Column-free magnetic cell sorting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a column-free magnetic cell sorting device which comprises a magnetic sorting mechanism, bases and moving mechanisms, the bases and the moving mechanisms are positioned on two sides of the magnetic sorting mechanism, each base is provided with one moving mechanism, the magnetic sorting mechanism comprises a supporting component, a magnetic component and a metal sleeve, and the magnetic component is fixedly arranged in the metal sleeve; a magnet structure of the magnetic assembly is a Halbach array, the top surface of the supporting assembly is used for placing a storage container in which a sample solution is stored, the supporting assembly comprises a base plate and a metal plate, a through hole penetrating through the length direction of the base plate is formed in the base plate, and the metal plate is accommodated in the through hole; the moving mechanism is used for pushing the metal plate to move in the length direction of the through hole. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device disclosed by the utility model can be used for effectively and controllably activating and shielding a magnetic field, and ensuring that an invalid magnetic field is weakened and the magnetic field intensity of a sorting area is enhanced in a working state, so that the magnetic cell sorting effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of cell magnetic sorting devices, specifically to a column-free cell magnetic sorting device. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of cell sorting, magnetic sorting is commonly used in the market. The magnetic field environment has a direct and fundamental impact on the sorting results. In the existing technology, magnetic sorting devices have two major problems: (1) Most devices use a magnetic field created by a single or two magnets. The magnetic surface usually shows a phenomenon where the surface magnetic intensity is high in the middle and low on both sides, resulting in a weak magnetic field and uneven magnetic field distribution, which will affect the sorting effect and sorting throughput; (2) The intensity of the ineffective magnetic field is too high. In the process of cell magnetic sorting, the introduction of an ineffective magnetic field with too high intensity will bring strong magnetic risk, thereby causing electromagnetic interference to other electrical components; it will also affect the ability of magnetically labeled cells to be grasped, thus leading to unsatisfactory experimental results. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, in order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a column-free cell magnetic sorting device, which can enhance the strength of the effective magnetic field, reduce the strength of the ineffective magnetic field, and improve the uniformity of the effective magnetic field coverage, thereby effectively improving the cell magnetic sorting effect.

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

[0005] A column-free magnetic cell sorting device includes a magnetic sorting mechanism, bases located on both sides of the magnetic sorting mechanism, and a moving mechanism. Each base is equipped with a moving mechanism. The magnetic sorting mechanism includes a support assembly, a magnetic assembly, and a metal sleeve. The magnetic assembly is fixedly disposed inside the metal sleeve. The magnetic structure of the magnetic assembly is a Helbeck array. The top surface of the support assembly is used to place a storage container containing sample solutions to be sorted. The support assembly includes a substrate and a metal plate. A through-hole is formed inside the substrate, extending along its length parallel to the length direction of the substrate. The metal plate is accommodated within the through-hole. The moving mechanism pushes the metal plate along the length direction of the through-hole. Both the metal sleeve and the metal plate of this invention have ultra-high magnetic permeability. Furthermore, under the action of the moving mechanism, the metal plate can move left and right relative to the magnetic assembly. The bases provide fixation for the other parts of the magnetic sorting mechanism except for the metal plate, facilitating the extension and retraction of the metal plate.

