Full-automatic micro array spotting instrument

Abstract

The utility model discloses a full-automatic micro-array spotting instrument, which comprises a rack used for forming a supporting mechanism and a Z-axis track; the sample application unit comprises a multi-channel sample injector, a connecting rod and a detachable sample application head; one end of the connecting rod is fixed on the rack, the other end of the connecting rod is a free end, and the connecting rod is horizontally arranged and is perpendicular to the rack; the sample application head is fastened at the front end of the free end; the sample application head consists of N sample application needles; the sample application needle is connected with the multi-path sample injector; the sample application table is positioned below the sample application head and is used for supporting test paper during sample application; the servo unit is used for controlling the sample application table to move along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and controlling the multi-channel sample injector to move along the Z-axis direction; and the control unit is used for controlling the servo unit through an embedded program. According to the spotting instrument provided by the invention, reagent paper is convenient to replace, and repeatability and accuracy are high. The automation degree is high. Array type automatic sample application can be completed only through one-time operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a fully automatic microarray spotter, belonging to the technical field of automated spotting technology. Background Art

[0002] With the development of scientific research technology and the application of artificial intelligence in the detection field, there is a need for an array chemical sensor where the reagents at each point on the sensor are different. Traditional spotters are generally single-channel spotters, so only one reagent can be spotted each time. If an array of different reagents needs to be spotted, the reagent and the spotting head need to be frequently changed, and the process is cumbersome, making it impossible to achieve large-scale accurate and reliable spotting. Utility Model Content

[0003] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, this application provides a fully automatic microarray spotter system, which fully meets the requirements of multi-point and multi-reagent array spotting.

[0004] In one aspect of this application, a fully automatic microarray spotter is provided, including:

[0005] A frame for forming a support mechanism and a Z-axis track;

[0006] A spotting unit, the spotting unit includes a multi-channel injector, a connecting rod, and a detachable spotting head;

[0007] Wherein, one end of the connecting rod is fixed on the frame, and the other end is a free end. The connecting rod is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the frame; the spotting head is fastened to the front end of the free end; the spotting head is composed of N spotting needles, where 1 ≤ N ≤ 36; the spotting needles are connected to the multi-channel injector;

[0008] A spotting table located below the spotting head for supporting the test strip during spotting;

[0009] A servo unit that controls the spotting table to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and controls the multi-channel injector to move in the Z-axis direction through pulses;

[0010] A control unit that controls the servo unit through an embedded program.

[0011] Optionally, the arrangement of the spotting needles in the spotting head is arranged according to actual needs and is not limited to any one pattern.

[0012] Optionally, the servo unit includes an X-axis stepper motor and a Y-axis stepper motor;

[0013] The X-axis stepper motor and the Y-axis stepper motor are used to control the spotting table to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0014] Optionally, the servo unit further includes a Z-axis servo motor fixed to the frame, and the Z-axis servo motor is configured to control the multi-channel sampler to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0015] Optionally, the servo unit further includes an X-axis photoelectric sensor and a Y-axis photoelectric sensor;

[0016] The X-axis photoelectric sensor is connected to the X-axis stepper motor for zero position calibration in the X-axis direction;

[0017] The Y-axis photoelectric sensor is connected to the Y-axis stepper motor for zero position calibration in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] Optionally, the fully automatic microarray spotter further includes a cleaning tank fixed to the lower surface of the spotting table for cleaning the spotting needles before spotting.

[0019] Optionally, the control unit includes an industrial personal computer;

[0020] The spotting head is controlled by the industrial personal computer through a servo motor;

[0021] The control unit further includes a servo motor photoelectric switch;

[0022] The servo motor photoelectric switch is used to achieve zero calibration of the spotting head.

[0023] Optionally, the multi-channel sampler controls the injection volume each time through the pulse duration of the industrial personal computer.

[0024] Optionally, the fully automatic microarray spotter further includes an X-axis track and a Y-axis track;

[0025] The Y-axis photoelectric sensor and the Y-axis stepper motor are fixed to the Y-axis track;

[0026] The X-axis photoelectric sensor and the X-axis stepper motor are fixed to the X-axis track.

[0027] Optionally, the X-axis track and the Y-axis track are parallel to the connecting rod and located on the same side of the frame.

[0028] Optionally, the spotting needle is a spring-type spotting needle, enabling the spotting needle to automatically retract.

[0029] As a specific implementation manner, the fully automatic microarray spotter described in the present application includes:

[0030] A multi-channel sampler, a spotting head, an X-axis stepper motor, an X-axis photoelectric sensor, a Y-axis photoelectric sensor, a Y-axis servo motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor driver, an industrial personal computer, a servo motor photoelectric switch, and a cleaning tank.

