Reagent storage and liquid level detection device and immunohistochemical instrument

Abstract

The utility model relates to a reagent storage and liquid level detection device and an immunohistochemical instrument, and relates to the technical field of biological sample automatic treatment equipment, the reagent storage and liquid level detection device comprises: a reagent bottle, the reagent bottle being provided with a liquid injection port; the liquid level detection mechanism comprises a floating piece, the floating piece is arranged in the reagent bottle, and the floating piece can float on the liquid level of the reagent in the reagent bottle; the liquid level detection mechanism further comprises a detection piece used for detecting the position of the floating piece, and the detection piece is located on one side of the reagent bottle. Through the cooperation of the detection piece and the floating piece in the reagent bottle, the reagent in the reagent bottle can be detected in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automatic biological sample processing equipment, and in particular to a reagent storage and liquid level detection device and an immunohistochemical instrument. Background Art

[0002] Immunohistochemistry analyzer is an analytical instrument used in the fields of biology, basic medicine, and clinical medicine. It is mainly used for immunohistochemical staining to detect specific antigens or antibodies in cells or tissues.

[0003] The immunohistochemical instrument needs to use a variety of different chemical reagents when working, so it is often necessary to load the corresponding reagent bottles into the immunohistochemical instrument. When in use, the immunohistochemical instrument extracts the reagents from the corresponding reagent bottles for processing biological samples.

[0004] In order to ensure the normal operation of the immunohistochemistry instrument, it is necessary to frequently check the amount of reagent in each reagent bottle. Since the immunohistochemistry instrument uses a large number of reagent types, this results in a large number of reagent bottles that need to be checked, which in turn makes the time for checking the reagent bottles longer. Since the immunohistochemistry instrument needs to pause during the inspection process, the time for checking the reagent bottles is longer, which will affect the working efficiency of the immunohistochemistry instrument. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application provides a reagent storage and liquid level detection device and an immunohistochemical instrument, the purpose of which is to realize automatic detection of the reagent amount in a reagent bottle through a liquid level detection mechanism, so that the reagent amount in the reagent bottle does not need to be checked frequently during the operation of the immunohistochemical instrument, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0006] On the one hand, the present application provides a reagent storage and liquid level detection device adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A reagent storage and liquid level detection device comprises: a reagent bottle, wherein the reagent bottle is provided with a liquid injection port;

[0008] It also includes a liquid level detection mechanism, the liquid level detection mechanism includes a floating member, the floating member is arranged in the reagent bottle, and the floating member floats on the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle;

[0009] The liquid level detection mechanism also includes a detection member for detecting the position of the floating member, and the detection member is located outside the reagent bottle.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the reagent bottle is used to store the reagent, and the floating part is arranged in the reagent bottle. Under the buoyancy of the reagent, the floating part floats on the reagent liquid surface. When the liquid level in the reagent bottle changes, the position of the floating part also changes, and the detection part can detect the position of the floating part in the reagent bottle. Therefore, through the cooperation of the detection part and the floating part in the reagent bottle, the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle can be detected in real time.

[0011] Optionally, a guide tube is provided on the side wall of the reagent bottle, one side of the guide tube is connected to the reagent bottle, the axial direction of the guide tube is arranged along the floating direction of the floating member, and the floating member is located in the guide tube. The provision of the guide tube can provide a guiding function for the movement of the floating member, so that the floating member can always float in the guide tube, which is convenient for the detection member to always detect the position of the floating member.

[0012] Optionally, one end of the guide tube is closed and the other end is open, and the open end of the guide tube is detachably connected to a mounting cover, and the mounting cover closes the opening of the guide tube.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the installation cover can close the open end of the guide tube. When the installation cover is removed from the guide tube, the status of the floating part can be checked through the guide tube, which is also convenient for replacing a new floating part. When the installation cover is installed on the guide tube, the reagent bottle can store reagents normally.

[0014] Optionally, the detection member includes a Hall detection plate, on which a plurality of Hall sensors are arranged, and the plurality of Hall sensors are arranged in sequence along the floating direction of the floating member; and a magnet is embedded in the floating member.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, since a plurality of Hall sensors are arranged in the Hall detection plate and a magnet is embedded in the floating member, the Hall sensors can detect the magnetic field of the magnet.

[0016] Based on the above principle, the Hall sensor can select a switching Hall sensor, that is, when the magnetic field strength of the magnet in the floating part reaches the trigger threshold set in the Hall sensor, it outputs a voltage signal, indicating that the liquid level has reached the liquid level height set by the Hall sensor, which can indicate the corresponding reagent volume. The Hall sensor can also select a linear Hall sensor, that is, the linear Hall sensor outputs an analog value according to the magnetic field strength of the magnet in the floating part. The analog value is processed by the processor and compared with the set threshold to determine the liquid level.

