Reagent suction system and gene sequencer

Abstract

The utility model provides a reagent suction system and a gene sequencer, and relates to the technical field of gene sequencing. The reagent suction system comprises a reagent storage main body, a reagent needle and a lifting assembly, a reagent box is arranged in the reagent storage main body, and a reagent containing cavity is formed in the reagent box; the reagent needle is arranged on one side of the reagent storage main body; the kit is movably connected with the reagent storage body through the lifting assembly and used for driving the kit to ascend and descend relative to the reagent storage body so as to be close to or away from the reagent needle. And when the kit is lifted to a proper height, the suction end of the reagent needle is inserted into the reagent accommodating cavity to perform reagent suction operation. In the process, due to the fact that the position of the reagent needle is fixed, the liquid path pipeline connected with the reagent needle cannot be bent frequently, the damage risk caused by bending of the liquid path pipeline is reduced, in addition, due to the design, the layout of the liquid path pipeline is optimized, the length of the liquid path pipeline is shortened, the reagent consumption is reduced, and the fluid performance of the system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of gene sequencing, in particular to a reagent suction system and a gene sequencer. Background Art

[0002] In the process of reagent suction of existing gene sequencers, reagents in a reagent kit are usually sucked by the relative movement of a reagent needle with respect to the reagent kit.

[0003] However, since the reagent needle needs to move, a relatively long liquid path pipeline must be configured to follow the movement of the reagent needle. The relatively long liquid path pipeline is prone to wear after being bent multiple times, resulting in reduced durability of the gene sequencer. In addition, the relatively long liquid path pipeline increases the consumption of reagents and affects the fluid performance of the system. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a reagent suction system that avoids setting a relatively long liquid path pipeline and a gene sequencer including the reagent suction system.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is as follows:

[0006] A reagent suction system, comprising:

[0007] A reagent storage body with a reagent kit inside, and a reagent receiving cavity is provided in the reagent kit;

[0008] A reagent needle is arranged on one side of the reagent storage body;

[0009] A lifting assembly, the reagent kit is movably connected to the reagent storage body through the lifting assembly, and is used to drive the reagent kit to move up and down in the reagent storage body to drive the reagent kit to approach or move away from the reagent needle.

[0010] Further, the lifting assembly includes a lifting guiding structure, and the reagent kit realizes lifting movement under the action of the lifting guiding structure.

[0011] Further, the lifting assembly further includes a lifting platform received in the reagent storage body, the lifting platform is used to carry the reagent kit, and the lifting platform can move up and down in the reagent storage body.

[0012] Further, the lifting guiding structure includes a guiding groove and a guiding protrusion slidably installed in the guiding groove, the guiding groove is arranged on the side wall of the reagent storage body, and the guiding protrusion is arranged on the edge of the lifting platform.

[0013] Further, the lifting and guiding structure includes a guiding shaft, which is arranged between the reagent storage body and the reagent kit on the side away from the reagent needle.

[0014] Further, the lifting and guiding structure includes a linear sliding groove and a slider slidably installed in the linear sliding groove. The linear sliding groove is arranged on the inner side wall of the reagent storage body, and the slider is connected to the reagent kit.

[0015] Further, the lifting assembly includes a driving device, which includes a lifting lead screw and a driving motor for driving the lifting lead screw to perform telescopic movement. One end of the lifting lead screw away from the driving motor is connected to the reagent kit;

[0016] The driving motor is arranged inside the reagent storage body, or the driving motor is arranged outside the reagent storage body.

[0017] Further, the lifting assembly includes a sensing element, and the sensing element is a U-shaped photoelectric sensor;

[0018] The sensing element is arranged on the side wall of the reagent storage body. The sensing element is used to detect a detection signal when the reagent kit moves to the target reagent aspiration position, and the driving device controls the reagent kit to stop at the target reagent aspiration position according to the detection signal.

[0019] Further, the reagent needle includes a needle body and an interface end connected to the needle body. The needle body penetrates and protrudes into the reagent storage body, and the interface end is located outside the reagent storage body.

