Head unit of sample cutter, crushing device and sampling device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a sample cutter head unit, a crushing device, and a sampling device, which are related to the technical field of biological detection. The sample cutter head unit includes a cutter head body and a second blade. However, a first blade is formed at one end of the cutter head body in the circumferential direction of the cutter head body. The second blade is connected to the cutter head body and is located at the same end of the cutter head body together with the first blade, and at least a part of the second blade is located inside the first blade, and is provided to surround a plurality of sub-sample areas together with the first blade. The sample cutter head unit of the embodiment of the present invention achieves crushing and cutting of plant leaves and petals through cooperation with the second blade and the first blade, improves the sampling efficiency of plant leaves and petals, and promotes plant extraction research activities.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application is filed based on and claims priority to a Chinese patent application with application number 202211358278.7 and filing date November 1, 2022. The entire contents of this Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of plant sampling technology, and in particular to sampling devices and methods. [Background technology]

[0003] By collecting the plant, the collected plant sample is further subjected to testing. In the related art, the collection and crushing of plant leaves is difficult to be coordinated with existing high-throughput DNA automatic extraction devices, which affects the efficiency of molecular biology research on plants. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a sampling device and a sampling method for improving the efficiency of molecular biology research on plants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above object, a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a sampling device, including: Sampling cutter: Used to separate the sample from the sampling target, and has a crushing section. First drive assembly: The harvesting cutter is mounted on the first drive assembly. Disruption component: The first drive assembly moves the sampling cutter relative to the disruption component to disrupt the sample by the disruption portion.

[0006] In one embodiment, the disruption component is formed with a collection channel, and the disruption part moves into the collection channel to disrupt the sample.

[0007] In one embodiment, the fracturing component includes: Sample stage: A stage for placing the sample to be collected, and the collection channel passes through the sample stage. Collection container: Located under the sample platform, for collecting samples. The closed end of the collection channel is located in this collection container.

[0008] In one embodiment, the crushing portion comprises at least one cutting blade. In one embodiment, the cutting blades are positioned to surround a plurality of sub-sample areas.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least one cutting blade is a "first cutting blade" that is annular in shape, and at least one cutting blade is a "second cutting blade" that is disposed inside the first cutting blade such that the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are configured to surround a plurality of sub-sample areas.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first drive assembly includes: Loading mechanism: The harvesting cutter is attached to this loading mechanism. Separation device: A separation device is provided in the loading mechanism and is used to separate the sampling cutter from the loading mechanism and sample the sampling target on the crushing component.

[0011] In one embodiment, the separation device is a "launcher" and the loading mechanism includes: Housing: The fragmentation components and launch device are mounted in this housing.

[0012] A loading body is provided in the housing, and a harvesting cutter is attached to the loading body. A launching device drives the harvesting cutter to separate it from the loading body.

[0013] As a second aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a sampling method is provided. The method is applied to a sampling device, the sampling device including a sampling cutter, a first drive assembly and a crushing component. The sampling cutter is for separating a sample from a sampling target, and is formed with a crushing portion. The sampling cutter is provided on a first drive assembly, and the first drive assembly is capable of moving the sampling cutter relative to the crushing component such that the crushing portion crushes the sample. The sampling method includes the following steps: The sample is placed on the crushing component. The first drive assembly is actuated, and the crushing portion of the sampling cutter moves through the first drive assembly to contact and crush at least the sample to be sampled.

[0014] In one embodiment, the disruption component has a collection channel formed therein, and the disruption part moves into the collection channel to disrupt the sample. The first drive assembly includes a loading mechanism and a separating device, and the collection cutter is attached to the loading mechanism, and the separating device is provided on the loading mechanism for separating the collection cutter from the loading mechanism. The step of activating the first drive assembly and bringing the disruption part of the collection cutter into contact with at least the collection target to disrupt the sample includes:

[0015] The separating device is activated to move the sampling cutter, detached from the loading mechanism, into the sampling channel. Effect of the Invention

