Separation structure for preparing NK (Natural Killer) cells

Abstract

The utility model discloses a separation structure for preparing NK (Natural Killer) cells, and aims to provide the separation structure for preparing the NK cells, which can be used for filtering and settling at the same time. The device comprises a base, a filtering pipe, a filtering assembly, a settling pipe and a sampling assembly, the filtering pipe and the settling pipe are both installed on the base, the upper end of the filtering pipe is communicated with the lower end of the settling pipe, the filtering assembly is installed at the upper end of the filtering pipe, and the lower end of the filtering assembly is arranged at the bottom end of the filtering pipe. The sampling assembly is mounted at the upper end of the sedimentation pipe. The utility model has the beneficial effects that sedimentation is carried out while filtering is carried out, the filtering capacity can be improved, the flowing of sample tissues can be reduced, the sample tissues can be transferred, NK cells can be taken out, and the loss can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of NK cell-related technology, and in particular to a separation structure for NK cell preparation. Background Technology

[0002] NK cells, or natural killer cells, are important immune cells in the body. They are not only involved in anti-tumor, anti-viral infection, and immune regulation, but also participate in hypersensitivity reactions and the development of autoimmune diseases in certain situations. They can recognize target cells and kill mediators. When culturing NK cells, they need to be separated from sample tissue fluid. Current cell separation processes mostly require manual operation, necessitating experience from the operator for filtration, sedimentation, and sampling, making the process inconvenient.

[0003] Chinese Patent Announcement No. CN211546530U, authorized on September 22, 2020, discloses a device for separating NK cells, including a base. The device is characterized by: a first support and a second support fixedly connected to the top of the base, both L-shaped; a platform on one side of the first support, fixedly mounted on the base; a slot on its surface for holding a separation bottle; an inlet pipe on the top of the first support, the end of which extends into the separation bottle; a filter membrane on the inner wall of the separation bottle; a stirring mechanism on the top of the first support; a sampling bottle on one side of the second support; a groove on the surface of the base that mates with the sampling bottle; the bottom of the sampling bottle inserted into the groove; a guide tube fixedly connected between the bottom of the sampling bottle and the separation bottle; the two ends of the guide tube communicating with the inner cavities of the sampling bottle and the separation bottle, respectively; and a sampling mechanism on the second support. The drawback of this invention is that the device requires manual intervention in the filtration process and manual sampling. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to overcome the inconvenience of manual operation in existing technologies by providing a separation structure for NK cell preparation that allows for sedimentation during filtration.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A separation structure for NK cell preparation includes a base, a filter tube, a filter assembly, a sedimentation tube, and a sampling assembly. The filter tube and the sedimentation tube are both mounted on the base. The upper end of the filter tube is connected to the lower end of the sedimentation tube. The filter assembly is mounted on the upper end of the filter tube, and the lower end of the filter assembly is placed at the bottom end of the filter tube. The sampling assembly is mounted on the upper end of the sedimentation tube.

[0007] The filter tube installed on the base is used to receive the filtered liquid. Filtration is performed through a filter assembly installed at the upper end of the filter tube to remove impurities from the sample tissue. However, the lower end of the filter assembly extends into the bottom of the filter tube, so the filtered liquid flows directly to the bottom of the filter tube, reducing the flow of liquid within the filter tube. Then, sedimentation occurs simultaneously with filtration, causing the liquid containing NK cells to separate into layers on the upper layer. This layer then flows into the sedimentation tube through a connection between the upper end of the filter tube and the lower end of the sedimentation tube, where secondary sedimentation occurs, significantly shortening the sedimentation time. Finally, a sampling assembly is used to sample the upper layer of liquid in the sedimentation tube, which also improves the purity of NK cells, achieving the goal of sedimentation during filtration.

[0008] Preferably, the base is provided with a support frame, and the support frame is provided with a mounting hole. The lower end of the filter tube is placed in the mounting hole. The filter assembly includes a mounting frame and a filter screen. Several mounting frames are provided and are distributed circumferentially. The cross-sectional shape of the mounting frame is L-shaped. The mounting frame includes a side and a top edge. One end of the side is connected to one end of the top plate. A lifting ring is provided on the outer side of the filter tube. One end of the top edge is connected to the lifting ring. The side is placed inside the filter tube and fits against the inner wall of the filter tube. A retaining ring is installed on the side. The filter screen is installed inside the retaining ring. The cross-sectional shape of the filter screen is conical. The filter screen matches the inner wall of the retaining ring. The filter tube is installed on the support frame through the mounting hole. A filter assembly is installed at the upper end of the filter tube for filtration. The lifting ring is placed on the outside of the filter tube and fits against the outer wall of the filter tube. The filter assembly can be installed and removed through the lifting ring. Then, it is connected to the retaining ring placed inside the filter tube through the mounting frame. The retaining ring is installed on the side of the mounting frame and fits against the inner wall of the filter tube. A conical filter screen is installed inside the retaining ring. The conical shape of the filter screen can better disperse the sample tissue, thereby improving the filtration capacity of the filter assembly and reducing the clogging of the filter screen by impurities. When sample tissue is added from the top of the cone, the sample assembly will disperse in all directions, and some impurities will accumulate at the retaining ring. This design can improve the filtration capacity.

