A cryo tube uncap pick

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of frozen storage tube uncap tube pickers, belong to biological experimental equipment field, comprising: fixed component, it has with frozen storage tube pipe cover cooperation to spin off pipe cover head, and handle for hand holding;Movable component, it is movably set in fixed component, movable component has pusher exposed in fixed component;Wherein, by operating pusher makes movable component relative to fixed component movement, to push pipe cover from the head of fixed component, integrate traditional " spin cover " with " retreat cover " two steps in one coherent action, by mechanical cover replacement needs the action of finger direct contact or dialing pipe cover in traditional mode, avoid the problem that pipe cover and operating tool or hand occur adhesion, effectively reduce the pollution risk caused by contact in the process of uncap, and improve the security of operation, while guaranteeing that operation is convenient and laborsaving, provide more clean, more reliable uncap solution for biological sample processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological experimental equipment, specifically to a cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biological sample storage and processing, cryovials, as standard containers for long-term preservation of biological materials such as cells, tissues, and nucleic acids, are widely used in biobanks, medical laboratories, and research institutions. They mostly adopt a screw-type sealing cap structure to ensure the strict sealing of samples in ultra-low temperature environments and prevent contamination and volatilization. Currently, the operation of retrieving a single cryovial from a cryogenic storage device mainly relies on a simple tool called a "crystal pick." This tool is usually a long rod with a hook-shaped or clamping end. It is manually inserted into the storage rack and uses mechanical snapping or friction to hook or clamp the target cryovial out of the densely arranged tube rack. This tool aims to solve the problem of difficulty and error in retrieving cryovials by human fingers in confined spaces and ultra-low temperature environments.

[0003] Although existing tube pickers have solved the initial tube retrieval problem, they can only pick tubes, not open caps, and lack the ability to automatically uncap. This forces the operation process to be divided. Operators must first use the tube picker to remove the cryopreservation tubes, and then manually or with the help of other tools to unscrew the tight screw caps. Since cryopreservation tubes are often capped very tightly to ensure airtightness, manual capping is not only physically demanding and inefficient, but also easily leads to hand fatigue or strain during batch operations. Furthermore, the capping process often results in the cap sticking to the tool or fingers, prolonging the operation time and increasing the biological safety risks of accidental sample spillage, aerosol exposure, and cross-contamination. The entire subsequent "capping" step reverts to the original manual operation mode, making the efficiency improvement and reduced contact benefits brought by the "tube picking" step negligible. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the aforementioned technologies by proposing a cryopreservation tube opener / pickout tool, which aims to solve the problems of functional fragmentation, inefficient operation, tube sticking when opening, and high safety risks.

[0005] This utility model provides a cryopreservation tube opener, comprising: a fixed component having a head that cooperates with the cryopreservation tube cap to unscrew the cap, and a handle for holding; and a movable component movably disposed within the fixed component, the movable component having a pushing part exposed outside the fixed component; wherein, by operating the pushing part, the movable component moves relative to the fixed component to push the cap out from the head of the fixed component.

[0006] Preferably, the fixed component has a guide structure inside that restricts the movement trajectory of the moving component.

[0007] Preferably, the guide structure includes a barb or pad disposed between the fixed part and the moving part.

[0008] Preferably, the cryopreservation tube opener also includes an elastic reset element, which is connected between the fixed part and the movable part. After the elastic reset element causes the movable part to move, it returns to its initial position relative to the fixed part.

[0009] Preferably, the elastic reset element includes a spring or urethane rubber.

[0010] Preferably, the handle surface of the fixing component is provided with an anti-slip pattern.

[0011] Preferably, the cross-sectional profile of the anti-slip pattern is triangular or trapezoidal.

[0012] Preferably, the head shape of the fixing component can be adapted to various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps.

[0013] Preferably, the head of the fixing component is polygonal, star-shaped, or a combination thereof, to accommodate various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps.

