Pipetting module for immunoblotting analyzer

Abstract

The pipetting module comprises a three-dimensional arm, a pipetting needle assembly and a liquid adding and sucking assembly, the three-dimensional arm comprises an X-axis moving supporting assembly, a Y-axis moving assembly and a Z-axis moving assembly, the X-axis moving supporting assembly comprises an X-axis guide rail, a connecting plate and a side plate, the connecting plate and the side plate are connected with the X-axis guide rail in a sliding mode, and the Z-axis moving assembly comprises a Z-axis guide rail, a Y-axis guide rail and a Z-axis guide rail. The Y-axis moving assembly comprises a Y-axis guide rail and a Z-axis bottom plate slidably connected with the Y-axis guide rail, the Z-axis moving assembly comprises a first Z-axis guide rail, a sample needle fixing seat, a second Z-axis guide rail and a reagent needle fixing seat, the pipetting needle assembly comprises a sample needle and a reagent needle which are vertically arranged, and the liquid adding and sucking assembly comprises two nozzles. The pipetting module disclosed by the utility model is simple and compact in structure and high in integration level, can efficiently complete complex pipetting work of immunoblotting detection, can reduce the overall size of an immunoblotting analyzer to a certain extent, and improves the portability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of immunoblotting analyzers, specifically relating to a pipetting module for immunoblotting analyzers. Background Technology

[0002] An immunoblotting analyzer is an instrument used to detect proteins, primarily for immunological research and clinical diagnosis. The pipetting module is a key component for automated operation. Immunoblot analyzers involve complex and precise pipetting operations; a highly automated pipetting module can avoid errors from manual operation, improve experimental repeatability and reliability, and significantly reduce the time and labor intensity of manual operations. However, the pipetting modules in existing conventional immunoblotting analyzers have complex structures, which are not conducive to maintenance and repair. Furthermore, their integration level and space utilization are low, resulting in a large overall size and reduced portability of the immunoblotting analyzer. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer that is simple in structure, highly integrated, and has high space utilization.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] This invention provides a pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer, comprising a three-dimensional arm, a pipetting needle assembly, and a liquid aspiration assembly. The three-dimensional arm includes an X-axis moving support assembly, a Y-axis moving assembly, and a Z-axis moving assembly. The X-axis moving support assembly includes a support base, an X-axis guide rail mounted on the support base, a connecting plate extending along the Z-axis direction and slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, and a side plate extending along the Y-axis direction and vertically arranged, fixedly connected to the upper end of the connecting plate. The Y-axis moving assembly includes a mounting base mounted on one side surface of the side plate, a Y-axis guide rail disposed on the mounting base, and a Z-axis base plate slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail. The Z-axis moving assembly includes a first Z-axis guide rail disposed on the Z-axis base plate and... The second Z-axis guide rail, the sample needle holder slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail, and the reagent needle holder slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail; the pipette assembly includes a sample needle vertically disposed on the sample needle holder, a reagent needle vertically disposed on the reagent needle holder, a first plunger pump and a second plunger pump connected to the sample needle via a hose mounted on the side plate; the liquid addition / absorption assembly includes a nozzle bracket rotatably connected to the lower front part of the mounting base, a first nozzle for adding diluent and a second nozzle for transferring waste liquid fixedly disposed on the nozzle bracket, a peristaltic pump connected to the first nozzle via a hose, and a diaphragm pump connected to the second nozzle via a hose.

[0006] In an embodiment of this utility model, the upper end of the connecting plate extends beyond the upper end of the support base, and the Y-axis moving component and the Z-axis moving component are located above the support base.

[0007] In the embodiments of this utility model, position sensors are respectively provided on the X-axis guide rail, Y-axis guide rail, first Z-axis guide rail, and second Z-axis guide rail.

[0008] Specifically, the support base extends in the left-right direction, the connecting plate extends in the up-down direction, the top of the connecting plate is provided with a transition plate, the transition plate extends backward from the connecting plate and is perpendicular to the connecting plate, the mounting base is disposed on the transition plate, and the side plate is fixedly connected to the transition plate.

[0009] In an embodiment of this utility model, the X-axis moving support assembly further includes a first driving assembly for driving the connecting plate to move along the X-axis direction. The first driving assembly includes a first synchronous belt mounted on the support base, a first motor mounted on the support base capable of driving the first synchronous belt to move, and a first slider mounted on the connecting plate. The first slider is slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, and the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the first synchronous belt.

