Nucleic acid detector
By designing a sealing cap with a compression structure in the nucleic acid detector, the problem of sample evaporation caused by the PCR tube cap not being tightly closed is solved, and the detection accuracy is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422570818.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-23
AI Technical Summary
In existing nucleic acid detectors, the tube caps of PCR tubes fail to close tightly, causing sample evaporation and affecting detection accuracy.
The first and second sealing caps are designed, each equipped with a compression structure, which can compress the tube cap of the PCR tube during the sealing process to ensure that the tube cap is tightly closed to prevent sample evaporation.
The design of the compression structure avoids evaporation of samples in the PCR tube and improves the accuracy of nucleic acid detection.
Smart Images
Figure CN223481146U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of detection technology, and in particular to a nucleic acid detection instrument. Background Art
[0002] A nucleic acid testing instrument is a specialized device used to detect nucleic acids in biological samples. It is primarily used to detect genetic information in samples from humans, animals, plants, and pathogenic microorganisms, and is widely applied in medical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The test tubes used in nucleic acid testing instruments are commonly called PCR tubes. A PCR tube is an experimental device used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and typically consists of a cap and a tube body. When nucleic acid testing is required, the operator first injects the sample into the PCR tube body, then caps the tube, and finally places the PCR tube into the nucleic acid testing instrument for analysis. During the testing process, the sample inside the tube may evaporate if the cap is not tightly closed, which can reduce the accuracy of the nucleic acid testing instrument. Utility Model Content
[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a nucleic acid detection instrument, which helps ensure the detection accuracy of the nucleic acid detection instrument.
[0004] The nucleic acid detection instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
[0005] The housing has a placement cavity formed thereon, and a plurality of first detection cavities and a plurality of second detection cavities are formed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity. The plurality of first detection cavities and the plurality of second detection cavities are all used for inserting the tube body of the PCR tube.
[0006] A first cover and a second cover, both hinged to the housing, so that the first cover and the second cover can simultaneously open or close the placement cavity;
[0007] A first pressing structure and a second pressing structure are provided on the first cap and the second pressing structure is provided on the second cap. The first pressing structure can abut against the caps of the plurality of PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the second pressing structure can abut against the caps of the plurality of PCR tubes in the plurality of second detection chambers, so that the plurality of caps can be tightly closed on the plurality of tube bodies respectively.
[0008] It has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0009] When nucleic acid testing is required on samples from multiple PCR tubes, the operator inserts the tube bodies into multiple first detection chambers and multiple second detection chambers, respectively. After the PCR tubes are in place, the operator can flip the first and second caps, causing them to swing towards the outer shell. During rotation, the first clamping structure on the first cap engages with the caps of the PCR tubes within the first detection chambers. As the first cap continues to swing, the first clamping structure presses against the caps of the PCR tubes within the first detection chambers, ensuring the caps are securely closed to the tube bodies. Similarly, the caps of the PCR tubes within the second detection chambers are secured to the tube bodies by the second clamping structure. Once the first and second caps are in place, they simultaneously seal the placement chambers, allowing for nucleic acid testing of the samples from the multiple PCR tubes. After the nucleic acid test is completed, the operator flips the first and second caps, causing them to swing away from the casing. This allows both caps to open the placement chambers simultaneously, enabling the operator to remove the PCR tubes from the multiple first and second detection chambers. The first and second clamping structures in this nucleic acid testing instrument simultaneously clamp the caps of multiple PCR tubes while the operator closes the placement chambers, ensuring the caps are securely on the tubes and preventing sample evaporation. This helps ensure the accuracy of the nucleic acid testing.
[0010] According to the nucleic acid testing instrument of this utility model embodiment, the first cover is provided with a first support barrier, which can abut against the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity.
[0011] The nucleic acid testing instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes two first hinge seats, both of which are disposed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity, and the first cover is hinged to the two first hinge seats.
[0012] The nucleic acid testing instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a first lever, which is disposed on one end of the first cover away from the two first hinge seats.
[0013] According to the nucleic acid detection instrument of this utility model embodiment, the first lever is inclined, and the end of the first lever away from the first hinge seat is inclined in a direction away from the housing.
[0014] According to the nucleic acid detection instrument of this utility model embodiment, the housing is provided with an installation barrier in the area corresponding to the placement cavity, the placement cavity is located in the area enclosed by the installation barrier, and the installation barrier is provided with a first mating groove for the first push block to extend into.
[0015] According to the nucleic acid detection instrument of this utility model embodiment, the first push block can be pressed against the inner wall of the first mating groove so that the first push block is fixed on the inner wall of the first mating groove.
[0016] According to the nucleic acid detection instrument of this utility model embodiment, the upper ends of the plurality of first detection chambers are provided with first guide rounded corners, and the upper ends of the plurality of second detection chambers are provided with second guide rounded corners.
