Skirt-free PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) plate automatic instrument adapter

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic instrument adapter for a skirt-free PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) plate, which comprises a base, four edge panels, a covering plate, a hole groove and a limiter, the hole groove is arranged on the base, a guide groove is arranged in the hole groove, the edge panels are fixedly connected with the base, the four edge panels surround the base to form a rectangular frame, and the limiting stopper is arranged on the covering plate. The covering plate is located above the edge panel, a through hole is formed in the position, corresponding to the hole groove of the base, of the covering plate, and limiting stoppers are arranged on the periphery of the hole groove. The adapter can adapt to various automatic instruments, and comprises a full-automatic nucleic acid extraction and purification workstation, a full-automatic pipetting workstation and a full-automatic sample preparation workstation. The adapter disclosed by the utility model is suitable for an automatic working process using a gripper or a robot platform, but cannot be used for a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) experiment, and by putting the skirt-free PCR plate on the adapter, the safety and the stability of the skirt-free PCR plate can be improved, the mechanical strength of the skirt-free PCR plate can be increased, and the convenience and the accuracy of experimental operation can be improved at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated instrument technology, and more specifically, to an automated instrument adapter for a skirtless PCR plate. Background Technology

[0002] Skirtless PCR plates are devices used in PCR preparation to achieve temperature conduction, high-temperature sterilization, and prevent contamination. They are also common consumables in molecular experiments. While skirtless PCR plates are compatible with all PCR instruments, they cannot provide stability during the pipetting process of automated instruments when constructing reaction systems. Furthermore, they lack sufficient mechanical strength to securely hold the plates in place during automated instrument operations, particularly during liquid aspiration, dispensing, and movement. This displacement can lead to aspiration / dispensing failures and experimental termination. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated instrument adapter for skirtless PCR plates, which can securely and stably fix the skirtless PCR plates onto automated instruments and is compatible with various brands and models of automated instruments to meet experimental needs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0005] An automated instrument adapter for a skirtless PCR plate includes a base, edge panels, a cover plate, slots, and limiters. The base has slots with guide grooves inside, which facilitate precise docking and positioning of the PCR plate by the automated instrument, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing errors during automated operation. The edge panels are fixedly connected to the base, and there are four edge panels forming a rectangular frame around the base. The cover plate is located above the edge panels, and has through holes corresponding to the slots on the base. Limiters are provided around the slots.

[0006] As an improvement of this utility model, the inner side of the through hole of the cover plate is a conical or stepped structure for precise docking with the PCR plate and enhancing the fixation effect; the limiter is a symmetrical semi-circular structure with a nylon material covering the surface to enhance friction and ensure that the PCR plate is stably positioned in the adapter.

[0007] As an improvement of this utility model, the length of the long side of the edge panel is 129mm and the height is 12mm; the length of the wide side is 84mm and the height is 12mm; the length of the cover plate is 129mm, the width is 84mm and the height is 1mm, and the upper left corner has the letter A1 to facilitate the robot to identify the position of the PCR plate.

[0008] As an improvement of this utility model, the number of holes and slots is 96, the diameter of the holes and slots is 6.5mm, the distance between the holes and slots is 3mm, the lateral distance between the edge holes and slots and the edge panel is 10mm, and the longitudinal distance is 6mm.

[0009] As an improvement of this utility model, the outer side of the hole groove is provided with threads, and the limiter is fixed around the hole groove by the threads, which can be finely adjusted according to the PCR plate of different thicknesses to ensure that the plate is always in a stable position and adapt to the needs of different automated equipment.

[0010] As an improvement of this utility model, anti-slip mechanisms are provided on both sides of the edge panel. The anti-slip mechanisms are made of rubber pads or suede material and are fixed to the edge panel by means of buckles or bolts. They are used to increase the friction when the robot gripper contacts the PCR plate and prevent shaking during automated operation.

[0011] The skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] (1) The adapter provided in this application includes a base, four edge panels, a cover plate, slots, and a limiter. The base has multiple slots, and the slots have guide grooves inside, which enable the PCR plate to be precisely aligned in automated equipment. The guide grooves are designed so that the PCR plate can enter the slot position under the precise control of the automated equipment, reducing errors.

[0013] (2) The four edge panels of this application form a rectangular frame around the base. These edge panels are fixed to the base by snaps or bolts and connected to the limiters by fixing threads. The design of the edge panels provides good structural strength and provides suitable support so that the PCR plate will not shake during operation, thus enhancing stability.

[0014] (3) The cover plate of this application is located above the edge panel, and the cover plate is provided with through holes corresponding to the base slots to ensure the placement and positioning of the PCR plate. At the same time, the inner side of the cover plate is designed with a conical or stepped structure to further improve the precise docking capability of the PCR plate and ensure that the plate does not shift.

[0015] (4) The limiter of this application has a semi-circular structure and the surface is covered with a wear-resistant material (such as nylon or suede), and is fixed around the slot by threads. This design allows for fine adjustment according to PCR plates of different thicknesses, thereby ensuring that PCR plates of different sizes can be stably placed in the adapter.

