Pipetting device and its gene sequencing library apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides a pipetting device and its gene sequencing library equipment. The pipetting device includes a fixed frame, a lifting frame, and a rotating frame. The rotating frame houses at least a first pipetting module and a second pipetting module. It also includes a frame lifting drive assembly mounted on the fixed frame and a rotating drive assembly mounted on the lifting frame. The frame lifting drive assembly drives the lifting frame to move vertically relative to the fixed frame. The rotating frame, mounted on the lifting frame, rotates around a first vertical axis under the drive of the rotating drive assembly to change the circumferential positions of the first and second pipetting modules. This invention integrates different pipetting modules on the same frame, allowing the use of a single device to meet the configuration requirements of various pipettes in complex biological experimental processes such as gene library construction. This eliminates the need for multiple modules to work together, simplifying the structural design, reducing equipment size, and improving equipment compactness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of biological detection technology, specifically relating to a pipetting device and its gene sequencing library equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the biotechnology industry, a pipetting system typically refers to a "micropipette," a precision instrument used in laboratories for quantitatively transferring minute volumes of liquid. Its working principle is primarily based on the extension and retraction of a piston, using air pressure or direct piston contact to aspirate and displace liquids. Pipettes are widely used in environmental monitoring, medical laboratories, biotechnology laboratories, food inspection, and pharmaceutical research, primarily in the sample preparation stage.

[0003] Currently, integrated pipetting systems in the biological field are mainly composed of individual pipettes as modules. They lack the diversity and integration of pipettes and cannot perform complex biological experimental procedures. This results in the need for many machines to perform a complete experimental procedure in complex biological experimental procedures, such as gene library construction, which are complex in structure and large in size and not compact. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a pipetting device and its gene sequencing library equipment, which can overcome the shortcomings of the existing pipetting devices that are only equipped with a single pipette, which cannot meet the configuration requirements of multiple pipettes in complex biological experimental processes such as gene library construction, require multiple modules to work together, and have a complex structure and large and not compact size.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a pipetting device, including a fixed frame, a lifting frame, and a rotating frame. The rotating frame is equipped with at least a first pipetting module and a second pipetting module. It also includes a frame lifting drive assembly assembled on the fixed frame and a rotating drive assembly assembled on the lifting frame. The frame lifting drive assembly drives the lifting frame to move vertically relative to the fixed frame. The rotating frame is assembled on the lifting frame and can rotate around a first vertical axis under the drive of the rotating drive assembly to change the circumferential positions of the first and second pipetting modules.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first pipetting module includes a first pipette with its aspiration axis on a first cylindrical surface centered on the first vertical axis. The second pipetting module includes a second pipette with its aspiration axis on a second cylindrical surface centered on the first vertical axis, and the first cylindrical surface is located radially outside the second cylindrical surface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the rotating frame includes a top turntable and a bottom turntable, both of which are rotatably supported on the lifting frame. The first pipetting module further includes a first lead screw motor and a first lifting block that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The first pipetting tube is assembled on the first lifting block. The second pipetting module further includes a second lead screw motor and a second lifting block that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The second pipetting tube is assembled on the second lifting block.

[0008] In some embodiments, a first guide connecting post and a second guide connecting post are provided between the top turntable and the bottom turntable, the first lifting block is slidably connected to the first guide connecting post, and the second lifting block is slidably connected to the second guide connecting post; and / or, the lifting frame includes a vertical plate, an upper horizontal plate at the upper end of the vertical plate, and a lower horizontal plate at the lower end of the vertical plate, the upper horizontal plate and the lower horizontal plate respectively have an upper rotating hole and a lower rotating hole coaxially, the top turntable is rotatably connected to the upper rotating hole, and the bottom turntable is rotatably connected to the lower rotating hole; and / or, a plurality of positioning plugs are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom turntable, each positioning plug being evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first vertical axis, and the distribution circle is the first cylindrical surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, a pipetting pump is provided on the top surface of the bottom turntable, and the pipetting pump is controllably connected to the first pipetting tube to enable the first pipetting tube to perform pipetting using a vacuum suction method; and / or, the second pipetting tube performs pipetting using a piston suction method, and the second pipetting tube also has a magnetic sleeve that can be controlled to extend and retract.

