Centrifugal machine and workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from complex matrix

Abstract

The utility model discloses a centrifugal machine and a workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from a complex matrix, the centrifugal machine comprises a main body frame, a partition plate is arranged in the middle of the main body frame, and the centrifugal machine is divided into a centrifugal chamber and an accessory chamber by the partition plate; the rotor assembly is arranged above the partition plate, is positioned in the centrifugal chamber and is used for placing a sample; a refrigeration assembly is arranged on the outer wall of the centrifugal chamber and used for cooling or refrigerating the centrifugal chamber; the positioning assembly is arranged below the partition plate and located in the accessory chamber. When the centrifugal machine is used for separating and enriching infectious samples, most of impurities such as human cells, proteins, saccharides, salts and the like in uncultured or cultured clinical samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, hydrothorax and ascites and the like can be effectively removed, and relatively pure living pathogens are obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microbial detection technology, specifically to a centrifuge and a workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from complex matrices. Background Technology

[0002] Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is a method used to detect the resistance and sensitivity of bacteria or other microorganisms to antibiotics or other drugs. It is an important means to guide rational drug use in clinical practice, reduce drug abuse, and improve treatment efficacy. Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing mainly includes disk diffusion, dilution, and automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems. To meet the needs of rapid clinical diagnosis, antimicrobial susceptibility testing needs to develop towards faster and simpler methods. By adopting new technologies and methods, the time cycle of antimicrobial susceptibility testing can be shortened, providing clinicians with more timely medication guidance. However, antimicrobial susceptibility test results are often affected by various factors such as culture conditions and microbial species. Infected samples often need to be cultured before antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the sample enrichment and isolation culture time is relatively long, making it difficult to quickly select appropriate antimicrobial drugs and reasonable antimicrobial dosages.

[0003] MALDI-TOF MS is a novel soft ionization biomolecular mass spectrometry technique developed in recent years. Clinical microbiology laboratories are increasingly adopting this equipment and widely using it to identify large numbers of bacteria and fungi after culture. The identification process is fully automated, including interpretation, analysis, reporting, and sample unloading. It is cost-effective, requiring only sample plates and a dedicated mass spectrometry matrix as consumables, without any additional reagents. The technical requirements for staff are also low. Due to its high efficiency, accuracy, and low cost per experiment, it has become a popular method for microbial identification.

[0004] Pathogen culture remains the gold standard for detecting infectious samples, but it has several drawbacks. Firstly, the diagnostic time is long, typically 1-5 days from patient sampling to obtaining infection results. Further time is required for purified pathogens to undergo drug susceptibility testing. During this period, treatment usually involves broad-spectrum, non-targeted antibiotics, which may be effective in treating the disease but can lead to multidrug resistance in many microorganisms. Secondly, the variability of pathogens in a sample results in significant differences in their culture requirements, meaning the dominant bacteria cultured may not be the original state found in the sample. Thirdly, the sample pretreatment process for drug susceptibility testing or MALDI-TOF MS detection is overly complex. Pathogen culture requires substantial investment of manpower, resources, time, and money, resulting in high costs and demanding skilled operators, hindering its widespread adoption. Finally, bacteria cultured over extended periods may be contaminated, leading to inaccurate results for clinicians.

[0005] Currently, MALDI-TOF MS mass spectrometry cannot be used for direct detection of clinical specimens and mixed cultures. The analyte must be a single, pure microorganism. Its high accuracy and reproducibility in identifying microorganisms are based on the detection of microbial ribosomal proteins (relative molecular mass 2000-20000), a class of highly abundant proteins immobilized and expressed within microbial cells. Therefore, theoretically, different culture conditions should not lead to significant differences in MALDI-TOF MS identification results. However, to achieve more ideal identification results, laboratories currently need to culture the bacteria twice and then pick single-clone colonies for MALDI-TOF MS identification, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF MS identification typically requires a bacterial load of 10⁵-10⁷ colony-forming units (CFU). Therefore, if direct detection is performed, samples from early stages of bloodstream infections or meningitis infections may not be enriched to a sufficient bacterial load or may require an excessive amount of sample. Moreover, if the sample contains two or more mixed infections, the detection results will usually fail or contain errors. Utility Model Content

[0006] To improve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a centrifuge, which includes a main frame 6-1, and a partition plate is provided in the middle of the main frame, which divides the centrifuge into a centrifuge chamber and an accessory chamber;

[0007] The rotor assembly 6-3 is positioned above the separator and is located within the centrifuge chamber for placing samples.

