Biological sample repository

Abstract

The utility model discloses a biological sample storage library. The biological sample storage library comprises a shell, a storage area, a plurality of operation modules and a tube picking mechanism, wherein the housing is provided with an access port; the storage area is used for storing sample boxes; the operation module comprises a placing plate for operating the sample box; and at least one of the plurality of operation modules operates the sample box out of the access port in a sliding manner. Compared with the prior art, the test tubes in the sample boxes on the operation module can be picked, so that only target samples are left in the sample boxes on the operation module, and then the sample boxes can be operated out of the access port through the operation module, so that the time for transporting the sample boxes is shortened, the working efficiency of transporting the sample boxes is improved, and the quality of the samples is prevented from being reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of biological sample storage libraries, and in particular relates to a biological sample storage library. Background Art

[0002] Long-term storage of biological samples usually uses the lowest possible temperature to reduce biochemical reactions in the sample and improve the stability of various components in the sample. The lower the temperature, the longer the sample can be stored. Operators usually place frozen cells in test tubes, which are placed on the storage area through sample boxes. The storage area is placed in a refrigerated environment to achieve long-term stable storage of samples.

[0003] In order to access the target sample in a specific test tube, the existing tube picking mechanism uses a robot to move the sample box. The transportation of the sample box takes a long time and has low work efficiency. In addition, the sample quality will be affected if it is away from the storage area with lower temperature for a long time.

[0004] The information disclosed in this background technology section is only intended to increase the understanding of the overall background of the present invention, and should not be regarded as acknowledging or suggesting in any form that the information constitutes the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a biological sample storage library, which can reduce the transportation time, improve the working efficiency of transporting sample boxes, and prevent the quality of samples from being reduced.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution provided by a specific embodiment of the utility model is as follows:

[0007] A biological sample storage library, comprising:

[0008] A housing, wherein the housing is provided with an access opening;

[0009] A storage area, wherein the storage area is used to store sample boxes;

[0010] A plurality of operation modules, each of which includes a placement plate for operating the sample box; and

[0011] Pipe picking mechanism;

[0012] Among them, at least one of the multiple operation modules slides the sample box out of the access port.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the number of the operating modules is two.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, both of the two operation modules can slide the sample box out of the access port.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the biological sample storage library further includes a shovel plate assembly and an operating channel, the shovel plate assembly is arranged in the storage area, and the operating channel is arranged between the storage area and the tube picking mechanism.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the operating module further includes a Y-axis driving module, and the placement plate is slidably mounted on the Y-axis driving module.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the Y-axis drive module includes a Y-axis slide rail and a first slider slidably mounted on the Y-axis slide rail, the placement plate is fixedly mounted on the first slider and is located beside the Y-axis slide rail, and the placement plate is provided with a plurality of placement slots distributed in an array.

[0018] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, two first limit portions are provided on the upper surface of the placement plate extending along the Z-axis direction, the two first limit portions are relatively arranged on both sides of the placement plate along the Y-axis, and the length direction of the first limit portions is consistent with the X-axis direction; and / or,

[0019] The upper surface of the placement plate is provided with two second limit portions extending along the Z-axis direction, the two second limit portions are relatively arranged on both sides of the placement plate along the X-axis, and the length direction of the second limit portions is consistent with the Y-axis direction; and / or,

[0020] A avoidance groove is provided on at least one of the two sides of the placement plate that are oppositely arranged along the Y axis; and / or,

[0021] The Y-axis slide rail is provided with a first limit block and a second limit block. When the first sliders of the two operating modules are respectively in contact with the first limit block and the second limit block, the orthographic projection range of at least one placement groove on one placement plate along the Z axis is outside the orthographic projection range of the other placement plate along the Z axis.

[0022] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the tube picking mechanism includes: a base plate, a Z-axis drive module, an X-axis drive module, and a manipulator module; the Z-axis drive module is fixedly installed on the base plate; the X-axis drive module is slidably installed on the Z-axis drive module; the manipulator module is slidably installed on the X-axis drive module and is located above the placement plate.

