A cold-hot sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments

Abstract

The utility model provides a cold and hot sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiment relates to experimental device technical field. It includes casing, temperature regulation unit, sample stage and crucible unit, the inside formation operation cavity of casing and the bottom of casing is opened through to have operation opening, temperature regulation unit is connected with casing, one end of sample stage is connected with temperature regulation unit and mutually contacts, the other end of sample stage is placed in operation opening and is opened through to have the accommodation groove, the crucible unit can be placed in the accommodation groove or is taken out from the accommodation groove, and sample can be stored in the inside of crucible unit. Casing can form certain sealing effect, and through with sample storage in the inside of crucible unit, the whole device is relatively sealed, will not be affected by environmental thermal disturbance, and the sample will not be directly exposed to the laboratory environment, at the same time, the crucible unit is easy to place and take out, thereby when loading and changing sample has more simple and efficient effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of experimental device technology, and in particular to a hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments. Background Technology

[0002] The core function of a heated and cooled sample stage, as a temperature-controlled experimental device, is to achieve precise temperature control and dynamic thermal cycling of samples under a specific temperature field. In a fluorescent particle tracking microrheology experimental platform, fluorescent particles are added to the sample, which is then placed under an inverted fluorescence microscope for dynamic video tracking and recording of the particle trajectories as raw experimental data. Subsequently, computer algorithms are used to decompose the video recording of the fluorescent particle trajectories into consecutive images, locate the positions of different fluorescent particles in each image, and connect the positions of the same particle in different images to form the trajectory of the fluorescent particle movement, from which the mean square displacement (MSD) of particle diffusion is calculated. However, since inverted fluorescence microscopes are usually not equipped with heated and cooled sample stages, fluorescent particle tracking experiments can currently only be performed at room temperature.

[0003] To overcome the limitation of fluorescent particle tracking experiments not allowing for temperature-controlled experiments, some researchers have modified the sample stage. Some researchers use preheated slides as temperature control carriers, heating the slides non-contactly via external heat sources (such as constant-temperature water baths or hot plates). However, due to the uneven thickness of the slides (typically 5-10 mm), heat conduction efficiency is low, resulting in a deviation of more than ±5°C between the actual sample temperature and the set value, and significant temperature gradients on the surface (e.g., a temperature difference of 3-8°C between the edge and center). Furthermore, such devices are susceptible to environmental thermal disturbances (such as air convection and radiative heat dissipation), causing the slide temperature to drift during experiments, making it difficult to maintain a constant temperature and achieve rapid heating and cooling (typical rates <10°C / min), severely limiting experimental efficiency.

[0004] Some researchers use self-built hot and cold stage devices, which typically include an open sample chamber, discrete temperature control modules, and a simple heat dissipation system. While such devices can achieve basic temperature control, their open sample chamber design exposes the sample directly to the laboratory environment, making it susceptible to air convection and external radiant heat sources, thus reducing experimental accuracy.

[0005] In summary, there is currently no sample stage device suitable for fluorescent particle tracking experiments. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments, thereby solving the technical problems existing in the prior art. The preferred technical solutions among the various technical solutions provided by this invention and their numerous technical effects are detailed below.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments includes a housing, a temperature control unit, a sample stage, and a crucible unit. The interior of the housing forms a working cavity, and a working opening is provided through the bottom of the housing. The temperature control unit is connected to the housing. One end of the sample stage is connected to and in contact with the temperature control unit. The other end of the sample stage is placed in the working opening and has a receiving groove provided through it. The crucible unit can be placed in or removed from the receiving groove, and the sample can be stored inside the crucible unit.

[0008] Preferably, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing, the upper housing and the lower housing are detachably connected and enclose each other to form the working cavity, the lower housing has a through-hole for the working opening, and the upper housing has a viewing window at the corresponding position of the working opening.

[0009] Preferably, the temperature regulating unit includes a TEC cooling chip and a water-cooled circulation interface. The TEC cooling chip is connected to the lower housing, and the water-cooled circulation interface is connected to the lower housing and communicates with the TEC cooling chip through a pipeline. The water-cooled circulation interface can be connected to an external circulating water device.

[0010] Preferably, the interior of the lower housing forms a first platform and a second platform with a height misalignment, the first platform being higher than the second platform, the working opening being opened in the middle of the second platform, the TEC cooling chip being connected to the first platform, the sample stage including a high-position connecting section, a transition connecting section and a low-position connecting section connected in sequence, the high-position connecting section being higher than the low-position connecting section, the high-position connecting section being detachably connected to the TEC cooling chip, and the low-position connecting section being placed in the working opening and having the receiving groove extending through it.