[0008] The outer wall of the centrifuge chamber is provided with a refrigeration component 6-4 for cooling or refrigerating the centrifuge chamber;

[0009] The positioning component 6-6 is located below the partition plate and is situated within the accessory compartment.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the centrifuge further includes a top cover assembly 6-2, which is used to seal or cover the centrifuge.

[0011] Preferably, one end of the top cover assembly is fixed to the main frame 6-1.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the centrifuge further includes a main shaft motor assembly 6-5, which is rotatably connected to the partition plate.

[0013] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the rotor assembly 6-3 includes a centrifugal rotor 6-8 and a cup-hanging assembly 6-7. The centrifugal rotor is fixedly connected to the upper output shaft of the main shaft motor assembly 6-5, and the cup-hanging assembly 6-7 is set at an angle away from the center of the centrifugal rotor. The cup-hanging assembly 6-7 is used to hold centrifuge tubes or sample tubes.

[0014] According to the embodiments of this utility model, the connection between the positioning component 6-6 and the main frame 6-1 is a known solution in the art.

[0015] The working principle of this centrifuge is as follows:

[0016] First, the automatic door of the top cover assembly 6-2 opens. Then, the positioning assembly 6-6 positions the empty hanging cup assembly on the rotor assembly 6-3 to the automatic door according to the requirements. Next, the consumables to be centrifuged (or centrifuge tubes) are placed into the designated hanging cup assembly 6-7. Then, the top cover assembly 6-2 closes the automatic door. Then, the spindle motor assembly 6-5 starts to rotate according to the settings. During this process, the temperature of the rotor assembly 6-3 will rise sharply due to friction with the air in the cavity. At this time, the cooling assembly 6-4 starts to operate, thereby reducing the cavity temperature until it reaches the set temperature. When the centrifugation program is completed, the positioning assembly 6-6 will rotate the consumables to be removed to the automatic door opening position according to the settings (wherein, the consumables to be removed are controlled by the host computer software). Then, the automatic door on the top cover assembly 6-2 opens to remove the centrifuged consumables.

[0017] This utility model also provides a workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from complex matrices. The workstation includes a main frame 1, a robotic arm, a mixing assembly, the centrifuge 6 described above, a sample position assembly 17, a workbench assembly 15, and a reagent position assembly 14.

[0018] The robotic arm is located on the upper part of the main frame, and the robotic arm is controlled by the control system.

[0019] The mixing component, sample position component 17, workbench component 15 and reagent position component 14 are arranged side by side in the middle of the main frame and located below the robotic arm.

[0020] The centrifuge is located at the lower part of the main frame.

[0021] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the robotic arm includes a pipetting robotic arm 4 and a tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5, which are placed side by side. The pipetting robotic arm is used to add or remove liquid into a reagent tube, for example, a sample tube or a centrifuge tube. The tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm is used to move the reagent tube or to open or close the cap of the reagent tube.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing assembly includes an inverting mixing assembly 8 and a heating assembly 9.

[0023] Preferably, the mixing component further includes an oscillation component 10.

[0024] Preferably, the inverted mixing component 8, the heating component 9, and the oscillation component 10 are arranged side by side in sequence.

[0025] According to an embodiment of this utility model, a platform assembly 11 is further provided in the middle of the main frame, and the platform assembly 11 is placed side by side with the reagent position assembly 14. The platform assembly 11 is used for balancing when centrifuge tubes enter the centrifuge.

[0026] The reagent position assembly 14 is used to place an auxiliary agent, for example, the auxiliary agent includes at least one of lysis buffer, microbial sedimentation agent and washing liquid.