[0010] In some embodiments, a driven wheel is provided on the top side of the top turntable and is fixedly connected thereto. The rotary drive assembly includes a rotary motor with an output wheel, and the rotary drive assembly also includes a synchronous belt tensioned on the output wheel and the driven wheel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixed frame has perforated areas extending through its opposite sides, the lifting frame has a protrusion extending from a first side of the fixed frame through the perforated areas into a second side of the fixed frame, the rotary drive assembly is assembled on the protrusion, and the frame lifting drive assembly is located on the second side.

[0012] In some embodiments, the frame lifting drive assembly includes a third lead screw motor, the output lead of which is threadedly connected to the protrusion; and / or, the rotary motor is assembled on the protrusion via a tensioning seat, the protrusion having a displacement adjustment groove, the tensioning seat being assembled in the displacement adjustment groove, and the distance between the tensioning seat and the driven wheel being adjustable.

[0013] In some embodiments, the driven wheel is provided with a baffle extending radially outward therefrom, and a slotted photoelectric sensor is provided at a position where the lifting frame matches the height of the baffle; and / or, an electric slip ring is provided in the central region of the driven wheel.

[0014] This invention also provides a gene sequencing library device, including the aforementioned pipetting device.

[0015] This invention provides a pipetting device and its gene sequencing library equipment. On one hand, it integrates at least two pipetting modules, a first pipetting module and a second pipetting module, for different biological sample processing procedures, on a rotating frame. This allows for the integration of different pipetting modules on the same frame, enabling the use of a single device to meet the configuration requirements of various pipettes in complex biological experimental processes such as gene library construction, without the need for multiple modules to work together. This simplifies the structural design, reduces the size of the equipment, and improves its compactness. On the other hand, the rotating frame is rotatably connected to a lifting frame, which is slidably connected to a fixed frame. This allows for the rotation of the rotating frame while simultaneously ensuring that the lifting frame drives the entire rotating frame to rise and fall, thereby enabling flexible and efficient adjustment of the height and circumferential position of the first and second pipetting modules. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting device of this utility model from one perspective; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the pipetting apparatus in the image; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A bottom view of the pipetting apparatus in the image; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting device of this utility model from another perspective.

[0017] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows: 11. Fixed frame; 111. Vertical sliding assembly; 12. Lifting frame; 121. Slotted photoelectric sensor; 13. Rotating frame; 131. Top turntable; 1311. Driven wheel; 1312. Baffle; 1313. Slip ring; 132. Bottom turntable; 1321. Positioning plug; 1331. First guide connecting post; 1332. Second guide connecting post; 141. First pipetting module; 1411. First pipetting tube; 1412, First lead screw motor; 1413, First lifting block; 142, Second pipetting module; 1421, Second pipetting nozzle; 1422, Second lead screw motor; 1423, Second lifting block; 143, Pipette pump; 151, Frame lifting drive assembly; 1511, Third lead screw motor; 152, Rotary drive assembly; 1521, Rotary motor; 1522, Output pulley; 1523, Synchronous belt; 1524, Tensioner. Detailed Implementation

[0018] See also Figures 1 to 4 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pipetting device is provided, including a fixed frame 11, a lifting frame 12, and a rotating frame 13. The rotating frame 13 is at least provided with a first pipetting module 141 and a second pipetting module 142. In one specific embodiment, the first pipetting module 141 is used for pipetting in the library construction process of biological samples, and the second pipetting module 142 is used for pipetting in the nucleic acid extraction process of biological samples. The device also includes a frame lifting drive assembly 151 assembled on the fixed frame 11 and a rotating drive assembly 152 assembled on the lifting frame 12. The lifting drive assembly 151 is used to drive the lifting frame 12 to move up and down relative to the fixed frame 11 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the fixed frame 11 and the lifting frame 12 are relatively slidably connected by a vertical sliding assembly 111. The aforementioned vertical sliding assembly 111 can be, for example, a commercially available linear guide assembly. The rotating frame 13 is assembled on the lifting frame 12 and can rotate around a first vertical axis (not indicated in the figure) under the drive of the rotating drive assembly 152 to change the position of the first pipetting module 141 and the second pipetting module 142 in the circumferential direction.

