Cell filter filtration progress detection device

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of cell filtration, and provides a cell filter filtration progress detection device which comprises a box body and a liquid level sensor, the top end of the box body is provided with an inlet, a negative pressure pump interface and a pressure release valve, the inlet is communicated with the cell filter outlet, and the bottom end of the box body is provided with a liquid outlet; the liquid level sensor is used for detecting the liquid level height in the box body. According to the device, negative pressure is formed in the box body through suction of the negative pressure pump, a sample in the cell filter can be sucked into the box body through the negative pressure after being filtered, and the liquid level height in the box body is monitored through the liquid level sensor, so that whether the sample in the cell filter is filtered or not is judged. The device can accurately and reliably judge whether filtering is completed or not, so that continuous filtering is stopped in time, and the situation that the cell retention rate is reduced due to excessive invalid filtering is avoided. And secondly, when the air leakage phenomenon occurs at the interface below the cell filter, the condition that the liquid level in the box body does not rise or the rising speed is very slow can occur, and at the moment, the change of the liquid level can be detected in time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cell filtration technology, specifically relating to a cell filter filtration progress detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that are spontaneously released from solid tumors or metastases into the peripheral blood circulation, either through diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. CTC detection, as a novel non-invasive diagnostic tool, has become a hot topic in clinical research.

[0003] Tumor cells (CTCs) are extremely rare in peripheral blood, typically requiring the search of only a handful of cells among approximately 100 million white blood cells and 50 billion red blood cells. Therefore, to improve CTC detection rates, CTC enrichment is usually performed before testing, separating CTCs from blood or other samples. Currently, CTC enrichment methods are mainly classified into immunomagnetic separation and enrichment methods based on the physical properties of CTCs. Among these, enrichment methods based on the physical properties of CTCs primarily include density gradient centrifugation and filtration.

[0004] Filtration is a tumor cell size-based separation method, primarily using the size difference between tumor cells and normal cells to separate tumor cells. Cell filters are commonly used in this method. However, during sample separation or staining, individual differences in samples or variations in sample storage time can lead to difficulties in cell separation or blockage of the microporous filter membrane. Current technologies use pressure detection systems to determine if the cell filter is blocked; blockage increases pressure, but the system cannot measure the real-time drop in sample level, thus failing to determine the real-time filtration progress or whether filtration is complete. Furthermore, when air leakage occurs at the lower interface of the cell filter, the filtration speed becomes very slow or even stops, which the pressure detection system cannot detect. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a cell filter filtration progress detection device, which can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a cell filter filtration progress detection device, comprising a housing and a liquid level sensor;

[0007] The top of the box is provided with an inlet, a negative pressure pump interface and a pressure relief valve. The inlet is connected to the cell filter outlet. The negative pressure pump interface is used to connect a negative pressure pump. The bottom of the box is provided with a drain port.

[0008] The liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level height inside the box.

[0009] Preferably, the top of the housing is provided with a pressure sensor interface, which is used to connect a pressure sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the box body is provided with a flow guide slope, and the drain outlet is located at the bottom of the flow guide slope.

[0011] Preferably, the drain port is used to connect to a waste liquid pump.

[0012] Preferably, the box body is provided with an extension tube, one end of which is connected to the cell filter outlet, and the other end of which extends to the bottom of the box body.

[0013] Preferably, the liquid level sensor is a capacitive continuous liquid level sensor.

[0014] Preferably, the cell filter is disposed on a scaffold.

[0015] Preferably, the bracket is located at the top of the box.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] This invention provides a cell filter filtration progress detection device. During sample filtration within the cell filter, both the pressure relief valve and the drain port remain closed. A negative pressure pump creates negative pressure within the chamber, drawing the filtered sample into the chamber. A liquid level sensor monitors the liquid level to determine if filtration is complete. Once filtration is complete, the negative pressure pump is turned off, the pressure relief valve is opened, and the sample is drained from the chamber through the drain port. This device accurately and reliably determines filtration completion, allowing for timely cessation of filtration and preventing reduced cell retention due to excessive and ineffective filtration.

