Automatic liquid dropping auxiliary device for micro-fluidic chip of electric pipette

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic liquid dropping auxiliary device for a micro-fluidic chip of an electric pipette, which relates to the technical field of biological experiments and microfluidics, and comprises a vertical rod base, a rotary button, a rotary connecting rod, a curved surface boss, a spring and a pipette connecting piece, the bottom of the rotary button is connected with the rotary connecting rod, the curved-surface boss is arranged at the bottom of the rotary connecting rod, the bottom of the curved-surface boss is connected with the vertical rod base through a spring, the top of the side wall of the curved-surface boss is of a step structure, and the rotary connecting rod is provided with a clamping part clamped with the step structure. The curved-surface boss is connected with a pipette through a pipette connecting piece, and the pipette is vertically arranged and is opposite to the micro-fluidic chip; automatic pressing and height locking of the pipette are achieved through a mechanical structure, the two hands are liberated, continuous manual pressing is not needed, and the automation degree and stability of liquid dropping operation are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the fields of biological experiments and microfluidics, and in particular to an automatic dispensing auxiliary device for a microfluidic chip in an electric pipette. Background Technology

[0002] In modern biological experiments and microfluidic technology applications, motorized pipettes, with their built-in high-precision stepper motors, can accurately perform microliter-level liquid pipetting and titration operations. However, existing technologies have significant drawbacks in the dispensing process: due to limitations in dispensing speed, operators must hold the pipette in their hand at all times and press the tip firmly against the inlet of the microfluidic chip. This process is time-consuming, ranging from 5 to 60 seconds, during which the operator must maintain a fixed posture. This not only increases labor intensity but can also affect dispensing accuracy due to hand tremors or uneven pressure. Furthermore, it limits the possibility of the operator performing other operations during the dispensing process, leading to low experimental efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette using a microfluidic chip, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art. Through a mechanical structure, the automatic pressing and high locking of the pipette are achieved, freeing up the hands and eliminating the need for continuous manual pressing, thereby improving the automation and stability of the dispensing operation.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following solution:

[0005] This utility model provides an automatic dispensing auxiliary device for a microfluidic chip in an electric pipette, including a support base, a rotary button, a rotating connecting rod, a curved boss, a spring, and a pipette connector. The rotary button is located at the top of the support base and is rotatably connected to it. The bottom of the rotary button is connected to the rotating connecting rod, which can rotate with the rotary button. The curved boss is located at the bottom of the rotating connecting rod, and its bottom is connected to the support base via a spring. The top of the side wall of the curved boss has a stepped structure. The rotating connecting rod has a locking part that engages with the stepped structure. When the rotating connecting rod rotates, the locking part can rotate along the steps of the stepped structure. The curved boss is slidably connected to the support base. The outer wall of the curved boss is connected to the pipette via the pipette connector. The pipette is vertically positioned and opposite the microfluidic chip located at the bottom of the support base.

[0006] Preferably, the pole base includes a vertically arranged pole and a base at the bottom of the pole.

[0007] Preferably, the upright is a hollow cylindrical rod.

[0008] Preferably, the rotary button is a cylindrical knob, and the bottom of the rotary button is rotatably connected to the top surface of the upright through a fixed boss. The bottom of the fixed boss is provided with a connecting post that extends into the inner cavity of the upright and is connected to the rotary connecting rod through the connecting post.

[0009] Preferably, the rotating connecting rod includes a rod body, a retaining ring, and a locking part. The retaining ring is disposed in the middle of the rod body. The top of the retaining ring is sleeved in the inner cavity of the connecting column. The bottom of the retaining ring extends into the inner cavity of the curved boss. The locking part is disposed on one side of the bottom of the retaining ring, and its bottom is locked to the top of the stepped structure of the curved boss.

[0010] Preferably, the curved boss is a hollow cylindrical structure, and a guide post is provided at the bottom of the curved boss, with the spring sleeved on the outside of the guide post.

[0011] Preferably, two connecting shafts are arranged opposite each other on the outer wall of the curved boss, and two guide grooves are opened on the upright to slide the connecting shafts. The guide grooves are vertically arranged and strip-shaped. The curved boss is connected to the pipette connector through the connecting shafts.