[0027] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the middle part of the main frame is further provided with at least one set of pipette tip assembly 12, which is placed side by side with the dispensing platform assembly 11; the pipette tip assembly is used to place consumable pipette tips. Preferably, the middle part of the main frame contains at least two sets of pipette tip assemblies, including a 200μL pipette tip assembly and a 5mL pipette tip assembly 13. Preferably, the at least two sets of pipette tip assemblies are respectively used to place 200μL consumable pipette tips and 5mL consumable pipette tips.

[0028] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the workstation further includes a waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly 16, which is located in the middle of the main frame 1. Preferably, the waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly 16 is placed side by side with the workbench assembly 15.

[0029] According to the embodiment of this utility model, the workstation further includes a waste liquid and waste material collection tank 7, located at the lower part of the main frame. The waste liquid and waste material collection tank 7 is placed side by side with the centrifuge assembly 6 and is used to collect waste liquid or waste material.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an air filter assembly 2 is further provided on the top of the main frame, and the air filter assembly is used to filter air.

[0031] According to an embodiment of this utility model, an operation screen 3 is further provided on the outside of the main frame 1. The operation screen 3 is used to control the robotic arm for subsequent experimental operations. Preferably, the operation screen 3 is located on the outside side of the main frame 1, such as on the right or left side.

[0032] According to an embodiment of this utility model, a barcode scanner assembly 18 is further provided in the middle of the main frame, and the barcode scanner assembly is placed side by side with the mixing assembly. Preferably, the barcode scanner assembly is placed side by side with the inverted mixing assembly 8.

[0033] This utility model also provides a method for the extraction and enrichment of trace microorganisms, the method being implemented using the aforementioned workstation, and the method comprising:

[0034] (1) A robotic arm is used to move the sample tube containing the blood sample to the mixing assembly to mix the sample. After mixing, the robotic arm is used to move the mixed sample tube and centrifuge tube to the workbench assembly 5 respectively.

[0035] (2) A robotic arm is used to transfer the sample in the sample tube to a centrifuge tube to obtain a centrifuge tube containing blood.

[0036] (3) Use a robotic arm to transfer the auxiliary agent from the reagent position assembly and add it to the centrifuge tube containing the blood sample. Then use the robotic arm to move the centrifuge tube to the mixing assembly to mix the sample evenly.

[0037] (4) A robotic arm is used to move the centrifuge tubes into the centrifuge assembly for centrifugation.

[0038] (5) After centrifugation, a robotic arm is used to move the centrifuge tube to the workbench assembly to remove the supernatant, thus completing the extraction and enrichment of trace microorganisms.

[0039] According to the embodiment of this utility model, in step (1), the robotic arm includes a pipetting robotic arm and a tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm; the pipetting robotic arm is used to add or remove liquid into the centrifuge tube. The tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm is used to move the centrifuge tube, or to open or close the cap of the centrifuge tube.

[0040] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, in step (1), the mixing component includes an inverting mixing component 8 and a heating component 9.

[0041] Preferably, the mixing component further includes an oscillation component 10.

[0042] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, step (1) also includes the process of collecting waste pipette tips; after the robotic arm transfers blood samples from the reagent position assembly through the pipette tips and adds them to the centrifuge tube, the waste pipette tips are placed into the waste liquid and waste material collection bucket; the waste liquid and waste material collection bucket is set in the waste liquid and waste material position assembly.

[0043] According to the embodiment of this utility model, in step (3), the robotic arm removes the auxiliary agent from the reagent position assembly through the consumable nozzle. Preferably, the nozzle is placed in the suction tip assembly 12.

[0044] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, step (3) also includes the process of collecting waste pipette tips; after the robotic arm removes the auxiliary agent from the reagent position assembly through the pipette tip and adds it to the centrifuge tube containing the blood sample, the waste pipette tip is placed into the waste liquid and waste material collection bucket; the waste liquid and waste material collection bucket is set in the waste liquid and waste material position assembly.

[0045] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, steps (1) and (2) are specifically as follows:

[0046] A robotic arm is used to move the sample tube containing the blood sample to the mixing assembly to mix the sample. After mixing, the robotic arm is used to move the centrifuge tube and the sample tube containing the blood sample to the workbench assembly. The robotic arm opens the caps of the centrifuge tube and the sample tube. Then, the robotic arm takes the consumable pipette tip from the pipette tip assembly 12 and moves the blood sample from the sample tube to the centrifuge tube through the pipette tip to obtain a centrifuge tube containing the blood sample.

