Reagent preparation device

Abstract

This invention provides a reagent preparation device, including a functional mechanism, a reagent storage mechanism, and a clamping mechanism fixed on a base plate. The functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism are placed adjacent to each other, and the clamping mechanism is mounted above the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism via a multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device. The clamping mechanism includes a cap-opening gripper mechanism and a liquid-taking mechanism. The functional mechanism includes a mixing mechanism, a consumable mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a reconstitution mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism. The mixing mechanism, clamping mechanism, and cleaning mechanism are distributed on the same side and arranged in a straight line, while the consumable mechanism and the reconstitution mechanism are distributed on the other side. This invention enables automated reagent preparation, eliminates inconsistencies caused by human operation, improves the quality, efficiency, and accuracy of reagent preparation, and further enhances the efficiency of solution preparation through the layout design of each mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of combined devices, specifically a reagent preparation device. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the development of immunological and molecular biotechnology, ultrasensitive detection has received increasing attention and importance from practitioners in the field of laboratory medicine. Based on their respective technological platform advantages, different ultrasensitive detection methods have been developed in the market, and different technological routes have also put forward different instrument development requirements.

[0003] Reagent preparation is a crucial step in reagent development, its success or failure directly determining reagent performance, affecting test results, and potentially leading to medical accidents. In the early stages of product development, reagent preparation often relies on manual methods. However, manual preparation suffers from inconsistencies due to non-standard operating procedures and individual differences, resulting in inconsistent reagent quality. Therefore, designing a fully automated reagent preparation system is essential to address the inconsistencies in manual preparation and improve reagent quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems of existing technologies, this invention provides a reagent preparation device that enables automated reagent preparation, eliminates inconsistencies caused by human operation, improves reagent preparation quality, efficiency, and accuracy, and further enhances solution preparation efficiency through the layout and positioning design of each mechanism.

[0005] This utility model includes a functional mechanism, a reagent storage mechanism, and a clamping mechanism fixed on a base plate. The functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism are placed adjacent to each other, and the clamping mechanism is installed above the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism through a multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device. The clamping mechanism includes a cap-opening gripper mechanism and a liquid-taking mechanism. The functional mechanism includes a mixing mechanism, a consumable mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a reconstitution mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism. The mixing mechanism, clamping mechanism, and cleaning mechanism are distributed on the same side and arranged in a straight line, while the consumable mechanism and the reconstitution mechanism are distributed on the other side.

[0006] The mixing mechanism is used to thoroughly mix the reagent components during the preparation of the substrate reagent; The consumables mechanism is used to hold the reaction cups and consumables required for preparing substrate reagents; The clamping mechanism is used to clamp the reagent G reagent bottle when the cap is opened; The reconstitution mechanism is used to restore the temperature of reagent G stored in reagent storage mechanism 60 to 20°C. The cleaning mechanism is used to clean the liquid dispensing mechanism 80 after each reagent dispensing to prevent cross-contamination. The reagent storage mechanism is used to store reagent E, reagent G, reagent F, purified water, and prepared substrate reagents. The reagent storage mechanism has a refrigeration function. The cap-opening gripper mechanism is used to unscrew the cap of reagent G bottle for easy retrieval of reagent G; The liquid extraction mechanism is used to extract reagent components such as reagent E, reagent G, reagent F, and purified water during the preparation of substrate reagents; In a further improvement, the mixing mechanism includes a mixing tray with multiple mixing stations distributed on it; the consumables mechanism includes a consumables rack with several reaction cup storage stations arranged in an array on it; the clamping mechanism includes clamping jaws with a clamping station at the center of the clamping jaws; the remelting mechanism includes a remelting heat-conducting block with a remelting station at the center of the remelting heat-conducting block; and the cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning tank with a cleaning station at the center of the cleaning tank.

[0007] In a further improvement, the reagent storage mechanism includes a reagent storage rack, on which are distributed a purified water storage station, a diluent temporary storage station, a substrate reagent storage station, several reserved substrate reagent storage stations, and several reagent storage stations.

[0008] In a further improvement, the cap-opening gripper mechanism uses grippers to pick up reagent bottles or unscrew the caps, and the liquid-taking mechanism obtains reagents through a liquid-taking needle.