[0017] Optionally, a mounting cavity is defined in the floating member, and the magnet is disposed on an inner wall of the mounting cavity close to the detection member.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the installation cavity is a hollow structure, so that the floating part can float on the reagent liquid surface, and the magnet is arranged on a side of the installation cavity close to the detection part, so that the detection part can sense and detect the floating part.

[0019] Optionally, a counterweight block is further disposed in the installation cavity, and the counterweight block is disposed in the installation cavity on the other side relative to the magnet.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the counterweight block can balance the weight of the magnet, preventing the side of the floating part where the magnet is arranged from being lower than the liquid level, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the detection.

[0021] Optionally, a mounting cavity is defined in the floating member, and the magnet is disposed on an inner wall of the mounting cavity close to the reagent liquid surface.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the installation cavity is a hollow structure, so that the floating part can float on the reagent liquid surface. The magnet is arranged on the inner wall of the cavity close to the reagent liquid surface. The position of the magnet represents the position of the reagent liquid surface, thereby improving the accuracy of the magnet's indication of the reagent liquid surface, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the detection part on the reagent liquid surface.

[0023] Optionally, a long guide hole is provided on the side wall of the guide tube, and the long guide hole connects the guide tube and the reagent bottle;

[0024] The floating member is provided with a guide block, the guide block is plug-fitted with the guide long hole, and the guide block slides along the axial direction of the guide tube and along the inner wall of the guide long hole.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the guide long hole is opened to achieve the connection between the guide tube and the reagent bottle, so that the liquid level in the guide tube and the reagent bottle is the same. A guide block is arranged on the floating part, and the guide block is plugged and matched with the guide long hole. Therefore, when the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle rises and falls, the guide block can rise and fall in the guide long hole, and then the floating part can be limited to prevent the floating part from rotating in the guide tube, thereby changing the position of the magnet in the floating part.

[0026] On the other hand, the present application provides an immunohistochemistry instrument that adopts the following technical solution:

[0027] An immunohistochemical instrument is provided with the above-mentioned reagent storage and liquid level detection device, comprising: a mounting frame, the detection element is arranged on the mounting frame, and the reagent bottle is detachably connected to the mounting frame through a connecting structure.

[0028] By adopting the above technical solution, the above reagent storage and liquid level detection device is arranged on the immunohistochemical instrument, so that the immunohistochemical instrument can automatically obtain the reagent volume in the corresponding reagent bottle.

[0029] Optionally, a host computer is further included, and the host computer is electrically connected to the detection component. When the detection component detects that the floating component is located at a preset position, the detection component sends an electrical signal to the host computer.

[0030] By adopting the above technical solution, the host computer is set up, and the host computer is electrically connected to the detection part, so that when the detection part detects that the floating part reaches the preset position, the detection part can send an electrical signal to the host computer. At this time, the host computer can determine the position of the corresponding reagent bottle and issue a reminder to facilitate the staff to determine the reagent bottle that needs to be replaced.

[0031] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0032] 1. This application can detect the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle in real time through the cooperation of the floating part and the detection part.

[0033] 2. The present application uses the structural setting of the floating part to enable the detection part to more accurately determine the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle.

[0034] 3. Through the cooperation of switching Hall sensors and linear Hall sensors, a wider range of liquid level detection effects can be achieved, and a more refined liquid level detection effect can also be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the reagent storage and liquid level detection device of the present application.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the partial cross-sectional structure of the reagent bottle of the present application.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the reagent bottle of the present application.

[0038] In the figure, 1. reagent bottle; 11. liquid filling port; 12. guide tube; 121. mounting cover; 122. long guide hole; 13. liquid outlet; 14. quick-connect plug; 15. bottle cap; 151. exhaust hole; 152. one-way exhaust valve; 2. liquid level detection mechanism; 21. floating part; 211. magnet; 212. mounting cavity; 213. counterweight block; 214. guide block; 215. clearance groove; 22. detection part; 221. Hall detection plate; 23. mounting plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following is combined with Figure 1 -Attached Figure 3 , further details of this application are given.

