Neurotransmitter analyzer

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of neurotransmitter analysis, in particular to a neurotransmitter analyzer which comprises a box body, a heat preservation door is arranged on the front side face of the box body, a heat preservation door cavity facing an opening of the box body is arranged in the heat preservation door, and a chromatographic column clamp used for installing a chromatographic column is arranged in the heat preservation door cavity. A mounting panel is arranged in the box body and close to the thermal insulation door, a degasser, a high-pressure pump and a detection chamber are arranged on the mounting panel, the detection chamber is of an open structure facing an opening of the thermal insulation door, and the variable-temperature and constant-temperature device is arranged in the detection chamber; the heat preservation door is matched with the mounting panel, a cavity of the heat preservation door is communicated with the detection chamber to form a temperature control area, and the area is used for conducting heat preservation on the degasser, the high-pressure pump, the detection chamber, the chromatographic column and a pipeline arranged in the box body. The device has the advantages that the analysis efficiency, the sensitivity and the selectivity are improved; the automation degree is high, and personal errors are reduced; the chromatographic column is arranged on the thermal insulation door through the chromatographic column clamp, so that replacement and maintenance are convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of neurotransmitter analysis technology, specifically a neurotransmitter analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Neurotransmitters are information-transmitting substances secreted by neurons in the brain. The main neurotransmitters include amino acids: glutamate, aspartic acid, serine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glycine; monoamines: histamine, serotonin; catecholamines: dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine; trace amines: phenylethylamine, N-methylphenylethylamine, tyramine, 3-iodothyronine, octamine, tryptamine; peptides: oxytocin, somatostatin, substance P, transcriptional peptides regulated by cocaine and amphetamine, opioid peptides; purines: adenosine triphosphate, adenosine; others: acetylcholine, arachidonic acid, etc.

[0003] Neurotransmitters can be detected using existing technologies, including: electrochemical detection: measuring the release of neurotransmitters in vitro or in vivo using electrochemical sensors. This technology has high sensitivity and selectivity and can be used to monitor multiple neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and glutamate; optical detection: using optical techniques, such as protein fluorescent labeling and fluorescence resonance energy transfer, to monitor the release and signal transduction of neurotransmitters; electrophysiological recording: recording the electrical activity of neurons by implanting electrodes on or around the surface of neurons; molecular imaging: using techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), combined with specific neurotransmitter markers, to directly or indirectly detect the distribution and changes of neurotransmitters in the brain; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can also be used to measure neurotransmitters.

[0004] These technologies have wide applications in neuroscience research and clinical diagnosis, providing important tools and means for understanding the function and diseases of the nervous system. However, there are still some problems and shortcomings, such as low detection efficiency, low sensitivity, complex operation, and high detection cost. In addition, neurotransmitters have high temperature sensitivity. When the ambient temperature changes significantly, the performance of neurotransmitters in the chromatographic column and electrochemical detector will change significantly. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a neurotransmitter analyzer that integrates the automatic detection of neurotransmitters into a single design, achieving fully automated constant temperature processing from sample refrigeration to electrochemical detection.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, a neurotransmitter analyzer is designed, comprising: a housing, an insulated door on the front side of the housing, an insulated door cavity opening towards the housing, and a column clamp for mounting a chromatographic column within the insulated door cavity; a mounting panel located near the insulated door within the housing, the mounting panel housing a degasser, a high-pressure pump, a switching valve, and a detection chamber, the detection chamber being an open structure facing the insulated door, and a variable-temperature constant-temperature device disposed within the detection chamber; the insulated door cooperates with the mounting panel, the insulated door cavity communicating with the detection chamber to form a temperature-controlled area, which is used to insulate the degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve, and pipelines disposed within the housing.

[0007] Preferably, the present invention further includes: an insulation material is provided on the inner side of the insulation door cavity, a support plate is provided on the insulation material, a chromatographic column clamp is provided on the support plate, and the chromatographic column is installed on the chromatographic column clamp.

[0008] Preferably, the present invention further includes: a solenoid valve, wherein the solenoid valve and the switching valve are disposed on the mounting panel; a degasser, disposed on the mounting panel and connected to the solenoid valve via a pipeline; a high-pressure pump, disposed on the mounting panel and connected to the solenoid valve and the switching valve via pipelines; and an electrochemical detector, disposed in the detection chamber and connected to the chromatographic column via a pipeline.

[0009] Preferably, the present invention further includes: an automatic sample injection device is provided inside the box, the automatic sample injection device is connected to the chromatographic column and the switching valve respectively through pipelines, and an injection door is provided on the front side of the box, the injection door and the insulation door cooperate to form a double-opening swing door structure on the front side of the box.