[0017] According to the nucleic acid testing instrument of this utility model embodiment, the bottom wall of the shell is provided with multiple anti-slip pads.
[0018] The nucleic acid detection instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a constant temperature heating device and a fluorescence detection device. The constant temperature heating device and the fluorescence detection device are both disposed inside the housing. The constant temperature heating device is used to heat the PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the plurality of second detection chambers. The fluorescence detection device is used to perform optical detection on the samples in the PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the plurality of second detection chambers.
[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nucleic acid detection instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle;
[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of point B in the middle;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nucleic acid detection instrument of this utility model, in which the first and second caps simultaneously seal the placement cavity;
[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of point C in the middle;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR tube structure in this utility model;
[0027] Figure label:
[0028] Housing 100; Placement cavity 110; First detection cavity 120; First guide fillet 121; Second detection cavity 130; Second guide fillet 131; First hinge seat 140; Second hinge seat 150; Mounting enclosure 160; First mating groove 161;
[0029] First cover 200; first lever 210; first pressing structure 220; first supporting barrier 230;
[0030] Second cover 300; second lever 310; second clamping structure 320. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0033] In the description of this utility model, "multiple" refers to two or more. The use of "first" and "second" is for distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of technical features or their sequential relationship.
[0034] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0035] It should be explained that during the process of injecting the sample into the PCR tube, the testing personnel may inadvertently fail to tighten the cap. The nucleic acid testing instrument heats the PCR tube during the testing process. If the cap is not tightened, the sample inside the tube will evaporate, causing an change in the sample concentration, affecting the nucleic acid detection results, and consequently reducing the accuracy of the nucleic acid testing instrument.
[0036] It needs to be explained that the reference Figure 5 A PCR tube consists of a tube body and a cap. The cap is connected to the upper end of the tube body by a deformable rubber arm, which can tightly seal the tube body.
[0037] refer to Figures 1 to 5 The nucleic acid detection instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
[0038] The housing 100 has a placement cavity 110 formed on it. Multiple first detection cavities 120 and multiple second detection cavities 130 are formed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity 110. The multiple first detection cavities 120 and multiple second detection cavities 130 are all used for inserting the tube body of the PCR tube.
[0039] The first cover 200 and the second cover 300 are both hinged to the housing 100 so that the first cover 200 and the second cover 300 can open or close the placement cavity 110 at the same time.
[0040] A first pressing structure 220 and a second pressing structure 320 are provided. The first pressing structure 220 is disposed on the first cap 200, and the second pressing structure 320 is disposed on the second cap 300. The first pressing structure 220 can abut against the caps of multiple PCR tubes in multiple first detection chambers 120, and the second pressing structure 320 can abut against the caps of multiple PCR tubes in multiple second detection chambers 130, so that multiple caps can be tightly closed on multiple tubes respectively.
[0041] Understandably, when nucleic acid testing is required on samples from multiple PCR tubes, the testing personnel can insert the tube bodies of multiple PCR tubes into multiple first detection chambers 120 and multiple second detection chambers 130, respectively. After the multiple PCR tubes are placed, the testing personnel can flip the first cap 200 and the second cap 300, causing the first cap 200 and the second cap 300 to swing towards the housing 100. During the rotation of the first cap 200, the first clamping structure 220 on the first cap 200 can abut against the caps of the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120. As the first cap 200 continues to swing, the first clamping structure 220 on the first cap 200 begins to press against the caps of the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120, so that the caps of the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120 can be tightly closed on the tube bodies of the PCR tubes under the clamping action of the first clamping structure 220. Similarly, the caps of the PCR tubes in the multiple second detection chambers 130 can be tightly closed onto the PCR tube body under the pressure of the second clamping structure 320. After the first cap 200 and the second cap 300 are rotated into place, the first cap 200 and the second cap 300 can simultaneously close the placement chamber 110, at which point nucleic acid detection can be performed on the samples in the multiple PCR tubes. After the nucleic acid detection is completed, the testing personnel flip the first cap 200 and the second cap 300, causing the first cap 200 and the second cap 300 to swing away from the shell 100, thereby allowing the first cap 200 and the second cap 300 to simultaneously open the placement chamber 110, at which point the testing personnel can remove the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120 and the multiple second detection chambers 130. The first clamping structure 220 and the second clamping structure 320 in the nucleic acid detection instrument can simultaneously clamp the caps of multiple PCR tubes during the process of the testing personnel sealing the placement cavity 110, so that the caps of the PCR tubes can be tightly closed on the tube body, avoiding the evaporation of the sample inside the tube, which helps to ensure the detection accuracy of the nucleic acid detection instrument.
