Cartridge elevating mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to the cartridge elevating mechanism that ensures the necessary movement of the cartridge and maintains the process quality by opening and closing the cover in devices where isolation, PCR and similar analyzes are performed. The invention particularly relates to a cartridge elevating mechanism configuration developed to eliminate the negativities related to the cartridge encountered in the use of devices that perform the isolation process to purify target molecules such as DNA, RNA or protein from biological samples, the setup process for the preparation of PCR reactions, and the real-time PCR analysis for the quantitative determination of target DNA.

Description

[0001] CARTRIDGE ELEVATING MECHANISM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a cartridge elevating mechanism that ensures the necessary movement of the cartridge and preservation of process quality by opening and closing the cover in devices where isolation, PCR, etc. analyzes are performed.

[0004] The invention particularly relates to a cartridge elevating mechanism configuration developed to eliminate the negativities related to the cartridge encountered in the use of devices that perform the isolation process to purify target molecules such as DNA, RNA or protein from biological samples, the setup process for the preparation of PCR reactions, and the real-time PCR analysis for the quantitative determination of target DNA.

[0005] State of Art

[0006] Today, a variety of measuring and analyzing devices are used to perform various processes such as measuring, purifying, mixing and magnetizing biological samples in laboratories. Placing or removing samples into devices or similar measurement and analysis devices that perform the isolation process to purify target molecules such as DNA, RNA or protein from biological samples, the setup process for the preparation of PCR reactions, and real-time PCR analysis for the quantitative determination of target DNA is carried out by means of carrier apparatus called cartridges.

[0007] The isolation process is the process of applying a set of techniques and methods used to purify target molecules such as DNA, RNA or protein from biological samples. Samples are usually taken from cells or tissues and the targeted molecule is isolated from other components. The isolation process comprises the steps of fragmenting the samples, selectively obtaining and purifying the target molecule. This process is widely used in molecular biology studies, genetic analysis, diagnostic testing and drug development.

[0008] PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) setup process is all the steps taken to prepare the PCR reaction. PCR is a technique that allows the rapid production of millions of copies of a DNA or RNA fragment. The PCR setup process begins by placing DNA or RNA templates of the target region into a PCR tube. Then, the PCR mixture, a mixture containing ingredients such as template DNA or RNA, nucleotides, primers, polymerase enzyme, and buffer is added to the tubes. The PCR setup process also comprises programming temperature cycles (heating and cooling) and setting up the thermal cycler in which the reaction will be performed.

[0009] Real-time PCR (also known as qPCR or RT-PCR) is a technique that allows real-time monitoring of the amplification of PCR products. This technique measures in real time the increasing concentration of DNA with each cycle of the PCR reaction, allowing you to determine the initial amount of target DNA and monitor how quickly amplification occurs. Real-time PCR is used in many research and diagnostic applications, especially gene expression analysis, microbial diagnosis, viral load determination, cancer diagnosis and detection of genetic variations. This process is performed by using fluorescently labeled probes or DNA-binding dyes and is monitored by a real-time PCR device. These devices come with special software that allows real-time monitoring of the reaction and analysis of the results.

[0010] The following two approaches are frequently used in cartridges in the present systems. The first approach is the situation when the cartridges are not fixed. This approach enables rapid insertion and removal of cartridges. Additionally, it saves labor by reducing the steps that need to be followed for the end user. However, problems such as the cartridge being separated from where it is connected or displaced may occur, and this negatively affects the process. The second approach is to fix the cartridges to the bearing where they are placed with an apparatus. This method increases the quality of the process by preventing the displacement of cartridges. However, this method may cause a loss in labour force as it requires new preliminary preparation and post-processing for the end user. For this reason, there is a need for a new structure that eliminates the problems in the state of the art.

[0011] In the research carried out in the literature, document numbered US2015285790A1 can be shown as an example of the state of the art. Said document relates to automatic device, apparatus and method for processing biological samples. Said bioprocessing device comprises a processing machine, one or more removable washing cartridges, and a control system configured to power the cartridge in the process machine. Said cartridge comprises a shell, a sample holder, a washing basin, a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the sample holder, and a poking mechanism configured to agitate biological sample. In the document, it is mentioned a mechanism to rotate the holder containing the sample, but there is no mention of an elevating mechanism that enables the movement of the cartridge by opening and closing the cover.