[0011] Preferably, the low-position connecting section includes a low-position platform and a heat-conducting ring. The low-position platform is placed on the second platform, and the heat-conducting ring is connected to the bottom of the low-position platform and located inside the working opening. The inner wall of the heat-conducting ring and the top surface of the low-position platform together form the receiving groove.

[0012] Preferably, the crucible unit includes a quartz crucible and a cover glass, the quartz crucible is placed in the receiving groove and its outer wall is in contact with the inner wall of the heat-conducting ring, a sample chamber is provided at the bottom of the quartz crucible, the sample is placed in the sample chamber, and the cover glass is placed on top of the sample chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom surface of the heat-conducting ring is lower than the bottom surface of the lower housing so that the sample stage protrudes downward relative to the housing, and the bottom surface of the quartz crucible is lower than the bottom surface of the lower housing so that the crucible unit protrudes downward relative to the housing.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a temperature sensor and an electrical signal interface. The temperature sensor is disposed in the transition connection section, and the electrical signal interface is connected to the lower housing. The temperature sensor and the electrical signal interface are connected by a wire to form a circuit.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Since the temperature control unit, sample stage, and crucible unit are all located inside the shell, the shell can form a certain sealing effect. Furthermore, by storing the sample inside the crucible unit, the overall hot and cold sample stage device can form a relatively sealed design with the cooperation of the temperature control function of the temperature control unit. The device will not be affected by environmental thermal disturbances, and the sample will not be directly exposed to the laboratory environment. The sample can be protected from the influence of air convection and external radiant heat sources, making the temperature control of the sample more accurate and effectively improving the experimental precision.

[0016] In addition, during actual use, the operator can first locate the corresponding part through the working opening and the receiving slot, and place it on the upper surface of the inverted fluorescence microscope tray, so as to facilitate fixing the relative position of the hot and cold sample stage device.

[0017] Meanwhile, based on the structural design of the hot and cold sample stage device, operators can easily place or remove the crucible unit loaded with the sample into the receiving tank during sample loading and changing, thus achieving a simpler and more efficient effect during sample loading and changing. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 2This is a detailed structural diagram of the present invention, with the upper shell concealed. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Shell; 11. Upper shell; 111. Viewing window; 12. Lower shell; 121. Working opening; 122. First platform; 123. Second platform; 2. Temperature control unit; 21. TEC cooling chip; 22. Water cooling circulation interface; 3. Sample stage; 31. High-level connecting section; 32. Transition connecting section; 33. Low-level connecting section; 331. Low-level platform; 332. Heat-conducting ring; 333. Receiving groove; 4. Crucible unit; 41. Quartz crucible; 411. Sample chamber; 42. Cover glass; 51. Temperature sensor; 52. Electrical signal interface. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "side," "length," "width," "height," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "side," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the appendix. Figure 1 The orientations or positional relationships shown are for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component 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.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0022] Reference Figures 1 to 3This utility model provides a hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments, including a shell 1, a temperature adjustment unit 2, a sample stage 3 and a crucible unit 4. The interior of the shell 1 forms a working cavity, and the main bodies of the temperature control unit 2, sample stage 3 and crucible unit 4 are all located inside the working cavity. A working opening 121 is provided through the bottom of the shell 1. Temperature control unit 2 is connected to housing 1; One end of the sample stage 3 is connected to and in contact with the temperature control unit 2. The temperature control unit 2 can conduct heat to the sample stage 3 through contact with the sample stage 3, so as to heat or cool the sample stage 3. The other end of the sample stage 3 is placed in the working opening 121 and has a receiving groove 333 through it. The receiving groove 333 and the working opening 121 preferably have the same axis. The crucible unit 4 can be placed in or taken out of the receiving groove 333. The sample can be stored inside the crucible unit 4. When the crucible unit 4 can be placed in the receiving groove 333, it can correspond with the inverted fluorescence microscope below. The sample stage 3 has an integral structure, and the sample stage 3 is preferably made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity. When the crucible unit 4 can be placed in the receiving groove 333, the sample stage 3 can wrap the crucible unit 4 and form contact with the crucible unit 4. With the cooperation of the temperature adjustment unit 2, the sample stage 3 conducts heat to the crucible unit 4, ensuring that the temperature control of the sample stored inside the crucible unit 4 is more accurate.

[0023] Since the main bodies of the temperature control unit 2, sample stage 3, and crucible unit 4 are all located inside the shell 1, the shell 1 can form a certain sealing effect. By storing the sample inside the crucible unit 4, with the cooperation of the temperature control function of the temperature control unit 2, the hot and cold sample stage device can form a relatively sealed design. The device will not be affected by environmental thermal disturbances, and the sample will not be directly exposed to the laboratory environment. The sample can be protected from the influence of air convection and external radiant heat sources, making the temperature control of the sample more accurate and effectively improving the experimental precision.

