Sample mixing device and sample analyzer

Abstract

The utility model provides a sample mixing device which comprises a mixing assembly and a driving assembly, the driving assembly comprises a motor, the mixing assembly comprises a rotating sleeve and a limiting device, the rotating sleeve is provided with a sample container containing cavity, and the sample container containing cavity and a rotating shaft of the motor are eccentrically arranged; the sample container is placed in the sample container containing cavity, under the action of the limiting device, the central axis of the sample container and the rotating axis of the rotating shaft of the motor form an acute angle, the sample container conducts uniform mixing movement in an inclined similar-cone track, a sample at the bottom of the sample container generates a vortex, and therefore the good uniform mixing effect is achieved. In addition, the utility model also provides a sample analyzer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of blood sample analysis equipment technology, and in particular to a sample mixing device and a sample analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Blood analysis typically involves collecting venous blood or capillary blood. Capillary blood sampling is convenient, quick, and minimally painful, and is often used for rapid testing, blood glucose monitoring, trace element analysis, blood tests for infants or the elderly, and tests requiring small samples. However, blood is composed of blood cells and plasma, which separate into layers due to their different densities. Therefore, it needs to be mixed thoroughly before measurement.

[0003] Currently, for capillary blood, there are methods for eccentric mixing, such as rotating the bottom of the test tube eccentrically at high speed to achieve mixing through vibration or impact; rotating the test tube eccentrically while simultaneously rotating it on its own axis to increase mixing force; and tilting the test tube while rotating it eccentrically to create a vortex, thus achieving mixing. However, all of these methods involve circular motion of the capillary blood test tube, which can easily lead to centrifugal force at high speeds, exacerbating stratification and affecting the mixing effect. Furthermore, due to the poor fluidity of capillary blood, vibration or impact can easily cause the sample to adhere to the tube wall, resulting in sample loss. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this application provides a sample mixing device and a sample analyzer.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a sample mixing device, including a mixing component and a driving component. The driving component includes a motor, and the mixing component includes a rotating sleeve and a limiting device. The bottom of the rotating sleeve is connected to the motor shaft, and the rotating sleeve has a sample container receiving cavity. The sample container receiving cavity is eccentrically positioned with respect to the motor shaft. The sample container is placed in the sample container receiving cavity, and under the action of the limiting device, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the rotation axis of the motor shaft.

[0006] As a technical solution, the eccentricity between the sample container cavity and the motor shaft is 1mm to 4mm.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotating sleeve is cylindrical and has a sample container cavity inside. The sample container cavity is a cylindrical cavity located in the vertical direction, that is, the central axis of the sample container cavity is 1 mm to 4 mm away from the central axis of the rotating sleeve.

[0008] As a technical solution, the acute angle between the axis of the sample container and the rotation axis of the rotating sleeve is 1° to 5°. When the motor shaft is in the vertical direction, that is, the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle of 1° to 5° with the vertical direction.

[0009] As a technical solution, the limiting device includes a limiting block with a limiting through hole. The inner diameter of the sample container cavity and the inner diameter of the limiting through hole are both slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample container. After the sample container passes through the limiting through hole, it is placed in the sample container cavity. The sample container is supported by its bottom contacting the bottom of the sample container cavity and its wall contacting the limiting through hole. During the rotational movement, the sample container wall does not contact the rotating sleeve.

[0010] Because the limiting device is separately located outside the rotating sleeve, the sample container, after passing through the limiting through-hole, is placed in the sample container receiving cavity inside the rotating sleeve. The bottom of the sample container abuts against the bottom of the cavity, and the sample container wall leans against the limiting through-hole. As the sample container receiving cavity rotates eccentrically, the sample container wall will rub against the inner wall of the limiting through-hole. To minimize the above friction, as a preferred technical solution, the sample mixing device also includes a synchronization device, which enables the sample container and the rotating sleeve to rotate synchronously.

