Liquid delivery pump for a cell culture reactor

Abstract

The utility model belongs to cell culture device field discloses a kind of liquid delivery pump for cell culture reactor, including workbench, the workbench is connected with pump body, the pump body is connected with liquid outlet pipe and liquid suction pipe, piston is slidably connected in the inner wall of pump body, the piston is connected with push rod, the pump body is equipped with and is connected with the liquid suction cavity of inner cavity intercommunication, the second sealing ball is slidably connected in the inner wall of liquid suction cavity, the inner wall of liquid outlet pipe is connected with seal ring, the first sealing ball is slidably connected in the inner wall of liquid outlet pipe, the push rod is connected with driving structure. This scheme adopts the collaborative design of piston volume displacement and double sealing ball valve, avoids the mechanical damage caused by traditional pump to cell, ensures that cell maintains high activity and functional integrity in the process of delivery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cell culture devices, and more particularly to a liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor. Background Technology

[0002] Cell culture is a cornerstone technology in the life sciences, enabling cells to grow and proliferate under controlled conditions (such as 37°C and 5% CO2) by mimicking the in vivo environment outside the body. It is widely used in key research areas such as drug development, genetic engineering, and regenerative medicine.

[0003] Currently, cell culture media are mainly transported via manual pipetting or pumps, but both methods have significant problems. Manual pipetting suffers from low throughput, poor reproducibility and consistency, and is prone to contamination due to improper handling; for experiments requiring frequent or large-scale media changes, this method is inefficient and labor-intensive. When using pumps for pipetting, the cell suspension can easily cause mechanical damage to the cells as it flows through the pump, affecting their activity, function, and the reliability of downstream experimental results.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a liquid delivery pump for cell culture reactors to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a liquid delivery pump for a cell culture reactor to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor includes a worktable connected to a pump body, the pump body being connected to an outlet pipe and a suction pipe, a piston slidably connected to the inner wall of the pump body, a push rod connected to the piston, a suction chamber communicating with the inner cavity of the pump body, a second sealing ball slidably connected to the inner wall of the suction chamber, a sealing ring connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe, a first sealing ball slidably connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe, and a drive structure connected to the push rod.

[0008] Preferably, the drive structure includes a motor connected to a worktable, a rotating plate connected to the output end of the motor, a protruding rod connected to the rotating plate, a pull rod rotatably connected to the protruding rod, and a push rod rotatably connected to the pull rod.

[0009] Preferably, a second limiting ring is connected to the inner wall of the liquid extraction chamber.

[0010] Preferably, a first limiting ring is connected to the inner wall of the liquid outlet pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the inner wall of the liquid extraction chamber is provided with an arc-shaped portion.

[0012] Preferably, the pump body is connected to a cleaning pipe, and the cleaning pipe is equipped with a one-way valve.

[0013] Preferably, the pump body has a waste discharge port, and a plug is threaded onto the inner wall of the waste discharge port, and the plug is connected to a handle.

[0014] Preferably, the plug is connected to a sealing gasket.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this technical solution compared to existing technologies are as follows:

[0016] (1) By employing a translational volume displacement delivery structure with a piston and a sealed ball, gentle delivery of cell suspensions is achieved. This design eliminates the need for peristaltic pumps or high-speed impellers that generate severe squeezing and shearing forces, resulting in smooth, near-laminar flow of the liquid. This minimizes mechanical damage to cells caused by fluid shearing forces, effectively ensuring cell viability, functional integrity, and biological activity during delivery, providing a reliable source of seed cells for downstream high-precision applications such as cell therapy and drug screening.

[0017] (2) By using a crank-connecting rod mechanism driven by an electric motor as the driving core, the automated control of the cell fluid delivery process is realized. This structure can convert the rotational motion of the motor into a smooth and continuous linear reciprocating motion of the piston, which not only replaces the repetitive, inefficient, and contamination-prone manual pipetting operation, but also allows for precise adjustment of the infusion flow rate and speed by controlling the motor speed.

