Freeze tube opener

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of cryopreservation tube uncap device, including base, the upper surface of base is used to place cryopreservation box, cryopreservation box is used to place multiple cryopreservation tubes in rectangular array arrangement, the top of base is equipped with and the position corresponding to cryopreservation tube one-to-one screw cap device, each screw cap device is independently operated.The beneficial effects of the utility model technical scheme are: each rotating motor is separately connected and can drive the driving device that it moves up and down, the up and down movement of each batch head / claw jaw component can be independent, so that the opening and closing operation of pipe cover to different parts of cryopreservation tube in the same cryopreservation box can be realized, satisfy more diversified use scene.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of biobank storage technology, specifically relating to a cryopreservation tube opener. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical industry, large-scale biobanks have emerged, and the storage capacity of biological samples is increasing. Generally, biological samples such as tissues and cells in clinical or laboratory settings are placed in cryovials, which are then placed in cryopreservation boxes for freezing. Cryopreservation boxes have multiple openings for placing cryovials.

[0003] Specifically, cryovials are specialized containers used for cryopreserving biological samples (such as cells, tissues, DNA, RNA, etc.). Cryovials are typically made of cryogenically resistant materials such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or polyethylene (PE), capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures, such as -196°C at liquid nitrogen temperature. Cryovials may be equipped with screw caps or flip caps to prevent liquid leakage and gas exchange, ensuring the safety and stability of biological samples during preservation. Some cryovials are made of transparent material, facilitating observation and labeling of the biological sample's state. Cryovials can be used to preserve various types of cells, such as primary cells, passaged cells, and stem cells. Cryopreservation ensures that cells retain good viability and proliferative capacity even after long-term storage. Cryovials can also be used to preserve various types of tissue samples, such as liver, kidneys, and hearts. Cryopreservation of tissue samples is crucial for biomedical research, ensuring that tissues maintain their structural and functional integrity at low temperatures. DNA and RNA extracts can be added to cryovials to preserve these important biomolecules at low temperatures for subsequent analysis and processing. Due to their advantages such as good sealing performance, low temperature resistance, and light weight, cryovials have become an ideal container for transferring biological samples between laboratories or between laboratories and clinics.

[0004] Cryopreservation boxes are containers used to store and freeze biological samples (such as cells, tissues, DNA, RNA, etc.), and are widely used in laboratories, hospitals, and research institutions. Cryopreservation boxes are typically made of materials such as polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), and waterproof fiberboard, which have excellent low-temperature resistance and can withstand extremely low temperatures, such as -196°C at liquid nitrogen temperature. Cryopreservation boxes maintain structural stability for extended periods at low temperatures, without cracking or deforming. Some boxes are designed with a sealing lid to prevent liquid leakage and gas exchange, ensuring the safety and stability of biological samples during preservation. Some boxes are made of transparent material, facilitating observation and labeling of the biological sample's condition. Cryopreservation boxes can withstand multiple freeze-thaw cycles without damage. The interior of a cryopreservation box may be designed with multiple compartments or slots for placing cryovials. The size and shape of these compartments or slots match the cryovials to ensure they remain stable and do not move within the box. For easy management and retrieval of samples, some cryopreservation boxes may have numerical codes or color-coded markings on the compartments or slots; these marking systems help to quickly identify and locate samples. To save storage space, cryogenic boxes are usually designed to be stackable, which maximizes the use of storage space in ultra-low temperature freezers or liquid nitrogen tanks.

[0005] To facilitate user operation, cryopreservation tube plate openers have been developed in related technologies. These openers have multiple rotary motors, each connected to a screwdriver bit. By rotating the screwdriver bit, the caps of the cryopreservation tubes are opened and closed. However, these openers only allow multiple rotary motors to move up and down simultaneously. Therefore, they can only open or close all cryopreservation tubes in the cryopreservation box at the same time, which cannot meet the needs of diverse usage scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a cryopreservation tube opener to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0008] A cryopreservation tube opener is provided, comprising a base, the upper surface of which is used to place a cryopreservation box, the cryopreservation box being used to place multiple cryopreservation tubes arranged in a rectangular array, and a capping device corresponding to the position of each cryopreservation tube being provided above the base, each capping device operating independently.

