Compression temperature control device and digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) detection equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pressing temperature control device and digital PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) detection equipment, and relates to the technical field of nucleic acid detection. The pressing temperature control device comprises a shell, a temperature control mechanism, a pressing plate mechanism, a driving mechanism and a limiting check block. The temperature control mechanism is installed on the shell and used for bearing the reaction disc, the pressing plate mechanism and the driving mechanism are both rotatably installed on the shell, the driving mechanism is in transmission connection with the pressing plate mechanism, the driving mechanism is used for driving the pressing plate mechanism to rotate in the first direction so that the reaction disc can be pressed on the temperature control mechanism, and the limiting check block is installed on the shell. The driving mechanism is further used for rotating in the second direction until the pressing plate mechanism abuts against the limiting stop block after the pressing plate mechanism abuts against the reaction disc, and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. According to the pressing temperature control device provided by the utility model, continuous pressing of the reaction disc and the temperature control mechanism can be realized, tight and uniform attachment of the reaction disc and the temperature control mechanism is ensured, the heat conduction effect is enhanced, the heating and cooling rate is improved, and uniform temperature distribution is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of nucleic acid detection technology, specifically to a compression temperature control device and a digital PCR detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Droplet digital PCR is an absolute quantitative PCR technique that primarily employs a dropletization method to disperse a solution containing the target nucleic acid into a large number of water-in-oil droplets, forming tens of thousands of independent microreaction systems of equal volume. Each droplet initially contains 0, 1, or more target nucleic acid templates. After PCR cycles, droplets initially containing one target nucleic acid will emit a fluorescent signal, while droplets without a target nucleic acid will not. Based on the relative proportions of the two types of droplets and Poisson distribution mathematical corrections, the concentration of the target nucleic acid in the original solution can be calculated.

[0003] Droplet digital PCR requires thermal cycling (using a temperature control mechanism to cycle the droplets up and down). Current digital PCR detection equipment directly places the reaction disk containing the droplets onto the heat-conducting surface of the temperature control mechanism, using the reaction disk's own weight to keep it in contact with the heat-conducting surface for heat conduction. However, due to the light weight of the reaction disk, the contact between the reaction disk and the heat-conducting surface is not very tight, resulting in poor heat conduction, slow heating and cooling rates, and uneven contact, leading to uneven temperature distribution throughout the reaction disk.

[0004] In view of this, it is particularly important to design and manufacture a pressing and temperature control device with high heating and cooling rates and uniform temperature distribution, as well as digital PCR detection equipment, especially in nucleic acid detection. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pressing and temperature control device that can continuously press the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism together, ensuring that the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly attached, enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a digital PCR detection device that can continuously press the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism together, ensuring that the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly bonded, enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0007] This utility model is achieved by the following technical solution.

[0008] A pressing and temperature control device includes a housing, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a limiting block. The temperature control mechanism is installed in the housing and is used to support the reaction plate and control its temperature. The pressure plate mechanism and the drive mechanism are rotatably installed in the housing. The drive mechanism is driven to rotate the pressure plate mechanism in a first direction to press the reaction plate onto the temperature control mechanism. The limiting block is installed in the housing. The drive mechanism is also used to rotate in a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction plate until it abuts against the limiting block. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0009] Optionally, a limit switch is provided on the limit block. The limit switch is electrically connected to the drive mechanism and is used to control the drive mechanism to pause when the drive mechanism abuts against the limit block.

[0010] Optionally, the pressing temperature control device also includes a tension spring, which is located on the side of the drive mechanism away from the limit stop. One end of the tension spring is connected to the housing, and the other end is connected to the drive mechanism.

[0011] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a gearbox, and an extension block. The gearbox is rotatably connected to the housing, the input end of the gearbox is connected to the drive motor, the output end of the gearbox is connected to the pressure plate mechanism, and the extension block is connected to the end of the drive motor away from the gearbox. The extension block is used to abut against the limit block.

[0012] Optionally, the pressing temperature control device also includes a transmission mechanism, which includes a driving wheel, a transmission belt, and a driven wheel. The driving mechanism is connected to the driving wheel, the driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel via the transmission belt, and the driven wheel is connected to the pressure plate mechanism.

