Swab extrusion device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a swab extrusion device, include: for supporting the support subassembly of test tube, for extruding test tube's extrusion subassembly and for providing power transmission subassembly for extruding test tube, extrusion subassembly includes extrusion board and extrusion channel, extrusion board is the strip board, and the extrusion channel is established on this extrusion board along its length direction, the width of extrusion channel changes from wide to narrow, and then from narrow to wide continues to change, test tube is placed in the extrusion channel, and transmission subassembly pushes test tube and moves along extrusion channel in extrusion channel. In the moving process, because the width of extrusion channel changes continuously, when it is pushed to the narrow place, the inner wall of extrusion channel extrudes the cotton swab in test tube, after the wide and narrow of extrusion channel change for many times, equivalent to extruding the cotton swab for many times, and then make the cotton swab and the extraction solution in test tube mix fully, and do not need manual extrusion to test tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this utility model belong to the field of biological detection technology, and more specifically, relate to a swab squeezing device. Background Technology

[0002] Throat swab testing is a method for collecting upper respiratory tract samples, primarily used to diagnose infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria. Among various methods for detecting influenza, throat swab testing has the advantages of being non-invasive, rapid, simple, cost-effective, highly accurate, and easy to operate. It is often used for early diagnosis, helping doctors detect diseases as early as possible, especially during epidemic outbreaks. After collecting the sample, the swab needs to be stirred in the sample extract in the sampling tube. The swab is then squeezed several times with a finger from the outside of the sampling tube to fully saturate it with the extract. The swab is then removed, and the squeezed liquid is used as the sample for testing. During influenza outbreaks, the number of samples collected increases dramatically. Staff may experience finger pain or even cramps when squeezing the tubes due to the large number of samples.

[0003] Currently, there is a sample extraction tube available on the market for swabs. This tube consists of an upper cap and a lower tube body. The tube body contains a cavity containing an elution reagent, and the cavity is divided into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. The upper cavity has a U-shaped groove structure, allowing the swab head to move up and down within it. The lower cavity contains multiple extrusion components, which form a channel for the swab head to pass through. The minimum outer diameter of the channel is smaller than the outer diameter of the swab head, allowing the swab head to be compressed within the lower cavity.

[0004] This sample extraction tube eliminates the need for staff to squeeze cotton swabs, but as a consumable, its cost is too high, and it can only be operated individually, resulting in low efficiency when dealing with large sample volumes. Therefore, a swab squeezing device is needed to help staff squeeze swabs in batches without changing the cost of consumables, thereby freeing up manpower and improving testing efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned deficiencies or improvement needs of existing technologies, this utility model provides a swab squeezing device. After the test tube is placed on the support assembly, its bottom falls precisely into the squeezing channel. A conveying assembly then pushes the test tube along the squeezing channel. During this movement, the width of the squeezing channel continuously changes. When it reaches its narrowest point, the inner wall of the squeezing channel squeezes the cotton swab inside the test tube. After multiple changes in the width of the squeezing channel, the cotton swab is effectively squeezed multiple times, ensuring thorough mixing between the cotton swab and the extract in the test tube, eliminating the need for manual squeezing of the test tube.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a swab squeezing device, comprising: a support assembly for supporting a test tube, a squeezing assembly for squeezing the test tube, and a transmission assembly for providing power to squeeze the test tube;

[0007] The extrusion assembly includes an extrusion plate and an extrusion channel. The extrusion plate is a strip plate, and an extrusion channel is provided on the extrusion plate along its length.

[0008] The width of the extrusion channel changes continuously from wide to narrow and then from narrow to wide. The test tube is placed inside the extrusion channel, and the conveying component pushes the test tube to move along the extrusion channel.

[0009] Furthermore, the support assembly includes a support plate fixedly connected to the extrusion plate, a slide plate disposed on the support plate, a rotating plate disposed on the slide plate, and a steering rack disposed on the slide plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the support plate is composed of two strip plates arranged opposite each other, and a groove is provided on one of their opposing sides along the length direction;

[0011] The slide plate is provided in multiple square plates, the side length of which is equal to the distance between the inner walls of the sliding grooves on both sides of the support plate. The two sides are placed in the sliding grooves and slide along them. A circular through hole is opened at the center of the slide plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the rotating plate is a cylindrical plate with an annular groove on its cylindrical surface along the circumference. The inner diameter of the groove is the same as the radius of the slide plate through hole. The rotating plate is rotatably connected to the slide plate through hole through the annular groove.

