Device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of the polyimide coating applied to them

Abstract

This utility model relates to devices for fixing capillaries for the localized removal of a protective coating applied thereto. The device for fixing quartz capillaries for the localized removal of a polyimide coating applied thereto comprises a base and two posts with mutually aligned through-holes into which the capillaries are inserted. The area of ​​localized removal of the polyimide coating is adjusted by moving the posts or sleeves located in the posts' holes. The technical result of the utility model consists of increasing labor productivity during capillary cleaning, improving cleaning quality, and reducing defects during capillary cleaning. 5 clauses, 3 figs.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to devices for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a protective polyimide shell applied to them.

[0002] Quartz capillaries with a protective shell are widely used in capillary electrophoresis systems, for example, in genetic analyzers [1]. One of the main elements of a genetic analyzer is a capillary assembly, which is assembled from individual quartz capillaries covered with a protective polyimide shell [2]. When manufacturing capillary assemblies, it is necessary to locally remove the protective shell to ensure high optical transparency in the detection zone. In such devices, from 1 to 24 capillaries are used simultaneously. Typically, capillaries are cleaned thermally, for example, with a gas burner flame. This technological operation takes from 5 to 10 minutes [3]. Reducing the duration of the protective shell removal operation and improving the quality of cleaning is an urgent task. Various methods are used to clean capillaries from the protective shell: thermal, chemical, mechanical and laser [4].Regardless of the cleaning method used, a special capillary fixation device is required to secure the capillaries and ensure the desired length of the cleaned section. Similar devices are also used to secure optical fibers during the process of removing their protective coating. V-shaped longitudinal structures, into which the optical fiber is placed, are widely used for fixing optical fibers.

[0003] Invention Patent No. EP 2402803 A3 discloses a device for fixing optical fibers, which comprises a glass substrate with V-shaped longitudinal structures into which the optical fibers are placed. The device lacks a fixing cap and a through hole, which precludes its effective use for fixing quartz capillaries for localized removal of their protective coating.

[0004] The optical fiber fixing device according to patent No. US 7546020 B2 has a base with a V-shaped longitudinal structure in which optical fibers are placed, and a cover that can be opened and closed. Disadvantages of the invention include the fact that the device can only accommodate one optical fiber at a time and lacks a through hole.

[0005] A device patented under invention No. RU 2538448 C1 has a base with V-shaped longitudinal structures for laying optical fiber. The device has an opening for arc-discharge treatment of the optical fibers. A disadvantage is that it can only hold one optical fiber.

[0006] The closest known invention in technical essence and purpose is the device under Utility Model Application No. RU 2025128587—a device for fixing quartz capillaries for the localized removal of a polyimide protective coating applied thereto. The fixation device includes a capillary support and a capillary retaining capillary lid. The capillary support and the capillary retaining lid have coordinated longitudinal structures on their corresponding surfaces for capillary retention and through holes for access to the capillaries. A disadvantage of this invention is the need for pre-cutting capillaries to a specified length, precision placement of capillaries in V-shaped grooves, and the impossibility of implementing a continuous capillary cleaning process.

[0007] The purpose of the utility model is to increase labor productivity during capillary cleaning, improve the quality of cleaning and reduce defects during capillary cleaning.

[0008] The said objective is achieved by creating a device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide shell applied to them, which includes a base and two posts, characterized in that the posts have mutually coordinated through holes into which the capillaries are inserted and which ensure the fixation of the capillaries.

[0009] In one embodiment of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide shell applied thereto, the base and posts are made of metal, ceramics and / or other heat-resistant material.

[0010] In another embodiment of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide shell applied thereto, the base and the posts have elements that ensure mutual fixation and adjustment of the distance between the posts.

[0011] In another embodiment of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of the polyimide shell applied to them, in the holes of the posts there are sleeves with through holes into which the capillaries are inserted and which can move in the posts and be fixed at the required distance from each other.

[0012] In another embodiment of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of the polyimide shell applied to them, the sleeves are made of metal, ceramics and / or other heat-resistant material.

[0013] In another embodiment of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide shell applied to them, one of the ends of the sleeve has a conical shape.

