Pipetting module for nucleic acid extraction and detection
By designing a pipetting module that can accurately displace in the x, y, and z directions and accurately locate the sample position, the problem that existing modules are difficult to complete the extraction and detection of nucleic acids for complex samples is solved, and efficient and accurate Pipe work and multi-item testing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420730062.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-04-10
AI Technical Summary
The existing pipetting modules are difficult to achieve free movement and precise positioning in multiple directions and angles, making it difficult to complete nucleic acid extraction and detection of complex samples, with low flux and long time.
A pipetting module including displacement assembly and tip head assembly is designed. By improving the structure of displacement assembly and positioning groove, the module can drive the precise displacement of the tip head in the x, y, and z directions and perform the sample position. Accurate positioning.
Multi-directional and multi-angle displacement in three-dimensional space is achieved, the accuracy and efficiency of pipetting are improved, and complex pipetting work and inspection of multiple projects can be efficiently completed.
Smart Images
Figure CN222512911U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of biological detection and relates to a liquid transfer module for nucleic acid extraction detection. Background Art
[0002] Nucleic acid extraction and amplification detection are important experimental methods in molecular biology research. Early experiments were all done manually, which took a long time and the experimental results were easily affected by individual differences in experimental personnel. With the development of industrial automation, in the field of experimental science, traditional manual experiments are increasingly replaced by automated equipment. The repeatability and consistency of automated equipment reduce the errors of traditional manual experiments and improve the reliability and efficiency of experiments. The nucleic acid extraction and detection all-in-one machine is a highly integrated compact instrument that performs fully automatic, fully closed, and integrated operations for nucleic acid extraction and amplification. It can highly automate the automation of nucleic acid extraction and amplification detection, shorten the nucleic acid extraction and amplification process, reduce the impact of human factors, enhance the safety and effectiveness of nucleic acid sample preparation, and realize the miniaturization and portability of the device to meet the needs of grassroots or on-site rapid detection. It is the main research direction for the development of new nucleic acid extraction and detection all-in-one machines.
[0003] The nucleic acid extraction and detection machine needs to use a pipetting module combined with a pipette tip (tip head) to achieve the pipetting and reaction of the sample to be tested. The existing pipetting module can usually only drive the pipette tip to move up and down, and it is difficult to achieve free movement and precise positioning in multiple directions and angles. Therefore, it is difficult to complete the complex pipetting work between multiple projects and multiple reagents, and it is difficult to complete the nucleic acid extraction and detection of complex samples. In addition, the throughput is low, and usually only one nucleic acid can be amplified at a time. When there are multiple projects, multiple operations are required, which takes a lot of time. Therefore, it is urgent to find a pipetting module that can perform multi-directional and multi-angle displacement in a three-dimensional space, so as to drive the pipette tip to accurately complete various complex pipetting tasks. Utility Model Content
[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the utility model provides a pipetting module for nucleic acid extraction and detection, including a displacement component and a tip head component combined into an integral structure from top to bottom, and a positioning groove located below the tip head component; by improving the structure of the displacement component and the positioning groove, the pipetting module can not only drive the tip head to achieve precise displacement in the x, y, and z directions, but also accurately locate the position of the sample, and has a simple and compact structure, high integration, can efficiently complete complex pipetting work, and can also complete the detection of multiple projects at the same time.
[0005] The liquid transfer module provided by the utility model comprises a displacement component and a tip head component which are combined into an integral structure from top to bottom, and a positioning groove located below the tip head component; the displacement component is used to drive the displacement movement of the tip head component in the x, y and z directions; the tip head component is used to drive the tip head to complete the liquid transfer work of the reagent; and the positioning groove is used to locate the position of the reagent.
