Liquid path control system for flow cytometer and flow cytometer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a liquid path control system for a flow cytometer and the flow cytometer. The liquid path control system for the flow cytometer comprises a sheath fluid container, a sheath fluid driving device, a flow pool, a flow monitoring device, a sample container, a waste liquid container and a controller. The sheath fluid container is used for containing sheath fluid; one end of the sheath fluid driving device is connected with the sheath fluid container, and the sheath fluid driving device is used for driving sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container to be pumped out; the flow type pool is provided with a sheath fluid inlet, a sample inlet and an outflow port, and the sheath fluid inlet is connected with the other end of the sheath fluid driving device; the flow monitoring device is connected between the sheath fluid inlet and the sheath fluid container; the sample container is used for accommodating a sample and is connected with the sample inlet; the waste liquid container is connected with the outflow port; and the controller is respectively connected with the flow monitoring device and the sheath fluid driving device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mechanical technology, and in particular to a fluid circuit control system for a flow cytometer and a flow cytometer. Background Technology

[0002] Flow cytometry is a technique for rapid, multi-parameter quantitative analysis and sorting of cells or other biological particles arranged in a single file within a fluid stream. In existing flow cytometers, the stability and accuracy of the fluid flow control system have a crucial impact on the accuracy of the test results. Traditional fluid flow control systems suffer from problems such as fluid flow instability, which severely affect the detection accuracy and reliability of flow cytometry, hindering its further application and development in scientific research, clinical diagnostics, and other fields.

[0003] The above content is only used to help understand the technical solution of this utility model and does not represent an admission that the above content is prior art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a fluid circuit control system for a flow cytometer and a flow cytometer, aiming to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a fluid control system for a flow cytometer, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer comprising:

[0006] Sheath fluid container, used to hold sheath fluid;

[0007] A sheath fluid driving device, one end of which is connected to the sheath fluid container, is used to drive the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container to be pumped out;

[0008] A flow cell has a sheath fluid inlet, a sample inlet, and an outlet, wherein the sheath fluid inlet is connected to the other end of the sheath fluid driving device;

[0009] A flow monitoring device is connected between the sheath fluid inlet and the sheath fluid container;

[0010] A sample container for holding a sample, the sample container being connected to the sample inlet;

[0011] Waste liquid container, connected to the outlet; and,

[0012] The controller is connected to the flow monitoring device and the sheath fluid driving device, respectively.

[0013] Preferably, in the fluid circuit control system for the flow cytometer, the sheath fluid driving device includes:

[0014] A sheath fluid peristaltic pump, one end of which is connected to the sheath fluid container, and the other end of which is connected to one end of the flow monitoring device;

[0015] A drive motor is provided, with one end connected to the sheath fluid peristaltic pump for controlling the pumping flow rate of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump. The other end of the drive motor is electrically connected to the controller.

[0016] Preferably, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer further includes a cleaning container and a sheath fluid container, one of which is connected to the sheath fluid inlet.

[0017] Preferably, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer further includes a first three-way valve, which includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the other end of the flow monitoring device, and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump and the sheath fluid container are located on the same side of the first inlet. The second inlet is connected to the cleaning peristaltic pump, and the first outlet is connected to the sheath fluid inlet.

[0018] Preferably, in the fluid control system for the flow cytometer, a filter is also connected between the flow monitoring device and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump.

[0019] Preferably, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer further includes a sample driving device connected to the sample container, which can selectively drive the solution out of the sample container and the liquid in the tubing.

[0020] Preferably, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer further includes an overflow valve, which is optionally connected between the waste container and the outlet.

[0021] Preferably, the fluid control system for the flow cytometer further includes a second three-way valve, which includes a third inlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet, with the second outlet connected to the waste container.

[0022] The overflow valve is connected between the third outlet and the waste liquid container.

[0023] Preferably, in the fluid control system for the flow cytometer, the sample driving device is a sample peristaltic pump.