[0010] Preferably, the present invention further includes: the automatic sample injection device comprising: a sample cooling device disposed within the chamber; a sample rack disposed on the sample cooling device, the sample rack having a plurality of grooves for accommodating samples; a multidimensional robotic arm disposed in the upper part of the chamber, the moving end of the multidimensional robotic arm having a puncture needle connected to the injection pump; and a six-way valve disposed within the chamber, connected to the chromatographic column and the switching valve respectively via pipelines.

[0011] Preferably, the present invention further includes: the housing further includes: a data conversion device, which is signal-connected to the automatic sample injector, degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve and data processing device; a signal switching device, which is signal-connected to the data conversion device and data processing device; and a solenoid valve control device, which is signal-connected to the automatic sample injector, degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve and data processing device.

[0012] Preferably, the present invention further includes: a door latch tongue is provided on the inner side of the heat-insulating door, and a door latch seat is provided on the mounting panel, wherein the door latch tongue is inserted into the door latch seat when the heat-insulating door and the mounting panel are in contact.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0014] 1. It can detect multiple neurotransmitters simultaneously, improving analysis efficiency.

[0015] 2. High sensitivity and selectivity, suitable for detecting low concentrations and structurally similar neurotransmitters.

[0016] 3. High degree of automation, reducing human error and improving detection accuracy and repeatability.

[0017] 4. The detection requirements of different types of neurotransmitters can be adapted by adjusting parameters such as the working electrode material and mobile phase composition of the electrochemical analyzer.

[0018] 5. It requires a small amount of sample and is suitable for a variety of biological samples, such as cerebrospinal fluid, blood, saliva, and urine.

[0019] 6. Integrated design, easy to operate, suitable for daily use in clinical laboratories.

[0020] 7. Convenient column replacement design: The column is mounted on the insulated door via a column clamp for easy replacement and maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front view of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the insulated door of this utility model in its open state;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a front view of the pipeline after it is connected, at which point the insulation door and the mounting panel are in a mating state and the insulation door is viewed in section.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the insulated door in the open state after the pipeline is connected;

[0026] In the diagram: 1 Automatic sample injector, 101 Sample cooling device, 102 Sample rack, 103 Puncture needle, 104 Multi-dimensional robotic arm, 105 Injection pump, 106 Six-way valve, 2 Mounting panel, 201 High-pressure pump, 202 Degasser, 203 Electrochemical detector, 204 Detection chamber, 205 Variable temperature thermostat, 206 Switching valve, 207 Solenoid valve, 3 Chromatographic column, 301 Column clamp, 302 Support plate, 303 Insulation material, 4 Signal switching device, 5 Solenoid valve control device, 6 Data switching device, 7 Data processing device, 8 Insulated door, 801 Door latch, 802 Door latch seat, 803 Rubber coil, 804 Flexible insulation pad, 9 Sample injection door. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the purpose, principle and structure of this utility model clearer, the following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model provides a neurotransmitter analyzer, including a housing, an insulated door 8, a sample inlet door 9, a mounting panel 2, and multiple functional modules integrated into the housing. The front of the housing adopts a double-opening swing door design, with the insulated door 8 on the right and the sample inlet door 9 on the left. When both are closed, they form a sealed and insulated environment.

[0029] The mounting panel 2 is located inside the chamber near the insulation door 8, and is fixedly mounted on it the high-pressure pump 201, the degasser 202, the detection chamber 204, the variable temperature and constant temperature device 205, the switching valve 206, and the solenoid valve 207. The detection chamber 204 is open to the insulation door 8 and has an open structure. It integrates an electrochemical detector 203 and a variable temperature and constant temperature device 205, which are used to receive the target substance after chromatographic separation and generate electrochemical signals. The variable temperature and constant temperature device 205 ensures that the temperature is constant and controllable during the detection process.

[0030] The inner side of the insulated door 8 is provided with an insulated door cavity, and the inner side of the cavity is lined with insulation material 303. A support plate 302 is also provided on the insulation material 303 inside the cavity for connecting and fixing the chromatographic column clamp 301. The chromatographic column 3 is detachably installed on the clamp position. When the insulated door 8 is closed, its cavity is connected to and sealed with the detection chamber 204, forming a constant temperature zone covering the degasser 202, high-pressure pump 201, detection chamber 204, chromatographic column 3, switching valve 206, solenoid valve 207 and pipelines. The temperature is regulated by a variable temperature constant temperature device 205.