[0013] Optionally, the pressure plate mechanism includes a lever arm, a pressure plate, and a floating assembly. The lever arm is rotatably connected to the housing and is connected to the pressure plate via the floating assembly. The floating assembly is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate relative to the lever arm to ensure that the pressure plate applies flat pressure to the reaction plate.

[0014] Optionally, the floating component includes a positioning block, a pin, a first spring, and a second spring. The positioning block is fixedly connected to the pressure plate, and the pin passes through both the positioning block and the lever arm so that the lever arm can rotate relative to the positioning block. The first spring and the second spring are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the pin, with one end of each spring abutting against the pressure plate and the other end abutting against the lever arm.

[0015] Optionally, the pressure plate is provided with a relief groove, and the side wall of the relief groove is provided with an electric gripper. The relief groove is used for the disc cover to extend into, and the electric gripper is used to clamp the disc cover.

[0016] Optionally, the temperature control mechanism includes a heating and cooling element, a heat-conducting plate, a temperature sensor, and a heat sink. The heating and cooling element and the heat sink are both installed in the housing and connected to the heat-conducting plate. The heat-conducting plate is used to support the reaction plate, and the temperature sensor is connected to the heat-conducting plate to detect the real-time temperature of the heat-conducting plate.

[0017] A digital PCR detection device includes the aforementioned pressure and temperature control device. The device comprises a housing, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a limiting block. The temperature control mechanism is mounted on the housing and is used to support the reaction tray and control its temperature. Both the pressure plate mechanism and the drive mechanism are rotatably mounted on the housing. The drive mechanism is connected to the pressure plate mechanism via a transmission connection and is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate in a first direction to press the reaction tray against the temperature control mechanism. The limiting block is mounted on the housing. The drive mechanism is also used to rotate in a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction tray, until it abuts against the limiting block. The first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0018] The compression temperature control device and digital PCR detection equipment provided by this utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The pressing and temperature control device provided by this utility model includes a temperature control mechanism mounted on a housing. This mechanism supports the reaction plate and controls its temperature. Both a pressure plate mechanism and a drive mechanism are rotatably mounted on the housing. The drive mechanism is connected to the pressure plate mechanism and drives the pressure plate mechanism to rotate in a first direction, pressing the reaction plate against the temperature control mechanism. A limiting block is mounted on the housing. The drive mechanism also rotates in a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction plate until it abuts against the limiting block. The first and second directions are opposite. Compared with existing technologies, the pressing and temperature control device provided by this utility model, due to its rotatably mounted drive mechanism connected to the pressure plate mechanism, achieves continuous pressing between the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism, ensuring a tight and uniform fit between them, enhancing heat conduction, increasing the heating and cooling rates, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0020] The digital PCR detection device provided by this utility model includes a compression and temperature control device, which can continuously compress the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism, ensuring that the reaction plate and the temperature control mechanism are tightly and evenly attached, enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the transmission connection between the drive mechanism and the pressure plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 Another structural schematic diagram of the transmission connection between the drive mechanism and the pressure plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model during the rotation process;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the present utility model when the drive mechanism rotates to abut against the limit block;

[0027] Figure 6 An exploded view of the pressure plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the pressure plate mechanism in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 8 An exploded view of the cooperation between the pressure plate mechanism and the disc cover in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 9 An exploded view of the temperature control mechanism in the pressing temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the bonding between the reaction plate and the plate cover in the pressing and temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0032] Icons: 100-Compression and temperature control device; 110-House; 111-Base plate; 120-Temperature control mechanism; 121-Heating and cooling element; 122-Heat conduction plate; 123-Temperature sensor; 124-Radiator; 130-Pressure plate mechanism; 131-Lever arm; 1311-First limiting groove; 132-Pressure plate; 1321-Leaning groove; 1322-Electric gripper; 1323-Second limiting groove; 133-Floating component; 1331-Positioning block; 1332-Pin; 1333-First spring; 1334-Second spring; 140-Drive mechanism; 141-Drive motor; 142-Reduction gearbox; 143-Extension block; 150-Limit stop block; 160-Tension spring; 170-Transmission mechanism; 171-Driving wheel; 172-Transmission belt; 173-Driven wheel; 200-Reaction disc; 201-Disc body; 202-Flexible membrane; 210-Disc cover; 211-Transparent layer; 212-Hanging ear. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0034] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," "installed," and "connected" 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.

