A gel imaging apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of gel imaging equipment, including machine body, light box and camera component, the machine body is equipped with containing cavity;The light box includes box, light source and homogenizing plate, the box is installed in the containing cavity, and with the opening of upward, the light source is located in the box, the homogenizing plate is installed in the opening;The camera component is located in the upside of the light box, the camera component includes camera and refractive structure, the camera is located in the machine body, the refractive structure is located between the light box and the camera, for the light of the light box is introduced into the lens of the camera.Just one side through the homogenizing plate increase the effective illumination area of the light box, the other side through the refractive structure in the case of expanding the field of view of the camera, fold light path, reduce the volume of the gel imaging equipment.Such, expand imaging field of view and small volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gel imaging technology, and specifically to a gel imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] Gel imaging systems are used for imaging and analysis of DNA / RNA / protein gels using various staining methods (such as EB, Coomassie Brilliant Blue, silver staining, and SYBR Green) and non-chemiluminescent methods such as microplates and petri dishes. It is a gel analysis system that integrates observation, imaging, and analysis of gels. It can be applied to routine bioengineering research such as molecular weight calculation, density scanning, density quantification, and PCR quantification.

[0003] The core principle of gel imaging systems is based on the fluorescence excitation of a sample under illumination by a light source. When light from the source shines on the sample, the complexes within the sample undergo a fluorescence reaction, generating fluorescence signals. By imaging these fluorescence signals, image information of the biological sample can be obtained. Existing gel imaging systems require both expanding the imaging field of view and increasing the distance between the sample and the lens, resulting in a larger device size. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on the above description, this utility model provides a gel imaging device to solve the problem that existing gel imaging systems cannot simultaneously expand the field of view and reduce the volume.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] A gel imaging device includes a main body, a light box, and a camera assembly. The main body has a receiving cavity. The light box includes a housing, a light source, and a light-diffusing plate. The housing is installed in the receiving cavity and has an upward-facing opening. The light source is disposed inside the housing, and the light-diffusing plate is installed in the opening. The camera assembly is located on the upper side of the light box. The camera assembly includes a camera and a refractive structure. The camera is disposed on the main body, and the refractive structure is disposed between the light box and the camera for guiding the light from the light box into the lens of the camera.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows:

[0008] Furthermore, the refractive structure includes a housing and at least one plane mirror. The housing has an inner cavity, a light outlet, and a light inlet. The light outlet corresponds to the lens, and the light inlet corresponds to the light box. The plane mirror is inclined in the inner cavity to refract the light entering through the light inlet out through the light outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, the light inlet corresponds to the center of the light box;

[0010] The camera is mounted on one side of the body;

[0011] The housing includes an inclined mounting plate for mounting the plane mirror.

[0012] Furthermore, the machine body also includes a housing, a partition, and a hinged door. The partition is disposed inside the housing, and an installation cavity is formed between the upper side of the partition and the housing. A receiving groove is formed between the lower side of the partition and the housing. The partition is provided with a through hole extending vertically. One side of the hinged door is rotatably mounted to the housing, and the other side of the hinged door can be fitted against the housing to close the receiving groove or moved away from the housing to open the receiving groove.

[0013] The refractive structure is installed inside the mounting cavity;

[0014] The receiving cavity includes the receiving groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the gel imaging device also includes a fan, which is located inside the mounting cavity, and the sidewall of the mounting cavity is provided with multiple heat dissipation holes.

[0016] Furthermore, the gel imaging device also includes a magnetic component and a magnetic suction component, wherein one of the magnetic component and the magnetic suction component is located on the other side of the flip door, and the other is located at the position where the housing fits against the other side of the flip door.

[0017] Furthermore, the gel imaging device also includes a limit switch, which is located at the opening of the receiving groove.

[0018] Furthermore, the light source includes multiple ultraviolet LED beads, which are installed inside the housing and arranged in a matrix.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0020] The gel is placed on the upper side of the lightbox. The light-diffusing plate converts the light from the light source into surface light, improving the uniformity of light distribution and increasing the effective illumination area of ​​the lightbox. The refractive structure changes the light path, allowing the light from the lightbox to be guided into the lens without increasing the distance between the lens and the lightbox. Thus, on the one hand, the light-diffusing plate increases the effective illumination area of ​​the lightbox; on the other hand, the refractive structure folds the light path while expanding the camera's field of view, reducing the size of the gel imaging device. This results in an expanded imaging field of view with a small size. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a gel imaging device provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the machine body in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Another structural diagram from another perspective;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the refractive structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the refractive element in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a partial schematic diagram of a gel imaging device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a gel imaging device provided for another embodiment of this utility model;