[0009] As described in the cryopreservation tube opener, the capping device includes a drive device and a rotary motor. The drive device is used to drive the corresponding rotary motor to move up and down. The output shaft of the rotary motor is connected to a bit or a gripper assembly. The bit or the gripper assembly is used to rotate the tube cap to open or close the tube cap when it is engaged with the tube cap of the cryopreservation tube.

[0010] As described in the cryopreservation tube opener, a first mounting part and a second mounting part are provided above the base, the drive device is mounted on the first mounting part, the rotary motor is mounted on the second mounting part, and the second mounting part is located below the first mounting part.

[0011] The cryopreservation tube opener further includes a housing with a receiving cavity, wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are both disposed within the receiving cavity, and each bit or gripper assembly has a first state located within the receiving cavity and a second state at least partially extended from the receiving cavity via a corresponding driving device.

[0012] As described in the cryopreservation tube opener, the cryopreservation tube cap has a top surface groove, the gripper assembly includes an electromagnet, an iron slider and grippers, the iron slider has three slots evenly distributed around its periphery, the slots are provided with hinge points by means of pins, the upper end of the grippers abuts against the lower surface of the electromagnet, and the lower end passes obliquely through the slots from top to bottom and abuts against the top surface groove of the cryopreservation tube cap.

[0013] As described in the cryopreservation tube opener, the outer shell is equipped with a display device with a human-machine interface, and the receiving cavity is equipped with an information receiving module, which receives control signals emitted by the display device in a wired or wireless manner.

[0014] As described in the cryopreservation tube opener, the upper surface of the base is provided with a sliding tray, and the cryopreservation box is placed on the tray.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model's technical solution are:

[0016] Each rotary motor is individually connected to a drive unit that can move it up and down. The up and down movement of each bit / gripper assembly can be independent, thus enabling the opening and closing of the caps on different parts of the cryopreservation tubes within the same cryopreservation box, meeting more diverse usage scenarios. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To further illustrate the above-mentioned objectives, structural features, and effects of this utility model, the following will describe this utility model in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1This is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the gripper assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial detail drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Cryopreservation box; 3. Cryopreservation tube; 4. Drive device; 5. Rotary motor; 6. Bit; 7. First mounting part; 8. Second mounting part; 9. Mounting plate; 10. Housing; 11. Display device; 12. Electromagnet; 13. Iron slider; 14. Gripper; 15. Slot; 16. Pin; 17. Adhesive strip. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The terms “utility model” and “this utility model” used in this specification are intended to broadly refer to all subject matter of this specification and any of the following patent claims. Statements containing these terms should not be construed as limiting the subject matter described herein or limiting the meaning or scope of any of the following patent claims. Furthermore, this specification does not attempt to describe or limit the subject matter covered by any claim of any particular component, paragraph, statement, or drawing of this application. The subject matter should be understood with reference to the entire specification, all drawings, and any of the following claims. This utility model may have other embodiments and be practiced or implemented in other ways. Moreover, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0024] The details of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are illustrated by way of example only. In the drawings, similar features or components may be labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0025] The use of the terms "comprising," "having," and "including," and variations thereof, herein means to include the items listed herein, their equivalents, and additional items. While reference may be made in the description of the drawings to directions such as above, below, upward, downward, backward, bottom, top, front, rear, etc., for convenience, reference is made relative to the drawings. These directions are not intended to literally accept or limit the invention in any form. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are used herein for illustrative purposes and are not intended to indicate or imply importance or significance.

[0026] See Figures 1 to 3As shown, the cryopreservation tube opener of this utility model includes a base 1, the upper surface of the base 1 is used to place a cryopreservation box 2, the cryopreservation box 2 is used to place multiple cryopreservation tubes 3 arranged in a rectangular array, each cryopreservation tube 3 has a corresponding hole, and a capping device corresponding to the position of the cryopreservation tube 3 is provided above the base 1, and each capping device operates independently.

[0027] The capping device includes a drive unit 4 and a rotary motor 5. The drive unit 4 is used to drive the corresponding rotary motor 5 to move up and down. The drive unit 4 can be a telescopic cylinder, a telescopic / rotary motor, etc. The output shaft of the rotary motor 5 is connected to a bit 6 or a gripper assembly. The bit 6 or gripper assembly is used to rotate the tube cap to open and close the tube cap when it is engaged with the tube cap of the cryopreservation tube 3.

