Contamination-proof centrifuge tube

Abstract

The scheme discloses an anti-pollution centrifugal tube in the field of experimental equipment, which comprises a tube body baffle, the baffle is detachably arranged in the tube body or at the tube opening of the tube body, and the baffle is used for preventing air convection inside and outside the tube body; an opening for the entry and exit of a pipette is arranged on the baffle, a flexible and deformed self-recovery sealing piece is arranged at the opening, and the sealing piece is used for closing and opening the opening. When the pipette pierces, the sealing piece is deformed in flexibility, and after being pulled out, the sealing piece automatically rebounds and closes, air disturbance during the opening operation is significantly reduced, and therefore the risk of aerosol escaping or entering is reduced. Through the double mechanisms of physical blocking and dynamic sealing, the design inhibits the exchange of aerosols inside and outside the centrifugal tube, and is especially suitable for the detection of clinical molecular biology experiments in the manual method of the clinical laboratory of a primary hospital.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of experimental equipment, and specifically relates to a contamination-proof centrifuge tube. Background Technology

[0002] In molecular biology experiments (sample enrichment, nucleic acid extraction, purification, etc.), repeated opening of centrifuge tubes can easily lead to cross-contamination or environmental exposure. Traditional centrifuge tube sealing designs cannot block air exchange between the inside and outside of the tube during pipetting, becoming a potential risk point for laboratory contamination. The main problems are as follows: (1) Cross-contamination: When processing samples in batches, frequent opening of the centrifuge tube cap will accelerate air convection between the inside and outside of the tube, causing aerosol diffusion, which may cause cross-contamination between samples, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the test results; (2) Aerosol exposure risk: High-speed centrifugation and opening of the cap may generate aerosols containing pathogens, posing a biosafety threat to experimental personnel. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present invention aims to provide a contamination-proof centrifuge tube to solve the problem that existing centrifuge tubes, when opened during use, cause a large amount of air convection, which cannot effectively prevent aerosol diffusion and cross-contamination of samples.

[0004] The anti-contamination centrifuge tube in this solution includes a tube body and a baffle plate. The baffle plate is detachably installed inside the tube body or at the tube opening. The baffle plate is used to prevent air convection between the inside and outside of the tube body. The baffle plate is provided with an opening for the pipette to enter and exit. The opening is provided with a flexible sealing plate that can automatically recover after deformation. The sealing plate is used to close and open the opening.

[0005] The working principle of this solution is as follows: by setting a removable baffle inside the tube or at the tube opening, direct air convection between the inside of the tube and the external environment is blocked; the opening on the baffle only allows the pipette to enter and exit; the flexible sealing plate at the opening deforms due to external force when the pipette is inserted (opening the opening), and automatically restores and closes the opening by its own elasticity after the pipette is pulled out, thus achieving a dynamic seal of "briefly open when pipetting and completely closed when not pipetting".

[0006] The beneficial technical effects of this solution are: This solution fundamentally solves the problem of "complete exposure upon opening" of traditional centrifuge tubes. By blocking most of the air convection through the baffle and combining the automatic sealing function of the sealing plate, it reduces the air exchange between the inside and outside of the tube during the liquid transfer process, reduces the risk of cross-contamination and environmental exposure caused by aerosol diffusion, and improves the safety and accuracy of the detection.

[0007] Furthermore, the sealing sheet is primarily a circular sheet composed of multiple fan-shaped medical silicone sheets, with the edges of adjacent medical silicone sheets in contact with each other. The sealing sheet is formed by splicing multiple fan-shaped medical silicone sheets into a circular sheet, with adjacent edges in contact but not fixed, creating radial slits radiating from the center. During pipetting: the pipette tip is inserted into the slit, the medical silicone sheet deforms elastically, and due to its flexibility, it is pushed open (the fan-shaped edges separate), the slit expands to form a temporary channel, allowing liquid to pass through. After pipetting: the pipette tip is pulled out, and the slit automatically closes due to the material's elasticity, blocking air convection inside and outside the tube, forming a physical barrier to prevent aerosol leakage and external contaminant intrusion. This design improves the flexibility and sealing performance of the sealing sheet, adapting to pipettes of different diameters. When the pipette passes through the sealing sheet, the deformed medical silicone sheet also adheres to the outer wall of the hydraulic tube, thus minimizing gaps that allow air convection and further improving the effectiveness of preventing air convection. The medical silicone material ensures experimental safety, avoids contamination of samples or reagents, and extends the service life of the sealing sheet.