[0024] In addition, during actual use, the operator can first position the corresponding part by using the working opening 121 and the receiving groove 333, and place it on the upper surface of the inverted fluorescence microscope tray, so as to facilitate fixing the relative position of the hot and cold sample stage device.

[0025] Meanwhile, based on the structural design of the hot and cold sample stage device, when loading and changing samples, the operator can easily place the crucible unit 4 loaded with the sample into or remove it from the receiving tank 333, thus making the loading and changing of samples more convenient and efficient.

[0026] As an optional implementation, the housing 1 includes an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12, which are detachably connected. Preferably, threaded holes are provided at the four corners of the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12, and the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 are bolted together by bolts, and the upper housing 11 and the lower housing 12 enclose each other to form a working cavity. The lower housing 12 has a through-hole 121, and the upper housing 11 has a viewing window 111 at the corresponding position of the working opening 121. Light can pass through the viewing window 111, and the actual condition of the sample can be easily observed through the viewing window 111. In addition, the size of the viewing window 111 is preferably larger than the size of the crucible unit 4, and the crucible unit 4 can enter and exit the working cavity through the viewing window 111, thereby achieving the function of convenient and quick sample replacement.

[0027] As an optional implementation, the temperature control unit 2 includes a TEC cooling chip 21 and a water cooling circulation interface 22. The TEC cooling chip 21 is connected to the lower housing 12, preferably by bolts, which provides good connection strength and makes disassembly and assembly easier. The water cooling circulation interface 22 is connected to the lower housing 12 and is connected to the TEC cooling chip 21 through a pipe. The water cooling circulation interface 22 can be connected to an external circulating water device. External circulating water equipment can supply circulating water to the water-cooled circulation interface 22, pipelines, and TEC cooling chip 21. By controlling the temperature of the circulating water, the temperature of the TEC cooling chip 21 can be adjusted to achieve the effect of heating or cooling the sample stage 3, and make the temperature control of the sample more accurate.

[0028] As an optional implementation, a first platform 122 and a second platform 123 with a high degree of misalignment are formed inside the lower housing 12. The first platform 122 is higher than the second platform 123. The working opening 121 is opened in the middle of the second platform 123. The TEC cooling chip 21 is connected to the first platform 122. The sample stage 3 includes a high-position connecting section 31, a transition connecting section 32, and a low-position connecting section 33 connected in sequence. Preferably, they are connected as a single unit so that the sample stage 3 forms a whole. The high-position connecting section 31 is higher than the low-position connecting section 33. The high-position connecting section 31 is detachably connected to the TEC cooling chip 21. The low-position connecting section 33 is placed in the working opening 121, and a receiving groove 333 is provided through the low-position connecting section 33.

[0029] In this embodiment, the low-position connecting section 33 preferably includes a low-position platform 331 and a heat-conducting ring 332. The low-position platform 331 is a flat plate structure and is placed on the second platform 123. The heat-conducting ring 332 is connected to the bottom of the low-position platform 331 and is located inside the working opening 121. The inner wall of the heat-conducting ring 332 and the top surface of the low-position platform 331 together form a receiving groove 333.

[0030] As an optional implementation, the crucible unit 4 includes a quartz crucible 41 and a cover glass 42. The quartz crucible 41 is placed in the receiving groove 333 and its outer wall is in contact with the inner wall of the heat-conducting ring 332. The heat-conducting ring 332 can completely wrap around the peripheral wall of the quartz crucible 41, thereby reducing the heat exchange between the sample inside the quartz crucible 41 and the external environment, making the sample temperature more accurate. The bottom of the quartz crucible 41 is provided with a sample chamber 411, in which the sample is placed. A cover glass 42 is placed on top of the sample chamber 411, and the cover glass 42 can cooperate with the sample chamber 411 to form a seal for the sample.

[0031] As an optional implementation, the bottom surface of the heat-conducting ring 332 is lower than the bottom surface of the lower housing 12. This arrangement allows the sample stage 3 to protrude downward relative to the housing 1. Meanwhile, the bottom surface of the quartz crucible 41 is lower than the bottom surface of the lower shell 12. This arrangement allows the crucible unit 4 to protrude downward relative to the shell 1. Based on this, the bottom of the sample stage 3 and the bottom of the crucible unit 4 adopt a protruding design, which can better adapt to the inverted fluorescence microscope. The bottom of the sample stage 3 can be just locked onto the stage of the fluorescence microscope. At the same time, the minimum distance between the bottom surface of the quartz crucible 41 and the high-magnification objective lens of the fluorescence microscope can reach 1 mm, almost achieving contact. Therefore, it can meet the working requirements of different magnification objectives of the microscope and can support observation from 10×x objectives to 100×x objectives. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the heat-conducting ring 332 and the bottom surface of the quartz crucible 41 can be at different heights or at the same height, and can be flexibly designed according to actual usage requirements.

