PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) pipe rack
By setting support steps, positioning steps, and clamping slots on the PCR tube rack, the problems of high space occupation of single-layer PCR tube racks and unsuitability of multi-layer PCR tube racks are solved, realizing efficient stacking and convenient transfer of PCR tube racks in a fully automated experimental platform, improving space utilization and ease of operation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing single-layer PCR tube racks have a high space occupancy rate in high-throughput molecular experiments, and the stacking method of multi-layer PCR tube racks is not suitable for fully automated experimental platforms, resulting in low utilization of experimental table space and complicated operation.
A PCR tube rack was designed. By setting support steps and positioning steps on the longitudinal sidewall of the substrate, and with the help of clamping slots, multiple PCR tube racks can be stably stacked and easily transferred. The PCR tube placement holes are set with tapered apertures to reduce PCR tube shaking. It is suitable for fully automated experimental platforms.
It enables efficient stacking of multiple PCR tube racks on a fully automated experimental platform, reducing space occupation, simplifying operation procedures, and improving the utilization rate of experimental space and the convenience of PCR tube transfer.
Smart Images
Figure CN224072033U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological consumables, specifically to a PCR tube rack. Background Technology
[0002] In current molecular biology and biomedical experiments, PCR tube racks are an essential storage device. Conventional single-layer PCR tube racks are suitable for small-batch molecular experiments, demonstrating good adaptability in small-scale experimental scenarios. However, with the development of high-throughput technologies and the widespread adoption of fully automated experimental platforms, the throughput of experimental samples has increased by orders of magnitude. Single-layer PCR tube racks can no longer meet the needs of large-scale molecular experiments. Specifically, single-layer PCR tube racks can only hold a limited number of PCR tubes. In high-throughput molecular experiments, the floor space occupied by PCR tubes is linearly positively correlated with the sample throughput, resulting in the need for multiple independent tube racks in large-scale experiments, significantly reducing the utilization rate of laboratory space. When using a large number of single-layer PCR tube racks, their operation is cumbersome and still occupies a lot of space, hindering the normal progress of experiments.
[0003] Existing patent CN221907238U discloses a PCR reaction tube holder. A first insertion hole on the surface of a well plate can be used to insert a second receiving tube, and a second insertion hole on the surface of a well plate can be used to insert a first receiving tube. After placing PCR reaction tubes in the first and second receiving tubes, the well plates can be stacked. This patent achieves the stacking of PCR reaction tube holders by using an alternating insertion method between reaction tubes.
[0004] In summary, in fully automated experimental platforms, single-layer PCR tube racks occupy too much space for high-throughput molecular experiments. Existing multi-layer PCR tube rack stacking only considers stacking stability, and its stacking method is not suitable for the characteristics of fully automated experimental platforms that require easy disassembly of PCR tubes or PCR tube racks during transfer. Therefore, designing a PCR tube rack that meets the transfer requirements of fully automated experimental platforms is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems by using the side wall of the PCR tube rack for positioning and support when multiple tube racks are stacked, thus overcoming the problem of large space occupation when using multiple single-layer PCR tube racks, and making it suitable for fully automated experimental platforms.
[0006] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows:
[0007] A PCR tube rack, the tube rack comprising:
[0008] A substrate, wherein the substrate has transverse sidewalls and longitudinal sidewalls along its transverse and longitudinal sides, respectively;
[0009] A support step is provided at the top of the longitudinal sidewall, and a positioning step that cooperates with the support step is provided at the bottom of the longitudinal sidewall. The support step is used to support multiple PCR tube racks when they are stacked and cooperates with the positioning step. Specifically, the support step of any PCR tube rack can cooperate with the positioning step of another PCR tube rack.
[0010] Multiple PCR tube placement holes are arranged in an array on the surface of the substrate, and the diameter of the PCR tube placement holes gradually decreases along the depth direction of the PCR tube placement holes. The PCR tube placement holes are used to place PCR tubes.
[0011] Furthermore, multiple PCR tube placement holes are vertically arranged on the substrate.
[0012] Furthermore, the PCR tube placement wells are V-shaped.
[0013] Furthermore, the longitudinal sidewalls extend beyond the substrate surface and are perpendicular to the substrate.
[0014] Furthermore, the height of the longitudinal sidewall is not lower than the height of the PCR tube after it is placed in the PCR tube placement hole.
[0015] Furthermore, the bottom of the positioning step is provided with a groove that mates with the supporting step.
[0016] Furthermore, a supporting step is provided at the top of the longitudinal sidewall, and both the longitudinal sidewall and the transverse sidewall are provided with a claw slot near the top of the sidewall at their center.
[0017] Furthermore, there are at least two gripper slots, and the gripper slots are distributed on the transverse sidewalls on both sides of the substrate with the substrate as the center of symmetry.
[0018] Furthermore, the height of the lateral sidewall is lower than the height of the substrate, and the gripper slot is located near the top of the lateral sidewall.
