A device for bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection

Abstract

This utility model discloses a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device, including a staining rack, which includes a frame with two rows of support plates arranged symmetrically at horizontal intervals along its length. Slides to be stained are placed on the support plates. A collection tank is installed at the lower end of the frame for collecting staining waste liquid. A tilting assembly is installed on the frame, with two sets corresponding to the support plates. One end of each support plate is rotatably mounted on the tilting assembly, which drives the support plate to tilt around its rotating end, pouring the waste liquid into the collection tank. A slot is provided on the top side of the frame, penetrating one side wall and extending to the remaining side walls. A cover plate is inserted into the slot to isolate the staining rack from the external environment. Cleaning pipes are arranged at intervals on the side of the frame, and each cleaning pipe is connected to an external water source for rinsing the staining waste liquid on the slides. A stabilizing support leg is fixed at the four corners of the bottom of the collection tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microbial testing equipment technology, specifically to a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device. Background Technology

[0002] In the pathogen detection process of the microbiology laboratory of a hospital, the standardization of Gram staining procedures and the level of biosafety protection directly affect the accuracy of the test and the safety of the operators. Currently, most Gram staining operations are completed in sinks or troughs. During the staining process, the slides to be stained need to be rinsed with running water after each of the four staining steps (primary staining, mordanting, destaining, and counterstaining). Frequent rinsing operations can easily cause the stain to splash onto the sink countertop, the operators' gloves, and their lab coats, which not only increases the difficulty of cleaning the countertop but also may cause waste of stain and the risk of contact contamination for the operators.

[0003] Existing devices are designed in two ways: some focus solely on optimizing the dyeing process without considering splash prevention and waste management in the operating environment; others are designed only for waste collection. This separate design leads to two key problems: 1) The problem of dye splashing is not fundamentally solved, and the operating table and personnel protective equipment are still at risk of contamination; 2) Waste generated during rinsing carries dyeing reagents and microbial samples, and traditional collection methods are difficult to effectively suppress aerosol diffusion, posing a risk of biohazard exposure, especially when handling highly pathogenic microorganisms, which may cause laboratory infections or environmental pollution.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Utility Model Content

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device, comprising: A staining rack, comprising a frame, wherein two rows of support plates are symmetrically arranged horizontally at intervals perpendicular to the length of the frame, and slides to be stained are placed on the support plates. A collection tank, installed at the lower end of the frame, is used to collect dyeing waste liquid; A liquid-pouring assembly is installed on the frame and two sets are provided corresponding to the support plate. One end of the support plate is rotatably installed on the liquid-pouring assembly. The liquid-pouring assembly drives the support plate to tilt around its rotating end, so as to pour the waste liquid into the collection tank. A slot is provided on the top side of the frame, the slot penetrates one side wall of the frame and extends to the other side walls, and a cover plate of transparent material is inserted into the slot to isolate the dyeing rack from the external environment; The cleaning tubes are arranged at intervals on the side of the frame and each cleaning tube is connected to an external water source for rinsing the staining waste liquid on the slides to be stained. Stable support legs are fixed at the four corners of the bottom of the collection tank.

[0006] Preferably, each of the tilting components includes: A positioning shaft is fixed to the inner wall of the frame near the end in the length direction. A shaft hole is opened at either end of the side of the support plate. The positioning shaft passes through the shaft hole, so that the support plate can rotate around the positioning shaft. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the frame at a distance parallel to the positioning shaft and located at the other end of the bottom of the support plate. An adjustment plate is fixedly sleeved on the shaft of the drive shaft. The adjustment plate is used to adjust the support height of a row of support plates above it. One end of the drive shaft extends outward through the frame and a handle is installed at the outer end of the drive shaft for rotating and adjusting the adjustment plate.

[0007] Preferably, the cross-section of the adjusting plate is elliptical, and the rotating handle is perpendicular to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate; when the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate is vertical, the supporting plate is horizontal; when the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate is horizontal, the supporting plate is inclined.