[0009] In a further improvement, the multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device includes three degrees of freedom in the X, Y, and Z axes, and the gripping mechanism and the liquid dispensing mechanism move between the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism through displacement in the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0010] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. By integrating the various mechanisms used in the reagent preparation process into one device, the reagent preparation is automated by using a cap-opening gripper mechanism and a liquid dispensing mechanism, eliminating inconsistencies caused by human operation and improving the quality, efficiency and accuracy of reagent preparation.

[0011] 2. The efficiency of solution preparation is further improved through the layout design of each mechanism. For example, the reconstitution mechanism and the cleaning mechanism are distributed on the same longitudinal line. When the reagent bottle G is transported to the reconstitution mechanism and the dispensing needle needs to be cleaned, the cleaning mechanism only needs to move longitudinally, saving running time and improving efficiency. After the dispensing needle is cleaned, the capping gripper mechanism only needs to move longitudinally to the reconstitution station, similarly saving running time and improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments 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.

[0013] Figure 1 Flowchart of reagent preparation.

[0014] Figure 2 .Reagent preparation system.

[0015] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the reagent preparation mechanism.

[0016] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of reagent preparation.

[0017] In the diagram, 10. Mixing mechanism; 20. Consumables mechanism; 30. Clamping mechanism; 40. Reconstitution mechanism; 50. Cleaning mechanism; 60. Reagent storage mechanism; 70. Lid opening gripper mechanism; 80. Liquid dispensing mechanism; 1011 Mixing tray; 2011 Consumables rack; 3011 Clamping jaws; 4011 Remelting heat-conducting block; 5011 Cleaning tank; 6011 Reagent storage rack; 1011a First mixing station; 1011b Second mixing station; 2011a Reaction vessel storage station; 3011a Clamping station; 4011a Remelting station; 5011a Cleaning station; 6011a Reagent F storage station; 6011b Purified water storage station; 6011c Reagent E storage station; 6011d Reagent G storage station; 6011e Temporary storage station for reagent E dilution; 6011f Substrate reagent storage station; 6011g Reserved storage station for first substrate reagent; 6011h Reserved storage station for second substrate reagent; 7011 Clamping claw; 8011 Liquid dispensing needle. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0019] This utility model provides a reagent preparation device, one specific embodiment of which is as follows: Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown. The preparation device includes a mixing mechanism 10, a consumable mechanism 20, a clamping mechanism 30, a reconstitution mechanism 40, a cleaning mechanism 50, a reagent storage mechanism 60, a cap-opening gripper mechanism 70, and a liquid dispensing mechanism 80. The mixing mechanism 10, clamping mechanism 30, and cleaning mechanism 50 are distributed on the same side and arranged in a straight line; the consumable mechanism 20 is distributed on the opposite side of the mixing mechanism 10, and the consumable mechanism 20 and reconstitution mechanism 40 are distributed on the same side; the cap-opening gripper mechanism 70 and the liquid dispensing mechanism 80 are installed above the mixing mechanism 10, consumable mechanism 20, clamping mechanism 30, reconstitution mechanism 40, cleaning mechanism 50, and reagent storage mechanism 60 through a multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device.

[0020] The clamping mechanism includes clamping jaws, with a clamping station at the center of the clamping jaws; the remelting mechanism includes a remelting heat-conducting block, with a remelting station at the center of the remelting heat-conducting block; the cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning tank, with a cleaning station at the center of the cleaning tank.

[0021] The reagent storage mechanism includes a reagent storage rack, on which are distributed a purified water storage station, a diluent temporary storage station, a substrate reagent storage station, several reserved substrate reagent storage stations, and several reagent storage stations.

[0022] In a further improvement, the cap-opening gripper mechanism uses grippers to pick up reagent bottles or unscrew the caps, and the liquid-taking mechanism obtains reagents through a liquid-taking needle.

[0023] In a further improvement, the multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device includes three degrees of freedom in the X, Y, and Z axes, and the gripping mechanism and the liquid dispensing mechanism move between the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism through displacement in the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0024] The mixing mechanism 10 includes a mixing tray 1011, on which a first mixing station 1011a and a second mixing station 1011b are distributed, for thoroughly mixing each reagent component during the preparation of the substrate reagent.

