Positioning and tube picking device for cryopreservation box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a location picking tube device for cryopreservation box, including base, placing platform and detachable fixed in base location hole on the extraction pin, the placing platform is equipped with the placing hole that matches cryopreservation box and the first mounting hole that is used for being connected with base movably, the placing platform is connected with base movably through the reset subassembly, and the extraction pin is detachably fixed on the base location hole. The placing platform can move up and down relative to the base, and the cryopreservation tubes are ejected out through the extraction pins. The device is simple in design, convenient to operate and low in cost, and the cryopreservation tubes at any position of the cryopreservation box can be flexibly extracted through the detachable extraction pins; in addition, the extraction efficiency and accuracy of the target cryopreservation tube can be effectively improved through the positioning chamfers and the positioning holes; in addition, the placing holes in the placing platform can adapt to cryopreservation boxes of different designs, the cryopreservation boxes can be conveniently placed and taken, and the rectangular flanges, the chamfers and the elastic reset design of the reset assembly facilitate single-person operation so as to rapidly extract specified target cryopreservation tubes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of biobank sample storage and retrieval, and particularly relates to a positioning tube picking device for cryopreservation boxes. Background Technology

[0002] Cryopreservation boxes are typically stored in liquid nitrogen or a similar environment. When randomly retrieving one or more cryovials from the box, the operation must also be performed in a liquid nitrogen or similar environment to ensure both the cryovials and the box remain frozen. To improve space utilization, the boxes have storage compartments where cryovials are arranged closely together, with the lower sidewalls of the cryovials in close contact with the inner walls of the compartments when frozen. To maintain the order of the cryovials, the top corner of the box is often chamfered, and the box is marked with row and column numbers; however, these numbers can be difficult to identify correctly when frozen. Retrieving cryovials often requires wearing cryogenic protective gear, restricting the operator's movement. Although the bottom of the box has raised steps, selecting a specific target cryovial remains inconvenient. These factors complicate the cryovial retrieval process and present numerous difficulties. If conventional tapping or clamping methods are used to remove cryovials, the cryovials in a frozen state are easily damaged; at the same time, it is also easy to accidentally remove non-target cryovials, thereby disrupting the arrangement order of the cryovials.

[0003] A search revealed that Chinese invention application CN118543567A discloses a tube-picking device and a tube-picking method using the same device. The tube-picking device includes: a tube-picking platform with tube-picking and tube-laying stations spaced apart along a first horizontal direction; a source box fixing mechanism installed at the tube-picking station to support a source sample box; a target box fixing mechanism installed at the tube-laying station to support a target sample box; and a tube-picking robot, configured to move along a first horizontal and vertical direction, and further configured to simultaneously pick up multiple cryopreservation tubes spaced apart along a second horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction being perpendicular to the target sample box. The device describes a first horizontal direction and a tube-jacking mechanism, which is installed at the tube-picking station and located below the source box fixing mechanism. The tube-jacking mechanism is configured to push one or more cryopreservation tubes from the same column of storage holes distributed along the second horizontal direction in the source sample box upwards. The tube-jacking mechanism is also configured to perform tube-jacking operations corresponding to different columns of storage holes in the source sample box. However, this device has a complex structure, high manufacturing and usage costs, and requires a dedicated source sample box, making it unsuitable for conventional cryopreservation boxes. Furthermore, this device can only extract one or more cryopreservation tubes in the same horizontal direction at a time, and cannot extract cryopreservation tubes located in different rows and columns simultaneously, which has certain limitations. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a positioning and picking device for cryopreservation boxes. This positioning and picking device has the characteristics of simple structure, portable operation, and very low manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the placement platform can be designed according to different cryopreservation boxes, which can flexibly and reliably extract cryopreservation tubes from any position in the cryopreservation box without damaging the cryopreservation tubes or affecting other cryopreservation tubes during the extraction process.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model provides a positioning and picking device for cryopreservation boxes, including a placement platform, a base and a picking pin;

[0007] The placement platform has a placement hole adapted to the cryopreservation box and a first mounting hole for movably connecting with the base; the cross-sectional dimension of the placement hole is slightly larger than the outer contour of the cryopreservation box, the bottom of the placement hole has a flange, the flange extends equidistantly along the circumference of the placement hole, and the distance from the upper end face of the flange to the upper end face of the placement platform is not less than the height of the raised step of the cryopreservation box.