[0024] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides a flow cytometer, which includes the above-mentioned fluid control system for the flow cytometer.

[0025] This utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The fluid control system for flow cytometer provided by this invention introduces a flow closed-loop feedback control system. When the flow monitoring device detects fluctuations in the sheath fluid flow rate, the flow rate of the sheath fluid can be adjusted by controlling the sheath fluid drive device to ensure the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid and achieve precise control of the sheath fluid flow rate.

[0027] Furthermore, during operation, the sheath fluid driving device drives the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container to flow out and out, passing through the flow monitoring device. The flow monitoring device monitors the flow rate of the sheath fluid. When there is a difference between the flow rate monitored by the flow monitoring device and the target flow rate, the controller controls the sheath fluid driving device to adjust the flow rate to control the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid, thereby achieving precise control of the sheath fluid flow rate.

[0028] Furthermore, during cleaning, the sample drive device reverses the flow of liquid into the sample container, causing the liquid in the tubing connected to the sample peristaltic pump to flow into the sample container. At this time, the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container is driven into the flow cell by the sheath fluid drive device. Thus, the injection needle in the flow cell, under the action of the sample peristaltic pump, reverses the flow cell to draw up the sheath fluid, which fills the flow cell and flushes the injection needle and the connecting tubing of the sample peristaltic pump. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the fluid circuit control system for a flow cytometer provided by this utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fluid control system used in a flow cytometer during operation.

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fluid control system used in a flow cytometer during routine cleaning.

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fluid control system used in a flow cytometer during deep cleaning.

[0033] Serial Number name Serial Number name 100 Fluid control system for flow cytometers 6 Waste liquid container 1 Sheath fluid container 7 controller 21 Sheath fluid peristaltic pump 8 Cleaning container 22 drive motor 91 First three-way valve 3 Flow pool 92 Second three-way valve 31 Sheath fluid inlet 10 Sample peristaltic pump 32 Sample import 20 Filter 33 Outlet 30 Overflow valve 4 Flow monitoring device 40 Cleaning peristaltic pump 5 Sample container

[0034] The purpose, features, and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0036] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0039] In this utility model, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "top," and "bottom" are generally used in relation to the direction shown in the accompanying drawings, or in relation to the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction of the component itself; similarly, for ease of understanding and description, "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of each component itself, but the above directional terms are not used to limit this utility model.

[0040] This invention provides a fluid control system for a flow cytometer, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the fluid control system 100 for a flow cytometer includes a sheath fluid container 1, a sheath fluid driving device, a flow cytometer 3, a flow monitoring device 4, a sample container 5, a waste liquid container 6, and a controller 7. The sheath fluid container 1 contains sheath fluid; one end of the sheath fluid driving device is connected to the sheath fluid container 1 to drive the sheath fluid in the container 1 to be pumped out; the flow cytometer 3 has a sheath fluid inlet 31, a sample inlet 32, and an outlet 33, with the sheath fluid inlet 31 connected to the other end of the sheath fluid driving device; the flow monitoring device 4 is connected between the sheath fluid inlet 31 and the sheath fluid container 1; the sample container 5 contains a sample and is connected to the sample inlet 32; the waste liquid container 6 is connected to the outlet 33; and the controller 7 is connected to the flow monitoring device 4 and the sheath fluid driving device.

[0041] The fluid control system 100 for flow cytometer provided by this utility model introduces a flow closed-loop feedback control system. When the flow monitoring device 4 detects fluctuations in the sheath fluid flow rate, it can adjust the flow rate of the sheath fluid by controlling the sheath fluid drive device to ensure the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid and achieve precise control of the sheath fluid flow rate.