[0031] The features of the fully automated microarray spotter system include:

[0032] 1) The instrument can be connected to a computer via a serial port, and different spotting parameters can be downloaded. With the convenient replacement of the spotting head, different reagents and different array patterns can be spotted.

[0033] 2) The instrument is designed with all structures in the rear, connected to the front sampling head through a forward connecting rod, and the sampling head and the connecting rod are fixed by screws, which is convenient for users to operate to the greatest extent.

[0034] 3) The multi-channel sampler controls the injection volume each time through the pulse time of the industrial computer;

[0035] 4) The spotting head is controlled by the industrial computer through the servo motor, and the zero point calibration is achieved through the photoelectric switch to accurately control the pressure between the spotting needle and the spotting paper;

[0036] 5) The paper tray for spotting realizes XY axis movement through the linkage of two stepper motors, and multiple array spotting on the spotting paper is realized through the industrial computer, servo motor and sample injector;

[0037] 6) Before each spotting, insert the spotting head into the cleaning tank to clean the residual reagent on the needle to achieve high-quality and repeatable spotting.

[0038] X, Y, Z axis stepper motors and servo motors all have zero position calibration function.

[0039] Due to the different physical and chemical properties of different reagents, it is easy for residual reagents to remain on the needle after each sampling, thus affecting the next sampling. The system automatically cleans the residual reagents on the needle through the sponge in the cleaning tank.

[0040] The system can be controlled by touch screen or operated by 232 link computer.

[0041] In the present application, the spotting instrument uses an industrial computer program to accurately control the coordinated work of the sample injector, servo motor and stepper motor. Before starting the sample spotting, the zero point is reset through the initialization program and the photoelectric switches of the X, Y and Z axes. Then, the X and Y axis stepper motors are moved each time to change the position of the paper to be spotted. After that, the Z axis servo motor is driven to move down a precise distance and after a fixed distance from the paper, the multi-channel sample injector is driven at the same time through the pulse time length to start injecting samples into the print head.

[0042] The beneficial effects of this application include:

[0043] 1) The fully automatic microarray spotting system provided in this application is convenient for replacing reagent paper, has high repeatability and precision, and has a high degree of automation. Only one operation is required to complete the array-type automatic spotting.

[0044] 2) The full-automatic microarray spotter system provided by this application can meet different requirements by simply replacing the spotting head and different reagents.

[0045] 3) For the full-automatic microarray spotter system provided by this application, the moving distance, spotting volume, and spotting time are all adjustable and can be saved. Description of the Drawings

[0046] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the full-automatic microarray spotter in the embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spotting head part and the Z-axis servo motor in the embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3 It is the circuit diagram of the stepper motor drive circuit in the embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 4 It is the circuit diagram of the position switch receiving circuit in the embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 5 It is the physical diagram of the array dot matrix printed by the full-automatic microarray spotter in the embodiment of this application.

[0051] List of Components and Reference Numerals:

[0052] 1. Multi-channel sampler; 2. Spotting head; 3. X-axis stepper motor; 4. X-axis photoelectric sensor; 5. Y-axis photoelectric sensor; 6. Stepper motor driver and industrial computer; 7. Z-axis servo motor; 8. Servo motor photoelectric switch; 9. Y-axis stepper motor; 10. Cleaning tank; 11. Spotting needle; 12. Connecting rod; 13. Frame. Detailed Embodiments

[0053] The following describes this application in detail with reference to the embodiments, but this application is not limited to these embodiments.

[0054] Unless otherwise specified, the raw materials in the embodiments of this application are all purchased through commercial channels.

[0055] Embodiment 1

[0056] As Figure 1 shown, the full-automatic microarray spotter includes: frame 13, multi-channel sampler 1, spotting head 2, X-axis stepper motor 3, X-axis photoelectric sensor 4, Y-axis photoelectric sensor 5, Y-axis stepper motor 9, Z-axis servo motor 7, stepper motor driver and industrial computer 6, servo motor photoelectric switch 8, and cleaning tank 10.

[0057] The spotting table is located below the spotting head 2 and is used to support the test paper during spotting;

[0058] The X-axis stepper motor 3 and the Y-axis stepper motor 9 are used to control the movement of the spotting table in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0059] The Z-axis servo motor 7 is fixed on the frame 13 and is used to control the movement of the multi-channel sampler 1 in the Z-axis direction.

[0060] The X-axis photoelectric sensor 4 is connected to the X-axis stepper motor and is used for zero position calibration in the X-axis direction;

[0061] The Y-axis photoelectric sensor is connected to the Y-axis stepper motor and is used for zero position calibration in the Y-axis direction.