[0010] Specifically, the X-axis guide rail includes an upper X-axis guide rail installed at the lower part of the support base and a lower X-axis guide rail installed at the upper part of the support base. The timing belt is disposed between the upper X-axis guide rail and the lower X-axis guide rail. There are two first sliders, one of which is slidably connected to the upper X-axis guide rail and the other is slidably connected to the lower X-axis guide rail.

[0011] In an embodiment of this utility model, the Y-axis moving assembly further includes a second driving assembly for driving the Z-axis base plate to move along the Y-axis direction. The second driving assembly includes a second synchronous belt mounted on the mounting base, a second motor mounted on the mounting base capable of driving the second synchronous belt, and a second slider mounted on the Z-axis base plate. The second slider is slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail. The bottom of the Z-axis base plate is fixedly connected to the second synchronous belt via a connecting rod. The Y-axis guide rail is mounted on the side of the mounting base. The second synchronous belt is located in the mounting base. A through groove extending along the Y-axis direction is provided on the side of the mounting base. The bottom of the Z-axis base plate is fixedly connected to the second synchronous belt via a connecting rod located in the through groove.

[0012] Specifically, the Y-axis guide rail includes an upper Y-axis guide rail and a lower Y-axis guide rail arranged symmetrically. The number of the second slider is two, one of which is slidably connected to the upper Y-axis guide rail, and the other is slidably connected to the lower Y-axis guide rail.

[0013] Specifically, the second motor is mounted on the end of the mounting base away from the connecting plate.

[0014] In an embodiment of this utility model, the Z-axis moving assembly further includes a third driving assembly for driving the sample needle holder to move along the Z-axis direction and a fourth driving assembly for driving the reagent needle holder to move along the Z-axis direction. The third driving assembly includes a first electric lead screw mounted on the Z-axis base plate and a third slider mounted on the sample needle holder and connected to the first electric lead screw. The third slider is slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail. The fourth driving assembly includes a second electric lead screw mounted on the Z-axis base plate and a fourth slider mounted on the reagent needle holder and connected to the second electric lead screw. The fourth slider is slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail.

[0015] Specifically, a mounting plate is fixedly connected to the top of the Z-axis base plate, and the motors of the first electric lead screw and the second electric lead screw are respectively mounted on the mounting plate.

[0016] In an embodiment of this utility model, the bottom of the mounting base is provided with a rotating wheel.

[0017] Specifically, the rotating wheel is located at the bottom of the end of the mounting base away from the connecting plate, and the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel extends along the Y-axis.

[0018] In this embodiment of the invention, a scanning device and a cleaning tank are mounted on the connecting plate. The scanning device is used for automatic sample scanning. The cleaning tank is located between the mounting base and the support base, and is used for cleaning sample needles and reagent needles. The bottom of the cleaning tank is provided with a connector for a connecting hose for injecting or replacing clean water into the cleaning tank.

[0019] In an embodiment of this utility model, the Y-axis moving assembly is mounted on one side surface of the side plate, and the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump are mounted on the other side surface of the side plate.

[0020] Specifically, a mounting frame is connected to the other side surface of the side plate, and the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump are placed in the mounting frame. Preferably, the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump are mounted on the side plate at the end away from the connecting plate.

[0021] In this embodiment of the invention, an image acquisition device is mounted on the side plate, and a drying device is mounted on the front end of the side plate. The drying device is located in front of the mounting base and the support base.

[0022] In an embodiment of this utility model, the Y-axis moving assembly is mounted on one side surface of the side plate, and the image acquisition device and the drying device are mounted on the other side surface of the side plate.

[0023] Due to the application of the above technical solution, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0024] The pipetting module of this invention has a simple and compact structure and high integration, which can efficiently complete the complex pipetting work of immunoblotting detection, including adding samples and reagents, adding diluent to dilute secondary antibodies, and transferring waste liquid, etc. It can reduce the overall size of the immunoblotting analyzer to a certain extent and improve portability. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting module in Example 1 from a first-view perspective.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting module of Example 1 from a second perspective.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting module in Example 1 from a third-view perspective.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting module in Example 1 from a fourth-view perspective.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting module in Example 1 from a fifth perspective;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a front view of the pipetting module in Example 1;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a rear view of the pipetting module in Example 1;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a left view of the pipetting module in Example 1;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a right view of the pipetting module of Example 1;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a top view of the pipetting module in Example 1.