[0028] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0029] 1. Body; 11. Housing; 111. Receiving cavity; 1111. Receiving groove; 12. Partition; 121. Through hole; 13. Flip door; 131. Groove; 132. Annular rubber strip; 14. Mounting cavity; 141. Heat dissipation hole; 142. Mounting window; 15. Sample tray; 16. Movable frame; 17. Guide rail; 18. Sliding rail; 19. Annular raised edge; 2. Light box; 21. Box body; 22. Light dome plate 3. Camera assembly; 31. Camera; 311. Lens; 32. Refractive structure; 321. Housing; 3211. Inner cavity; 3212. Light outlet; 3213. Light inlet; 3214. Mounting plate; 322. Plane mirror; 4. Fan; 51. Industrial computer; 52. Limit switch; 61. Bracket; 62. Camera protective cover; 71. LED white light; 72. LED ultraviolet light; 8. Protective plate. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this application will be thorough and complete.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0032] It is understood that spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "below," "below," "above," "above," etc., can be used here to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element or feature described as "below" or "below" of the other element or feature will be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below" and "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0033] It should be noted that when one element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or connected to the other element through an intermediary element. In the following embodiments, "connection" should be understood as "electrical connection," "communication connection," etc., if the connected circuits, modules, units, etc., have the transmission of electrical signals or data between them.

[0034] When used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” etc., specify the presence of the stated feature, whole, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gel imaging device includes a body 1, a light box 2, and a camera assembly 3. The body 1 has a receiving cavity 111. The light box 2 includes a housing 21, a light source, and a light-diffusing plate 22. The housing 21 is installed in the receiving cavity 111 and has an upward-facing opening. The light source is located inside the housing 21, and the light-diffusing plate 22 is installed in the opening. The camera assembly 3 is located on the upper side of the light box 2. The camera assembly 3 includes a camera 31 and a refractive structure 32. The camera 31 is located on the body 1, and the refractive structure 32 is located between the light box 2 and the lens 311 of the camera 31, for guiding the light from the light box 2 into the lens 311.

[0036] The gel is placed on the upper side of the light box 2. The light-diffusing plate 22 is used to convert the light from the light source into surface light, improving the uniformity of light distribution and increasing the effective illumination area of ​​the light box 2. The refractive structure 32 is used to change the light path, allowing the light from the light box 2 to be guided into the lens 311 without increasing the distance between the camera 31 and the light box 2. Thus, on the one hand, the effective illumination area of ​​the light box 2 is increased by the light-diffusing plate 22, and on the other hand, the light path is folded by the refractive structure 32 while expanding the field of view of the camera 31, reducing the size of the gel imaging device. In this way, the imaging field of view is expanded while the size is small.

[0037] In this embodiment, the uniform illumination area transmitted by the light source reaches 240mm × 240mm. Four 120mm × 120mm gel samples can be photographed simultaneously.

[0038] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The refractive structure 32 includes a housing 321 and at least one plane mirror 322. The housing 321 has an inner cavity 3211, a light inlet 3212 and a light outlet 3213. The light inlet 3212 corresponds to the light box 2, and the light outlet 3213 corresponds to the lens 311. The plane mirror 322 is inclinedly disposed in the inner cavity 3211 for refracting light entering from the light inlet 3212 out from the light outlet 3213.

[0039] In this embodiment, the camera 31 is mounted on one side of the body 1, and the light outlet 3213 corresponds to the lens 311. The light inlet 3212 faces downward and corresponds to the light box 2. The plane mirror 322 is inclinedly disposed in the inner cavity 3211. The fluorescence emitted by the gel sample placed on the upper side of the light box 2 can enter the inner cavity 3211 through the light inlet 3212, and after reaching the plane mirror 322, it is refracted and enters the lens 311 through the light outlet 3213. This expands the field of view without increasing the volume of the body 1, allowing the camera 31 to capture the completed gel sample. Thus, the structure is simple and easy to set up.

[0040] It should be noted that this utility model does not limit the number of plane mirrors 322, which can be determined according to the required expanded field of view and the installation position of the camera 31. It also does not limit the tilt angle of the plane mirrors 322. The tilt angle of the plane mirrors 322 is specifically determined based on the orientation of the light inlet 3212 and the light outlet 3213, as well as the distance between each of the light inlet 3212 and the light outlet 3213 and the intersection point of the light rays. The intersection point is the point where the light rays extending along the through direction of the light inlet 3212 and the light rays extending along the through direction of the light outlet 3213 intersect.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light outlet 3213 is located on the upper side of the light box 2 and corresponds to the center of the light box 2. The camera 31 is mounted on one side of the body 1; the housing 321 includes an inclined mounting plate 3214, which is used for the plane mirror 322 to be fitted and mounted. The mounting plate 3214 is located at the intersection of light rays, and the mounting plate 3214 facilitates the installation and positioning of the plane mirror 322.