[0009] Preferably, a funnel is installed at the lower end of the side, with the upper end of the funnel connected to the side. A feed pipe is provided at the lower end of the funnel, and the upper end of the feed pipe is connected to the funnel. The lower end of the feed pipe is positioned at the lower end of the filter tube. The sample assembly filtered through the filter screen enters the funnel installed at the lower end of the mounting frame. The upper end of the funnel has a larger opening diameter to receive the sample tissue. The feed pipe at the lower end of the funnel directly transports the sample tissue to the lower end of the filter tube, reducing liquid flow and facilitating sample tissue settling. This design minimizes sample tissue flow.

[0010] Preferably, a second support frame is mounted on the base, and the second support frame has a second mounting hole. The lower end of the sedimentation tube is installed in the second mounting hole, and the filter tube has a connecting pipe. One end of the connecting pipe is connected to the upper end of the filter tube, and the other end of the connecting pipe is connected to the lower end of the sedimentation tube. The sedimentation tube is mounted on the base via the second support frame, and then the sedimentation tube and the filter tube are connected by a connecting block. After a portion of the sedimentation at the upper end of the filter screen has settled, it flows to the bottom of the sedimentation tube through the connecting block. This design also reduces the flow of sample tissue to the bottom of the sedimentation tube, thus reducing sedimentation time. This design facilitates the transfer of sample tissue.

[0011] Preferably, the sampling assembly is installed at the upper end of the settling tube. The sampling assembly includes a top cover, a sampling cup, and a pneumatic cylinder. The top cover is placed at the top of the settling tube and has several circumferentially distributed connecting rods. One end of each connecting rod is connected to the top cover, and the other end is connected to the upper end of the sampling cup. The sampling cup is placed inside the settling cup and matches the inner wall of the settling tube. The bottom surface of the sampling cup has a sampling hole. The pneumatic cylinder is installed on the top surface of the top cover, and a sealing block is installed on the pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder. The sealing block corresponds to the sampling hole. After settling and stratifying within the settling tube for a period of time, samples can be taken using a sampling assembly on the settling tube. The top cover restricts the sampling assembly to the upper end of the settling tube, and then a connecting rod extends into the settling tube. A sampling cup is installed at the lower end of the connecting rod, and a sampling hole is opened on the sampling cup. The stratified sample tissue from the upper end enters the sampling chamber through the sampling hole as the sampling cup descends, which is used to collect the stratified pressure bar sample cells. Then, the pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder drives the sealing block to descend, and the sealing block seals the sampling hole. NK cells are then collected in the sampling cup and removed. This design allows for the removal of NK cells.

[0012] Preferably, a pusher assembly is installed on the base, and the pusher assembly is placed below the filter tube. The pusher assembly includes a second pneumatic cylinder and a pusher plate. The second pneumatic cylinder is installed on the base, and the pneumatic end of the second pneumatic cylinder passes through the first support frame and the filter tube and is placed inside the filter tube. The pusher plate is connected to the pneumatic end of the second pneumatic cylinder, and the pusher plate matches the inner wall of the filter tube. After the sample tissue cup is filtered, the last filtered sample tissue remains inside the filter screen. Liquid below the level of the connecting tube cannot enter the settling tube, which easily leads to waste. Therefore, a pusher assembly is installed on the base. The pneumatic cylinder of the pusher assembly is installed on the base and placed below the filter tube. The pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder passes through the support frame and then through the bottom of the filter screen before being placed inside the filter screen. A pusher plate is installed on the pneumatic end inside the filter tube. The pusher plate fits against the inner wall of the filter tube and is in sealed contact with the inner wall of the filter tube. The pneumatic cylinder pushes the pusher plate upward, which can push the liquid level up, thereby allowing the sample tissue at the top of the filter tube to enter the settling tube through the connecting tube. This design can reduce loss.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: sedimentation during filtration can improve filtration capacity, reduce sample tissue flow, transfer sample tissue, remove NK cells, and reduce losses. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view;

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle base;

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the filter assembly;

