Nucleic acid extraction card box

Abstract

The utility model provides a nucleic acid extraction card box which comprises a card box body, the card box body is of a box body structure with an upper opening, a nucleic acid extraction area is arranged in the card box body, a plurality of storage tubes are formed in the nucleic acid extraction area, and each storage tube is used for storing various reagents adopted in the nucleic acid extraction process. The storage tubes are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the card box body, the upper opening is hermetically connected with a flexible film, a buffer space is formed between the flexible film and the tube orifice of each storage tube, and the flexible film is provided with a gap extending along the length direction of the card box body. At least the tip of the pipette tip can enter the buffer space through the gap to achieve movement of the reagent between the storage tubes. The flexible film is provided with the gaps and has flexible deformability, so that the technical purpose of preventing internal sample liquid from splashing out to cause pollution is achieved, meanwhile, the pipetting displacement of the pipetting gun head cannot be obstructed, and the structure is simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of in vitro diagnostic instrument design, and particularly relates to a nucleic acid extraction cassette. Background Art

[0002] Nucleic acid extraction and PCR amplification (i.e., Polymerase Chain Reaction, a molecular biology technique used to amplify specific DNA fragments. It can be regarded as a special DNA replication outside the organism. The biggest feature of PCR is that it can greatly increase trace amounts of DNA) are important experimental means in molecular biology research. Currently, nucleic acid extraction and PCR amplification are mostly carried out separately. Due to excessive manual participation, the experimental process is complicated. At the same time, nucleic acid samples are easily contaminated during the transfer process outside the instrument. Therefore, it is necessary to reasonably and effectively integrate the nucleic acid extraction and PCR amplification processes to avoid excessive manual participation and the transfer of nucleic acid samples outside the instrument. In addition, when performing nucleic acid extraction, the top surface of the nucleic acid extraction cassette in the use state is an open structure, and there is a phenomenon that the sample liquid splashes out of the nucleic acid extraction cassette during the pipetting and suction operations of the pipetting device between different storage tubes (or reagent tubes) of the nucleic acid extraction cassette, and the anti-pollution ability is insufficient. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a nucleic acid extraction cassette, which solves the technical problem that the nucleic acid extraction cassette in the prior art has an open structure in the use state and the sample liquid splashes out of the nucleic acid extraction cassette to cause pollution.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the utility model provides a nucleic acid extraction cassette, which includes a cassette body. The cassette body is a box body structure with an upper opening. A nucleic acid extraction area is formed inside the cassette body. A plurality of storage tubes are formed in the nucleic acid extraction area. Each storage tube is used to store various reagents used in the nucleic acid extraction process. Each storage tube is arranged at intervals along the length direction of the cassette body. A flexible film is hermetically connected to the upper opening. A buffer space is formed between the flexible film and the tube openings of each storage tube. The flexible film has a slit extending along the length direction of the cassette body. In the use state of the nucleic acid extraction cassette, at least the tip of the pipette tip can enter the buffer space through the slit to realize the movement of the reagent between each storage tube.

[0005] In some embodiments, the storage tubes include a magnetic bead diluent storage tube, a lysis solution storage tube, a magnetic bead solution storage tube, a washing solution storage tube, an alcohol storage tube, an elution solution storage tube, and a proteinase k storage tube.

[0006] In some embodiments, the storage tube further includes a spare storage tube.

[0007] In some embodiments, a nucleic acid amplification region is further provided in the cartridge body, a PCR amplification unit is provided in the nucleic acid amplification region, and a PCR tube of the PCR amplification unit communicates with the buffer space.

[0008] In some embodiments, there are multiple PCR tubes in the PCR amplification unit, the PCR amplification unit further includes a tube cap body buckled on the openings of the respective PCR tubes, and a detachable connection is formed between the PCR amplification unit and the cartridge body through the tube cap body.