[0020] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a gene sequencer, which includes the reagent aspiration system, a liquid path pipeline, an injection pump, and a reaction photographing platform according to any one of the above embodiments;

[0021] The liquid path pipeline is connected to the interface end of the reagent needle located outside the reagent storage body, and the injection pump aspirates the reagent to the reaction photographing platform through the liquid path pipeline.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the reagent aspiration system provided by the embodiment of the present invention at least has the following technical effects:

[0023] Inside the reagent storage main body, there is a reagent kit. Inside the reagent kit, there is a reagent accommodation cavity. The reagent needle is arranged on one side of the reagent storage main body. The lifting assembly is arranged at the bottom of the reagent kit and is used to drive the reagent kit to move up and down inside the reagent storage main body, so as to drive the reagent kit to approach or move away from the reagent needle. When the reagent kit rises to an appropriate height, the suction end of the reagent needle can be inserted into the reagent accommodation cavity of the reagent kit to perform the reagent suction operation. During this process, since the position of the reagent needle is fixed, the liquid path pipeline connecting the reagent needle to the rear-end assembly, such as an injection pump, can be connected with a relatively fixed length. The liquid path pipeline can prevent the reagent needle from moving and causing frequent bending, reducing the risk of breakage caused by the bending of the liquid path pipeline. In addition, this design optimizes the layout of the liquid path pipeline and shortens the length of the liquid path pipeline, thereby reducing the reagent consumption and improving the fluid performance of the system.

[0024] The gene sequencer includes the reagent suction system in the above-mentioned embodiment, so it has the technical effects corresponding to the reagent suction system embodiment, which will not be elaborated here. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a reagent suction device in the prior art;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a reagent suction system in an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a corresponding structural diagram from another perspective;

[0028] Figure 4 is a liquid path pipeline connection block diagram of a gene sequencer in an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a reagent suction system in another embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an exploded structural diagram of...

[0031] Explanation of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings:

[0032] 10. Reagent storage main body; 20. Reagent needle; 21. Needle body; 22. Interface end; 23. Reagent needle fixing plate; 31. Lifting platform; 311. Hollow part; 321. Lifting lead screw; 322. Driving motor; 331. Guide groove; 332. Guide projection; 333. Guide shaft; 34. Sensing element; 341. U-shaped photoelectric sensor; 35. Shielding member; 351. Inductive end; 40. Reagent kit; 50. Liquid path pipeline; 60. Injection pump; 70. Reaction photographing platform. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0033] The technical solution of the present utility model will be further elaborated in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification and specific embodiments. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present utility model belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present utility model herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present utility model. In the following description, the expression "some embodiments" is described, which describes a subset of all possible embodiments. However, it should be understood that "some embodiments" may be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments and may be combined with each other without conflict.

[0034] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0035] In a next-generation sequencing (NGS) instrument, reagents are usually pre-filled and sealed in a dedicated kit for storage. During use, the kit is placed in the reagent storage component of the sequencing instrument. When the sequencing instrument starts to run, the reagent is aspirated through a reagent needle and transported along a liquid path pipeline to a reaction imaging platform for biochemical reactions and then optical imaging to obtain genetic information.

[0036] Please refer to the attached Figure 1 , an existing genetic sequencer generally includes a reagent storage main body 10, a kit placed in the reagent storage main body 10, and a reagent needle 20 for aspirating the reagent. Among them, the reagent needle 20 is fixed on a reagent needle fixing plate 23, and the reagent needle fixing plate 23 realizes a lifting movement through a driving device, so that the reagent needle 20 moves up and down relative to the reagent storage main body 10. When the reagent needle fixing plate 23 descends to a specified height, the reagent needle 20 is inserted below the liquid level of the reagent in the kit, and then the injection pump starts to work, and the reagent is extracted through the reagent needle 20 and the liquid path pipeline. However, in the process of realizing the above process, the inventors of the present application found that there are at least the following technical problems:

[0037] Since the reagent needle 20 needs to move up and down, a relatively long liquid path pipeline must be configured to follow the movement of the reagent needle 20. On the one hand, the relatively long liquid path pipeline is prone to wear after being bent multiple times, resulting in a reduction in the durability of the gene sequencer. On the other hand, the relatively long liquid path pipeline increases the consumption of reagents, affects the fluid performance of the system, and reduces the working efficiency of the gene sequencer. Based on the above technical problems, the inventors of the present application have proposed a gene sequencer that avoids setting a relatively long liquid path pipeline. For specific details, please refer to the following embodiments.