[0028] Each rotary motor 5 is individually connected to a drive device 4 that can drive it to move up and down. The up and down movement of each bit 6 / gripper assembly can be independent, thereby enabling the opening and closing of the caps on some cryopreservation tubes 3 within the same cryopreservation box 2, meeting more diverse usage scenarios.

[0029] In some embodiments, each rotary motor 5 can be controlled independently. For example, some motors can rotate in the forward direction, while others can rotate in the reverse direction, thereby enabling the partial opening and closing of the cryopreservation tubes 3. Preferably, the cap opener can be equipped with a cap retraction plate that can move up and down to separate the bit 6 / clamp assembly from the tube cap after the cap is closed, preventing the bit 6 from lifting the entire cryopreservation tube 3 when it moves upward.

[0030] In some embodiments, a groove is provided on the upper surface of the base 1. The groove is used to limit the position of the cryopreservation box 2. That is, the cryopreservation box 2 is placed in the groove, and the edge of the groove is used to limit the position of the cryopreservation box 2 to avoid the situation where the cryopreservation tube 3 and the bit 6 / clamp assembly are not aligned, which would prevent the tube cap from being opened or closed.

[0031] The base 1 has a first mounting part 7 and a second mounting part 8 on its upper part. The drive device 4 is mounted on the first mounting part 7, and the rotary motor 5 is mounted on the second mounting part 8. The second mounting part 8 is located below the first mounting part 7.

[0032] Continue reading Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, an upwardly extending mounting plate 9 is provided on the rear side of the base 1, and the first mounting part 7 and the second mounting part 8 are fixed on the mounting plate 9. The plate-shaped mounting plate 9 can improve the installation support effect and improve the overall stability. In some other embodiments, mounting rods or other devices can also be used, and placing the mounting plate 9 on the rear side of the base 1 can facilitate user operation.

[0033] It is understood that multiple rotary motors 5 are arranged in a rectangular array to accommodate common cryopreservation boxes 2, such as a 9×14 array, or other arrays in other embodiments.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, the cap opener further includes a housing 10 with a receiving cavity, a first mounting part 7 and a second mounting part 8 are both disposed in the receiving cavity, and each bit 6 or gripper assembly has a first state located in the receiving cavity and a second state at least partially extended out of the receiving cavity by the corresponding driving device 4, thereby improving the protection effect on the related device and improving the appearance of the cap opener.

[0035] The outer casing 10 is equipped with a display device 11 featuring a human-machine interface, and an information receiving module is located within the receiving cavity. The information receiving module receives control signals emitted by the display device 11 via wired or wireless means. In some embodiments, the user can use the display device 11 to select which cryopreservation tubes 3 should be opened, closed, or left unoperated. For example, the display device 11 displays an array of holes in the cryopreservation box 2 or an array image of the cryopreservation tubes 3. The user can directly click on the image or select some locations in other ways, and select to perform a certain operation on the cryopreservation tubes 3 at these locations. The drive device 4 and the rotary motor 5 then operate accordingly.

[0036] The upper surface of the base 1 is provided with a sliding tray, on which the cryopreservation box 2 is placed. The tray is slidably set on the upper surface of the base 1 so that the upper surface of the base 1 can hold the cryopreservation box 2 through the tray. Users can pull out the tray and then place the cryopreservation box 2, which is convenient to use.

[0037] In some embodiments, one of the tray and the base 1 is provided with a guide rail, and the other of the tray and the base 1 is provided with a guide groove. The tray and the base 1 slide through the guide rail and the guide groove. The guide rail and the guide groove improve the stability of movement and prevent misalignment of the tray from causing the bit 6 / clamp assembly and the tube cap to misalign.

[0038] The tray is equipped with a limiting structure for limiting the cryopreservation box 2, and the tray is detachable from the base 1. Therefore, by replacing the tray with a limiting structure of different sizes (such as protrusions or grooves), the user can adapt the lid opener to cryopreservation boxes 2 of different sizes and specifications, thereby improving the applicability of the lid opener.

