High-speed vortex mixing device for sample containers for pre-analysis treatment

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment, comprising: a cylindrical vortex body forming an internal space; a mixing block installed inside the vortex body and eccentrically rotating to accommodate a plurality of sample containers; a cover installed on the vortex body to open and close rotatably to prevent the sample containers accommodated in the mixing block from escaping; and a driving unit for eccentrically rotating the mixing block at high speed.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sample pretreatment system for food analysis, and more specifically, to an automated device capable of continuously processing a number of samples using a high-speed vortex mixer that mixes or disperses samples through high-speed rotation. Background Technology

[0003] Food safety and ingredient analysis are very important fields in terms of public health, distribution quality control, and industrial technology.

[0004] Such food analysis generally requires a multi-stage pretreatment process, and the analysis sample must be prepared through processes such as homogenization, extraction, and mixing so that the target component can be analyzed stably.

[0005] Among these, mixing is one of the most important processes for ensuring the representativeness of the sample and minimizing the influence of foreign substances or unbalanced components.

[0006] Particularly for liquid, semi-solid, or crushed solid samples, the dispersion of internal components and uniform mixing are important, and a vortex mixer is generally used for this task.

[0007] Conventional vortex mixers are configured in the following manner.

[0008] The user manually presses the tube or vial containing the sample onto the rotating platform at the top of the mixer.

[0009] The rotating platform vibrates in an elliptical orbit by a motor, and the liquid inside the tube mixes the sample as it rotates strongly in a vortex shape.

[0010] Once mixing is complete, the user releases their hand and attaches the next tube.

[0011] However, while this conventional method provides a relatively simple and effective mixture, it has several disadvantages, such as the following.

[0012] When the number of samples exceeds several dozen, the user must manually hold the tube and maintain pressure for a few seconds to tens of seconds; prolonged repetition leads to fatigue accumulation, errors, and omissions.

[0013] Furthermore, differences in mixing strength or uniformity may occur depending on the pressure, position, and duration applied by the human hand. Non-uniformity is particularly severe with samples of higher viscosity.

[0014] In addition, in laboratories, sample containers of various sizes (e.g., 1.5mL, 5mL, 15mL tubes) are often used together, but existing mixers require a separate adapter or take time to replace when changing sizes.

[0015] Therefore, with the advancement of food analysis and the increase in multi-product, high-frequency experiments, the demand for sample pretreatment automation is continuously increasing.

[0016] In particular, recently, automated pretreatment systems for integration with expensive analytical instruments such as LC / MS, GC / MS, and ICP are attracting attention, and in conjunction with this, the automation of vortex mixers is also emerging as an important technological element.

[0017] However, this also had technical limitations in automated vortex mixers, and furthermore, a structure optimized for automated pretreatment equipment for food analysis that automatically performs the entire process from sample transfer to clamping, mixing, and separation as a single step is insufficient or absent.

[0018] In summary, the necessity of the present invention is that the automation of a high-speed vortex mixer is absolutely required to ensure the mixing accuracy, repeatability, and analytical reliability of samples, thereby enabling the expectation of practical effects such as improved analytical efficiency, reduced labor costs, and flexibility in processing multiple product types. Prior art literature

[0020] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0035421 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0118979 The problem to be solved

[0021] The embodiments of the present disclosure aim to improve the high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analytical pretreatment described above, and to provide a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analytical pretreatment that can ensure mixing accuracy, repeatability, and analytical reliability of a sample by eccentrically rotating a mixing block including a sample container from a vortex body at high speed.

[0022] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analytical pretreatment that enables securing chemical stability, improving analytical efficiency, and preventing sample deterioration beyond simple physical mixing by installing a thermoelectric cooling unit in the mixing block.

