Sample pretreatment device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of pretreatment, and discloses a sample pretreatment device which comprises a sample adding mechanism, the sample adding mechanism comprises a support arranged on a base, a nozzle seat capable of floating up and down is arranged on the upper portion of the support, an injection groove is formed in the bottom of the nozzle seat, and an injection nozzle is arranged in the injection groove; a retainer for clamping a test tube is arranged below the nozzle seat; a uniform mixing mechanism capable of lifting and uniformly mixing a sample in the test tube is arranged at the lower part of the bracket; the test tube placed on the holder is jacked into the injection groove of the nozzle seat by the uniform mixing mechanism, a reagent is injected into the test tube through the injection nozzle, and then the test tube is driven by the uniform mixing mechanism to uniformly mix a sample in the test tube, so that the sample preparation efficiency is improved, and the rapid preparation of the sample is realized; the collision impact force generated by the rising test tube and the nozzle seat can be buffered and resolved through the floating of the nozzle seat, so that the damage to the test tube caused by excessive jacking of the uniform mixing mechanism is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of preprocessing technology, specifically to a sample preprocessing device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the preliminary preparation of reagents for flow cytometry is mainly done manually. When processing samples manually, especially with a large number of samples, fatigue can easily lead to errors, and the process is inefficient. Therefore, when preparing large quantities of samples, sample pretreatment instruments can also be used.

[0003] Existing sample pretreatment instruments on the market can achieve fully automated sample processing. These instruments are fast and can save manpower; however, they are large and heavy, making them inconvenient to transport, complex to operate, and subject to high environmental requirements. They are also expensive and consume a lot of consumables, resulting in high production costs. Moreover, existing equipment can only process a limited variety of samples and has a narrow range of applications. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a sample pretreatment device. By moving the mixing mechanism upward, the test tube on the holder is pushed into the injection groove of the nozzle seat, so that the injection nozzle is embedded in the test tube mouth. After injection, the mixing mechanism can also mix the sample in the test tube, thereby improving the sample preparation efficiency, avoiding errors caused by manual operation, and realizing rapid sample preparation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A sample pretreatment device includes a sample addition mechanism, the sample addition mechanism including a support mounted on a base, a nozzle seat that can float up and down on the upper part of the support, an injection groove at the bottom of the nozzle seat, and an injection nozzle disposed in the injection groove.

[0007] Below the nozzle seat is a retainer for holding the test tube, and the lower part of the bracket is a mixing mechanism that can lift and mix the sample in the test tube, and the mixing mechanism can drive the test tube to embed into the injection groove when it rises.

[0008] Optionally, a first slide rail perpendicular to the base is fixedly installed on the upper part of the bracket, a support block is slidably installed on the first slide rail, the support block is connected to the bracket by a first spring, and the nozzle seat is fixedly installed on the support block.

[0009] Optionally, one end of the first spring is connected to the bracket via a first fastener, and the other end is connected to the support block via a second fastener, and a test tube sensor is installed on the side of the bracket near the nozzle seat.

[0010] Optionally, a mounting plate is fixedly connected to the bracket, a drive motor is provided on the mounting plate, and the output end of the drive motor is connected to a lead screw perpendicular to the base; a support plate is slidably sleeved on the lower part of the bracket, and the support plate is connected to the bracket through a second slide rail; the mixing mechanism is installed at the front end of the support plate, and the rear end of the support plate is screwed onto the lead screw.

[0011] Optionally, the mixing mechanism includes a mixing seat located above the support plate, the top of the mixing seat is provided with a groove, an eccentric block that can swing longitudinally is provided in the groove, a mixing rod is fixedly connected to the eccentric block, and a mixing head that can contact the bottom of the test tube is installed at the end of the mixing rod.

[0012] A mixing motor is installed at the bottom of the support plate, and the output end of the mixing motor is connected to the mixing base.

[0013] Optionally, one end of the eccentric block is rotatably connected to the mixing seat via a rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the mixing seat via a second spring. The rotating shaft is parallel to the base, and the second spring is located between the eccentric block and the groove.

[0014] Optionally, the base is covered with a housing, the housing has a working groove, the retainer is fixedly installed on the side wall of the working groove, and the output end of the mixing mechanism and the nozzle seat can both extend through the housing into the working groove.

[0015] Optionally, the interior of the housing is further provided with a partition and a shelf. A control circuit board is installed on one side of the partition and an injection pump is installed on the other side. A solenoid valve assembly is installed above the injection pump. A reagent bottle is placed inside the shelf, and a switching power supply is installed on the top of the shelf.