[0018] Secondly, when there is an air leak at the interface below the cell filter, the liquid level inside the box will not rise or will rise very slowly. At this time, the change in liquid level can be used to detect whether there is an air leak. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a cell filter filtration progress detection device provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded structural diagram of a cell filter filtration progress detection device provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3A cross-sectional structural diagram of the housing and related parts of a cell filter filtration progress detection device provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view of the nozzle and related parts of a cell filter filtration progress detection device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0024] 1. Cell filter;

[0025] 2. Bracket;

[0026] 3. Liquid level sensor;

[0027] 4. Box body;

[0028] 5. Entrance;

[0029] 6. Negative pressure pump interface;

[0030] 7. Pressure sensor interface;

[0031] 8. Pressure relief valve;

[0032] 9. Drainage port;

[0033] 10. Diversion slope;

[0034] 11. Extension tube;

[0035] 12. Sprayer head;

[0036] 13. Spray nozzle;

[0037] 14. Water pipes. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the exemplary embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not an exhaustive list of all embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0039] This embodiment provides a cell filter filtration progress detection device, including a housing 4 and a liquid level sensor 3.

[0040] The top of the box 4 is provided with an inlet 5, a negative pressure pump interface 6, and a pressure relief valve 8. The inlet 5 is connected to the outlet of the cell filter 1, the negative pressure pump interface 6 is used to connect the negative pressure pump, and the bottom of the box 4 is provided with a drain port 9.

[0041] For example, see Figure 1-2The container 4 is a sealed structure that can hold sample blood. An inlet 5 is located on the top left side of the container 4, connecting to the interior of the container 4 and also to the bottom outlet of the cell filter 1. This allows the sample filtered by the cell filter 1 to enter the container through inlet 5. A negative pressure pump interface 6 is located on the top right side of the container 4, connecting to the interior of the container 4 and also to a negative pressure pump. This allows the negative pressure pump to draw air from inside the container 4, creating a negative pressure inside. A pressure relief valve 8 is also located on the top right side of the container 4. This valve is a vacuum pressure relief valve, serving a protective function. When the pressure inside the container 4 is too low, the valve 8 automatically opens, introducing external air to prevent deformation of the container 4 due to excessive negative pressure. A drain port 9 is located on the bottom left side of the container 4, allowing the sample blood to be drained from the container 4.

[0042] The liquid level sensor 3 is used to detect the liquid level height inside the box 4.

[0043] For example, see Figure 1-2 The liquid level sensor 3 can be an ultrasonic liquid level sensor, a capacitive continuous liquid level sensor, etc. The liquid level sensor 3 is mounted on the side wall of the housing 4 and is used to detect the liquid level height inside the housing 4. The housing 4 has a square and flat structure, meaning its internal space is narrow and its surface area is small, which improves the sensitivity of liquid level detection.

[0044] Based on the above structure, in the cell filter filtration progress detection device provided in this embodiment, when the sample is filtered in the cell filter 1, the pressure relief valve 8 and the drain port 9 are both kept closed. The negative pressure pump is used to draw in the sample, so that a negative pressure is formed in the box 4. The sample filtered in the cell filter 1 will be drawn into the box 4 by the negative pressure. Then, the liquid level sensor 3 monitors the liquid level in the box 4 to determine whether the sample in the cell filter 1 has been filtered.

[0045] Specifically, when the liquid level in the container 4 reaches the preset value, it indicates that the sample in the cell filter 1 has been completely filtered and entered the container 4. After the sample filtration is complete, the negative pressure pump is turned off, the pressure relief valve 8 is opened, and external air is introduced to release the negative pressure in the container 4. Then, the sample in the container 4 can be drained through the drain port 9.

[0046] This device can accurately and reliably determine whether filtration is complete, and thus stop filtration in time to avoid reducing cell retention rate due to excessive and ineffective filtration.

[0047] Secondly, when air leakage occurs at the lower interface of cell filter 1, the liquid level inside box 4 will either not rise or rise very slowly. At this time, the change in liquid level can be used to detect whether air leakage has occurred.

[0048] Based on the above technical solution, the technical solution provided in this embodiment also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the liquid level sensor 3 and the negative pressure pump respectively.

[0049] The liquid level sensor 3 can transmit the detected liquid level signal to the controller. When the liquid level in the box 4 reaches the preset value, it indicates that filtration is complete. The controller then transmits the signal to the negative pressure pump, which shuts down, thus enabling the negative pressure pump to automatically shut down after filtration is complete.

[0050] The top of the housing 4 may also be provided with a pressure sensor interface 7, which is used to connect a pressure sensor.