[0032] As an optional implementation, it also includes a temperature sensor 51 and an electrical signal interface 52. The temperature sensor 51 is disposed in the transition connection section 32, preferably in a through connection manner. The electrical signal interface 52 is connected to the lower housing 12. The temperature sensor 51 and the electrical signal interface 52 are connected by a wire to form a circuit. Temperature sensor 51 can accurately measure the temperature of sample stage 3 and transmit it to external control equipment in real time through electrical signal interface 52, making it more convenient to record the real-time temperature of sample stage 3.

[0033] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cold-hot sample stage apparatus for a fluorescent particle tracking experiment, characterized by, The device includes a housing (1), a temperature control unit (2), a sample stage (3), and a crucible unit (4). The interior of the housing (1) forms a working cavity, and a working opening (121) is provided through the bottom of the housing (1). The temperature control unit (2) is connected to the housing (1). One end of the sample stage (3) is connected to the temperature control unit (2) and they are in contact with each other. The other end of the sample stage (3) is placed in the working opening (121) and a receiving groove (333) is provided through it. The crucible unit (4) can be placed in the receiving groove (333) or taken out from the receiving groove (333). The sample can be stored inside the crucible unit (4).

2. The cold-hot sample stage apparatus for fluorescent particle tracking experiments of claim 1, wherein, The housing (1) includes an upper housing (11) and a lower housing (12). The upper housing (11) and the lower housing (12) are detachably connected and enclose each other to form the working cavity. The lower housing (12) has a through-hole (121), and the upper housing (11) has a viewing window (111) at the corresponding position of the working opening (121).

3. The hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 2, characterized in that, The temperature control unit (2) includes a TEC cooling chip (21) and a water cooling circulation interface (22). The TEC cooling chip (21) is connected to the lower housing (12). The water cooling circulation interface (22) is connected to the lower housing (12) and is connected to the TEC cooling chip (21) through a pipeline. The water cooling circulation interface (22) can be connected to an external circulating water device.

4. The hot and cold sample stage device for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower housing (12) forms a first platform (122) and a second platform (123) with a height misalignment inside. The first platform (122) is higher than the second platform (123). The working opening (121) is opened in the middle of the second platform (123). The TEC cooling chip (21) is connected to the first platform (122). The sample stage (3) includes a high-position connecting section (31), a transition connecting section (32), and a low-position connecting section (33) connected in sequence. The high-position connecting section (31) is higher than the low-position connecting section (33). The high-position connecting section (31) is detachably connected to the TEC cooling chip (21). The low-position connecting section (33) is placed in the working opening (121) and has the receiving groove (333) through it.

5. The hot and cold sample stage apparatus for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The low-position connecting section (33) includes a low-position platform (331) and a heat-conducting ring (332). The low-position platform (331) is placed on the second platform (123). The heat-conducting ring (332) is connected to the bottom of the low-position platform (331) and is located inside the working opening (121). The inner wall of the heat-conducting ring (332) and the top surface of the low-position platform (331) together form the receiving groove (333).

6. The hot and cold sample stage apparatus for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 5, characterized in that, The crucible unit (4) includes a quartz crucible (41) and a cover glass (42). The quartz crucible (41) is placed in the receiving groove (333) and its outer wall is in contact with the inner wall of the heat-conducting ring (332). A sample chamber (411) is provided at the bottom of the quartz crucible (41), and the sample is placed in the sample chamber (411). The cover glass (42) is placed on top of the sample chamber (411).

7. The hot and cold sample stage apparatus for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the heat-conducting ring (332) is lower than the bottom surface of the lower housing (12) so that the sample stage (3) protrudes downward relative to the housing (1), and the bottom surface of the quartz crucible (41) is lower than the bottom surface of the lower housing (12) so that the crucible unit (4) protrudes downward relative to the housing (1).

8. The hot and cold sample stage apparatus for fluorescent particle tracking experiments according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature sensor (51) and an electrical signal interface (52). The temperature sensor (51) is disposed in the transition connection section (32), and the electrical signal interface (52) is connected to the lower housing (12). The temperature sensor (51) and the electrical signal interface (52) are connected to each other by a wire to form a circuit.

Images