[0016] (5) The edge panel of this application is also provided with anti-slip mechanism on both sides, which enhances the friction between the gripper of the automated equipment and prevents slippage or displacement during gripping and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the slot structure;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the slot and the limiter.

[0020] List of identifiers in attached diagrams:

[0021] 1. Base; 2. Edge panel; 3. Cover plate; 4. Limiter; 5. Anti-slip mechanism; 6. Through hole; 7. Hole groove; 8. Guide groove; 9. Thread. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following specific embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up" and "down" used in the following description refer to the directions in the accompanying drawings, and the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" 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 between 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.

[0024] As shown in the figure, this utility model provides an automated instrument adapter for a skirtless PCR plate, including a base 1, an edge panel 2, a cover plate 3, a slot 7, and a limiter 4. The base 1 has a slot 7, and a guide groove 8 is provided in the slot 7. The guide groove 8 facilitates the precise docking and positioning of the PCR plate by the automated instrument, ensuring accurate positioning of the adapter and reducing errors during automated operation. The edge panel 2 is fixedly connected to the base 1. There are four edge panels 2, which form a rectangular frame around the base 1. The cover plate 3 is located above the edge panel 2. The cover plate 3 has a through hole 6 corresponding to the slot 7 of the base 1, and the limiter 4 is provided around the slot 7.

[0025] The inner side of the through hole 6 of the cover plate 3 is a conical or stepped structure for precise docking with the PCR plate and enhancing the fixation effect; the limiter 4 is a symmetrical semi-circular structure with a nylon material covering the surface to enhance friction and ensure that the PCR plate is stably positioned in the adapter.

[0026] The edge panel 2 has a long side length of 129mm and a height of 12mm, and a wide side length of 84mm and a height of 12mm. The cover plate 3 has a length of 129mm, a width of 84mm, and a height of 1mm, and has the letter A1 on the upper left to facilitate robot identification of the PCR plate's location.

[0027] The number of holes 7 is 96, the diameter of the holes 7 is 6.5mm, the distance between holes 7 is 3mm, the lateral distance between the edge holes 7 and the edge panel 2 is 10mm, and the longitudinal distance is 6mm.

[0028] The groove 7 has a thread 9 on its outer side, and the limiter 4 is fixed around the groove 7 by the thread 9. It can be finely adjusted according to the PCR plate of different thicknesses to ensure that the plate is always in a stable position and adapt to the needs of different automated equipment.

[0029] The edge panel 2 is provided with anti-slip mechanisms 5 on both sides. The anti-slip mechanisms 5 are made of rubber or suede and are fixed to the edge panel 2 by means of buckles or bolts. They are used to increase the friction when the robot gripper contacts the PCR plate and prevent shaking during automated operation.

[0030] The working process of the skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0031] First, align the upper left corner A of the skirtless PCR plate with position A1 on the adapter. Ensure that each well 7 of the PCR plate is precisely aligned with the well 7 on the adapter base 1. Place the skirtless PCR plate into the well 7 of the adapter, ensuring that the well 7 corresponds one-to-one with the well position of the PCR plate. Next, press the PCR plate firmly until it is fully inserted into the adapter and cannot be pressed further, ensuring that the PCR plate is securely fixed inside the adapter.

[0032] Place the secured, skirtless PCR plate and adapter into the designated location on the automated instrument. The adapter will then guide the PCR plate into the automated equipment's working area, initiating the automated operation. The automated instrument will perform PCR experiments, including sample addition and analysis. The adapter ensures the PCR plate remains precisely positioned and stable throughout the entire process.

[0033] After use, remove the skirtless PCR plate horizontally from the adapter. The adapter is designed with appropriate limiters 4 and anti-slip mechanisms to ensure the PCR plate will not shift or be damaged during removal.

[0034] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0035] The accompanying drawings merely illustrate the technical concept of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and all such improvements and modifications fall within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automated instrument adapter for a skirtless PCR plate, comprising a base, an edge panel, a cover plate, a well slot, and a limiter, characterized in that: The base has a slot, and a guide groove is provided in the slot. The edge panel is fixedly connected to the base. There are four edge panels, and the four edge panels form a rectangular frame around the base. The cover plate is located above the edge panels. The cover plate has a through hole corresponding to the slot of the base. A limiter is provided around the slot.

2. The skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side of the through hole of the cover plate has a conical or stepped structure, and the limiter has a symmetrical semi-circular structure with a nylon material covering the surface.

3. The skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The edge panel has a long side length of 129mm and a height of 12mm; a wide side length of 84mm and a height of 12mm; and a cover plate with a length of 129mm, a width of 84mm, a height of 1mm, and the letter A1 in the upper left corner.

4. The skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of holes and slots is 96, the diameter of the holes and slots is 6.5mm, the distance between the holes and slots is 3mm, the lateral distance between the edge holes and slots and the edge panel is 10mm, and the longitudinal distance is 6mm.

5. The skirtless PCR plate automated instrument adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the slot is threaded, and the limiter is fixed around the slot by the thread.

6. The automated instrument adapter for skirtless PCR plates according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The edge panel is provided with anti-slip mechanisms on both sides. The anti-slip mechanisms are made of rubber pads or suede material and are fixed to the edge panel by means of buckles or bolts.

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