[0006] The pipetting module provided by the utility model is arranged in the nucleic acid extraction and detection integrated machine, and can cooperate with the nucleic acid amplification detection kit in the nucleic acid extraction and detection integrated machine to complete the nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection of the sample to be tested in the kit. The pipetting work is mainly completed by combining the pipetting module with the tip head, and controlling the tip head to complete the pipetting work to realize the pipetting and reaction of the sample and various reagents until the final fluorescence detection. Therefore, it is very critical whether the pipetting module can drive the tip head to achieve precise displacement in the x, y, and z directions, and whether it can accurately position the sample to be tested and other reagents in the kit.
[0007] The tip head described in the utility model is a disposable liquid transfer gun head, which is made of plastic.
[0008] Furthermore, the displacement assembly includes an x-arm, a y-arm and a z-arm.
[0009] Furthermore, the x arm is located at the top; the y arm is located below the x arm, and the x arm can drive the y arm to move in the x direction; the z arm is located below the y arm, and the y arm can drive the z arm to move in the y direction.
[0010] In order to achieve precise displacement of the tip head in three-dimensional space, the displacement component is equipped with an x-arm, y-arm and z-arm for controlling displacement in the x, y and z directions. The x-arm and y-arm are placed horizontally, the y-arm is located below the x-arm and crosses the x-arm at a 90-degree angle, and the z-arm is located at the bottom and placed vertically.
[0011] Furthermore, the x-arm, y-arm and z-arm are respectively provided with a stepper motor, a guide rail, a synchronous belt and a zero position sensor, and the zero position sensor includes an x-direction zero position sensor, a y-direction zero position sensor and a z-direction zero position sensor, which are respectively used to sense the starting positions in the x, y and z directions.
[0012] By setting up stepper motors, guide rails and synchronous belts, the accuracy of displacement in the x, y and z directions can be controlled, and then the initial position can be controlled by the zero position sensor to minimize the error.
[0013] Furthermore, the zero position sensor includes a baffle and an inductor; a first zero position sensor is provided in the x direction, wherein the first inductor is located at the x arm and the first baffle is located at the y arm; a second zero position sensor is provided in the y direction, wherein the second inductor is located at the z arm and the second baffle is located at the y arm; a third zero position sensor is provided in the z direction, wherein the third inductor is located at the z arm and the third baffle is also located at the z arm.
[0014] The zero position sensors in the x, y and z directions are cross-set respectively, which can be more conducive to controlling the position relationship between the x, y and z arms at the same time, and the structural design is also more compact.
[0015] Furthermore, the tip head assembly is located on the z arm, and the z arm drives the tip head assembly to move up and down in the z direction; the y arm drives the z arm, thereby driving the tip head assembly to move in the y direction; the x arm drives the y arm, and then the y arm drives the z arm, thereby driving the tip head assembly to move in the x direction.
[0016] Furthermore, the tip head assembly includes a gun head, and the tip head assembly can realize the combination or separation of the tip head and the gun head. When the tip head is combined with the gun head, the displacement assembly drives the tip head assembly to displace, thereby driving the tip head to displace.
[0017] Furthermore, a capacitance detection device is provided on the Z arm for detecting the capacitance change when the gun tip contacts the positioning groove; the gun tip and the positioning groove are made of metal.
[0018] Since the gun tip and the positioning slot are made of metal, the capacitance of the gun tip will change when it approaches the positioning slot. Therefore, by detecting the capacitance change of the gun tip through a capacitance detection device, it is possible to directly determine whether the gun tip is in contact with the positioning slot, thereby helping to position the gun tip.
[0019] Furthermore, the positioning groove is located on one side of the table where the reagents are placed.
[0020] Furthermore, the positioning groove is a groove body with an opening facing upward, the wall of the groove body is cylindrical, and the bottom is hemispherical; the gun head can be inserted into the groove body and calibrated by contacting the wall and bottom of the groove body, so that the position of the reagent can be found when performing pipetting.
[0021] In some embodiments, the top of the gun tip is spherical in design, and the size of the slot can match the gun tip, or be slightly larger than the size of the gun tip, so that the gun tip can extend into the slot.
