Sample adapter applicable to sample clearing experiment

Abstract

A sample adapter applicable to a sample clearing experiment, comprising a frame (1) and an electrophoresis filter screen (2). The frame (1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2) are integrally formed by means of injection molding, the frame(1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2) define at least one sample accommodating chamber (3) , and the sample accommodating chamber (3) is communicated with the outside by means of the electrophoresis filter screen (2). Both the frame (1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2) are made of plastic, eliminating the need for metal in manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Additionally, the frame (1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2) are directly integrally formed by means of injection molding, so that no additional connecting structure is required to connect the frame (1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2). On one hand, the structural strength can be enhanced, and on the other hand, the manufacturing process can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Moreover, the frame (1) and the electrophoresis filter screen (2) define at least one sample accommodating chamber (3), and the sample accommodating chamber (3) is communicated with the outside by means of the electrophoresis filter screen (2). When a plurality of sample accommodating chambers (3) are formed during manufacturing, the effect of reducing manufacturing costs is more significant.

Description

A sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiment TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of sample transparentization experiment, and in particular to a sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiment. BACKGROUND

[0002] The opacity of biological tissues is caused by the heterogeneous components with different optical properties, such as refractive index (RI) and light absorption, most of which are composed of high-refractive scattering particles such as lipids, proteins, myelin, elastic fibers, and low-refractive surrounding medium such as interstitial fluid and cytoplasm. Due to the different refractive indices of each component, this heterogeneous structure will cause the scattering of incident light, limiting the depth of optical imaging. In addition, the light absorption of endogenous pigments such as hematin, riboflavin, melanin and lipofuscin also attenuates the light propagation. Therefore, changing the optical properties of the heterogeneous components of the tissue, reducing light scattering and light absorption is the key to increasing the depth of tissue imaging. With the development and popularization of optical microscopes, and the progress of data acquisition and storage technology, tissue transparency technology makes it possible to image the whole organ or even the whole body, and in recent years researchers have developed a series of tissue transparency technologies, all of which are committed to balancing the refractive index of the tissue to reduce the heterogeneity of light scattering. Tissue transparency technology can make biological tissues "transparent" to light, combined with fluorescence imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction technology, it can observe and analyze the content and structure of the tissue at the cellular level, which has a great impact on the field of life sciences. Especially in the field of neuroscience, researchers are interested in studying the specific protein expression, localization, ultrastructure, neural circuit tracing of brain tissue or cells, etc.

[0003] Current transparentization methods can be divided into three categories: organic solvent transparent technology, hydrophilic reagent transparent technology and hydrogel-embedded tissue transparent technology. X-Clarity is one of the most commonly used hydrophilic reagent transparent technology. X-Clarity is a tissue transparentization processing system based on electrophoresis principle, which realizes the transparentization processing of brain tissue or other tissues such as pancreas, etc., to understand the structure / function relationship of cells, circulation pathways, and organs, and to construct 3D anatomical map and phenotypic map.

[0004] The electrophoretic tissue transparent treatment is the most critical step, which needs to fix the sample in the adapter, soak in the transparent buffer solution, and use the X-Clarity transparent treatment system for electrophoretic degreasing. In order to make the sample adapter meet the conditions for use in the electrophoretic liquid, and to make the electrophoretic degreasing faster, the electrophoretic filter screen is usually loaded on the sample adapter through the connecting structure, and the electrophoretic filter screen has micron-level pore channels for the electrophoretic liquid to pass through. Therefore, in the prior art, the sample adapter and the electrophoretic filter screen need to be manufactured in sequence, and then assembled, which makes the manufacturing process of the sample adapter more complex, and causes the manufacturing cost to be higher.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] In order to solve the defect that the manufacturing cost of the sample adapter in the prior art is high, the present application provides a sample adapter suitable for sample transparent experiment.