[0009] In some embodiments, a chute and a snap hole are formed on the bottom surface of the first region of the cartridge body, a snap is formed on the tube cap body, the tube cap body is slidably connected in the chute, and the snap is snap-connected with the snap hole.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tube cap body has connection cylinders provided in one-to-one correspondence with the openings of the respective PCR tubes, the connection cylinders are inserted into the respective openings, and a paraffin ring is provided on the inner wall of the connection cylinder.

[0011] In some embodiments, the gap has two sections arranged in sequence along the length direction of the cartridge body, and each section corresponds to the nucleic acid extraction region and the nucleic acid amplification region respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cartridge body further has a holding part.

[0013] A nucleic acid extraction cartridge provided by the present utility model has a flexible film disposed at the upper opening position of the cartridge body during the nucleic acid extraction process, which forms a relatively sealed buffer space in the cartridge body. Due to the gap on the flexible film and its own flexible deformable ability, it can achieve the technical purpose of preventing internal sample liquid from splashing out and causing pollution without causing an obstacle to the pipetting displacement of the pipette tip, and the structure is simple. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 It is an exploded perspective view of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the storage tube of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model (the flexible film is omitted);

[0016] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the structure of the PCR amplification unit of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 4Schematic diagram of the paraffin ring in the PCR amplification unit of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the state where the paraffin ring in the PCR amplification unit of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model covers the reaction system after melting;

[0019] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the movement of the pipette tip in the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the buffer space in the nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] The reference signs are shown as:

[0022] 1. Cartridge body; 101. Magnetic bead diluent storage tube; 102. Lysis solution storage tube; 103. Magnetic bead solution storage tube; 104. Washing solution storage tube; 105. Alcohol storage tube; 106. Elution solution storage tube; 107. Proteinase k storage tube; 108. Spare storage tube; 109. Holding part; 2. PCR amplification unit; 201. PCR tube; 2012. Reaction system; 202. Tube cover body; 2021. Paraffin ring; 3. Flexible membrane; 31. Gap; 4. Pipette tip; 5. Buffer space. Detailed implementation manners

[0023] Refer to in combination Figures 1 to 7As shown, according to an embodiment of the utility model, a nucleic acid extraction cartridge is provided, comprising a cartridge body 1, wherein the cartridge body 1 is a cartridge structure having an upper opening (not labeled in the figure), wherein the cartridge body 1 has a nucleic acid extraction area (not labeled in the figure), wherein a plurality of storage tubes are formed in the nucleic acid extraction area, wherein each of the storage tubes is used to store various reagents used in the nucleic acid extraction process, and in a specific embodiment, the storage tubes comprise a magnetic bead diluent storage tube 101, a lysis solution storage tube 102, a magnetic bead liquid storage tube 103, a cleaning solution storage tube 104, an alcohol storage tube 105, an eluent storage tube 106, and a proteinase K storage tube 107, wherein each of the storage tubes is spaced along the length direction of the cartridge body 1. It is arranged that a flexible membrane 3 is sealed and connected to the upper opening, a buffer space 5 is formed between the flexible membrane 3 and the tube mouths of each of the storage tubes, the flexible membrane 3 has a slit 31 extending along the length direction of the card box body 1, and before the nucleic acid extraction card box is used, a sealing film is also provided on the flexible membrane 3, which is used to seal the nucleic acid extraction card box to prevent leakage of the reagent preset in the nucleic acid extraction card box. Before the nucleic acid extraction card box is used, the sealing film needs to be torn off, and at this time, the flexible membrane 3 with the slit 31 will be exposed. When the nucleic acid extraction card box is in use, at least the tip of the pipette head 4 can enter the buffer space 5 through the slit 31 to realize the movement of the reagent between the storage tubes.

[0024] In this technical solution, the flexible membrane 3 is arranged at the upper opening position of the cartridge body 1 during the nucleic acid extraction process, and forms a relatively sealed buffer space 5 inside the cartridge body 1. Due to the gap 31 on the flexible membrane 3 and its own flexible deformability, it is arranged to achieve the technical purpose of preventing the internal sample liquid from splashing out and causing contamination without causing obstacles to the pipetting displacement of the pipette tip 4, and has a simple structure.

