Modularized cryopreservation tube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen and support structure

Abstract

The freezing tube comprises a tube body and a tube cap, a through hole is formed in the bottom of the tube body, a hollow barrel-shaped structure is arranged in the tube body, and a plurality of grooves are formed in the side wall of the hollow barrel-shaped structure; a through hole with taper is formed in the center of the tube cap, the taper and the size of the outer side of the position, away from the tube body, of the through hole can be matched with those of a pipettor, and the inner side of the position, close to the tube body, of the through hole can be connected with different functional assemblies. The section of the pipe cap middle section is polygonal, can provide a plurality of planes for printing marks, and can also be used for a mechanical arm to clamp and rotate the pipe cap. The bottom through hole of the tube body can allow liquid nitrogen to enter quickly, and after the tube body is lifted, the hollow barrel structure is plugged on the bottom through hole by means of the gravity of the liquid nitrogen and pressure generated by gasification, so that the bottom through hole is blocked. The liquid nitrogen in the tube body is not easy to leak, and the sample is kept to be cooled for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of biological sample storage, and in particular relates to a modularized cryopreservation tube and a support structure for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen. Background Art

[0002] In the field of life sciences, sperm, eggs, embryos or cells that need to be preserved for a long time are usually placed in liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing their life activities to almost complete cessation and extending their lifespan. In order to avoid the damage of the cell structure by the water in the cells during the cooling process, the cooling speed is usually required to be very fast. The current solution is to use a structure called a wheat straw, which is hollow, slender, and has thin walls like wheat straw, hence the name. This design is nothing more than the thin wall is conducive to the rapid increase or decrease of temperature, and the slenderness is conducive to the operator's handheld operation. However, there are many problems with the storage method of such a wheat straw structure. For example, the wheat straws are long and thin, occupying a large amount of space vertically and cannot be stacked, resulting in low space utilization; the diameter of the wheat straws is very small, making it extremely inconvenient to insert embryo carriers, etc.; the wheat straws bend irregularly at low temperatures, which is not conducive to automated operations; it is not conducive to sample search and sample safety. Since the wheat straws are long and thin, they are often bundled in hanging baskets and immersed in liquid nitrogen when used. When extracting samples, the entire bundle can only be lifted, causing other samples in the same bundle to have to be removed from the protection of liquid nitrogen, causing damage to precious samples; the liquid nitrogen level of the liquid nitrogen tank using the wheat straw structure changes as the liquid nitrogen evaporates, sometimes causing the sample storage environment temperature to exceed the limit. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model aims to provide a modular cryopreservation tube and support structure for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen that solves the above-mentioned problem.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] A modular cryopreservation tube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen comprises a tube body and a tube cap connected to the top of the tube body, wherein the bottom of the tube body is made of either a high-density metal or a ferromagnetic material, and a through hole is provided at the bottom of the tube body; a hollow barrel structure that can slide along the inner wall of the tube body is provided inside the tube body; a tapered through hole is provided at the center of the tube cap, the position of the through hole away from the tube body can be adapted to a pipette, and the position of the through hole close to the tube body can be connected to a functional component, the middle section of the tube cap is a polygonal cross section, and the middle section of the tube cap has a plurality of planes for a robot to grip and rotate the tube cap and can provide printing markings.

[0006] Preferably, the high-density metal or ferromagnetic material includes copper, iron or ferromagnetic powder.

[0007] Preferably, a plurality of grooves are provided on the side walls and the top wall of the hollow barrel structure, and the two cooperate to form a gap to allow liquid nitrogen to pass through.

[0008] Preferably, a protrusion is provided at the lower section of the tube cap, and the outer wall of the protrusion and the inner wall of the tube body are both provided with mutually matching thread structures.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of raised ribs for preventing rotation are arranged on the outer wall of the bottom of the tube body.

[0010] It also includes a support structure, which includes a pipe rack for placing the above-mentioned pipe body, the pipe rack is provided with a plurality of pipe rack holes arranged in an orderly manner, the pipe rack is provided with horizontal and vertical coordinate marks corresponding to the pipe rack holes, and the pipe rack holes are provided with protruding ribs for stopping rotation, and the ribs cooperate with the ribs of the pipe body.

[0011] Preferably, it further comprises a holding tank, the pipe rack is arranged in the holding tank, the holding tank comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall of the holding tank are hollow, the inner wall is made of ferromagnetic material, a first overflow opening for overflow of excess liquid nitrogen is arranged on the inner wall, the outer wall is made of a material resistant to low temperature and having low thermal conductivity, and a second overflow opening is arranged at the bottom of the outer wall.

[0012] Beneficial effects of the utility model: the bottom through hole of the tube body of the utility model can allow liquid nitrogen to enter quickly. After the tube body is lifted, the hollow barrel structure is plugged on the bottom through hole by relying on the gravity of the liquid nitrogen and the pressure generated by gasification to block the bottom through hole. It ensures that the liquid nitrogen in the tube body will not leak easily and keeps the sample cooled for a long time.