[0035] Among them, 111, support base; 112, X-axis guide rail; 1121, upper X-axis guide rail; 1122, lower X-axis guide rail; 113, connecting plate; 114, adapter plate; 115, side plate; 1151, mounting frame; 116, first synchronous belt; 117, first motor; 118, first slider;

[0036] 121. Mounting base; 122. Y-axis guide rail; 1221. Upper Y-axis guide rail; 1222. Lower Y-axis guide rail; 123. Z-axis base plate; 124. Second synchronizing element; 125. Second motor; 126. Second slider; 127. Through slot; 128. Connecting rod; 129. Rotating wheel;

[0037] 131. First Z-axis guide rail; 132. Second Z-axis guide rail; 133. Sample needle holder; 134. Reagent needle holder; 135. First electric lead screw; 136. Third slider; 137. Second electric lead screw; 138. Fourth slider;

[0038] 21. Sample needle; 22. Reagent needle; 24. First plunger pump; 25. Second plunger pump;

[0039] 31. Nozzle support; 32. First nozzle; 33. Second nozzle;

[0040] 41. Scanning device; 42. Cleaning tank; 431. Camera; 432. Reflector; 433. Lighting device; 44. Drying device. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "X-axis," "Y-axis," "Z-axis," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the appendix. Figure 6 The orientations or positional relationships shown are for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] 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.

[0044] It should be understood that the attached diagram omits the tubing and the peristaltic pump and diaphragm pump that are not mounted on the 3D arm.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] This embodiment provides a pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer, such as... Figures 1-10 As shown, it includes a three-dimensional arm, a pipette assembly, and a liquid aspiration assembly.

[0047] Specifically, the three-dimensional arm includes an X-axis moving support assembly, a Y-axis moving assembly, and a Z-axis moving assembly.

[0048] In this embodiment, the X-axis moving support assembly includes a support base 111, an X-axis guide rail 112 mounted on the support base 111, a connecting plate 113 extending along the Z-axis direction and slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail 112, a side plate 115 extending along the Y-axis direction and vertically arranged and fixedly connected to the upper end of the connecting plate 113, and a first driving assembly for driving the connecting plate 113 to move along the X-axis direction. The support base 111 extends in the left-right direction, the connecting plate 113 extends in the up-down direction, a transition plate 114 is provided on the top of the connecting plate 113, the transition plate 114 extends rearward from the connecting plate 113 and is perpendicular to the connecting plate 113, a mounting base 121 is disposed on the transition plate 114, and the side plate 115 is fixedly connected to the transition plate 114. The first drive assembly includes a first synchronous belt 116 mounted on a support base 111, a first motor 117 mounted on the support base 111 capable of driving the first synchronous belt 116, and a first slider 118 mounted on a connecting plate 113. The first slider 118 is slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail 112, and the connecting plate 113 is fixedly connected to the first synchronous belt 116. The X-axis guide rail 112 includes an upper X-axis guide rail 1121 mounted on the lower part of the support base 111 and a lower X-axis guide rail 1122 mounted on the upper part of the support base 111. The synchronous belt is disposed between the upper X-axis guide rail 1121 and the lower X-axis guide rail 1122. There are two first sliders 118, one of which is slidably connected to the upper X-axis guide rail 1121, and the other is slidably connected to the lower X-axis guide rail 1122.

[0049] In this embodiment, the Y-axis moving assembly includes a mounting base 121 mounted on one side surface of the side plate 115, a Y-axis guide rail 122 disposed on the mounting base 121, a Z-axis base plate 123 slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail 122, and a second drive assembly for driving the Z-axis base plate 123 to move along the Y-axis direction. The second drive assembly includes a second synchronous belt 124 mounted on the mounting base 121, a second motor 125 mounted on the mounting base 121 capable of driving the second synchronous belt 124, and a second slider 126 mounted on the Z-axis base plate 123. The second slider 126 is slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail 122, and the bottom of the Z-axis base plate 123 is fixedly connected to the second synchronous belt 124. In this embodiment, the Y-axis guide rail 122 is mounted on the side of the mounting base 121, and the second synchronization belt 124 is located in the mounting base 121. A through groove 127 extending along the Y-axis direction is provided on the side of the mounting base 121. The bottom of the Z-axis base plate 123 is fixedly connected to the second synchronization belt 124 through a connecting rod 128 located in the through groove 127. The Y-axis guide rail 122 includes an upper Y-axis guide rail 1221 and a lower Y-axis guide rail 1222 arranged symmetrically. There are two second sliders 126, one of which is slidably connected to the upper Y-axis guide rail 1221, and the other is slidably connected to the lower Y-axis guide rail 1222. The second motor 125 is mounted on the end of the mounting base 121 away from the connecting plate 113.