[0007] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is a sample adapter suitable for sample transparent experiment, comprising a skeleton and an electrophoretic filter screen, the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter screen are integrally formed by injection molding, the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter screen form at least one sample containing chamber, and the electrophoretic solution can flow in and out of the sample containing chamber through the electrophoretic filter screen.

[0008] Preferably, the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter screen form at least two sample containing chambers, and any two adjacent sample containing chambers are communicated through the electrophoretic filter screen.

[0009] Preferably, the sample containing chamber has four sample chambers arranged in 2x2.

[0010] Preferably, the sample containing chamber has six sample chambers arranged in 3x2.

[0011] Preferably, the top of each of the plurality of sample containing chambers has an opening, and the skeleton is connected with a protective cover for opening or closing the opening.

[0012] Preferably, the protective cover has a through hole, and the top of the sample containing chamber is communicated with the outside through the through hole.

[0013] Preferably, one of the skeleton and the protective cover has a buckle, and the other has a buckle matching part, when the buckle and the buckle matching part match with each other, the protective cover closes the opening.

[0014] Preferably, the shape of the sample containing chamber is hexahedron, and the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter screen respectively constitute the edges and the faces of the sample containing chamber.

[0015] Preferably, the sample adapter is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyamide, polystyrene, polyfluorine or butyl acetate cellulose.

[0016] Preferably, the electrophoretic filter has a pore size ranging from 40 microns to 70 microns.

[0017] Preferably, the sample accommodation chamber has a flexible adapter portion therein, the flexible adapter portion being in contact with the sample and the shape of the flexible adapter portion changing with the position of the sample in the sample accommodation chamber.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The present application discloses a sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments, comprising a skeleton and an electrophoretic filter, wherein the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter are both made of plastic, without the need for using metal for manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing cost. Meanwhile, the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter are directly integrally formed by injection molding, without the need for other connecting structures for connection between the two, on the one hand, which can improve structural strength, and on the other hand, which can simplify manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing cost. Meanwhile, the skeleton and the electrophoretic filter form at least one sample accommodation chamber, the sample accommodation chamber being in communication with the outside through the electrophoretic filter, and when a plurality of sample accommodation chambers are manufactured, the effect of reducing manufacturing cost is more obvious.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments disclosed by the present application can achieve the purpose of significantly reducing manufacturing cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments and drawings, wherein:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a structural schematic view of a sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of the sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments according to Fig. 1;

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a structural schematic view of a protective cover of the sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments according to Fig. 1;

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a structural schematic view of the sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiments according to Fig. 1 installed with a protective cover.

[0026] Label explanation: 1, skeleton; 2, electrophoretic filter; 3, sample accommodation chamber; 4, protective cover; 5, through hole; 6, buckle; 7, buckle matching portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the following further describes the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein identical or similar reference signs represent identical or similar components or components having identical or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, but cannot be interpreted as a limitation on the present application.

[0028] The application discloses a sample adapter suitable for sample transparentization experiment, comprising a skeleton 1 and an electrophoresis filter screen 2, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 are integrally formed by injection molding, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 form at least one sample containing chamber 3, and the sample containing chamber 3 is communicated with the outside through the electrophoresis filter screen 2.

[0029] The skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 are both made of plastic, so that the manufacturing cost is reduced. Meanwhile, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 are directly integrally formed by injection molding, and no other connecting structure is needed to connect the two, so that the structural strength is improved and the manufacturing process is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Meanwhile, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 form at least one sample containing chamber 3, the sample containing chamber 3 is communicated with the outside through the electrophoresis filter screen 2, and when a plurality of sample containing chambers 3 are formed, the effect of reducing the manufacturing cost is more obvious. Compared with the prior art, the sample adapter disclosed by the application can achieve the purpose of reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0030] Specifically, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 are integrally formed by injection molding, and the two are not connected through other connecting structures, and the whole structure is completed in one operation. Therefore, on the basis of achieving the purpose of reducing the manufacturing cost, the sample adapter manufactured by the injection molding method can improve the integrity and strength of the structure, can better withstand various stresses and impacts, and is not easy to fall off and be damaged.