[0023] The technical problems to be solved in the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems may be considered by those skilled in the art from the various embodiments described below. means of solving the problem

[0025] A high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment according to the concept of the present invention comprises a cylindrical vortex body forming a space inside, a mixing block installed inside the vortex body and rotated eccentrically to accommodate a plurality of sample containers, a cover installed on the vortex body to rotate open and close to support the detachment of the sample containers accommodated in the mixing block, and a driving unit that rotates the mixing block eccentrically at high speed.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of convex protrusions are formed along the inner circumference of the vortex body, and a plurality of concave grooves are formed along the outer circumference of the mixing block, so that when the mixing block is rotated eccentrically, the concave grooves come into contact with the convex protrusions and rotate.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of insertion holes are formed in the mixing block to accommodate the sample container, and the inner bottom of the insertion holes is formed with a sloping surface that narrows in width so as to compress and fix the sample container.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device may include a mixing block installed inside the vortex body and eccentrically rotated to accommodate a plurality of sample containers, a cover installed on the vortex body to open and close rotatably to support the detachment of the sample containers accommodated in the mixing block, a driving unit that rotates the mixing block at high speed eccentrically, and a thermoelectric cooling unit installed on the lower surface of the mixing block to prevent the deterioration of the sample due to frictional heat generated during high-speed mixing.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the thermoelectric cooling unit includes a thermoelectric element installed between the bottom surface of the mixing block and the driving unit to cool the mixing block upon power application, and a conductive plate through which heat generated from the thermoelectric element is dissipated. Effects of the invention

[0031] The high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment according to the present invention provides the following effects by achieving the above objective.

[0032] First, the mixing of samples can proceed automatically without human intervention.

[0033] Secondly, the dispersion or dissolution state of the sample can be maintained uniformly through precise control of rotation speed and time.

[0034] Thirdly, by installing a thermoelectric cooling unit in the mixing block, it goes beyond simple physical mixing to ensure chemical stability, improve analysis efficiency, and prevent sample deterioration. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0036] FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a sample analysis pretreatment system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is an excerpted perspective view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container in the sample analysis pretreatment system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment, and FIGS. 5(a), (b), and (c) are plan views showing the operation of the high-speed vortex mixer in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0037] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and various modifications that may replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0038] Identical reference numbers or symbols in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function. The shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0039] The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit or / or restrict the disclosed invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0040] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as “first,” “second,” etc., as used herein may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms, and said terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. The term “and / or” includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any one of a plurality of related described items.

[0041] Terms such as "...part," "...unit," and "module" as used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, "one (a or an)," "one," "the," and similar related terms may be used in the context describing various embodiments (particularly in the context of the following claims) in both singular and plural forms, unless otherwise indicated in the specification or clearly contradicted by the context.

[0042] Terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," and "rear" used below are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and location of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] Here, FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a sample analysis pretreatment system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is an excerpted perspective view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container in the sample analysis pretreatment system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment, and FIG. 5(a), (b), and (c) are plan views showing the operation of the high-speed vortex mixing device in FIG. 4.

[0045] First, the sample analysis pretreatment system incorporates national standard methods and pharmacopoeial methods, and the user can operate it by placing a sample container (10) on the equipment and selecting a preset workflow.

[0046] The sample analysis pretreatment system illustrated in FIG. 1 has a pretreatment body (100) and a plurality of base frames (104) installed on the pretreatment body (100), so that various processes for sample analysis can be performed continuously.

[0047] Wheels (102) are installed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned pre-processing body (100) to enable movement, storage spaces (106) are provided on the upper and lower sides, and a display unit (108) including a control unit is installed on the upper side to enable on / off operation and device control.

[0048] Accordingly, according to the workflow, the sample container (10) is moved to the base frame (104) via an arm, the lid (14) is automatically separated from the sample container (10), and an accurate amount of extraction solvent (e.g., acetonitrile, etc.) is injected into the interior of the container body (12) of the sample container (10) which is opened by the lid (14).

[0049] Before providing a detailed description, the sample container (10) described above may be composed of a container body (12) that forms a space inside and a lid (14) that closes the open top of the container body (12).

[0050] Then, the extraction salt (Salt) applied differently depending on the type of sample is automatically injected into the container body (12) in succession.

[0051] Accordingly, a sample of a food type, an extraction solvent, and an extraction salt are automatically introduced into the main body of the container (12) in sequence from the sample container (10).

[0052] And the above sample container (10) is strongly shaken by a mechanical electric device using a handshake part (110).

[0053] That is, the feed is mixed evenly in the hand shake section (110), and this helps to increase extraction efficiency.

[0054] Following the handshake section (110), the upper and lower layers are separated by high-speed centrifugal force in the centrifuge (120), and only the upper liquid is automatically sucked in using a pipette and mixed with a liquid such as distilled water.