[0012] Preferably, the pipette connector includes an upper connecting rod, a lower connecting rod, and a fixing sleeve. The inner end of the upper connecting rod is connected to two connecting shafts respectively. The lower connecting rod is disposed at the bottom of the upper connecting rod. The inner end of the lower connecting rod is slidably sleeved on the outside of the upright. The inner ends of both the upper and lower connecting rods are connected to the fixing sleeve. The top of the pipette is connected to the fixing sleeve.

[0013] Preferably, the base has a disc-shaped structure, and the microfluidic chip is disposed on the top of the base.

[0014] Preferably, the central hole of the microfluidic chip is opposite to the pipette tip.

[0015] The present invention achieves the following technical advantages over the prior art:

[0016] 1) Free your hands: The mechanical pressing and highly locking structure replaces manual finger pressing, so operators do not need to hold the pipette continuously during the dripping process and can perform other experimental operations at the same time, thus improving work efficiency.

[0017] 2) Stable and reliable: The stepped structure and rotating linkage work together to achieve precise height positioning and locking, ensuring stable contact between the pipette tip and the inlet of the microfluidic chip, avoiding dripping errors caused by uneven manual pressure or shaking, and improving dripping accuracy.

[0018] 3) Easy to operate: The pipette can be pressed down and reset by simply rotating the button. The operation process is simple and efficient, reducing the labor intensity of operators.

[0019] 4) Compact structure: The device has a reasonable overall structural design, with each component closely integrated, occupying little space, and is suitable for environments with limited space, such as laboratories. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for the electric pipette in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for the electric pipette of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is an assembly drawing of the rotary button, fixed boss, rotary connecting rod and curved boss in this utility model;

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Rotary button; 2. Fixed boss; 3. Rotating connecting rod; 31. Rod body; 32. Snap ring; 33. Snap-fit ​​part; 4. Curved boss; 41. Stepped structure; 42. Guide post; 43. Connecting shaft; 5. Spring; 6. Upright base; 61. Upright; 62. Base; 63. Guide groove; 7. Pipette connector; 71. Upper connecting rod; 72. Lower connecting rod; 73. Fixed sleeve; 8. Pipette; 9. Microfluidic chip. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic dispensing auxiliary device for a microfluidic chip in an electric pipette, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] The microfluidic chip-based automatic dispensing assist device for the electric pipette in this embodiment, such as... Figures 1-3 As shown, the device includes a support base 6, a rotary button 1, a rotary connecting rod 3, a curved boss 4, a spring 5, and a pipette connector 7. The rotary button 1 is located on the top of the support base 6 and is rotatably connected to the support base 6. The bottom of the rotary button 1 is connected to the rotary connecting rod 3, which can rotate with the rotary button 1. The curved boss 4 is located at the bottom of the rotary connecting rod 3, and the bottom of the curved boss 4 is connected to the support base 6 via the spring 5. The top of the side wall of the curved boss 4 is a stepped structure 41. The rotary connecting rod 3 is provided with a locking part 33 that engages with the stepped structure 41. When the rotary connecting rod 3 rotates, the locking part 33 can rotate along the steps of the stepped structure 41. The curved boss 4 is slidably connected to the support base 6. The outer wall of the curved boss 4 is connected to a pipette 8 via the pipette connector 7. The pipette 8 is vertically arranged and is opposite to the microfluidic chip 9 located at the bottom of the support base 6.

[0029] In this specific embodiment, the support base 6 includes a vertically arranged support rod 61 and a base 62 at the bottom of the support rod 61. The support rod 61 is a hollow cylindrical rod, and the base 62 is a disc-shaped structure. The microfluidic chip 9 is disposed on the top of the base 62. The central hole of the microfluidic chip 9 is opposite to the pipette tip 8, which facilitates the pipette tip 8 to move down and insert into the central hole of the microfluidic chip 9 and press it into place.

[0030] In this specific embodiment, the rotary button 1 is a cylindrical knob. The bottom of the rotary button 1 is rotatably connected to the top surface of the upright 61 through the fixed boss 2. The bottom of the fixed boss 2 is provided with a connecting post that extends into the inner cavity of the upright 61 and is connected to the rotating connecting rod 3 through the connecting post. When the rotary button 1 is rotated, the lower rotating connecting rod 3 is driven to rotate through the connecting post.