[0031] The cavity on the inside of the housing near the sample inlet 9 is the housing space for the automatic sample inlet device 1. The automatic sample inlet device 1 includes components such as a sample cooling device 101, a sample holder 102, a multi-dimensional robotic arm 104, and a six-way valve 106.

[0032] The sample cooling device 101 is located inside the chamber, and the heat-conducting sample rack 102 is installed on the sample cooling device 101 to maintain the sample in a low-temperature environment and prevent neurotransmitter degradation.

[0033] The multi-dimensional robotic arm 104 is mounted on the upper part of the housing and can move in XYZ three-dimensional space. Its end is connected to a puncture needle 103 and an injection pump 105. After startup, the multi-dimensional robotic arm 104 precisely positions the sample vial, and the puncture needle 103 penetrates the vial cap to aspirate a specified amount of sample.

[0034] The six-way valve 106 is fixed inside the box. After receiving the sample injected by the puncture needle, it switches the flow path and introduces the sample into the detection fluid system.

[0035] The insulation door 8 has a through hole for pipes to pass through. A cross-shaped rubber bead is installed in the through hole. The cross-shaped bead engages with the through hole of the insulation door 8, providing elastic support for the pipe passing through and isolating it from heat exchange between the inside and outside of the insulation door 8. A flexible insulation pad 804 is provided along the circumference of the contact surface between the insulation door 8 and the mounting panel 2.

[0036] The inlet pipe passes through the through hole 8 of the insulation door and is connected to the degasser 202. The outlet of the degasser 202 is connected to the solenoid valve 207 through a pipe.

[0037] High-pressure pump 201 is connected to solenoid valve 207 via a pipeline, and the other end of high-pressure pump 201 is connected to switching valve 206 via a pipeline. Switching valve 206 is connected to six-way valve 106 via a pipeline. The pipeline between switching valve 206 and six-way valve 106 runs from the front of mounting panel 2 to the receiving space of automatic sample injection device 1. The inner side of the heat preservation door 8 is provided with door latch 801, and the mounting panel 2 is provided with door latch seat 802. The heat preservation door 8 and the mounting panel 2 are fitted together by the latch seat to achieve a tight fit between the flexible heat preservation pad 804 on the heat preservation door 8 and the mounting panel 2. The pipeline running from the front of mounting panel 2 to the receiving space of automatic sample injection device 1 is clamped by the elastic force of the flexible heat preservation pad 804 of heat preservation door 8. Under the action of clamping pressure, the pipeline is embedded in the flexible heat preservation pad 804, so that the receiving space of automatic sample injection device 1 and the inner cavity of heat preservation door 8 can form both temperature isolation and pipeline passage. The upper and lower side edges of the inner side of the sample inlet gate 9 are provided with pads, which create a gap on the right side edge when the sample inlet gate 9 and the housing are fitted together, and the gap is used for the pipeline to pass through.

[0038] The outlet of the six-way valve 106 is connected to the chromatographic column 3 via a conduit. This conduit, similarly, bypasses the front of the mounting panel 2 and is embedded in the flexible insulation pad 804 under the pressure of the locking seat. The sample is injected into the mobile phase through the six-way valve 106 by the puncture needle 103 of the multi-dimensional robotic arm 104. The mobile phase carrying the sample at a stable flow rate (containing conductive salt and buffer) enters the chromatographic column 3 for separation. The outlet of the chromatographic column 3 is connected to the electrochemical detector 203 via a conduit. The separated sample mobile phase enters the electrochemical flow cell of the electrochemical detector 203 for detection. After detection, the mobile phase flows out of the electrochemical detector 203 and is discharged through a waste liquid conduit.

[0039] The syringe pump 105 and the high-pressure pump 201 are equipped with pump pressure sensors, and the six-way valve 106, the switching valve 206, and the solenoid valve 207 are equipped with an electrical control system.

[0040] The variable temperature constant temperature device 205 is integrated into the detection chamber 204. It can use semiconductor temperature control technology to adjust the temperature of the chromatographic column 3 and the detection chamber 204 to ensure that the separation and detection process is in a constant temperature environment.

[0041] The electrochemical detector 203 is installed in the detection chamber 204. The electrochemical detector 203 is equipped with a three-electrode system (working electrode, reference electrode, and auxiliary electrode). By applying a variable voltage, the neurotransmitter undergoes a redox reaction, generating a current signal and converting it into a chromatogram.

[0042] The solenoid valve control device 5 supports fully automatic and manual modes to regulate pipeline on / off and flow path switching.