[0039] See Figure 3As shown, the cap of the cryopreservation tube 3 has a groove on its top surface. The gripper assembly includes an electromagnet 12, an iron slider 13, and grippers 14. Three slots 15 are evenly distributed around the periphery of the iron slider 13. Hinge points are set in the slots 15 through pins 16. The upper end of the gripper 14 abuts against the lower surface of the electromagnet 12, and the lower end passes obliquely from top to bottom through the slots 15 and abuts against the groove on the top surface of the cap of the cryopreservation tube 3. When the electromagnet 12 is energized, it generates a suction force on the iron slider 13, thereby causing the iron slider 13 to move upward. The gripper 14 is designed as a seesaw, with the pin 16 as the hinge point. Therefore, the upper part of the gripper 14 retracts, and the lower part opens. The tip of the gripper 14 is protected by a rubber strip 17 to avoid abrasion of the cryopreservation tube cap. The open gripper 14 supports the cryopreservation tube cap to facilitate subsequent rotation.

[0040] Continue reading Figure 4 The detailed view shows that the rotary motor 5, located inside the housing 10, is fixed to the motor mounting base. The force transmission shaft and the rotary motor 5 transmit force through a D-shaped structure. The force transmission shaft mounting base is a fixed component, and the force transmission shaft and the mounting base are connected by threads. Therefore, when the motor shaft rotates, it drives the force transmission shaft to rotate. The threaded connection of the force transmission shaft mounting base enables the force transmission shaft to rise and fall. Each rotary motor 5 has its own independent gripper assembly, allowing control of a single motor and thus enabling the designated opening or closing of the cryogenic tube 3.

[0041] During operation, the motor rotates clockwise, driving the transmission shaft to descend, and the motor controls the opening position; the electromagnet pulls upward, the claws open, and the claws tighten the inner wall of the cap; the motor rotates counterclockwise to open the cap, and the cap moves upward together. The thread size of the transmission shaft and the mounting base is the same as the thread size of the pipe and the cap, so it can move upward while retracting. The closing action is the opposite of this.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, there are a total of 9 rows of rotary motors 5. The 8th row of motors is controlled by software to rotate clockwise, so that the force transmission shaft and the gripper assembly rotate clockwise and descend together. When the gripper 14 of the gripper assembly is inserted into the cryopreservation tube cap, the gripper 14 opens to support the cryopreservation tube cap, and the motor rotates counterclockwise. Since the thread size of the cryopreservation tube 3 and the cryopreservation tube cap is the same as the thread size of the force transmission shaft and the force transmission shaft mounting seat, the force transmission shaft, the gripper assembly, and the cryopreservation tube cap rotate counterclockwise synchronously and rise, thereby opening the cap, and conversely closing the cap.

[0043] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the implementation methods and protection scope of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should realize that any equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cryopreservation tube opener, characterized in that, The device includes a base, the upper surface of which is used to place a cryopreservation box, the cryopreservation box is used to place multiple cryopreservation tubes arranged in a rectangular array, and a capping device is provided above the base that corresponds to the position of each cryopreservation tube, and each capping device operates independently.

2. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The capping device includes a drive unit and a rotary motor. The drive unit is used to drive the corresponding rotary motor to move up and down. The output shaft of the rotary motor is connected to a bit or a gripper assembly. The bit or the gripper assembly is used to rotate the cap of the cryopreservation tube to open or close the cap when it is engaged with the cap of the cryopreservation tube.

3. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The base is provided with a first mounting part and a second mounting part above it. The drive device is mounted on the first mounting part, and the rotary motor is mounted on the second mounting part. The second mounting part is located below the first mounting part.

4. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a housing with a receiving cavity, in which the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are both disposed. Each bit or gripper assembly has a first state located within the receiving cavity and a second state at least partially extended from the receiving cavity via a corresponding driving device.

5. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 2 or 4, characterized in that, The cap of the cryopreservation tube has a top surface groove. The gripper assembly includes an electromagnet, an iron slider, and grippers. Three slots are evenly distributed around the iron slider. Hinge points are set in the slots via pins. The upper end of the gripper abuts against the lower surface of the electromagnet, and the lower end passes obliquely through the slots from top to bottom and abuts against the top surface groove of the cap of the cryopreservation tube.

6. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The outer shell is equipped with a display device with a human-computer interaction interface, and the cavity is equipped with an information receiving module that receives control signals from the display device in a wired or wireless manner.

7. The cryopreservation tube opener as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the base is provided with a sliding tray, on which the cryopreservation box is placed.

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