[0047] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, in step (1), the centrifuge tube and sample tube can be scanned first; the scanning operation is realized by the barcode scanner assembly 18.

[0048] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, in step (1), before the operation is carried out, the workstation can be evacuated and ventilated to achieve sterile operation; the evacuation and ventilation operation is achieved by the air filter component 2.

[0049] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, in step (4), the centrifuge tube containing the sample can also be weight balanced, and the balancing operation is achieved by the balancing platform component 11.

[0050] According to the implementation scheme of this utility model, in step (5), the robotic arm removes the supernatant from the centrifuge tube through the consumable nozzle.

[0051] According to an embodiment of this utility model, the robotic arm is controlled via an operation screen, which is connected to an external control system.

[0052] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0053] 1. This centrifuge can achieve high-speed centrifugation while rapidly reducing the temperature rise during operation through its refrigeration function. Compared with similar products, it has higher rotation speed, more accurate positioning, and more precise temperature control. It features a compact overall structure, low noise, and reliable operation; moreover, it requires no manual operation or complex personnel training, saving time, effort, and labor.

[0054] 2. The centrifuge of this invention can effectively remove most of the human cells, proteins, sugars, salts and other impurities from uncultured or cultured clinical samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, pleural effusion and peritoneal fluid, to obtain relatively pure live pathogens by separating and enriching infectious samples.

[0055] 3. Pathogen products isolated from uncultured samples can be subjected to drug susceptibility testing or MALDI-TOF MS detection after simple culture (one-step liquid culture) and bacterial collection. Cultured samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural / peritoneal fluid can be directly used for drug susceptibility testing or MALDI-TOF MS detection after simple concentration. This protocol shortens the culture process compared to pathogen diagnosis and identification of clinical infection samples, enabling faster acquisition of drug susceptibility results and mass spectrometry microbial identification results, providing clinicians with more timely diagnostic and treatment references.

[0056] 4. This utility model's workstation is used to extract and enrich trace microorganisms from complex matrices. Its workflow includes sample identification, cap opening / closing, consumable handling, sample addition, mixing (including shaking and heating), centrifugation, and liquid aspiration / disposal, achieving a fully automated separation process. The cap opening / closing mechanism is more compact, has a lower failure rate, and is more stable than other similar products. The pipetting robotic arm adopts a more stable piston rod-type aspiration / discharge mode, offering higher precision and stronger stability. The centrifuge assembly integrates high speed, positioning, and cooling, achieving high-speed centrifugation while rapidly reducing the temperature rise during operation through its cooling function. Compared to similar products, it offers higher rotation speed, more accurate positioning, and more precise temperature control. This workstation also features an air filtration system, maintaining a sterile experimental environment throughout the instrument's operation, resulting in more accurate experiments and effectively preventing contamination.

[0057] 5. This utility model workstation can enrich microorganisms at extremely low abundance, significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of detection. Combined with artificial intelligence technology, it realizes high-throughput sample processing and data analysis, and is suitable for trace microbial detection in multiple fields, with broad application prospects.

[0058] 6. The method for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms of this invention can effectively remove most of the human cells, proteins, sugars, salts and other impurities from uncultured or cultured clinical samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, pleural effusion and peritoneal fluid, and obtain relatively pure live pathogens.

[0059] 7. In this method, pathogen products isolated from uncultured samples can be subjected to drug susceptibility testing or MALDI-TOF MS detection after simple culture (only one step of liquid culture) and bacterial collection. Cultured samples such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural / peritoneal fluid can be directly used for drug susceptibility testing or MALDI-TOF MS detection after simple concentration. Compared to pathogen diagnosis and identification of clinical infection samples, this method shortens the culture time and enables faster acquisition of drug susceptibility results and mass spectrometry microbial identification results, providing clinicians with more timely diagnostic and treatment references.