[0042] In this embodiment of the utility model, reference is made to Figure 3 and Figure 5 Multiple first detection chambers 120 and multiple second detection chambers 130 are arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction. The operator can decide whether to use multiple first detection chambers 120 or multiple second detection chambers 130 based on the actual number of PCR tubes. Specifically, there are eight first detection chambers 120 and eight second detection chambers 130. When the operator is using eight-tube PCR systems, refer to... Figure 6The testing personnel can place the eight-tube PCR array into the eight first detection chambers 120 for testing. When using two eight-tube PCR arrays, the testing personnel can place one tube into the eight first detection chambers 120 for testing and the other tube into the eight second detection chambers 130 for testing. The first cap 200 can seal the area of the placement chamber 110 corresponding to the multiple first detection chambers 120, and the second cap 300 can seal the area of the placement chamber 110 corresponding to the multiple first detection chambers 120. It should be noted that during the testing process, either the first cap 200 or the second cap 300 must seal the placement chamber 110.
[0043] In one embodiment of this utility model, the first clamping structure 220 can be a first clamping block, which is parallel to the left-right direction and can simultaneously abut against the caps of PCR tubes in multiple first detection chambers 120. The second clamping structure 320 can be a second clamping block.
[0044] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first cover 200 is provided with a first support barrier 230, which can abut against the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity 110. It is understood that after the first cover 200 is placed on the placement cavity 110, the first support barrier 230 abuts against the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity 110, providing support for the first cover 200 and effectively preventing deformation of the first cover 200 during pressing by the testing personnel. Furthermore, the first support barrier 230 also enhances the structural strength of the first cover 200. As an embodiment of this utility model, the second cover 300 is provided with a second support barrier, the function of which is the same as that of the first support barrier 230, and will not be further elaborated here.
[0045] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The nucleic acid testing instrument also includes two first hinge seats 140, both of which are disposed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity 110. The first cover 200 is hinged to the two first hinge seats 140. The nucleic acid testing instrument also includes two first hinge shafts, which are respectively fixed to the two first hinge seats 140. The first cover 200 is hinged to the two first hinge seats 140 via the two first hinge shafts, allowing the first cover 200 to rotate around the axis of the first hinge shaft. Hinging is a common connection method, and will not be further described here. In this embodiment of the present invention, the first cover 200 and the second cover 300 will not collide with the inner wall of the placement cavity 110 during the swinging process, so that the first cover 200 and the second cover 300 can swing smoothly. The nucleic acid testing instrument also includes two second hinge seats 150 and two second hinge shafts. The two second hinge seats 150 are both located on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity 110, and the second cover 300 is hinged to the two second hinge seats 150.
[0046] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The nucleic acid testing instrument also includes a first lever 210, which is located on the end of the first cover 200 away from the two first hinge seats 140. It is understood that the testing personnel can move the first lever 210 to swing the first cover 200, improving the ease of use of the nucleic acid testing instrument. Specifically, the first lever 210 is tilted, with the end of the first lever 210 away from the first hinge seats 140 tilted away from the housing 100. This tilting of the end of the first lever 210 away from the first hinge seats 140 away from the housing 100 creates a gap between the first lever 210 and the housing 100 after the first cover 200 closes the placement cavity 110. This gap allows the testing personnel to insert their fingers, enabling them to move the first lever 210 to swing the first cover 200 and open the placement cavity 110. In this embodiment of the utility model, a second lever block 310 is provided on the end of the second cover 300 away from the two second hinge seats 150.
[0047] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The housing 100 is provided with an installation enclosure 160 in the area corresponding to the placement cavity 110. The placement cavity 110 is located within the area enclosed by the installation enclosure 160. The installation enclosure 160 has a first mating groove 161 for the first lever 210 to extend into. Specifically, the first lever 210 can press against the inner wall of the first mating groove 161 to fix the first lever 210 to the inner wall of the first mating groove 161. It can be understood that after the first cover 200 closes the placement cavity 110, the first lever 210 on the first cover 200 extends into the first mating groove 161 on the installation enclosure 160. The first lever 210 can press against the inner wall of the first mating groove 161, that is, the first lever 210 and the inner wall of the first mating groove 161 are in an interference fit, so that the first lever 210 is fixed to the inner wall of the first mating groove 161, thereby fixing the first cover 200 to the housing 100. In this embodiment of the utility model, a second mating groove is provided on the installation enclosure 160. The second mating groove is used for the second push block 310 on the second cover 300 to extend into, and the second push block 310 can be pressed against the inner wall of the second mating groove.
[0048] As one embodiment of the present utility model, a snap-fit groove is provided on the bottom wall of the first mating groove 161, and a snap-fit block is provided on the first push block 210. The snap-fit block can be snapped into the snap-fit groove so that the first cover 200 is fixed on the housing 100.