[0014] Preferably, the pushing part is a button, push block, or push ring located at the end of the movable part and protruding from the end face of the fixed part.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, it has the following beneficial effects: This invention provides a cryopreservation tube opener / picker. The head of the fixed component engages with the cryopreservation tube cap, allowing the operator to easily unscrew the cap by rotating the handle. After opening, the operator pushes the exposed pusher, driving the movable component relative to the fixed component, smoothly pushing the loosened cap out from the head of the fixed component, completing the automatic cap removal. This integrates the traditional separate steps of "capping" and "cap removal" into a single, continuous action, significantly simplifying the operation and improving opening efficiency. The mechanical push replaces the traditional method of direct finger contact or manipulation of the cap, avoiding the problem of the cap sticking to the operating tool or hand. This effectively reduces the risk of sample contamination during opening and enhances operational safety. While ensuring convenient and labor-saving operation, it provides a cleaner and more reliable capping solution for biological sample processing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only preferred embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fixing component structure of the cryopreservation tube opener according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the tube cap structure of a cryopreservation tube opener according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a cryopreservation tube opener according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In the diagram, 1 is the fixed part; 101 is the head; 102 is the handle; 2 is the tube cap; 3 is the moving part; 301 is the pushing part; and 4 is the anti-slip pattern. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This section will describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model provides a cryopreservation tube opener, comprising: a fixed component 1 having a head 101 that cooperates with the cryopreservation tube cap 2 to unscrew the cap 2, and a handle 102 for holding; and a movable component 3 movably disposed within the fixed component 1, the movable component 3 having a pushing part 301 exposed outside the fixed component 1; wherein, by operating the pushing part 301, the movable component 3 moves relative to the fixed component 1 to push the cap 2 out from the head 101 of the fixed component 1.

[0021] Specifically, the cryopreservation tube opener integrates the two separate actions of "rotating to open the cap" and "removing the cap 2" in the traditional cap-opening process into a single operation through the coordinated action of the fixed component 1 and the movable component 3. During operation, the operator first holds the handle 102 of the fixed component 1 and inserts the head 101 of the fixed component 1 into the cap 2 of the cryopreservation tube. When the fixed component 1 is rotated, its head 101 forms an effective fit with the inner wall or specific structure of the cap 2, thereby loosening and opening the screw cap of the cryopreservation tube.

[0022] After the cap is screwed on, the cap 2, which has detached from the bottle, is temporarily supported by the head 101 of the fixed component 1. At this time, the operator does not need to change tools or operate by hand. He / she only needs to operate the exposed pushing part 301 on the movable part 3 (such as pressing a button or pushing the push block). Since the movable part 3 is movably set inside the fixed component 1, operating the pushing part 301 will drive the movable part 3 to move along a preset trajectory (such as along the axial direction of the fixed component 1) relative to the fixed component 1 toward the cap 2. After the movable part 3 moves to the point where its end face contacts the cap 2, it continues to apply force to smoothly push the cap 2 out of the head 101 of the fixed component 1, so that it is completely detached, thus realizing "cap removal".

[0023] The fixed component 1 completes the load-bearing task of unscrewing the tube cap 2, and the movable component 3 pushes the unscrewed tube cap 2 out mechanically through the relative linear movement between the fixed component 1 and the movable component 3. This transforms the cap-removing action from a finely coordinated hand action into a simple linear push, which is not only labor-saving and quick to operate, but also avoids direct contact between fingers and tube cap 2. It solves the safety hazards that tube cap 2 is easy to stick to tools or fingers, which may cause sample contamination or leakage, and realizes efficient, clean and safe cryopreservation tube opening operation.

[0024] Optionally, the fixed component 1 may have a guide structure inside that restricts the movement trajectory of the movable component 3.

[0025] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, during operation, when the operator presses the pusher 301 to drive the movable part 3 to perform the cap removal action, the movable part 3 will be subjected to a non-axial, potentially skewed, manual operating force. Without the constraint of the guide structure, the movable part 3 may tilt, rotate, or move irregularly inside the fixed part 1, causing the cap removal action to fail or jamming or damage due to abnormal friction or interference between parts. The guide structure, through its geometric fit, transforms the complex external force from the pusher 301 into a pure linear motion along a predetermined trajectory (usually the axis of the fixed part 1). This ensures that the cap removal end face of the movable part 3 can always be aligned with the center of the tube cap 2 supported by the head 101 of the fixed part 1, and push the tube cap 2 out in a vertical and stable manner, ensuring a smooth and effortless cap removal process.

[0026] In this embodiment, the guide structure improves the reliability and success rate of operation. Even if the operator's force direction is slightly off, the moving part 3 can still move along the correct path, avoiding equipment failure caused by improper operation. Secondly, it effectively protects the mating surfaces of the fixed part 1 and the moving part 3, preventing abnormal wear caused by non-axial movement and extending the tool's service life. The precise linear guidance minimizes the force required to push the cover, making operation more effortless and ensuring the fast and efficient removal of the cover.

[0027] Optionally, the guide structure includes a barb or pad disposed between the fixed part 1 and the movable part 3.

