Ultrasonic micro stirring and mixing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ultrasonic miniature stirring and mixing device which comprises a base, a sliding table is slidably mounted at the top of the base, a micro-fluidic chip is fixedly mounted above the sliding table, a plurality of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tubes are mounted at the bottom of the micro-fluidic chip, a connecting seat is fixedly mounted at the top of the sliding table through an L-shaped support plate, and a plurality of PCR tubes are mounted at the bottom of the connecting seat. The connecting base is located between the micro-fluidic chip and the sliding table, the positions, close to the top ends, of the outer walls of the PCR tubes are each sleeved with an ultrasonic stirrer, and each ultrasonic stirrer comprises a shielding shell; according to the utility model, when the micro-fluidic chip is used for mixing experimental reagents in the PCR tube, the ultrasonic stirrer can be started, the reagents in the PCR tube can be mixed and stirred by utilizing the ultrasonic transducer, and the reagents in the PCR tube can also be mixed and stirred by utilizing the magnetic stirring mechanism, so that the stirring effect of the reagents is ensured, and the PCR tube does not need to be transferred; therefore, the experiment can be conveniently and quickly carried out, and the experiment efficiency is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microfluidics technology, specifically to an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidic chip technology, through miniaturization and integration, condenses traditional laboratory functions into centimeter or millimeter-scale chips, covering multiple disciplines and scenarios. In the field of biomedical detection, microfluidic chips can automate steps such as sample lysis, mixing, extraction, dilution, and incubation, greatly simplifying the sample preparation process and improving detection efficiency.

[0003] When conducting experiments using microfluidic chips, lysis buffer, washing buffer, elution buffer, PCR reagents, and diluent need to be mixed with experimental samples, positive controls, negative controls, and quality control materials in PCR tubes. In traditional techniques, this mixing process is often accomplished using a shaker, but this requires transferring the PCR tubes from the microfluidic chip to the shaker, which is cumbersome and greatly reduces experimental efficiency. To address this, we propose an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] An ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device includes a base, a slide platform slidably mounted on the top of the base, a microfluidic chip fixedly mounted above the slide platform, several PCR tubes mounted on the bottom of the microfluidic chip, a connecting seat fixedly mounted on the top of the slide platform via an L-shaped support plate, the connecting seat being located between the microfluidic chip and the slide platform, an ultrasonic stirrer being fitted onto the outer wall of each PCR tube near its top, the ultrasonic stirrer including a shielding shell with through-holes adapted to the PCR tubes, an ultrasonic transducer being installed inside the shielding shell, and a magnetic stirring mechanism being provided on the top of the slide platform below each PCR tube.

[0007] As a further embodiment of this utility model: an amplitude transformer is also installed inside the shielding shell. One end of the amplitude transformer is connected to an ultrasonic transducer, and the other end of the amplitude transformer abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the PCR tube. The end face of the amplitude transformer that contacts the PCR tube is provided with an arc-shaped groove that matches the outer diameter of the PCR tube.

[0008] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the magnetic stirring mechanism includes a stepper motor fixedly installed on the top of the slide table, the stepper motor being located directly below the corresponding PCR tube, the output shaft of the stepper motor being fixedly connected to a turntable, two magnets being fixedly installed on the top surface of the turntable, and the magnetic poles at the top of the two magnets having opposite polarities, and a magnetic stir bar being provided inside the PCR tube.

[0009] As a further embodiment of this invention: an electromagnet is embedded in the connector at the position corresponding to the PCR tube.

[0010] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the top of the slide is fixedly connected to a frame by multiple columns, the microfluidic chip is embedded in the frame, and a housing is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the frame.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0012] In this invention, when using a microfluidic chip to mix experimental reagents in a PCR tube, an ultrasonic stirrer can be activated to mix the reagents in the PCR tube using an ultrasonic transducer, or a magnetic stirring mechanism can be used to mix the reagents in the PCR tube, thereby ensuring the mixing effect of the reagents and eliminating the need to transfer the PCR tube, thus facilitating the rapid conduct of experiments and greatly improving experimental efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PCR tube in an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution structure of the stepper motor in an ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device.

[0016] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0017] The components include: base 1, slide 2, column 3, frame 4, microfluidic chip 5, PCR tube 6, L-shaped support plate 7, connecting seat 8, stepper motor 9, turntable 10, magnet 11, electromagnet 12, ultrasonic stirrer 13, and shell 14. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] It should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" 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 in the specification, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" 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.

[0022] Please see Figures 1-4 In this embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic micro-stirring and mixing device includes a base 1, a slide 2 slidably mounted on the top of the base 1, a microfluidic chip 5 fixedly mounted above the slide 2, and several PCR tubes 6 mounted on the bottom of the microfluidic chip 5. A connecting seat 8 is fixedly mounted on the top of the slide 2 via an L-shaped support plate 7, and the connecting seat 8 is located between the microfluidic chip 5 and the slide 2. An ultrasonic stirrer 13 is fitted on the outer wall of each PCR tube near its top. The ultrasonic stirrer 13 includes a shielding shell made of metal materials such as copper, aluminum, or neodymium iron boron. The shielding shell has through holes adapted to the PCR tubes 6. An ultrasonic transducer is installed inside the shielding shell. A magnetic stirring mechanism is provided on the top of the slide 2 below each PCR tube 6.