[0025] The edges of the flexible film 3 can be reliably connected to the upper opening edge of the cartridge body 1 by gluing, and the width of the gap 31 is close to 0 (or even 0) when the pipette tip 4 is not inserted (ie, in the initial state).

[0026] In some embodiments, the storage tube further includes a spare storage tube 108 for possible subsequent expansion operations.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cartridge body 1 further comprises a nucleic acid amplification region (not labeled in the figure), wherein a PCR amplification unit 2 is disposed in the nucleic acid amplification region, and a PCR tube 201 of the PCR amplification unit 2 is connected to the buffer space 5 .

[0028] In this technical solution, a corresponding PCR amplification unit 2 is provided in the cartridge body 1, so that the two processes of nucleic acid extraction and PCR amplification are integrated on the same cartridge. The nucleic acid sample solution does not need to be transferred externally but is concentrated in the aforementioned buffer space 5, thus preventing the sample solution from being contaminated by the external environment and the sample solution from contaminating the external environment.

[0029] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the slit 31 has two sections arranged in sequence along the length direction of the cartridge body 1, and each section corresponds to the nucleic acid extraction area and the nucleic acid amplification area respectively, improving the sealing performance of the flexible membrane 3. At the same time, it can be understood that the aforementioned flexible membrane 3 can also prevent the evaporation of the reaction system 2012 in the PCR tube to a certain extent during the amplification process.

[0030] Specifically, in combination with Figures 3 to 5 , in some embodiments, the PCR amplification unit 2 has a plurality of the PCR tubes 201. In a specific embodiment, there are four PCR tubes 201. At this time, the PCR amplification unit 2 is objectively a quadruplex amplification tube assembly. The PCR amplification unit 2 further includes a tube cap body 202 buckled on the mouths of each of the PCR tubes 201. The PCR amplification unit 2 forms a detachable connection with the cartridge body 1 through the tube cap body 202. On the one hand, the tube cap body 202 can form a whole of a plurality of independent PCR tubes 201, and on the other hand, it can seal the mouths of each PCR tube 201 during the amplification process to prevent the evaporation of the reaction system 2012. It can be understood that the aforementioned PCR tubes 201 are pre-filled with freeze-dried reagents for detection.

[0031] In this technical solution, the PCR amplification unit 2 has a plurality of PCR tubes 201 at the same time, which can simultaneously perform multiple detection items on the same nucleic acid sample, improving the detection throughput.

[0032] In some embodiments, a chute and a snap hole (not labeled in the figure) are formed on the bottom surface of the first region of the cartridge body 1, and a snap (not labeled in the figure) is formed on the tube cap body 202. The tube cap body 202 is slidably connected in the chute and the snap is snapped with the snap hole, so that the rapid connection between the two can be extremely conveniently realized. It should be noted that the detachable connection between the PCR amplification unit 2 and the cartridge body 1 in the present invention is beneficial to the separate independent storage of the two.

[0033] In some embodiments, the tube cap body 202 has connecting cylinders corresponding to the mouths of each of the PCR tubes 201 one by one. Each connecting cylinder is inserted into each mouth, and a paraffin ring 2021 is provided on the inner wall of the connecting cylinder. The paraffin ring 2021 is in a solid state at normal temperature (such asFigure 4 As shown in the figure, its annular shape does not affect the operation of pipetting into the pipette tip 4. When the paraffin ring 2021 is heated to a certain temperature, it melts into a liquid state. The melted paraffin covers the reaction system 2012 in the PCR tube 201, preventing the reaction system from evaporating during the amplification process, acting as a tube cap, and eliminating the need for a complex amplification tube capping structure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the cartridge body 1 further has a holding part 109 for the operator to manually transfer and handle the cartridge body 1.