[0012] Our patent application numbered 2019 / 23083 in the literature relates to a reagent cartridge carrying system suitable for use with laboratory devices that enable the application of various measurement and analysis processes to fluid materials with chemical or biological content. Said system comprises a carrier chamber, a carrying cartridge comprising a protrusion, a intermediate carrying part comprising a gap, a carrying cartridge comprising a leg, and a cartridge holder part. However, the cartridge elevating mechanism is not mentioned in the document.

[0013] As a result, it has become necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field due to the negativities described above and the inadequacy of existing solutions on the subject.

[0014] Brief Description of the Invention

[0015] The present invention relates to a cartridge elevating mechanism that meets the above- mentioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages and brings some additional advantages.

[0016] The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a new mechanism that eliminates the negative aspects of existing approaches and ensures that the cartridge becomes immobile by moving upwards when the cover is closed. In the invention, the cartridge, which is not manually fixed by the user to the ground on which it is placed, is driven by the mechanism by closing the device cover, thus pushing it upwards and preventing its movements by getting stuck with the ground.

[0017] The purpose of the invention is to provide a product that allows the user to work without the need for external fixing or unfixing while loading and unloading.

[0018] A purpose of the invention is to ensure that the cartridge remains stable throughout the processing process and that the process quality is maintained.

[0019] In order to achieve the purposes described above, the invention is a cartridge elevating mechanism to provide up and down movement of the cartridge, to be used in devices that enable the isolation, PCR setup and real-time PCR analysis processes to be applied to biological materials, comprising:

[0020] • Primary Process Box Cover, which is located in the front of a primary process box that performs purification, preparation or PCR reading, and can make a 90-degree openingclosing movement and drives the mechanism with this movement,

[0021] • Drive Transmission Arm, which converts the 90-degree opening-closing movement of the Primary Process Box Cover into a linear movement and transmits this linear movement to an elevating section,

[0022] • A slide bearing, on which an elevating section is mounted that converts the transmitted linear horizontal motion into vertical motion,

[0023] • Arm-Cover Connection Part, which provides the connection of the Primary Process Box Cover to the Drive Transmission Arm,

[0024] • Elevating ground where the cartridge group is located and

[0025] • Cam track and tappet located on the elevating section (16), which allows said elevating ground to move up and down,

[0026] • Grid ceiling at the top of the Primary Process Box, where the elevating cartridge group contacts.

[0027] The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by means of the figures given below and the detailed description written with references to these figures, and therefore the evaluation needs to be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

[0028] Figures to Help Understand the Invention

[0029] Figure 1 is the view of a medical device.

[0030] Figure 2 is views of the elements that perform liquid transfer, purification, preparation or PCR reading in a medical device.

[0031] Figure 3 is the view of the cartridge elevating mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0032] Figure 4 is the view of the drive structure of the cartridge elevating mechanism, which is the subject of the invention.

[0033] Figure 5 is the detailed view of tappet, Slide bearing and elevating section elements. Figure 6 is the view of the cartridge elevating mechanism of the invention on the device.

[0034] Description of References

[0035] 1. Medical device

[0036] 2. Pipette head

[0037] 3. Precision pipette head

[0038] 4. Secondary Process Box

[0039] 5. Primary Process Box

[0040] 6. Electronic box

[0041] 7. Grid ceiling

[0042] 8. Cartridge group

[0043] 9. Elevating floor

[0044] 10. Primary process box floor

[0045] 11. Drive transmission arm

[0046] 12. Arm-cover connection part

[0047] 13. Primary process box cover

[0048] 15. Slide bearing

[0049] 16. Elevating section

[0050] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0051] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is described only for a better understanding of the subject and in a way that does not form any limiting effect.