[0060] 8. This utility model's workstation uses conventional consumables and pre-packaged reagents to separate microorganisms from blood samples. It requires no manual operation, no complex personnel training or practice, saving time, effort, and manpower. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the centrifuge of this utility model;

[0062] Figure 2 This is a top view of the rotor assembly of this utility model;

[0063] In the diagram, 6-1 is the main frame; 6-2 is the top cover assembly; 6-3 is the rotor assembly; 6-4 is the refrigeration assembly; 6-5 is the main spindle motor assembly; 6-6 is the positioning assembly; 6-7 is the cup hanging assembly; and 6-8 is the centrifugal rotor.

[0064] Figure 3 This is the front view of the workstation of this utility model.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a top view of section A of the workstation of this utility model.

[0066] 1. Main unit frame; 2. Air filter assembly; 3. Operation screen; 4. Pipetting robotic arm; 5. Tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm; 6. Centrifuge assembly; 7. Waste liquid and waste material collection container; 8. Inverting and mixing assembly; 9. Heating assembly; 10. Shaking assembly; 11. Preparation platform assembly; 12. 200μL pipette tip assembly; 13. 5mL pipette tip assembly; 14. Reagent assembly; 15. Workbench assembly; 16. Waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly; 17. Sample assembly; 18. Barcode scanner assembly.

[0067] Figure 5 This is the process of separating and enriching microorganisms at the workstation in Example 2. Detailed Implementation

[0068] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are only illustrative and explanatory of this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All technologies implemented based on the above content of this utility model are covered within the scope of protection intended by this utility model.

[0069] Unless otherwise stated, the raw materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available products or can be prepared by known methods.

[0070] Example 1

[0071] A centrifuge includes: a main frame 6-1, wherein a partition plate is provided in the middle of the main frame, the partition plate dividing the centrifuge into a centrifuge chamber and an accessory chamber;

[0072] The rotor assembly 6-3 is positioned above the separator and is located within the centrifuge chamber for placing samples.

[0073] The outer wall of the centrifuge chamber is provided with a refrigeration component 6-4 for cooling or refrigerating the centrifuge chamber;

[0074] The positioning component 6-6 is located below the partition plate and is situated within the accessory compartment.

[0075] The centrifuge also includes a top cover assembly 6-2, which is used to seal or cover the centrifuge, and one end of the top cover assembly is fixed to the main frame 6-1.

[0076] The centrifuge also includes a spindle motor assembly 6-5, which is rotatably connected to the partition plate.

[0077] The rotor assembly 6-3 includes a centrifuge rotor 6-8 and a cup-hanging assembly 6-7. The centrifuge rotor is fixedly connected to the upper output shaft of the main shaft motor assembly 6-5, and the cup-hanging assembly 6-7 is set at an angle away from the center of the centrifuge rotor. The cup-hanging assembly 6-7 is used to hold centrifuge tubes or sample tubes.

[0078] The connection between the positioning component 6-6 and the main frame 6-1 is a known solution in the art.

[0079] The working principle of a centrifuge is as follows:

[0080] First, the automatic door of the top cover assembly 6-2 opens. Then, the positioning assembly 6-6 positions the empty hanging cup assembly on the rotor assembly 6-3 to the automatic door according to the requirements. Next, the consumables to be centrifuged (or centrifuge tubes) are placed into the designated hanging cup assembly 6-7. Then, the top cover assembly 6-2 closes the automatic door. Then, the spindle motor assembly 6-5 starts to rotate according to the settings. During this process, the temperature of the rotor assembly 6-3 will rise sharply due to friction with the air in the cavity. At this time, the cooling assembly 6-4 starts to operate, thereby reducing the cavity temperature until it reaches the set temperature. When the centrifugation program is completed, the positioning assembly 6-6 will rotate the consumables to be removed to the automatic door opening position according to the settings (wherein, the consumables to be removed are controlled by the host computer software). Then, the automatic door on the top cover assembly 6-2 opens to remove the centrifuged consumables.

[0081] A workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from complex matrices includes a main frame 1, a pipetting robotic arm 4, a tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5, an inverting mixing assembly 8, a heating assembly 9, a shaking assembly 10, the aforementioned centrifuge 6, a sample position assembly 17, a worktable assembly 15, and a reagent position assembly 14.

