A real-time visualization apparatus for agarose gel electrophoresis

Abstract

The utility model relates to an agarose gel electrophoresis real -time visualization device, including the cover and two lampshades, two lampshades are respectively rotationally connected in the inside portion of cover and are close to left, right two side's position department, the central place of cover top is equipped with the observation window, the upper surface of lampshade and the side fixedly connected with first hinged support away from the center of cover, the inside rotationally connected with rotating rod of first hinged support, the upper surface rotationally connected with screw rod of rotating rod, the upper surface of lampshade and the second hinged support of near front and back are all movably connected, the upper surface of the inner wall of cover and the position department fixedly connected with third hinged support correspondingly second hinged support, the telescopic rod structure is rotatably connected between second hinged support and third hinged support, the utility model discloses can directly through the observation window and observe, or directly use the mobile phone and pass through the observation window and carry out the photographing operation of electrophoresis tank to be irradiated by ultraviolet lamp very convenient, save time and energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological detection device technology, specifically a real-time visualization device for agarose gel electrophoresis. Background Technology

[0002] Agarose gel is a gel made using agarose, a polysaccharide extracted from seaweed. When agarose is mixed with an electrophoresis buffer solution, heated to dissolve and solidify, it forms a porous matrix. This gel matrix acts as a molecular filter. When an electric current is applied, biomolecules such as DNA migrate within this molecular filter. The migration rate depends on the size of the DNA molecule, the conformation of the DNA, the concentration of agarose, and the magnitude of the applied current.

[0003] Agarose gel electrophoresis is a form of electrophoresis commonly used to separate and identify different nucleic acid molecular fragments. Using agarose gel as a support, when an electric current is applied, negatively charged DNA or RNA migrates through the pores of the agarose gel to the electrode at the positively charged end of the gel. The smaller the fragment, the faster the migration rate. This produces DNA or RNA bands of different sizes on the agarose gel, which can be observed under ultraviolet light after relevant staining treatments.

[0004] Commonly used staining agents in nucleic acid electrophoresis include bromophenol blue / xylene blue and ethidium bromide. Bromophenol blue / xylene blue is currently the most commonly used electrophoretic tracer dye, as it migrates before nucleic acid fragments and is mainly used to monitor the progress of electrophoresis. Ethidium bromide is a nucleic acid staining agent, but due to its high volatility and toxicity, it has been replaced by new, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic nucleic acid dyes. These new nucleic acid dyes possess the same spectral characteristics as bromophenol blue (EB), can intercalate between paired bases of the nucleic acid double strands, and emit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, with maximum ultraviolet absorption peaks at 300 and 360 nm. Therefore, when preparing agarose gels, researchers typically add an appropriate concentration of nucleic acid dye. As the DNA / RNA sample migrates from the negative to the positive electrode in the agarose gel, the nucleic acid dye moves from the positive to the negative electrode, thus intercalating into the DNA / RNA molecules to form complexes, causing the DNA / RNA to emit fluorescence under ultraviolet light. When there is sufficient nucleic acid dye, the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the DNA / RNA content, which can be used to detect the concentration of DNA / RNA.

[0005] Currently, researchers mainly monitor the electrophoresis process using tracer dyes and identify and analyze DNA fragment sizes, actual migration distances of target DNA fragments, and separation of different DNA fragment sizes using gel imaging systems or darkroom UV analyzers. Although tracer dyes allow for real-time visual monitoring of the electrophoresis process, they cannot visualize the actual separation of DNA fragments and cannot quickly determine the presence, size, and number of DNA fragments in the sample. While gel imaging systems or darkroom UV analyzers can accurately visualize DNA fragments, observation is only possible after electrophoresis has been stopped and the agarose gel has been transferred to a fixed location. The operation process is cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In particular, gel imaging systems are expensive and require regular maintenance and management. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a real-time visualization device for agarose gel electrophoresis, which solves the technical problem that traditional operations require terminating electrophoresis and transferring the agarose gel to a fixed position before observation can be performed.