[0050] In this embodiment, the Z-axis moving assembly includes a first Z-axis guide rail 131 and a second Z-axis guide rail 132 disposed on a Z-axis base plate 123, a sample needle 21 fixing seat 133 slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail 131, a reagent needle 22 fixing seat 134 slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail 132, a third driving assembly for driving the sample needle 21 fixing seat 133 to move along the Z-axis direction, and a fourth driving assembly for driving the reagent needle 22 fixing seat 134 to move along the Z-axis direction. The third driving assembly includes a first electric lead screw 135 mounted on the Z-axis base plate 123 and a third slider 136 mounted on the sample needle 21 fixing seat 133 and connected to the first electric lead screw 135. The third slider 136 is slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail 131. The fourth drive assembly includes a second electric lead screw 137 mounted on the Z-axis base plate 123 and a fourth slider 138 mounted on the reagent needle 22 mounting seat 134 and connected to the second electric lead screw 137. The fourth slider 138 is slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail 132. A mounting plate is fixedly connected to the top of the Z-axis base plate 123, and the motors of the first electric lead screw 135 and the second electric lead screw 137 are respectively mounted on the mounting plate.

[0051] In this embodiment, a rotating wheel 129 is provided at the bottom of the mounting base 121. The rotating wheel 129 is located at the bottom end of the mounting base 121 away from the connecting plate 113, and the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel 129 extends along the Y-axis. A scanning device 41 and a cleaning tank 42 are mounted on the connecting plate 113. The scanning device 41 is used for automatic sample scanning. The cleaning tank 42 is located between the mounting base 121 and the support base 111. The cleaning tank 42 is used for cleaning the sample needle 21 and reagent needle 22. A connector for a connecting hose is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 42 for injecting or replacing clean water into the cleaning tank 42. An image acquisition device is mounted on the side plate 115, and a drying device is mounted at the front end of the side plate 115. The drying device 44 is located in front of the mounting base 121 and the support base 111. The image acquisition device includes a camera 431, a reflector 432, and an illumination device 433.

[0052] Specifically, the pipette assembly includes a sample needle 21 vertically mounted on a sample needle 21 holder 133, a reagent needle 22 vertically mounted on a reagent needle 22 holder 134, a first plunger pump 24 connected to the sample needle 21 via a flexible tube, and a second plunger pump 25 connected to the reagent needle 22 via a flexible tube, all mounted on a side plate 115. In this embodiment, the Y-axis moving assembly is mounted on one side surface of the side plate 115, and a mounting frame 1151 is connected to the other side surface of the side plate 115. The first plunger pump 24 and the second plunger pump 25 are placed in the mounting frame 1151, preferably mounted at the end of the side plate 115 away from the connecting plate 113. In this embodiment, the image acquisition device and the drying device 44 are mounted on the other side surface of the side plate 115.

[0053] Specifically, the liquid aspiration assembly includes a nozzle bracket 31 rotatably connected to the lower front part of the mounting base 121, a first nozzle 32 for adding diluent and a second nozzle 33 for transferring waste liquid fixedly mounted on the nozzle bracket 31, a peristaltic pump (not shown in the figure) connected to the first nozzle 32 via a hose, and a diaphragm pump (not shown in the figure) connected to the second nozzle 33 via a hose.

[0054] In this embodiment, position sensors are respectively provided on the X-axis guide rail 112, Y-axis guide rail 122, first Z-axis guide rail 131, and second Z-axis guide rail 132.