[0013] The magnetic material at the bottom of the tube can increase the weight of the tube, allowing it to sink quickly into the liquid nitrogen. The magnetic attraction can combine with the ferromagnetic inner surface of the holding tank, firmly adsorbed in the holding tank, and prevent the sample from being lost during the transfer process. The tubes placed in the holding tank can be stacked with the holding tank. Liquid nitrogen can be pumped from the bottom to the top holding tank, and then flow into the holding tank below through the overflow hole to ensure that each box of samples is immersed in liquid nitrogen. The holding tank can be grasped by the automated gripper, and the desired tube can be further selected to ensure the safety and convenience of the sample. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of ;

[0016] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the barrel structure;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pipe rack;

[0018] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a containing tank;

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of ;

[0020] Among them, there are a tube body 1, a tube cap 2, a tube body through hole 3, a barrel structure 4, a tube cap through hole 5, a step portion 6, a rod carrier fixture 7, a filter element 8, a plane 9, a groove 10, a second tube cap through hole 11, a protrusion 12, a threaded structure 13, an upper section of the tube cap 14, a middle section of the tube cap 15, a lower section of the tube cap 16, ribs 17, a tube rack 18, a tube rack hole 19, a containing groove 20, an inner wall 21, an outer wall 22, a first overflow opening 23, and a second overflow opening 24. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The technical solution of this patent is further described in detail below in conjunction with specific implementation methods.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a modular cryopreservation tube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen includes a hollow tube body 1 and a tube cap 2 connected to the top of the tube body. The bottom of the tube body 1 is made of one of high-density metal or ferromagnetic materials. The high-density metal or ferromagnetic material includes copper, iron or ferromagnetic powder injection molding, which plays the role of counterweight and attraction fixation. A tube body through hole 3 is opened at the bottom of the tube body 1. A hollow barrel structure 4 that can slide along the inner wall of the tube body 1 is arranged inside the tube body 1. The inner wall of the tube body 1 is provided with a step portion 6 for limiting the barrel structure 4. The step portion 6 can limit the barrel structure 4 and allow it to slide within a certain range in the tube body 1. A plurality of grooves 10 are opened on the side wall and the top wall of the barrel structure 4. The grooves 10 on the side wall and the top wall cooperate with each other to form a gap with the inner wall of the tube body 1 to allow liquid nitrogen to pass through.

[0023] A tapered cap through hole 5 is provided at the center of the tube cap 2, and the position of the cap through hole 5 away from the tube body 1 can be adapted to the end of a pipette (not shown) conventionally used in the field of biotechnology. The position of the cap through hole 5 close to the tube body 1 can be connected to different functional components, such as a rod holder 7, to achieve the preservation function for different types of samples. A filter element 8 can be provided in the middle part of the cap through hole 5. The cross-section of the middle section 15 of the tube cap is a polygon inscribed in a circle, preferably a square and an equilateral triangle. From the side, the middle section 15 of the tube cap includes a plurality of square or rectangular planes 9, which can facilitate the robot to grip and rotate the tube cap 2, and can also be used to use laser etching of digital or QR code and other identification information on it, and can also be used to wrap a low-temperature resistant label. The lower section 16 of the tube cap is provided with a protrusion 12, and the outer wall of the protrusion 12 and the inner wall of the tube body 1 are provided with a mutually cooperating threaded structure 13, so that the tube cap 2 and the tube body 1 cooperate with each other to achieve airtightness. The cap upper section 14 and the cap lower section 16 clamp the cap middle section 15 to form convex and concave steps, which are not only convenient for the robot to clamp, but also ensure that the low-temperature label wrapped thereon is more secure and not easy to fall off.

[0024] Furthermore, the tube cap 2 is also provided with a plurality of second tube cap through holes 11, and the plurality of second tube cap through holes 11 are arranged around the tube cap through hole 5. The second tube cap through holes 11 ensure that after the tube body 1 and the tube cap 2 are combined, the interior of the tube body 1 can still be connected to the outside.

[0025] Furthermore, the outer wall of the bottom of the tube body 1 is provided with a plurality of protruding ribs 17 for stopping rotation, which can cooperate with the protruding ribs 17 for stopping rotation on the tube frame 18 to stop rotation.

[0026] The utility model also includes a support structure, including a pipe rack 18 for placing the pipe body 1, the pipe rack 18 is provided with a plurality of pipe rack holes 19 arranged in an orderly manner, the pipe rack 18 is provided with horizontal and vertical coordinate marks corresponding to the pipe rack holes 19, and a protruding rib 17 for stopping rotation is provided in the pipe rack hole 19, and the rib 17 cooperates with the rib 17 of the pipe body 1.

[0027] Furthermore, it also includes a holding tank 20. The holding tank 20 is a double-layer structure including an inner wall 21 and an outer wall 22. The inner wall 21 and the outer wall 22 are hollow. The inner wall 21 is made of ferromagnetic material, and the inner wall 21 is provided with a first overflow opening 23 for overflow of excess liquid nitrogen. The outer wall 22 is made of a material that is resistant to low temperatures and has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which is convenient for holding. A second overflow opening 24 is provided below the outer wall 22. The first overflow opening 23, the hollow part of the holding tank 20, and the second overflow opening 24 together constitute a channel for liquid nitrogen overflow, so that the excess liquid nitrogen filled in the holding tank 20 flows orderly below.