[0055] The above mixing utilizes a vortex mixing device (200) to rapidly rotate the sample container (10) to maximize extraction efficiency and ensure uniform liquid mixing.

[0056] Then, the mixed sample container (10) is transferred to a cartridge, and impurities are removed through a purification process, and a final sample capable of being injected into an analytical instrument (LC-MS / MS, etc.) is prepared. Ryo It is prepared as.

[0057] Meanwhile, the present invention discloses an automated vortex mixing device (200) for mixing a liquid, such as distilled water, with an upper liquid separated from a centrifuge (120) in a sample analysis pretreatment system.

[0058] The vortex mixing device (200) is as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0059] It comprises a cylindrical vortex body (210), a mixing block (220) installed inside the vortex body (210) and rotated eccentrically, a cover (216) that rotates and closes on the vortex body (210), and a driving unit (230) that rotates the mixing block (220) eccentrically at high speed.

[0060] The above vortex body (210) is installed on the base frame (104) and may be cylindrical in shape, forming a certain space inside.

[0061] The above space can be further divided into an upper space (212) and a lower space (214), and a drive unit (230), which will be described in detail below, is installed in the lower space (214), and a mixing block (220) can be installed in the upper space (212) so as to be eccentrically rotatable.

[0062] In the upper space (212) described above, a stepped surface (212a) with a reduced inner diameter may be further formed.

[0063] In addition, a cover (216) that rotates open and closes is installed on the upper surface of the vortex body (210) to prevent the sample container (10) contained in the mixing block (220) from falling out due to high-speed rotation.

[0064] The above cover (216) is in the shape of a disc and is smaller than the diameter of the vortex body (210), and preferably has a diameter that can open and close the upper space (212).

[0065] The above-described cover (216) is connected to the vortex body (210) at one end by a hinge (216a) so that it can be rotated open and closed, and although not shown, a driving motor or the like is installed on the hinge (216a) side so that it can be rotated open and closed automatically.

[0066] And the mixing block (220) is installed in the upper space (212) of the vortex body (210) in the shape of a cylinder and can rotate eccentrically at high speed by a driving unit (230) installed in the lower space (214).

[0067] The diameter of the above mixing block (220) is smaller than the diameter of the vortex body (210), and furthermore, it may be preferable to install it so that it is smaller than the inner circumference diameter of the upper space (212).

[0068] In the aforementioned mixing block (220), a plurality of insertion holes (222) are formed along the circumferential direction in an aligned or non-aligned manner, and a sample container (10) can be inserted and installed into the insertion holes (222).

[0069] A container body (12) constituting the sample container (10) is inserted into each of the above insertion holes (222), and a lid (14) protrudes from the insertion holes (222).

[0070] Here, the lid (14) protruding from the insertion hole (222) can prevent the sample container (10) from coming off due to high-speed rotation when closed by the rotation of the previously described cover (216).

[0071] When the above cover (216) is closed, it is preferable that the lid (14) and the cover (216) be slightly separated rather than in close contact with each other.

[0072] Furthermore, the inner bottom of the insertion hole (222) is formed with a narrowing slope (222a) so that the bottom of the inserted sample container (10) can be compressed and fixed to some extent.

[0073] Meanwhile, a plurality of concave grooves (224) are formed on the outer circumference of the aforementioned mixing block (220), and a plurality of convex protrusions (213) may be integrally formed along the inner circumference of the vortex body (210) to correspond to the concave grooves (224).

[0074] That is, when the mixing block (220) is rotated eccentrically, the concave groove (224) can be rotated while contacting the convex projection (213).

[0075] The concave groove (224) has a concave surface formed as a sphere, and the convex protrusion (213) may also be spherical to correspond to the concave groove (224).

[0076] Furthermore, both ends of the concave groove (224) connected to the outer circumference of the mixing block (220) are rounded so that when rotating at high speed eccentrically, the concave groove (224) can rotate while smoothly contacting the convex protrusion (213).

[0077] And a driving unit (230) that rotates the above mixing block (220) at high speed eccentrically can be installed in the lower space (214).

[0078] The drive unit (230) may be composed of a rotary motor (232) capable of forward and reverse rotation, a rotation shaft (234) connected to the rotary motor (232), and a rotating plate (236) connected to the rotation shaft (234) and installed on the bottom surface of the mixing block (220).