[0014] A more complete understanding of the disclosed utility model can be obtained from the following section “Implementation of the utility model” together with the attached drawings, which show:

[0015] Fig. 1 - Device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of the polyimide shell applied to them with a capillary installed in it (side view);

[0016] Fig. 2 - An embodiment of a device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide shell applied to them with sleeves and with a capillary installed in it (side view);

[0017] Fig. 3 - Photograph of a device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of the polyimide shell with sleeves applied to them.

[0018] Implementation of a utility model

[0019] Next, several examples will be disclosed to form a general understanding of the principles of design, operation, manufacture, and application of the device for fixing quartz capillaries for localized removal of a polyimide coating applied thereto, as disclosed in the present description. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific devices disclosed in the present description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limiting examples, and that the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims of the utility model. Distinctive features illustrated or disclosed in one example may be combined with distinctive features of other examples. It is intended that such modifications or variations are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] A device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide coating applied thereto includes a base 1 and two posts 2, which have mutually matched through holes 3, shown in Fig. 1. Capillaries 4 to be cleaned are inserted into the through holes 3 on the posts 2. The base 1 and the posts 2 have adjustment and fixation elements (not shown in Fig. 1), which makes it possible to adjust the cleaning zone of the capillaries 5, which is specified by the distance d between the posts 2. The base 1 and the posts 2 can be made of heat-resistant metal, ceramics or other heat-resistant material. The diameter of the through holes 3 in the posts 2 is determined by the diameter of the capillaries 4 to be cleaned and can be from 0.5 to 3 mm. The posts 2 may have from 1 to 20 through holes 3. The thickness of the posts 2 must ensure secure fixation of the capillaries being cleaned and may range from 1 to 20 mm. The height of the posts 2 is determined by the number of through holes and may range from 10 to 100 mm.The base 1 of the device must ensure stability and the ability to adjust the cleaning zone 5 within the range of 3 to 20 mm.

[0021] In another embodiment, the capillary cleaning fixation device includes a base 6 and two posts 7 with sleeves 8 installed therein, shown in Fig. 2. The posts 7 are rigidly connected to the base 6 and are installed at a fixed distance D from each other. The posts 7 have through holes in which the sleeves 8 are installed. The sleeves 8 can move in the holes of the post 7. The posts 7 have a sleeve locking mechanism. The sleeves 8 have through holes in which the quartz capillary 9 to be cleaned is inserted. The distance d between the sleeves determines the cleaning zone of the capillary 10. The base 6, posts 7 and the sleeves can be made of heat-resistant metal, ceramics or other heat-resistant material. The diameter of the through holes in the sleeves 8 is determined by the diameter of the capillaries to be cleaned and can be from 0.5 to 3 mm. Sleeves 8 have a round cross-section and their diameter can range from 5 to 20 mm.The thickness of the posts 7 must ensure secure fixation of the sleeves 8 and can range from 10 to 20 mm. The height of the posts 7 can range from 20 to 100 mm. The base of the device 6 must ensure stability and secure fixation of the posts 7. The thickness of the base 6 can range from 5 to 20 mm.

[0022] The device for fixing the capillaries for cleaning them from the protective layer (Fig. 1) is used as follows. The posts 2 are mounted on the base 1 at the required distance d from each other, defining the cleaning zone of the capillaries 5. The capillaries 4 are prepared in such a way that their length and the parameters of the end parts correspond to the requirements imposed on the capillaries included in the capillary assembly, for example, for use in specific devices for genetic analysis based on capillary electrophoresis. After this, the capillaries 4 are inserted into the through holes 3 on the posts 2, as shown in Fig. 1. A gas burner, laser radiation, or thermal heating in a muffle furnace can be used to clean the capillaries. The flame of the gas burner or laser radiation is directed to the cleaning zone 5, where the capillaries 4 to be cleaned are located.Under the influence of high temperatures, the protective coating of capillaries 4 in cleaning zone 5 completely burns away, leaving the capillaries outside the cleaning zone unaffected. The cleaned capillaries 4 are then removed from the openings 3 on the device's supports 2 and used to produce capillary arrays. A large number of capillaries 4 can be cleaned simultaneously, increasing productivity. The robust design of the supports 2 and the entire capillary cleaning device prevents overheating of capillaries 4 outside the cleaning zone, improving cleaning quality and reducing the rate of defects during cleaning.