[0082] The robotic arms (including the pipetting robotic arm 4, the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5) are located on the upper part of the main frame, and the robotic arms are controlled by the control system.

[0083] The main frame is also equipped with a platform assembly 11 and two sets of suction head assemblies 12 in the middle.

[0084] The inverted mixing component 8, heating component 9, oscillation component 10, platform component 11, and two sets of suction head components 12 are arranged side by side in the middle of the main frame and located below the robotic arm.

[0085] The sample position component 17 and the heating component 9 are placed side by side;

[0086] The workstation also includes a waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly 16, which is located in the middle of the main frame 1; the vibration assembly 10, the worktable assembly 15, and the waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly 16 are placed side by side in sequence.

[0087] The platform assembly 11 and the reagent placement assembly 14 are placed side by side; the platform assembly 11 is used for balancing when centrifuge tubes enter the centrifuge. The reagent placement assembly 14 is used to place reagents or additives, such as lysis buffer, microbial sedimentation aid, and washing solution.

[0088] The centrifuge assembly is located at the lower part of the main frame.

[0089] The pipetting robotic arm is used to add or remove liquid into reagent tubes (sample tubes or centrifuge tubes), and the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm is used to move reagent tubes or to open or close the caps of reagent tubes.

[0090] Preferably, the middle part of the main frame contains two sets of pipette tip assemblies 12, including a 200μL pipette tip assembly and a 5mL pipette tip assembly 13. Preferably, the two sets of pipette tip assemblies are respectively used to hold 200μL pipette tips and 5mL pipette tips.

[0091] The workstation also includes a waste liquid and waste material collection tank 7, located at the lower part of the main frame. The waste liquid and waste material collection tank 7 is placed side by side with the centrifuge 6 and is used to collect waste liquid or waste material.

[0092] The top of the main frame is also provided with an air filter assembly 2, which is used to filter air.

[0093] An operation screen 3 is also provided on the outside of the main frame 1. The operation screen 3 is used to control the robotic arm for subsequent experimental operations. Preferably, the operation screen 3 is located on the outside side of the main frame 1, such as the right or left side.

[0094] The main frame also has a barcode scanner assembly 18 in the middle, which is placed side by side with the mixing assembly. Preferably, the barcode scanner assembly is placed side by side with the inverted mixing assembly 8.

[0095] The working principle of this workstation is as follows:

[0096] (1) Place the sample tubes and centrifuge tubes in the corresponding positions of the sample position assembly 17, the reagent kit in the corresponding position of the reagent position assembly 14, the 200μL pipette tip consumable in the corresponding position of the 200μL pipette tip position assembly 12, and the 5mL pipette tip consumable in the corresponding position of the 5mL pipette tip position assembly 13. Then, start the test procedure by running the instrument through the operation screen 3.

[0097] (2) First, the sample tube and centrifuge tube consumables in the sample position assembly 17 are transferred to the barcode scanner assembly 18 by the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 for barcode scanning. Then, the sample tube is transferred to the inverting and mixing assembly 8 for sample blood mixing. After mixing, the sample tube and centrifuge tube are transferred to the corresponding position of the workbench assembly 15 and the caps of the sample tube and centrifuge tube are opened. At the same time, the pipetting robotic arm 4 is moved to the 5mL pipette tip position assembly 13 to insert the 5mL pipette tip. Then, it is moved to the workbench assembly 15 to dispense the sample in the sample tube into the centrifuge tube. Finally, the pipetting robotic arm 4 runs to the waste liquid and waste material position assembly 16 to discard the used 5mL pipette tip.

[0098] (3) The tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 closes the cap on the sample tube on the workbench assembly 15 and picks it up and puts it back in the corresponding position on the sample position assembly 17. Then the pipetting robotic arm 4 moves to the 200μL pipette tip position assembly 12 to insert a 200μL pipette tip, then moves to the reagent position assembly 14 to draw the corresponding reagent, then moves to the workbench assembly 15 to add the corresponding auxiliary agent into the centrifuge tube, and finally the pipetting robotic arm 4 moves to the waste liquid and waste material position assembly 16 to discard the used 200μL pipette tip.