[0031] In this specific embodiment, the rotating connecting rod 3 includes a rod body 31, a retaining ring 32, and a locking part 33. The retaining ring 32 is disposed in the middle of the rod body 31. The top of the rod body 31 of the retaining ring 32 is sleeved in the inner cavity of the connecting column, and the bottom of the rod body 31 of the retaining ring 32 extends into the inner cavity of the curved boss 4. The locking part 33 is disposed on one side of the bottom of the retaining ring 32, and its bottom is locked to the top of the stepped structure 41 of the curved boss 4.

[0032] In this specific embodiment, the curved boss 4 is a hollow column structure. A guide post 42 is provided at the bottom of the curved boss 4. A spring 5 is sleeved on the outside of the guide post 42. One end of the spring 5 is connected to the bottom of the curved boss 4, and the other end is connected and fixed to the inner wall of the column.

[0033] In this specific embodiment, two connecting shafts 43 are arranged opposite each other on the outer wall of the curved boss 4, and two guide grooves 63 are opened on the upright 61 to slide and connect the two connecting shafts 43. The guide grooves 63 are arranged vertically and are strip-shaped. The curved boss 4 is connected to the pipette connector 7 through the connecting shafts 43.

[0034] In this specific embodiment, the pipette connector 7 includes an upper connecting rod 71, a lower connecting rod 72, and a fixing sleeve 73. The inner end of the upper connecting rod 71 is connected to two connecting shafts 43 respectively. The lower connecting rod 72 is disposed at the bottom of the upper connecting rod 71. The inner end of the lower connecting rod 72 is slidably sleeved on the outside of the upright rod 61. The inner ends of both the upper connecting rod 71 and the lower connecting rod 72 are connected to the fixing sleeve 73. The top of the pipette 8 is connected to the fixing sleeve 73.

[0035] The working principle is as follows:

[0036] In the initial state, the locking part 33 of the rotating linkage 3 is in contact with the bottom stepped surface of the stepped structure 41. When the rotary button 1 is rotated to the left, the rotating linkage 3 is driven to rotate to the left, and the height of the end face of the locking part 33 in contact with the curved boss 4 changes. Due to the limiting effect of the stepped structure 41, the curved boss 4 is forced to move downward. The curved boss 4 is connected to the pipette 8 through the connecting shaft 43 and the pipette connector 7. Under the action of the guide groove 63, the connecting shaft 43 drives the pipette 8 to move downward synchronously, so that the pipette tip of the pipette 8 is inserted into the center hole of the microfluidic chip 9 and pressed into place, realizing the positioning and pressing before dispensing. The stepped thin-walled design of the curved boss 4 allows the rotating linkage 3 to stop at a specified position, thereby making the curved boss 4 stably stay at the corresponding height, completing the height locking of the pipette 8, and ensuring the stability of the pressing state during the dispensing process.

[0037] After the dripping operation is completed, rotate button 1 to the right, and the rotating linkage 3 will rotate to the right. At this time, the height of the end face of the rotating linkage 3 in contact with the curved boss 4 will change in the opposite direction. At the same time, under the elastic force of the spring 5 at the lower end of the curved boss 4, the curved boss 4 will move upward, driving the pipette connector 7 and the pipette 8 to rise synchronously, providing space for removing the pipette 8 and facilitating subsequent operations.

[0038] The work process is as follows:

[0039] Preparation for dispensing: Place the microfluidic chip 9 in the designated position, aligning the center of the chip's inlet with the initial position of the pipette tip 8. Rotate button 1 to the right to bring the rotating linkage 3 to its initial position, i.e., in contact with the lowest step surface of the thin wall of the curved boss 4. At this time, the curved boss 4 is in its highest position under the action of spring 5. Install the pipette 8 onto the pipette connector 7 and adjust the relative position of the pipette tip 8 and the chip's inlet.