[0019] Furthermore, the bottom of the substrate is provided with several positioning grooves, which are used to match the docking testing instrument.
[0020] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0021] This utility model discloses a PCR tube rack, which has a support step at the top of each longitudinal side wall and a groove structure at the bottom of each longitudinal side wall that cooperates with the support step. This facilitates the stacking of multiple PCR tube racks and solves the problem of large space occupation by multiple PCR tube racks when conducting large-scale experiments.
[0022] This utility model discloses a PCR tube rack with a gripper groove on the transverse side wall, which facilitates the transfer of the PCR tube rack by the gripper and is simple and convenient. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the left axial side structure of a PCR tube rack provided in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the right axial side structure of a PCR tube rack provided in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the double-layer stacked PCR tube rack of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the PCR tube placement hole structure of a PCR tube rack provided for an embodiment of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR tube rack of this utility model, which holds all the PCR tubes.
[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the PCR tube rack section of the present invention for placing PCR tubes.
[0029] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the multi-layer stacked PCR tube rack of this utility model;
[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the PCR tube rack of this utility model;
[0031] Figure 9 This diagram shows the fit between the bottommost PCR tube rack positioning groove of this invention and the positioning pin in the instrument.
[0032] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the fit between the gripper groove and the gripper of this utility model.
[0033] In the figure, 1-substrate, 2-PCR tube placement hole, 3-longitudinal sidewall, 4-transverse sidewall, 5-support step, 6-positioning step, 7-claw slot, 8-positioning groove, 9-claw. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0036] Example 1
[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a PCR tube rack, including a substrate 1 and multiple PCR tube placement holes 2, which are used to accommodate PCR tubes; the multiple PCR tube placement holes 2 are vertically arranged on the substrate 1, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the PCR tube placement holes 2 are evenly distributed in eight rows and six columns. The row spacing, i.e., the distance between adjacent placement holes of the PCR tube rack, is the same as the distance between the PCR eight-tube bundles. The column spacing is slightly larger than the width of the gripper claws. For example, when the gripper claw width is 16mm, the column spacing is set to 18mm. This setting is mainly to avoid interference between the grippers and adjacent PCR eight-tube bundles when gripping a single PCR eight-tube bundle. The opening of the PCR tube placement hole 2 is connected to the substrate and is located on the same plane as the substrate surface. The diameter of the PCR tube placement hole 2 gradually decreases as the opening is inserted into the hole. The other end of the PCR tube placement hole relative to the opening can be in a closed state or an open state. In this embodiment, the other end of the PCR tube placement hole relative to the opening is in an open state. On the one hand, the open state can reduce the weight of the entire PCR tube rack, making it easier for the grippers to handle and transfer the tubes. On the other hand, if the reagents in the PCR tubes are accidentally spilled, the open state of the PCR tube rack is easier to clean than the closed state, which is beneficial for the reuse of the PCR tube rack.
[0038] The substrate also includes a transverse sidewall 4, which is arranged in the transverse direction of the substrate and parallel to the transverse direction of the substrate, and the transverse sidewall is in the same direction as the PCR tube placement hole.
[0039] It also includes a longitudinal sidewall 3, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 1 and extends out of the substrate surface. The longitudinal sidewall is in the same direction as the column direction of the PCR tube placement hole. The height of the longitudinal sidewall 3 extending out of the substrate depends on the space height of the PCR tube rack in the fully automated experimental platform and the number of PCR tubes required for the detection throughput. The height and number of single-layer PCR tube racks are calculated using this.
[0040] In this embodiment, when the PCR tube is inserted into the PCR tube placement hole 2, the height of the longitudinal sidewall 3 of the substrate is slightly greater than the total height of the PCR tube after it is inserted into the PCR tube placement hole 2, so as to prevent the PCR tube from being squeezed when multiple PCR tube racks are stacked.
[0041] The top of the longitudinal sidewall 3 is provided with a support step 5 and the bottom is provided with a positioning step 6. In this embodiment, the support step and the positioning step can facilitate the stacking of multiple PCR tube racks. Specifically, when multiple PCR tube racks are stacked, the support step of the lower PCR tube rack is connected to the positioning step at the bottom of the upper PCR tube rack, which can not only support each PCR tube rack, but also position it.
[0042] In this embodiment, as Figure 10 As shown, a gripper groove 7 is provided near the top of the transverse sidewall 4 of the substrate. The groove edge of the gripper groove 7 near the top of the transverse sidewall 4 is on the same plane as the top of the transverse sidewall 4. When the gripper 9 grips the PCR tube rack, it is convenient for the gripper 9 to grip the groove edge of the gripper groove 7 to transfer the PCR tube rack. In this embodiment, there are two gripper grooves 7.
[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, a positioning groove 8 is provided at the diagonal of the bottom of the PCR tube rack. The shape of the positioning groove 8 matches the positioning pin on the instrument. It can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or other shapes, and is used for positioning the PCR tube rack when it is placed on the instrument.
