Lightweight biological sample culture module device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lightweight biological sample culture module device, which relates to the technical field of microbial culture and comprises a framework, a solution storage tank with two closed ends is arranged on the framework, and at least one separation piston in sliding seal fit with the tank wall of the solution storage tank is arranged in the solution storage tank. The interior of the solution storage tank is divided into at least two cavities for storing solutions by the separation piston; an axial through flow channel is formed in the separation piston, a one-way valve assembly is arranged in the flow channel, and a driving assembly for driving the one-way valve assembly to be opened is further arranged in the solution storage tank. The biological culture device is ingenious in structure, high in biological culture utilization rate and low in space occupancy rate, and astronauts can conveniently carry the biological culture device to go up and down due to the characteristics of light weight and small size of the biological culture device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microbial culture, in particular to a lightweight biological sample culture module device. Background Art

[0002] Microbial culture refers to the simulation of the environment required for microbial cell growth in the external environment, including sterility, suitable temperature, pH and certain nutritional conditions, so that bacteria and other microorganisms can achieve their own growth and proliferation in this environment. This technical means is mostly used in research in the field of medical biology, and the container that provides the above-mentioned cell growth conditions and growth and proliferation space is the microorganism or culture vessel.

[0003] Existing microbial culture vessels come in various shapes, including culture bottles, culture plates, and culture dishes. During the culture process, the culture vessel is first placed in a sterilization device for disinfection, then the microbial cells are placed in the disinfected culture vessel, and finally the culture vessel is placed in an incubator to culture the cells.

[0004] During the microbial culture process, it is often necessary to mix the culture fluid and bacterial fluid or bacterial cells; however, most traditional microbial cell vessels can only store one culture fluid, bacterial strain, or stop fluid. When these microbial cell vessels containing culture fluid, bacterial strain, or stop fluid need to be carried to another location for experiments, such as into space, the weight and volume that astronauts can carry each time are limited. If each culture fluid, bacterial strain, or stop fluid is stored in a separate microbial cell vessel, it will not only take up a lot of space but also be heavy, which is not conducive to astronauts carrying it up and down. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a lightweight biological sample culture module device, which has an ingenious structure, high biological culture utilization rate, and low space occupancy rate. Moreover, due to its light weight and small volume, it can greatly facilitate astronauts to carry it up and down.

[0006] The technical solution of the utility model for solving the above-mentioned technical problems is: a lightweight biological sample culture module device, comprising a skeleton, and the skeleton has a solution storage tank with both ends in a closed state, the solution storage tank is provided with at least one separating piston that slides and seals with the wall of the solution storage tank, and the separating piston divides the solution storage tank into at least two chambers for storing the solution; the separating piston has an axially penetrating flow channel, and a one-way valve assembly is provided in the flow channel, and the solution storage tank is also provided with a driving assembly for driving the one-way valve assembly to open.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the one-way valve assembly includes a spherical valve core that can move back and forth along the flow channel direction, and a valve core sealing ring that seals with the surface of the spherical valve core is installed on the inner wall of the flow channel of the spherical valve core close to the drive assembly.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, a spring is installed in the flow channel on the side of the ball valve core away from the drive assembly, one end of the spring is in tight contact with the ball valve core, and the other end is in tight contact with the inner wall of the flow channel.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the driving assembly includes a driving piston that is slidingly sealed with the wall of the solution storage tank, the end of the driving piston of the solution storage tank away from the separating piston is an open groove, and the open end of the solution storage tank is provided with a head that seals the solution storage tank, and the head is equipped with a driving structure for pushing the driving piston.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the driving structure includes a driving rod installed on the head along the axial direction of the solution storage tank and capable of axial reciprocating motion, and the inner end of the driving rod corresponds to the driving piston.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the driving rod is a screw rod matched with the head thread, and a handle is provided at the outer end of the driving rod.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sealing head is also provided with a fixing structure for facilitating tightening thereof.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, retaining rings are provided on the inner walls of the solution storage tank on the opposite sides of the driving piston and the separating piston.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, piston sealing rings are sleeved on the outer walls of the driving piston and the separating piston.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, there are multiple solution storage tanks on the skeleton, and the multiple solution storage tanks are evenly distributed on the skeleton.