[0008] Preferably, the handle is provided with a first limiting post at intervals along the lower side of the frame sidewall, and a second limiting post is provided at intervals above the first limiting post. The first limiting post is used to limit the maximum deflection angle of the support plate; the second limiting post is used to limit the reverse rotation of the handle in the horizontal state.

[0009] Preferably, either end of the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate is a counterweight structure.

[0010] Preferably, the upper end of the support plate is adapted to the glass slide to be stained and has a limiting groove. A groove is provided on one side of the bottom of the limiting groove. Pressing the top of the glass slide to be stained on one side of the groove can cause the other side of the glass slide to be stained to lift up. Several drainage holes are provided at the bottom of the groove.

[0011] Preferably, an adsorption pad is attached to the bottom of the limiting groove for adsorbing the glass slide to be stained.

[0012] Preferably, a number is etched on either side of the top of the support plate for identification purposes.

[0013] Preferably, the top of the collection tank has a conical liquid guiding cavity facing downwards, and the bottom of the conical liquid guiding cavity has a liquid guiding hole, which is connected to the waste liquid treatment device.

[0014] Preferably, a flexible sealing ring is adhered to the bottom of the slot.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a device for bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection, which has the following beneficial effects: In this invention, 1) a physical isolation barrier is constructed through the synergistic design of a transparent, corrosion-resistant cover and a flexible sealing slot, ensuring visibility of the dyeing process while completely blocking the path of dye splashes and eliminating the risk of contamination of the work surface and personal protective equipment; 2) a conical liquid guiding chamber, a liquid pouring assembly, and a waste liquid treatment device are used in conjunction to achieve closed-loop management of the entire process from pouring to transportation of waste liquid, significantly shortening the liquid residue time compared to traditional open collection methods and effectively suppressing the generation and diffusion of aerosols; 3) precise adjustment and limiting protection of the support plate angle ensure that the waste liquid is directed into the treatment system, avoiding secondary pollution during the pouring process. This not only improves the operational safety and environmental cleanliness of dyeing experiments but also constructs a complete biosafety protection chain from dye application to waste liquid disposal, providing reliable technical support for high-risk scenarios such as the detection of highly pathogenic microorganisms, and has significant environmental health benefits and laboratory safety value. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device with the cover plate removed. Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the tilting component of a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device; Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a support plate for a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cover plate structure of a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the collection tank structure of a bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device; In the diagram: 1. Staining rack; 11. Frame; 12. Support plate; 13. Slide to be stained; 2. Collection tank; 21. Conical liquid guiding chamber; 22. Liquid guiding hole; 3. Cover plate; 4. Stabilizing support leg; 5. Slot; 51. Sealing ring; 6. Cleaning tube; 7. Tilting assembly; 71. Positioning shaft; 72. Drive shaft; 73. Adjusting plate; 74. Rotary handle; 75. First limiting post; 76. Second limiting post; 121. Limiting groove; 122. Groove; 123. Drain hole. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Please see Figure 1-6This utility model provides a device for bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection, comprising: The staining rack 1 includes a frame 11, and two rows of support plates 12 are symmetrically arranged horizontally at intervals perpendicular to its length direction inside the frame 11. Glass slides 13 to be stained are placed on the support plates 12. Collection tank 2, which is installed at the lower end of the frame 11, is used to collect dyeing waste liquid; The liquid pouring assembly 7 is installed on the frame 11 and two sets are provided corresponding to the support plate 12. One end of the support plate 12 is rotatably installed on the liquid pouring assembly 7. The liquid pouring assembly 7 drives the support plate 12 to tilt around its rotating end, so as to pour the waste liquid into the collection tank 2. The top side of the frame 11 has a slot 5, which penetrates one side wall of the frame 11 and extends to the other side walls. A transparent cover plate 3 is inserted into the slot 5 to isolate the dyeing rack 1 from the external environment. The transparent material is a corrosion-resistant polymer (such as PC board, glass, etc.) to facilitate observation of the dyeing process. Cleaning tubes 6 are arranged at intervals on the side of the frame 11, and each cleaning tube 6 is connected to an external water source for rinsing the staining waste liquid on the glass slide 13 to be stained. Specifically, the frame 11 has a flow channel that communicates with an external water source. The cleaning pipe 6 is installed on the side wall of the frame 11 and communicates with the flow channel. The rinsing of the dyeing waste liquid is controlled by setting a control valve on the flow channel or the cleaning pipe.