[0016] In the sampling device according to the embodiment of the present application, the sampling cutter separates the sample from the target to be sampled, thereby achieving the collection of the target. The first drive assembly moves the sampling cutter relative to the crushing component, and in the process, the relative movement between the crushing part and the crushing component crushes the target to be sampled arranged on the crushing component. In this way, since the sample can be crushed simultaneously during the collection process, there is no need to transfer the sample to another device for crushing, and both collection and crushing can be performed simultaneously using the time that would have been required to collect the target to be sampled. This reduces the total time required for collection and crushing. For example, the sampling device can be used to collect plants, and since the sample can be crushed simultaneously during the collection process of the plants, the collection and crushing processes can be completed using the time spent collecting the plants, without transferring the sample to another device. This allows for smooth cooperation with existing high-throughput automatic DNA extraction devices, improving the efficiency of molecular biology research related to plants. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a sampling device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the internal structure of the housing is not shown. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a sampling device according to an embodiment of the present application, showing the internal structure of the housing, but omitting a portion of the housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of position A in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a harvesting cutter according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a cutting position of a sampling cutter according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a collection channel according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In addition, unless otherwise specifically contradictory, each embodiment and its technical features in this application can be applied in combination with each other. The detailed description of the specific embodiment shown below is intended to interpret and understand the gist of this application, and does not unduly limit this application.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientations and positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "upper part", and "lower part" are based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in Fig. 2, and these orientation terms are used to simplify the description of the present application, and do not suggest or imply that the device or part has a specific orientation, or is configured or operates in a specific orientation. Therefore, the present application should not be limited based on these terms.

[0020] In the embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 2. The up-down direction means the direction indicated by the arrow R1 in the figure.

[0021] As part of the creative concept of the present application, before describing the embodiments of the present application, it is necessary to analyze the reasons why the collection and crushing of plant leaves in the related art cannot be coordinated with existing high-throughput automated DNA extraction devices. A rational analysis leads to a technical solution based on the embodiments of the present application.

[0022] In the related technology, after collecting plants, the obtained sample needs to be transferred to an appropriate crushing device to be crushed, and then tested. Since collection and crushing are performed separately, the overall time required for collecting and crushing plants is long, efficiency is reduced, and it is difficult to link with existing high-throughput DNA automatic extraction devices. For example, the puncher used to collect leaves in the conventional technology can collect leaves but cannot crush them, so the obtained leaf sample needs to be transferred to a separate crushing device to be crushed, and then DNA extraction is performed.

[0023] In consideration of such a problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a sampling device. Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The sampling device includes a sampling cutter 1, a first drive assembly 2, and a crushing component 3. The sampling cutter 1 is for separating a sample from a sampling target, and is formed with a crushing section 11. The sampling cutter 1 is provided in the first drive assembly 2, which moves the sampling cutter 1 relative to the crushing component 3 and crushes the sample in the crushing section 11. With this configuration, the sampling cutter 1 separates the sample from the sampling target, and the sampling cutter 1 can be collected and crushed at the same time by moving relative to the crushing component 3 due to the drive of the first drive assembly 2. The sampling target placed on the crushing component 3 can be crushed by the relative movement of the crushing section 11 and the crushing component 3. As a result, crushing is realized at the same time as collection, and there is no need to transfer the sample to another device for crushing, and both collection and crushing can be completed using the time that was previously required for collection, thereby shortening the overall processing time. For example, this sampling device can be used to collect plants, and by crushing samples simultaneously during the plant collection process, there is no need to move them to a separate crushing device. Collection and crushing can be completed within the conventional collection time, shortening the overall time required and allowing for smoother integration with existing high-throughput automated DNA extraction devices, thereby improving the efficiency of plant-related molecular biology research.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sampling device can be used to harvest leaves of a plant. It should be noted that the sampling device is not limited to sampling leaves, but can also be used to sample other roughly sheet-like parts of plants, and is not limited to plant leaves. It should also be noted that the use of the sampling device is not limited to harvesting plants.

[0025] In one embodiment, see Fig. 3. The crushing component 3 is formed with a collection channel 31, and the crushing unit 11 moves into the collection channel 31 to crush the sample. With this configuration, the crushing unit 11 enters the collection channel 31 and crushes the plant sample, and the crushed sample remains in the collection channel 31 as long as possible, preventing the crushed sample from scattering randomly.

[0026] In one embodiment, even if the crushing component 3 does not have a collection channel 31, the plants can be placed directly on the crushing component 3 and the plants on the crushing component 3 can be crushed by combining a planar portion supporting the plants with the crushing portion 11.