[0019] In this technical solution, on the one hand, at least two pipetting modules, a first pipetting module 141 and a second pipetting module 142, are simultaneously installed on the rotating frame 13 for different operational processes of biological samples. This integrates different pipetting modules on the same frame, allowing the use of a single device to meet the configuration requirements of multiple pipettes for complex biological experimental processes such as gene library construction, without the need for multiple modules to work together. This simplifies the structural design, reduces the size of the equipment, and improves its compactness. On the other hand, the rotating frame 13 is rotatably connected to the lifting frame 12, while the lifting frame 12 is slidably connected to the fixed frame 11. This allows the rotating frame 13 to be rotated while the lifting frame 12 drives the rotating frame 13 to rise and fall as a whole, thereby enabling flexible and efficient adjustment of the height and circumferential position of the first pipetting module 141 and the second pipetting module 142.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first pipetting module 141 includes a first pipette 1411, the aspiration axis of which is located on a first cylindrical surface with the first vertical axis as its central axis. The second pipetting module 142 includes a second pipette 1421, the aspiration axis of which is located on a second cylindrical surface with the first vertical axis as its central axis. The first cylindrical surface is located radially outside the second cylindrical surface. That is, in a specific embodiment, the first pipette 1411 is located radially outside the second pipette 1421. This arrangement ensures that the positions of the first pipette 1411 and the second pipette 1421 correspond to the sample and reagent storage areas of the circular cartridges used with them, achieving a reasonable layout of the pipettes and further improving the compactness of the structural design. It is understandable that the aforementioned first pipette 1411 and second pipette 1421 can insert the tip directly below the lifting frame 12 when the lifting frame 12 descends to the target height, that is, to realize the tip being fitted onto the corresponding pipette, thereby facilitating subsequent pipetting operations on the target position of reagents and / or samples.

[0021] In some embodiments, the rotating frame 13 includes a top turntable 131 and a bottom turntable 132, both of which are rotatably supported on the lifting frame 12. The first pipetting module 141 further includes a first lead screw motor 1412 and a first lifting block 1413 that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The first pipetting nozzle 1411 is assembled on the first lifting block 1413. The second pipetting module 142 further includes a second lead screw motor 1422 and a second lifting block 1423 that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The second pipetting nozzle 1421 is assembled on the second lifting block 1423. Specifically, corresponding motor mounting plates (not indicated in the figure) are respectively provided on the bottom surface of the top turntable 131 or the top surface of the bottom turntable 132. The aforementioned first lead screw motor 1412 and second lead screw motor 1422 are assembled on the corresponding motor mounting plates.

[0022] In this technical solution, by setting a first lead screw motor 1412 and a second lead screw motor 1422 to drive the first lifting block 1413 and the second lifting block 1423 respectively, the lifting displacement control is precise and flexible.

[0023] To further ensure the smooth and reliable lifting of the first lifting block 1413 and the second lifting block 1423, in some embodiments, a first guide connecting post 1331 and a second guide connecting post 1332 are provided between the top turntable 131 and the bottom turntable 132. The first lifting block 1413 is slidably connected to the first guide connecting post 1331, and the second lifting block 1423 is slidably connected to the second guide connecting post 1332. In a specific embodiment, two parallel and spaced wire connecting posts are provided for the same lifting block.

[0024] In one specific embodiment, the lifting frame 12 includes a vertical plate (not labeled in the figure), an upper horizontal plate (not labeled in the figure) at the upper end of the vertical plate, and a lower horizontal plate (not labeled in the figure) at the lower end of the vertical plate. The upper and lower horizontal plates each have an upper rotating hole (not labeled in the figure) and a lower rotating hole (not labeled in the figure) that are coaxially aligned. The top turntable 131 is rotatably connected to the upper rotating hole, and the bottom turntable 132 is rotatably connected to the lower rotating hole. It is understood that corresponding bearings should be provided between the top turntable 131 and the bottom turntable 132 and their respective rotating holes to achieve the rotatable connection. The bearings should be selected based on their axial load-bearing capacity to ensure the axial stability and reliability of the rotating frame 13 and its assembled components. In some feasible implementations, corresponding axial limiting structures (e.g., limiting discs) should also be provided for the top turntable 131 and the bottom turntable 132 and their corresponding bearing positions.