[0042] To achieve accurate cell analysis, the flow cytometer's fluid system must maintain laminar flow in the liquid channels, and a stable flow rate of the sheath fluid plays a crucial role in this laminar flow. Specifically, such as... Figure 2 As shown, during operation, the sheath fluid driving device drives the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container 1 to flow out and out, passing through the flow monitoring device 4. The flow monitoring device 4 monitors the flow rate of the sheath fluid. When there is a difference between the flow rate monitored by the flow monitoring device 4 and the target flow rate, the controller 7 controls the sheath fluid driving device to adjust the flow rate to control the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid, thereby achieving precise control of the sheath fluid flow rate.

[0043] Specifically, the sheath fluid driving device includes a sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21 and a drive motor 22. One end of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21 is connected to the sheath fluid container 1, and the other end is connected to one end of the flow monitoring device 4. One end of the drive motor 22 is connected to the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21 for driving and controlling the pumping flow rate of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21. The other end of the drive motor 22 is electrically connected to the controller 7. The overall flow rate of the sheath fluid is adjusted by regulating the rotational speed of the drive motor 22. For example, when the flow rate detected by the flow monitoring device 4 is greater than the target flow rate, the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid can be reduced by decreasing the rotational speed of the drive motor 22; when the flow rate detected by the flow monitoring device 4 is less than the target flow rate, the overall flow rate of the sheath fluid can be increased by increasing the rotational speed of the drive motor 22.

[0044] More specifically, during normal operation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the sheath fluid driving device drives the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container 1 to flow out and out. After passing through the flow monitoring device 4, the flow rate of the sheath fluid is monitored by the flow monitoring device 4. The sheath fluid enters the sheath fluid inlet 31. The sample in the sample container and the sheath fluid converge in the flow cell 3. The sample flow will be covered with a layer of sheath fluid. The cells will be arranged in a line. After being counted by laser, the cells flow into the waste liquid container 6.

[0045] In addition, to prevent impurities in the sheath fluid entering the flow cell 3, a filter 20 is connected between the flow monitoring device 4 and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21. Of course, in other embodiments, the flow monitoring device 4 can also be located between the filter 20 and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21.

[0046] More specifically, it also includes a sample driving device connected to the sample container 5, which can selectively drive the solution out of the sample container 5 and the liquid in the tubing. In this embodiment, the sample driving device is a sample peristaltic pump 10.

[0047] After routine experimental analysis, test samples may remain in the injection needles of the sample peristaltic pump 10 and the flow cell 3. Therefore, it is necessary to routinely clean the connecting tubing of the sample peristaltic pump 10 and the injection needles with sheath fluid. Figure 3 As shown, during cleaning, the sample peristaltic pump 10 drives the sample container in reverse, causing the liquid in the tubing connected to the sample peristaltic pump 10 to flow into the sample container. At this time, the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container 1 is driven into the flow cell 3 by the sheath fluid driving device. Thus, the injection needle in the flow cell 3, under the action of the sample peristaltic pump 10, draws back the sheath fluid that fills the flow cell 3, rinsing the injection needle and the connecting tubing of the sample peristaltic pump 10.

[0048] To ensure that the sheath fluid fills the flow cell 3 and is drawn up by the injection needle within it, the flow rate of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21 needs to be greater than that of the sample peristaltic pump 10. Simultaneously, to prevent excessive pressure in the flow cell 3, the outlet 33 of the flow cell 3 can be connected to an overflow valve 30 for pressure relief. Specifically, the overflow valve 30 can be selectively connected between the waste liquid container 6 and the outlet 33. More specifically, the fluid control system 100 for the flow cytometer also includes a second three-way valve 92, which includes a third inlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet. The second outlet is connected to the waste liquid container 6; the overflow valve 30 is connected between the third outlet and the waste liquid container 6. Thus, when cleaning is required, the third inlet and the third outlet are connected, allowing the cleaning sheath fluid to flow from the outlet 33 through the overflow valve 30 to the waste liquid container 6, thereby achieving cleaning of the interior of the flow cell 3.

[0049] Furthermore, for certain samples, such as quality control microspheres, the cleaning effect is not ideal if only sheath fluid is used for washing, and a special cleaning solution is required. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fluid control system 100 for the flow cytometer also includes a cleaning container 8, one of which, along with the sheath fluid container 1, is connected to the sheath fluid inlet 31.