[0035] The following briefly introduces the usage process of the nucleic acid extraction cartridge of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0036] As Figure 1 shown, the operator loads the four - tube amplification tube assembly containing the lyophilized reagent and the paraffin ring onto the cartridge body 1, then places the cartridge into the instrument. After that, as Figure 6 shown, the pipettor inside the instrument drives the pipette tip 4 to insert into the cartridge through the gap 31 of the flexible film 3 above the cartridge body 1, enabling the pipette tip 4 to perform pipetting operations among the magnetic bead diluent storage tube 101, the lysis solution storage tube 102, the magnetic bead solution storage tube 103, the washing solution storage tube 104, the alcohol storage tube 105, the elution solution storage tube 106, and the proteinase k storage tube 107. Finally, the extracted nucleic acid is added into the PCR tube 201 respectively. As Figure 7 shown, the tip of the pipette tip 4 is always below the flexible film 3 and within the buffer space 5 formed by the flexible film 3 and the cartridge body 1 during the entire pipetting process, effectively avoiding contamination during pipetting. Then, the heating mechanism inside the instrument heats the paraffin ring 2021 in the tube cap body 202 to melt it. As Figure 5 shown, the melted paraffin will cover the reaction system 2012, preventing the reaction system from evaporating during the amplification process, acting as a tube cap here, and avoiding a complex capping structure.

[0037] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, on the premise of no conflict, the above - mentioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0038] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. The above is only the preferred implementation manner of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, several improvements and variations can be made, and these improvements and variations should also be regarded as within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid extraction cartridge, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cartridge body (1), wherein the cartridge body (1) is a box structure with an upper opening, wherein the cartridge body (1) has a nucleic acid extraction area, wherein a plurality of storage tubes are formed in the nucleic acid extraction area, wherein each of the storage tubes is used to store various reagents used in the nucleic acid extraction process, wherein each of the storage tubes is arranged at intervals along the length direction of the cartridge body (1), wherein a flexible film (3) is sealedly connected to the upper opening, wherein a buffer space (5) is formed between the flexible film (3) and the tube openings of each of the storage tubes, wherein the flexible film (3) has a slit (31) extending along the length direction of the cartridge body (1), wherein when the nucleic acid extraction cartridge is in use, at least the tip of a pipette tip (4) can at least partially enter the buffer space (5) via the slit (31) to achieve the movement of reagents between the storage tubes.

2. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage tubes include a magnetic bead diluent storage tube (101), a lysis solution storage tube (102), a magnetic bead liquid storage tube (103), a cleaning solution storage tube (104), an alcohol storage tube (105), an eluent storage tube (106), and a proteinase K storage tube (107).

3. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The storage tube also includes a spare storage tube (108).

4. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cartridge body (1) further comprises a nucleic acid amplification region, wherein a PCR amplification unit (2) is provided in the nucleic acid amplification region, and a PCR tube (201) of the PCR amplification unit (2) is connected to the buffer space (5).

5. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The PCR amplification unit (2) comprises a plurality of PCR tubes (201), and the PCR amplification unit (2) further comprises a tube cover body (202) which is snapped onto the tube opening of each of the PCR tubes (201); the PCR amplification unit (2) forms a detachable connection with the cartridge body (1) via the tube cover body (202).

6. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: A slide groove and a buckle hole are formed on the bottom surface of the first area of ​​the card box body (1), and a buckle is formed on the tube cover body (202). The tube cover body (202) is slidably connected in the slide groove and the buckle is buckled with the buckle hole.

7. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tube cover body (202) has a connecting tube arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the tube opening of each PCR tube (201), each connecting tube is plugged into each tube opening, and a paraffin ring (2021) is provided on the inner wall of the connecting tube.

8. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The slit (31) has two sections arranged in sequence along the length direction of the cartridge body (1), and each section is arranged corresponding to the nucleic acid extraction area and the nucleic acid amplification area respectively.

9. The nucleic acid extraction cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The card box body (1) also has a hand-held portion (109).

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