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the Z-axis driving module includes a Z-axis slide rail and a second slider slidably mounted on the Z-axis slide rail, and the X-axis driving module is slidably mounted on the second slider; and / or,

[0024] The X-axis driving module comprises an X-axis slide rail and a third slider slidably mounted on the X-axis slide rail, and the manipulator module is slidably mounted on the third slider.

[0025] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a biological sample storage library comprises:

[0026] A housing, wherein the housing is provided with an access opening;

[0027] A storage area, wherein the storage area is used to store sample boxes;

[0028] A plurality of operation modules are arranged in parallel with each other; wherein at least one of the plurality of operation modules slides the sample box out of the access port.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The utility model discloses a biological sample storage library, which can pick test tubes in a sample box located on an operation module so that target samples are left in the sample box on the operation module, and then the sample box can be transported out of the access port through the operation module, thereby reducing the time for transporting the sample box, improving the work efficiency of transporting the sample box, and preventing the quality of the sample from being reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the biological sample storage library in the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the internal structure of the biological sample storage library in the first embodiment of the utility model

[0034] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the pipe lifting mechanism and the operating module in the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0035] Figure 4 Another three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the pipe lifting mechanism and the operating module in the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0036] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of the local structure at point A in the middle;

[0037] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the top view of the structure of two placement plates in the first embodiment of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the present invention, the following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0040] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0041] It should be noted that the “X-axis direction” in this application text is the Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 The X-axis direction is marked in the figure, and the Y-axis direction is marked in the figure. Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 The Y-axis is marked in the direction, and the Z-axis is marked in the direction. Figure 3 and attached Figure 4 The terms used in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0042] The technical solution of the present utility model will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the biological sample storage library in this embodiment includes: a housing 10 , a storage area 7 , a plurality of operation modules 2 , and a tube picking mechanism 9 .

[0044] Among them, the shell 10 is provided with an access port 100; a storage area 7, the storage area 7 is used to store the sample box; the operation module 2 includes a placement plate 22 for the operation sample box; at least one of the multiple operation modules 2 slides the sample box out of the access port 100.

[0045] The test tubes in the sample box on the operation module 2 are selected by the tube picking mechanism 9, which can reduce the tube picking time; finally, the sample box containing the target sample is slid out of the access port 100 by the operation module 2, thereby improving the work efficiency of transporting the sample box and preventing the sample quality from being reduced.

[0046] In order to form a storage area 7 for storing sample boxes, the present embodiment adopts a bracket, and a plurality of storage compartments can be formed inside the bracket. The sample box can be placed in any storage compartment, so that the sample box is stored in the storage area 7.

[0047] Specifically, the number of the operating modules 2 in this embodiment is two. Both of the operating modules 2 in this embodiment can slide the sample box out of the access port 100 .

[0048] The biological sample storage in this embodiment further includes a shovel assembly 8 and a running channel 70. The shovel assembly 8 is disposed in the storage area 7, and the running channel 70 is disposed between the storage area 7 and the tube picking mechanism 9. The design of the shovel assembly 8 can avoid the drawbacks of the existing tube picking mechanism 9 transferring the sample box through the manipulator module, and the sample box is directly placed on the running module 2 through the shovel assembly 8, thereby reducing the time for transporting the sample box out of the storage area 7.

[0049] Specifically, refer to Figure 3 As shown, the operation module 2 in this embodiment also includes a Y-axis driving module 21, and a placement plate 22 is slidably installed on the Y-axis driving module 21. The placement plate 22 is used to place the sample box. Through the drive of the Y-axis driving module 21, the sample box placed on the placement plate 22 can be slid out of the access port 100.

[0050] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 As shown, the tube lifting mechanism 9 in this embodiment includes a base plate 1 , a Z-axis driving module 3 , an X-axis driving module 4 , and a robot module 5 .

[0051] Among them, the Z-axis driving module 3 is fixedly installed on the bottom plate 1; the X-axis driving module 4 is slidably installed on the Z-axis driving module 3; the manipulator module 5 is slidably installed on the X-axis driving module 4 and is located above the placement plate 22. The manipulator module 5 is driven by the Z-axis driving module 3 and the X-axis driving module 4, so that the test tube in the sample box is picked by the manipulator module 5.

