol and contaminating the sample in the next sample tube entering the negative pressure chamber 410 for uncapping. After the sample tube is uncapped, it leaves the negative pressure chamber as the tray rotates, and then is moved to the designated tray by the three-axis manipulator.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicating orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0042] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] The above specific implementation manner cannot be used as a limitation on the protection scope of the utility model. For technicians in this technical field, any replacement, improvement or transformation made to the implementation manner of the utility model falls within the protection scope of the utility model.

[0044] The matters not described in detail in the present invention are all known technologies to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A sample tube capping device, characterized in that: It comprises a frame, on which a turntable and a negative pressure cap opening station are arranged; The turntable is mounted on a frame for rotation around a vertical direction, and a plurality of pipe racks are arranged on the top of the turntable along a circumferential direction; The negative pressure capping station comprises a negative pressure bin and a capping mechanism, and the negative pressure bin and the capping mechanism do not rotate with the turntable; The negative pressure bin is arranged above the turntable, and a first opening and a second opening are provided on the bin wall of the negative pressure bin for the pipe racks to enter and exit. The first opening and the second opening are spaced apart on the circular motion path of the pipe racks, and each pipe rack enters and exits the negative pressure bin in sequence as the turntable rotates; The capping mechanism is used to perform a capping operation on a sample tube entering the negative pressure chamber.

2. The sample tube capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a purification chamber connected to the negative pressure chamber through a pipeline, a filter element is installed in the negative pressure chamber, and the airflow in the negative pressure chamber passes through the purification chamber through a negative pressure generating fan.

3. The sample tube capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cap opening mechanism includes a tube body clamping mechanism and a cap screwing mechanism. The tube body clamping mechanism is used to clamp the tube body of the sample tube, and the cap screwing mechanism is used to clamp the tube cap of the sample tube and drive the tube cap to rotate and move upward.

4. The sample tube capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each tube rack is mounted on a turntable for rotation around a vertical direction. The sample tube capping device also includes a visual identifier, which is used to identify information of the sample tubes placed in the tube rack.

5. The sample tube capping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a sensor for detecting whether a sample tube is placed in the tube rack.

6. The sample tube capping device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a pipe rack rotating mechanism, which is used to drive the pipe rack to rotate around the vertical direction, and the pipe rack rotating mechanism includes: A driven magnetic wheel is arranged corresponding to each pipe rack one by one, and each driven magnetic wheel is coaxially connected to the corresponding pipe rack; The driving magnetic wheel is arranged on the frame, and each driven magnetic wheel approaches the driving magnetic wheel in sequence as the turntable rotates. When the driving magnetic wheel rotates, it drives the driven magnetic wheels close to it to rotate in a vertical direction.

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