Sampling needle and sampling and picking device for immunity analyzer

Abstract

A sampling needle for an immunity analyzer comprises a sampling pick-up head, a reaction cup pick-up part is arranged at the tail end of the sampling pick-up head, a TIP head pick-up part is arranged above the reaction cup pick-up part, the reaction cup pick-up part and the TIP head pick-up part are both coaxially arranged with the sampling pick-up head, the reaction cup pick-up part is provided with a first abutting face capable of making contact with the inner wall of a reaction cup, and the TIP head pick-up part is provided with a second abutting face capable of making contact with the inner wall of the reaction cup. The TIP head pickup part is provided with a first contact surface which can be in contact with the inner wall of the TIP head, and the outer diameter of the first contact surface is smaller than that of the first contact surface. By utilizing the sampling needle and the sampling and picking device provided by the utility model, the reaction cup and the TIP head can be picked and placed by utilizing one sampling device. The reaction cups and the TIP heads are taken and placed in a tensioning contact type picking mode, stable grabbing can be achieved, the reaction cups and the TIP heads can be stored and arranged more compactly, and space is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of immunoassay analyzers in medical devices, specifically a sampling needle and sampling pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), also known as chemiluminescent immunoassay, is an immunoassay method that directly labels antigens or antibodies with chemiluminescent agents. A chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzer consists of two parts: an immunoreaction system and a chemiluminescent analysis system. The immunoreaction system directly labels the luminescent substance (which generates an excited-state intermediate under the excitation of a reactant) onto the antigen (chemiluminescent immunoassay) or antibody (immunochemiluminescent immunoassay), or an enzyme acts on the luminescent substrate.

[0003] In immunoassay analyzers, reaction cups and tippers need to be constantly picked up, placed, and transferred during detection and analysis. Current technologies often use robotic arms in conjunction with gripping devices to perform these actions. Generally, reaction cups and tippers each have their own separate pick-and-place mechanisms, making it difficult to integrate them into a single device. Furthermore, the robotic arm and gripping device require a certain spacing between the reaction cups or tippers to be effective, thus requiring more storage space for them.

[0004] A search revealed existing technical solutions related to the handling and placement devices for reaction cups or TIP heads in immunoassay analyzers. For example, the utility model patent publication number "CN218808936U" entitled "A Reaction Cup Gripper Device for a Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer" discloses a reaction cup gripper device for a chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. This device includes a drive mechanism installed in the chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer and a gripper mechanism installed on the moving end of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism drives the gripper mechanism to grasp the reaction cup within the chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer and move the reaction cup to a designated position. This reaction cup gripper device employs a gripper mechanism that operates through magnetic closure and motor activation.

[0005] The invention patent publication document with publication number "CN117169487A" and titled "A Reaction Cup Grasping and Moving Mechanism" discloses a reaction cup grasping and moving mechanism, belonging to the field of chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzers. It includes a base, a transverse moving mechanism on the base, a reaction cup grasping device on the transverse moving mechanism, a reaction cup mounting base plate, a reaction cup grasping mechanism on the reaction cup mounting base plate, a grasping and lifting mechanism controlling the reaction cup grasping mechanism, and an opening and closing mechanism controlling the opening and closing of the reaction cup grasping mechanism on the reaction cup mounting base plate.

[0006] The aforementioned comparative documents all employ a robotic arm in conjunction with an opening and closing gripping mechanism to grasp reaction cups or TIP heads, which suffers from the technical problems mentioned above. Therefore, proposing a sampling needle and sampling pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer to achieve the grasping of reaction cups and TIP heads is of great significance in this field. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer. The sampling needle is hollow inside, and the front end of the sampling needle includes a sampling pickup head. The end of the sampling pickup head has a reaction cup pickup part. The reaction cup pickup part has a contact surface that can contact the inner wall of the reaction cup. The maximum outer diameter of the contact surface is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup.

[0008] Furthermore, a TIP head pickup section is provided above the reaction cup pickup section. Both the reaction cup pickup section and the TIP head pickup section are coaxially arranged with the sampling pickup head. The TIP head pickup section has a second contact surface that can contact the inner wall of the TIP head. The outer diameter of the first contact surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the second contact surface.

[0009] The reaction cup pickup part is a spherical protrusion located at the end of the sampling pickup head, and the maximum outer diameter of the spherical protrusion is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup.

[0010] Furthermore, two spherical protrusions are provided, one above the other, and the maximum outer diameter of the upper spherical protrusion is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the lower spherical protrusion.

[0011] Furthermore, the TIP head pickup section consists of an O-ring sleeved on the outer wall of the sampling pickup head, and the outer diameter of the O-ring is larger than the inner diameter of the TIP head.

[0012] Furthermore, the sampling head area between the spherical protrusion and the O-ring also includes a spacer ring.

[0013] Alternatively, the reaction cup pickup part is an annular protrusion located at the end of the sampling pickup head, and the outer diameter of the annular protrusion is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup.