[0016] Beneficial effects

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the lightweight biological sample culture module device of the present invention are:

[0018] This device can be used to isolate and mix different solutions in a space microgravity environment. It has the characteristics of ingenious structure, good solution isolation effect, sufficient solution mixing, low space occupancy rate, and high biological culture utilization rate. At the same time, due to its small weight and small volume, it can greatly facilitate astronauts to carry it up and down.

[0019] The present invention will become more clear through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are used to explain embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the separating piston of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the initial states of two solutions of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a mixing state diagram of two solutions of the present invention.

[0025] Among them: 1-skeleton; 2-solution storage tank; 3-driving piston; 4-separating piston; 5-chamber; 6-flow channel; 7-spring; 8-spherical valve core; 9-valve core sealing ring; 10-piston sealing ring; 11-retaining ring; 12-head; 13-driving rod; 14-handle; 15-fixed structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is apparent that the embodiments described herein are merely a portion of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; of course, they can also refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; in addition, they can also refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal connections between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Example

[0030] The specific implementation of the utility model is as follows Figure 1-4 As shown, a lightweight biological sample culture module device includes a skeleton 1 with a solution storage tank 2 on the skeleton 1, with both ends of the solution storage tank 2 being closed. At least one partition piston 4 is also provided within the solution storage tank 2, which is slidable along the axis of the solution storage tank 2. The partition piston 4 divides the solution storage tank 2 into at least two chambers 5 for storing solution. In this embodiment, the skeleton 1 can be made of COC cyclic olefin material, which not only ensures that the mass of the entire reactor does not exceed 350g, but also allows the entire reactor to be frozen at -80°C after the experiment is terminated.

[0031] Both chambers 5 can be used to store culture fluid, bacterial strains, or a stop solution. In actual use, the two chambers 5 may contain different solutions; for example, one chamber 5 may contain culture fluid and the other chamber 5 may contain a stop solution. The specific solutions stored in the two chambers 5 can be adjusted based on actual needs. To ensure the sealing of chambers 5, the partition piston 4 must maintain a seal against the inner wall of the solution storage tank 2 while sliding within the solution storage tank 2.

[0032] To ensure communication between the two chambers 5 and allow the solutions within them to mix, thereby enabling microbial cultivation, the separating piston 4 is provided with an axially extending flow channel 6, which is equipped with a one-way valve assembly. A drive assembly for opening the one-way valve assembly is also provided within the solution storage tank 2. In this embodiment, the ends of the flow channel 6 extend through the two end surfaces of the separating piston 4. The flow channel 6 is designed so that its central axis can be aligned with or offset from the central axis of the separating piston 4.

[0033] When needed, the drive assembly drives the one-way valve assembly to open, connecting the chambers 5 on either side of the separating piston 4. This allows the solutions in the two chambers 5 to mix, thereby completing the cultivation of microorganisms. It should be noted that the drive assembly only drives the one-way valve assembly to open when needed. When the two chambers 5 do not need to be connected, the drive assembly remains inactive, and the separating piston 4 separates the two chambers 5. In this case, the two chambers 5 are independent chambers 5, and the solutions in the two chambers 5 cannot mix.

[0034] In the device, the specific structure of the one-way valve assembly, such as Figure 2As shown, the one-way valve assembly includes a spherical valve core 8 that can move back and forth along the flow channel 6. A valve core sealing ring 9 that seals with the surface of the spherical valve core 8 is installed on the inner wall of the flow channel 6 on the side of the spherical valve core 8 close to the drive assembly. In this embodiment, a spring 7 is installed in the flow channel 6 on the side of the spherical valve core 8 away from the drive assembly. One end of the spring 7 is in tight contact with the spherical valve core 8, and the other end is in tight contact with the inner wall of the flow channel 6. The one-way valve assembly can ensure that when the one-way valve assembly is not opened, the chambers 5 on both sides of the separating piston 4 can be separated by the separating piston 4; when the two chambers 5 need to be connected, the one-way valve assembly can be driven to open by boosting pressure, so that the flow channel 6 is opened. At this time, the chambers 5 on both sides of the separating piston 4 are connected through the flow channel 6, and the solutions in the two chambers 5 are mixed, which can achieve the cultivation of microorganisms.