[0016] The reagent bottle, the solenoid valve assembly, the injection pump, and the injection nozzle are connected in sequence via pipelines.

[0017] Beneficial effects

[0018] (1) In this utility model, the test tube placed on the holder is lifted by the mixing mechanism to the injection groove of the nozzle seat, and the reagent is injected into the test tube through the injection nozzle. Then the mixing mechanism drives the test tube to mix the sample inside, thereby improving the sample preparation efficiency, avoiding errors caused by manual operation, and realizing rapid sample preparation. Furthermore, the impact force generated by the test tube rising and the nozzle seat can be buffered by the floating nozzle seat, avoiding damage to the test tube caused by excessive lifting of the mixing mechanism.

[0019] (2) Regarding the above-mentioned mixing mechanism, when the mixing head pushes the test tube against the injection tank, the eccentric block is pressed and swings longitudinally, causing the mixing head to deviate from the center line and thus drive the test tube to become eccentric. After the reagent is added into the test tube through the injection nozzle, the mixing motor drives the mixing rod to rotate through the mixing seat and the eccentric block, so as to mix the reagent. The structure of this mechanism is ingenious, and the eccentric rotation greatly improves the reagent mixing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sample preprocessing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an isometric structural schematic diagram of the sample preprocessing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sample addition mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an isometric structural diagram of the sample addition mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the positional structure of the nozzle seat and the injection nozzle in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mixing mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] Among them, 1. Base;

[0029] 2. Sample dispensing mechanism; 201. Support; 202. Nozzle holder; 203. Injection nozzle; 204. Support block; 205. First spring; 206. Test tube sensor; 207. First slide rail; 208. First fastener; 209. Second fastener; 210. Support plate; 211. Mounting plate; 212. Drive motor; 213. Lead screw; 214. Second slide rail; 215. Zero-position optocoupler; 216. Injection tank;

[0030] 3. Mixing mechanism; 301. Mixing seat; 302. Groove; 303. Eccentric block; 304. Mixing rod; 305. Mixing motor; 306. Second spring; 307. Rotating shaft; 308. Mixing head;

[0031] 4. Holder; 5. Partition; 6. Placement rack; 7. Injection pump; 8. Solenoid valve assembly; 9. Switching power supply; 10. Reagent bottle; 11. Control circuit board; 12. Housing; 13. Working tank. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, which are only used to illustrate the basic structure of the present invention in a schematic manner, and therefore only show the components related to the present invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figures 1-5 , Figure 8 As shown, a sample pretreatment device includes a base 1, a sample addition mechanism 2, a mixing mechanism 3, a holder 4, and a housing 12 covering the base 1. The holder 4 is located above the mixing mechanism 3, with one end fixedly connected to the housing 12 and the other end having a slot for placing test tubes. The test tubes are movably inserted into the slots, and the bottom of the test tubes abuts against the output end of the mixing mechanism 3.

[0035] The sample dispensing mechanism 2 includes a support 201, a nozzle seat 202, and an injection nozzle 203. The support 201 is perpendicular to the base 1 and is fixedly installed on the base 1. The nozzle seat 202 is installed on the upper part of the support 201 and can float up and down. An injection groove 216 is opened at the bottom of the nozzle seat 202, and an injection nozzle 203 is inserted through the top of the nozzle seat 202, with one end of the injection nozzle 203 extending into the injection groove 216.

[0036] The mixing mechanism 3 is located at the lower part of the support 201. It can move up and down along the support 201 and mix the sample in the test tube. When the mixing mechanism 3 rises, it can drive the test tube on the holder 4 to be inserted into the injection groove 216, so that the test tube mouth is aligned with the injection nozzle 203, which facilitates reagent injection.

[0037] The test tube placed on the holder 4 is lifted by the mixing mechanism 3 into the injection groove 216 of the nozzle seat 202. The reagent is injected into the test tube through the injection nozzle 203. Then the mixing mechanism 3 is activated to mix the sample inside the test tube, thereby improving the sample preparation efficiency, avoiding errors caused by manual operation, and realizing rapid sample preparation.

[0038] As described above, a working groove 13 is provided on the outer casing 12, and the holder 4 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the working groove 13. The output end of the mixing mechanism 3 and the nozzle seat 202 of the sample feeding mechanism 2 can both extend through the outer casing 12 into the working groove 13. The outer casing 12 is used to protect the internal components of the pretreatment device and also serves to improve the appearance. In addition, the outer casing 12 is equipped with a display screen and a start button.