[0038] Please refer to the appended Figure 2 to the appended Figure 4 FIGs. As shown in FIGS., an embodiment of the present utility model provides a gene sequencer, which includes a reagent aspiration system, a liquid path pipeline 50, an injection pump 60, and a reaction photographing platform 70. Among them, the liquid path pipeline 50 is connected to the interface end 22 of the reagent needle 20 located outside the reagent storage main body 10, and the injection pump 60 aspirates the reagent to the reaction photographing platform 70 through the liquid path pipeline 50. In a specific example, the interface end 22 of the reagent needle 20 is connected to the reaction photographing platform 70 through a liquid path pipeline 50, and the reaction photographing platform is connected to the injection pump 60 through another liquid path pipeline 50.

[0039] Please refer to the appended Figure 2 and the appended Figure 3 FIGs. The above-mentioned reagent aspiration system includes a reagent storage main body 10, a reagent needle 20, and a lifting assembly. Among them, a reagent kit 40 is provided inside the reagent storage main body 10, a reagent receiving cavity is provided in the reagent kit 40, and the reagent needle 20 is arranged on one side of the reagent storage main body 10; the lifting assembly can be arranged at the bottom of the reagent kit 40, and the reagent kit 40 is movably connected to the reagent storage main body 10 through the lifting assembly, and is used to drive the reagent kit 40 to move up and down relative to the reagent storage main body 10 to drive the reagent kit 40 to approach or move away from the reagent needle 20. It should be further noted that the reagent receiving cavity can be a reagent bottle detachably installed in the reagent kit 40 in a split manner, or a receiving groove integrally provided on the reagent receiving cavity.

[0040] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting assembly includes a lifting platform 31 received in the reagent storage main body 10. The lifting platform 31 is used to carry the reagent kit 40, and the lifting platform 31 can move up and down in the reagent storage main body 10 to drive the reagent kit 40 to approach or move away from the reagent needle 20.

[0041] Among them, the reagent storage body 10 can be a closed or semi-closed cuboid container for accommodating the reagent kit 40, the reagent needle 20 and the lifting assembly, which not only helps to protect the internal components but also prevents the pollution of the reagent by the external environment. A perforation is provided on one side of the reagent storage body 10, and the reagent needle 20 extends into the reagent storage body 10 through the perforation. Specifically, a perforation is provided at the top of the reagent storage body 10, and the suction end of the reagent needle 20 is inserted into the reagent storage body 10 from top to bottom through the perforation. The reagent kit 40 approaches or moves away from the suction end of the reagent needle 20. When the reagent kit 40 rises to an appropriate height, the suction end of the reagent needle 20 can be inserted into the reagent receiving cavity of the reagent kit 40 to perform the reagent suction operation.

[0042] In the reagent storage body 10 of this embodiment, a reagent kit 40 is provided. The reagent kit 40 is provided with a reagent receiving cavity. The reagent needle 20 is arranged on one side of the reagent storage body 10, and the lifting assembly is arranged at the bottom of the reagent kit 40 for driving the reagent kit 40 to move up and down in the reagent storage body 10, so as to drive the reagent kit 40 to approach or move away from the reagent needle 20. When the reagent kit 40 rises to an appropriate height, the suction end of the reagent needle 20 can be inserted into the reagent receiving cavity of the reagent kit 40 to perform the reagent suction operation. During this process, since the position of the reagent needle 20 is fixed, the liquid path pipeline 50 connected to the reagent needle 20 will not be frequently bent, reducing the risk of damage caused by the bending of the liquid path pipeline 50. In addition, this design optimizes the layout of the liquid path pipeline 50, shortens the length of the liquid path pipeline 50, thereby reducing the reagent consumption and improving the fluid performance, especially the negative pressure performance. In summary, this embodiment improves the durability and working efficiency of the gene sequencer.