[0049] refer to Figure 3 Each of the multiple first detection cavities 120 has a first guide radius 121 at its upper end, and each of the multiple second detection cavities 130 has a second guide radius 131 at its upper end. Both the first guide radius 121 and the second guide radius 131 can abut against the PCR tube, guiding the insertion of the PCR tube and making it easier to insert. The inner walls of both the first guide radius 121 and the second guide radius 131 taper downwards.
[0050] As one embodiment of this utility model, the bottom wall of the housing 100 is provided with multiple anti-slip pads. It can be understood that the housing 100 is placed on the table by the multiple anti-slip pads on the bottom wall. The anti-slip pads can increase the friction between the housing 100 and the table, effectively preventing the housing 100 from sliding on the table.
[0051] In this embodiment of the invention, the nucleic acid detector further includes a constant temperature heating device, a fluorescence detection device, and a sterilization device. The constant temperature heating device and the fluorescence detection device are both located inside the housing 100. The constant temperature heating device is used to heat the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120 and the multiple second detection chambers 130. The fluorescence detection device is used to perform optical detection on the samples in the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120 and the multiple second detection chambers 130. The sterilization device is used to sterilize the inner cavity of the placement chamber 110.
[0052] Specifically, the constant temperature heating device includes a first constant temperature heating mechanism and a second constant temperature heating mechanism. The first constant temperature heating mechanism is used to heat the PCR tubes in the multiple first detection chambers 120, and the second constant temperature heating mechanism is used to heat the PCR tubes in the multiple second detection chambers 130.
[0053] The fluorescence detection device includes a first fluorescence detection module and a second fluorescence detection module. The first fluorescence detection module is used for optical detection of samples in PCR tubes within multiple first detection chambers 120, and the second fluorescence detection module is used for optical detection of samples in PCR tubes within multiple first detection chambers 120. Each of the multiple first detection chambers 120 has a first detection well on its inner wall, which is used in conjunction with the first fluorescence detection module. Similarly, each of the multiple second detection chambers 130 has a second detection well on its inner wall, which is used in conjunction with the second fluorescence detection module. Both the first and second fluorescence detection modules can be four-color or six-color fluorescence detection modules. The isothermal heating device, the first fluorescence detection module, and the second fluorescence detection module are all commonly used devices in nucleic acid detection instruments and will not be described further here.
[0054] In one embodiment of this utility model, the sterilization device includes multiple first ultraviolet (UV) lamps and multiple second UV lamps. Both the first and second UV lamps generate UV light to sterilize the interior of the placement cavity 110. It is understood that this is to ensure the cleanliness of the placement cavity 110 and prevent interference with test results. Before testing, the operator can simultaneously seal the placement cavity 110 with the first cap 200 and the second cap 300, and then turn on the multiple first and second UV lamps. The UV light emitted by the first and second UV lamps sterilizes the interior of the placement cavity 110.
[0055] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0056] Of course, this utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of this utility model. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A nucleic acid detection instrument, characterized in that, include: The housing has a placement cavity formed thereon, and a plurality of first detection cavities and a plurality of second detection cavities are formed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity. The plurality of first detection cavities and the plurality of second detection cavities are all used for inserting the tube body of the PCR tube. A first cover and a second cover, both hinged to the housing, so that the first cover and the second cover can simultaneously open or close the placement cavity; A first pressing structure and a second pressing structure are provided on the first cap and the second pressing structure is provided on the second cap. The first pressing structure can abut against the caps of the plurality of PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the second pressing structure can abut against the caps of the plurality of PCR tubes in the plurality of second detection chambers, so that the plurality of caps can be tightly closed on the plurality of tube bodies respectively.
2. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover is provided with a first support barrier, which can abut against the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity.
3. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes two first hinge seats, both of which are disposed on the inner bottom wall of the placement cavity, and the first cover is hinged to the two first hinge seats.
4. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a first lever, which is located on the end of the first cover away from the two first hinge seats.
5. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first lever is tilted, with the end of the first lever away from the first hinge seat tilted in a direction away from the housing.
6. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing is provided with an installation enclosure corresponding to the area of the placement cavity. The placement cavity is located within the area enclosed by the installation enclosure. The installation enclosure is provided with a first mating groove for the first pusher block to extend into.
7. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first lever can press against the inner wall of the first mating groove to fix the first lever on the inner wall of the first mating groove.
8. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper ends of the plurality of first detection cavities are provided with first guide fillets, and the upper ends of the plurality of second detection cavities are provided with second guide fillets.
9. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the housing is provided with multiple anti-slip pads.
10. The nucleic acid detection instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a constant temperature heating device and a fluorescence detection device, both of which are located inside the housing. The constant temperature heating device is used to heat the PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the plurality of second detection chambers, and the fluorescence detection device is used to perform optical detection on the samples in the PCR tubes in the plurality of first detection chambers and the plurality of second detection chambers.