[0006] By employing magnetic components with a Helbeck array magnet structure, a uniform base magnetic field can be provided. Through the cooperation between the moving mechanism and the supporting components, the magnetic field of the magnetic component can be shielded and activated by pushing and retracting the metal plate from the through-hole of the substrate. This allows for the switching between the non-working and working states of the magnetic sorting mechanism. Specifically, pushing the metal plate out of the through-hole activates the magnetic field of the magnetic component; when the metal plate returns to the through-hole, it shields the magnetic field, deactivating it. This invention effectively and controllably achieves the activation and deactivation of the magnetic field. Furthermore, the metal sleeve consistently weakens any ineffective magnetic field.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the substrate is attached to the top surface of the magnetic component, the width of the through hole is less than the width of the substrate, the length of the through hole is greater than or equal to the length of the metal plate, and the two sides of the through hole are respectively attached to the two sides of the metal plate.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the center of the through hole coincides with the center of the substrate, the centers of the substrate, the magnetic component and the metal sleeve are all located in the same vertical direction, and the top surface of the base is flush with the bottom surface of the through hole or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the orthographic projection of the metal plate on the horizontal plane coincides with the orthographic projection of the magnetic component on the horizontal plane, and the orthographic projection of the storage container on the horizontal plane is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the magnetic component on the horizontal plane. This arrangement ensures that the storage container containing the sample solution is within the effective magnetic field range during magnetic sorting of cells, thus guaranteeing the magnetic sorting effect.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the moving mechanisms includes a slide rail, a driver, and a lead screw. The slide rail and the lead screw are parallel to the length direction of the substrate. A first fixed seat and a second fixed seat are respectively fixedly disposed at both ends of the slide rail. The second fixed seat is located at the end of the slide rail away from the magnetic sorting mechanism. The bottom of the second fixed seat is also fixedly connected to the top surface of a corresponding base. The housing of the driver is fixedly connected to the base. The rotating shaft of the driver passes through the thickness direction of the fixed seat. One end of the rotating shaft of the driver is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw, and the other end of the lead screw is rotatably connected to the first fixed seat.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moving mechanism further includes a pusher and a slider fixedly disposed on the top surface of the pusher. The slider is slidably connected to a slide rail. The driver is used to drive the pusher to move along the length direction of the lead screw. The lead screw passes through the thickness direction of the pusher and is rotatably connected to the pusher. One of the two moving mechanisms further includes a push plate, which is parallel to the base.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the push plate is located on one side of the metal plate, the push table includes a push table body and an extension block, the bottom surface of the push table body is fixedly connected to the top surface of the extension block, the end of the extension block extends outward from the side of the push table body, the end of the push plate away from the magnetic sorting mechanism is fixedly connected to one end of the extension block, the other end of the push plate is attached to one end of the metal plate, and the distance between the side of the extension block near the magnetic sorting mechanism and the side of the push table body near the magnetic sorting mechanism is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first fixed seat.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the extension block is fixedly connected to the top surface of the base, the bottom surface of the push plate is in contact with the top surface of the base, the top surface of the push plate is flush with the top surface of the through hole or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole; the center of the push plate and the center of the through hole are located in the same horizontal direction parallel to the length direction of the through hole, the width of the push plate is less than the width of the through hole, and the distance between the end of the push plate away from the push table body and the push table body is greater than or equal to the length of the through hole.

[0014] Preferably, the distance between the side of the extension block near the magnetic sorting mechanism and the side of the pusher body near the magnetic sorting mechanism is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first fixed seat, and the distance between the end of the push plate away from the pusher body and the pusher body is greater than or equal to the length of the through hole, in order to ensure that the push plate and the pusher cooperate with each other to push the metal plate completely out of the through hole of the substrate.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sorting mechanism has a first state and a second state. When the magnetic sorting mechanism is in the first state, the metal plate is completely located in the through hole; when the magnetic sorting mechanism is in the second state, the metal plate is completely located outside the through hole.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal sleeve and the metal plate are both made of nickel-iron alloy, and the substrate, the push table and the push plate are all made of non-magnetic materials.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: The column-free magnetic cell sorting device of this utility model can provide a uniform basic magnetic field by using a magnetic component with a Helbeck array magnet structure. By utilizing the cooperation between the moving mechanism and the support component, the activation and shielding of the magnetic field can be effectively and controllably realized, thereby realizing the switching between the non-working state and the working state of the magnetic sorting mechanism. It ensures that the ineffective magnetic field is weakened and the magnetic field strength of the sorting area is enhanced when the working state is reached, so that a uniform and high-intensity magnetic field exists throughout the entire cell sorting process, which is conducive to improving the cell magnetic sorting effect. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a side view of the magnetic sorting mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the cell magnetic sorting device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] The attached figures are labeled as follows: magnetic sorting mechanism-1, support assembly-11, base plate-111, through hole-1111, metal plate-112, magnetic assembly-12, permanent magnet-121, metal sleeve-13, base-2, moving mechanism-3, slide rail-31, driver-32, lead screw-33, push table body-341, extension block-342, slider-35, push plate-36, first fixed seat-37, second fixed seat-38, storage container-4, base plate-5. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The column-free magnetic cell sorting device of this embodiment includes a magnetic sorting mechanism 1, bases 2 located on both sides of the magnetic sorting mechanism 1, and a moving mechanism 3. That is, there are two bases 2 and two moving mechanisms 3, and one moving mechanism 3 is installed on each base 2. The bottom surface of the two bases 2 is fixedly provided with a base plate 5 so that the distance between the two bases 2 remains fixed, ensuring that the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is located between the two bases 2 and is fixed.