[0028] When the utility model is in use:

[0029] The first case: when storing liquid samples such as semen or cell suspension. Install the rod carrier fixture 7 under the tube cap 2, insert the pipette on the top, and with the support of the pipette, suck up liquid samples such as semen cell suspension, and then immerse in liquid nitrogen for fixation. After fixation, screw the tube cap 2 with the rod carrier fixture 7 into the tube body 1 to form an assembly. Then immerse the assembly in liquid nitrogen. The hollow barrel structure 4 at the bottom of the tube body 1 slides in the tube body 1 under the external liquid nitrogen pressure, exposing a gap, allowing liquid nitrogen to quickly enter the tube body 1, and continuously cool the rod carrier fixture 7. When the tube body 1 is filled with liquid nitrogen, the assembly is lifted. At this time, due to the gravity of the liquid nitrogen in the tube body 1 and the gas pressure generated by volatilization, the hollow barrel structure 4 is pushed back to the bottom of the tube to re-form a seal. It ensures that a certain amount of liquid nitrogen is retained in the tube body 1, extending the cooling time of the sample.

[0030] Further, the assembly is transferred to the tube rack 18, and then the tube rack 18 is placed in the holding tank 20 containing liquid nitrogen. The bottom of the assembly tube body 1 has a ferromagnetic material with high density, and it will also attract the ferromagnetic material on the inner wall of the holding tank 20. Under the action of gravity and magnetic attraction, the assembly overcomes the buoyancy of liquid nitrogen and is firmly adsorbed in the holding tank 20. No matter how it is transferred later, the assembly will not be lost.

[0031] The second situation: install an embryo carrier rod under the tube cap 2, put on a protective cover after loading the embryo, and then form a combination with the tube body 1. Since the tube cap 2 can be connected to a clamping fixture or a pipette, it can be removed after loading the sample, thereby saving space.

[0032] The assembly placed in the holding tank 20 can be stacked with the holding tank 20. Liquid nitrogen can be pumped from the bottom of the tank to the uppermost holding tank 20, and then flow into the holding tank 20 below through the overflow hole, ensuring that the sample in each holding tank 20 is immersed in liquid nitrogen. This solves the problem of the sample in the liquid nitrogen tube being affected by the fluctuation of the amount of liquid nitrogen.

[0033] Through the automatic gripper, the holding tank 20 can be grasped, and the desired tube can be further selected. As long as a certain amount of liquid nitrogen is always stored in the holding tank 20, the sampling will not affect the unrelated samples in the same box, thereby ensuring the safety of the samples.

[0034] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-restrictive from any point of view, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the present invention. Any reference numeral in a claim should not be regarded as limiting the claim to which it relates.

[0035] In addition, it should be understood that although the present specification is described according to implementation modes, not every implementation mode contains only one independent technical solution. This description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A modular cryotube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a tube body and a tube cap connected to the top of the tube body, wherein the bottom of the tube body is made of one of high-density metal or ferromagnetic material, and a through hole is provided at the bottom of the tube body; a hollow barrel structure which can slide along the inner wall of the tube body is provided inside the tube body; a tapered through hole is provided at the center of the tube cap, and the position of the through hole away from the tube body can be adapted to a pipette, and the position of the through hole close to the tube body can be connected to a functional component, and the middle section of the tube cap has a polygonal cross section, and the middle section of the tube cap has a plurality of planes for a robot to clamp and rotate the tube cap and can provide a printing mark.

2. The modular cryotube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-density metal or ferromagnetic material includes copper, iron or ferromagnetic powder.

3. The modular cryotube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of grooves are provided on the side wall and the top wall of the hollow barrel structure, and the grooves of the side wall and the top wall cooperate with each other to form a gap to allow liquid nitrogen to pass through.

4. The modular cryotube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower section of the pipe cap is provided with a protrusion, and the outer wall of the protrusion and the inner wall of the pipe body are both provided with mutually matching thread structures.

5. The modular cryotube for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of raised ribs for preventing rotation are arranged on the outer wall of the bottom of the tube body.

6. A support structure for placing modular cryotubes for high-density storage under liquid nitrogen as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The invention comprises a pipe rack, which is provided with a plurality of orderly arranged pipe rack holes, and the pipe rack is provided with horizontal and vertical coordinate marks corresponding to the pipe rack holes, and the pipe rack holes are provided with protruding ribs for stopping rotation, and the ribs cooperate with the ribs of the pipe body.

7. The support structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a containing tank, the pipe rack is arranged in the containing tank, the containing tank includes an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall of the containing tank are hollow, the inner wall is made of ferromagnetic material, a first overflow opening for overflow of excess liquid nitrogen is arranged on the inner wall, the outer wall is made of a material resistant to low temperature and low thermal conductivity, and a second overflow opening is arranged at the bottom of the outer wall.

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