[0031] It should be noted that when there are a plurality of sample containing chambers 3, in the prior art, more electrophoresis filter screens 2 need to be assembled on the skeleton 1, so that the manufacturing process is more complex. However, the sample adapter with a plurality of sample containing chambers 3 manufactured by the injection molding process does not increase the manufacturing process, so that the manufacturing process of the sample adapter is further simplified.

[0032] The skeleton 1 is used for supporting the electrophoresis filter screen 2, so that the electrophoresis filter screen 2 is not easy to deform, and the size of the skeleton 1 should be much smaller than that of the electrophoresis filter screen 2, so that the electrophoretic liquid can enter the sample containing chamber 3 through the electrophoresis filter screen 2 at more positions.

[0033] In some embodiments, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 form at least two sample accommodating chambers 3, and any two adjacent sample accommodating chambers 3 are communicated through the electrophoresis filter screen 2.

[0034] Specifically, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 can form at least two sample accommodating chambers 3, and any two adjacent sample accommodating chambers 3 are communicated and separated through the electrophoresis filter screen 2, so that the electrophoresis liquid in any two adjacent sample accommodating chambers 3 can also flow into each other, and the electrophoresis liquid and the sample are uniformly contacted to improve the defatting effect.

[0035] In some specific embodiments, the sample accommodating chambers 3 have four, and the sample chambers are arranged in a 2x2 array.

[0036] It should be noted that the sample accommodating chambers 3 have four, and are arranged in a 2x2 array. This arrangement can make the area of each sample accommodating chamber 3 communicated through the electrophoresis filter screen 2 and the external electrophoresis liquid the same, so that the flow rate of the electrophoresis liquid in each sample accommodating chamber 3 is substantially the same, and the same defatting effect can be obtained for the samples placed in different sample accommodating chambers 3, avoiding the influence of the defatting variable on the results of multiple control tests. For example, when the shape of the sample accommodating chamber 3 is a hexahedron, only the bottom surface and two side surfaces of each sample accommodating chamber 3 are communicated with the outside when the sample adapter is partially immersed in the electrophoresis liquid, thereby obtaining uniform defatting effect.

[0037] In other embodiments, the arrangement of the sample accommodating chambers 3 can also be 3x2, 4x4, etc., so that the operator can select according to the application scenario.

[0038] In some specific embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top of each of the plurality of sample accommodating chambers 3 has an opening, and the skeleton 1 is connected with a protective cover 4 that can open or close the opening.

[0039] The top of the accommodating chamber has an opening, and the opening is opened or closed by the protective cover 4, thereby preventing the sample from running out of the top of the accommodating chamber.

[0040] In other embodiments, the protective cover 4, the skeleton 1 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 are integrally formed by injection molding. Thus, the manufacturing process of the sample adapter is further reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Specifically, the protective cover 4 is connected to a skeleton 1 after being integrally formed by injection molding, and the opening is closed or fixed by bending the crease of the protective cover 4 at the connection of the skeleton 1. In addition, a releasable or lockable locking structure can also be integrally formed, so that the protective cover 4 has better closing effect on the opening. Preferably, the protective cover 4 and the electrophoresis filter screen 2 have the same structure, that is, the protective cover 4 also has a channel with a nano or micrometer level pore size for the electrophoresis liquid to pass through, so that the electrophoresis liquid can flow through the entire sample adapter.

[0041] In some more specific embodiments, the protective cover 4 has a through hole 5, and the top of the sample containing chamber 3 communicates with the outside through the through hole 5.

[0042] Specifically, the protective cover 4 has a through hole 5, which can make the electrophoretic liquid flow through the whole sample adapter.

[0043] In some more specific embodiments, one of the frame 1 and the protective cover 4 has a buckle 6, and the other has a buckle 6 matching part, when the buckle 6 and the buckle 6 matching part match with each other, the protective cover 4 seals the opening.