[0099] (4) Then the pipetting robot arm 4 moves to the 5mL pipette tip assembly 13 to insert the 5mL pipette tip, then moves to the reagent assembly 14 to pick up the corresponding auxiliary agent, then moves to the worktable assembly 15 to add the corresponding auxiliary agent into the corresponding centrifuge tube, and finally moves to the waste liquid and waste material assembly 16 to discard the used 5mL pipette tip.

[0100] (5) Then the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robot arm 5 moves to the workbench assembly 15 to close the cap of the centrifuge tube and pick it up and transfer it to the corresponding position of the oscillation assembly 10 for oscillation. After the oscillation is completed, the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robot arm 5 puts the centrifuge tube into the centrifuge assembly 6 in sequence and automatically calculates whether balancing is needed based on the number of centrifuge tubes put in.

[0101] (6) If balancing is required, the tube transfer and cover opening / closing robotic arm 5 will move to the balancing platform assembly 11 for balancing. The balancing centrifuge tubes will be placed in the corresponding positions of the centrifuge assembly 6, and then the centrifuge assembly 6 will start running to perform centrifugation.

[0102] (7) After centrifugation, the transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 picks up the centrifuge tube and places it on the workbench assembly 15 to open the cap. Then, the transfer robotic arm 4 inserts the 5ml pipette tip from the 5ml pipette tip assembly and moves it to the opened centrifuge tube to collect the supernatant. After that, it moves to the waste liquid / waste material disposal assembly 16 to discard the waste liquid / waste pipette tip. Finally, the transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 closes the cap on the centrifuge tube on the workbench assembly 15.

[0103] (8) Repeat steps (5)-(7) 6 times. After the shaking is complete, the centrifuge tube is transferred to the heating component 9 by the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 for heating. After the heating is complete, the centrifuge tube is returned to the corresponding position of the sample position component 17.

[0104] Example 2

[0105] S1. Scanning and identification: Under the action of the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5, the sample tube and centrifuge tube are transferred to the barcode scanner assembly 18 for scanning and identification / recording.

[0106] S2. Sample mixing: The sample tube is transferred to the mixing assembly by the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 for inverting and mixing, and then transferred to the workbench assembly 15 together with the centrifuge tube.

[0107] S3. Blood Sample Dispensing and Reagent Addition: First Step of Lysis: The sample tube and centrifuge tube are opened using the pipetting and opening / closing robotic arm 5. The blood sample is quantitatively dispensed into the corresponding centrifuge tube by inserting a 5ml pipette tip from the 5mL pipette tip assembly 13 using the pipetting robotic arm 4. The discarded pipette tip is then sent to the waste liquid and waste material assembly 16 to complete the discarding of the pipette tip. Next, the pipetting robotic arm 4 inserts the corresponding consumable pipette tip to quantitatively add lysis buffer A and microbial sedimentation agent to the centrifuge tube that has just been dispensed with blood sample. The discarded pipette tip is then sent to the waste liquid and waste material assembly 16. The sample tube and centrifuge tube are closed using the pipetting and opening / closing robotic arm 5, and the sample tube is returned to its original position.

[0108] S4. The centrifuge tubes are transferred to the shaking assembly 10 for 1 minute of shaking by the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5, and then transferred to the centrifuge assembly 6 for 2-3 minutes of centrifugation (the balancing is performed automatically during this process).

[0109] S5. Discarding supernatant: After centrifugation, the centrifuge tubes are transferred from the centrifuge 6 to the workbench 15 via the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5 and the caps are opened. Then, the supernatant is quantitatively collected by inserting a 5ml pipette tip into the centrifuge tube using the pipette robotic arm. The supernatant is then discarded at the waste liquid outlet of the waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly, and the waste pipette tip is discarded at the waste material outlet of the waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly.

[0110] S6. Blood sample lysis for the 2nd-4th time: Use a pipette tip to draw a fixed amount of lysis buffer B, C, or D and add it to the centrifuge tube from which the supernatant was just collected. Then, use the pipette and capping robotic arm to close the centrifuge tube and transfer it to the shaking assembly for 1 minute of shaking. Then, transfer it to the centrifuge for 2-3 minutes of centrifugation (the balance is automatically performed during this process). Repeat the above operation 3 times (adding lysis buffer B, C, and D in sequence).