[0007] This utility model discloses a real-time visualization device for agarose gel electrophoresis, comprising an outer cover and two lamp covers. The two lamp covers are rotatably connected inside the outer cover and located near the left and right sides, respectively. An observation window is provided at the center of the top of the outer cover. Several U-shaped blocks are fixedly connected to both sides of the outer cover, and a support mechanism is installed inside each U-shaped block. At least one ultraviolet lamp is installed inside each lamp cover. A first hinge is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lamp cover away from the center of the outer cover. A rotating rod is rotatably connected inside the first hinge. A screw is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the rotating rod. Nuts are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the outer cover near the left and right sides, and the surface of the screw is threaded to the inner wall of the nut. A second hinge is movably connected to the upper surface of the lamp cover near the front and back sides. A third hinge is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the inner wall of the outer cover at a position corresponding to the second hinge. A telescopic rod structure is rotatably connected between the second and third hinges.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, a bearing is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the rotating rod, one end of the screw is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing, and the other end of the screw passes through the outer cover and is fixedly connected to a handle.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, two baffles are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lampshade and near the front and back positions, and a slider is slidably connected between the two baffles. The second hinge is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the slider.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, a sliding groove is provided in the center of each of the two baffles on opposite sides, and a limiting block is fixedly connected to the front and back of the slider, and the two limiting blocks are slidably connected to the inside of the two sliding grooves respectively.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the telescopic rod structure includes a connecting sleeve and a sliding rod. One end of the sliding rod is slidably connected to the inside of the connecting sleeve, and the other end of the sliding rod is rotatably connected to the inside of the second hinge seat. The upper surface of the connecting sleeve is rotatably connected to the inside of the third hinge seat.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the support structure includes a support sleeve, a base plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support sleeve, a connecting rod is slidably connected to the inside of the support sleeve in the vertical direction, a connecting plate is fixedly connected to the top of the connecting rod, and the connecting plate is movably engaged with the inside of the U-shaped block.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, an insertion hole is provided in the middle of the inner wall of the U-shaped card block, and an insertion block is fixedly connected to the connecting plate at the position corresponding to the insertion hole, and the insertion block is movably engaged inside the insertion hole.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the connecting rod has a hollow internal structure, and connecting holes are equally spaced along the vertical direction on one side of the connecting rod. The support sleeve has a positioning hole on the top of the side corresponding to the connecting hole, and a pin is movably inserted between the positioning hole and the connecting hole.

[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, a power supply is installed on one side of the outer cover, and the ultraviolet lamp is electrically connected to the power supply.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1. This utility model, through its outer cover and the ultraviolet lamp inside, allows staff to simply place the cover above the electrophoresis tank when DNA fragment analysis is needed. Furthermore, the observation window at the top center of the cover allows staff to directly observe the electrophoresis tank or take photos of it using a mobile phone. Staff do not need to use a gel imaging device or transfer the electrophoresis tank to a darkroom. The process does not require stopping electrophoresis or transferring agarose gel, making it extremely convenient, time-saving, and labor-saving, effectively improving work efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure, low cost, and is very easy to maintain.

[0018] 2. This utility model, through the setting of a first hinge seat, a rotating rod, a bearing, and a lead screw, in conjunction with the setting of a second hinge seat, a third hinge seat, and a telescopic rod structure, allows the operator to adjust the irradiation angle of the ultraviolet lamp by rotating the lead screw as needed, making it convenient for the operator to take photos with a mobile phone. Through the setting of the support mechanism, the height of the outer cover is adjustable, making it suitable for use in various electrophoresis tanks and improving the overall applicability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall front sectional structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the lampshade of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the front cross-sectional structure of the lampshade of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram showing the connection relationship between the screw and the rotating rod of this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Outer cover; 101. Nut; 2. Observation window; 3. U-shaped locking block; 4. Connecting plate; 401. Insert block; 5. Support sleeve; 6. Connecting rod; 7. Connecting hole; 8. Pin; 9. Base plate; 10. Lamp cover; 11. Ultraviolet lamp; 12. Wire; 13. First hinge seat; 14. Rotating rod; 15. Bearing; 16. Screw; 17. Handle; 18. Baffle; 19. Slide groove; 20. Slider; 2001. Limiting block; 21. Second hinge seat; 22. Connecting sleeve; 23. Slide rod; 24. Third hinge seat; 25. Power supply. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following illustrations will reveal several embodiments of the present invention. For clarity, many physical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these physical details should not be used to limit the present invention. That is, in some embodiments of the present invention, these physical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and components will be shown in a simple schematic manner in the illustrations.