[0022] In some embodiments, before the gun tip is combined with the tip head to perform the pipetting work, it first detects the position of the tank body for accurate positioning, and then combines with the tip head and completes the pipetting work.
[0023] The setting of the slot body is equivalent to calibrating the position of the sample reagent. The gun tip determines the position of the slot body, thereby calculating the specific hole positions of various reagents in the reagent table, helping the gun tip to accurately position and accurately complete complex pipetting tasks.
[0024] Furthermore, the number of the positioning grooves is two.
[0025] Two points can determine a straight line, and two positioning grooves can accurately calibrate the coordinate position of the reagent table, thereby determining the specific hole positions of various reagent bottles in the reagent table. At the same time, "two" is also the minimum number required to complete precise positioning.
[0026] Furthermore, the pipetting module also includes a plunger pump, which is located below the Y-arm and connected to the gun head through a pipeline, and is used to control the adsorption or discharge of reagents by the tip head.
[0027] The nucleic acid extraction and amplification kit provided by the utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0028] 1. Drive the tip head to achieve precise displacement in the x, y, and z directions;
[0029] 2. It can accurately locate the specific holes of each reagent in the reagent table;
[0030] 3. The structure is simple and compact, with high integration, and can efficiently complete complex pipetting work and complete the detection of multiple projects at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid transfer module provided in Example 1;
[0032] Figure 2 An exploded view of the pipetting module provided in Example 1 (without the positioning groove);
[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid transfer module provided in Example 1 (without positioning grooves, front view);
[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid transfer module provided in Example 1 (without positioning grooves, side view);
[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the tip head assembly provided in Example 1;
[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the positioning groove provided in Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be pointed out that the following embodiments are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and do not have any limiting effect on it. All features disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, or all steps in the disclosed methods or processes, except for mutually exclusive features and / or steps, can be combined in any way.
[0038] The pipetting module for nucleic acid extraction and detection provided in this embodiment is as follows Figures 1 to 6 As shown, Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the pipetting module. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the pipetting module; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pipetting module (without positioning groove, front view); Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pipetting module (without positioning groove, side view); Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tip head assembly; Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the positioning groove.
[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the pipetting module 1 provided by the utility model is a component in the nucleic acid extraction and detection integrated machine. The pipetting module 1 can cooperate with the nucleic acid amplification detection kit 3 in the nucleic acid extraction and detection integrated machine to complete the nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection of the sample to be tested in the kit 3, mainly through the pipetting module 1 combined with the tip head 4 (Zhejiang Boyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., T200 transparent pipette tip), and control the tip head 4 to complete the pipetting work to achieve the pipetting and reaction of samples and various reagents until the final fluorescence detection. Therefore, it is very critical whether the pipetting module 1 can drive the tip head 4 to achieve precise displacement in the x, y, and z directions, and whether it can accurately position the sample to be tested and other reagents in the kit 3.
[0040] like Figures 2 to 6 , the pipetting module 1 includes a displacement component 5 and a tip head component 6 which are combined into an integral structure from top to bottom, and a positioning groove 7 located below the tip head component 6; the displacement component 5 is used to drive the tip head component 6 to move in the x, y, and z directions; the tip head component 6 is used to drive the tip head 4 to complete the pipetting of the reagent; the positioning groove 7 is used to locate the position of the reagent. In order to achieve the precise displacement of the tip head 4 in the three-dimensional space, the displacement component 5 is provided with an x arm 8, a y arm 9, and a z arm 10 for controlling the displacement in the x, y, and z directions. Figure 2 , the x-arm 8 is located at the top; the y-arm 9 is located below the x-arm 8, and the x-arm 8 can drive the y-arm 9 to move in the x-direction; the z-arm 10 is located below the y-arm 9, and the y-arm 9 can drive the z-arm 10 to move in the y-direction. The x-arm 8 and the y-arm 9 are placed horizontally, the y-arm 9 is located below the x-arm 8 and horizontally crosses the x-arm 8 at a 90-degree angle, and the z-arm 10 is located below the y-arm 9 and placed vertically.