[0011] The synchronization device includes a rotating stop, a bearing, and a connecting block. The bearing is installed in a limiting through hole, and the rotating stop is interference-fitted onto the inner ring of the bearing. One end of the connecting block is connected to the rotating stop, and the other end is connected to a rotating sleeve. By setting up this synchronization device, the motor drives the rotating sleeve to rotate, which in turn drives the connecting block and the rotating stop to rotate synchronously, reducing the hard friction between the sample container wall and the limiting device.

[0012] As one technical solution, the rotating stop includes a cylindrical stop body, the upper half of which is provided with a positioning part. The stop body is interference-fitted with the inner ring of the bearing and positioned by the positioning part. Preferably, the positioning part is a ring-shaped protrusion.

[0013] As a technical solution, the top of the cylindrical stop body extends outward and then downward to form a first annular structure, and a first annular groove is formed between the first annular structure and the stop body; correspondingly, a convex ring extending towards the first annular groove is provided around the limiting through hole. The design of the first annular structure and the convex ring is to prevent the solution leaking from the sample container from flowing into the bearing and affecting its operation.

[0014] As a technical solution, the upper opening of the rotating stop is provided with protrusions extending into the through hole at intervals. The diameter of the circle formed by these interval protrusions is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample container, which is used to contact the sample container. The interval arrangement further reduces the contact area with the sample container and reduces friction.

[0015] As a technical solution, the connecting block and the rotating sleeve are fixedly connected, and the connecting block and the rotating stop are movably connected. The connecting block and the rotating sleeve are fastened together by screws. Theoretically, the connecting block and the rotating stop are relatively stationary during movement, but because it is impossible to guarantee that the vertical rotation is coaxial during actual assembly, a movable / sliding connection is adopted.

[0016] As a technical solution, the rotating block body extends vertically downward to form a locking part, and the locking part is provided with a locking groove. Correspondingly, the connecting block extends vertically upward to match a pin that extends into the locking groove. The pin and the locking groove are in a close contact state with a gap, automatically calibrated to ensure synchronous rotation after connection.

[0017] As a technical solution, the bottom of the sample container cavity is provided with a soft rubber abutment pad, which is fixed to the sample container cavity by screws; the abutment pad includes a bottom pad and a ring pad, and the inner wall of the ring pad is provided with protrusions.

[0018] As a technical solution, the sample mixing device further includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes an optical coupler and an optical coupler baffle. The optical coupler is fixed to a limiting device, and the optical coupler baffle is located on the outer wall of the rotating sleeve at a position corresponding to the optical coupler. The optical coupler baffle has a positioning notch.

[0019] This application also provides a sample analyzer, including the sample mixing device described above.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: By eccentrically positioning the sample container cavity and the motor shaft, the limiting device ensures that the central axis of the sample container forms an acute angle with the motor shaft axis, causing the sample container to tilt and perform mixing motion according to a conical trajectory. This avoids the centrifugal force generated by the sample container's circular motion, which would make the sample difficult to mix. The separate arrangement of the limiting device and the rotating sleeve in this application increases the flexibility of the mixing device assembly and allows for greater adjustability of the sample container's support position during rotation, making it suitable for various mixing requirements.

[0021] This application's solution enables the generation of a vortex at the bottom of the sample container, thereby achieving better sample mixing, which is particularly advantageous for small amounts of blood samples. Furthermore, with a synchronization device, friction within the sample container during mixing can be reduced, preventing the barcode on the outside of the container from being scratched and facilitating sample retesting. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing device in one embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2An exploded view of the mixing device in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a rotating stop in one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 This is an axial sectional view of the mixing device in one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 5 A magnified view of part A in the image;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sample container receiving cavity of the mixing device in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the operation of the sample mixing device.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 1. Rotating sleeve; 101. Sample container cavity; 1011. Cylindrical hole; 102. Abutment pad; 1021. Bottom pad; 1022. Ring pad; 1023. Positioning post; 1024. Boss; 2. Limiting device; 201. Limiting block; 2011. Limiting through hole; 2012. Protruding ring; 2013. Screw; 202. Side bracket; 3. Synchronization device; 301. Rotating stop; 3011. First annular structure; 3012. Positioning part; 3013. Stop body; 3014. First annular groove; 3016. Protrusion; 3017. Snap-fit ​​part; 3018. Snap-fit ​​groove; 302. Bearing; 303. Connecting block; 4. Motor; 401. Motor shaft; 5. Motor bracket; 6. Sample container; 7. Optical coupler; 8. Optical coupler baffle; 801. Positioning notch. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present application, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present application.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] A sample mixing device, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a mixing assembly and a driving assembly. The mixing assembly includes a cylindrical rotating sleeve 1 and a limiting device 2 for limiting the sample container. The rotating sleeve 1 has a vertically arranged cylindrical sample container receiving cavity 101. The driving assembly includes a motor 4 with a motor shaft 401. The bottom of the rotating sleeve 1 is directly connected to the motor shaft 401, and the rotating sleeve 1 is driven to rotate by the motor.