[0027] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0028] In the description of this technology, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this technology based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-5 This invention discloses a real-time visualization device for agarose gel electrophoresis, comprising an outer cover 1 and two lamp covers 10. The two lamp covers 10 are rotatably connected inside the outer cover 1 and positioned near the left and right sides, respectively. An observation window 2 is provided in the center of the top of the outer cover 1. Several U-shaped clips 3 are fixedly connected to both sides of the outer cover 1, and a support mechanism is installed inside the U-shaped clips 3. At least one ultraviolet lamp 11 is installed inside the lamp cover 10. The ultraviolet lamp 11 has a wavelength of 365nm. A first... The first hinge 13 has a rotating rod 14 rotatably connected inside, and a screw 16 rotatably connected to the upper surface of the rotating rod 14. Nuts 101 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the outer cover 1 near the left and right sides. The surface of the screw 16 is threaded to the inner wall of the nut 101. The second hinge 21 is movably connected to the upper surface of the lamp cover 10 near the front and back. The third hinge 24 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the inner wall of the outer cover 1 at the position corresponding to the second hinge 21. A telescopic rod structure is rotatably connected between the second hinge 21 and the third hinge 24.

[0031] In this embodiment, a bearing 15 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the rotating rod 14, one end of the screw 16 is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing 15, and the other end of the screw 16 passes through the outer cover 1 and is fixedly connected to the handle 17.

[0032] Through the above technical solution design, when the operator rotates the handle 17 above the screw 16, it will drive the lamp cover 10 to rotate, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the irradiation angle of the ultraviolet lamp 11. The operator can judge whether the irradiation angle of the ultraviolet lamp 11 meets the requirements by observing the window 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, two baffles 18 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lampshade 10 near the front and back sides. A slider 20 is slidably connected between the two baffles 18. A second hinge 21 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the slider 20. A groove 19 is provided in the center of the opposite side of the two baffles 18. Limiting blocks 2001 are fixedly connected to the front and back sides of the slider 20. The two limiting blocks 2001 are slidably connected to the inside of the two grooves 19 respectively.

[0034] The above technical solution limits the movement trajectory of the second hinge 21, allowing it to move only in the horizontal direction and preventing it from moving in the vertical direction, thus ensuring the stability of the lampshade 10 when it rotates.

[0035] In this embodiment, the telescopic rod structure includes a connecting sleeve 22 and a sliding rod 23. One end of the sliding rod 23 is slidably connected to the inside of the connecting sleeve 22, and the other end of the sliding rod 23 is rotatably connected to the inside of the second hinge seat 21. The upper surface of the connecting sleeve 22 is rotatably connected to the inside of the third hinge seat 24.

[0036] It should be noted that the inner wall of the connecting sleeve 22 is provided with a rubber sleeve, and the surface of the slide rod 23 is in contact with the inner wall of the rubber sleeve to increase friction and apply a certain pulling force to the lampshade 10 so that the angle of the lampshade 10 can be fixed.

[0037] In this embodiment, to facilitate the adjustment of the height of the outer cover 1 by the staff, the support structure includes a support sleeve 5, a base plate 9 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support sleeve 5, a connecting rod 6 is slidably connected to the inside of the support sleeve 5 in the vertical direction, a connecting plate 4 is fixedly connected to the top of the connecting rod 6, and the connecting plate 4 is movably engaged with the inside of the U-shaped locking block 3.

[0038] The connecting rod 6 has a hollow interior. Connecting holes 7 are equidistantly opened on one side of the connecting rod 6 along the vertical direction. The support sleeve 5 has a positioning hole on the top of the side corresponding to the connecting hole 7. A pin 8 is movably inserted between the positioning hole and the connecting hole 7.

[0039] By using the connecting hole 7 on the connecting rod 6 and the positioning hole on the support sleeve 5, the staff can fix the position of the connecting rod 6 by using the pin 8 after adjusting the height of the connecting rod 6, thereby keeping the height of the outer cover 1 stable.