[0008] Furthermore, the edges of adjacent medical silicone pads overlap vertically. This overlapping structure creates a multi-layered sealing barrier at the contact points between the medical silicone pads, reducing gaps. When a pipette is inserted, the overlapping edges are pushed apart; after the pipette passes through, the elasticity of the silicone allows the overlapping portions to re-adhere, restoring the multi-layered seal.

[0009] Furthermore, the overlapping portions on both sides of the medical silicone sheet are respectively provided with grooves and strips, with the strips of adjacent medical silicone sheets embedded in the grooves. The grooves and strips at the overlapping portions of the medical silicone sheets ensure that adjacent sheets interlock, preventing misalignment or separation, enhancing sealing reliability, and reducing loosening of the seal due to centrifugal vibration. When a pipette is inserted, the silicone deforms under pressure, causing the strip to detach from the groove. After the pipette passes through, its elasticity allows the strip to re-embed in the groove, further strengthening sealing stability.

[0010] Furthermore, a step is provided at the overlapping portion on both sides of the medical silicone sheet, and adjacent medical silicone sheets overlap through the step to form a tightly fitting sealing surface; when the pipette is inserted, the step is opened and separated, and after the pipette passes through, it elastically resets to re-engage the step. This physical limitation enhances the bonding strength of adjacent silicone sheets, avoids gaps caused by lateral sliding at the edges, and balances sealing performance and manufacturing economy.

[0011] Furthermore, the baffle is circular and is threadedly connected to or snapped into the pipe opening. In this design, the baffle functions as a cap for the centrifuge tube and can also be flexibly removed to facilitate rapid cleaning of the tube's interior.

[0012] Furthermore, the opening is located off-center from the baffle. Tilting the tube allows the supernatant to be drawn closer to the tube wall, improving liquid aspiration efficiency, reducing sample residue, and preventing the transfer of precipitate.

[0013] Furthermore, a top cover for shielding the opening is rotatably connected to the baffle. The rotatable top cover on the baffle rotates to expose the opening during pipetting and then seals the opening after operation and during centrifugation, providing double protection and reducing aerosol exposure.

[0014] Furthermore, the top cover completely covers the surface of the baffle, and the top cover has a through hole that coincides with the opening. The top cover completely covers the baffle, and liquid is pipetted only when needed by aligning the through hole with the opening. The operation is simple, and the opening and closing of the opening can be controlled by simply rotating the top cover.

[0015] Furthermore, the top cover rotates around the center of the baffle. The top cover rotates about the center of the baffle to maintain precise alignment between the through hole and the opening. This avoids sealing problems or wear issues caused by eccentric rotation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an exploded view (top view) of Embodiment 1 of the anti-pollution centrifuge tube of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the anti-pollution centrifuge tube of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a top view of the sealing sheet in the anti-pollution centrifuge tube of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the sealing sheet in the anti-pollution centrifuge tube of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the anti-pollution centrifuge tube of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top cover covering the opening in the anti-contamination centrifuge tube of Example 2; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the centrifuge tube in Example 3 for preventing contamination; The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: tube body 1, thread 101, baffle 2, ridge 21, opening 3, sealing piece 4, medical silicone sheet 41, step 42, top cover 5, ear piece 51, through hole 6, enclosure 7, connecting strip 8. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method: Example 1 is basically as shown in the appendix. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown: A contamination-resistant centrifuge tube includes a tube body 1 and a circular baffle 2. The baffle 2 is threaded onto the tube opening and acts as a cap to prevent air convection between the inside and outside of the tube body 1. An opening 3 for a pipette to enter and exit is provided eccentrically on the baffle 2. A flexible sealing piece 4 (preferably latex) is provided at the opening 3, which can automatically recover its shape after deformation. The sealing piece 4 is used to close and open the opening 3. The sealing piece 4 is mainly a circular piece composed of four fan-shaped medical silicone sheets 41. A step 42 is provided on one side of each medical silicone sheet 41, and the edges of adjacent medical silicone sheets 41 overlap vertically (e.g., ...). Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the figure, this allows adjacent medical silicone sheets 41 to overlap more tightly through the step 42, thus enhancing the sealing performance.