[0039] The interior of the outer casing 12 is also provided with a partition 5 and a shelf 6. A control circuit board 11 is installed on one side of the partition 5 and an injection pump 7 is installed on the other side. A solenoid valve assembly 8 is installed above the injection pump 7. A reagent bottle 10 is placed inside the shelf 6, and a switching power supply 9 is installed on the top of the shelf 6. The reagent bottle 10, the solenoid valve assembly 8, the injection pump 7 and the injection nozzle 203 are connected in sequence through pipelines.

[0040] The partition 5 and the placement rack 6 are both mounted on the base 1. The solenoid valve group 8 can control the opening and closing of the pipeline and the control circuit board 11 transmits action commands to it. The switching power supply 9 is used to connect the external device to supply power to the device. The reagent bottle 10 stores the reagent sample to be injected. The injection pump 7 is used to pump the reagent in the reagent bottle 10 to the injection nozzle 203 and finally inject it into the test tube.

[0041] The injection tank 216 adopts a funnel-shaped structure to facilitate the docking of the test tube with the injection nozzle 203. There are usually multiple injection nozzles 203, which are connected to the corresponding reagent bottles 10 using different injection pumps 7. Since the test tube contains a variety of reagents, it is necessary to mix them using the mixing mechanism 3.

[0042] Furthermore, a first slide rail 207 perpendicular to the base 1 is fixedly installed on the upper part of the bracket 201. A support block 204 is slidably installed on the first slide rail 207. The support block 204 is connected to the bracket 201 by a first spring 205, and the nozzle seat 202 is fixedly installed on the support block 204. One end of the first spring 205 is connected to the bracket 201 by a first fastener 208, and the other end is connected to the support block 204 by a second fastener 209.

[0043] Both sides of the support block 204 are provided with a first spring 205. The first fastener 208 and the second fastener 209 are screws. The first fastener 208 and the second fastener 209 have a certain height difference. That is, the first spring 205 is inclined and connected to the support block 204 and the bracket 201.

[0044] When the test tube rises to the injection tank 216, it will have a certain impact with the nozzle seat 202. If the impact force is too large, it may damage the test tube. Therefore, the nozzle seat 202 can be made to float up and down by the first slide rail 207 and the first spring 205. The impact force between the test tube and the nozzle seat 202 can be buffered by the floating of the nozzle seat 202, thereby avoiding damage to the test tube caused by excessive lifting of the mixing mechanism 3.

[0045] The first slide rail 207 has limit rods at both ends. The lower limit rod can support the support block 204 and prevent it from detaching from the slide rail under the pull of the first spring 205. The upper limit rod can limit the movement and prevent the support block 204 from being lifted off the slide rail.

[0046] Regarding the lifting and lowering of the mixing mechanism 3, a mounting plate 211 is fixedly connected to the bracket 201, and a drive motor 212 is provided on the mounting plate 211. The output end of the drive motor 212 is connected to a lead screw 213 perpendicular to the base 1. A support plate 210 is slidably sleeved on the lower part of the bracket 201, and the support plate 210 and the bracket 201 are slidably connected through a second slide rail 214. The mixing mechanism 3 is installed at the front end of the support plate 210, and the rear end of the support plate 210 is screwed onto the lead screw 213.

[0047] The support plate 210 has a notch in the middle to facilitate its mounting on the bracket 201. The second slide rail 214 is parallel to the bracket 201 and is slidably connected to the support plate 210 at the notch. As the drive motor 212 starts, it drives the lead screw 213 to rotate. Based on the screw-on connection and the guiding effect of the second slide rail 214, the support plate 210 can be raised and lowered along the axis of the lead screw 213, thereby driving the mixing mechanism 3 at its front end to be raised and lowered. When the mixing mechanism 3 rises, it can drive the test tube on the holder 4 to abut against the nozzle seat 202.

[0048] The bracket 201 has a test tube sensor 206 installed on the side near the nozzle seat 202, and a zero-position optocoupler 215 for detecting the position of the support plate 210 is also provided at the bottom of the bracket 201. Both the test tube sensor 206 and the zero-position optocoupler 215 adopt existing technology. The former is used to detect whether there is a test tube on the holder 4, and the latter is used to detect whether the support plate 210 has descended to the initial zero position.