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the sampling component.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Base; 11. Support frame one; 12. Mounting hole one; 13. Support frame two; 14. Mounting hole two; 15. Connecting pipe; 2. Filter pipe; 3. Filter assembly; 31. Mounting frame; 32. Filter screen; 33. Side; 34. Top edge; 35. Lifting ring; 36. Retaining ring; 37. Funnel; 38. Feeding pipe; 4. Settling pipe; 5. Sampling assembly; 51. Top cover; 52. Sampling cup; 53. Pneumatic cylinder one; 54. Connecting rod; 55. Sampling hole; 56. Sealing block; 6. Pushing assembly; 61. Pneumatic cylinder two; 62. Push plate. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 In this embodiment, a separation structure for NK cell preparation includes a base 1, a filter tube 2, a filter assembly 3, a sedimentation tube 4, and a sampling assembly 5. The filter tube 2 and the sedimentation tube 4 are both mounted on the base 1. The upper end of the filter tube 2 is connected to the lower end of the sedimentation tube 4. The filter assembly 3 is mounted on the upper end of the filter tube 2, and the lower end of the filter assembly 3 is placed at the bottom end of the filter tube 2. The sampling assembly 5 is mounted on the upper end of the sedimentation tube 4.

[0022] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, a support frame 11 is provided on the base 1, and a mounting hole 12 is provided on the support frame 11. The lower end of the filter tube 2 is placed in the mounting hole 12. The filter assembly 3 includes a mounting frame 31 and a filter screen 32. Several mounting frames 31 are provided and are distributed circumferentially. The cross-sectional shape of the mounting frame 31 is L-shaped. The mounting frame 31 includes a side 33 and a top edge 34. One end of the side 33 is connected to one end of the top edge 34. A lifting ring 35 is provided on the outside of the filter tube 2. One end of the top edge 34 is connected to the lifting ring 35. The side 33 is placed inside the filter tube 2 and fits against the inner wall of the filter tube 2. A retaining ring 36 is installed on the side 33. The filter screen 32 is installed inside the retaining ring 36. The cross-sectional shape of the filter screen 32 is conical. The filter screen 32 matches the inner wall of the retaining ring 36.

[0023] A funnel 37 is installed at the lower end of the side 33. The upper end of the funnel 37 is connected to the side 33. A feed pipe 38 is provided at the lower end of the funnel 37. The upper end of the feed pipe 38 is connected to the funnel 37. The lower end of the feed pipe 38 is placed at the lower end of the filter pipe 2.

[0024] A support frame 2 13 is installed on the base 1. The support frame 2 13 is provided with a mounting hole 2 14. The lower end of the settling pipe 4 is installed in the mounting hole 2 14. A connecting pipe 15 is provided on the filter pipe 2. One end of the connecting pipe 15 is connected to the upper end of the filter pipe 2, and the other end of the connecting pipe 15 is connected to the lower end of the settling pipe 4.

[0025] like Figure 5 As shown, the sampling assembly 5 is installed at the upper end of the settling tube 4. The sampling assembly 5 includes a top cover 51, a sampling cup 52, and a pneumatic cylinder 53. The top cover 51 is placed at the top of the settling tube 4. The top cover 51 is provided with several connecting rods 54 arranged in a circular pattern. One end of the connecting rod 54 is connected to the top cover 51, and the other end of the connecting rod 54 is connected to the upper end of the sampling cup 52. The sampling cup 52 is placed inside the settling cup and matches the inner wall of the settling tube 4. The bottom surface of the sampling cup 52 is provided with a sampling hole 55. The pneumatic cylinder 53 is installed on the top surface of the top cover 51. A sealing block 56 is installed on the pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder 53. The sealing block 56 corresponds to the sampling hole 55.

[0026] A pusher assembly 6 is installed on the base 1. The pusher assembly 6 is located below the filter tube 2. The pusher assembly 6 includes a pneumatic cylinder 61 and a pusher plate 62. The pneumatic cylinder 61 is installed on the base 1. The pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder 61 passes through the support frame 11 and the filter tube 2 and is placed inside the filter tube 2. The pusher plate 62 is connected to the pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder 61 and matches the inner wall of the filter tube 2.

[0027] During NK cell isolation, the filter assembly 3 is first installed at the upper end of the filter tube 2. Then, the sample tissue fluid is added from the upper end of the filter tube 2. After being filtered through the filter screen 32, the sample tissue flows into the funnel 37, and is guided by the feed tube 38 installed below the funnel 37 to the bottom of the filter tube 2. During filtration at the upper end, some incompletely filtered impurities can simultaneously settle within the filter tube 2.