[0018] A top cover 5 is coaxially rotatably connected above the baffle 2. The top cover 5 completely covers the surface of the baffle 2, and a through hole 6 is opened on the top cover 5 that coincides with the opening 3.

[0019] Both the baffle 2 and the top cover 5 have downward-extending walls 7 on their edges. The walls 7 of the baffle 2 are connected to the outer wall of the tube body 1 by threads 101. The threaded engagement method of 101 ensures that the baffle 1 and the tube body 1 are tightly connected, preventing easy separation during centrifugation. On the other hand, it gradually releases pressure during the opening process, preventing liquid from splashing out due to instantaneous pressure release. The walls 7 of the top cover 5 are engaged with the outer side of the outer wall of the baffle 2 by protrusions 21, ensuring that the top cover 5 and the baffle 2 are tightly connected.

[0020] When pipetting into the centrifuge tube 1, rotate the top cap 5 to align the through hole 6 with the opening 3. The pipette can penetrate the sealing plate 4 for liquid handling. After being pulled out, the sealing plate 4 automatically restores its seal to close the opening 3, reducing air exchange between the inside and outside of the tube. At other times, simply rotate the top cap 5 to reseal the opening 3.

[0021] Example 2 differs from Example 1 as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown: The baffle 2's surrounding wall 7 engages with the inside of the centrifuge tube (similar to the structure of a rubber cap on an oral liquid bottle inserted into the bottle opening). The edge of the baffle 2 extends outward to cover the top of the tube opening, and the baffle 2 is connected to the centrifuge tube via a connecting strip 8. Even after the tube opening is opened, the baffle 2 remains connected to the centrifuge tube. The top cover 5 is a circular single piece that covers the opening 3. An ear piece 51 extends from the edge of the top cover 5 to the outside of the baffle 2, allowing for easy opening and closing of the top cover 5 by holding the ear piece 51. The top cover 5 can be horizontally rotated and connected to the baffle 2 at any position near its edge. By horizontally rotating the top cover 5, the opening 3 is exposed for pipetting.

[0022] Example 3 differs from Example 2 as follows: Figure 7As shown, the top cover 5 is vertically rotatably connected to the baffle 2 at any position near the edge. The opening 3 is exposed by vertically rotating the top cover 5 for pipetting.

[0023] Example 4 differs from Example 1 in that: the overlapping parts on both sides of the medical silicone are provided with grooves and strips, and the strips of adjacent medical silicone are embedded in the grooves.

[0024] In each of the above solutions, in order to further enhance the tightness between the baffle 2 and the top cover 5, and to prevent the top cover 5 from easily shifting away from the opening 3 and causing the opening 3 to be opened accidentally, magnetic blocks are added to the baffle 2 and the top cover 5 at the edge of the opening 3. The tightness between the top cover 5 and the baffle 2 is enhanced when the opening 3 is covered by the magnetic blocks of the two.

Claims

1. A contamination-resistant centrifuge tube, comprising a tube body, characterized in that: It also includes a baffle plate, which is detachably installed inside the tube or at the tube opening. The baffle plate is used to prevent air convection between the inside and outside of the tube. The baffle plate is provided with an opening for the pipette to enter and exit. The opening is provided with a flexible sealing plate that can automatically recover after deformation. The sealing plate is used to close and open the opening.

2. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing sheet is a circular sheet composed of multiple fan-shaped medical silicone sheets, with the edges of adjacent sides of the multiple medical silicone sheets in contact with each other.

3. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 2, characterized in that: The edges of adjacent medical silicone sheets overlap vertically.

4. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The overlapping portions on both sides of the medical silicone sheet are provided with grooves and strips, and the strips of adjacent medical silicone sheets are embedded in the grooves.

5. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The medical silicone sheet has a step at the overlapping part on both sides, and adjacent medical silicone sheets interlock and overlap through the step.

6. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The baffle is circular and is threaded to or engaged with the pipe opening.

7. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 6, characterized in that: The opening is located off-center from the baffle.

8. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 7, characterized in that: A top cover for covering the opening is rotatably connected to the baffle.

9. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 8, characterized in that: The top cover completely covers the surface of the baffle, and the top cover has a through hole that coincides with the opening.

10. The anti-contamination centrifuge tube according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top cover rotates around the center of the baffle plate.

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