[0038] The following detailed description of some embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0039] Please refer to the reference. Figures 1 to 5 This utility model provides a digital PCR detection device (not shown) for nucleic acid detection. It enables continuous compression between the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, ensuring a tight and uniform fit between them, enhancing heat conduction, increasing heating and cooling rates, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0040] The digital PCR detection device includes a dropper (not shown), a pressure-temperature control device 100, and a microscope (not shown). The dropper is used to prepare a large number of water-in-oil droplets (test droplets) from the original solution of a sample, and injects these droplets into a reaction pan 200 placed on the pressure-temperature control device 100. The pressure-temperature control device 100 cycles the temperature of these test droplets through the reaction pan 200. Each cycle doubles the amount of target nucleic acid in each test droplet, and this process is repeated to significantly increase the amount of target nucleic acid from trace amounts. The microscope is used to photograph and measure all the test droplets after the temperature cycles are completed. Test droplets initially containing target nucleic acid will emit a fluorescent signal, while those without will not. Based on the relative proportions of the two types of test droplets and Poisson distribution mathematical corrections, the concentration of the target nucleic acid in the original solution of the corresponding sample can be calculated.

[0041] The pressing and temperature control device 100 includes a housing 110, a temperature control mechanism 120, a pressure plate mechanism 130, a drive mechanism 140, and a limiting block 150. The temperature control mechanism 120 is mounted on the housing 110 and supports the reaction plate 200, controlling its temperature. The reaction plate 200 holds the droplets to be tested. The temperature control mechanism 120 heats or cools the droplets through the reaction plate 200 to achieve a temperature cycling function. Both the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the drive mechanism 140 are rotatably mounted on the housing 110 and can rotate relative to the housing 110. Specifically, the drive mechanism 140 is drively connected to the pressure plate mechanism 130. The drive mechanism 140 drives the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate in a first direction, pressing the reaction plate 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120, thereby pressing the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 together. The limiting block 150 is installed on the housing 110. The driving mechanism 140 is also used to rotate in the second direction after the pressure plate mechanism 130 abuts against the reaction plate 200 until it abuts against the limiting block 150. At this time, the limiting block 150 can stop and limit the driving mechanism 140 to prevent the driving mechanism 140 from continuing to rotate in the second direction. Under this condition, both the pressure plate mechanism 130 and the driving mechanism 140 are resisted and remain stationary. The entire pressing and temperature control device 100 remains unchanged to achieve continuous pressing of the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, ensuring that the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly attached, thereby enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0042] Furthermore, the housing 110 includes a base plate 111, a pressure plate mechanism 130, and a drive mechanism 140, which are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the base plate 111 and are rotatably connected to the base plate 111, with the first direction being opposite to the second direction. Specifically, during the operation of the pressing and temperature control device 100, the drive mechanism 140 first drives the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate along the first direction to press the reaction plate 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120; after the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are pressed together, the pressure plate mechanism 130 is forced to stop rotating, but at this time the drive mechanism 140 still continues to rotate, relying on the reaction force to make the drive mechanism 140 rotate along the second direction until it abuts against the limit stop 150.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first direction is counterclockwise and the second direction is clockwise. However, it is not limited to this; in other embodiments, the first direction can be clockwise, in which case the second direction is counterclockwise.

[0044] Preferably, a limit switch (not shown) is provided on the limit block 150. The limit switch is electrically connected to the drive mechanism 140. The limit switch is used to control the drive mechanism 140 to stop when it is in contact with the limit block 150, so as to avoid mechanical wear caused by the continuous ineffective rotation of the drive mechanism 140 and save energy.