[0023] By adopting the above-mentioned scheme, when using the microfluidic chip 4 to mix experimental reagents in the PCR tube 6, the ultrasonic stirrer 13 can be activated to mix the reagents in the PCR tube 6 using an ultrasonic transducer, or a magnetic stirring mechanism can be used to mix the reagents in the PCR tube 6, thereby ensuring the mixing effect of the reagents and eliminating the need to transfer the PCR tube 6, thus facilitating the rapid conduct of experiments and greatly improving experimental efficiency. By setting the shielding shell, the interference caused by the magnetic field of the magnetic stirring mechanism to the ultrasonic stirrer 13 can be reduced.

[0024] In one embodiment of this utility model, an amplitude transformer is also installed inside the shielding shell. One end of the amplitude transformer is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and the other end of the amplitude transformer abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the PCR tube 6. The end face of the amplitude transformer that contacts the PCR tube 6 is provided with an arc-shaped groove that matches the outer diameter of the PCR tube 6. The amplitude transformer is an important component of the ultrasonic vibration system. As a mechanical impedance transformer, it can better match the coupling between the ultrasonic transducer and the acoustic load (PCR tube 6) and more effectively transmit ultrasonic energy.

[0025] Specific combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic stirring mechanism includes a stepper motor 9 fixedly installed on the top of the slide table 2. The stepper motor 9 is located directly below the corresponding PCR tube 6. The output shaft of the stepper motor 9 is fixedly connected to a turntable 10. Two magnets 11 are fixedly installed on the top surface of the turntable 10, and the magnetic poles at the top of the two magnets 11 are opposite in polarity. A magnetic stir bar is provided inside the PCR tube 6.

[0026] By starting the stepper motor 9 to drive the turntable 10 to rotate, the two magnets 11 can rotate at high speed below the PCR tube 6, thereby using magnetism to drive the magnetic stir bar inside the PCR tube 6 to rotate, thus realizing the stirring of the reagents inside the PCR tube 6. Its structure is simple and its operation is stable.

[0027] Specific combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 Furthermore, based on the previous embodiment, an electromagnet 12 is embedded and installed on the connector 8 at the corresponding position of the PCR tube 6.

[0028] By activating the electromagnet 12, the magnetic stir bar can be adsorbed onto the inner wall of the PCR tube 6, so that when the microfluidic chip 5 extracts the reagents from the PCR tube 6, the magnetic stir bar is not carried out, thereby preventing the magnetic stir bar from clogging the microchannels on the microfluidic chip 5.

[0029] Specific combination Figure 1 and Figure 2In one embodiment of the present invention, the top of the slide 2 is fixedly connected to a frame 4 by a plurality of columns 3, the microfluidic chip 5 is embedded in the frame 4, and a housing 14 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the frame 4, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the microfluidic chip 5 and the slide 2.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic micro-stirring mixing device, characterized in that: The system includes a base (1), a slide (2) slidably mounted on the top of the base (1), a microfluidic chip (5) fixedly mounted above the slide (2), several PCR tubes (6) mounted on the bottom of the microfluidic chip (5), a connecting seat (8) fixedly mounted on the top of the slide (2) via an L-shaped support plate (7), the connecting seat (8) being located between the microfluidic chip (5) and the slide (2), an ultrasonic stirrer (13) being fitted on the outer wall of each PCR tube (6) near the top, the ultrasonic stirrer (13) including a shield shell, through which a perforation adapted to the PCR tube (6) is provided, an ultrasonic transducer being installed inside the shield shell, and a magnetic stirring mechanism being provided on the top of the slide (2) below each PCR tube (6).

2. The ultrasonic miniature mixing device of claim 1, wherein: An amplitude transformer is also installed inside the shielding shell. One end of the amplitude transformer is connected to an ultrasonic transducer, and the other end of the amplitude transformer abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the PCR tube (6). The end face of the amplitude transformer that contacts the PCR tube (6) is provided with an arc-shaped groove that matches the outer diameter of the PCR tube (6).

3. The ultrasonic miniature mixing device of claim 1, wherein: The magnetic stirring mechanism includes a stepper motor (9) fixedly installed on the top of the slide (2). The stepper motor (9) is located directly below the corresponding PCR tube (6). The output shaft of the stepper motor (9) is fixedly connected to a turntable (10). Two magnets (11) are fixedly installed on the top surface of the turntable (10), and the magnetic poles at the top of the two magnets (11) are opposite in polarity. A magnetic stir bar is provided inside the PCR tube (6).

4. The ultrasonic miniature mixing device of claim 3, wherein: An electromagnet (12) is embedded in the connector (8) at the corresponding position of the PCR tube (6).

5. The ultrasonic miniature mixing device of claim 1, wherein: The top of the slide (2) is fixedly connected to a frame (4) by multiple columns (3), the microfluidic chip (5) is embedded in the frame (4), and a housing (14) is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the frame (4).

Images