[0111] S7. Washing: Using the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm, remove the centrifuge tubes after the fourth lysis from the centrifuge and transfer them to the workbench assembly 15, then open the caps; next, use the pipetting robotic arm to insert a 5ml pipette tip to draw washing solution A, B, or C into the centrifuge tubes, then close the caps using the tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm 5, and transfer the tubes to the shaking assembly for 1 minute of shaking, then transfer them to the centrifuge for 2 minutes of centrifugation (automatic balancing occurs during this process), and then perform the supernatant disposal step S5 after centrifugation; repeat the above operation 3 times (adding washing solutions AB and C in sequence).

[0112] S8. Collection: The product after the last S7 wash is transferred to the designated location of the sample position by a tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm.

[0113] The above is the complete process flow for the workstation to separate and enrich microorganisms, which saves about 25% of the time compared to manual operation; depending on the sample size, it can enrich the bacterial cells to a concentration 5-10 times the original concentration.

[0114] The embodiments of this utility model have been described above by way of example. However, the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A centrifuge, characterized by, The centrifuge includes a main frame (6-1), and a partition plate is provided in the middle of the main frame, which divides the centrifuge into a centrifuge chamber and an accessory chamber. A rotor assembly is positioned above a partition plate and located within the centrifuge chamber for placing samples. The outer wall of the centrifuge chamber is equipped with a refrigeration component for cooling or refrigerating the centrifuge chamber; A positioning component is disposed below the partition, and the positioning component is located in the accessory compartment.

2. The centrifuge of claim 1, wherein, The centrifuge also includes a top cover assembly for sealing or covering the centrifuge.

3. The centrifuge of claim 2, wherein, One end of the top cover assembly is fixed to the main frame (6-1).

4. The centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotor assembly includes a centrifugal rotor and a cup-hanging assembly. The centrifugal rotor is fixedly connected to the upper output shaft of the main shaft motor assembly, and the cup-hanging assembly is set at an angle away from the center of the centrifugal rotor. The cup-hanging assembly is used to hold centrifuge tubes or sample tubes.

5. A workstation for extracting and enriching trace microorganisms from complex matrices, characterized in that, The workstation includes a main frame (1), a robotic arm, a mixing assembly, a centrifuge (6) as described in any one of claims 1-4, a sample position assembly (17), a workbench assembly (15), and a reagent position assembly (14). The robotic arm is located on the upper part of the main frame, and the robotic arm is controlled by the control system. The mixing component, sample position component (17), workbench component (15) and reagent position component (14) are arranged side by side in the middle of the main frame and located below the robotic arm. The centrifuge is located at the lower part of the main frame.

6. The workstation of claim 5, wherein, The robotic arm includes a pipetting robotic arm (4) and a tube transfer and cap opening / closing robotic arm (5), which are placed side by side.

7. The workstation of claim 6, wherein, The mixing assembly includes an inverting mixing assembly (8) and a heating assembly (9).

8. The workstation according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mixing component further includes an oscillation component (10).

9. The workstation of claim 8, wherein, The inverted mixing component, heating component, and oscillation component are arranged side by side in sequence.

10. The workstation of claim 5, wherein, The main frame is also provided with a distribution platform component (11) in the middle, which is placed side by side with the reagent position component (14).

11. The workstation of claim 10, wherein, The main frame is also provided with at least one set of suction head assembly (12) in the middle, the suction head assembly is placed side by side with the platform assembly (11); the suction head assembly is used to place the consumable gun head.

12. The workstation of claim 5, wherein, The workstation also includes a waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly (16), which is located in the middle of the main frame.

13. The workstation of claim 12, wherein, The waste liquid and waste material disposal assembly is placed side by side with the workbench assembly.

14. The workstation of claim 5, wherein, The workstation also includes a waste liquid and waste material collection tank (7) located at the bottom of the main frame. The waste liquid and waste material collection tank is placed side by side with the centrifuge assembly and is used to collect waste liquid or waste material.

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