[0045] Preferably, the pressing and temperature control device 100 further includes a tension spring 160, and the drive mechanism 140 has a self-locking function. The tension spring 160 is located on the side of the drive mechanism 140 away from the limiting block 150. One end of the tension spring 160 is connected to the housing 110, and the other end is connected to the drive mechanism 140. The tension spring 160 is always in a stretched state, and it can apply elastic force to the drive mechanism 140, so that the drive mechanism 140 has a tendency to rotate in a first direction, that is, to have a tendency to rotate in a direction away from the limiting block 150. This causes the pressure plate mechanism 130, which is connected to the drive mechanism 140, to have a tendency to rotate in the first direction, thereby causing the pressure plate mechanism 130 to continuously apply pressure to the reaction plate 200, so as to achieve continuous pressing of the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, ensuring that the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and evenly attached.

[0046] The drive mechanism 140 includes a drive motor 141, a reduction gearbox 142, and an extension block 143. The reduction gearbox 142 is rotatably connected to the housing 110 and can rotate relative to the base plate 111 of the housing 110. The input end of the reduction gearbox 142 is connected to the drive motor 141, and the output end of the reduction gearbox 142 is connected to the pressure plate mechanism 130. The drive motor 141 drives the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate through the reduction gearbox 142. The reduction gearbox 142 reduces the speed, increases the torque, and achieves a self-locking function. The extension block 143 is connected to the end of the drive motor 141 away from the reduction gearbox 142 and is connected to a tension spring 160. The extension block 143 abuts against a limit stop 150. The limit stop 150 can stop and limit the extension block 143, thereby stopping and limiting the entire drive mechanism 140. The extension block 143 can contact a limit switch on the limit stop 150 to control the drive motor 141 to stop via the limit switch.

[0047] Preferably, the pressing temperature control device 100 further includes a transmission mechanism 170. The transmission mechanism 170 includes a driving wheel 171, a transmission belt 172, and a driven wheel 173. The reduction gearbox 142 of the drive mechanism 140 is connected to the driving wheel 171. The driving wheel 171 is connected to the driven wheel 173 via the transmission belt 172. The driven wheel 173 is connected to the pressure plate mechanism 130. The drive mechanism 140 can drive the driving wheel 171 to rotate, thereby driving the driven wheel 173 to rotate via the transmission belt 172, and further driving the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate. The driving wheel 171 and the driven wheel 173 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the substrate 111. The transmission belt 172 passes through the substrate 111, so as to realize the function that the drive mechanism 140 and the pressure plate mechanism 130 are respectively on both sides of the substrate 111 and both rotate relative to the substrate 111.

[0048] It should be noted that during the operation of the pressing and temperature control device 100, the drive motor 141 first drives the drive wheel 171 to rotate in the first direction via the reduction gearbox 142, which in turn drives the driven wheel 173 to rotate in the first direction via the transmission belt 172, thereby driving the pressing plate mechanism 130 to rotate in the first direction to press the reaction plate 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120. When the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are pressed together, the pressing plate mechanism 130 is forced to stop rotating, the driven wheel 173 stops rotating, and both the transmission belt 172 and the drive wheel 171 stop rotating. However, the drive motor 141 continues to rotate at this time, and by relying on the reaction force, the drive mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the drive motor 141, the reduction gearbox 142, and the extension block 143) rotates in the second direction. During this process, the extension... Block 143 continuously pulls the tension spring 160 to extend and deform; when the extension block 143 abuts against the limit block 150, the extension block 143 contacts the limit switch to control the drive motor 141 to stop. At this time, the drive motor 141 no longer outputs power. Through the self-locking characteristic of the reduction gearbox 142 and the elasticity of the tension spring 160, the drive mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the drive motor 141, the reduction gearbox 142 and the extension block 143) has a tendency to rotate in the first direction, so that the driving wheel 171, the transmission belt 172 and the driven wheel 173 all have a tendency to rotate in the first direction, thereby making the pressure plate mechanism 130 have a tendency to rotate in the first direction, and thus continuously applying pressure to the reaction plate 200 to ensure that the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are always in a pressed state.