[0025] In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the bottom turntable 132 is provided with a plurality of positioning plugs 1321. Each positioning plug 1321 is evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first vertical axis, and its distribution circle is the first cylindrical surface. By providing a plurality of positioning plugs 1321, they can be inserted one by one into the positioning holes on the disc chip corresponding to the position below, thereby ensuring the stability of the relative positional relationship between the chip and the rotating frame 13.

[0026] In one specific implementation, a pipetting pump 143 is provided on the top surface of the bottom turntable 132. The pipetting pump 143 is controllably connected to the first pipetting nozzle 1411 to enable the first pipetting nozzle 1411 to perform pipetting using a vacuum suction method. The vacuum suction method ensures a large suction volume of the first pipetting nozzle 1411, thereby improving work efficiency. And / or, the second pipetting nozzle 1421 performs pipetting using a piston suction method, which ensures the accuracy of quantitative pipetting. The second pipetting nozzle 1421 also has a controllable retractable magnetic sleeve. Thus, the second pipetting nozzle 1421 not only performs pipetting but also has the ability to adsorb / desorb magnetic beads in the nucleic acid extraction process, further simplifying the device structure design.

[0027] In some embodiments, a driven wheel 1311 is fixedly connected to the top side of the top turntable 131. The rotary drive assembly 152 includes a rotary motor 1521, which has an output wheel 1522. The rotary drive assembly 152 also includes a synchronous belt 1523 tensioned between the output wheel 1522 and the driven wheel 1311. The aforementioned synchronous belt 1523 is preferably a toothed belt. In this technical solution, the rotary motor 1521 drives the rotation of the rotating frame 13 in sequence via the output wheel 1522, the synchronous belt 1523, the driven wheel 131, and the top turntable 131. The structure is simple and compact.

[0028] In some embodiments, the fixed frame 11 has perforated areas (not shown in the figure) extending through its opposite sides, and the lifting frame 12 has a protrusion extending from the first side of the fixed frame 11 through the perforated areas into the second side of the fixed frame 11. The rotary drive assembly 152 is assembled on the protrusion, and the frame lifting drive assembly 151 is located on the second side. Specifically, the frame lifting drive assembly 151 includes a third lead screw motor 1511, and the output lead screw of the third lead screw motor 1511 is threadedly connected to the protrusion.

[0029] In this technical solution, the frame lifting drive assembly 151 is set in the second side area of ​​the fixed frame 11, making the structural layout of the device more reasonable.

[0030] In some embodiments, the rotary motor 1521 is assembled onto the protrusion via a tensioning seat 1524, on which a displacement adjustment groove (not shown in the figure) is formed. The tensioning seat 1524 is assembled into the displacement adjustment groove, and the distance between the tensioning seat 1524 and the driven wheel 1311 can be adjusted, thereby ensuring the accuracy of power transmission of the synchronous belt 1523.

[0031] In some embodiments, the driven wheel 1311 is provided with a baffle 1312 extending radially outward therefrom, and the lifting frame 12 is provided with a slotted photoelectric sensor 121 at a position that matches the height of the baffle 1312, so that the baffle 1312 and the slotted photoelectric sensor 121 can pass through each other.

[0032] In some embodiments, the driven wheel 1311 is provided with an electric slip ring 1313 in the central region to enable electrical connection between the electrical cables inside the rotating body and the electrical cables on the external fixed structure.

[0033] This invention also provides a gene sequencing library device, including the aforementioned pipetting device.