[0043] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting assembly includes a driving device. The driving device is connected to the lifting platform 31 or to the reagent kit 40 for driving the reagent kit 40 to move up and down in the reagent storage body 10. Specifically, the driving device can adopt various forms, such as a driving motor 322, a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system, to provide the necessary power to control the movement of the reagent kit 40. The driving device corresponding to the driving motor 322 can include a stepping motor or a servo motor, combined with a lead screw or a belt drive mechanism, to achieve a smooth lifting action.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting assembly further includes a lifting guiding structure. The reagent kit 40 realizes the lifting movement under the action of the lifting guiding structure to ensure the smooth and accurate movement of the reagent kit 40 in the reagent storage body 10.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting and guiding structure includes a guiding groove 331 and a guiding protrusion 332 slidably mounted in the guiding groove 331. The guiding groove 331 is provided on the side wall of the reagent storage body 10, and the guiding protrusion 332 is provided at the edge of the lifting platform 31. In a specific example, the reagent storage body 10 can be designed as a cuboid container. A guiding groove 331 is provided along the length direction of the side wall of the reagent storage body 10. The corresponding lifting platform 31 is also in a rectangular structure, and guiding protrusions 332 are provided at the edges along the length direction of the lifting platform 31. The combined use of the guiding groove 331 and the guiding protrusion 332 ensures that the lifting platform 31 can perform stable lifting movement within the reagent storage body 10, so that the reagent kit 40 can perform stable lifting movement within the reagent storage body 10. In a more specific example, two parallel guiding grooves 331 are respectively provided at both ends of one length direction of the side wall of the reagent storage body 10, and two parallel guiding grooves 331 are also respectively provided at both ends of the other length direction of the side wall of the reagent storage body 10; two corresponding guiding protrusions 332 are provided at both sides of the edge along the length direction of the lifting platform 31. The guiding protrusions 332 can slide smoothly in the guiding grooves 331, so as to ensure that the lifting platform 31 remains horizontal within the reagent storage body 10.

[0046] Please refer to the attached Figure 5 to the attached Figure 6 In some alternative embodiments, the lifting and guiding structure includes a guiding shaft 333. The guiding shaft 333 is provided between the side of the reagent storage body 10 away from the reagent needle 20 and the reagent kit 40. It should be further noted that the number of guiding shafts 333 can be two, and the two guiding shafts 333 are arranged oppositely. The guiding shaft 333 can be a telescopic rod structure, with one end connected to the side of the reagent storage body 10 away from the reagent needle 20 through a guiding shaft bushing, and the other end fixedly connected to the reagent kit 40 or the lifting platform 31. The setting of the guiding shaft 333 not only improves the stability of the reagent kit 40 but also provides an additional supporting function.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting and guiding structure includes a linear chute and a slider slidably mounted in the linear chute. The linear chute is provided on the inner side wall of the reagent storage body 10, and the slider is connected to the reagent kit 40.

[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting assembly includes a sensing element 34 to enhance the automation level of the reagent aspiration system. The sensing element 34 is disposed on the side wall of the reagent storage body 10. The sensing element 34 is used to detect the detection signal when the lifting platform 31 moves to the target reagent aspiration position, and the driving device controls the reagent kit 40 to stop at the target reagent aspiration position according to the detection signal. Specifically, the sensing element 34 can be a photoelectric sensor, a magnetic induction sensor or other high-precision sensors. When the reagent kit 40 moves to the target reagent aspiration position, the sensing element 34 generates a corresponding detection signal. After receiving the detection signal, the driving device controls the reagent kit 40 to stop moving, ensuring that it accurately stops at the target position and avoiding the aspiration end of the reagent needle 20 from colliding with the bottom wall of the reagent receiving cavity of the reagent kit 40. It should be further noted that one or more sensing elements 34 can be provided on the side wall of the reagent storage body 10.

[0049] In some alternative embodiments, the sensing element 34 is a U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341, including a transmitter and a receiver disposed opposite to each other. Further, a shielding member 35 is adaptively provided with the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341. The shielding member 35 can be provided on the guiding protrusion 332, or on the lifting platform 31 or the bottom end of the side wall of the reagent kit 40, and no specific limitation is made here. The shielding member 35 includes an induction end 351 matching the opening of the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341. When the lifting platform 31 moves to the target reagent aspiration position, the induction end 351 slides into the opening of the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341, thereby blocking the light beam of the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341. At this time, the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341 detects the interruption of the light beam and generates a corresponding detection signal. The shielding member 35 further includes a connection end connected to the guiding protrusion 332, and the connection end extends and bends to form the induction end 351. In a specific example, the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341 is provided at a position on the outer side wall of the reagent storage body 10 close to one of the guiding grooves 331, and the shielding member 35 is provided on the guiding protrusion 332 corresponding to the U-shaped photoelectric sensor 341.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, the driving device includes a lifting lead screw 321 and a driving motor 322 for driving the lifting lead screw 321 to perform telescopic movement. The lifting lead screw 321 is controlled by the driving motor 322, and the vertical movement of the reagent kit 40 is realized through rotational movement, so as to achieve the purpose of controlling the height of the reagent kit 40.