[0018] The stabilizing support legs 4 are fixed at the four corners of the bottom end of the collection tank 2.

[0019] It should be explained that during staining, the support plate 12 is adjusted to a horizontal position by the tilting assembly 7, and then the slide 13 to be stained (usually carrying bacteria, fungi, etc.) is placed on the support plate 12. Then, a four-step staining process (primary staining, mordanting, destaining, and counterstaining) is performed on the bacteria. After each staining step, the tilting assembly 7 is controlled to tilt the support plate 12, and at the same time, the cleaning tube 6 is started to clean the staining waste liquid. After the cleaning is completed, the tilting assembly 7 is controlled to turn the support plate 12 back to a horizontal position, and then the next staining step is performed.

[0020] Except when the cover plate 3 is opened each time the staining solution is added, the cover plate is fully inserted into the slot 5 at all other times to isolate the staining rack 1 from the external environment, prevent the staining solution from splashing onto the experimental area or onto the operators, and prevent biological hazards.

[0021] Furthermore, each of the tilting components 7 includes: The positioning shaft 71 is fixed on the inner wall of the frame 11 near the end in the length direction. The support plate 12 has a shaft hole at either end of its side. The positioning shaft 71 passes through the shaft hole, so that the support plate 12 can rotate around the positioning shaft 71. A drive shaft 72 is rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the frame 11 at a distance parallel to the positioning shaft 71, and is located at the other end of the bottom of the support plate 12. An adjustment plate 73 is fixedly sleeved on the shaft of the drive shaft 72. The adjustment plate 73 is used to adjust the support height of a row of support plates 12 above it. One end of the drive shaft 72 extends outward through the frame 11, and a handle 74 is installed at the outer end of the drive shaft 72 for rotating and adjusting the adjustment plate 73.

[0022] In other words, by rotating the handle 74 to drive the adjusting plate 73 to rotate, the support height of the support plate 12 is adjusted, thereby causing the support plate 12 to deflect around the positioning shaft 71 at an angle, and the dyeing waste liquid on it is poured into the collection tank 2, thus completing the collection and treatment of the dyeing waste liquid.

[0023] Preferably, the two rows of support plates 12 are tilted toward their respective ends to facilitate the direct pouring of dyeing waste liquid into the liquid guide hole 22, thereby reducing the diffusion of dyeing waste liquid.

[0024] In some embodiments, the handle 74 is replaced by a stepper motor to control the support plate 12 to tilt by 20±5°, reducing manual intervention.

[0025] Furthermore, the cross-section of the adjusting plate 73 is elliptical, and the rotating handle 74 is set perpendicular to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate 73; when the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate 73 is in a vertical state, the support plate 12 is in a horizontal state, and when the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate 73 is in a horizontal state, the support plate 12 is in an inclined state.

[0026] Specifically, the cross-section of the adjustment plate 73 can also be an irregular arc-shaped surface, which can adjust the support height of the support plate and meet the adjustment requirement of 20±5°.

[0027] Furthermore, the rotating handle 74 is provided with a first limiting post 75 at intervals along the lower side of its rotation side on the side wall of the frame 11, and a second limiting post 76 is provided at intervals above the first limiting post 75. The first limiting post 75 is used to limit the maximum deflection angle of the support plate 12; the second limiting post 76 is used to limit the rotation of the rotating handle 74 in the horizontal state.