[0044] In order to make the sealing effect of the protective cover 4 better, therefore, the buckle 6 and the buckle 6 matching part are provided to prevent the protective cover 4 from falling off.

[0045] In some embodiments, the sample containing chamber 3 is hexahedral, and the frame 1 and the electrophoretic filter 2 constitute the edges and the faces of the sample containing chamber 3 respectively.

[0046] It should be noted that the frame 1 and the electrophoretic filter 2 constitute the edges and the faces of the sample containing chamber 3 respectively, and form the hexahedral sample containing chamber 3, which can make the structure of the sample adapter stronger and more stable, and at the same time, more areas can be provided for the electrophoretic filter 2 to improve the electrophoretic effect.

[0047] In some embodiments, the sample adapter is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyamide, polystyrene, polyfluorine or butyl acetate cellulose.

[0048] In some embodiments, the pore size of the electrophoretic filter 2 ranges from 40 microns to 70 microns.

[0049] Preferably, the pore size of the electrophoretic filter 2 is about 45 microns.

[0050] In the description of the present specification, if the terms "embodiment one", "the present embodiment", "in an embodiment" and the like are described, it means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in the invention or at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example; moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in an appropriate manner.

[0051] In the description of the present specification, the terms "connection", "installation", "fixation", "arrangement", "have" and the like are understood in a broad sense, for example, "connection" can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] In the description of the present specification, the relationship terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between the entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "contain" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without more limitations, the element defined by the statement "including a" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element.

[0053] The above description of the embodiments is to facilitate the understanding and application of the technology by those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications to these examples, and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without creative labor. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and the following modifications should be within the scope of protection: ① new technical solutions based on the technical solutions of the present application and combined with existing common knowledge, the technical effects generated by the new technical solutions do not exceed the technical effects of the present application; ② equivalent replacement of part of the features of the technical solutions of the present application using known technology, the technical effects generated are the same as the technical effects of the present application; ③ expandable based on the technical solutions of the present application, the essential content of the expanded technical solutions does not exceed the technical solutions of the present application; ④ equivalent transformation using the contents of the present application specification and drawings, direct or indirect application in other related technical fields.

Claims

1. A sample adapter suitable for use in sample clearing experiments, characterized in that, The frame and the electrophoretic filter are integrally injection molded, and the frame and the electrophoretic filter are formed with at least one sample containing chamber, which is communicated with the outside through the electrophoretic filter.

2. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments according to claim 1, wherein, The frame and the electrophoretic filter are formed with at least two sample containing chambers, and any two adjacent sample containing chambers are communicated through the electrophoretic filter.

3. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 2, wherein, The sample containing chambers are four, and the sample chambers are arranged in 2x2.

4. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 2, wherein, The top of each of the sample containing chambers has an opening, and the frame is connected with a protective cover for opening or closing the opening.

5. The sample adapter for use in sample clearing experiments of claim 4, wherein, The protective cover has a through hole, and the top of the sample containing chamber is communicated with the outside through the through hole.

6. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 4, wherein, One of the frame and the protective cover has a buckle, and the other has a buckle matching part, and when the buckle and the buckle matching part are matched with each other, the protective cover closes the opening.

7. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 1, wherein, The shape of the sample containing chamber is hexahedron, and the frame and the electrophoretic filter respectively constitute the edge and the face of the sample containing chamber.

8. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 1, wherein, The sample adapter is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyamide, polystyrene, polyfluorine or butyl acetate cellulose.

9. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 1, wherein, The pore size of the electrophoretic filter ranges from 40 microns to 70 microns.

10. The sample adapter for sample clearing experiments of claim 1, wherein, The sample containing chamber has a flexible adapter inside, which is in contact with the sample, and the shape of the flexible adapter changes with the position of the sample in the sample containing chamber.

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