[0052] It should be noted that when the tube picking mechanism 9 is used, the sample box can be directly placed on the placement plate 22 of one operating module 2 through other mechanisms. The sample box has multiple test tubes and at least one test tube contains a target sample. Then, the empty sample box is placed on the placement plate 22 of another operating module 2 through other mechanisms. When the tube needs to be picked, there are the following two situations:

[0053] When the sample box with the test tubes has fewer target samples, the robot module 5 can pick out the test tubes containing the target samples and place them in the empty sample box, and then directly transport the empty sample box to the external environment to complete the tube picking operation.

[0054] When the sample box with test tubes contains a large number of target samples, the robot module 5 can pick out the test tubes without target samples and place them in an empty sample box, and then directly transport the sample box with test tubes to the external environment to complete the tube picking operation.

[0055] The sample box can be directly placed on the placement plate 22 of the operation module 2 through the shovel plate assembly 8, and the test tubes in the sample box can be picked through the robot module 5 to reduce the tube picking time, improve work efficiency, and prevent the sample quality from being reduced.

[0056] Of course, the present application is not limited to this, and two sample boxes may be placed in the storage area 7, and then the robot module 5 may be used to pick tubes back and forth between the two sample boxes, so that the test tubes in one of the sample boxes may be selected as test tubes containing target samples as quickly as possible, and then the sample box containing only test tubes containing target samples may be directly transported to the external environment to complete the tube picking operation.

[0057] When only test tubes containing target samples are retained in the sample boxes above any one or more of the multiple operation modules 2, the placement plate 22 can be moved toward the access port 100 through the Y-axis driving module 21 in the operation module 2, so that the sample box on the placement plate 22 can be slid out of the access port 100, so as to facilitate the transfer of the test tubes containing the target samples out of the biological sample storage library.

[0058] Reference Figure 3 As shown, in order to facilitate the placement plate 22 to slide freely along the Y-axis, thereby adjusting the position of the placement plate 22 so as to facilitate the movement of the sample box on the placement plate 22 to the next process, the Y-axis driving module 21 in this embodiment includes a Y-axis slide rail 211 and a first slider 212 slidably mounted on the Y-axis slide rail 211, the placement plate 22 is fixedly mounted on the first slider 212 and is located beside the Y-axis slide rail 211, and a plurality of placement slots 220 distributed in an array are provided on the placement plate 22.

[0059] Preferably, refer to Figure 5 As shown, the upper surface of the placement plate 22 in this embodiment is provided with two first position-limiting portions 221 extending along the Z-axis direction, and the two first position-limiting portions 221 are relatively arranged on both sides of the placement plate 22 along the Y-axis, and the length direction of the first position-limiting portions is consistent with the X-axis direction. According to this design, the sample box placed on the placement plate 22 can be limited along the Y-axis, so that the sample box can be stably placed on the placement plate 22.

[0060] Further, see Figure 5 As shown, the upper surface of the placement plate 22 in this embodiment is provided with two second position-limiting portions 222 extending along the Z-axis direction, and the two second position-limiting portions 222 are relatively arranged on both sides of the placement plate 22 along the X-axis, and the length direction of the second position-limiting portions is consistent with the Y-axis direction. According to this design, the sample box placed on the placement plate 22 can be limited along the X-axis, so that the sample box can be further stably placed on the placement plate 22.

[0061] Preferably, the placement plate 22 in this embodiment is provided with an avoidance groove 223 on at least one of the two sides oppositely disposed along the Y axis. Figure 5 As shown, avoidance grooves 223 are provided on both sides of the placement plate 22 that are opposite to each other along the Y axis, so that the sample box can be placed on the placement plate 22 through the external structure.