[0027] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6. The crushing unit 11 includes at least one cutting blade. With this configuration, the plants placed on the crushing component 3 can be cut by the cutting blade.

[0028] In one embodiment, even if the crushing component 3 is not provided with a collection channel 31, the cutting blades of the crushing part 11 can be used to cut the plants above the crushing component 3.

[0029] In one embodiment, when the crushing unit 11 moves into the collection channel 31, the plant sample in the channel 31 is cut by the cutting blade and separated from the plant body, and the cut and separated plant is taken into the channel 31 by the crushing unit 11 and remains there.

[0030] In one embodiment, please refer to FIG. 3. The crushing component 3 includes a sample platform 32 and a collection container 33. The sample platform 32 is for placing the sample object, and the collection channel 31 penetrates the sample platform 32. The collection container 33 is placed below the sample platform 32 to collect the sample. The closed end of the collection channel 31 is located in the collection container 33. With this configuration, when the sample object is a plant, the plant is placed on the sample platform 32, and the collection container 33 is placed below the sample platform 32, so that the plant and the collection container 33 are isolated to a certain extent. The separated and crushed sample is collected in the collection container 33 through the collection channel, which prevents the collection container 33 from contacting the uncollected plant parts, thereby reducing contamination of the sample. Since the collection channel 31 penetrates the sample platform 32, the sample obtained from the plant on the sample platform 32 falls directly into the collection container 33 and is easily collected. Furthermore, the closed end of the collection channel 31 being located in the collection container 33 means that the collection channel 31 does not penetrate the collection container 33, making it easier for samples that fall into the channel to remain in the collection container 33, making it suitable for sample collection.

[0031] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 and 5, the cutting blades are arranged to surround a number of sub-sample areas 12. In this configuration, the cutting blades divide the plant sample into a number of small samples corresponding to the sub-sample areas 12, thereby achieving disruption.

[0032] In addition, "plurality" means two or more. Examples include two, five, or eight.

[0033] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6. At least one cutting blade is a first cutting blade 13, which is annular in shape. With this configuration, the annular first cutting blade 13 is suitable for separating a sample from a plant.

[0034] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 4 to 6. At least one cutting blade is a second cutting blade 14, and the second cutting blade 14 is located inside the first cutting blade 13. The first cutting blade 13 and the second cutting blade 14 are arranged to surround a plurality of sub-sample regions 12. With this configuration, the second cutting blade 14 is located within the space surrounded by the first cutting blade 13, and the two form a plurality of sub-sample regions 12. As a result, the first cutting blade 13 and the second cutting blade 14 work together to divide the sample into a plurality of sub-samples corresponding to the sub-sample regions 12. The annular first cutting blade 13 serves to separate the sample from the plant.

[0035] The number of the first cutting blades 13 can be set according to actual needs. For example, the number of the first cutting blades 13 may be one or more. There is no limit to the number of second cutting blades 14. Examples include one, two, four, and seven.

[0036] As an example, if the number of both the first cutting blade 13 and the second cutting blade 14 is one, the second cutting blade 14 divides the space enclosed by the first cutting blade 13 into two sub-sample areas 12 .

[0037] For example, see Figures 4 to 6. When there is one first cutting blade 13 and four second cutting blades 14, four sub-sample regions 12 are formed by the one first cutting blade 13 and the four second cutting blades 14.

[0038] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 4 to 6. The collection cutter 1 includes a cutter case 15 and a crushing blade 16 connected to its inside. The first cutting blade 13 is formed in the cutter case 15 and is located at the end of the crushing blade 16. The second cutting blade 14 is formed in the crushing blade 16. The sub-sample area 12 surrounded by the first cutting blade 13 and the second cutting blade 14 is in communication with the internal space of the cutter case 15. With this configuration, when the collection cutter 1 remains in the collection channel 31 together with the crushed sample, the sub-sample area 12 is in communication with the space in the cutter case 15, so that the operator can easily extract the crushed sample in the collection channel 31 from the end of the cutter case 15 opposite to the crushing blade 16 through the internal space and the sub-sample area 12.

[0039] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6. There are a plurality of crushing blades 16, which are arranged in the circumferential direction of the cutter case 15. All the crushing blades 16 are arranged outward from the cutter case 15 in the radial direction of the cutter case 15 and are connected to each other. This makes the number of sub-sample regions 12 equal to the number of crushing blades 16.