[0049] When the test tube sensor 206 detects that a test tube is placed on the holder 4, the drive motor 212 works to drive the support plate 210 to rise, lifting the test tube on the holder 4 into the injection tank 216; when the test tube is in place, the drive motor 212 stops working, and the injection pump 7 injects the reagent in the reagent bottle 10 into the test tube through the injection nozzle 203. After the injection is completed, the mixing mechanism 3 starts to mix the sample in the test tube.

[0050] After mixing is complete, the drive motor 212 starts in reverse, and the support plate 210 moves down. Under the action of the retainer 4, the test tube can stably follow the output end of the mixing mechanism 3 to move down. When the zero-position optocoupler 215 detects that the support plate 210 has fallen to the initial position, the drive motor 212 stops working. At this time, the staff can remove the test tube on the retainer 4 and replace it with a new test tube.

[0051] Working principle:

[0052] 1. After powering on, the system performs a self-test, sets various parameters, and the instrument is in a ready-to-test state;

[0053] 2. Place the sample tube in the holder 4. The tube sensor 206 will automatically detect that a tube is placed in the test position. The start button will change from yellow to green. Press the start button.

[0054] 3. The drive motor 212 drives the mixing mechanism 3 to rise, pushing the test tube into the injection groove 216 of the nozzle seat 202. The injection nozzle 203 (three-hole nozzle) adds reagents according to the program setting. The mixing mechanism 3 starts, the test tube vibrates, and the reagents are mixed. After the sample is added, the mixing mechanism 3 descends, and the test tube returns to the test tube holder 4.

[0055] 4. Remove the test tube, replace it with the next test tube, and proceed with the next round of testing.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] Based on Embodiment 1, this utility model also proposes a specific structure for the mixing mechanism 3.

[0058] like Figures 1-4 , Figures 6-7 As shown, the mixing mechanism 3 includes a mixing seat 301 located above the support plate 210. The top of the mixing seat 301 has a groove 302. An eccentric block 303 capable of swinging longitudinally is provided in the groove 302. A mixing rod 304 is fixedly connected to the eccentric block 303, and a mixing head 308 capable of contacting the bottom of the test tube is installed at the end of the mixing rod 304. A mixing motor 305 is installed at the bottom of the support plate 210, and the output end of the mixing motor 305 is connected to the mixing seat 301.

[0059] As the mixing seat 301 of the mixing mechanism 3 moves upward with the support plate 210, the mixing rod 304 and the mixing motor 305 are coaxial. When the upper end of the test tube is embedded in the injection groove 216 and abuts against the nozzle seat 202, the support plate 210 continues to move upward a certain distance, causing the nozzle seat 202 to move upward along the first slide rail 207, thereby driving the first spring 205 to be in a stretched state. At this time, the elastic force of the first spring 205 acts in the opposite direction on the mixing rod 304 through the test tube, causing the eccentric block 303 to swing in the groove 302, causing the mixing rod 304 and the mixing head 308 to deviate from the center line, driving the test tube to be eccentric. Subsequently, the mixing motor 305 starts, driving the test tube to rotate eccentrically through the mixing seat 301, the eccentric block 303, the mixing rod 304 and the mixing head 308 to mix the sample inside, and a better mixing effect can be obtained through this mechanism.

[0060] Regarding the structure of the eccentric block 303 swinging longitudinally in the groove 302, one end of the eccentric block 303 is rotatably connected to the mixing seat 301 through the rotating shaft 307, and the other end is connected to the mixing seat 301 through the second spring 306. The rotating shaft 307 is parallel to the base 1, and the second spring 306 is located between the eccentric block 303 and the groove 302.

[0061] The bottom of the eccentric block 303 is provided with an installation groove. One end of the second spring 306 is embedded in the installation groove, and the other end is connected to the bottom surface of the groove 302. Based on this, when the elastic force of the first spring 205 acts in the opposite direction on the test tube, it can be transmitted to the eccentric block 303 through the mixing head 308 and the mixing rod 304. At this time, the second spring 306 is compressed and contracted, the eccentric block 303 flips around the rotating shaft 307, and then the mixing rod 304 rotates around the rotating shaft 307, the mixing head 308 deviates from the center line, and the test tube is eccentric.