[0025] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 includes a support assembly 11, a magnetic assembly 12, and a metal sleeve 13. The magnetic assembly 12 is fixedly disposed inside the metal sleeve 13, and the top surface of the magnetic assembly 12 is flush with the top surface of the metal sleeve 13. The magnetic structure of the magnetic assembly 12 is a Helbeck array. In this embodiment, the magnetic assembly 12 is formed by nine permanent magnets 121 with different magnetization directions. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The magnetic pole directions of each permanent magnet 121 are marked. Furthermore, the support assembly 11 includes a substrate 111 and a metal plate 112. A through-hole 1111 extending through its length is formed inside the substrate 111, with the length direction of the through-hole 1111 parallel to the length direction of the substrate 111. The metal plate 112 is accommodated within the through-hole 1111. The top surface of the substrate 111 is used to place the storage container 4, which stores the sample solution to be sorted. The bottom surface of the substrate 111 is attached to the top surface of the magnetic assembly 12. Both the metal sleeve 13 and the metal plate 112 of this invention have ultra-high magnetic permeability, and their material is preferably a nickel-iron alloy.

[0026] Specifically, the centers of the substrate 111, the magnetic component 12, and the metal sleeve 13 are all located in the same vertical direction, and the center of the through hole 1111 coincides with the center of the substrate 111, ensuring that the components are aligned. The width of the through hole 1111 is less than the width of the substrate 111, and the length of the through hole 1111 is greater than or equal to the length of the metal plate 112. The two sides of the through hole 1111 are respectively attached to the two sides of the metal plate 112. The orthographic projection of the metal plate 112 on the horizontal plane coincides with the orthographic projection of the magnetic component 12 on the horizontal plane. The orthographic projection of the storage container 4 on the horizontal plane is within the range of the orthographic projection of the magnetic component 12 on the horizontal plane, so as to ensure that the storage container 4 containing the sample solution can be within the range of the effective magnetic field when performing magnetic sorting of cells, thereby improving the magnetic sorting effect.

[0027] Furthermore, the moving mechanism 3 is used to push the metal plate 112 relative to the magnetic component 12 to move along the length direction of the through hole 1111, as shown in the figure. Figure 3Each moving mechanism 3 includes a slide rail 31, a slider 35, a driver 32, a lead screw 33, a push table, and a slider 35 fixedly mounted on the top surface of the push table. One of the two moving mechanisms 3 also includes a push plate 36 parallel to the base 2. The base plate 111, the push table, and the push plate 36 are all made of non-magnetic materials to avoid interfering with the magnetic field of the magnetic component 12. Specifically, the slider 35 is slidably connected to the slide rail 31. Both the slide rail 31 and the lead screw 33 are parallel to the length direction of the base plate 111. A first fixed seat 37 and a second fixed seat 38 are fixedly disposed at both ends of the slide rail 31. The first fixed seat 37 is located at the end of the slide rail 31 closer to the magnetic sorting mechanism 1, and the second fixed seat 38 is located at the end of the slide rail 31 away from the magnetic sorting mechanism 1. The bottom of the second fixed seat 38 is also fixedly connected to the top surface of a corresponding base 2. The driver 32 is located at the end of the corresponding base 2 away from the magnetic sorting mechanism 1. The housing of the driver 32 is fixedly connected to the base 2. The rotating shaft of the driver 32 passes through the thickness direction of the fixed seat. One end of the rotating shaft of the driver 32 is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw 33, and the other end of the lead screw 33 is rotatably connected to the first fixed seat 37. The driver 32 is used to drive the pusher to move along the length direction of the lead screw 33. In this embodiment, the driver 32 is preferably a motor.