[0041] like Figure 3 and 4, the x-arm 8, the y-arm 9 and the z-arm 10 are respectively provided with a stepper motor, a guide rail, a synchronous belt and a zero position sensor. Through the setting of the stepper motor, the guide rail and the synchronous belt, the accuracy of the displacement in the x, y and z directions can be controlled, and then the initial position is controlled by the zero position sensor to minimize the error. Among them, the x-arm 8 is provided with a first stepper motor 11, a first guide rail 12, and a first synchronous belt 13; the y-arm 9 is provided with a second stepper motor 15, a second guide rail 16, and a second synchronous belt 17; the z-arm 10 is provided with a third stepper motor 20, a third guide rail 21, and a third synchronous belt 22. The zero position sensor includes a first zero position sensor 14 (zero position sensor in the x direction), a second zero position sensor 18 (zero position sensor in the y direction) and a third zero position sensor 23 (zero position sensor in the z direction), which are used to sense the starting positions in the x, y and z directions respectively. Each zero position sensor is composed of a baffle and an inductor; wherein, the first zero position sensor 14 in the x direction has a first inductor 24 located at the x arm 8 and a first baffle 25 located at the y arm 9; the second zero position sensor 18 in the y direction has a second inductor 26 located at the z arm 10 and a second baffle 27 located at the y arm 9; the third zero position sensor 23 in the z direction has a third inductor 28 located at the z arm 10 and a third baffle 29 also located at the z arm 10. The zero position sensors in the x, y and z directions are arranged crosswise, respectively, which is more conducive to simultaneously controlling the positional relationship between the x arm 8, the y arm 9 and the z arm 10, and the structural design is also more compact.
[0042] like Figure 3 The tip head assembly 6 is located on the z arm 10, and the z arm 10 drives the tip head assembly 6 to move up and down in the z direction; the y arm 9 drives the z arm 10, thereby driving the tip head assembly 6 to move in the y direction; the x arm 8 drives the y arm 9, and then the y arm 9 drives the z arm 10, thereby driving the tip head assembly 6 to move in the x direction.
[0043] like Figure 5 The tip head assembly 6 includes a gun head 30, and the tip head assembly 6 can realize the combination or separation of the tip head 4 and the gun head 30. When the tip head 4 is combined with the gun head 30, the displacement assembly 5 drives the tip head assembly 6 to displace, thereby driving the tip head 5 to displace through the gun head 30.
[0044] The z-arm 10 is also provided with a capacitance detection device 36 for detecting the capacitance change when the gun tip 30 contacts the positioning groove 31; the gun tip 30 and the positioning groove 31 are made of metal. Since the gun tip 30 and the positioning groove 31 are made of metal, the capacitance of the gun tip 30 will change when it is close to the positioning groove 31. Therefore, by detecting the capacitance change of the gun tip 30 through the capacitance detection device 36, it can be directly determined whether the gun tip 30 contacts the positioning groove 31, thereby helping the gun tip 30 to be positioned.
[0045] like Figure 1The positioning groove 31 is located on one side of the table 19 where the reagents are placed. Figure 6 The positioning groove 31 is a groove body with an opening upward, the wall 32 of the groove body is cylindrical, and the bottom 33 is hemispherical, which is fixed to the table 32 by screws 35; the gun head 30 can be inserted into the groove body, and calibrated by contacting the wall 32 and the bottom 33 of the groove body, so that the position of the reagent can be found when performing pipetting. The top of the gun head 30 is spherical in design, and the size of the positioning groove 31 can match the gun head 30, or be slightly larger than the size of the gun head 30, so that the gun head 30 can extend into the positioning groove 31. Before the gun head 30 is combined with the tip head 4 to perform pipetting, the position of the positioning groove 31 is first detected for accurate positioning, and then the subsequent combination with the tip head 4 is performed to complete the pipetting work. The setting of the positioning groove 31 is equivalent to calibrating the position of the sample reagent. The gun head 30 determines the position of the positioning groove 31, thereby calculating the specific hole positions of various reagents in the reagent table 32, helping the gun head 30 to accurately position and accurately complete complex pipetting work. Figure 1 There are two positioning grooves 31. Since two points can determine a straight line, two positioning grooves 31 can accurately calibrate the coordinate position of the reagent table 32, thereby determining the specific hole positions of various reagent bottles in the reagent table 32. At the same time, two positioning grooves 31 are also the minimum number required to complete precise positioning.