[0062] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the Y-axis slide rail 211 in this embodiment is provided with a first limit block 2111 and a second limit block 2112 to limit the movement of the placement plate 22 along the Y-axis direction. When the first sliders 212 of the two operating modules 2 are respectively in contact with the first limit block 2111 and the second limit block 2112, the orthographic projection range of at least one placement slot 220 on one placement plate 22 along the Z-axis is located outside the orthographic projection range of the other placement plate 22 along the Z-axis. According to this design, when the positions of the two operating modules 2 along the Y-axis direction are the farthest, the manipulator module 5 can still be used to place the test tube on one placement plate 22 on the other placement plate 22, thereby completing the tube picking operation.

[0063] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 As shown, in order to facilitate the X-axis driving module 4 to slide freely along the Z-axis, the Z-axis driving module 3 in this embodiment includes a Z-axis slide rail 31 and a second slider 32 slidably mounted on the Z-axis slide rail 31, and the X-axis driving module 4 is slidably mounted on the second slider 32.

[0064] Further, see Figure 3 As shown, in order to prevent the robot module 5 and the operating module 2 from colliding during the pipe picking process, the Z-axis slide rail 31 in this embodiment is provided with a third limit block 311 away from the base plate 1 and a fourth limit block 312 close to the base plate 1. When the second slider 32 abuts against the fourth limit block 312, the lower end of the robot module 5 is located above the placement plate 22.

[0065] Specifically, refer to Figure 4As shown, in order to facilitate the robot module 5 to slide freely along the X-axis, the X-axis drive module 4 in this embodiment includes an X-axis slide rail 41 and a third slider 42 slidably mounted on the X-axis slide rail 41, and the robot module 5 is slidably mounted on the third slider 42.

[0066] Further, in order to facilitate the robot module 5 to pick the test tubes on any placement plate 22 to another placement plate 22, refer to Figure 4 As shown, the X-axis slide rail 41 in this embodiment is provided with a fifth limit block 411 away from the Z-axis drive module 3 and a sixth limit block 412 close to the Z-axis drive module 3, and the distance between the fifth limit block 411 and the sixth limit block 412 is greater than or equal to the width of the placement plate 22 along the X-axis direction.

[0067] Figure 2 to Figure 4 The preferred embodiment of two operation modules 2 is shown, and the two operation modules 2 are arranged in parallel up and down. Figure 4 As shown, in order to enable the two operating modules 2 to be arranged in parallel up and down, the biological sample storage library also includes a support frame 6 fixedly mounted on the base plate 1, and the operating module 2 located on the upper side is mounted on the support frame 6; the operating module 2 installed on the support frame 6 can be located on the upper side of the operating module 2 installed on the base plate 1, thereby reducing the overall volume of the two operating modules 2 and reducing the space occupancy rate of the two operating modules 2.

[0068] The first operation module on the upper side can slide the sample box on the corresponding placement plate out of the access port 100. When a whole box of sample boxes needs to be accessed, the sample box can be directly placed on the corresponding placement plate of the first operation module on the upper side. When it is necessary to pick a tube, an empty sample box can be placed on the placement plate on the first operation module on the upper side, and the sample box shoveled out of the storage area 7 can be placed on the corresponding placement plate of the second operation module on the lower side. The target sample can be picked into the empty sample box through the tube picking mechanism 9 for storage and / or retrieval. In some tube picking scenarios, it is necessary to pick a tube between two sample boxes in the storage area 7. According to the principle of economy, the target sample box to be output can be placed on the first operation module on the upper side.

[0069] In some optional embodiments, the sample box can also be slid out of the access port 100 through the second operating module on the lower side. When a whole box of sample boxes needs to be accessed, the sample box can be directly placed on the corresponding placement plate of the second operating module on the lower side; when a tube needs to be picked up, an empty sample box can be placed on the placement plate on the second operating module on the lower side for tube picking and access.