[0028] The pusher includes a pusher body 341 and an extension block 342. The bottom surface of the pusher body 341 is fixedly connected to the top surface of the extension block 342, and the bottom surface of the extension block 342 is fixedly connected to the top surface of the base 2. The end of the extension block 342 extends outward from the side of the pusher body 341. The lead screw 33 passes through the thickness direction of the pusher body 341 and is rotatably connected to the pusher body 341. The pusher plate 36 is located on one side of the metal plate 112. In this embodiment, the pusher plate 36 is located on the right side of the metal plate 112. The bottom surface of the pusher plate 36 is in contact with the top surface of the base 2. The end of the pusher plate 36 away from the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is fixedly connected to one end of the extension block 342. The end of the pusher plate 36 near the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is in contact with one end of the metal plate 112. The distance between the side of the extension block 342 near the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 and the side of the pusher body 341 near the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first fixed seat 37.

[0029] To ensure that the push plate 36 and the push table can completely push the metal plate 112 out of the through hole 1111 of the substrate 111, the top surface of the base 2 is flush with the bottom surface of the through hole 1111 or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole 1111. Similarly, the top surface of the push plate 36 is flush with the top surface of the through hole 1111 or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole 1111. The center of the push plate 36 and the center of the through hole 1111 are located in the same horizontal direction parallel to the length of the through hole 1111. The width of the push plate 36 is less than the width of the through hole 1111, and the distance between the end of the push plate 36 away from the push table body 341 and the push table body 341 is greater than or equal to the length of the through hole 1111. In this embodiment, the top surface of the base 2 is flush with the bottom surface of the through hole 1111, and the top surface of the push plate 36 is flush with the top surface of the through hole 1111.

[0030] Furthermore, the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 in this embodiment has a first state (non-working state) and a second state (working state). When the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is in the first state, the metal plate 112 is completely located in the through hole 1111; when the magnetic sorting mechanism 1 is in the second state, the metal plate 112 is completely located outside the through hole 1111. When the sample is pushed in from the right end of the storage container 4, the pusher 32 drives the pusher platform and pusher plate 36 to move to the left (towards the magnetic sorting mechanism 1), which can push the metal plate 112 out of the through hole 1111 of the substrate 111 until the metal plate 112 is completely located outside the through hole 1111 (at this time, in the second state). This can activate the magnetic field of the magnetic component 12. At the same time, the metal sleeve 13 can weaken the ineffective magnetic field and enhance the magnetic field strength of the magnetic sorting area, which is beneficial to improving the magnetic sorting effect of cells and ensuring the effective sorting and collection of target cells in the sample (the sample can flow out from the left end of the storage container 4). After the sample completes the magnetic separation process, the shaft of the driver 32 reverses, causing the pusher and push plate 36 to move to the right. The metal plate 112, no longer under the pressure of the push plate 36, will further move to the right due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetic component 12 to enter the through hole 1111 (at this point, it is in the first state), thereby shielding the magnetic field of the magnetic component 12 and deactivating the magnetic field. In other embodiments of this invention, the drivers 32 of the two moving mechanisms 3 can be controlled independently. When the metal plate 112 needs to return to enter the through hole 1111, the corresponding pusher can be moved towards the metal plate 112 by the driver 32 in the moving mechanism 3 on the left side of the magnetic separation mechanism 1 until it contacts the metal plate 112, and under the continuous driving action of the driver 32, the metal plate 112 is driven into the through hole 1111.