[0034] In some embodiments, the rotating sleeve 1 may also be indirectly connected to the motor shaft 401 through a transmission mechanism, such as through a synchronous belt, belt, gear, etc.

[0035] Combination Figure 4 The sample container cavity 101 is eccentrically positioned with respect to the motor shaft 401. Specifically, the central axis A1 of the sample container cavity 101 is parallel to but does not coincide with the rotation axis A2 of the motor shaft 401, with an eccentricity d ranging from 1 mm to 4 mm. The sample container 6 is placed within the sample container cavity 101, and under the action of the limiting device 2, its central axis A3 forms an angle of 1° to 5° with the rotation axis A2 of the motor shaft 401. The motor shaft 401 is vertical, meaning the central axis A3 of the sample container 6 forms an angle of 1° to 5° with the vertical direction.

[0036] Combination Figure 7 As shown, during mixing, sample container 6 undergoes a tilted, cone-shaped trajectory motion. The sample at the bottom of container 6 generates vortices, achieving better sample mixing and avoiding the centrifugal force generated by eccentric movement, which would make the sample more difficult to mix. The eccentricity d and the acute angle, on the one hand, prevent the sample from rising too high during the mixing process while generating vortices at the bottom, thus preventing sample overflow from the container; on the other hand, they reduce sample adhesion to the container walls and decrease sample loss, which has a significant advantage for samples with small sample volumes.

[0037] It should be noted that the rotation axis A2 of the motor shaft 401 is the central axis of the rotating sleeve 1. Therefore, the central axis A1 of the sample container cavity 101 is 1 mm to 4 mm away from the central axis of the rotating sleeve 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the limiting device 2 includes a limiting block 201, such as Figure 2 As shown, the limiting block 201 has a limiting through hole 2011. The sample container 6 passes through the limiting through hole 2011 and is placed in the sample container receiving cavity 101. The inner diameter of the sample container receiving cavity 101 and the inner diameter of the limiting through hole 2011 are both slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample container 6. The bottom of the sample container 6 is placed in the sample container receiving cavity 101, and the upper part is supported by the limiting through hole 2011. During the rotational movement, the tube wall of the sample container 6 does not contact the rotating sleeve 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the limiting device 2 also includes a side bracket 202. The side bracket 202 and the limiting block 201 can be integrally formed, or they can be two separate structures fixed together by screws. Figure 2As shown, the side support 202 and the limiting block 201 are two separate structures. The upper end of the side support 202 is provided with multiple holes. The limiting block 201 is fixed with different holes to adjust the height of the limiting device 2, thereby changing the size of the acute angle formed between the central axis A3 of the sample container 6 and the rotation axis A2 of the motor shaft 401, so as to adapt to different scenario requirements.

[0040] In some embodiments, the drive assembly further includes a motor bracket 5, and the side bracket 202 of the limiting device 2 is fixedly connected to the motor bracket 5. Alternatively, the sample mixing device may also include a substrate, and the side bracket 202 of the limiting device 2 is fixed on the substrate.