[0070] In some embodiments, both of the operation modules 2 can slide the sample box out of the access port 100, and the shovel assembly 8 can place the sample box in the first operation module or the second operation module. This can reduce the tube picking time according to the scenario. For example, if fewer samples are needed, it is only necessary to place the sample box loaded with samples on the second operation module, and place the empty sample box to be loaded on the empty sample box of the first operation module. After picking out the corresponding samples, they are directly transported to the external environment. On the contrary, when more samples are needed, it is only necessary to place the empty sample box on the second operation module through the shovel, select the unnecessary samples and place them in the empty sample box, and move the remaining samples and sample boxes to the external environment. In some tube picking scenarios, both sample boxes in the storage room are shoveled out, and the tubes are picked from each other. According to the principle of saving in tube picking, placing the corresponding sample boxes on two operation modules can save tube picking time and improve operation efficiency.

[0071] In some embodiments, there may be three or four groups of operation modules 2 to further improve the operation and pipe picking efficiency.

[0072] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0073] The utility model discloses a biological sample storage library, which can pick test tubes in a sample box located on an operation module so that target samples are left in the sample box on the operation module, and then the sample box can be transported out of the access port through the operation module, thereby reducing the time for transporting the sample box, improving the work efficiency of transporting the sample box, and preventing the quality of the sample from being reduced.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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 biological sample storage library, characterized in that: The biological sample repository comprises: A housing, wherein the housing is provided with an access opening; A storage area, wherein the storage area is used to store sample boxes; A plurality of operation modules, each of which includes a placement plate for operating the sample box; and Pipe picking mechanism; Among them, at least one of the multiple operation modules slides the sample box out of the access port.

2. The biological sample storage library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the operating modules is two.

3. The biological sample storage library according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two operation modules can both slide the sample box out of the access port.

4. The biological sample storage library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The biological sample storage library further includes a shovel plate assembly and a running channel. The shovel plate assembly is arranged in the storage area, and the running channel is arranged between the storage area and the tube picking mechanism.

5. The biological sample storage library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operation module also includes a Y-axis driving module, and the placement plate is slidably mounted on the Y-axis driving module.

6. The biological sample storage library according to claim 5, characterized in that: The Y-axis driving module includes a Y-axis slide rail and a first slider slidably mounted on the Y-axis slide rail, the placement plate is fixedly mounted on the first slider and is located beside the Y-axis slide rail, and the placement plate is provided with a plurality of placement slots distributed in an array.

7. The biological sample storage library according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper surface of the placement plate is provided with two first limit portions extending along the Z-axis direction, the two first limit portions are relatively arranged on two sides of the placement plate along the Y-axis, and the length direction of the first limit portions is consistent with the X-axis direction; and / or, The upper surface of the placement plate is provided with two second limit portions extending along the Z-axis direction, the two second limit portions are relatively arranged on both sides of the placement plate along the X-axis, and the length direction of the second limit portions is consistent with the Y-axis direction; and / or, A avoidance groove is provided on at least one of the two sides of the placement plate that are oppositely arranged along the Y axis; and / or, The Y-axis slide rail is provided with a first limit block and a second limit block. When the first sliders of the two operating modules are respectively in contact with the first limit block and the second limit block, the orthographic projection range of at least one placement groove on one placement plate along the Z axis is outside the orthographic projection range of the other placement plate along the Z axis.

8. The biological sample storage library according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube lifting mechanism includes: a base plate, a Z-axis drive module, an X-axis drive module, and a manipulator module; the Z-axis drive module is fixedly installed on the base plate; the X-axis drive module is slidably installed on the Z-axis drive module; the manipulator module is slidably installed on the X-axis drive module and is located above the placement plate.

9. The biological sample storage library according to claim 8, characterized in that: The Z-axis driving module comprises a Z-axis slide rail and a second slider slidably mounted on the Z-axis slide rail, and the X-axis driving module is slidably mounted on the second slider; and / or, The X-axis driving module comprises an X-axis slide rail and a third slider slidably mounted on the X-axis slide rail, and the manipulator module is slidably mounted on the third slider.

10. A biological sample storage library, characterized in that: The biological sample repository comprises: A housing, wherein the housing is provided with an access opening; A storage area, wherein the storage area is used to store sample boxes; A plurality of operation modules are arranged in parallel with each other; wherein at least one of the plurality of operation modules slides the sample box out of the access port.

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