[0051] The pressure sensor can detect the pressure inside housing 4. The pressure sensor can be electrically connected to the controller, and the pressure sensor can transmit the detected pressure signal to the controller, which then controls the suction power of the negative pressure pump.

[0052] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the box body 4 is provided with a guide slope 10, and the drain port 9 is located at the bottom of the guide slope 10.

[0053] For example, see Figure 3 The container 4 has a flow guide slope 10 extending from the upper right corner to the lower left corner. The drain outlet 9 is located on the bottom left side of the container 4, meaning that the drain outlet 9 is connected to the bottom of the flow guide slope 10. The flow guide slope 10 serves to guide the flow, allowing the sample entering the container 4 to be collected at the bottom of the flow guide slope 10 and then drained through the drain outlet 9.

[0054] Furthermore, drain port 9 is used to connect to a waste liquid pump.

[0055] In this way, the waste liquid pump can draw the sample out of the box 4, thus speeding up the discharge efficiency of the sample in the box 4.

[0056] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the box body 4 is provided with an extension tube 11. One end of the extension tube 11 is connected to the outlet of the cell filter 1, and the other end of the extension tube 11 extends to the bottom of the box body 4.

[0057] For example, see Figure 2 The top end of the extension tube 11 is connected to the bottom outlet of the cell filter 1, and the bottom end of the extension tube 11 extends to the bottom of the box 4. The extension tube 11 allows the sample filtered by the cell filter 1 to directly enter the bottom of the box 4, minimizing the possibility of the sample adhering to the inner wall of the box 4 or even entering other interfaces.

[0058] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, a nozzle 12 may be provided inside the box 4, and the nozzle 12 is connected to a water pipe 14.

[0059] For example, see Figure 4The nozzle 12 has a disc-shaped structure and is mounted on the inner wall of the housing 4 via a bracket. Multiple spray holes 13 are evenly spaced circumferentially on the side wall of the nozzle 12. One end of the water pipe 14 is connected to the water supply tank, and the other end extends into the housing 4 and connects to the nozzle 12. The side wall of the housing 4 has mounting holes for the water supply pipe 14 to pass through, and these holes are sealed to the water pipe 14. A water pump is mounted on the water pipe 14. By turning on the water pump, water from the water supply tank is pumped to the nozzle 12 and then sprayed out through the spray holes 13, thoroughly cleaning the inner wall of the housing 4 to prevent sample residue from remaining on the inner wall and affecting subsequent experiments. The wastewater after cleaning can be discharged through the drain port 9.

[0060] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the cell filter 1 is disposed on the scaffold 2.

[0061] Furthermore, the bracket 2 is set at the top of the box 4.

[0062] For example, see Figure 1-2 The support 2 is located on the top left side of the box 4, and the cell filter 1 is mounted on the support 2. On the one hand, this avoids interference between the support 2 and the negative pressure pump interface 6, pressure sensor interface 7, and pressure relief valve 8. On the other hand, it prevents the sample filtered by the cell filter 1 from being interfered with by the negative pressure pump interface 6, pressure sensor interface 7, and pressure relief valve 8 when entering the box 4, ensuring that the sample can enter the box 4 smoothly.

[0063] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0064] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0065] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0066] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A cell filter filtration progress detection device, characterized in that, Includes the housing (4) and the liquid level sensor (3); The top of the box (4) is provided with an inlet (5), a negative pressure pump interface (6), and a pressure relief valve (8). The inlet (5) is connected to the outlet of the cell filter (1). The negative pressure pump interface (6) is used to connect a negative pressure pump. The bottom of the box (4) is provided with a drain port (9). The liquid level sensor (3) is used to detect the liquid level height inside the box (4).

2. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the box (4) is provided with a pressure sensor interface (7), which is used to connect a pressure sensor.

3. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box (4) is provided with a flow guide slope (10), and the drain outlet (9) is located at the bottom of the flow guide slope (10).

4. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain port (9) is used to connect to the waste liquid pump.

5. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box (4) is provided with an extension tube (11), one end of which is connected to the outlet of the cell filter (1), and the other end of which extends to the bottom of the box (4).

6. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid level sensor (3) is a capacitive continuous liquid level sensor.

7. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cell filter (1) is mounted on the support (2).

8. The cell filter filtration progress detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bracket (2) is located at the top of the box (4).

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