[0046] The liquid transfer module 1 is also provided with a plunger pump 37 ( Figure 3 ), the plunger pump 37 is located below the Y arm 9 and is connected to the gun head 30 through a pipeline. It is used to control the adsorption or discharge of the reagent by the tip head 4 and can also control the amount of the adsorbed reagent.
[0047] The application of the utility model is not limited to this. For example, the scope of application of the utility model can be expanded according to its environmental protection. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Therefore, the scope of protection of the utility model shall be based on the scope defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A pipetting module, characterized in that: It includes a displacement component and a tip head component which are combined into an integral structure from top to bottom, and a positioning groove located below the tip head component; the displacement component is used to drive the tip head component to move in the x, y, and z directions; the tip head component is used to drive the tip head to complete the pipetting of the reagent; and the positioning groove is used to locate the position of the reagent.
2. The liquid transfer module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The displacement assembly includes an x-arm, a y-arm and a z-arm; the x-arm is located at the top; the y-arm is located below the x-arm, and the x-arm can drive the y-arm to displace in the x-direction; the z-arm is located below the y-arm, and the y-arm can drive the z-arm to displace in the y-direction.
3. The liquid transfer module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The x-arm, y-arm and z-arm are respectively provided with a stepper motor, a guide rail, a synchronous belt and a zero position sensor. The zero position sensor includes an x-direction zero position sensor, a y-direction zero position sensor and a z-direction zero position sensor, which are respectively used to sense the starting positions in the x-, y- and z-directions.
4. The liquid transfer module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The zero position sensor includes a baffle and an inductor; a first zero position sensor is provided in the x direction, wherein the first inductor is located at the x arm and the first baffle is located at the y arm; a second zero position sensor is provided in the y direction, wherein the second inductor is located at the z arm and the second baffle is located at the y arm; a third zero position sensor is provided in the z direction, wherein the third inductor is located at the z arm and the third baffle is also located at the z arm.
5. The liquid transfer module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The tip head assembly is located on the z arm, and the z arm drives the tip head assembly to move up and down in the z direction; the y arm drives the z arm, thereby driving the tip head assembly to move in the y direction; the x arm drives the y arm, and then the y arm drives the z arm, thereby driving the tip head assembly to move in the x direction.
6. The liquid transfer module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tip head assembly includes a gun head, and the tip head assembly can realize the combination or separation of the tip head and the gun head. When the tip is combined with the gun head, the displacement assembly drives the tip head assembly to displace, thereby driving the tip head to displace.
7. The liquid transfer module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The Z arm is also provided with a capacitance detection device for detecting the capacitance change when the gun head contacts the positioning groove; the gun head and the positioning groove are made of metal.
8. The liquid transfer module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The positioning groove is located on one side of the table where the reagents are placed; there are two positioning grooves.
9. The liquid transfer module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The positioning groove is a groove body with an opening upward, the wall of the groove body is cylindrical, and the bottom is hemispherical; the gun head can be inserted into the groove body and calibrated by contacting the wall and bottom of the groove body, so that the position of the reagent can be found when performing pipetting.
10. The liquid transfer module according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a plunger pump, which is located below the Y-arm and connected to the gun head through a pipeline, and is used to control the adsorption or discharge of reagents by the tip head.