[0049] After the heating and cooling cycle is completed, the drive motor 141 drives the drive wheel 171 to rotate in the second direction through the reduction gearbox 142, so as to drive the driven wheel 173 to rotate in the second direction through the transmission belt 172. During this process, the drive mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the drive motor 141, the reduction gearbox 142 and the extension block 143) first rotates in the first direction, and the tension spring 160 continuously contracts and resets until the drive mechanism 140 (the connection structure of the drive motor 141, the reduction gearbox 142 and the extension block 143) is in contact with the substrate 111; then the pressure plate mechanism 130 rotates in the second direction to make way for the reaction disk 200, so as to facilitate the microscopic imaging of the reaction disk 200.

[0050] Please refer to the reference. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The pressure plate mechanism 130 includes a lever arm 131, a pressure plate 132, and a floating component 133. The lever arm 131 is rotatably connected to the base plate 111 of the housing 110, and the lever arm 131 is rotatable relative to the base plate 111. The lever arm 131 is connected to the pressure plate 132 via the floating component 133, which is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate 132 relative to the lever arm 131 to ensure that the pressure plate 132 applies flat pressure to the reaction plate 200, thereby ensuring that the pressure applied by the pressure plate 132 to the reaction plate 200 is uniform, and thus ensuring that the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120 are tightly and uniformly fitted together.

[0051] The floating assembly 133 includes a positioning block 1331, a pin 1332, a first spring 1333, and a second spring 1334. The positioning block 1331 is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 132. The pin 1332 passes through both the positioning block 1331 and the lever arm 131, allowing the lever arm 131 to rotate relative to the positioning block 1331. This provides the pressure plate 132 with a certain amount of free rotation around the pin 1332 relative to the lever arm 131. Specifically, the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 are positioned opposite each other on both sides of the pin 1332. One end of each spring abuts against the pressure plate 132, and the other end abuts against the lever arm 131. Both springs are in a compressed state and can apply elastic force to the pressure plate 132.

[0052] When the pressure plate 132 does not apply pressure to the reaction disk 200, since the elastic force of the first spring 1333 and the second spring 1334 is the same, the pressure plate 132 and the lever arm 131 always remain parallel, preventing the pressure plate 132 from rotating arbitrarily due to the change in the center of gravity caused by the rotation of the lever arm 131, thus ensuring the pressing effect. When the pressure plate 132 applies pressure to the reaction disk 200, since the height of the reaction disk 200 has a certain manufacturing error (some reaction disks 200 are higher and some are lower), the pressure position of the pressure plate 132 on the reaction disk 200 will be different. At this time, since the pin 1332 is simultaneously engaged with the positioning block 1331 and the lever arm 131, the floating component 133 provides the pressure plate 132 with a certain degree of rotational freedom to adaptively eliminate the slight non-parallelism between the lever arm 131 and the reaction disk 200 during pressing, ensuring that the reaction disk 200 is pressed evenly.

[0053] Conversely, if the lever arm 131 is fixedly connected to the pressure plate 132 (without the floating component 133), when the reaction disk 200 is at a low height, the lever arm 131 will rotate excessively. In this case, the distal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end furthest from the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will contact the reaction disk 200, while the proximal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end closest to the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will not contact the reaction disk 200. When the reaction disk 200 is at a high height, the lever arm 131 will not rotate fully. In this case, the proximal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end closest to the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will contact the reaction disk 200, while the distal end of the pressure plate 132 (the end furthest from the rotation center of the lever arm 131) will not contact the reaction disk 200. Both of these situations will result in uneven pressure applied by the pressure plate 132 to the reaction disk 200, thus causing uneven temperature distribution within the reaction disk 200.

[0054] In this embodiment, there are two positioning blocks 1331, two pins 1332, two first springs 1333, and two second springs 1334. The two positioning blocks 1331 are arranged parallel and spaced apart, and are positioned opposite each other at both ends of the pressure plate 132. Each pin 1332 passes through the lever arm 131 and one positioning block 1331. Each first spring 1333 and each second spring 1334 are positioned opposite each other on both sides of a pin 1332. The two positioning blocks 1331, the two pins 1332, the two first springs 1333, and the two second springs 1334 work together to further improve the uniformity of the pressure applied by the pressure plate 132 to the reaction disk 200, ensuring that the reaction disk 200 is subjected to uniform pressure.