[0014] A sampling and pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer is also proposed, characterized in that it includes the above-mentioned sampling needle, and a cup-retracting sleeve is coaxially sleeved outside the sampling needle. The cup-retracting sleeve is connected to a lifting component, and the lifting component can drive the cup-retracting sleeve to reciprocate linearly relative to the sampling needle.

[0015] Furthermore, the lifting component includes a slider connected to the cup-retracting sleeve, the slider being connected to a servo electric cylinder, and a guide rail whose position is determined by an external mechanism. The servo electric cylinder can drive the slider to reciprocate linearly along the guide rail, thereby driving the cup-retracting sleeve to move.

[0016] Furthermore, the sampling needle has a limiting ring one at its tip, and the cup-retracting sleeve has a limiting ring two at its tip.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects: Using the sampling needle and sampling pickup device proposed in this utility model, the reaction cup and TIP head can be picked up and placed using a single sampling device. The use of a tension-contact pickup method for picking up and placing the reaction cup and TIP head enables stable gripping and allows for a more compact and space-saving storage arrangement of the reaction cup and TIP head. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sampling and pickup device provided by this utility model Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 2 : A cross-sectional view of the sampling needle gripping the TIP head provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 : A cross-sectional view of the sampling needle gripping the reaction vessel provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 : Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0022] Figure 5 : Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] An immunoassay analyzer sampling needle is provided. The sampling needle is hollow inside and has a sampling pickup head 1 at the front end. The sampling pickup head 1 has a reaction cup pickup part 2 at the end. The reaction cup pickup part 2 has a contact surface 1 that can contact the inner wall of the reaction cup 4. The maximum outer diameter of the contact surface 1 is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup 4.

[0025] In this embodiment, the reaction cup 4 is picked up using a coaxial tensioning method with the sampling needle. This integrates the sampling of the sampling needle and the picking up of the reaction cup 4, allowing an external three-axis robotic arm to drive the sampling needle up and down to complete the sampling and picking up of the reaction cup. Because an internal tensioning method is used to pick up the reaction cup 4, the reaction cup picking unit 2 does not have a lateral opening and closing action during the picking up and placing of the reaction cup 4. This allows for the picking up of the reaction cup 4 in areas with limited space, making it possible to arrange the reaction cups more compactly. This space optimization is significant in immunoassay analyzers with a large number of reaction cups 4.

[0026] In a more preferred embodiment, a TIP head pickup part 3 is provided above the reaction cup pickup part 2. Both the reaction cup pickup part 2 and the TIP head pickup part 3 are coaxially arranged with the sampling pickup head 1. The TIP head pickup part 3 has a second contact surface that can contact the inner wall of the TIP head 5. The outer diameter of the first contact surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the second contact surface.

[0027] Both the reaction cup pickup unit 2 and the TIP head pickup unit 3 are mounted on the sampling pickup head 1, enabling reuse of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5 for pickup. Neither uses an opening / closing clamping method; instead, they employ a tension-contact gripping principle. When the reaction cup pickup unit 2 or the TIP head pickup unit 3 is inserted into the reaction cup 4 or the TIP head 5, the first or second contact surface contacts and tightens against the inner walls of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5, respectively. Because the side walls of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5 possess a certain degree of elasticity, the tension force and friction can be used to firmly grip the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5. Compared to opening / closing clamping, the gripping action in this design is vertically coaxial, eliminating the need for lateral displacement space, allowing for a more compact arrangement of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5. Integrating the pickup of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5 also improves the integration level of the sampling needle. The outer diameter of the first contact surface is smaller than that of the second contact surface because both the reaction cup pickup part 2 and the TIP head pickup part 3 are mounted on the sampling pickup head 1 and are coaxial. The inner diameters of the reaction cup 4 and the TIP head 5 are different. Therefore, the outer diameter of the first contact surface of the reaction cup pickup part 2 needs to be smaller so that it can penetrate into the interior of the TIP head 5 without contacting its inner wall when picking up the TIP head 5.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the reaction cup pickup part 2 may be a spherical protrusion 22 located at the end of the sampling pickup head 1, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the spherical protrusion 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup 4. After entering the opening of the reaction cup 4, the spherical protrusion 22 can tighten the inner wall of the reaction cup 4, thereby achieving the pickup of the reaction cup.

[0029] A preferred embodiment may involve having two spherical protrusions 22 arranged vertically, with the upper spherical protrusion 22 having a larger maximum outer diameter than the lower spherical protrusion 22. The two spherical protrusions 22 with different outer diameters allow for the gripping of reaction cups 4 of different outer diameters.

[0030] A preferred embodiment may be that the TIP head pickup part 3 is an O-ring 32 sleeved on the outer wall of the sampling pickup head 1, and the outer diameter of the O-ring 32 is larger than the inner diameter of the TIP head 5. Since the sidewall of the TIP head has limited elastic deformation capability and is relatively harder than the reaction cup 4, the elastic O-ring 32 is used as the TIP head pickup part 3 to tension and grip the TIP head.