[0028] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, during operation, when the operator presses the pusher 301 to drive the movable part 3 to perform the cap removal action, the movable part 3 is subjected to an outward pushing force. If there is no effective axial limit, after the movable part 3 pushes out the cap 2, it may slip off the fixed part 1 due to inertia or excessive force applied by the operator, resulting in operation interruption, tool damage, and a safety accident of the cap 2 or parts splashing. The setting of the barb or pad forms a mechanical stop at the end of the sliding path of the movable part 3. When the movable part 3 moves to the predetermined stroke limit, the corresponding structure on it (such as the shoulder) will hook with the barb on the fixed part 1 or abut tightly against the pad, thereby preventing it from continuing to move outward, ensuring that the movable part 3 is always constrained in the internal cavity of the fixed part 1. At the same time, this limiting mechanism does not hinder the reverse reset movement of the movable part 3 under the action of the elastic element or manual operation.

[0029] In this embodiment, a barb or pad is used for axial limiting, which eliminates the possibility of the moving part 3 accidentally falling off, improving the safety and reliability of tool use. Secondly, this limiting method works in conjunction with structures such as guide grooves to define the precise and controllable range of motion of the moving part 3, ensuring that the stroke of the push-cover action is just enough to completely push out the tube cover 2 without generating invalid empty strokes, making the operation efficient and labor-saving. The design of the barb (especially the elastic barb) or the detachable pad facilitates the assembly and maintenance of the parts.

[0030] Optionally, the cryopreservation tube opener also includes an elastic reset element, which is connected between the fixed part 1 and the movable part 3. After the elastic reset element causes the movable part 3 to move, it returns to its initial position relative to the fixed part 1.

[0031] Specifically, the elastic reset element stores the displacement of the movable part 3 under manual operation as elastic potential energy, and releases it after the operating force is released, driving the movable part 3 to return to its original position. During operation, when the operator presses the push part 301 to perform the cap removal action, the movable part 3 moves outward relative to the fixed part 1. This movement compresses or stretches the elastic reset element located between the two, allowing it to store elastic potential energy. Once the cap 2 is successfully pushed out, the operator releases the force on the push part 301, and the compressed or stretched elastic reset element, driven by its return-to-original-shape elastic force, pushes the movable part 3 in the opposite direction, causing it to smoothly and automatically return to its initial position (i.e., the standby position before pushing the cap).

[0032] In this embodiment, the elastic reset element enables semi-automation and continuity of operation. A complete opening operation is simplified to two active steps: "rotating the fixed part 1" and "pressing the push part 301". The reset action is automatically completed by the elastic element, reducing operation steps and shortening the single operation cycle. The efficiency improvement is particularly significant when processing large batches of samples. Secondly, it ensures that the tool is always in standby mode. After each cap removal, the moving part 3 automatically resets, avoiding the situation where the tool cannot immediately perform the next operation due to forgetting or inconvenience in manually resetting, thus improving the smoothness of the workflow. The buffering effect of the elastic reset element makes the movement of the moving part 3 (whether pushing out or resetting) more gentle and controllable, reducing mechanical impact and noise, improving the operating feel and the service life of the tool.

[0033] Optionally, the resilient reset element includes a spring or urethane rubber.

[0034] Specifically, the elastic reset element is embodied as a spring or urethane rubber. Utilizing the excellent elasticity and fatigue properties of these two materials, the automatic reset function of the movable part 3 is realized in a physical way. When the operator presses the push part 301, the movable part 3 moves outward. If a compression spring is used, it is further compressed and stores potential energy. If a tension spring is used, it is stretched and stores potential energy. If an urethane rubber block is used, it is squeezed and undergoes elastic deformation, storing potential energy. The storage of this potential energy is the source of the reset power. When the operator releases the hand, the restoring force of the spring or the elastic rebound force of the urethane rubber is released, driving the movable part 3 to return to its initial position smoothly and quickly along the path defined by the guide structure.

[0035] In this embodiment, springs (especially metal coil springs) have the advantages of stable force, long life, and fast dynamic response, which can ensure that the speed and force of each reset are consistent, making them suitable for high-intensity and high-frequency use scenarios. Polyurethane has the characteristics of non-linear elasticity, high internal resistance, no noise, and flexible customizable shape. Its reset process is gentler and quieter, and it can effectively absorb shock and vibration, improving the operating feel and tool durability. It is suitable for laboratory environments that are sensitive to noise or require gentler feedback. Both can provide stable and reliable reset force, ensuring that the moving part 3 can still accurately reset after thousands of operating cycles, thereby ensuring the functional integrity and operational consistency of the tube pick for long-term use.