[0035] To open the one-way valve assembly when communication between the two chambers 5 is desired, the drive assembly includes a drive piston 3 that slides and seals against the wall of the solution storage tank 2. Furthermore, to facilitate injection of solution into the chambers 5 and installation of the drive piston 3 and separator piston 4 into the solution storage tank 2, the end of the drive piston 3 facing away from the separator piston 4 is formed into an open groove. To seal the notch of the solution storage tank 2, a sealing cap 12 is provided at the open end of the solution storage tank 2. The outer wall of the seal 12 is threadedly engaged with the inner wall of the solution storage tank 2, allowing the seal 12 to be directly screwed into the notch of the solution storage tank 2 when required. In this manner, a drive mechanism is also mounted on the seal 12 to push the drive piston 3. When the one-way valve assembly is opened, the drive mechanism controls the drive piston 3 to move toward the separator piston 4, thereby reducing the volume of one of the chambers 5. This increases pressure, forcing the one-way valve assembly to open, opening the flow channel 6 and connecting the chambers 5 on either side of the separator piston 4. At the same time, in order to ensure the sealing between the head 12 and the notch of the solution storage tank 2, a layer of sealant can be applied on the thread surface of the head 12 before the head 12 is screwed into the notch of the solution storage tank 2.

[0036] In this embodiment, the drive structure includes a drive rod 13 mounted on the end cap 12 along the axis of the solution storage tank 2 and capable of axial reciprocating motion. The drive rod 13 extends to one end of the solution storage tank 2 and corresponds to the drive piston 3. When the drive rod 13 moves into the solution storage tank 2, the drive rod 3 pushes the drive piston 3 toward the separating piston 4. Furthermore, the drive rod 13 is a screw threadedly engaged with the end cap 12. To prevent the end cap 12 from rotating during the rotation of the drive rod 13, the threads on the drive rod 13 are designed so that the direction of the threads on the drive rod 13 and the end cap 12 are aligned. This ensures that the direction of rotation of the drive rod 13 when moving into the solution storage tank 2 is the same as the direction of tightening the end cap 12. Furthermore, the end cap 12 is already tightened when installed. Therefore, even if the threads on the drive rod 13 and the end cap 12 are in opposite directions, the drive rod 13 will not cause the end cap 12 to loosen when moving into the solution storage tank 2. At the same time, in order to facilitate the twisting of the driving rod 14, a handle 14 is provided at the outer end of the driving rod 13. The handle 14 and the driving rod 13 can be threadedly fixed or screwed or forcibly assembled.

[0037] At the same time, to facilitate tightening and securing the end cap 12 within the notch of the solution storage tank 2, the end cap 12 is also provided with a fixing structure 15 for facilitating tightening thereof, thereby facilitating tightening of the end cap 12 via the fixing structure 15. The fixing structure 15 may be a handle 14 fixed to the end cap 12. Of course, in addition to providing the handle 14 on the end cap 12, a groove may also be provided on the end cap 12, allowing a tool to be inserted into the groove during installation, and then tightened using the tool. Therefore, the specific structure of the fixing structure 15 is not important as long as it can assist in tightening the end cap 12.

[0038] In addition, in order to prevent the driving piston 3 and the separating piston 4 from moving at will, a retaining ring 11 is provided on the inner wall of the solution storage tank 2 on the opposite side of the driving piston 3 and the separating piston 4. When installing, the retaining ring 11 is embedded in the wall of the solution storage tank 2, and the material of the retaining ring 11 should be selected so as not to affect the solution in the chamber 5. The two retaining rings 11 cooperate with each other to effectively prevent the solutions in the two chambers 5 from moving significantly along the axis of the solution storage tank 2. At the same time, by providing the retaining rings 11 to limit the driving piston 3 and the separating piston 4 respectively, it is possible to ensure that the initial physical position of the driving piston 3, the separating piston 4 and the two solutions in the solution storage tank 2 remains unchanged under vibration and impact, preventing them from moving with each other, and having the ability to withstand vibration and impact, thereby ensuring the normal conduct of subsequent experiments.

[0039] In this embodiment, the driving piston 3 can be made of polypropylene like the separating piston 4, and piston seals 10 are sleeved on the outer walls of both the driving piston 3 and the separating piston 4. The piston seals 10 can be made of composite silicone rubber.