[0008] The lower end face of the base is provided with support feet, and the base is provided with positioning holes and guide holes. The positioning holes are evenly distributed in the center of the base and correspond one-to-one with the distribution position of the cryopreservation box storage compartments. The position of the guide holes corresponds one-to-one with the position of the first mounting holes. A reset component is installed between the first mounting holes and the guide holes. The placement platform is movably connected to the base through the reset component, so that the placement platform can move up and down relative to the base.

[0009] The extraction pin includes a stepped portion for ejecting the cryopreservation tube and a pin portion that is detachably fixed in the positioning hole. The diameter of the stepped portion is not greater than the diameter of the storage cell on the cryopreservation box. When the placement platform moves down to the lowest point, the upper end surface of the stepped portion is higher than the upper end surface of the placement platform.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the reset assembly includes a guide post and a reset spring sleeved on the outside of the guide post; the guide post includes a guide post body and a limiting protrusion at the lower end of the guide post body, the outer diameter of the limiting protrusion is larger than the diameter of the guide hole, the guide post passes through the guide hole from bottom to top and is fixed on the first mounting hole, so that the guide post can move up and down radially along the guide hole and can be reset by the reset spring.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the reset spring is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide post body, and the height of the reset spring is 1.2 times the height of the guide post.

[0012] Furthermore, the height of the stepped portion is 10-15mm higher than the height of the compressed return spring.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the top edge of the placement hole is provided with a circumferentially continuous chamfer.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, a positioning chamfer is provided at the top corner of the placement hole, and the positioning chamfer corresponds to the position of the chamfer on the body of the cryopreservation box.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the diameter of the stepped portion is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom of the cryopreservation tube.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the extension length of the flange is 2-3 mm, and the height of the flange is 1-2 mm.

[0017] As a further preferred technical solution, the positioning tube picking device also includes a pressure cap, which is movably hinged to the top of the placement platform, so that the pressure cap can be flipped open and closed along the hinge. In the closed state, the lower end face of the pressure cap is in contact with the upper end face of the placement platform, and the center of the pressure cap hole coincides with the center of the placement hole. The pressure cap has a pressure cap hole, and the cross-sectional dimension of the pressure cap hole is between the inner edge dimension and the outer edge dimension of the raised step of the cryopreservation box.

[0018] Furthermore, all components of the positioning and picking device are made of low-temperature resistant materials.

[0019] As described above, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] (1) The positioning tube picking device for cryopreservation boxes of this utility model has the advantages of simple structure, easy operation and very low manufacturing cost; the utility model can flexibly and reliably pick out cryopreservation tubes at any position in the cryopreservation box by means of the extraction pin that can be detachably fixed on the positioning hole, without damaging the cryopreservation tubes or affecting other cryopreservation tubes during the extraction process; and, through the positioning chamfer and positioning hole that match the cryopreservation box, the target cryopreservation tube to be extracted can be quickly and accurately positioned.