[0050] More specifically, the cleaning container 8 is driven by a cleaning peristaltic pump 40. The cleaning container 8 contains cleaning fluid. It also includes a first three-way valve 91, which includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the other end of the flow monitoring device 4, and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump 21 and the sheath fluid container 1 are located on the same side of the first inlet. The second inlet is connected to the cleaning peristaltic pump 40, and the first outlet is connected to the sheath fluid inlet 31. One end of the cleaning peristaltic pump 40 is connected to the cleaning container 8, and the other end is connected to the second inlet.

[0051] When the flow cytometer is operating normally, the first inlet and the first outlet are connected. For example... Figure 4 As shown, when deep cleaning of the sample peristaltic pump 10 and the flow cytometer 3 is required, the second inlet and the first outlet are connected. The cleaning solution in the cleaning container 8 is driven out by the cleaning solution peristaltic pump and enters the flow cytometer 3. Under the action of the sample peristaltic pump 10, the injection needle in the flow cytometer 3 draws back the cleaning solution to fill the flow cytometer 3, rinsing the injection needle and the connecting tubing of the sample peristaltic pump 10. When the third inlet and the third outlet are connected, the cleaning solution flows out from the outlet 33 and then through the overflow valve 30 to the waste liquid container 6, thereby achieving cleaning of the inside of the flow cytometer 3.

[0052] This invention also provides a flow cytometer, which includes the aforementioned fluid control system 100 for a flow cytometer. Embodiments of this flow cytometer include embodiments of the aforementioned fluid control system 100 for a flow cytometer, and the beneficial effects of the aforementioned fluid control system 100 for a flow cytometer can be applied to this flow cytometer.

[0053] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications without creative effort, and all such variations or modifications should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A fluid circuit control system for a flow cytometer, characterized in that, include: Sheath fluid container, used to hold sheath fluid; A sheath fluid driving device, one end of which is connected to the sheath fluid container, is used to drive the sheath fluid in the sheath fluid container to be pumped out; A flow cell has a sheath fluid inlet, a sample inlet, and an outlet, wherein the sheath fluid inlet is connected to the other end of the sheath fluid driving device; A flow monitoring device is connected between the sheath fluid inlet and the sheath fluid container; A sample container for holding a sample, the sample container being connected to the sample inlet; Waste liquid container, connected to the outlet; as well as, The controller is connected to the flow monitoring device and the sheath fluid driving device, respectively; A cleaning container, wherein one of the cleaning container and the sheath fluid container is connected to the sheath fluid inlet; The sheath fluid driving device includes a sheath fluid peristaltic pump and a drive motor. One end of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump is connected to the sheath fluid container, and the other end is connected to one end of the flow monitoring device. One end of the drive motor is connected to the sheath fluid peristaltic pump and is used to control the pumping flow rate of the sheath fluid peristaltic pump. The other end of the drive motor is electrically connected to the controller. The overall flow rate of the sheath fluid is adjusted by the rotational speed of the drive motor. The first three-way valve includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the other end of the flow monitoring device, and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump and the sheath fluid container are located on the same side of the first inlet. The second inlet is connected to the cleaning peristaltic pump, and the first outlet is connected to the sheath fluid inlet.

2. The fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A filter is also connected between the flow monitoring device and the sheath fluid peristaltic pump.

3. The fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sample driving device connected to the sample container, which can selectively drive the solution out of the sample container and the liquid in the tubing.

4. The fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes an overflow valve, which can be selectively connected between the waste container and the outlet.

5. The fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a second three-way valve, which includes a third inlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet, with the second outlet connected to the waste liquid container; The overflow valve is connected between the third outlet and the waste liquid container.

6. The fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The sample driving device is a sample peristaltic pump.

7. A flow cytometer, characterized in that, Includes the fluid control system for a flow cytometer as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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