[0040] A socket is provided in the middle of the inner wall of the U-shaped card block 3. A plug block 401 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 4 at the position corresponding to the socket. The plug block 401 is movably engaged inside the socket.

[0041] The above technical solution facilitates the disassembly and assembly of the connecting plate 4 and the U-shaped card block 3 by the staff, making it convenient for the storage and transportation of the device.

[0042] In this embodiment, a power supply 25 is installed on one side of the outer casing 1, and ultraviolet lamps 11 on the same side are connected in series with each other via wires 12 and electrically connected to the power supply 25. The power supply 25 is provided with a light adjustment knob for adjusting the light intensity of the ultraviolet lamps 11. It should be noted that the circuit connection between the light adjustment knob on the power supply 25 and the ultraviolet lamps 11 is prior art and is a conventional technical means well known to those skilled in the art.

[0043] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this utility model should be included within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A real-time visualization device for agarose gel electrophoresis, comprising an outer cover (1) and two lamp covers (10), wherein the two lamp covers (10) are rotatably connected inside the outer cover (1) and near the left and right sides, respectively, characterized in that, An observation window (2) is provided in the center of the top of the outer cover (1). Several U-shaped clips (3) are fixedly connected to both sides of the outer cover (1). A support mechanism is installed inside the U-shaped clips (3). At least one ultraviolet lamp (11) is installed inside the lamp cover (10). A first hinge (13) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lamp cover (10) on the side away from the center of the outer cover (1). A rotating rod (14) is rotatably connected inside the first hinge (13). A screw (16) is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the rotating rod (14). Nuts (101) are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the outer cover (1) near the left and right sides. The surface of the screw (16) is threaded to the inner wall of the nut (101). The lampshade (10) is movably connected to a second hinge (21) on its upper surface and near the front and back sides. The outer cover (1) is fixedly connected to a third hinge (24) on its inner wall upper surface at the position corresponding to the second hinge (21). A telescopic rod structure is rotatably connected between the second hinge (21) and the third hinge (24).

2. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the rotating rod (14) is fixedly connected to a bearing (15), one end of the screw (16) is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing (15), and the other end of the screw (16) passes through the outer cover (1) and is fixedly connected to a handle (17).

3. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two baffles (18) are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lampshade (10) and near the front and back. A slider (20) is slidably connected between the two baffles (18). The second hinge (21) is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the slider (20).

4. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the two baffles (18) has a groove (19) in the center of its opposite side. The front and back of the slider (20) are fixedly connected to a limiting block (2001). The two limiting blocks (2001) are slidably connected to the inside of the two grooves (19).

5. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic rod structure includes a connecting sleeve (22) and a sliding rod (23). One end of the sliding rod (23) is slidably connected to the inside of the connecting sleeve (22), and the other end of the sliding rod (23) is rotatably connected to the inside of the second hinge seat (21). The upper surface of the connecting sleeve (22) is rotatably connected to the inside of the third hinge seat (24).

6. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support structure includes a support sleeve (5), a base plate (9) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support sleeve (5), a connecting rod (6) is slidably connected to the inside of the support sleeve (5) in the vertical direction, a connecting plate (4) is fixedly connected to the top of the connecting rod (6), and the connecting plate (4) is movably engaged with the inside of the U-shaped block (3).

7. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The U-shaped card block (3) has an insertion hole in the middle of its inner wall. The connecting plate (4) is fixedly connected to the insertion block (401) at the position corresponding to the insertion hole. The insertion block (401) is movably engaged inside the insertion hole.

8. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The connecting rod (6) has a hollow structure inside. Connecting holes (7) are provided at equal intervals along the vertical direction on one side of the connecting rod (6). The support sleeve (5) has a positioning hole on the top of the side corresponding to the connecting hole (7). A pin (8) is movably inserted between the positioning hole and the connecting hole (7).

9. The agarose gel electrophoresis real-time visualization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A power supply (25) is installed on one side of the outer cover (1), and the ultraviolet lamp (11) is electrically connected to the power supply (25).

Images