[0021] (2) The positioning tube picking device for cryopreservation boxes of this utility model can adapt to different cryopreservation box designs through the placement hole opened on the placement platform; and the flange and chamfer design on the placement platform facilitates the placement and picking of cryopreservation boxes; in addition, through the elastic reset design of the reset component, even when the operator is wearing ultra-low temperature protective equipment, he / she can independently complete the extraction operation of the target cryopreservation tube at the designated position. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a positioning tube-picking device with an inserted extraction pin in this utility model. The positioning tube-picking device has been pre-set with the position of the cryopreservation tube to be extracted.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the platform in this utility model.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cryopreservation box involved in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the base in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the guide post in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the extraction of the pin in this utility model.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the pressure cap in this utility model.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cryopreservation box in Embodiment 2 of this utility model, when it has been placed on the placement platform and is about to be covered with a pressure cap.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the cryopreservation tube being extracted by pressing down the cap in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0031] The specific annotations in the attached drawings are as follows: 1. Placement platform; 11. Placement hole; 111. Flange; 112. Chamfer; 113. Positioning chamfer; 12. First mounting hole; 2. Base; 21. Positioning hole; 22. Guide hole; 23. Second mounting hole; 3. Guide post; 31. Guide post body; 311. Threaded hole; 32. Limiting protrusion; 4. Return spring; 5. Support foot; 6. Extraction pin; 61. Stepped part; 62. Pin part; 7. Pressure cap; 71. Pressure cap hole; 8. Cryopreservation box; 81. Storage compartment; 82. Box body chamfer; 83. Raised step; 9. Cryopreservation tube. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To better understand the purpose, structure, and function of this utility model, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the positional relationships indicated by terms such as "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" are based on the positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a positioning and picking device for a cryopreservation box 8, wherein the cryopreservation box 8 is a conventionally used cryopreservation box 8, as shown in the figure. Figure 3 As shown, the cryopreservation box 8 is provided with several storage compartments 81 for placing cryopreservation tubes 9. The top corner of the cryopreservation box 8 is provided with a box body chamfer 82 and the bottom is provided with a raised step 83. The positioning tube picking device includes a placement platform 1, a base 2, a picking pin 6 and a pressure cap 7. The base 2 is movably connected to the lower end face of the placement platform 1 through a reset assembly, so that the placement platform 1 can move up and down relative to the base 2. The pressure cap 7 is movably hinged to the top of the placement platform 1, so that the pressure cap 7 can be flipped open along the hinge and folded to fit against the upper end face of the placement platform 1.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, the placement platform 1 has a rectangular placement hole 11 for placing the cryopreservation box 8 and several first mounting holes 12 for movably connecting with the base 2. The placement hole 11 has a shape adapted to the cryopreservation box 8, and the cross-sectional dimension of the placement hole 11 is slightly larger than the outer contour of the cryopreservation box 8. The bottom of the placement hole 11 has a rectangular flange 111 extending equidistantly along the circumference of the placement hole 11. In this embodiment, the extension length of the rectangular flange 111 is 2-3 mm, that is, the outer edge of the rectangular flange 111 is 2-3 mm from the edge of the side wall of the placement hole 11, and the height of the rectangular flange 111 is 1-2 mm. The rectangular flange 111, as a supporting surface, provides support for the placement of the cryopreservation box 8, avoiding the risk of the cryopreservation box 8 falling out of the placement hole 11 when placed inside it. The distance from the upper end face of the rectangular flange 111 to the upper end face of the placement platform 1 is not less than the step height of the cryopreservation box 8. Preferably, the distance from the upper surface of the rectangular flange 111 to the upper surface of the placement platform 1 is consistent with the step height of the cryopreservation box 8. The top edge of the placement hole 11 has a continuous circumferential chamfer 112 to facilitate the placement and removal of the cryopreservation box 8. A positioning chamfer 113 is provided at one of the top corners of the placement hole 11, and the positioning chamfer 113 corresponds to the box body chamfer 82 on the cryopreservation box 8. By using the positioning chamfer 113 and the box body chamfer 82 on the cryopreservation box 8 together, the placement angle of the cryopreservation box 8 can be ensured to achieve accurate positioning when the cryopreservation tube 9 is removed.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the base 2 has a size not smaller than that of the placement platform 1. Preferably, the shape and size of the base 2 are consistent with those of the placement platform 1. The lower end face of the base 2 is provided with support feet 5, and the base 2 has several positioning holes 21, guide holes 22, and second mounting holes 23. The second mounting holes 23 are located around the base 2, and the support feet 5 are fixed to the lower end face of the base 2 through the second mounting holes 23. The support feet 5 provide a stable operating plane to ensure that the cryopreservation tubes 9 on the cryopreservation box 8 are pushed vertically upwards. In other embodiments, the support feet 5 can be welded to the lower end face of the base 2. The positioning holes 21 are evenly distributed at the center of the base 2, and the distribution of the positioning holes 21 corresponds one-to-one with the distribution of the storage compartments 81 on the cryopreservation box 8, based on the positioning chamfer 113 and the box body chamfer 82 on the cryopreservation box 8. The guide holes 22 are formed around the base 2, and the positions of the guide holes 22 correspond one-to-one with the positions of the first mounting holes 12 on the mounting platform 1. The reset component is installed between the first mounting holes 12 and the guide holes 22.