[0052] The invention relates to a cartridge elevating mechanism to provide up and down movement of the cartridge, to be used in devices that enable the application of isolation, PCR setup and real-time PCR analysis processes to biological materials. The mechanism, which is subject of the invention comprises Primary Process Box Cover (13), which is located in the front of a primary process box (5) that performs purification, preparation or PCR reading, is capable of opening and closing at 90 degrees and drives the mechanism with this movement, Drive Transmission Arm (11 ), which converts the 90-degree opening-closing movement of the primary Process Box Cover (13) into a linear movement and transmits this linear movement to an elevating section (16), a slide bearing (15) that converts the transmitted linear horizontal movement into vertical movement, on which an elevator section (16) is mounted, Arm-Cover Connection Part (12), which provides the connection of the primary Process Box Cover (13) to the Drive Transmission Arm (11 ), the elevating floor (9) on which the cartridge group (8) is located, and the cam track and tappet (14) located on the elevating section (16), which enables said elevating floor (9) to move up and down, grid ceiling (7) located at the top of the primary Process Box (5) and contacted by the the elevating cartridge group (8).

[0053] In Figure 1 , it is given a view of a medical device (1). The view of the elements that perform liquid transfer, purification, preparation or PCR reading in a medical device is given in Figure 2. An example medical device (1) using the mechanism of the invention comprising; Pipette head (2) and precision pipette head (3) as liquid transfer structures a primary process box (5) and secondary process box (4) as purification, preparation or PCR readout structures. The device also comprises an electronic box (6), the main structure of which contains the electronic components. The connection of the primary process box (5) to the device is provided from the lower base through the Primary Process Box Floor (10). In medical devices (1), there are cartridges as liquid reservoirs.

[0054] The cartridge elevating mechanism of the invention, shown in Figure 3, comprises a Primary Process Box Cover (13) that acts as the front cover of a Primary Process Box (5) of the medical device and can make a 90-degree opening-closing movement and drives the mechanism with this movement. The grid ceiling (7), which serves as a cover on the upper part of said primary Process Box (5), preferably comprises a grid ceiling (7). The mechanism, which is subject of the invention comprises Drive Transmission Arm (11 ), which converts the 90-degree opening-closing movement of the primary Process Box Cover (13) into a linear movement and transmits this linear movement to an elevating section (16), Arm-Cover Connection Part (12), which provides the connection of the primary Process Box Cover (13) to this Drive Transmission Arm (11 ), elevating floor (9), a slide bearing (15) on which the elevating section (16) is supported, and the cam track and tappet (14) located on the elevating section (16). Said elevating floor (9) is the floor where the cartridge group (8) is placed. Tappet (14) is a moving part with bearings. The mentioned slide supports the bearing elevator section (16). (Figure 3-5)

[0055] In Figure 6, it is given the view of a device comprising the cartridge elevating mechanism of the invention. The primary process box cover (13) serves as the cover of the primary process box (5). This primary Process Box Cover (13) can make a 90-degree opening-closing movement and is connected to the Drive transmission arm (11 ) by means of the Arm-cover connection part (12). This Drive transmission arm (11) converts the 90-degree opening-closing movement of the primary Process Box Cover (13) into a linear movement. This linear movement enables the elevating section (16) to move linearly on the Slide Bearing (15). The cam track and tappet (14) located on said elevating section (16) enable the Elevating floor (9) to move up and down. This up and down movement ensures that the cartridge group (8) comes into contact with the grid ceiling (7) surface. The mechanism, which is subject of the invention rises when the cover of the device is closed and ensures contact between the cartridge group and the plastic grid ceiling. This contact ends when the cover is opened.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cartridge elevating mechanism to enable the up and down movement of the cartridge, to be used in devices that enable the application of isolation, PCR setup and real-time PCR analysis processes to biological materials, characterized by comprising;• Primary Process Box Cover (13), which is located in the front of a primary process box (5) that performs purification, preparation or PCR reading, can make a 90- degree opening-closing movement and drives the mechanism with this movement,• Drive Transmission Arm (11), which converts the 90-degree opening-closing movement of the Primary Process Box Cover (13) into a linear movement and transmits this linear movement to an elevating section (16),• A slide bearing (15) converts the transmitted linear horizontal movement into vertical movement, on which an elevating section (16) is mounted• Arm-Cover Connection Part (12), which connects the Primary Process Box Cover (13) to the Drive Transmission Arm (11),• Elevating floor (9) where the cartridge group (8) is located and• Cam track and tappet (14) located on the elevating section (16), which enables said elevating floor (9) to move up and down,• Grid ceiling (7) located at the top of the Primary Process Box (5) and where the elevating cartridge group (8) comes into contact.

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