[0036] Optionally, the handle 102 of the fixing component 1 is provided with an anti-slip pattern 4.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 3As shown, the anti-slip pattern 4 on the surface of the handle 102 of the fixed component 1 significantly increases the effective friction coefficient between the hand and the tool grip surface. During operation, especially in the step of unscrewing the cryovial cap 2 which requires a large torque, a large tangential force is generated between the operator's hand and the handle 102. Under these conditions, the smooth surface is prone to slipping, resulting in difficulty in applying force, low operating efficiency, and even the cryovial may slip out of the hand, sample spillage, or operator hand sprain due to sudden slippage. The anti-slip pattern 4, through its micro-geometric contour, can embed into the tiny depressions of the operator's hand skin (or glove) when force is applied, producing a mechanical interlocking effect similar to gear meshing, thereby transmitting the rotational torque applied by the hand to the tool handle 102 more efficiently and stably, and finally acting on the cryovial cap 2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the anti-slip pattern 4 design fundamentally prevents slippage, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the capping action. It can maintain a stable grip even when hands are wet (such as when contaminated with condensation) or when wearing gloves. Furthermore, the stable grip allows the operator to achieve the same torque output with less gripping force, thereby reducing hand muscle fatigue.

[0039] Optionally, the cross-sectional profile of the anti-slip pattern 4 is triangular or trapezoidal.

[0040] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, during operation, when the operator holds the handle 102 and applies rotational force, the hand pressure acts on the inclined surfaces of these patterns. The sharp apex of the triangular cross-section can "embed" deeper into the skin of the hand or the texture of the glove with less positive pressure, producing a strong "biting" feeling. Especially during initial start-up or when burst torque is required, it can effectively prevent any slight relative slippage. The trapezoidal cross-section provides a large pressure-bearing contact area with its wide and flat top, dispersing hand pressure and improving the comfort of holding for a long time. Its inclined sidewalls can also produce an effective anti-slip guiding effect. While preventing slippage, the trapezoidal pattern can significantly reduce the local pressure on the skin of the hand due to its smooth transition at the top, making it more suitable for long-term, repetitive operations.

[0041] In this embodiment, the triangular pattern, with its excellent "interlocking" ability, performs exceptionally well when extremely high operational reliability is required (such as handling situations where the cap 2 is abnormally tight due to low temperature or residual media). The trapezoidal pattern, while ensuring sufficient anti-slip force, provides better comfort and durability. Its flat top is not easily worn down by repeated friction, and its performance deteriorates more slowly after long-term use. These two specific contour designs make the anti-slip function more than just simple surface roughening. It can specifically improve the tool's grip stability, operating efficiency, and overall ergonomic experience according to different usage scenarios and user preferences.

[0042] Optionally, the head 101 of the fixing component 1 can be adapted to various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps 2.

[0043] Specifically, such as Figure 2-3 As shown, during operation, the drive structure (the part used to receive the capping tool) on the cap 2 of cryopreservation tubes of different brands or models may differ in size and shape. The universal head 101 shape, through its geometric characteristics and size range, can form an effective "surface contact" or "multi-point contact" with a variety of different cap 2 drive structures. For example, a slightly smaller hexagonal head 101 can fit a slightly larger hexagonal inner hole and transmit torque through corner contact. A star-shaped head 101 can contact annular grooves or rib arrays of different diameters through its multiple convex corners. The head 101 with elastic claws can adapt to size changes within a certain range through its deformation. This design eliminates the need for operators to frequently change special tools according to cryopreservation tube specifications.

[0044] In this embodiment, the multi-size adaptability of the head 101 shape simplifies laboratory tool management. One tool can handle most common cryopreservation tubes, reducing operation interruptions and tool search time caused by size mismatch, lowering user purchase and holding costs, eliminating the need for a dedicated cap opener for each size of cryopreservation tube, and ensuring effective torque transmission during capping, avoiding slippage, wear on the tube cap 2 or tool damage due to poor contact, while also ensuring operational safety and preventing accidents caused by tool slippage.

