CN215677713U - Pipettor cleaning system and sample analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a pipettor cleaning system and a sample analyzer. This pipettor cleaning system includes: an intermediate container configured to be connectable between a pipette and a washing fluid container; a first transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the cleaning fluid container; a second transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the pipette; wherein the intermediate container is configured for receiving at least part of the wash fluid from the wash fluid container and providing wash fluid to the pipette.

Description

Pipettor cleaning system and sample analyzer

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of biochemical detection, in particular to a pipettor cleaning system.

The utility model also relates to a sample analyzer comprising the pipette cleaning system.

Background

Sample analyzers commonly used for biochemical tests are generally provided with pipettors for aspirating and releasing test fluids required for the test, such as samples, reagents, diluents, and universal liquids. In order to ensure that the pipettes aspirate and release a precise dose of test fluid without cross-contamination between the fluids, a corresponding washing system is usually provided to wash the internal channels of the pipettes.

The conventional washing system generally includes two parts, i.e., a pump integrated in the main body of the sample analyzer and a line device connected between the pump and the pipette, and a washing fluid container disposed outside the main body of the sample analyzer and containing a washing fluid, generally pure water, for storing and washing the pipette. Generally, during use, the analyzer body is placed on a table top and the cleaning fluid container is placed on the floor. This results in a long line between the washing fluid container and the pump in the sample analyzer body to efficiently transport the washing fluid to the pump and thus to the pipette.

However, the long line easily causes insufficient pressure of the washing fluid delivered to the pipette, resulting in poor washing effect, which in turn may adversely affect the detection result, resulting in insufficient accuracy. In addition, after the pump is stopped, there is a possibility that the washing fluid may flow backward, causing gas to appear in the pipette. This can affect the accuracy of the subsequent aspiration and release of the dose of test fluid. In addition, since washing pipettors is a frequent operation during testing, the analyzer must be shut down for a period of time if the wash fluid container needs to be replaced and maintained. This is also very disadvantageous for the detection efficiency of the analyzer. In this regard, it is now common in the art to provide as large a volume of cleaning fluid container as possible to extend the intervals at which it needs to be replaced and maintained. However, such cleaning fluid containers are typically particularly cumbersome and require significant effort and time by the operator once they need to be replaced and maintained.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In order to solve the problems, the utility model provides a liquid transfer device cleaning system. One or more of the above problems can be solved, or at least partially solved, by such a pipette washing system. The utility model also provides a sample analyzer comprising the pipettor cleaning system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pipette washing system comprising: an intermediate container configured to be connectable between a pipette and a washing fluid container; a first transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the cleaning fluid container; a second transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the pipette; wherein the intermediate container is configured for receiving at least part of the wash fluid from the wash fluid container and providing wash fluid to the pipette.

The intermediate container may temporarily store at least a portion of the washing fluid in the washing fluid container and use the washing fluid for washing of the pipette over a period of time. Therefore, the cleaning fluid container can be maintained and replaced relatively freely under the condition that the pipettor cleaning system works normally, the normal work of the pipettor is not required to be interrupted, and the sample analyzer is not required to be stopped for waiting. This is very advantageous for improving the detection efficiency.

In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate container comprises a maximum level sensor configured for detecting whether a level of the washing fluid in the intermediate container exceeds a maximum threshold value.

In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate container comprises a minimum level sensor configured for detecting whether a level of the washing fluid in the intermediate container exceeds a minimum threshold value.

In a preferred embodiment, the first transfer line comprises a first drive pump configured for pumping the rinsing fluid in the rinsing fluid container into the intermediate container; the second transfer line comprises a second drive pump configured for pumping the wash fluid in the intermediate container to the pipettor.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transfer line comprises a first valve, the second actuation pump being arranged between the first valve and the intermediate container; wherein the second drive pump pumps wash fluid from the intermediate container to the pipettor when the first valve is open.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transfer line further comprises a third drive pump disposed between the first valve and the pipette; wherein the third drive pump operates as a pipetting operation for driving the pipette when the first valve is closed.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transfer line further comprises a third drive pump disposed between the first valve and the pipette; wherein, when the first valve is closed, the third drive pump is operable for pumping a wash fluid to the pipette to avoid trapping gas within the pipette.