[0055] In this embodiment, the lever arm 131 has four first limiting grooves 1311, and the pressure plate 132 has four second limiting grooves 1323. The positions of the four first limiting grooves 1311 and the four second limiting grooves 1323 correspond one-to-one and are arranged in a rectangular array. The first limiting grooves 1311 are used to limit one end of the first spring 1333 or the second limiting groove 1323, and the second limiting grooves 1323 are used to limit the other end of the first spring 1333 or the second limiting groove 1323.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 8 Preferably, the reaction disk 200 is covered with a disk cover 210, and the bottom of the disk cover 210 is provided with a transparent layer 211 (made of glass, plastic or resin material) to achieve the purpose of thinning the oil layer and facilitating optical imaging after amplification. The droplet to be tested is placed between the reaction disk 200 and the disk cover 210. Further, the pressure plate 132 is provided with a relief groove 1321, and the side wall of the relief groove 1321 is provided with an electric gripper 1322. The relief groove 1321 is used for the disk cover 210 to extend into, and the electric gripper 1322 is used to clamp the disk cover 210 to fix the relative position of the disk cover 210 and the pressure plate 132, so that the pressure plate 132 can drive the disk cover 210 to apply pressure to the reaction disk 200.

[0057] Specifically, the cover 210 has protruding lugs 212 on both sides, which are used to hold the cover 210 with electric grippers 1322. Adhesive is applied to the contact area between the cover 210 and the reaction dish 200. During the operation of the temperature control device 100, the reaction dish 200 is first placed on the temperature control mechanism 120; then the electric grippers 1322 are opened, and the cover 210 is inserted into the clearance groove 1321; subsequently, the electric grippers 1322 are closed, and the lugs 212 are clamped and fixed using the electric grippers 1322; then, the drive mechanism 140 drives the pressure plate 132 to rotate, synchronously driving the cover 210 to rotate, thereby pressing the cover 210 onto the reaction dish 200 and the reaction dish 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120. During this process, because the cover 210 is coated with adhesive, the cover 210 and the reaction dish 200 can be bonded and fixed together by the adhesive. After the heating and cooling cycle is completed, the electric gripper 1322 is opened first to prevent the pressure plate 132 from taking away the disc cover 210. Then, the drive mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressure plate 132 to reverse so as to make room for the combination of the disc cover 210 and the reaction disc 200, making it easier to remove.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention uses a rotating pressing method to press the reaction plate 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120, which also has the following advantages: Since the pressing mechanism 130 rotates and presses down, there is a certain tilt angle between the plate cover 210 and the reaction plate 200 before the reaction plate 200 is completely pressed, and this tilt angle is constantly changing. Therefore, the air between the plate cover 210 and the reaction plate 200 can be completely pressed out by controlling the rotational pressing speed of the pressing mechanism 130, thus avoiding the generation of air bubbles between the plate cover 210 and the reaction plate 200, and achieving a good air bubble removal effect.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 9 The temperature control mechanism 120 includes a heating / cooling element 121, a heat-conducting plate 122, a temperature sensor 123, and a heat sink 124. Both the heating / cooling element 121 and the heat sink 124 are mounted on the housing 110 and connected to the heat-conducting plate 122. The heating / cooling element 121 heats or cools the heat-conducting plate 122, while the heat sink 124 cools it. The heat-conducting plate 122 supports the reaction disk 200, allowing it to heat or cool the test droplet. The temperature sensor 123 is connected to the heat-conducting plate 122 and detects its real-time temperature, feeding it back to the controller to form a closed-loop temperature control, improving temperature control accuracy. The controller can control the heating / cooling element 121 and the heat sink 124 based on the real-time temperature of the heat-conducting plate 122 to achieve a heating / cooling cycle for the test droplet.