[0028] After continuous filtration, the liquid at the upper end of the filter tube 2 flows from the connecting tube 15 to the settling tube 4, where it undergoes secondary settling. After filtration is completed, the filter assembly 3 is removed, and then the pneumatic cylinder 61 is activated to push the push plate 62 upward. By raising the liquid level of the sample tissue, the residual NK cells in the filter tube 2 flow through the connecting tube to the settling tube 4, thereby reducing losses.

[0029] After settling is completed in the settling tube 4, the sampling component 5 is placed in the settling tube 4. The stratified NK cells in the settling tube 4 enter the sampling cup through the sampling hole 55 of the sampling cup 52 to complete the collection of NK cells. Then, in order to remove the NK cells, the pneumatic cylinder 53 is activated, which drives the sealing block 56 to descend and seal the sampling hole 55, thereby allowing the upper layer of liquid in the settling tube 4 to be removed.

Claims

1. A separation structure for preparing NK cells, characterized in that, The device includes a base (1), a filter tube (2), a filter assembly (3), a sedimentation tube (4), and a sampling assembly (5). The filter tube (2) and the sedimentation tube (4) are both mounted on the base (1). The upper end of the filter tube (2) is connected to the lower end of the sedimentation tube (4). The filter assembly (3) is mounted on the upper end of the filter tube (2), and the lower end of the filter assembly (3) is placed at the bottom end of the filter tube (2). The sampling assembly (5) is mounted on the upper end of the sedimentation tube (4).

2. The separation structure for NK cell preparation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with a support frame (11), and the support frame (11) is provided with a mounting hole (12). The lower end of the filter tube (2) is placed in the mounting hole (12). The filter assembly (3) includes a mounting frame (31) and a filter screen (32). The mounting frames (31) are provided in a plurality of circularly distributed. The cross-sectional shape of the mounting frame (31) is L-shaped. The mounting frame (31) includes a side (33) and a top edge (34). One end of the side edge (33) is connected to the top edge of the top edge. One end of the top edge (34) is connected to the outer side of the filter tube (2), and a lifting ring (35) is provided on the outer side of the filter tube (2). One end of the top edge (34) is connected to the lifting ring (35). The side edge (33) is placed inside the filter tube (2) and fits against the inner wall of the filter tube (2). A retaining ring (36) is installed on the side edge (33). The filter screen (32) is installed inside the retaining ring (36). The cross-sectional shape of the filter screen (32) is conical. The filter screen (32) matches the inner wall of the retaining ring (36).

3. The separation structure for NK cell preparation according to claim 2, characterized in that, A funnel (37) is installed at the lower end of the side (33), the upper end of the funnel (37) is connected to the side (33), a feeding pipe (38) is provided at the lower end of the funnel (37), the upper end of the feeding pipe (38) is connected to the funnel (37), and the lower end of the feeding pipe (38) is placed at the lower end of the filter pipe (2).

4. The separation structure for NK cell preparation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is equipped with a support frame two (13), the support frame two (13) is provided with a mounting hole two (14), the lower end of the settling pipe (4) is installed in the mounting hole two (14), the filter pipe (2) is provided with a connecting pipe (15), one end of the connecting pipe (15) is connected to the upper end of the filter pipe (2), and the other end of the connecting pipe (15) is connected to the lower end of the settling pipe (4).

5. The separation structure for NK cell preparation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sampling assembly (5) is installed at the upper end of the settling tube (4). The sampling assembly (5) includes a top cover (51), a sampling cup (52), and a pneumatic cylinder (53). The top cover (51) is placed at the top of the settling tube (4). The top cover (51) is provided with several connecting rods (54) arranged in a circular pattern. One end of the connecting rod (54) is connected to the top cover (51), and the other end of the connecting rod (54) is connected to the upper end of the sampling cup (52). The sampling cup (52) is placed inside the settling cup and matches the inner wall of the settling tube (4). The bottom surface of the sampling cup (52) is provided with a sampling hole (55). The pneumatic cylinder (53) is installed on the top surface of the top cover (51). The pneumatic end of the pneumatic cylinder (53) is equipped with a sealing block (56). The sealing block (56) corresponds to the sampling hole (55).

6. The separation structure for NK cell preparation according to claim 2, characterized in that, A pusher assembly (6) is installed on the base (1). The pusher assembly (6) is placed below the filter tube (2). The pusher assembly (6) includes a second pneumatic cylinder (61) and a pusher plate (62). The second pneumatic cylinder (61) is installed on the base (1). The pneumatic end of the second pneumatic cylinder (61) passes through the first support frame (11) and the filter tube (2) and is placed inside the filter tube (2). The pusher plate (62) is connected to the pneumatic end of the second pneumatic cylinder (61). The pusher plate (62) matches the inner wall of the filter tube (2).

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