[0043] The data conversion device 6 receives the analog signal from the electrochemical detector 203, converts it into a digital signal, and then transmits it to the data processing device 7.

[0044] The signal switching device 4 supports outputting normal quantity signals, pump pressure signals, or combinations thereof, to meet the needs of various scientific research scenarios.

[0045] The data processing device 7 performs peak identification, quantitative analysis, and generates a test report.

[0046] The specific workflow of this utility model is as follows.

[0047] Sample loading: Place the sealed sample vial on the sample rack 102, close the sample inlet door 9, and start the sample cooling device 101.

[0048] Mobile phase inlet: Install the corresponding chromatographic column 3, close the insulation door 8, and the mobile phase is fed into the degasser 202 through the pipeline. The mobile phase passes through the degasser 202, solenoid valve 207, high-pressure pump 201, and switching valve 206 in sequence before entering the six-way valve 106.

[0049] Automatic sample injection: The multi-dimensional robotic arm 104 positions the target sample bottle, the puncture needle 103 penetrates the bottle cap to draw up the sample, and the injection pump 105 precisely controls the injection volume before injecting it into the six-way valve 106.

[0050] Chromatographic separation: The six-way valve 106 switches the flow path to push the sample into the chromatographic column 3 for separation. The variable temperature thermostat 205 maintains a constant temperature environment.

[0051] Electrochemical detection: The separated neurotransmitters enter the electrochemical detection cell of the detection chamber 204, where a redox reaction occurs on the surface of the working electrode. The electrochemical detector 203 records the current change and generates a signal. The mobile phase that has completed the detection is discharged from the electrochemical detection cell into the waste liquid tank through the pipeline.

[0052] Data processing: After the signal is digitized by the data conversion device 6, it is analyzed by the data processing device 7 and quantitative results are output.

[0053] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, based on the technical solution and novel concept of this utility model, should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A neurotransmitter analyzer, characterized in that, include: The chamber has an insulated door on its front side, and an insulated door cavity inside the insulated door that faces the chamber. The insulated door cavity contains a column clamp for installing the chromatographic column. An installation panel is located near the insulation door inside the chamber. The installation panel is equipped with a degasser, a high-pressure pump, a switching valve, and a testing chamber. The testing chamber is an open structure facing the insulation door, and a variable temperature constant temperature device is installed inside the testing chamber. The insulated door works in conjunction with the mounting panel, and the cavity of the insulated door is connected to the detection chamber to form a temperature-controlled area. This area is used to insulate the degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve, and pipelines installed inside the chamber.

2. The neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner side of the insulated door cavity is provided with insulation material, and a flexible insulation pad is provided along the periphery of the contact surface between the insulated door and the mounting panel. A support plate is provided on the insulation material, and a chromatographic column clamp is provided on the support plate. The chromatographic column is installed on the chromatographic column clamp.

3. The neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a solenoid valve, which, along with the switching valve, is mounted on a mounting panel; The degasser is mounted on the mounting panel and is connected to the solenoid valve via a pipeline. The high-pressure pump is mounted on the mounting panel and is connected to the solenoid valve and the switching valve through pipelines. An electrochemical detector is installed in the detection chamber and is connected to the chromatographic column via tubing.

4. A neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The chamber is also equipped with an automatic sample injection device, which is connected to the chromatographic column and the switching valve through pipelines. The front side of the chamber is also equipped with an injection door, which, together with the insulation door, forms a double-opening swing door structure on the front side of the chamber.

5. A neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The automatic sample dispenser includes: The sample cooling device is installed inside the chamber; A sample holder is mounted on the sample cooling device and has several grooves for holding samples. A multidimensional robotic arm is located in the upper part of the box, and the moving end of the multidimensional robotic arm is equipped with a puncture needle that is connected to the injection pump. The six-way valve is located inside the chamber and is connected to the chromatographic column and the switching valve via pipelines.

6. A neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The enclosure also includes: The data conversion device is connected to the automatic sampler, degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve, solenoid valve and data processing device for signal transmission. A signal switching device that is connected to the data conversion device and the data processing device; The solenoid valve control device is connected to the automatic sampler, degasser, high-pressure pump, detection chamber, chromatographic column, switching valve, solenoid valve and data processing device.

7. A neurotransmitter analyzer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The inner side of the insulated door is provided with a door latch bolt, and the mounting panel is provided with a door latch bolt seat. When the insulated door and the mounting panel are in tandem, the door latch bolt is inserted into the door latch bolt seat.

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