[0028] It should be explained that the first limiting post 75 and the second limiting post 76 limit the maximum deflection angle and the reversal, preventing accidental contact that could cause the support plate 12 to tilt at a large angle, resulting in the glass slide 13 to be stained falling and affecting the experiment. The maximum deflection angle is 20±5°.

[0029] Furthermore, either end of the major axis of the elliptical cross section of the adjustment plate 73 is a counterweight structure. The counterweight structure is made of a high-density counterweight material (such as iron, copper, etc.) that will not affect the dyeing results. It is a rod-shaped structure and is inserted inside either end of the major axis of the elliptical cross section of the adjustment plate 73. Through the counterweight structure, the weights at the upper and lower ends of the adjustment plate 73 are different. The counterweight end is located at the lower end in the natural state, ensuring horizontal support for the support plate 12.

[0030] Furthermore, the upper end of the support plate 12 is adapted to the glass slide 13 to be stained and a limiting groove 121 is formed. A groove 122 is formed on one side of the bottom of the limiting groove 121. Pressing the top of the glass slide 13 to be stained on one side of the groove 122 can cause the other side of the glass slide 13 to be stained to be lifted. A plurality of drainage holes 123 are formed at the bottom of the groove 122.

[0031] Specifically, the limiting groove 121 facilitates the placement of the glass slide 13 to be stained. The groove 122 and the drain hole 123 facilitate the removal of the glass slide 13 to be stained and prevent a large amount of residual liquid from remaining at the bottom of the glass slide 13 to be stained, which would affect the concentration of the staining solution and reduce the staining effect.

[0032] Furthermore, an adsorption pad (not shown in the figure) is adhered to the bottom of the limiting groove 121 for adsorbing the glass slide 13 to be stained. The adsorption pad is a silicone pad. It has weak adhesion and flexibility, and can form a slight bonding force on the bottom of the glass slide 13 to be stained by physical adsorption, thereby improving the placement stability of the glass slide.

[0033] Furthermore, a number is etched on any side of the top of the support plate 12 for identification purposes.

[0034] Specifically, the labels are Arabic numerals, numbered 1-5 from front to back on the left column support plate 12 and 6-10 from back to front on the right column support plate 12, to facilitate the identification and recording of data on the slide 13 to be stained.

[0035] Furthermore, the top of the collection tank 2 is provided with a conical liquid guiding cavity 21 facing downwards, and a liquid guiding hole 22 is installed at the bottom of the conical liquid guiding cavity 21. The liquid guiding hole 22 is connected to the waste liquid treatment device. The collection tank 2 is made of a one-piece molded corrosion-resistant material (such as PTFE) with low adsorption treatment on the surface. The conical liquid guiding cavity 21 is a pyramidal or conical structure.

[0036] Preferably, the outlet of the liquid guide hole 22 of the collection tank 2 is connected to a miniature negative pressure pump, and a pressure sensor is installed at the bottom of the conical liquid guide chamber 21. When the pressure sensor detects waste liquid being poured out, the negative pressure pump starts, and the dye liquor and waste liquid are quickly sucked into the waste liquid treatment device through negative pressure, reducing the residual time of the waste liquid on the support plate 12. The waste liquid is connected to the waste liquid treatment device through a hose. This reduces manual intervention and lowers the risk of aerosol generation.

[0037] Furthermore, a flexible sealing ring 51 is attached to the bottom of the slot 5 to improve the sealing performance of the cover plate 3.