[0040] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6, the number of crushing blades 16 is four. In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6. Each crushing blade 16 is formed with one second cutting edge 14. In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 4 to 6. The second cutting blade 14 is located on the side where the crushing blade 16 faces the cutter case 15 along the radial direction of the cutter case 15.

[0041] In one embodiment, please refer to FIG. 6. The second cutting blade has a preset dimension along the radial direction of the cutter case 15, and the direction in which the crushing blade 16 faces the axial direction of the cutter case 15 is also a preset direction. The dimension gradually increases toward the preset direction. With this configuration, the second cutting blade 14 on the crushing blade 16 forms a tip (cutting edge) at the end opposite to the preset direction, and during the collection process, this cutting edge pierces the sample and is gradually divided by the second cutting blade. Finally, the sample is separated from the plant by the action of the first cutting blade.

[0042] In one embodiment, the direction of the arrow R2 shown in FIG. 6 is the preset direction. In one embodiment, see Figure 6, the first and second cutting blades are spaced apart, such that the first cutting blade is arranged in a complete circle, which is advantageous for separating the sample from the plant material.

[0043] In one embodiment, the crushing unit 11 does not necessarily have to be a cutting blade structure, and a cutting blade may be provided at the opening of the collection channel 31 of the crushing component 3. The first drive assembly 2 moves the multiple collection cutters 1 from the corresponding sub-sample areas into the collection channel 31 to cut and crush the samples.

[0044] In one embodiment, collection vessel 33 may be a 96-well plate or a 48-well plate. In one embodiment, collection vessel 33 is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) plate, the bottom of which is cone-shaped.

[0045] In one embodiment, the sampling device further includes a second drive assembly that drives and moves the collection container 33 such that different locations of the collection container 33 function as part of the collection channel 31 to receive the sample.

[0046] In one embodiment, see Fig. 3. The first drive assembly 2 includes a loading mechanism 21 and a separating device 22. The sampling cutter 1 is attached to the loading mechanism 21, and the separating device 22 is provided in the loading mechanism 21 and is used to separate the sampling cutter 1 from the loading mechanism 21 and sample the sampling target on the crushing component 3. With this configuration, the separating device 22 separates the sampling cutter 1 from the loading mechanism 21 to perform sampling, and during sampling, the loading mechanism 21 loads the next sampling cutter 1 into the loading position, so that a different sampling cutter 1 is used each time, and cross-contamination due to multiple sampling can be prevented.

[0047] In one embodiment, the sampling cutter 1 is drivingly connected to a first drive assembly 2 and is repeatedly driven by the first drive assembly 2 to allow multiple samplings.

[0048] In one embodiment, see Figure 3, the separation device 22 is a firing device. In one embodiment, please refer to FIG. 3. The loading mechanism 21 includes a housing 211 and a loading body 212. The crushing component 3 and the firing device are disposed in the housing 211, and the loading body 212 is also provided in the housing 211. The harvesting cutter 1 is attached to the loading body 212, and the firing device is driven to separate the harvesting cutter 1 from the loading body 212. With this configuration, the loading body 212, the crushing component 3, and the firing device are attached to the housing 211, and the housing 211 supports them. The firing device provided in the housing 211 fires the harvesting cutter 1 in the loading body 212, and separates it to harvest the plants on the crushing component 3.

[0049] In one embodiment, the loading body 212 includes a main body and a holding member rotatably connected to the main body. The main body is attached to the housing 211, and the harvesting cutter 1 is attached to the main body. The separating device 22 is provided on the main body or the housing 211, and drives the holding member to hold or release the harvesting cutter 1. When the separating device 22 performs a releasing operation, the harvesting cutter 1 falls downward by gravity and harvests the plant below.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, a sampling method is also provided, which is applied to a sampling device and includes the following steps: Place a sampling target on the crushing component 3. Activate the first drive assembly 2, and the crushing part 11 of the sampling cutter 1 moves through the first drive assembly 2 to contact and crush at least the sampling target.

[0051] By activating the first drive assembly 2, the harvesting cutter 1 is moved relative to the crushing component 3 to harvest the plants on the crushing component 3.