[0044] In practical implementation: such as Figure 3 As shown, when multiple racks containing PCR tubes are stacked, the positioning step 6 at the bottom of the longitudinal sidewall of the upper PCR rack engages with the supporting step 5 at the top of the longitudinal sidewall of the lower PCR rack. The bottom of the upper PCR tube contacts the supporting step, providing support for the upper PCR rack. The different sizes of gripper grooves on the transverse sidewalls can adapt to the corresponding width of the grippers used in instrument assembly during actual operation, simplifying operation. Figure 9 As shown, when the stacked PCR tube rack is placed in the appropriate position on the instrument, its positioning step engages with the positioning post of the instrument position. At the same time, the positioning groove and the positioning pin also engage with each other to achieve the positioning of the PCR tube rack.
[0045] Example 2
[0046] Example 2 is a further improvement on Example 1; further explanation: identical components will not be repeated here, such as... Figures 1-8 As shown, in this embodiment, the bottom of the positioning step 6 is provided with a groove that cooperates with the support step 5. When multiple PCR tube racks are stacked, the bottom of the longitudinal sidewall of the substrate can be sleeved on the support step 5 at the top of the longitudinal sidewall of another PCR tube rack. In this embodiment, the support step 5 and the bottom groove of the positioning step 6 are fitted together. After the fitting, the horizontal and vertical directions of the support step limit the PCR tube rack in the x-axis and y-axis directions, so as to realize the stacking of multiple PCR tubes.
[0047] In this embodiment, there are two gripper slots 7, and the width of the gripper slots matches the width of the gripper gripper hand assembled on the instrument during actual operation.
[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the PCR tube holder substrate has dimensions of 130.4mm*84.4mm, which matches the placement position of the detector and facilitates the positioning of the PCR tubes on the detector.
[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown, the PCR tube placement well 2 is in the shape of a "V" or "Y", and the well shape matches the PCR tube.
[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height of the longitudinal sidewall of the substrate is slightly greater than the total height of the PCR tube after it is inserted into the PCR placement hole 2.
[0051] As can be seen from the above specific structure, when the PCR tube is inserted into the PCR tube placement hole 2 along its length, the shape of the PCR tube placement hole 2 matches the PCR tube. In this embodiment, the PCR tube placement hole 2 is "V" shaped, which reduces the shaking of the PCR tube inside the hole. Furthermore, when the PCR tube is inserted into the placement hole 2, the height of the longitudinal sidewall is slightly greater than the total height of the PCR tube after insertion into the PCR placement hole 2. Figure 7 As shown, this design ensures that when multiple PCR tube racks are stacked together, there is a certain gap between the upper and lower PCR tube racks, which will not put pressure on the lower PCR tube rack. This makes it easy to remove single-layer PCR tubes in the stacked state, which is suitable for the transfer of single-layer PCR tubes in high-throughput fully automated molecular experiments. Furthermore, when the PCR tube rack is full, the PCR tube rack substrate can prevent PCR tubes from falling off when there is tilting or flipping during packaging and transportation.
[0052] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0053] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.
[0054] In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0055] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. 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.
[0056] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0057] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A PCR tube rack characterized by, The tube rack comprises: a base plate, which is provided with transverse side walls and longitudinal side walls along its lateral and longitudinal sides, respectively; a support step, which is arranged on the top of the longitudinal side wall, and the bottom of the longitudinal side wall is provided with a positioning step matched with the support step, and the support step of any PCR tube rack can be matched and connected with the positioning step of another PCR tube rack; a plurality of PCR tube placement holes, which are arranged in an array on the surface of the base plate, and the hole diameter of the PCR tube placement holes gradually decreases along the hole depth direction of the PCR tube placement holes, and the PCR tube placement holes are used for placing PCR tubes.
2. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of PCR tube placement holes are vertically arranged on the base plate.
3. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The PCR tube placement holes are "V" shaped.
4. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The longitudinal side wall protrudes from the surface of the base plate and is perpendicular to the base plate.
5. The PCR tube rack of claim 4, wherein, The height of the longitudinal side wall is not lower than the height of the PCR tube after being placed in the PCR tube placement hole.
6. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the positioning step is provided with a groove matched with the support step.
7. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The clamping jaw slot is arranged near the top end of the side wall at the center of the transverse side wall.
8. The PCR tube rack of claim 7, wherein, The clamping jaw slot is not less than two, and the clamping jaw slots are distributed on the transverse side walls on both sides of the base plate with the base plate as the center of symmetry.
9. The PCR tube rack of claim 7, wherein, The height of the transverse side wall is lower than the height of the base plate, and the clamping jaw slot is arranged near the top of the transverse side wall.
10. The PCR tube rack of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the base plate is further provided with a plurality of positioning grooves, and the plurality of positioning grooves are used for matching and docking detection instruments.