[0031] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. They should not be used to limit the protection scope 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 protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A column-free magnetic cell sorting device, characterized in that: The system includes a magnetic sorting mechanism, bases located on both sides of the magnetic sorting mechanism, and a moving mechanism. Each base is equipped with a moving mechanism. The magnetic sorting mechanism includes a support assembly, a magnetic assembly, and a metal sleeve. The magnetic assembly is fixedly disposed inside the metal sleeve. The magnetic structure of the magnetic assembly is a Helbeck array. The top surface of the support assembly is used to place a storage container containing a sample solution to be sorted. The support assembly includes a substrate and a metal plate. A through hole is formed inside the substrate, extending along its length direction. The length direction of the through hole is parallel to the length direction of the substrate. The metal plate is accommodated in the through hole. The moving mechanism is used to push the metal plate to move along the length direction of the through hole.

2. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the substrate is attached to the top surface of the magnetic component. The width of the through hole is less than the width of the substrate, the length of the through hole is greater than or equal to the length of the metal plate, and the two sides of the through hole are respectively attached to the two sides of the metal plate.

3. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The center of the through hole coincides with the center of the substrate. The centers of the substrate, the magnetic component, and the metal sleeve are all located in the same vertical direction. The top surface of the base is flush with the bottom surface of the through hole or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole.

4. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The orthographic projection of the metal plate on the horizontal plane coincides with the orthographic projection of the magnetic component on the horizontal plane, and the orthographic projection of the storage container on the horizontal plane is located within the range of the orthographic projection of the magnetic component on the horizontal plane.

5. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the moving mechanisms includes a slide rail, a driver, and a lead screw. The slide rail and the lead screw are parallel to the length direction of the substrate. A first fixed seat and a second fixed seat are fixedly disposed at both ends of the slide rail, respectively. The second fixed seat is located at the end of the slide rail away from the magnetic sorting mechanism. The bottom of the second fixed seat is also fixedly connected to the top surface of a corresponding base. The housing of the driver is fixedly connected to the base. The rotating shaft of the driver passes through the thickness direction of the fixed seat. One end of the rotating shaft of the driver is fixedly connected to one end of the lead screw, and the other end of the lead screw is rotatably connected to the first fixed seat.

6. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving mechanism further includes a pusher and a slider fixedly mounted on the top surface of the pusher. The slider is slidably connected to a slide rail. The driver is used to drive the pusher to move along the length direction of the lead screw. The lead screw passes through the thickness direction of the pusher and is rotatably connected to the pusher. One of the two moving mechanisms further includes a push plate, which is parallel to the base.

7. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The push plate is located on one side of the metal plate. The push table includes a push table body and an extension block. The bottom surface of the push table body is fixedly connected to the top surface of the extension block. The end of the extension block extends outward from the side of the push table body. The end of the push plate away from the magnetic sorting mechanism is fixedly connected to one end of the extension block. The other end of the push plate is attached to one end of the metal plate. The distance between the side of the extension block near the magnetic sorting mechanism and the side of the push table body near the magnetic sorting mechanism is greater than or equal to the thickness of the first fixed seat.

8. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the extension block is fixedly connected to the top surface of the base, the bottom surface of the push plate is in contact with the top surface of the base, the top surface of the push plate is flush with the top surface of the through hole or located between the top and bottom surfaces of the through hole; the center of the push plate and the center of the through hole are located in the same horizontal direction parallel to the length direction of the through hole, the width of the push plate is less than the width of the through hole, and the distance between the end of the push plate away from the push table body and the push table body is greater than or equal to the length of the through hole.

9. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The magnetic sorting mechanism has a first state and a second state. When the magnetic sorting mechanism is in the first state, the metal plate is completely located in the through hole; when the magnetic sorting mechanism is in the second state, the metal plate is completely located outside the through hole.

10. The column-free magnetic cell sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The metal sleeve and metal plate are both made of nickel-iron alloy, and the substrate, push table and push plate are all made of non-magnetic material.

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