[0055] The pipetting module described in this embodiment has a simple and compact structure with high integration, enabling it to efficiently complete complex pipetting tasks in immunoblotting detection. It can also reduce the overall size of the immunoblotting analyzer and improve portability to a certain extent. Based on this, the present invention also provides an immunoblotting analyzer including the aforementioned pipetting module. Other parts of the immunoblotting analyzer can refer to existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here. Due to the advantages of the aforementioned pipetting module, the immunoblotting analyzer containing this module has a small overall size and good portability.

[0056] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer, characterized by: It includes a three-dimensional arm, a pipette assembly, and a liquid addition / aspiration assembly. The three-dimensional arm includes an X-axis moving support assembly, a Y-axis moving assembly, and a Z-axis moving assembly. The X-axis moving support assembly includes a support base, an X-axis guide rail mounted on the support base, a connecting plate extending along the Z-axis direction and slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, and a side plate extending along the Y-axis direction and vertically arranged and fixedly connected to the upper end of the connecting plate. The Y-axis moving assembly includes a mounting base mounted on one side surface of the side plate, a Y-axis guide rail disposed on the mounting base, and a Z-axis base plate slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail. The Z-axis moving assembly includes a first Z-axis guide rail and a second Z-axis guide rail disposed on the Z-axis base plate, a sample needle holder slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail, and a reagent needle holder slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail. The pipette assembly includes a sample needle vertically mounted on the sample needle holder, a reagent needle vertically mounted on the reagent needle holder, a first plunger pump connected to the sample needle via a tubing and a second plunger pump connected to the reagent needle via a tubing mounted on the side plate. The liquid aspiration assembly includes a nozzle bracket rotatably connected to the lower front part of the mounting base, a first nozzle for adding diluent and a second nozzle for transferring waste liquid fixedly mounted on the nozzle bracket, a peristaltic pump connected to the first nozzle via a hose, and a diaphragm pump connected to the second nozzle via a hose.

2. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the connecting plate extends beyond the upper end of the support base, and the Y-axis moving assembly and the Z-axis moving assembly are located above the support base. Position sensors are respectively installed on the X-axis guide rail, Y-axis guide rail, first Z-axis guide rail, and second Z-axis guide rail.

3. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The X-axis moving support assembly further includes a first driving assembly for driving the connecting plate to move along the X-axis direction. The first driving assembly includes a first synchronous belt mounted on the support base, a first motor mounted on the support base capable of driving the first synchronous belt to move, and a first slider mounted on the connecting plate. The first slider is slidably connected to the X-axis guide rail, and the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the first synchronous belt.

4. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Y-axis moving assembly further includes a second driving assembly for driving the Z-axis base plate to move along the Y-axis direction. The second driving assembly includes a second synchronous belt mounted on the mounting base, a second motor mounted on the mounting base capable of driving the second synchronous belt, and a second slider mounted on the Z-axis base plate. The second slider is slidably connected to the Y-axis guide rail. The Y-axis guide rail is mounted on the side of the mounting base. The second synchronous belt is located in the mounting base. A through groove extending along the Y-axis direction is provided on the side of the mounting base. The bottom of the Z-axis base plate is fixedly connected to the second synchronous belt through a connecting rod located in the through groove.

5. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Z-axis moving assembly further includes a third driving assembly for driving the sample needle holder to move along the Z-axis direction and a fourth driving assembly for driving the reagent needle holder to move along the Z-axis direction. The third drive assembly includes a first electric lead screw mounted on the Z-axis base plate and a third slider mounted on the sample needle holder and connected to the first electric lead screw. The third slider is slidably connected to the first Z-axis guide rail. The fourth drive assembly includes a second electric lead screw mounted on the Z-axis base plate and a fourth slider mounted on the reagent needle holder and connected to the second electric lead screw. The fourth slider is slidably connected to the second Z-axis guide rail.

6. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer of claim 1, wherein: The mounting base is equipped with casters at its bottom.

7. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting plate is equipped with a scanning device and a cleaning tank.

8. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Y-axis moving assembly is mounted on one side surface of the side plate, and the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump are mounted on the other side surface of the side plate.

9. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that: An image acquisition device is installed on the side panel, and a drying device is installed at the front end of the side panel.

10. The pipetting module for an immunoblotting analyzer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The Y-axis moving assembly is mounted on one side surface of the side plate, and the image acquisition device and the drying device are mounted on the other side surface of the side plate.

Images