[0013] The rotating plate has a gear along its circumferential direction on its cylindrical surface. The steering rack is located on the inner side of one of the strip plates along the length of the support plate, and its teeth mesh with the gear on the rotating plate. When the slide plate passes the steering rack, the rotating plate rotates on the slide plate under the action of the steering rack.

[0014] Furthermore, a circular hole is also provided at the center of the rotating plate, the diameter of which is the same as the outer diameter of the test tube;

[0015] The test tube is placed inside the circular hole at the center of the rotating plate, and the two are interference-fitted.

[0016] Furthermore, the steering rack is provided in one or more parts. When there is only one rack, it is located in the middle of the support plate. When there are multiple racks, they are evenly distributed on the support plate at equal intervals.

[0017] The length of the steering rack is one-quarter of the circumference of the gear on the rotating plate, so that it rotates only ninety degrees when rotating.

[0018] Furthermore, the transmission assembly includes a drive wheel, a drive chain disposed on the drive wheel, and a push plate disposed on the slide plate.

[0019] Furthermore, the push plate is mounted on the slide plate and fixedly connected to one side of its bottom. The bottom of the push plate has a vertical plate extending downward to near the extrusion plate, and two protective plates extending out to the side near the test tube.

[0020] The protective plates are respectively located at the front and back of the test tube in the direction of travel, clamping the test tube between the two protective plates, with both the front and back protective plates in contact with the test tube;

[0021] The vertical side of the push plate is provided with a toothed rack.

[0022] Furthermore, the contact area between the push plate and the test tube is an arc surface, which fits against the surface of the test tube to prevent deformation when the test tube is pushed.

[0023] Furthermore, a pair of drive wheels are provided, and the drive chain is arranged in a closed loop on the drive wheel, with the two drive wheels stretching the drive chain between them into a straight edge.

[0024] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solution conceived by this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0025] 1. The swab squeezing device of this utility model, after the test tube is placed on the support component, its bottom falls exactly into the squeezing channel, and then the test tube is pushed along the squeezing channel by the conveying component. During the movement, because the width of the squeezing channel continuously changes, when it is pushed to the narrow part, the inner wall of the squeezing channel squeezes the cotton swab in the test tube. After the width of the squeezing channel changes multiple times, it is equivalent to squeezing the cotton swab multiple times, thereby making the cotton swab and the extract in the test tube fully mixed, without the need for manual squeezing of the test tube.

[0026] 2. The swab squeezing device of this utility model has multiple sliding plates and rotating plates, all mounted on a support plate, which can hold multiple test tubes and squeeze multiple test tubes simultaneously, improving work efficiency. During flu season, it reduces the time that staff are in contact with samples, avoids prolonged exposure to the virus, and lowers the probability of staff being infected with the virus.

[0027] 3. The swab squeezing device of this utility model has a rotating plate and a directional rack in the support assembly. During the process of moving and squeezing the test tube, the test tube is rotated 90 degrees by the combination of the two. After the rotation is completed, it continues to move forward and squeezes the cotton swab in the test tube at a different angle, so that the squeezing is more complete and the quality of the cotton swab soaking and mixing in the extract is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1This is a front view of the structure of a swab squeezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 1 Schematic diagram of section AA in the diagram;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the structure of a swab squeezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of a swab squeezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 4 Enlarged diagram of part a in the diagram;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a side view of the structure of a swab squeezing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same technical features, specifically: 1-support assembly, 11-support plate, 12-slide plate, 13-rotating plate, 14-steering rack, 2-extrusion assembly, 21-extrusion plate, 22-extrusion channel, 3-transfer assembly, 31-drive wheel, 32-drive chain, 33-push plate, 34-drive shaft, 4-test tube. Detailed Implementation

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0037] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., 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 utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0039] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this embodiment of the present invention provides a swab squeezing device, including a support assembly 1 for supporting a test tube 4, a squeezing assembly 2 for squeezing the test tube 4, and a conveying assembly 3 for providing power to squeeze the test tube 4. The squeezing assembly 2 includes a squeezing plate 21 and a squeezing channel 22. The squeezing plate 21 is a strip plate with a squeezing channel 22 along its length. The width of the squeezing channel 22 continuously changes from wide to narrow and then from narrow to wide. The squeezing plate 21 is fixedly connected to the support assembly 1 at a certain distance. After the test tube 4 is placed on the support assembly 1, its bottom falls exactly into the squeezing channel 22. The conveying assembly 3 then pushes the test tube 4 along the squeezing channel 22. During the movement, because the width of the squeezing channel 22 continuously changes, when it reaches its narrowest point, the inner wall of the squeezing channel 22 squeezes the cotton swab inside the test tube 4. After multiple changes in width within the squeezing channel 22, it is equivalent to squeezing the cotton swab multiple times, thereby ensuring that the cotton swab and the extract in the test tube 4 are fully mixed, eliminating the need for manual squeezing of the test tube.