[0042] In this utility model, the plane mirror 322 can be directly attached to the side of the mounting plate 3214 facing the inner cavity 3211, or in this embodiment, the mounting plate 3214 is provided with a mounting hole adapted to the plane mirror 322, and the plane mirror 322 is installed in the mounting hole.

[0043] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The body 1 further includes a housing 11, a partition 12, and a hinged door 13. The partition 12 is disposed inside the housing 11, and an installation cavity 14 is formed between the upper side of the partition 12 and the housing 11. A receiving groove 1111 is formed between the lower side of the partition 12 and the body 1. The partition 12 is provided with a through hole 121 extending vertically. One side of the hinged door 13 is rotatably mounted to the housing 11, and the other side of the hinged door 13 can be fitted against the housing 11 to close the receiving groove 1111 or moved away from the housing 11 to open the receiving groove 1111. The refractive structure 32 is installed in the installation cavity 14. The light inlet 3212 corresponds to the through hole 121. The receiving cavity 111 includes the receiving groove 1111. This allows the flap door 13 to be opened to place a gel sample into the receiving slot 1111, and then the flap door 13 to close the receiving slot 1111, thus forming the receiving cavity 111, which is equivalent to a darkroom; the ultraviolet light emitted by the light box 2 shines on the gel sample, exciting the gel sample to emit fluorescence; the darkroom environment facilitates the camera 31 to capture clear image information of the gel sample.

[0044] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 2 The gel imaging device also includes a fan 4, which is disposed within the mounting cavity 14. The sidewall of the mounting cavity 14 is provided with multiple heat dissipation holes 141. The fan 4 is used to dissipate the heat generated by the camera 31 and motor components during operation within the mounting cavity 14.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 7The gel imaging device also includes an industrial computer 51, a control circuit board, a power switch, an industrial computer switch, a power socket, a network cable interface, a USB port, and an external interface. The mounting cavity 14 has a mounting window 142, which faces the same direction as the opening of the receiving groove 1111. The industrial computer 51 is mounted on the mounting window 142 for human-computer interaction and image acquisition. The control circuit board and the power switch are both located within the mounting cavity 14 and are electrically connected to the industrial computer 51. The power socket and the network cable interface are both located on one side of the housing 11, and the power socket is used for electrical connection to an external power source.

[0046] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The gel imaging device also includes a limit switch 52, which is located at the opening of the receiving groove 1111. When the flip door 13 is closed, the flip door 13 is in contact with the limit switch 52; when the flip door 13 is open, the flip door 13 moves away from the limit switch 52, thereby enabling the limit switch 52 to detect whether the flip door 13 is open during the imaging experiment, ensuring the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0047] In this embodiment, refer to Figures 2 to 5 The gel imaging device further includes a bracket 61 and a camera protective cover 62. The bracket 61 is connected to the housing 321, and the camera 31 is mounted on the bracket 61. To mount the camera 31 on the bracket 61, the housing 11 has a mounting through hole on the side of the camera 31 facing away from the lens 311, allowing the camera 31 to pass through the mounting through hole and be placed on the bracket 61, thus completing the mounting of the camera 31. The camera protective covers 62 are all located on one side of the housing 11. The camera protective covers 62 are used to seal the mounting through hole, preventing dust in the air from entering the mounting cavity 14 and contaminating the lens 311, thus affecting the imaging effect.

[0048] In this embodiment, the gel imaging device further includes a magnetic component and a magnetic suction component. One of the magnetic component and the magnetic suction component is located on the other side of the flip door 13, and the other is located at the position where the housing 11 and the other side of the flip door 13 are attached. Thus, when the flip door 13 closes the receiving slot 1111, the magnetic component and the magnetic suction component attract each other, ensuring that the flip door 13 is tightly closed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the magnetic component is a magnetic steel ball, which is located on the other side of the flip door 13. The housing 11 is made of a magnetic material, so that the flip door 13 can fit tightly against the housing 11.

[0050] Specifically, in this embodiment, the light source includes multiple ultraviolet LED beads, which are installed inside the housing 21 and arranged in a matrix. Using these ultraviolet LED beads results in a long lifespan, low heat generation, no need for frequent replacements, and more uniform light emission.

[0051] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The receiving slot 1111 is also provided with a sample tray 15, which is located on the upper side of the light box 2 and is used to place gel samples. The middle part of the sample tray 15 is hollowed out to expose the light box 2.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 6 The lens 311 is configured as a zoom lens. The gel imaging device also includes at least two LED white light lamps 71 and at least two LED ultraviolet lamps 72. The two LED white light lamps 71 are respectively installed on two opposite sidewalls of the receiving tank 1111, and the two LED ultraviolet lamps 72 are respectively installed on two opposite sidewalls of the receiving tank 1111, located above the LED white light lamps 71. The two LED white light lamps 71 are used for illumination and observation of protein gel samples. The two LED ultraviolet lamps 72 are used for observation of nucleic acid gel samples. When it is necessary to observe the gel sample, first open the flip door 13, then turn on the two LED white light lamps 71 for illumination, and then place the gel sample on the sample tray 15. If the observed substance is protein gel, turn on the light source inside the light box 2, and keep the two LED white lights 71 on and the two LED ultraviolet lights 72 off; if the observed substance is LED ultraviolet light 72, turn on the corresponding LED ultraviolet light 72 or the light source of the light box 2, and turn off the two LED white lights 71.