[0023] Similarly, a fixation device is used for cleaning capillaries in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. The sleeves 8 are installed and fixed at the required distance d from each other, defining the cleaning zone of the capillary 10. After preparation, the capillary 9 is inserted into the through holes on the sleeves 8. A gas burner, laser radiation, and thermal heating in a muffle furnace can also be used to clean the capillaries 9. The flame of the gas burner or laser radiation is directed to the cleaning zone 10, where the capillary 9 to be cleaned is located. Under the influence of high temperature, the protective shell of the capillaries 9 in the cleaning zone 10 completely burns out, without affecting the areas of the capillaries outside the cleaning zone. After this, the cleaned capillary 9 is removed from the holes in the sleeves 8 and used to manufacture capillary rulers.

[0024] A fixation device for cleaning capillaries from a protective layer, made according to the claimed design, was used for cleaning quartz capillaries from a polyimide shell. As an example of an embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a fixation device for cleaning capillaries from a protective layer, made according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, and included a base 11 and two posts 12. The posts 12 are mounted on the base 11 at a fixed distance using bolts. The posts have through holes, into which sleeves 13 are inserted. The sleeves 13 have through holes, into which the capillary to be cleaned is inserted. The sleeves are fixed at a given distance using a fixation device 14, which included a slot and a clamping bolt. The base 11, posts 12 and sleeves 13 are made of brass. The diameter of the sleeve 13 was 6 mm, the length was 30 mm, and the diameter of the through hole into which the capillary to be cleaned was 0.9 mm. The height of the posts was 50 mm, and the height of the base was 21 mm.The sleeves were installed at a distance of 10 mm from each other. Experimental testing of the fixation device for cleaning the capillaries from the protective layer was carried out on Polymicro Molex quartz capillaries, TSP050192 (outer diameter - (186 ± 6) μm, inner diameter of the capillary - (50 ± 3) μm, thickness of the protective polyimide shell - (14 ± 1) μm). To remove the polyimide shell, a butane gas torch and a Liga-02S hydrogen gas welding machine were used.

[0025] The use of a fixation device for cleaning capillaries from the protective layer has improved the quality and speed of cleaning.

[0026] List of Literary Sources

[0027] 1. Alekseev Ya.I., Belov Yu.V., Malyuchenko O.P., Monakhova Yu.A., Natyrov A.N., Orekhov V.A., Konovalov S.V., Kurochkin V.E., Petrov A.I., Genetic analyzer for DNA fragment analysis / / Scientific instrument making. 2012, Vol. 22, No. 4, Pp. 86-92, URT: http: / / iapras / ra / mag / 2012 / full4 / Artl2.pdf.

[0028] 2. Polymicro Capillary Tubing Documentation. URL: http: / / www.molex.com / en-us / products / capillary-tubing-documentation.

[0029] 3. Kurochkin V.E., Vladimirov F.L., Aldekeeva A.S., Korneva N.A., Volkov M.V., Shlyakhtin M.S., Zhurba D.V., Laser technology for removing polyimide coating from quartz capillaries / / Scientific Instrument Engineering. 2025, T. 35, No. 2, pp. 03-19, URL: http: / / iapras / ru / mag / 2025 / full2 / Art1.pdf.

[0030] 4. Polyimide Removal from Silica Fibers or Tubes, URL: http: / / www.molex.com / content / dam / molex / molex-dot-com / en-us / pdf / product-reference-guides / polymicro / user-guide-lines / polyimide_removal_from_silica_fiber_or _tubes.pdf.

Claims

1. A device for fixing quartz capillaries for local removal of a polyimide coating applied to them, comprising a base and two posts, characterized in that the posts have mutually coordinated through holes into which the capillaries are inserted and which ensure the fixation of the capillaries.

2. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the base and posts are made of metal, ceramics and / or other heat-resistant material.

3. The device according to paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that the base and the posts have elements that ensure mutual fixation and adjustment of the distance between the posts.

4. A device according to paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that in the openings of the racks there are sleeves with through openings into which capillaries are inserted and which can move in the racks and be fixed at the required distance from each other.

5. The device according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the sleeves are made of metal, ceramics and / or other heat-resistant material.

6. The device according to paragraph 4, characterized in that one of the ends of the sleeve has a conical shape.

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