[0025] The consumables mechanism 20 includes a consumables rack 2011, on which reaction cup storage stations 2011a are arranged in an array for placing reaction cup consumables required for preparing substrate reagents.

[0026] The clamping mechanism 30 includes a clamping jaw 3011, with a clamping station 3011a at the center of the clamping jaw, used to clamp the reagent G reagent bottle when the cap is opened.

[0027] The remelting mechanism 40 includes a remelting heat-conducting block 4011, with a remelting station 4011a at the center of the remelting heat-conducting block, used to restore the temperature of the reagent G stored in the reagent storage mechanism 60 to 20°C.

[0028] The cleaning mechanism 50 includes a cleaning tank 5011, with a cleaning station 5011a in the center of the cleaning tank, which is used to clean the liquid dispensing mechanism 80 after each reagent dispensing to prevent cross-contamination.

[0029] The reagent storage mechanism 60 includes a reagent F storage station 6011a, a purified water storage station 6011b, a reagent E storage station 6011c, a reagent G storage station 6011d, a reagent E dilution temporary storage station 6011e, a substrate reagent storage station 6011f, a first substrate reagent storage reserved station 6011g, and a second substrate reagent storage reserved station 6011h. It is used to store reagent E, reagent G, reagent F, purified water, and prepared substrate reagents. The reagent storage mechanism has a refrigeration function.

[0030] The cap-opening gripper mechanism 70 includes grippers 7011 for unscrewing the cap of reagent G to facilitate the removal of reagent G.

[0031] The liquid extraction mechanism 80 includes a liquid extraction needle 8011, which is used to extract reagent components such as reagent E, reagent G, reagent F, and purified water during the preparation of substrate reagents.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the preparation process is as follows: Step 1: Before reagent preparation, the cap-opening gripper mechanism 70 removes the G reagent bottle from the reagent storage mechanism 60 and places it on the reconstitution mechanism 40, and the G reagent begins to be reconstituted. Step 2: The opening gripper mechanism 70 transports the reaction cup consumables on the consumables mechanism 20 to the mixing station 1011a on the mixing mechanism 10. Step 3: The liquid taking mechanism 80 takes out a certain amount of purified water from the purified water storage station 6011b in the reagent storage mechanism 60 and adds it to the reaction cup on the mixing station 1011a. Step 4: The liquid taking mechanism 80 takes out a quantitative amount of reagent E from the reagent E storage station 6011c in the reagent storage mechanism 60 and adds it to the reaction cup on the first mixing station 1011a. Step 5: The mixing mechanism 10 rapidly mixes the purified water and reagent E. Step 6: The opening gripper mechanism 70 moves the reaction cup containing the mixture of purified water and reagent E from the first mixing station 1011a to the reagent E dilution temporary storage station 6011e on the reagent storage mechanism 60. Step 7: The opening gripper mechanism 70 takes a new reaction cup from the consumables mechanism 20 and places it on the mixing station 1011a of the mixing mechanism 10. Step 8: The liquid taking mechanism 80 takes a quantitative amount of reagent E dilution from the reagent E dilution temporary storage position 6011e in the reagent storage mechanism 60 and puts it into a new reaction cup. Step 9: The liquid taking mechanism 80 takes a fixed amount of reagent F from the reagent F storage station 6011a in the reagent storage mechanism 60 and puts it into a new reaction cup. Step 10: After the reagent in reagent bottle G has been reconstituted, the cap opening gripper mechanism 70 moves reagent bottle G to the clamping mechanism 30, the clamping mechanism 30 clamps reagent bottle G, and the cap opening gripper mechanism 70 unscrews the cap on reagent bottle G. Step 11: The liquid taking mechanism 80 takes a fixed amount of reagent G from the reagent G in the clamping station 3011a of the clamping mechanism 30 and puts it into a new reaction cup; Step 12: The mixing mechanism 10 rapidly mixes the diluted reagents E, G, and F in the reaction vessel to form a mixed solution, i.e., the substrate reagent. Step 13: The opening gripper mechanism 70 stores the prepared substrate into the substrate reagent storage station 6011f in the reagent storage mechanism 60.