[0038] In practice, the support plate 12 is adjusted to a horizontal position using the tilting assembly 7. Then, the glass slide 13 containing bacteria to be stained is installed on the support plate 12. A four-step staining process (primary staining, mordanting, destaining, and counterstaining) is then performed. After each staining step, the tilting assembly 7 is controlled to tilt the support plate 12, and the cleaning tube 6 is activated to clean the staining waste liquid. After cleaning, the tilting assembly 7 is controlled to return the support plate 12 to a horizontal position before proceeding to the next staining step. Except when the staining solution is added, the cover plate 3 is fully inserted into the slot 5 at all other times to isolate the staining rack 1 from the external environment, preventing staining solution from splashing onto the experimental area or personnel, and preventing biohazards.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device, comprising a staining rack (1), characterized in that, The staining rack (1) includes a frame (11), and two rows of support plates (12) are arranged symmetrically at horizontal intervals perpendicular to its length direction inside the frame (11). The glass slides (13) to be stained are placed on the support plates (12). Collection tank (2), which is installed at the lower end of the frame (11) for collecting dyeing waste liquid; The liquid pouring assembly (7) is installed on the frame (11) and two sets are provided corresponding to the support plate (12). One end of the support plate (12) is rotatably installed on the liquid pouring assembly (7). The liquid pouring assembly (7) drives the support plate (12) to tilt around its rotating end, and pours the waste liquid into the collection tank (2). The top side of the frame (11) has a slot (5) that penetrates one side wall of the frame (11) and extends to the other side walls. A cover plate (3) made of transparent material is inserted into the slot (5) to isolate the dyeing rack (1) from the external environment. Cleaning tubes (6) are arranged at intervals on the side of the frame (11), and each cleaning tube (6) is connected to an external water source for rinsing the staining waste liquid on the glass slide (13) to be stained. Stable support legs (4) are fixed at the four corners of the bottom end of the collection tank (2).

2. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the described tilting components (7) includes: The positioning shaft (71) is fixed on the inner wall of the frame (11) near the end in the length direction. The side of the support plate (12) has a shaft hole at either end. The positioning shaft (71) passes through the shaft hole, so that the support plate (12) can rotate around the positioning shaft (71). A drive shaft (72) is rotatably mounted on the inner wall of the frame (11) at a distance parallel to the positioning shaft (71) and located at the other end of the bottom of the support plate (12). An adjustment plate (73) is fixedly sleeved on the shaft of the drive shaft (72). The adjustment plate (73) is used to adjust the support height of a row of support plates (12) above it. One end of the drive shaft (72) extends through the frame (11) to the outside, and a handle (74) is installed at the outer end of the drive shaft (72) for rotating and adjusting the adjustment plate (73).

3. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-section of the adjusting plate (73) is elliptical, and the rotating handle (74) is set perpendicular to the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate (73). When the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate (73) is in a vertical state, the supporting plate (12) is in a horizontal state. When the major axis of the elliptical cross-section of the adjusting plate (73) is in a horizontal state, the supporting plate (12) is in an inclined state.

4. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The handle (74) is provided with a first limiting post (75) at intervals along the lower side of the frame (11) below its rotation side, and a second limiting post (76) is provided at intervals above the first limiting post (75). The first limiting post (75) is used to limit the maximum deflection angle of the support plate (12); the second limiting post (76) is used to limit the reverse rotation of the handle (74) in the horizontal state.

5. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The major axis of the elliptical cross section of the adjusting plate (73) is a counterweight structure at either end.

6. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the support plate (12) is adapted to the glass slide (13) to be stained and a limiting groove (121) is provided. A groove (122) is provided on one side of the bottom of the limiting groove (121). Pressing the top of the glass slide (13) to be stained on one side of the groove (122) can cause the other side of the glass slide (13) to be stained to lift up. Several drainage holes (123) are provided at the bottom of the groove (122).

7. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom of the limiting groove (121) is provided with an adsorption pad for adsorbing the glass slide (13) to be stained.

8. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support plate (12) has a number etched on either side of its top end for identification purposes.

9. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the collection tank (2) is provided with a conical liquid guiding cavity (21) facing downwards, and a liquid guiding hole (22) is installed at the bottom of the conical liquid guiding cavity (21). The liquid guiding hole (22) is connected to the waste liquid treatment device.

10. The bacterial Gram staining and waste liquid collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flexible sealing ring (51) is attached to the bottom of the slot (5).

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