[0079] By installing the rotation shaft (234) and the rotation motor (232) eccentrically on the bottom surface of the rotating plate (236), the mixing block (220) can be rotated eccentrically.

[0080] Here, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Identical parts are assigned the same number, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0083] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of concave grooves (224) are formed on the outer circumference of the mixing block (220), and a plurality of convex protrusions (213) may be formed along the inner circumference of the vortex body (210) to correspond to the concave grooves (224).

[0084] When the above mixing block (220) is rotated eccentrically, the concave groove (224) can be rotated while contacting the convex projection (213).

[0085] The concave groove (224) has a concave surface formed as a sphere, and the convex protrusion (213) may also be spherical to correspond to the concave groove (224).

[0086] The above convex protrusion (213) is configured and installed separately from the vortex body (210), and a plurality of movable spaces (218) are formed along the inner circumference of the vortex body (210), and an elastic member (219) is installed inside the movable spaces (218) to support the convex protrusion (213).

[0087] The elastic member (219) may be a spring, and one end is fixedly supported in the convex groove (215) of the convex projection (213), and the other end is supported in the moving space (218).

[0088] Therefore, when the mixing block (220) rotates eccentrically, the elastic member (219) is temporarily compressed by contact with the concave groove (224) and moves into the inner side of the moving space (218), and then returns, thereby cushioning the impact caused by high-speed rotation.

[0090] The operation of the high-speed vortex mixing device of the sample container for analysis pretreatment according to the present invention, configured as described above, will be explained with reference to FIG. 5(a), (b), and (c).

[0091] The sample container (10) is grasped by the arm (109) and inserted into each insertion hole (222) of the mixing block (220).

[0092] When a sample container (10) is inserted into each of the above insertion holes (222), the cover (216) is closed by rotation.

[0093] The lid (14) of the high-speed rotating sample container (10) can be prevented from coming off by the cover (216), and an electrical signal is transmitted indicating that the preparation required for mixing the sample is complete, thereby operating the drive unit (230).

[0094] By operating the above drive unit (230), the upper liquid separated from the centrifuge (120) and a liquid such as distilled water are mixed in the sample container (10).

[0095] When power is applied, the rotational motor (232) drives the rotational shaft (234), the rotational plate (236) eccentrically installed on the rotational shaft (234), and the mixing block (220) to rotate eccentrically.

[0096] When the mixing block (220) is rotated eccentrically, the concave groove (224) of the mixing block (220) rotates along the convex protrusion (213) of the vortex body (210), and vibration caused by contact is generated to assist in mixing.

[0098] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Identical parts are assigned the same number, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 7, a thermoelectric cooling unit (300) may be further installed on the bottom surface of the mixing block (220).

[0101] The above thermoelectric cooling unit (300) may include a thermoelectric element (302) that cools the mixing block (220) by power supply and a conductive plate (304) that can emit heat between the thermoelectric element (302).

[0102] The thermoelectric element (302) may be a Peltier element, and the Peltier element has been used for a long time and utilizes the phenomenon in which a temperature difference persists at both ends of multiple layers of conductive material when an electric current is passed through it.

[0103] The above thermoelectric element (302) has a thin plate shape, and when power is supplied, one side is cooled to become a cooling surface with a low temperature, and the other side is a heat dissipation surface with a rising temperature as it dissipates heat so that the one side can continuously maintain the cooling surface.

[0104] Accordingly, a conductive plate (304) is formed on the heat dissipation side to release heat generated from the thermoelectric element (302) to the outside.

[0105] And if the power polarity is reversed, the cooling surface becomes the heat dissipation surface and the heat dissipation surface becomes the cooling surface. Therefore, the cooling and heat dissipation surfaces can be controlled according to the user's selection of power polarity.

[0106] Accordingly, the mixing block (220) can be cooled or heated.

[0107] Also, power may be supplied to the thermoelectric element (302) from an external source, and although not shown, a rechargeable battery may be installed in the lower space (214) to supply power.

[0108] In addition, a plurality of heat dissipation holes (306) are formed on the side of the lower space (214) to release generated heat.

[0109] Therefore, by installing the thermoelectric cooling unit (300) capable of cooling or heating in the vortex mixing device (200), various important effects can be achieved beyond simple physical mixing, such as ensuring chemical stability, improving analysis efficiency, and preventing sample deterioration.