[0033] Furthermore, step 1 can be executed before step 2 for the first N test cycles, where N = reconstitution time / T (where T is the time of one test cycle); Furthermore, after completing steps 3 and 4, the liquid dispensing needle 8011 on the liquid dispensing mechanism 80 should be cleaned to avoid cross-contamination. Furthermore, the cleaning process is completed by the cleaning tank 5011 on the cleaning mechanism 50 in conjunction with the liquid circuit system, cleaning the liquid dispensing needle 8011 on the liquid dispensing mechanism 80. In one embodiment, reagent E is stored at station 6011c of reagent storage mechanism 60. Station 6011c, cleaning station 5011a, clamping station 3011a, first mixing station 1011a or second mixing station 1011b are distributed on the same straight line. When preparing the reagent, the liquid taking mechanism 80 can move in a straight line, saving running time and improving the efficiency of reagent preparation. In step 10, the G reagent bottle is further clamped by the jaws 7011 on the cap-opening gripper mechanism 70 and transported to the clamping station 3011a of the clamping mechanism 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the opening gripper mechanism 70 has X, Y, and Z three-axis motion functions, which facilitates the execution of corresponding processes between the first mixing station 1011a or the second mixing station 1011b, the clamping station 3011a, the remelting station 4011a, and the cleaning station 5011a. In one embodiment, reagent G can be stored at station 6011d of reagent storage mechanism 60 or at station 6011c. In one embodiment, the reconstitution mechanism 40 and the cleaning mechanism 50 are distributed on the same longitudinal line. When the reagent bottle G is transported to the reconstitution mechanism 40 and the liquid collection needle 8011 needs to be cleaned, the cleaning mechanism 80 only needs to move longitudinally, saving running time and improving efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, once the washing needle 8011 has finished cleaning, the cap opening gripper mechanism 70 only needs to move longitudinally to the remelting station 4011a, which also saves running time and improves work efficiency.

[0036] The consumables mechanism 20 can accommodate multiple reaction cup consumables, at least 15 reaction cups, and the lid-opening gripper mechanism 70 can pick up reaction cups from different stations on the consumables mechanism 20.

[0037] In one embodiment, depending on the actual number of samples to be tested, substrate reagents of different specifications can be prepared according to the process of steps 1 to 13 to meet the testing requirements of the test samples.

[0038] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the device embodiments, the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model. Since they are fundamentally similar to the method embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments. The above descriptions 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 scope of the technology disclosed in this utility model, without departing from the principle of 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 reagent preparation apparatus, characterized in that: The device includes a functional mechanism, a reagent storage mechanism, and a clamping mechanism fixed on a base plate. The functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism are placed adjacent to each other, and the clamping mechanism is installed above the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism via a multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device. The clamping mechanism includes a cap-opening gripper mechanism and a liquid-taking mechanism. The functional mechanism includes a mixing mechanism, a consumable mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a reconstitution mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism. The mixing mechanism, clamping mechanism, and cleaning mechanism are distributed on the same side and arranged in a straight line, while the consumable mechanism and the reconstitution mechanism are distributed on the other side.

2. The reagent preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mixing mechanism includes a mixing tray with multiple mixing stations distributed on it; the consumables mechanism includes a consumables rack with several reaction cup storage stations arranged in an array on it; the clamping mechanism includes clamping jaws with a clamping station at the center of the clamping jaws; the remelting mechanism includes a remelting heat-conducting block with a remelting station at the center of the remelting heat-conducting block; and the cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning tank with a cleaning station at the center of the cleaning tank.

3. The reagent preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reagent storage mechanism includes a reagent storage rack, on which are distributed a purified water storage station, a diluent temporary storage station, a substrate reagent storage station, several reserved substrate reagent storage stations, and several reagent storage stations.

4. The reagent preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cap-opening gripper mechanism uses grippers to pick up reagent bottles or unscrew the caps, and the liquid-taking mechanism obtains reagents through a liquid-taking needle.

5. The reagent preparation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-degree-of-freedom displacement device includes three degrees of freedom in the X, Y, and Z axes. The gripping mechanism and the liquid dispensing mechanism move between the functional mechanism and the reagent storage mechanism through displacement in the X, Y, and Z axes.

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