[0062] The spotting head 2 is assembled by 36 spotting needles 11. Inside, the spring-type spotting needles 11 can retract slightly and pop out automatically, so that the 36 needles are evenly stressed when contacting the paper. The spotting head 2 is linked to the Z-axis servo motor 7 through a connecting rod 12. The connecting rod 12 is designed so that the force direction is parallel to the plane of the connecting rod, which has the advantage of reducing bending under force.

[0063] One end of the connecting rod is fixed on the frame 13, and the other end is a free end. The connecting rod is horizontally arranged and perpendicular to the frame 13; the spotting head is fastened to the front end of the free end; the spotting needles 11 are connected to the multi-channel sampler

[0064] The cleaning tank 10 is fixed on the lower surface of the spotting table and is used to clean the spotting needles 11 before spotting.

[0065] The Z-axis servo motor 7 precisely controls the moving distance and speed through pulses. Before each spotting, the Z-axis servo motor 7 returns to the zero position through the servo motor photoelectric switch 8. This ensures the repeatability and accuracy of spotting.

[0066] The quality of the spotting effect is affected by the downward force of the spotting head, the spotting speed, and the waiting time. Selecting the Z-axis servo motor 7 can well ensure the spotting effect.

[0067] Such as Figure 3 、 Figure 4 Shown is the servo motor drive and position switch receiving circuit of the present application.

[0068] The servo motor, the stepper motor, and the contact switch are all connected to the industrial computer single-chip through optocouplers, which improves the anti-interference ability of the overall system. The pulse drive parts of the servo motor and the stepper motor select fast optocouplers to improve the drive speed.

[0069] Such as Figure 5The figure shows the physical diagram of the array dots actually printed by the device of the present application, which realizes the spotting of 36 array dots each time. The diameter of each dot is 2 mm, and the distance between dots is 3.2 mm. The spotting volume of each dot is about 0.3 μL. Each time, it can automatically meet the requirement of automatically spotting no less than 40 arrays on the spotting paper.

[0070] As described above, these are only several embodiments of the present application and do not impose any form of limitation on the present application. Although the present application is disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application. Any person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present application, making some changes or modifications using the technical content disclosed above is equivalent to equivalent implementation cases and all fall within the scope of the technical solution.

Claims

1. A fully automatic microarray spotter, characterized in that: include: A frame, used to form a support mechanism and a Z-axis track; A spotting unit, comprising a multi-channel sample injector, a connecting rod, and a detachable spotting head; Wherein, one end of the connecting rod is fixed on the frame, and the other end is a free end, the connecting rod is arranged horizontally and perpendicular to the frame; the spotting head is fastened to the front end of the free end; the spotting head is composed of N spotting needles, wherein 1≤N≤36; the spotting needles are connected to the multi-channel injector; The spotting platform is located below the spotting head and is used to support the test paper during spotting; A servo unit controls the sample spotting platform to move along the X-axis and Y-axis directions through pulses, and controls the multi-channel sample injector to move along the Z-axis direction; A control unit controls the servo unit through an embedded program.

2. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo unit includes an X-axis stepper motor and a Y-axis stepper motor; The X-axis stepper motor and the Y-axis stepper motor are used to control the spotting platform to move along the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

3. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo unit further comprises a Z-axis servo motor, which is fixed on the frame and used for controlling the multi-channel sampler to move along the Z-axis direction.

4. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The servo unit also includes an X-axis photoelectric sensor and a Y-axis photoelectric sensor; The X-axis photoelectric sensor is connected to the X-axis stepper motor and is used for zero point position calibration in the X-axis direction; The Y-axis photoelectric sensor is connected to the Y-axis stepping motor and is used for zero point position calibration in the Y-axis direction.

5. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fully automatic micro-array spotter also includes a cleaning tank, which is fixed on the lower surface of the spotting platform and is used to clean the spotting needle before spotting.

6. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit includes an industrial computer; The spotting head is controlled by an industrial computer via a servo motor; The control unit also includes a servo motor photoelectric switch; The servo motor photoelectric switch is used to realize the zero point calibration of the spotting head.

7. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The multi-channel sample injector controls the injection volume each time by the pulse duration of the industrial computer.

8. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fully automatic micro-array spotter also includes an X-axis track and a Y-axis track; The Y-axis photoelectric sensor and the Y-axis stepping motor are fixed on the Y-axis track; The X-axis photoelectric sensor and the X-axis stepping motor are fixed on the X-axis track; The X-axis track and the Y-axis track are parallel to the connecting rod and are located on the same side of the frame.

9. The fully automatic microarray spotter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spotting needle is a spring-loaded spotting needle.

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