[0038] The reset assembly includes a guide post 3 and a reset spring 4. For example... Figure 5As shown, the guide post 3 includes a guide post body 31. A limiting protrusion 32 is provided at the lower end of the guide post body 31. The outer diameter of the limiting protrusion 32 is larger than the diameter of the guide hole 22. Each guide post 3 passes through the guide hole 22 from bottom to top and is fixed to the first mounting hole 12 of the placement platform 1. Specifically, a threaded hole 311 is provided at the top of the guide post body 31. The guide post 3 is locked and fixed to the placement platform 1 by fasteners. The return spring 4 is sleeved on the outside of the guide post 3. The inner diameter of the return spring 4 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide post body 31, and the outer diameter of the return spring 4 is larger than the diameter of the guide hole 22. The height of the return spring 4 is 1.2 times the height of the guide post 3 to ensure the rebound force when the placement platform 1 is reset. During operation, the guide post 3 can move up and down radially along the guide hole 22 and can be reset by the return spring 4 to ensure the placement space for the extraction pin 6. Figure 6 As shown, the extraction pin 6 is a stepped pin, including a stepped portion 61 for ejecting the cryopreservation tube 9 and a pin portion 62 detachably fixed in the positioning hole 21. The diameter of the stepped portion 61 is not greater than the diameter of the storage compartment 81 on the cryopreservation box 8. Preferably, the diameter of the stepped portion 61 is slightly smaller than the bottom diameter of the cryopreservation tube 9 to ensure stable ejection of the cryopreservation tube 9. The height of the stepped portion 61 is 10-15mm higher than the height of the return spring 4 after compression, that is, when the placement platform 1 moves down to the lowest point, the upper end surface of the stepped portion 61 is higher than the upper end surface of the placement platform 1. The pin portion 62 has a shape that matches the positioning hole 21, and the size of the pin portion 62 is slightly smaller than the size of the positioning hole 21 in the base 2, so that the extraction pin 6 can be snapped and fixed in the positioning hole 21 of the base 2. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the pin portion 62 and the positioning hole 21 are both circular, and the height of the pin portion 62 and the guide post 3 is not greater than the height of the support foot 5. During operation, the pin 62 is inserted into the corresponding positioning hole 21 of the cryopreservation tube 9 to be extracted, and the pressure cap 7 is closed, so that the designated cryopreservation tube 9 can be pushed out through the step part 61.

[0039] like Figure 7As shown, the pressure cap 7 is hinged to the top of the placement platform 1, allowing the pressure cap 7 to be flipped open and closed along the hinge. In the closed state, the lower end face of the pressure cap 7 is in contact with the upper end face of the placement platform 1, and the center of the hole in the pressure cap 7 coincides with the center of the placement hole 11. The pressure cap 7 has a rectangular pressure cap hole 71, the cross-sectional dimension of which is between the inner edge dimension of the raised step 83 of the cryopreservation box 8 and the outer edge dimension of the raised step 83 of the cryopreservation box 8, thereby ensuring that when the pressure cap 7 is closed, the step of the cryopreservation box 8 can be limited and fixed between the pressure cap 7 and the placement platform 1. In this embodiment, the pressure cover 7 has a size not smaller than the placement hole 11 on the placement platform 1. Preferably, the shape and size of the pressure cover 7 are consistent with the shape and size of the placement platform 1. One side of the pressure cover 7 is connected to the corresponding side of the placement platform 1 by a hinge, so that the lower end face of the pressure cover 7 can be completely overlapped with the upper end face of the placement platform 1 by rotating the hinge.

[0040] In this embodiment, the placement platform 1, base 2, support foot 5, guide post 3, reset spring 4, extraction pin 6, and pressure cover 7 are all made of low-temperature resistant material.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] This embodiment provides a method for extracting cryopreservation tubes 9, utilizing a positioning tube-picking device for cryopreservation boxes according to Embodiment 1, including the following steps:

[0043] S1, such as Figure 1 As shown, the positioning and picking device is now assembled.

[0044] S2. Place the positioning tube picking device in a liquid nitrogen or liquid nitrogen weather environment to ensure that the cryopreservation tube 9 and cryopreservation box 8 remain frozen during subsequent operations, so as to avoid damaging the cryopreservation tube 9 and its contents in the frozen state.

[0045] S3. Insert the extraction pin 6 into the corresponding position of the target cryopreservation tube 9 to be extracted on the base 2;

[0046] S4, such as Figure 8 As shown, align the cryopreservation box 8 and place it into the placement hole 11 of the placement platform 1;

[0047] S5. Rotate to close the top cover 7, so that the cover 7 naturally fits against the upper surface of the placement platform 1, thereby limiting and fixing the cryopreservation box 8 between the placement platform 1 and the cover 7; In other embodiments, when the cover 7 is not set, the upper surface of the cryopreservation box 8 can be manually pressed to apply pressure to the lower surface of the cryopreservation box 8 against the rectangular flange 111 and drive the placement platform 1 to move down.