[0034] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0035] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. The above are only preferred embodiments of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pipetting device, characterized in that, The device includes a fixed frame (11), a lifting frame (12), and a rotating frame (13). The rotating frame (13) is provided with at least a first pipetting module (141) and a second pipetting module (142). It also includes a frame lifting drive assembly (151) assembled on the fixed frame (11) and a rotating drive assembly (152) assembled on the lifting frame (12). The frame lifting drive assembly (151) is used to drive the lifting frame (12) to lift and lower relative to the fixed frame (11) in the vertical direction. The rotating frame (13) is assembled on the lifting frame (12) and can rotate around a first vertical axis under the drive of the rotating drive assembly (152) to change the position of the first pipetting module (141) and the second pipetting module (142) in the circumferential direction.

2. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pipetting module (141) includes a first pipette (1411), the aspiration axis of which is located on a first cylindrical surface with the first vertical axis as the central axis. The second pipetting module (142) includes a second pipette (1421), the aspiration axis of which is located on a second cylindrical surface with the first vertical axis as the central axis, and the first cylindrical surface is located radially outside the second cylindrical surface.

3. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating frame (13) includes a top turntable (131) and a bottom turntable (132), both of which are rotatably supported on the lifting frame (12). The first pipetting module (141) also includes a first lead screw motor (1412) and a first lifting block (1413) that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The first pipetting tube (1411) is assembled on the first lifting block (1413). The second pipetting module (142) also includes a second lead screw motor (1422) and a second lifting block (1423) that can be driven to rise and fall by its lead screw. The second pipetting tube (1421) is assembled on the second lifting block (1423).

4. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, A first guide connecting post (1331) and a second guide connecting post (1332) are provided between the top turntable (131) and the bottom turntable (132). The first lifting block (1413) is slidably connected to the first guide connecting post (1331), and the second lifting block (1423) is slidably connected to the second guide connecting post (1332). And / or, the lifting frame (12) includes a vertical plate, an upper horizontal plate at the upper end of the vertical plate, and a lower horizontal plate at the lower end of the vertical plate. The upper horizontal plate and the lower horizontal plate are respectively provided with an upper rotating hole and a lower rotating hole that are coaxial. The top turntable (131) is rotatably connected to the upper rotating hole, and the bottom turntable (132) is rotatably connected to the lower rotating hole. And / or, a plurality of positioning plugs (1321) are provided on the bottom surface of the bottom turntable (132). Each positioning plug (1321) is evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first vertical axis, and its distribution circle is the first cylindrical surface.

5. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, A pipetting pump (143) is provided on the top surface of the bottom turntable (132). The pipetting pump (143) is controllably connected to the first pipetting tube (1411) to enable the first pipetting tube (1411) to perform pipetting using a vacuum suction method; and / or, the second pipetting tube (1421) performs pipetting using a piston suction method, and the second pipetting tube (1421) also has a magnetic sleeve that can be controlled to extend and retract.

6. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, A driven wheel (1311) is fixedly connected to the top side of the top turntable (131). The rotary drive assembly (152) includes a rotary motor (1521) with an output wheel (1522). The rotary drive assembly (152) also includes a synchronous belt (1523) tensioned between the output wheel (1522) and the driven wheel (1311).

7. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fixed frame (11) has a perforated area extending through its opposite sides. The lifting frame (12) has a protrusion extending from the first side of the fixed frame (11) through the perforated area into the second side of the fixed frame (11). The rotary drive assembly (152) is assembled on the protrusion, and the frame lifting drive assembly (151) is located on the second side.

8. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The frame lifting drive assembly (151) includes a third lead screw motor (1511), the output lead screw of which is threadedly connected to the protrusion; and / or, the rotary motor (1521) is assembled on the protrusion via a tensioning seat (1524), the protrusion having a displacement adjustment groove, the tensioning seat (1524) being assembled in the displacement adjustment groove and the distance between the tensioning seat (1524) and the driven wheel (1311) being adjustable.

9. The pipetting apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driven wheel (1311) is provided with a baffle (1312) extending outward along its radial direction, and the lifting frame (12) is provided with a slotted photoelectric sensor (121) at a position that matches the height of the baffle (1312); and / or, the central area of ​​the driven wheel (1311) is provided with an electric slip ring (1313).

10. A gene sequencing library device, characterized in that, The pipetting apparatus included in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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