[0040] A reagent storage and liquid level detection device, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, including a reagent bottle 1 and a liquid level detection mechanism 2, the liquid level detection mechanism 2 including a floating member 21 and a detection member 22, the floating member 21 is located in the reagent bottle 1 and floats on the reagent liquid surface in the reagent bottle 1, and the detection member 22 is arranged on the outside of the reagent bottle 1. The floating member 21 can indicate the height of the liquid surface in the reagent bottle 1, and the detection member 22 can detect the position of the floating member 21, and thus can detect the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle 1 in real time.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The top of the reagent bottle 1 is provided with a liquid injection port 11, and the other side of the reagent bottle 1 is a bottle bottom, and the spacing direction between the top and the bottom of the reagent bottle 1 is set in the height direction of the reagent bottle 1. In this embodiment, the reagent is injected through the liquid injection port 11, and the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle 1 will rise along the height direction of the reagent bottle 1.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A guide tube 12 is provided on one side of the reagent bottle 1 close to the detection member 22 . The axial direction of the guide tube 12 is arranged along the height direction of the reagent bottle 1 . The side wall of the guide tube 12 is connected to the reagent bottle 1 . The floating member 21 is arranged in the guide tube 12 .

[0043] When the reagent is injected into the reagent bottle 1, since the guide tube 12 is connected to the reagent bottle 1, the reagent liquid level in the guide tube 12 is the same height as the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle 1, so that the floating member 21 can float in the guide tube 12 along the axial direction of the guide tube 12, and then can indicate the reagent liquid level position in the reagent bottle 1, and obtain the reagent amount through the liquid level position.

[0044] The setting of the guide tube 12 can guide the floating part 21, restrict the floating part 21 in the guide tube 12, and prevent the floating part 21 from drifting to a position away from the detection part 22 in the reagent bottle 1, thereby causing the detection part 22 to be unable to accurately detect the position of the floating part 21, and also unable to accurately detect the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle 1.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , one end of the guide tube 12 is closed and the other end is open, and the open end of the guide tube 12 is located at the end of the guide tube 12 close to the bottle top of the reagent bottle 1. A mounting cover 121 is provided at the open end of the guide tube 12, and the mounting cover 121 is detachably connected to the guide tube 12. When the mounting cover 121 is installed on the guide tube 12, the mounting cover 121 closes the opening of the guide tube 12. In the present application, the mounting cover 121 is connected to the guide tube 12 by threads. Therefore, when the mounting cover 121 is installed on the guide tube 12, the floating member 21 can operate normally; and when the mounting cover 121 is removed from the guide tube 12, the state of the floating member 21 can be observed or the floating member 21 can be replaced.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the liquid level detection mechanism 2 also includes a mounting plate 23, the mounting plate 23 is located on one side of the guide tube 12, and the length direction of the mounting plate 23 is arranged along the axial direction of the guide tube 12. The detection member 22 is located on the side of the mounting plate 23 facing the guide tube 12, and the detection member 22 includes a Hall detection plate 221, the Hall detection plate 221 is fixedly connected to the mounting plate 23, and the Hall detection plate 221 is embedded with a plurality of Hall sensors, and the plurality of Hall sensors are sequentially arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the guide tube 12, and the number of Hall sensors and the interval distance between two adjacent Hall sensors are set according to actual conditions. In addition, a magnet 211 is arranged in the floating member 21. The position of the magnet 211 in the floating member 21 can be detected by the Hall sensor, and the liquid level position of the reagent in the reagent bottle 1 can also be detected, and then the amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle 1 can be determined.

[0047] In the present application, the Hall sensor can select a switching Hall sensor, that is, when the magnetic field strength of the magnet 211 in the floating part 21 reaches the trigger threshold set in the Hall sensor, a voltage signal is output, indicating that the liquid level has reached the liquid level height set by the Hall sensor, which can indicate the corresponding liquid level height. The Hall sensor can also select a linear Hall sensor, that is, the linear Hall sensor outputs an analog value according to the magnetic field strength of the magnet 211 in the floating part 21, and the analog value is processed by the processor and compared with the set threshold to determine the liquid level height.

[0048] Therefore, the mounting plate 23 is installed in the immunohistochemical instrument by bolts, and the detection member 22 is electrically connected to the immunohistochemical instrument, so that the immunohistochemical instrument can determine the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle 1 according to the electrical signal sent by the detection member 22 .

[0049] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The floating member 21 has an installation cavity 212, and the magnet 211 is arranged on the inner wall of the installation cavity 212 close to the detection member 22. At this time, the magnet 211 is closest to the detection member 22. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , ensuring that the detection member 22 can accurately detect the floating member 21.