[0041] Since the limiting device 2 is separately located outside the rotating sleeve 1, the sample container 6 passes through the limiting through hole 2011 and is placed in the sample container receiving cavity 101 inside the rotating sleeve 1. The bottom of the sample container 6 touches the bottom of the cavity, and the tube wall of the sample container 6 leans against the limiting through hole 2011. As the sample container receiving cavity 101 rotates eccentrically, the tube wall of the sample container 6 will rub against the inner wall of the limiting through hole 2011. In order to minimize the above friction, the sample mixing device also includes a synchronization device 3, which makes the sample container 6 and the rotating sleeve 1 rotate synchronously.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the synchronization device 3 includes a rotating stop 301, a bearing 302, and a connecting block 303. The bearing 302 is installed in the limiting through hole 2011, and the rotating stop 301 is interference-fitted onto the inner ring of the bearing 302. Figure 3 The rotating stop 301 includes a cylindrical stop body 3013. The upper half of the stop body 3013 is provided with a positioning part 3012. The positioning part 3012 is a ring-shaped protrusion. The stop body 3013 is interference-fitted with the inner ring of the bearing 302 and is positioned and limited by the positioning part 3012.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of screws 2013 are provided around the limiting through hole 2011. The nuts of the screws 2013 abut against the lower end of the bearing 302. The bearing 302 is fixedly installed in the limiting through hole 2011 by the positioning part 3012 and the nuts of the screws 2013.

[0044] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connecting block 303 is fixedly connected to the rotating sleeve 1 by screws, as... Figure 3 As shown, the block body 3013 extends vertically downward to form a locking part 3017, and the locking part 3017 is provided with a locking groove 3018, corresponding to, as Figure 2 As shown, the connecting block 303 extends vertically upwards with a matching pin that extends into the slot 3018. The pin and the slot 3018 are in a close contact state with a gap to ensure synchronous rotation after connection.

[0045] By setting up the synchronization device 3, the motor 4 drives the rotating sleeve 1 to rotate, which in turn drives the connecting block 303 and the rotating stop block 301 to rotate synchronously, reducing the hard friction between the sample container 6 tube wall and the limiting device 2, preventing the barcode on the outside of the sample container 6 from being scratched, and facilitating the retesting of the sample.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the upper opening of the rotating stop 301 is provided with protrusions 3016 extending into the through hole at intervals. The diameter of the circle formed by the interval protrusions 3016 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sample container, which is used to contact the sample container. The interval setting further reduces the contact area with the sample container and reduces friction.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the top of the cylindrical stop body 3013 extends horizontally outward and then vertically downward to form a first annular structure 3011, and a first annular groove 3014 is formed between the first annular structure 3011 and the stop body 3013; correspondingly, combined with Figure 2 A protruding ring 2012 extending toward the first annular groove 3014 is provided around the limiting through hole 2011. The design of the first annular structure 3011 and the protruding ring 2012 is to prevent solution leaking from the sample container from flowing into the bearing and affecting its operation.

[0048] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, a soft rubber abutment pad 102 is provided at the bottom of the sample container cavity 101. The abutment pad 102 is fixed to the bottom of the sample container cavity 101 by screws. The abutment pad 102 includes a bottom pad 1021 and a ring pad 1022. The inner wall of the ring pad 1022 has multiple protrusions 1024 distributed at intervals to fix the bottom of the sample container 6. This prevents the sample container 6 from impacting the sample container cavity 101 during the mixing process, causing sample to stick to the wall and resulting in loss. It also reduces the rotation of the sample container 6, reducing the influence of rotation on the eddy current, thereby improving the mixing efficiency and mixing effect. It can also be configured as a structure that can fix the sample container, such as a raised strip, raised ridge, or raised dot.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the base pad 1021 has multiple positioning posts 1023. Correspondingly, the sample container cavity 101 is provided with cylindrical holes 1011 that match the positioning posts 1023. The positioning posts 1023 are embedded in the cylindrical holes 1011 to fix the position of the abutment pad 102, preventing the abutment pad from moving during rotation, and further reducing the rotation of the sample container 6.