[0110] That is, when the thermoelectric cooling unit (300) performs a cooling action, samples such as proteins, enzymes, and organic materials may be denatured due to frictional heat generated during high-speed mixing. When the cooling is maintained, the samples can be kept in a stable state, and alcohols, aromatic compounds, organic compounds, etc. can be mixed without volatilizing, thereby improving the accuracy of quantitative analysis.

[0111] In addition, it can prevent unnecessary oxidation, polymerization, and decomposition reactions caused by temperature increases during mixing, and reproducibility is improved by maintaining the same temperature conditions between repeated experiments.

[0112] As described above, the mixing of samples can be carried out automatically without human intervention.

[0113] In addition, the dispersion or dissolution state of the sample can be maintained uniformly through precise control of rotation speed and time.

[0114] In addition, by installing a thermoelectric cooling unit in the mixing block, it is possible to go beyond simple physical mixing to ensure chemical stability, improve analysis efficiency, and prevent sample deterioration.

[0115] Specific embodiments have been illustrated and described above. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the essence of the technical concept of the invention as described in the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0117] 10 : Sample container 12 : Container body 14: Lid 100 : Preprocessor main body 102 : Wheels 104 : Base frame 106 : Storage space 108 : Display unit 109 : Arm 110: Handshake unit 120: Centrifuge 200 : Vortex Mixing Device 210 : Vortex Main Body 212 : Upper space 212a : Step surface 213 : Convex projection 214 : Lower space 215 : Convex groove 216 : Cover 216a : Hinge 218 : Movement space 219 : Elastic member 220 : Mixing block 222 : Insertion hole 222a : Inclined surface 224 : Concave groove 230 : Drive unit 232 : Rotary motor 234 : Rotation axis 236 : Turntable 300 : Thermoelectric cooling unit 302 : Thermoelectric element 304 : Conductive plate 306 : Heat dissipation hole

Claims

Claim 1 It comprises a cylindrical vortex body forming an internal space, a mixing block installed inside the vortex body to rotate eccentrically and accommodate a plurality of sample containers, a cover installed on the vortex body to open and close rotatably to prevent the sample containers accommodated in the mixing block from escaping, and a driving unit for rotating the mixing block eccentrically at high speed, wherein a plurality of convex protrusions are formed along the inner circumference of the vortex body and a plurality of concave grooves are formed along the outer circumference of the mixing block, so that when the mixing block rotates eccentrically, the concave grooves come into contact with the convex protrusions to generate vibrations and mix the samples in the sample containers, wherein a plurality of insertion holes are formed in the mixing block to accommodate the sample containers, and a tapering inclined surface is formed at the inner bottom of the insertion holes to compress and fix the sample containers, and further comprises a thermoelectric cooling unit installed on the lower surface of the mixing block to prevent denaturation of the samples due to frictional heat generated during high-speed mixing, wherein the thermoelectric cooling unit is installed between the bottom surface of the mixing block and the driving unit and upon power application The device includes a thermoelectric element for cooling or heating the mixing block and a conductive plate through which heat generated from the thermoelectric element is dissipated. The concave surface of the concave groove and the convex protrusion are formed as spherical surfaces, and both ends of the concave groove connected to the outer periphery of the mixing block are rounded so that when rotating at high speed eccentrically, the concave groove comes into contact with the convex protrusion and rotates. The convex protrusion is configured and installed separately from the vortex body, and a plurality of movable spaces are formed along the inner periphery of the vortex body. An elastic member, which is a spring, is installed inside the movable space to support the convex protrusion. One end of the elastic member is fixedly supported in the convex groove of the convex protrusion, and the other end is supported in the movable space. When the mixing block rotates eccentrically, the elastic member is temporarily compressed upon contact with the concave groove, causing the convex protrusion to move into the movable space and then return repeatedly, thereby cushioning the impact caused by high-speed rotation. The interior of the vortex body is divided into an upper space and a lower space.A high-speed vortex mixing device for a sample container for analysis pretreatment, characterized in that the mixing block is eccentrically rotatably installed in the upper space and the driving unit is installed in the lower space, and a plurality of heat dissipation holes are formed on the side of the lower space of the vortex body, thereby releasing heat accumulated inside the lower space, which is generated by the driving of the thermoelectric element and the heat dissipation of the conductive plate, to the outside through the plurality of heat dissipation holes. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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