[0051] In some alternative embodiments, the lifting platform 31 is a plate-like structure provided with a plurality of hollow portions 311, which reduces the weight of the lifting platform 31 and the load on the driving motor 322. It should be further noted that one end of the lifting screw rod 321 away from the driving motor 322 is connected to the reagent kit 40, or connected to the lifting platform 31 at its central position, so as to ensure the balance and stability of the lifting platform 31 during the lifting process. In addition, in order to further enhance the stability of the system, guide shafts 333 are respectively arranged on both sides of the lifting screw rod 321. The guide shafts 333 are arranged parallel to the lifting screw rod 321, and the guide shafts 333 are connected to the inside of the reagent storage body 10 through high-precision bearings.

[0052] In some alternative embodiments, the driving motor 322 is arranged inside the reagent storage body 10, or the driving motor 322 is arranged outside the reagent storage body 10 to meet different design requirements and space limitations. When the driving motor 322 is arranged inside the reagent storage body 10, it can effectively save external space and make the whole device more compact and integrated; when the driving motor 322 is arranged outside the reagent storage body 10, it can provide greater flexibility and easy maintenance. In addition, external installation also makes heat dissipate more easily, thus avoiding affecting the reagent performance due to overheating.

[0053] In some alternative embodiments, the reagent needle 20 includes a needle body 21 and an interface end 22 connected to the needle body 21. The needle body 21 penetrates and protrudes into the reagent storage body 10, and the interface end 22 is located outside the reagent storage body 10. The arrangement of the interface end 22 outside the reagent storage body 10 enables the reagent needle 20 to be conveniently connected to an external device or pipeline system. The interface end 22 usually adopts a standardized connection form, such as a Luer connector or a threaded interface.

[0054] The above are only the specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A reagent aspiration system, characterized in that: include: A reagent storage body, wherein a reagent box is arranged inside, and the reagent box is provided with a reagent receiving cavity; A reagent needle, disposed on one side of the reagent storage body; A lifting component, through which the reagent kit is movably connected to the reagent storage body, is used to drive the reagent kit to move up and down relative to the reagent storage body to drive the reagent kit to approach or move away from the reagent needle.

2. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly includes a lifting guide structure, and the reagent box realizes lifting movement under the action of the lifting guide structure.

3. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting assembly also includes a lifting platform housed in the reagent storage body, the lifting platform is used to carry the reagent kit, and the lifting platform can move up and down in the reagent storage body.

4. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting guide structure includes a guide groove and a guide protrusion slidably installed in the guide groove. The guide groove is arranged on the side wall of the reagent storage body, and the guide protrusion is arranged on the edge of the lifting platform.

5. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting guide structure comprises a guide shaft, and the guide shaft is arranged between the reagent storage body, which is away from the side where the reagent needle is arranged, and the reagent box.

6. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting guide structure comprises a linear slide and a slider slidably mounted in the linear slide. The linear slide is arranged on the inner side wall of the reagent storage body, and the slider is connected to the reagent box.

7. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly includes a driving device, which includes a lifting screw and a driving motor for driving the lifting screw to move telescopically, and one end of the lifting screw away from the driving motor is connected to the reagent box; The driving motor is disposed inside the reagent storage body, or the driving motor is disposed outside the reagent storage body.

8. The reagent aspiration system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lifting assembly includes a sensing element, and the sensing element is a U-shaped photoelectric sensor; The sensing element is disposed on the side wall of the reagent storage body, and is used to detect a detection signal when the reagent box moves to a target reagent extraction position. The driving device controls the reagent box to stop at the target reagent extraction position according to the detection signal.

9. The reagent aspiration system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The reagent needle comprises a needle body and an interface end connected to the needle body. The needle body penetrates and protrudes into the reagent storage body, and the interface end is located outside the reagent storage body.

10. A gene sequencer, characterized in that: It comprises the reagent aspiration system, liquid pipeline, injection pump and reaction photography platform as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; The liquid pipeline is connected to the interface end of the reagent needle located outside the reagent storage body, and the injection pump draws the reagent to the reaction photography platform through the liquid pipeline.

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