[0052] In one embodiment, the step of activating the first drive assembly 2 and moving the crushing portion 11 of the sampling cutter 1 via the first drive assembly 2 to contact and crush at least the sampling target includes activating the separation device 22 to move the sampling cutter 1 detached from the loading mechanism 21 to the sampling channel 31.

[0053] By activating the separating device 22, the sampling cutter 1 is separated from the loading mechanism 21, thereby preventing cross-contamination of samples by the same sampling cutter 1 during multiple samplings.

[0054] In one embodiment, the housing 211 is provided with a handle, which is located on the outside of the housing 211. With this configuration, the sampling device can be easily carried using the handle.

[0055] In one embodiment, the housing 211 has an opening that is axially aligned with the loading body 212. This configuration facilitates loading the harvesting cutter 1 into the loading body 212 when disassembling or installing the loading body 212.

[0056] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations based on the spirit and principles of the present application. Therefore, all modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] Harvesting cutter 1 Crushing section 11 Subsample Area 12 First cutting blade 13 Second cutting blade 14 Cutter case 15 Crushing cutter 16 First Drive Assembly 2 loading mechanism 21 Case 211 Loading body 212 Separation device 22 Crushing Component 3 Collection Channel 31 Sample table 32 Collection container 33

Claims

1. A sampling device comprising a sampling cutter, a first drive assembly, and a crushing component, The sampling cutter is used to separate a sample from a sampling target, and a crushing portion is formed in the sampling cutter; the harvesting cutter is mounted to the first drive assembly; The first drive assembly is configured to move the sampling cutter relative to the disruption component and disrupt the sample by the disruption portion. A sampling device characterized by:

2. The disruption component is formed with a collection channel, and the disruption part is configured to move into the collection channel to disrupt the sample.

2. The sampling device according to claim 1 .

3. The disruption component includes a sample stage and a collection container; the sample stage is used for placing a sample target, and the sample channel passes through the sample stage; the collection vessel is located below the sample platform and is used to collect a sample, the closed end of the collection channel being located in the collection vessel; 3. The sampling device according to claim 2.

4. The crushing unit includes at least one cutting blade.

2. The sampling device according to claim 1 .

5. The cutting blade is arranged to surround a plurality of sub-sample regions.

5. The sampling device according to claim 4.

6. the at least one cutting blade is a first cutting blade and has an annular shape; At least one cutting blade is a second cutting blade disposed inwardly of the first cutting blade; the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade are configured to surround a plurality of the sub-sample regions; 6. The sampling device according to claim 5.

7. the first drive assembly includes a loading mechanism and a separating device; The harvesting cutter is attached to the loading mechanism, The separating device is provided on the loading mechanism, and separates the sampling cutter from the loading mechanism in order to sample the sampling target on the crushing component. A sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The separation device is a firing device, and the loading mechanism includes a housing and a loading body; The fragmentation component and the firing mechanism are mounted in the housing; The loading body is provided in the housing, The harvesting cutter is attached to a loading body, The firing device drives the harvesting cutter to separate from the loading body.

8. The sampling device according to claim 7.

9. A sampling method applied to a sampling device, comprising: The sampling device includes a sampling cutter, a first drive assembly, and a crushing component; The sampling cutter is used to separate a sample from a sampling target, and has a crushing section formed therein; The sampling cutter is provided on the first drive assembly, and the first drive assembly is configured to move the sampling cutter relative to the disruption component to disrupt the sample in the disruption section; The sampling method includes: placing a sample on the crushing component; activating the first drive assembly and causing a crushing portion of the sampling cutter to contact at least the sample target by the first drive assembly to crush the sample target; A sampling method comprising:

10. The fracturing component has a collection channel formed therein; The crushing unit is configured to move into the collection channel to crush the sample; the first drive assembly includes a loading mechanism and a separating device; The harvesting cutter is attached to the loading mechanism; the separating device is provided on the loading mechanism and is used to separate the sampling cutter from the loading mechanism; The step of activating the first drive assembly and bringing the crushing portion of the sampling cutter into contact with at least the sampling target by the first drive assembly to crush the sampling target includes the step of activating the separation device and moving the sampling cutter, which has been detached from a loading mechanism, to the sampling channel.

10. The sampling method according to claim 9.

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