[0050] In addition, the magnet 211 is arranged on one side of the bottom of the reagent bottle 1 in the installation cavity 212. At this time, the magnet 211 is closest to the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle 1, which can improve the accuracy of the magnet 211 in indicating the reagent liquid level, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the detection element 22 in detecting the reagent liquid level.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2A guide slot 122 is formed through the side wall of the guide tube 12 away from the detection member 22. The length direction of the guide slot 122 is arranged along the axial direction of the guide tube 12, and the guide slot 122 connects the guide tube 12 and the reagent bottle 1. The guide slot 122 is formed to connect the guide tube 12 and the reagent bottle 1, so that the reagent liquid level in the guide tube 12 is at the same height as the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle 1.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A guide block 214 is provided on the side of the floating member 21 away from the detection member 22 . The guide block 214 is plugged into and matched with the guide long hole 122 , and the guide block 214 slides along the inner wall of the guide long hole 122 along the length direction of the guide long hole 122 .

[0053] On the one hand, the cooperation between the guide block 214 and the guide slot 122 can guide the floating of the floating member 21 in the guide tube 12 without affecting the normal floating of the floating member 21. On the other hand, since the guide block 214 is inserted into the guide slot 122, the guide block 214 is limited in the width direction of the guide slot 122, so that the floating member 21 cannot rotate in the guide tube 12, thereby ensuring that the magnet 211 can always be located on the inner wall of the mounting cavity 212 facing the detection member 22.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A counterweight 213 is also provided in the mounting cavity 212, and the counterweight 213 is spaced apart from the magnet 211, and the counterweight 213 is located on the side of the magnet 211 away from the detection element 22. The counterweight 213 can balance the weight of the magnet 211, prevent one side of the magnet 211 from being lower than the liquid level, and ensure the accuracy of the detection.

[0055] In this embodiment, a clearance groove 215 is provided on the side of the guide block 214 facing the floating member 21, and the clearance groove 215 is connected to the installation cavity 212, and the counterweight block 213 is arranged in the clearance groove 215. Therefore, installing the counterweight block 213 in the guide block 214 can further balance the magnet 211 and improve the overall stability of the floating member 21.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 The reagent bottle 1 is also provided with a bottle cap 15, which is detachably connected to the reagent bottle 1, and when the bottle cap 15 is installed on the reagent bottle 1, the bottle cap 15 closes the liquid injection port 11. In the present application, the bottle cap 15 is connected to the reagent bottle 1 by a thread.

[0057] Reference Figure 3The bottle cap 15 is provided with an exhaust hole 151, in which a one-way exhaust valve 152 is installed, and the one-way exhaust valve 152 closes the exhaust hole 151. Therefore, the one-way exhaust valve 152 can exhaust air in one direction, ensuring that the internal and external atmospheric pressures of the reagent bottle 1 are consistent, and the abnormal extraction and discharge of the reagent bottle 1 will not be caused by the pressure difference.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The reagent bottle 1 is provided with a liquid outlet 13, which is provided at the top of the reagent bottle, and the spacing direction between the liquid outlet 13 and the liquid injection port 11 is arranged along the spacing direction between the detection member 22 and the reagent bottle 1. The reagent bottle 1 is also provided with a quick-connect plug 14, which is connected to the liquid outlet 13 and is detachably connected to the reagent bottle 1. In this embodiment, the quick-connect plug 14 is connected to the reagent bottle 1 by threads.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 , a quick-connect plug 14 is installed on the liquid outlet 13, so that the liquid outlet 13 can be connected to the corresponding immunohistochemical instrument through the quick-connect plug 14. On the one hand, when the reagent bottle 1 is filled with reagents, the immunohistochemical instrument can extract the reagents in the reagent bottle 1 from the liquid outlet 13 to achieve the supply of reagents required by the immunohistochemical instrument. On the other hand, when the reagent bottle 1 is used to store waste liquid, the immunohistochemical instrument can inject the waste liquid generated by the work into the corresponding reagent bottle 1 through the liquid outlet 13 to achieve the collection of the waste liquid generated by the immunohistochemical instrument.

[0060] In the present application, in addition to the above-mentioned structure, the floating member 21 can also be a floating ball with a magnet 211 embedded therein or other structures that can float on the corresponding reagent liquid surface.

[0061] The implementation principle of the embodiment of the present application is as follows: the floating member 21 is arranged in the reagent bottle 1. Under the buoyancy of the reagent, the floating member 21 floats on the reagent liquid surface. When the liquid level in the reagent bottle 1 changes, the position of the floating member 21 also changes, and the detection member 22 can detect the position of the floating member 21 in the reagent bottle 1. Through the cooperation of the detection member 22 and the floating member 21 in the reagent bottle 1, the amount of reagent in the reagent bottle 1 can be detected in real time.