[0060] In this embodiment, the heating and cooling element 121 is a Peltier element, and the heat sink 124 is an air-cooled heat sink 124. However, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the heating and cooling element 121 can be a resistive element, and the heat sink 124 can be a water-cooled heat sink. The types of the heating and cooling element 121 and the heat sink 124 are not specifically limited.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 10Preferably, the pressing and temperature control device 100 further includes a vacuum pump (not shown). The reaction disk 200 includes a disk body 201 and a flexible membrane 202. The bottom of the disk body 201 is hollowed out, and the flexible membrane 202 is connected to the bottom of the disk body 201. The flexible membrane 202 is used to hold the test droplet, and the temperature control mechanism 120 is used to heat or cool the test droplet through the flexible membrane 202. Specifically, when the reaction disk 200 is normally placed on the heat-conducting plate 122, there will inevitably be a gap between the heat-conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202, resulting in uneven contact between the heat-conducting plate 122 and the flexible membrane 202, which leads to insufficiently fast and uniform heat transfer from the heat-conducting plate 122 to the flexible membrane 202. Therefore, the heat-conducting plate 122 is provided with an air extraction hole (not shown in the figure), and the vacuum pump is connected to the air extraction hole. The vacuum pump is used to extract the air between the flexible film 202 and the heat-conducting plate 122 so that the flexible film 202 and the heat-conducting plate 122 are tightly attached, eliminating the gap between the heat-conducting plate 122 and the flexible film 202, improving the heat transfer efficiency, thereby increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0062] It should be noted that the driving mechanism 140 drives the pressing plate mechanism 130 to press the disk body 201 of the reaction disk 200 onto the heat-conducting plate 122 of the temperature control mechanism 120. On the one hand, this ensures that the disk body 201 and the heat-conducting plate 122 are tightly and evenly attached, enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution. On the other hand, it eliminates the gap between the disk body 201 and the heat-conducting plate 122, improving airtightness, so as to ensure that a stable vacuum field is formed between the heat-conducting plate 122 and the flexible film 202, improving the vacuuming effect, ensuring that the flexible film 202 and the heat-conducting plate 122 are tightly attached, further enhancing the heat conduction effect, increasing the heating and cooling rate, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

[0063] In this embodiment, the reaction disk 200 includes a disk body 201 and a flexible membrane 202. The flexible membrane 202 is connected to the bottom of the disk body 201, and the disk body 201 and the flexible membrane 202 are tightly attached to the heat-conducting plate 122 (the flexible membrane 202 is tightly attached to the heat-conducting plate 122 by vacuuming). However, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the reaction disk 200 can be an integral structure, and the bottom of the reaction disk 200 can be a glass plate or an aluminum plate. The structure and material of the reaction disk 200 are not specifically limited.

[0064] It should be noted that during the use of the pressure control device 100, the reaction plate 200 is first placed on the heat-conducting plate 122; then the vacuum pump is started to extract the air between the flexible membrane 202 and the heat-conducting plate 122, so that the flexible membrane 202 and the heat-conducting plate 122 are tightly adhered; next, the plate cover 210 coated with adhesive is inserted into the relief groove 1321 of the pressure plate 132, and the plate cover 210 is clamped and fixed by the electric gripper 1322; then the droplet to be tested is injected into the reaction plate 140; then the drive mechanism 140 is started to drive the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate in the first direction through the transmission mechanism 170, from The cover 210 is pressed onto the reaction plate 200, and the reaction plate 200 is pressed onto the heat-conducting plate 122. During this process, the floating component 133 adjusts the posture of the pressure plate 132 relative to the lever arm 131 to ensure that the pressure plate 132 applies flat pressure to the reaction plate 200. Then, the drive mechanism 140 rotates in the second direction until it abuts against the limit block 150, and the drive mechanism 140 is stopped by controlling the limit switch. Then, the temperature control mechanism 120 is activated to perform temperature cycling operations on the test droplets in the reaction plate 200, which facilitates subsequent observation and calculation, thereby realizing the nucleic acid detection function.