[0031] A preferred embodiment may include a spacer ring 11 in the sampling head 1 region between the spherical protrusion 22 and the O-ring 32. The spacer ring 11 is located between the spherical protrusion 22 and the O-ring 32 and can limit the O-ring 32 to a certain extent, preventing it from sliding down to the spherical protrusion 22.

[0032] Another embodiment of the reaction cup pickup part 2 can be an annular protrusion 23 located at the end of the sampling pickup head 1, with the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 23 being larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup 4. The annular protrusion 23 can also tighten and grip the inner wall of the reaction cup 4. However, the spherical protrusion 22 is more effective. The outer diameter of the spherical protrusion 22 changes from small to large, making it easier to enter the opening of the reaction cup 4. As the depth of entry increases, the tightening force on the inner wall of the reaction cup 4 gradually increases, resulting in less impact on the inner wall of the reaction cup 4. It can also pick up reactions when there is a large difference between the maximum outer diameter of the reaction cup 4 and the annular protrusion 23.

[0033] This embodiment also relates to a sampling pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer, including the aforementioned sampling needle. A cup ejector sleeve 6 is coaxially sleeved outside the sampling needle. The cup ejector sleeve 6 is connected to a lifting component, which can drive the cup ejector sleeve 6 to reciprocate linearly relative to the sampling needle. After the sampling needle picks up the reaction cup 4 or the TIP head 5, the lifting component can drive the cup ejector sleeve 6, causing the cup ejector sleeve 6 to rise relative to the sampling needle. At this time, the cup ejector sleeve 6 can push the reaction cup 4 or the TIP head 5 off the sampling needle, thus unloading the reaction cup 4 or the TIP head 5.

[0034] In a more preferred embodiment, the lifting component includes a slider 7 connected to the cup-retracting sleeve 6, the slider 7 being connected to a servo electric cylinder 8, and a guide rail 9 whose position is determined by an external mechanism. The servo electric cylinder 8 can drive the slider 7 to reciprocate linearly along the guide rail 9, thereby driving the cup-retracting sleeve 6 to move.

[0035] In a more preferred embodiment, the sampling needle has a limiting ring 12 at its tip, and the cup-retracting sleeve 6 has a limiting ring 61 at its tip. The limiting ring 12 and the limiting ring 61 can contact each other to limit the relative displacement between themselves and the sampling needle.

[0036] 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 a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer, wherein the sampling needle is hollow inside, characterized in that, The sampling needle front end includes a sampling pickup head (1), and the sampling pickup head (1) has a reaction cup pickup part (2) at its end. The reaction cup pickup part (2) has a contact surface that can contact the inner wall of the reaction cup (4). The maximum outer diameter of the contact surface is greater than the inner diameter of the reaction cup (4).

2. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Above the reaction cup pickup part (2) is a TIP head pickup part (3). Both the reaction cup pickup part (2) and the TIP head pickup part (3) are coaxially arranged with the sampling pickup head (1). The TIP head pickup part (3) has a second contact surface that can contact the inner wall of the TIP head (5). The outer diameter of the first contact surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the second contact surface.

3. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The reaction cup pickup part (2) is a spherical protrusion (22) located at the end of the sampling pickup head (1), and the maximum outer diameter of the spherical protrusion (22) is greater than the inner diameter of the reaction cup (4).

4. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Two spherical protrusions (22) are provided on the top and bottom, and the maximum outer diameter of the upper spherical protrusion (22) is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the lower spherical protrusion (22).

5. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The TIP head pickup part (3) is an O-ring (32) sleeved on the outer wall of the sampling pickup head (1), and the outer diameter of the O-ring (32) is larger than the inner diameter of the TIP head (5).

6. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The sampling pickup head (1) area between the spherical protrusion (22) and the O-ring (32) also includes a spacer ring (11).

7. The sampling needle for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The reaction cup pickup part (2) is an annular protrusion (23) located at the end of the sampling pickup head (1), and the outer diameter of the annular protrusion (23) is larger than the inner diameter of the reaction cup (4).

8. A sampling and pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer, characterized in that, The sampling needle as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided with a cup-retracting sleeve (6) coaxially sleeved outside the sampling needle. The cup-retracting sleeve (6) is connected to a lifting component, which can drive the cup-retracting sleeve (6) to reciprocate linearly relative to the sampling needle.

9. The sampling and pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The lifting component includes a slider (7) connected to the cup ejector sleeve (6), the slider (7) is connected to a servo electric cylinder (8), and also includes a guide rail (9) whose position is determined by an external mechanism. The servo electric cylinder (8) can drive the slider (7) to reciprocate linearly along the guide rail (9), thereby driving the cup ejector sleeve (6) to move.

10. The sampling and pickup device for an immunoassay analyzer as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The sampling needle has a limiting ring one (12) at its tip, and the cup-retracting sleeve (6) has a limiting ring two (61) at its tip.

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