[0062] The present application also discloses an immunohistochemical instrument, including a mounting frame and the above-mentioned reagent storage and liquid level detection device, wherein a detection member 22 is mounted on the mounting frame, and a reagent bottle 1 is detachably connected to the detection member 22 via a connecting mechanism. In addition, the immunohistochemical instrument also includes a host computer, and the detection member 22 is electrically connected to the host computer. When the detection member 22 detects that the floating member 21 has reached a preset position, the detection member 22 can send an electrical signal to the corresponding host computer, thereby realizing the function of reminding the replacement of the reagent bottle 1.

[0063] The implementation principle of the embodiment of the present application is: during actual use, the mounting plate 23 is set in the immunohistochemistry instrument. When the reagent bottle 1 is installed in the immunohistochemistry instrument, the guide tube 12 is opposite to the Hall detection plate 221, and the quick-connect plug 14 on the reagent bottle 1 is plugged into the corresponding interface in the immunohistochemistry instrument.

[0064] When the required reagent is stored in the reagent bottle 1 and the reagent volume is higher than the preset position, the immunohistochemistry instrument extracts the reagent in the reagent bottle 1. During this process, the position of the floating part 21 is detected in real time by the detection part 22. When the position of the floating part 21 is at the preset position, it means that the remaining reagent in the reagent bottle 1 can no longer meet the next working requirement. The detection part 22 can send an electrical signal to the host computer to provide a reminder.

[0065] When the reagent bottle 1 is used to store waste liquid, the immunohistochemistry instrument injects the waste liquid into the corresponding reagent bottle 1. During this process, the position of the floating member 21 is detected in real time by the detection member 22. When the position of the floating member 21 is at the preset position, it means that the remaining space in the reagent bottle 1 is unable to store the waste liquid generated by the next work. The detection member 22 can send an electrical signal to the host computer to remind it.

[0066] The embodiments of this specific implementation are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. The same components are represented by the same figure marks. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device, characterized in that: include: A reagent bottle (1), wherein the reagent bottle (1) is provided with a liquid injection port (11); It also comprises a liquid level detection mechanism (2), the liquid level detection mechanism (2) comprising a floating member (21), the floating member (21) being arranged in the reagent bottle (1), and the floating member (21) will float on the reagent liquid level in the reagent bottle (1); The liquid level detection mechanism (2) further comprises a detection member (22) for detecting the position of the floating member (21); the detection member (22) is located outside the reagent bottle (1).

2. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide tube (12) is provided on the side wall of the reagent bottle (1), one side of the guide tube (12) is connected to the reagent bottle (1), the axial direction of the guide tube (12) is arranged along the floating direction of the floating member (21), and the floating member (21) is located in the guide tube (12).

3. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the guide tube (12) is closed and the other end is open; the open end of the guide tube (12) is detachably connected to a mounting cover (121), and the mounting cover (121) closes the opening of the guide tube (12).

4. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection member (22) comprises a Hall detection plate (221), on which a plurality of Hall sensors are arranged, and the plurality of Hall sensors are arranged in sequence along the floating direction of the floating member (21); and a magnet (211) is embedded in the floating member (21).

5. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: An installation cavity (212) is provided in the floating member (21), and the magnet (211) is arranged on an inner wall of the installation cavity (212) close to the detection member (22).

6. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A counterweight block (213) is also provided in the installation cavity (212); the counterweight block (213) is provided in the installation cavity (212) on the other side relative to the magnet (211).

7. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The floating member (21) is provided with a mounting cavity (212), and the magnet (211) is arranged on an inner wall of the mounting cavity (212) close to the reagent liquid surface.

8. A reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A guide long hole (122) is provided on the side wall of the guide tube (12), and the guide long hole (122) is connected to the guide tube (12) and the reagent bottle (1); A guide block (214) is provided on the floating member (21), the guide block (214) is plug-fitted with the guide long hole (122), and the guide block (214) slides along the axial direction of the guide tube (12) and the inner wall of the guide long hole (122).

9. An immunohistochemical instrument equipped with a reagent storage and liquid level detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: include: A mounting frame, the detection element (22) is arranged on the mounting frame, and the reagent bottle (1) is detachably connected to the mounting frame via a connecting structure.

10. An immunohistochemical instrument according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also comprises a host computer, the host computer being electrically connected to the detection component (22), and when the detection component (22) detects that the floating component (21) is located at a preset position, the detection component (22) sends an electrical signal to the host computer.

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