[0040] Press and position: Rotate button 1 to the left. Rotating button 1 drives the rotating linkage 3 to rotate to the left. The lower end of the locking part 33 moves upward along the stepped structure 41 of the curved boss 4 (relative to the curved boss 4). Due to the change in the height of the stepped surface, the curved boss 4 is forced to move downward against the elastic force of the spring 5. The pipette 8 is driven to descend synchronously through the pipette connector 7. When the rotating linkage 3 rotates to the designated position, its lower end contacts and stops with a certain stepped surface of the stepped structure 41 of the curved boss 4. At this time, the pipette tip of the pipette 8 is just inserted into the center hole of the chip and pressed into place, achieving the stable contact state required for dispensing and completing the height lock. The operator can then start the electric pipette 8 to perform the dispensing operation.

[0041] Reset and remove pipette: After the dispensing is completed, rotate button 1 to the right. Rotating linkage 3 rotates to the right, and its lower end moves downward along the stepped surface of the curved boss 4 (relative to the curved boss 4). The curved boss 4 moves upward under the action of the spring force of the spring 5, which drives the pipette connector 7 and the pipette 8 to rise synchronously until the rotating linkage 3 returns to the initial position and contacts the lowest stepped surface. At this time, the pipette tip of the pipette 8 is disengaged from the chip inlet, and the operator can easily remove the pipette 8 to complete the entire dispensing process.

[0042] This device is suitable for various scenarios that require precise dispensing of liquids into microfluidic chips using an electric pipette, such as biological detection, cell culture, and chemical reaction analysis. It is especially suitable for long-term or high-frequency dispensing operations, which can effectively improve the level of automation and user experience of experiments.

[0043] This utility model uses specific examples to illustrate its principles and implementation methods. The above description of the embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip-based automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette, characterized in that: The device includes a support base, a rotary button, a rotating linkage, a curved boss, a spring, and a pipette connector. The rotary button is located at the top of the support base and is rotatably connected to it. The bottom of the rotary button is connected to the rotating linkage, which rotates with the rotary button. The curved boss is located at the bottom of the rotating linkage and is connected to the support base via a spring. The top of the side wall of the curved boss has a stepped structure. The rotating linkage has a locking part that engages with the stepped structure. When the rotating linkage rotates, the locking part can rotate along the steps of the stepped structure. The curved boss is slidably connected to the support base. The outer wall of the curved boss is connected to the pipette via the pipette connector. The pipette is vertically positioned and opposite to a microfluidic chip located at the bottom of the support base.

2. The microfluidic chip-based automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pole base includes a vertically arranged pole and a base at the bottom of the pole.

3. The microfluidic chip-based automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upright is a hollow cylindrical rod.

4. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rotary button is a cylindrical knob. The bottom of the rotary button is rotatably connected to the top surface of the upright through a fixed boss. The bottom of the fixed boss is provided with a connecting post that extends into the inner cavity of the upright and is connected to the rotating connecting rod through the connecting post.

5. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating connecting rod includes a rod body, a retaining ring, and a locking part. The retaining ring is located in the middle of the rod body. The top of the rod body of the retaining ring is sleeved in the inner cavity of the connecting column. The bottom of the rod body of the retaining ring extends into the inner cavity of the curved boss. The locking part is located on one side of the bottom of the retaining ring, and its bottom is locked to the top of the stepped structure of the curved boss.

6. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 5, characterized in that: The curved boss is a hollow cylindrical structure with a guide post at its bottom and the spring is sleeved on the outside of the guide post.

7. The microfluidic chip-based automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 6, characterized in that: Two connecting shafts are arranged opposite each other on the outer wall of the curved boss. Two guide grooves are opened on the upright to slide and connect the connecting shafts. The guide grooves are vertically arranged and strip-shaped. The curved boss is connected to the pipette connector through the connecting shafts.

8. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 7, characterized in that: The pipette connector includes an upper connecting rod, a lower connecting rod, and a fixed sleeve. The inner end of the upper connecting rod is connected to two connecting shafts respectively. The lower connecting rod is located at the bottom of the upper connecting rod. The inner end of the lower connecting rod is slidably sleeved on the outside of the upright. The inner ends of both the upper and lower connecting rods are connected to the fixed sleeve. The top of the pipette is connected to the fixed sleeve.

9. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base has a disc-shaped structure, and the microfluidic chip is disposed on the top of the base.

10. The microfluidic chip automatic dispensing auxiliary device for an electric pipette according to claim 9, characterized in that: The central hole of the microfluidic chip is opposite to the pipette tip.

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