[0040] It should be noted that:

[0041] There are multiple solution storage tanks 2 on the skeleton 1, and the multiple solution storage tanks 2 are evenly distributed on the skeleton 1 so that each solution storage tank 2 can be used to cultivate different microorganisms. Ultimately, the cultivation of multiple different microorganisms can be integrated in the same reactor, thereby reducing the overall volume of the reactor as much as possible.

[0042] In this device, the solution storage tank 2 is cylindrical, and the drive piston 3 and the separator piston 4 are both circular. Of course, the shape of the solution storage tank 2 can also be adjusted. For example, if the solution storage tank 2 is prismatic, the shapes of the drive piston 3 and the separator piston 4 need to be adaptively adjusted to ensure that the drive piston 3 and the separator piston 4 slide and seal with the wall of the solution storage tank 2.

[0043] Of course, the present device can also include two separating pistons 4 within the solution storage tank 2, forming three chambers 5 for storing the solution within the solution storage tank 2. These chambers 5 are: a chamber 5 formed between the driving piston 3 and the separating piston 4, a chamber 5 formed between the two separating pistons 4, and a chamber 5 formed between the separating piston 4 and the closed end of the solution storage tank 2. In this case, the three chambers 5 can be used to store three different liquids, for example, three chambers 5 for storing culture fluid, bacterial strains, and stop solution, respectively. To mix the three solutions, both separating pistons 4 have flow channels 6, each of which is fitted with a one-way valve assembly that closes the flow channels 6.

[0044] Because liquids have poor fluidity in microgravity, mixing different solutions through natural flow through channels is not ideal. This device, however, uses extrusion to isolate and mix different solutions in the microgravity environment of space. This device features a simple structure, excellent solution isolation, thorough solution mixing, and low space occupancy. Furthermore, its light weight and compact size make it extremely convenient for astronauts to carry it up and down. Of course, the reactor provided by this device can also be used to isolate and mix different solutions under normal conditions.

[0045] The present invention is described above in conjunction with the best embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above, but should cover various modifications and equivalent combinations based on the essence of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightweight biological sample culture module device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a skeleton (1), wherein the skeleton (1) has a solution storage tank (2) with both ends in a closed state, wherein at least one separating piston (4) is provided in the solution storage tank (2) and is in sliding sealing cooperation with the tank wall of the solution storage tank (2), and the separating piston (4) separates the solution storage tank (2) into at least two chambers (5) for storing solution; the separating piston (4) has an axially penetrating flow channel (6), and a one-way valve assembly is provided in the flow channel, and the solution storage tank (2) is also provided with a driving assembly for driving the one-way valve assembly to open.

2. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way valve assembly comprises a spherical valve core (8) capable of reciprocating along the flow channel (6), and a valve core sealing ring (9) is installed on the inner wall of the flow channel (6) on the side of the spherical valve core (8) close to the driving assembly and is sealed with the surface of the spherical valve core (8).

3. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A spring (7) is installed in the flow channel (6) on the side of the spherical valve core (8) away from the drive assembly. One end of the spring (7) is in tight contact with the spherical valve core (8), and the other end is in tight contact with the inner wall of the flow channel (6).

4. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The driving assembly comprises a driving piston (3) that is slidably sealed with the wall of the solution storage tank (2); the end of the driving piston (3) in the solution storage tank (2) away from the separating piston (4) is an open groove, and the open end of the solution storage tank (2) is provided with a sealing head (12) for sealing the solution storage tank (2); and a driving structure for pushing the driving piston (3) is mounted on the sealing head (12).

5. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving structure comprises a driving rod (13) mounted on the sealing head (12) along the axial direction of the solution storage tank (2) and capable of axial reciprocating motion, wherein the inner end of the driving rod (13) corresponds to the driving piston (3).

6. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving rod (13) is a screw threadedly matched with the head (12), and a handle (14) is provided at the outer end of the driving rod (13).

7. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing head (12) also has a fixing structure (15) for facilitating tightening thereof.

8. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A retaining ring (11) is provided on the inner wall of the solution storage tank (2) on the opposite side of the driving piston (3) and the separating piston (4).

9. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Piston sealing rings (10) are sleeved on the outer walls of the driving piston (3) and the separating piston (4).

10. The lightweight biological sample culture module device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple solution storage tanks (2) on the skeleton (1), and the multiple solution storage tanks (2) are evenly distributed on the skeleton (1).

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