[0062] The eccentric block 303 is embedded in the groove 302, and the rotating shaft 307 passes through the side wall of the groove 302 and the eccentric block 303 from one side, so that the eccentric block 303 is rotatably connected to the mixing seat 301. In order to make the mixing head 308 fit the test tube better, an arc-shaped groove corresponding to the bottom contour of the test tube is opened at the end of the mixing head 308.

[0063] In summary, this manual assistance device was invented to improve sample preparation efficiency, avoid errors caused by manual operation, and achieve rapid sample preparation. Operators only need to set the reagents and volumes to be added, place the test tubes to be prepared into the holder 4, and click the start button. The operation is simple and easy to learn. The mechanical operation has higher precision and efficiency than manual operation, reducing labor intensity. It uses commonly available flow cytometers, and consumables are readily available. It also saves space and is easy to transport.

[0064] Its advantages include: assisting manual sample preparation and reducing fatigue; high motion precision and good repeatability; simple structure and low cost; lightweight and compact design, easy to move, and space-saving. Furthermore, it can achieve adjustable rotational mixing from 0-3000 rpm, suitable for sample pretreatment in various projects; it can add various reagents according to the set dosage; it uses a syringe pump 7 for high-precision dispensing; and it is equipped with a tubing cleaning program for automatic tubing cleaning.

[0065] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0066] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0067] Based on the preferred embodiments of this utility model described above, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample pretreatment device, characterized in that: The sample feeding mechanism (2) includes a support (201) mounted on a base (1). The upper part of the support (201) is provided with a nozzle seat (202) that can float up and down. The bottom of the nozzle seat (202) is provided with an injection groove (216) and an injection nozzle (203) is provided in the injection groove (216). Below the nozzle seat (202) is a retainer (4) for holding the test tube. The lower part of the bracket (201) is provided with a mixing mechanism (3) that can lift and mix the sample in the test tube. When the mixing mechanism (3) rises, it can drive the test tube to be embedded in the injection groove (216).

2. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper part of the bracket (201) is fixedly installed with a first slide rail (207) perpendicular to the base (1). A support block (204) is slidably installed on the first slide rail (207). The support block (204) is connected to the bracket (201) by a first spring (205), and the nozzle seat (202) is fixedly installed on the support block (204).

3. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the first spring (205) is connected to the bracket (201) via the first fastener (208), and the other end is connected to the support block (204) via the second fastener (209). A test tube sensor (206) is installed on the side of the bracket (201) near the nozzle seat (202).

4. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mounting plate (211) is fixedly connected to the bracket (201), and a drive motor (212) is provided on the mounting plate (211). The output end of the drive motor (212) is connected to a lead screw (213) perpendicular to the base (1). A support plate (210) is slidably sleeved on the lower part of the bracket (201), and the support plate (210) is connected to the bracket (201) through a second slide rail (214). The mixing mechanism (3) is installed at the front end of the support plate (210), and the rear end of the support plate (210) is screwed onto the lead screw (213).

5. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mixing mechanism (3) includes a mixing seat (301) located above the support plate (210). The top of the mixing seat (301) is provided with a groove (302). An eccentric block (303) capable of swinging longitudinally is provided in the groove (302). A mixing rod (304) is fixedly connected to the eccentric block (303), and a mixing head (308) capable of contacting the bottom of the test tube is installed at the end of the mixing rod (304). The bottom of the support plate (210) is equipped with a mixing motor (305), and the output end of the mixing motor (305) is connected to the mixing seat (301).

6. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: One end of the eccentric block (303) is rotatably connected to the mixing seat (301) via a rotating shaft (307), and the other end is connected to the mixing seat (301) via a second spring (306). The rotating shaft (307) is parallel to the base (1), and the second spring (306) is located between the eccentric block (303) and the groove (302).

7. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The base (1) is covered with a shell (12), and a working groove (13) is provided on the shell (12). The retainer (4) is fixedly installed on the side wall of the working groove (13), and the output end of the mixing mechanism (3) and the nozzle seat (202) can both extend through the shell (12) into the working groove (13).

8. The sample pretreatment apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that: The interior of the outer shell (12) is also provided with a partition (5) and a shelf (6). A control circuit board (11) is installed on one side of the partition (5) and an injection pump (7) is installed on the other side. A solenoid valve group (8) is provided above the injection pump (7). A reagent bottle (10) is provided inside the shelf (6), and a switching power supply (9) is installed on the top of the shelf (6). The reagent bottle (10), the solenoid valve group (8), the injection pump (7) and the injection nozzle (203) are connected in sequence through pipelines.

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