[0050] In this embodiment, the sample mixing device also includes a sensor assembly, such as... Figure 2As shown, the sensor assembly includes an optical coupler 7 and an optical coupler baffle 8. The optical coupler 7 is fixed on the side bracket 202, and the optical coupler baffle 8 is located on the outer wall of the rotating sleeve 1 at a position corresponding to the optical coupler 7. The optical coupler baffle 8 is provided with a positioning notch 1031.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] A sample analyzer includes the sample mixing device described in Embodiment 1. The sample container cavity 101 is eccentrically positioned with respect to the motor shaft 401. The sample container 6 is placed within the sample container cavity, and under the action of the limiting device 2, the central axis A3 of the sample container 6 forms an acute angle with the rotation axis A2 of the motor shaft. This causes the sample container 6 to rotate and mix in a conical trajectory while tilted, generating a vortex at the bottom of the sample container. This not only improves the mixing effect for larger sample volumes but also offers significant advantages for small blood samples. The limiting device 2 and the rotating sleeve 1 are separate components, allowing the sample analyzer to meet various mixing requirements and thus have wider applicability.

[0053] In addition, by setting up a synchronization device, friction of the sample container during the mixing process can be reduced, preventing the barcode on the sample container from being scratched, and facilitating sample retesting.

Claims

1. A sample mixing device comprising a mixing assembly and a drive assembly, the drive assembly comprising a motor (4), characterized in that: The mixing assembly comprises a rotating sleeve (1) and a limiting device (2), the bottom of the rotating sleeve (1) is connected with a motor shaft (401), the rotating sleeve (1) is provided with a sample container accommodating cavity (101), and the sample container accommodating cavity (101) is arranged eccentrically with the motor shaft (401); the limiting device (2) comprises a limiting block (201), the limiting block (201) is provided with a limiting through hole (2011), and the sample container (6) is placed in the sample container accommodating cavity (101) after passing through the limiting through hole (2011), so that the central axis of the sample container (6) and the rotation axis of the motor shaft (401) form an acute angle.

2. The sample mixing device of claim 1, wherein, The eccentric amount of the sample container accommodating cavity (101) and the motor shaft (401) is 1mm to 4mm.

3. The sample mixing device of claim 1, wherein, The acute angle formed by the central axis of the sample container (6) and the rotation axis of the motor shaft (401) is 1° to 5°.

4. The sample mixing device of claim 1, wherein, The sample mixing device further comprises a synchronous device (3), and the synchronous device (3) synchronously rotates the sample container (6) and the rotating sleeve (1).

5. The sample mixing device of claim 4, wherein, The synchronous device (3) comprises a rotating stop block (301), a bearing (302) and a connecting block (303), the bearing (302) is installed in the limiting through hole (2011), the rotating stop block (301) is interference-fitted on the inner ring of the bearing (302), and the connecting block (303) is connected with the rotating stop block (301) at one end and connected with the rotating sleeve (1) at the other end.

6. The sample mixing device of claim 5, wherein, The rotating stop block (301) comprises a cylindrical stop block body (3013), the upper half of the stop block body (3013) is provided with a positioning portion (3012), the stop block body (3013) is interference-fitted with the inner ring of the bearing, and is positioned through the positioning portion (3012).

7. The sample mixing device of claim 6, wherein, The top of the cylindrical stop block body (3013) extends outward and then downward to form a first annular structure (3011), and a first annular groove (3014) is formed between the first annular structure (3011) and the stop block body (3013); correspondingly, the limiting through hole (2011) is provided with a convex ring (2012) extending towards the first annular groove (3014).

8. The sample mixing device of claim 6, wherein, The stop block body (3013) is provided with a convex block (3016) extending into the through hole at an interval.

9. The sample mixing device of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the sample container accommodating cavity (101) is provided with an abutting pad (102).

10. The sample mixing device of claim 1, wherein, The sample mixing device further comprises a sensor assembly.

11. A sample analyzer characterized by, The sample mixing device comprises the sample mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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