[0040] The support assembly 1 includes a support plate 11 fixedly connected to the extrusion plate 21, a slide plate 12 disposed on the support plate 11, a rotating plate 13 disposed on the slide plate 12, and a steering rack 14 disposed on the slide plate 12. The support plate 11 consists of two strip plates arranged opposite each other, with a groove along its length on one of their opposing sides. Multiple slide plates 12 are provided; each is a square plate with a side length equal to the distance between the inner walls of the grooves on both sides of the support plate 11. The two sides slide within the grooves, and a circular through hole is located at the center of each slide plate 12. The rotating plate 13 is a cylindrical plate with an annular groove along its circumference. The inner diameter of the groove is the same as the radius of the through hole in the slide plate 12. The rotating plate 13 is rotatably connected to the through hole in the slide plate 12 via the annular groove, allowing the rotating plate 13 to rotate on the slide plate 12. The rotating plate 13 has a gear along its circumferential direction on its cylindrical surface. The steering rack 14 is located on the inner side of one of the strip plates along the length of the support plate 11, and its teeth mesh with the gear on the rotating plate 13. When the slide plate 12 passes the steering rack 14, the rotating plate 13 rotates on the slide plate 12 under the action of the steering rack 14. The rotating plate 13 also has a circular hole in its center, the diameter of which is the same as the outer diameter of the test tube 4. The test tube 4 is placed in the circular hole in the center of the rotating plate 13, and the two are interference-fitted so that they will not rotate or move relative to each other during the movement of the test tube 4.

[0041] Preferably, the support plate 11 and the extrusion plate 21 are connected by a column to keep them parallel and fixed (not shown in the figure).

[0042] Preferably, the number of the slide plate 12 and the rotating plate 13 are the same and there are multiple of them. They are all located on the support plate 11 and slide on it with the slide plate 12 to squeeze the cotton swabs in multiple test tubes 4 at the same time.

[0043] Preferably, one or more steering racks 14 are provided. When there is one rack, it is located in the middle of the support plate 11; when there are multiple racks, they are evenly spaced on the support plate 11. The length of the steering rack 14 is one-quarter of the circumference of the gear on the rotating plate 13, so that it rotates only ninety degrees when rotating. Therefore, when the conveying assembly 3 pushes the slide plate 12 carrying the test tube 4 to the steering rack 14, during the continued advancement, under the action of the steering rack 14, the rotating plate 13 drives the test tube 4 to rotate ninety degrees. After the rotation is completed, it continues to advance forward, squeezing the cotton swab in the test tube 4 at a different angle, making the squeezing more thorough and improving the quality of the cotton swab soaking and mixing in the extract.

[0044] The conveying assembly 3 includes a drive wheel 31, a drive chain 32 mounted on the drive wheel 31, and a push plate 33 mounted on the slide plate 12. The push plate 33 is mounted on the slide plate 12 and fixedly connected to one side of its bottom. Its bottom has a vertical plate extending downwards to near the extrusion plate 21, and then two protective plates extending towards the test tube 4. These protective plates are positioned at the front and rear of the test tube 4 in the forward direction, clamping the test tube 4 between the two protective plates. Both the front and rear protective plates are in contact with the test tube 4. The vertical plate of the push plate 33 has a rack on its side. A pair of drive wheels 31 are correspondingly provided, and the drive chain 32 is arranged in a closed loop on each drive wheel 31, with the two drive wheels 31 stretching the drive chain 32 between them into a straight edge. The straight edge of one side of the drive chain 32 meshes with the rack on the side of the push plate 33, causing the drive chain 32 to rotate via the drive wheel 31, thereby causing the slide plate 12 to rotate along the groove of the support plate 11. Meanwhile, the protective plate at the bottom of the push plate 33 provides a pushing force to the bottom of the test tube 4, so that both the upper and lower ends of the test tube 4 are subjected to force, preventing the test tube 4 from tilting during the pushing process.