[0053] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted by the light box 2 is 310nm, the wavelength of one of the LED ultraviolet lamps 72 is 254nm, and the wavelength of the other LED ultraviolet lamp 72 is 365nm.

[0054] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The gel imaging device further includes a movable frame 16, which is movably connected to the housing 11 along the depth direction of the receiving groove 1111, and is used to place the light box 2. The gel imaging device also includes a protective plate 8, the lower side of which is rotatably connected to the movable frame 16 near the flip door 13, allowing the upper side of the protective plate 8 to be flipped up and down. This allows the movable frame 16 to be pulled out of the receiving groove 1111 for easy gel cutting; and the protective plate 8 is raised to protect the eyes from ultraviolet light damage during gel cutting.

[0055] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 6 In this embodiment, each of the two opposite sidewalls of the receiving groove 1111 is provided with a guide rail 17. The two guide rails 17 are arranged opposite each other and extend along the depth direction of the receiving groove 1111. Two sliding rails 18 are provided on each side of the movable frame 16, and the two sliding rails 18 are slidably connected to the two guide rails 17 respectively. To increase the travel of the movable frame 16, four sliding rails 18 are provided; each sliding rail 18 is slidably connected to the corresponding two sliding rails 18 in sequence.

[0056] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the housing 11 includes an annular protrusion 19, which surrounds the opening of the receiving groove 1111. The flip door 13 has a groove 131 corresponding to the annular protrusion 19, and annular adhesive strips 132 are attached to the two opposite sidewalls of the groove 131. When the flip door 13 is closed, the annular protrusion 19 enters the groove 131, and the two opposite sides of the annular protrusion 19 are respectively attached to the two annular adhesive strips 132. This achieves a good light-blocking effect and improves the imaging effect.

[0057] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A gel imaging device, characterized in that, include: The body (1) is provided with a receiving cavity (111); A light box (2) includes a housing (21), a light source, and a light-diffusing plate (22). The housing (21) is installed in the receiving cavity (211) and has an upward-facing opening. The light source is disposed inside the housing (21), and the light-diffusing plate (22) is installed in the opening. A camera assembly (3) is located on the upper side of the light box (2). The camera assembly (3) includes a camera (31) and a refractive structure (32). The camera (31) is located on the body (1), and the refractive structure (32) is located between the light box (2) and the camera (31) to guide the light from the light box (2) into the lens (311) of the camera (31).

2. The gel imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refractive structure (32) includes a housing (321) and at least one plane mirror (322). The housing (321) is provided with an inner cavity (3211), a light outlet (3212) and a light inlet (3213). The light outlet (3212) corresponds to the lens (311), and the light inlet (3213) corresponds to the light box (2). The plane mirror (322) is inclined in the inner cavity (3211) and is used to refract the light entering through the light inlet (3213) out through the light outlet (3212).

3. The gel imaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light inlet (3213) corresponds to the center of the light box (2); The camera (31) is mounted on one side of the body (1); The housing (321) includes an inclined mounting plate (3214) for the plane mirror (322) to be fitted and installed.

4. The gel imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (1) also includes a housing (11), a partition (12) and a hinged door (13). The partition (12) is disposed inside the housing (11). An installation cavity (14) is formed between the upper side of the partition (12) and the housing (11). A receiving groove (1111) is formed between the lower side of the partition (12) and the housing (11). The partition (12) is provided with a through hole (121) extending in the vertical direction. One side of the hinged door (13) is rotatably mounted on the housing (11). The other side of the hinged door (13) can be fitted against the housing (11) to close the receiving groove (1111) or away from the housing (11) to open the receiving groove (1111). The refractive structure (32) is installed in the mounting cavity (14); The receiving cavity (111) includes the receiving groove (1111).

5. The gel imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gel imaging device also includes a fan (4), which is located inside the mounting cavity (14). The sidewall of the mounting cavity (14) is provided with a plurality of heat dissipation holes (141).

6. The gel imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gel imaging device also includes a magnetic component and a magnetic suction component. One of the magnetic component and the magnetic suction component is located on the other side of the flip door (13), and the other is located at the position where the housing (11) and the flip door (13) are attached.

7. The gel imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gel imaging device also includes a limit switch (6), which is located at the opening of the receiving groove (1111).

8. The gel imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light source includes multiple ultraviolet LED beads, which are installed inside the housing (21) and arranged in a matrix.

Images