[0048] S6, such as Figure 9As shown, when the cap 7 is pressed down vertically, the return spring 4 is compressed. At this time, the placement platform 1 moves down, causing the cryopreservation tube 9 to move down. The extraction pin 6 pushes out the target cryopreservation tube 9 and removes the target cryopreservation tube 9 in time.

[0049] S7. Release the force applied to the pressure plate 7, and the placement platform 1 will automatically reset under the action of the reset spring 4;

[0050] S8. Rotate to open the top cover 7 and release the limit lock of the cryopreservation box 8;

[0051] S9. Remove the cryopreservation box 8 from the placement platform 1 to complete the extraction operation of the target cryopreservation tube 9.

[0052] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or equivalent substitutions to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, under the teachings of the present invention, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific situations and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A positioning and picking device for cryopreservation boxes, characterized in that, Includes a mounting platform (1), a base (2), and a retrieval pin (6); The placement platform (1) is provided with a placement hole (11) adapted to the cryopreservation box (8) and a first mounting hole (12) for movably connecting with the base (2); the cross-sectional dimension of the placement hole (11) is slightly larger than the outer contour of the cryopreservation box (8), the bottom of the placement hole (11) is provided with a flange (111), the flange (111) extends equidistantly along the circumference of the placement hole (11), and the distance from the upper end face of the flange (111) to the upper end face of the placement platform (1) is not less than the height of the raised step (83) of the cryopreservation box (8); The lower end face of the base (2) is provided with a support foot (5), and the base (2) is provided with a positioning hole (21) and a guide hole (22). The positioning hole (21) is evenly opened in the center of the base (2) and corresponds one-to-one with the distribution position of the storage cell (81) of the cryopreservation box (8). The position of the guide hole (22) corresponds one-to-one with the position of the first mounting hole (12). A reset component is installed between the first mounting hole (12) and the guide hole (22). The placement platform (1) is movably connected to the base (2) through the reset component, so that the placement platform (1) can move up and down relative to the base (2). The extraction pin (6) includes a stepped portion (61) for ejecting the cryopreservation tube (9) and a pin portion (62) that is detachably fixed in the positioning hole (21). The diameter of the stepped portion (61) is not greater than the diameter of the storage cell (81) on the cryopreservation box (8). When the placement platform (1) moves down to the lowest point, the upper end face of the stepped portion (61) is higher than the upper end face of the placement platform (1).

2. The positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reset assembly includes a guide post (3) and a reset spring (4) sleeved on the outside of the guide post (3); the guide post (3) includes a guide post body (31) and a limiting protrusion (32) located at the lower end of the guide post body (31). The outer diameter of the limiting protrusion (32) is larger than the diameter of the guide hole (22). The guide post (3) passes through the guide hole (22) from bottom to top and is fixed on the first mounting hole (12), so that the guide post (3) can move up and down radially along the guide hole (22) and can be reset by the reset spring (4).

3. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the reset spring (4) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide post body (31), and the height of the reset spring (4) is 1.2 times the height of the guide post (3).

4. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The height of the stepped portion (61) is 10-15mm higher than the height of the compressed return spring (4).

5. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top edge of the placement hole (11) is provided with a circumferentially continuous chamfer (112).

6. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The placement hole (11) has a positioning chamfer (113) at one of its top corners, which corresponds to the position of the box body chamfer (82) on the cryopreservation box (8).

7. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the stepped portion (61) is slightly smaller than the bottom diameter of the cryopreservation tube (9).

8. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flange (111) has an extension length of 2-3 mm and a height of 1-2 mm.

9. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It also includes a pressure cap (7), which is movably hinged to the top of the placement platform (1), so that the pressure cap (7) can be flipped open and closed along the hinge. In the closed state, the lower end face of the pressure cap (7) is in contact with the upper end face of the placement platform (1), and the center of the hole of the pressure cap (7) coincides with the center of the placement hole (11). The pressure cap (7) is provided with a pressure cap hole (71), and the cross-sectional dimension of the pressure cap hole (71) is between the inner edge dimension and the outer edge dimension of the raised step (83) of the cryopreservation box (8).

10. A positioning tube picking device for a cryopreservation box according to claim 9, characterized in that, All components of the positioning and picking device are made of low-temperature resistant materials.

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