[0045] Preferably, the contact area between the push plate 33 and the test tube 4 is an arc surface, which fits against the surface of the test tube 4 to prevent deformation when the test tube 4 is pushed.

[0046] Preferably, the axle of the drive wheel 31 is supported by a bearing seat and is synchronously fixed with the support plate 11, and a manual or automatic drive device is connected to the axle of one of the drive wheels 31 to drive its rotation (not shown in the figure).

[0047] Example 2

[0048] Based on Embodiment 1, this utility model embodiment provides a temporary placement platform at the rear end of the support plate 11, which extends along the groove of the support plate 11. After the slide plate 12, the rotating plate 13 and the steering rack 14 move to the end of the support plate 11, they are pushed onto the temporary placement platform by the subsequent slide plate 12 along the groove for temporary placement.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements 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 swab squeezing device, characterized in that, include: The support assembly (1) for supporting the test tube (4), the extrusion assembly (2) for extruding the test tube (4), and the transmission assembly (3) for providing power to extrude the test tube (4). The extrusion assembly (2) includes an extrusion plate (21) and an extrusion channel (22). The extrusion plate (21) is a strip plate, and an extrusion channel (22) is provided on the extrusion plate (21) along its length direction. The width of the extrusion channel (22) changes continuously from wide to narrow and then from narrow to wide. The test tube (4) is placed in the extrusion channel (22), and the conveying component (3) pushes the test tube (4) to move along the extrusion channel (22).

2. The swab squeezing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support assembly (1) includes a support plate (11) fixedly connected to the extrusion plate (21), a slide plate (12) disposed on the support plate (11), a rotating plate (13) disposed on the slide plate (12), and a steering rack (14) disposed on the slide plate (12).

3. The swab squeezing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate (11) is composed of two strip plates arranged opposite each other, and a groove is provided on the opposite side along the length direction; The slide plate (12) is provided in multiple ways. It is a square plate with a side length equal to the distance between the inner walls of the slide grooves on both sides of the support plate (11). The two sides are placed in the slide grooves and slide along them. A circular through hole is opened at the center of the slide plate (12).

4. The swab squeezing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating plate (13) is a cylindrical plate with an annular groove on its cylindrical surface along the circumference. The inner diameter of the groove is the same as the radius of the through hole of the sliding plate (12). The rotating plate (13) is rotatably connected to the through hole of the sliding plate (12) through the annular groove. The rotating plate (13) is provided with a gear along the circumferential direction on the cylindrical surface. The steering rack (14) is located on the inner side of one of the strip plates along the length direction of the support plate (11), and the teeth on it mesh with the gear on the rotating plate (13). When the slide plate (12) passes the steering rack (14), the rotating plate (13) rotates on the slide plate (12) under the action of the steering rack (14).

5. The swab squeezing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating plate (13) also has a circular hole in the center, the diameter of which is the same as the outer diameter of the test tube (4); The test tube (4) is located in the circular hole at the center of the rotating plate (13), and the two are interference fit.

6. The swab squeezing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The steering rack (14) is provided in one or more. When there is one rack, it is located in the middle of the support plate (11). When there are multiple racks, they are evenly distributed on the support plate (11). The length of the steering rack (14) is one-quarter of the circumference of the gear on the rotating plate (13), so that it only rotates ninety degrees when rotating.

7. A swab squeezing device according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that, The transmission assembly (3) includes a drive wheel (31), a drive chain (32) disposed on the drive wheel (31), and a push plate (33) disposed on the slide plate (12).

8. A swab squeezing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The push plate (33) is mounted on the slide plate (12) and fixedly connected to one side of its bottom. The bottom of the push plate (33) is provided with a vertical plate extending downward to near the extrusion plate (21), and then two protective plates extending out to the side near the test tube (4). The protective plates are respectively placed at the front and back of the test tube (4) in the forward direction, clamping the test tube (4) between the two protective plates, and the protective plates on both the front and back sides are in contact with the test tube (4); The vertical side of the push plate (33) is provided with a toothed rack.

9. A swab squeezing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The contact area between the push plate (33) and the test tube (4) is an arc surface, which fits against the surface of the test tube (4) to prevent deformation when the test tube (4) is pushed.

10. A swab squeezing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drive wheels (31) are provided in pairs, and the drive chain (32) is arranged in a closed loop on the drive wheels (31), and the two drive wheels (31) stretch the drive chain (32) between them into a straight edge.

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