[0018] (3) By integrating a dedicated cleaning pipeline and a conveniently openable and closable waste outlet, efficient and thorough cleaning and maintenance of the pump body's interior is achieved. The cleaning pipeline allows disinfectant or clean water to be directly injected into the pump chamber for rinsing or even soaking. Combined with the unscrewable plug, waste liquid can be easily drained and any residual cells or biofilms can be thoroughly removed, fundamentally eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between different batches of culture medium. This design significantly improves the repeatability and reliability of experiments, while greatly simplifying daily maintenance procedures and reducing operational complexity. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump body provided by this utility model;

[0022] Reference numerals: 1. Workbench; 2. Pump body; 3. Motor; 4. Rotary plate; 5. Protruding rod; 6. Pull rod; 7. Discharge pipe; 8. Suction pipe; 9. Cleaning pipe; 10. Push rod; 11. Check valve; 12. Piston; 13. Sealing ring; 14. First limiting ring; 15. First sealing ball; 16. Waste outlet; 17. Plug; 18. Sealing gasket; 19. Handle; 20. Suction chamber; 21. Arc-shaped part; 22. Second sealing ball; 23. Second limiting ring; Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 The liquid transfer pump shown is for a cell culture reactor and includes a workbench 1, which serves as the supporting base for the entire apparatus. Figure 1 As shown, a pump body 2 is fixedly connected to the top right side of the workbench 1. An outlet pipe 7 is connected to the top of the pump body 2, and a suction pipe 8 is connected to the right side of the pump body 2 for drawing in the cell culture medium to be transported. Figure 3 As shown, a piston 12 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the pump body 2, and a push rod 10 is connected to the left side of the piston 12. The pump body 2 has a suction chamber 20 connected to its inner cavity. A second sealing ball 22 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the suction chamber 20, which opens during suction and closes the inlet of the suction pipe 8 during discharge. A sealing ring 13 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the discharge pipe 7, and a first sealing ball 15 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the discharge pipe 7. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 13 is smaller than the diameter of the first sealing ball 15, so that the first sealing ball 15 can form a seal with the sealing ring 13 under liquid pressure, controlling the opening and closing of the discharge pipe 7. Figure 1 As shown, a drive structure is connected to the left side of the push rod 10 to provide it with power.

[0025] During the fluid extraction stage, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the push rod 10 is driven to pull the piston 12 to the left, the volume of the pump body 2 increases, creating a negative pressure. At this time, the first sealing ball 15 in the outlet pipe 7, under its own gravity, tightly adheres to the sealing ring 13, cutting off the outlet channel. Simultaneously, the negative pressure overcomes gravity, lifting the second sealing ball 22 in the suction chamber 20 and moving it to the left, causing it to leave the sealed position and opening the inlet channel through the suction pipe 8, allowing the culture medium to be smoothly drawn into the pump body 2. During the pumping phase, when the push rod 10 pushes the piston 12 to the right, the pressure inside the pump body 2 increases. Under the combined action of gravity and liquid pressure, the second sealing ball 22 quickly falls back, resealing the inlet of the suction chamber 20 to prevent backflow of liquid. At the same time, the pressure of the culture medium inside the chamber pushes open the first sealing ball 15, separating it from the sealing ring 13, and the liquid is then smoothly delivered from the outlet pipe 7 through the opened outlet, completing one working cycle.

[0026] The specific composition of the drive structure is as follows: Figure 2As shown, the system includes a motor 3 fixedly mounted on a workbench 1. A rotating plate 4 is connected to the output end of the motor 3. A protruding rod 5 is eccentrically connected to the outer side of the rotating plate 4. A pull rod 6 is rotatably connected to the protruding rod 5, and the pull rod 6 is rotatably connected to the end of a push rod 10. When the motor 3 starts, it drives the rotating plate 4 and the protruding rod 5 to perform circular motion. The circular motion of the protruding rod 5 is converted into linear reciprocating motion of the push rod 10 in the horizontal direction through the transmission of the pull rod 6. When the protruding rod 5 rotates to the farthest left end of the rotating plate 4, the pull rod 6 pulls the push rod 10 to the leftmost position, corresponding to the end of the pumping stroke of the piston 12. As the protruding rod 5 continues to rotate to the farthest right end of the rotating plate 4, it pushes the push rod 10 to the rightmost position, corresponding to the end of the pumping stroke of the piston 12. The continuous rotation of the motor 3 is converted into stable, periodic linear reciprocating motion of the push rod 10 and the piston 12, thereby achieving continuous and stable pump operation.

[0027] To ensure effective reset and reliable sealing of the sealing ball, such as Figure 3 As shown, a second limiting ring 23 is connected to the inner wall of the pumping chamber 20. The inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the diameter of the second sealing ball 22. This ring is used to limit the displacement of the second sealing ball 22, allowing it to fall back to the bottom of the pumping chamber 20 under gravity to form a seal. Similarly, a first limiting ring 14 is connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe 7. The inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the diameter of the first sealing ball 15. This ring is used to limit the range of motion of the first sealing ball 15, preventing it from being flushed into the pump body 2 or away from the sealing ring 13.

[0028] To further optimize the sealing reliability of the second sealing ball 22, such as Figure 3 As shown, the inner wall of the suction chamber 20 is provided with an arc-shaped portion 21. This design allows the second sealing ball 22 to automatically slide down along the arc-shaped portion 21 and accurately return to its position under the action of gravity, ensuring an effective seal with the inlet of the suction tube 8.