[0065] The pressing and temperature control device 100 provided in this embodiment of the utility model includes a temperature control mechanism 120 installed on a housing 110. The temperature control mechanism 120 is used to support the reaction plate 200 and control the temperature of the reaction plate 200. The pressure plate mechanism 130 and the drive mechanism 140 are rotatably installed on the housing 110. The drive mechanism 140 is connected to the pressure plate mechanism 130 in a transmission manner. The drive mechanism 140 is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism 130 to rotate in a first direction to press the reaction plate 200 onto the temperature control mechanism 120. A limiting block 150 is installed on the housing 110. The drive mechanism 140 is also used to rotate in a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism 130 abuts against the reaction plate 200 until it abuts against the limiting block 150. The first direction and the second direction are opposite. Compared with existing technologies, the pressing and temperature control device 100 provided by this utility model, due to its drive mechanism 140 rotatably mounted on the housing 110 and connected to the pressing mechanism 130, can achieve continuous pressing between the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, ensuring a tight and uniform fit between the reaction plate 200 and the temperature control mechanism 120, enhancing heat conduction, increasing the heating and cooling rates, and ensuring uniform temperature distribution. This results in high detection efficiency and good detection effect for the digital PCR detection equipment.

[0066] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pressing temperature control device, characterized in that, The device includes a housing, a temperature control mechanism, a pressure plate mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a limiting block. The temperature control mechanism is installed in the housing and is used to support the reaction plate and control its temperature. Both the pressure plate mechanism and the drive mechanism are rotatably installed in the housing. The drive mechanism is driven by the pressure plate mechanism and is used to drive the pressure plate mechanism to rotate in a first direction to press the reaction plate onto the temperature control mechanism. The limiting block is installed in the housing. The drive mechanism is also used to rotate in a second direction after the pressure plate mechanism abuts against the reaction plate until it abuts against the limiting block. The first direction is opposite to the second direction.

2. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limit block is equipped with a limit switch, which is electrically connected to the drive mechanism. The limit switch is used to control the drive mechanism to pause when the drive mechanism abuts against the limit block.

3. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing and temperature control device also includes a tension spring, which is located on the side of the drive mechanism away from the limiting block. One end of the tension spring is connected to the housing, and the other end is connected to the drive mechanism.

4. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a drive motor, a reduction gearbox, and an extension block. The reduction gearbox is rotatably connected to the housing. The input end of the reduction gearbox is connected to the drive motor, and the output end of the reduction gearbox is drivenly connected to the pressure plate mechanism. The extension block is connected to the end of the drive motor away from the reduction gearbox and is used to abut against the limit block.

5. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing and temperature control device also includes a transmission mechanism, which includes a driving wheel, a transmission belt, and a driven wheel. The driving mechanism is connected to the driving wheel, the driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel through the transmission belt, and the driven wheel is connected to the pressure plate mechanism.

6. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure plate mechanism includes a lever arm, a pressure plate, and a floating assembly. The lever arm is rotatably connected to the housing and is connected to the pressure plate via the floating assembly. The floating assembly is used to adjust the posture of the pressure plate relative to the lever arm to ensure that the pressure plate applies flat pressure to the reaction plate.

7. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The floating component includes a positioning block, a pin, a first spring, and a second spring. The positioning block is fixedly connected to the pressure plate. The pin passes through both the positioning block and the lever arm so that the lever arm can rotate relative to the positioning block. The first spring and the second spring are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the pin. One end of each of the first spring and the second spring abuts against the pressure plate, and the other end abuts against the lever arm.

8. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pressure plate has a relief groove, and the side wall of the relief groove is provided with an electric gripper. The relief groove is used for the plate cover to extend into, and the electric gripper is used to clamp the plate cover.

9. The pressing temperature control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control mechanism includes a heating and cooling element, a heat-conducting plate, a temperature sensor, and a heat sink. The heating and cooling element and the heat sink are both installed in the housing and are connected to the heat-conducting plate. The heat-conducting plate is used to support the reaction plate. The temperature sensor is connected to the heat-conducting plate and is used to detect the real-time temperature of the heat-conducting plate.

10. A digital PCR detection device, characterized in that, Includes the compression temperature control device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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