[0045] Optionally, the head 101 of the fixing component 1 may be polygonal, star-shaped, or a combination thereof to accommodate various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps 2.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 2-3 As shown, the shape of the head 101 is specifically defined as a polygon or a star shape or a combination thereof. This utilizes the geometric characteristics of these shapes and the common drive structures on the cryopreservation tube cap 2 to form multi-point, stable contact, thereby achieving physical adaptation and torque transmission. During operation, when the operator inserts the head 101 into the cap 2, the corners of the polygonal head 101 (such as a hexagon) will contact the corresponding positions on the inner wall of the cap 2. Since the polygon has multiple contact points, even if the size of the head 101 and the inner hole of the cap 2 are not perfectly matched, sufficient static friction can be formed through the effective contact of at least a few corners to transmit rotational torque. The star-shaped head 101, through its multiple radial protrusions, can form staggered point or line contacts with the annular grooves, rib arrays, or simple inner holes of different diameters on the inner wall of the cap 2, and can also achieve reliable drive within the dimensional tolerance range. When the head 101 is a combination of these two shapes, its adaptability and fault tolerance are further enhanced.

[0047] In this embodiment, polygons (especially hexagons) are common shapes for industrial standard parts interfaces, which are highly compatible with the design of a large number of cryogenic tube caps 2. They can provide stable and efficient torque transmission and are a balance of versatility, reliability and ease of manufacturing. The star shape, with its better dimensional tolerance and potential adaptability to more irregular tube caps 2, addresses the complex situation of non-standardized tube cap 2 drive structure. Using these two shapes or their combination as the design basis ensures that the tube pick can cover the widest range of cryogenic tube specifications in an economical and reliable manner with a single structure, avoiding the structural complexity and high cost caused by excessive pursuit of perfect matching of all specifications.

[0048] Optionally, the pusher 301 may be a button, push block, or push ring located at the end of the movable part 3 and protruding from the end face of the fixed part 1.

[0049] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the push part 301 is embodied in a protruding structure such as a button, push block, or push ring, providing the operator with an ergonomic, easy-to-apply force and accurate positioning interface to reliably drive the movable part 3 to perform the cap removal action. During operation, when the cap needs to be removed, the operator's fingers (usually the thumb or index finger) can naturally find and place on the push part 301 protruding from the surface of the fixed part 1. Whether it is a dot-shaped button, a push block with a wide contact surface, or a push ring that is easy to apply force around, these designs can ensure that the operating force can be applied vertically and centrally on the axis of the movable part 3, thereby minimizing unnecessary force components and enabling the movable part 3 to produce efficient and smooth linear motion under the constraint of the guide structure. Its protruding design allows for easy positioning and operation by touch even without direct visual inspection.

[0050] In this embodiment, the pusher 301 is designed as a protruding button, push block, or push ring, providing a clear and comfortable operating point. This avoids misoperation, strenuous operation, or tool slippage caused by searching for the force point or applying force improperly, thus improving the intuitiveness and convenience of operation. Secondly, the protruding structure allows for the use of a smaller operating lever arm, which means that the moving part 3 can be driven with less pressing force, making the cap removal action more effortless, especially suitable for long-term, repetitive operations. Different types of pushers 301 can adapt to different operating habits and scenarios. Buttons are suitable for quick pressing, push blocks are suitable for situations requiring stable, large contact area force application, and push rings are convenient for applying force from any angle or for operation when wearing thick gloves.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and does not constitute any limitation on this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solution of this utility model, or modify it into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technology of this utility model without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model shall fall within the protection scope of this technical solution.

Claims

1. A cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker, characterized in that, include: The fixing component (1) has a head (101) that engages with the cap (2) of the cryopreservation tube to unscrew the cap (2) and a handle (102) for holding. The movable component (3) is movably disposed within the fixed component (1), and the movable component (3) has a pushing part (301) exposed outside the fixed component (1). The movable part (3) is moved relative to the fixed part (1) by operating the pusher (301) to push the tube cap (2) out from the head (101) of the fixed part (1).

2. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed component (1) has a guide structure inside that restricts the movement trajectory of the movable component (3).

3. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide structure includes a barb or pad disposed between the fixed part (1) and the movable part (3).

4. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cryopreservation tube opener also includes an elastic reset element, which is connected between the fixed part (1) and the movable part (3). After the elastic reset element causes the movable part (3) to move, it returns to its initial position relative to the fixed part (1).

5. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic reset element includes a spring or urethane rubber.

6. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle (102) of the fixing component (1) is provided with anti-slip pattern (4).

7. A cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cross-sectional profile of the anti-slip pattern (4) is triangular or trapezoidal.

8. The cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head (101) of the fixing component (1) can be adapted to various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps (2).

9. A cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 8, characterized in that, The head (101) of the fixing component (1) is polygonal, star-shaped or a combination thereof, to fit various sizes of cryopreservation tube caps (2).

10. A cryopreservation tube opener and tube picker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pushing part (301) is a button, push block or push ring located at the end of the movable part (3) and protruding from the end face of the fixed part (1).

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