[0029] To facilitate cleaning and maintenance of pump body 2, such as Figure 1 As shown, a cleaning pipe 9 is connected to one side wall of the pump body 2. The cleaning pipe 9 is equipped with a one-way valve 11, which allows the cleaning fluid to flow in while preventing internal liquid backflow. Figure 3 As shown, a waste discharge port 16 is provided at the bottom of the pump body 2. A plug 17 is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the waste discharge port 16. A handle 19 is connected to the end of the plug 17 for easy operation. A sealing gasket 18 is embedded in the top of the plug 17 to ensure the sealing of the waste discharge port 16 when closed and prevent leakage. During cleaning, the plug 17 can be opened and cleaning fluid can be injected through the cleaning pipe 9. The waste fluid will be completely discharged from the waste discharge port 16, achieving convenient cleaning and maintenance.

[0030] The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0031] During operation, the suction tube 8 is first placed into the cell culture medium source to be transported, and the outlet tube 7 is connected to the inlet of the cell culture reactor. The motor 3 is started, and its output shaft drives the rotating plate 4 to rotate. The protruding rod 5 on the rotating plate 4 then performs a circular motion, which is converted into a stable and continuous linear reciprocating motion of the push rod 10 via the pull rod 6. When the push rod 10 pulls the piston 12 to the left, the volume of the pump body 2 increases, creating a negative pressure. At this time, the first sealing ball 15 in the outlet tube 7 is tightly fitted with the sealing ring 13 under the action of gravity, sealing the outlet. Simultaneously, the negative pressure draws up the second sealing ball 22 in the suction chamber 20, causing it to leave the sealed position, thereby opening the channel. The culture medium is smoothly drawn into the pump body 2 through the suction tube 8 and the suction chamber 20, completing the suction stroke. Subsequently, the push rod 10 pushes the piston 12 to the right under the action of the drive structure, increasing the pressure inside the pump body 2. Under the action of gravity and liquid pressure, the second sealing ball 22 quickly slides down and resets along the arc-shaped part 21 at the bottom of the suction chamber 20, sealing the inlet to prevent backflow. At the same time, the liquid pressure inside the chamber pushes open the first sealing ball 15, causing it to rise against gravity and separate from the sealing ring 13. The culture medium is then smoothly delivered through the outlet pipe 7, completing the pump stroke. The function of the first limiting ring 14 is to prevent the first sealing ball 15 from excessive displacement. This cycle repeats continuously, realizing automatic, low-shear delivery of cell culture medium. When cleaning is required, the motor 3 can be turned off, the plug 17 connected to the waste outlet 16 by threads can be unscrewed, and cleaning solution or disinfectant can be injected through the cleaning pipe 9. The one-way valve 11 prevents backflow, and the waste liquid can be completely discharged from the waste outlet 16, thus conveniently completing maintenance and ensuring no risk of cross-contamination.

[0032] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of this utility model. Commonly known technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solution of this utility model. These modifications and improvements should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model, and will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor, characterized in that: The device includes a workbench (1), a pump body (2) connected to the workbench (1), an outlet pipe (7) and a suction pipe (8) connected to the pump body (2), a piston (12) slidably connected to the inner wall of the pump body (2), a push rod (10) connected to the piston (12), a suction chamber (20) communicating with the inner cavity of the pump body (2), a second sealing ball (22) slidably connected to the inner wall of the suction chamber (20), a sealing ring (13) connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe (7), a first sealing ball (15) slidably connected to the inner wall of the outlet pipe (7), and a drive structure connected to the push rod (10).

2. The liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The drive structure includes a motor (3), which is connected to the worktable (1). The output end of the motor (3) is connected to a rotating plate (4), and the rotating plate (4) is connected to a protruding rod (5). The protruding rod (5) is rotatably connected to a pull rod (6), and the pull rod (6) is rotatably connected to a push rod (10).

3. The liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the pumping chamber (20) is connected to a second limiting ring (23).

4. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the outlet pipe (7) is connected to a first limiting ring (14).

5. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the liquid extraction chamber (20) is provided with an arc-shaped part (21).

6. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The pump body (2) is connected to a cleaning pipe (9), and the cleaning pipe (9) is equipped with a one-way valve (11).

7. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The pump body (2) has a waste discharge port (16), and a plug (17) is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the waste discharge port (16). The plug (17) is connected to a handle (19).

8. A liquid transfer pump for a cell culture reactor as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The plug (17) is connected to a sealing gasket (18).

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