In a preferred embodiment, where a plurality of pipettes are provided, the pipette washing system comprises a plurality of second delivery lines, each second delivery line being connected to a respective pipette.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case where a plurality of pipettes are provided, the second transfer line comprises an upstream pipe section and a plurality of downstream pipe sections in parallel communication with the upstream pipe section, the plurality of downstream pipe sections being respectively connected with the respective pipettes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sample analyser comprising: the analyzer body and the pipettor cleaning system; wherein the intermediate container is integrated within the analyzer body and the cleaning fluid container is disposed outside the analyzer body.

The main advantages of the above-described pipette washing system and sample analyzer include:

(1) the structure is compact, the weight is light, and the cost is low;

(2) the cleaning effect of the pipettor can be effectively ensured;

(3) gas generation in the liquid transfer device can be avoided;

(4) allowing the cleaning fluid container to be replaced and maintained without shutting down the analyzer.

Drawings

The utility model is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a pipette washing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, like parts are provided with like reference numerals. The figures are not drawn to scale.

Detailed Description

The utility model will be further explained with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1, the pipette washing system 10 includes a washing fluid container 11 for containing a washing fluid (e.g., pure water), an intermediate container 13, and a first transfer line 19 connected between the intermediate container 13 and the washing fluid container 11. A first drive pump 12 is arranged on the first feed line 19 for feeding the rinsing fluid from the rinsing fluid container 11 to the intermediate container 13.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a first level sensor 11A is provided in the cleaning fluid container 11 for detecting whether the level of cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid container 11 reaches a minimum threshold value. When the first level sensor 11A detects that the level of the wash fluid reaches a minimum threshold, the pipette wash system 10 alerts the operator. The operator may replace the cleaning fluid container 11 or add new cleaning fluid thereto.

Here, even if the first liquid level sensor 11A detects that the liquid level of the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank 11 reaches the minimum threshold value, the first driving pump 12 does not stop the pump immediately, but pumps a sufficient amount of the cleaning fluid into the intermediate tank 13. That is, the minimum threshold in the cleaning fluid container 11 should ensure that the amount of cleaning fluid therebelow is also sufficient to support at least one filling of the intermediate container 13. After the intermediate container 13 is filled, the operator may replace the cleaning fluid container 11 or add new cleaning fluid thereto.

Further, a maximum level sensor 13A and a minimum level sensor 13B are provided in the intermediate tank 13. The maximum level sensor 13A may be used to detect whether the level of cleaning fluid in the intermediate container 13 reaches a maximum threshold. The minimum level sensor 13B may be used to detect whether the level of cleaning fluid in the intermediate container 13 reaches a minimum threshold. Between which the amount of cleaning fluid available in the intermediate reservoir 13 is defined. When the lowest level sensor 13B detects that the liquid level reaches the lowest threshold value, the first drive pump 12 is started and pumps the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid container 11 into the intermediate container 13. When the highest liquid level sensor 13A detects that the liquid level reaches the highest threshold value, the first drive pump 12 stops pumping the drive fluid into the intermediate tank 13.

The maximum level sensor 13A may be an upper level float. The above-mentioned lowest liquid level sensor 13B may employ a lower liquid level float.

It should be understood that only the highest level sensor 13A or only the lowest level sensor 13B may be provided, as desired.

As also shown in fig. 1, the pipette washing system 10 further includes a second transfer line 18 connected between the pipette 17 and the intermediate container 13. Pipettes 17 may or may not be part of the pipette washing system 10 themselves, or may not be part of the pipette washing system 10.

A second drive pump 14 is provided on the second transfer line 18. The second drive pump 14 pumps the cleaning fluid from the intermediate container 13 to the pipette 17, so that the liquid path in the pipette 17 is cleaned.

By providing the intermediate container 13 and providing the first transfer line 19 and the second transfer line 18 with pumps, respectively, the pressure of the wash fluid supplied to the pipette 17 can be effectively ensured. This is favorable to the pipeline sanitization in the pipettor 17, avoids cross contamination between the adjacent liquid operation of getting to can reduce the dosage error of getting liquid and flowing back. Furthermore, this also prevents the occurrence of gas in the pipette 17 as a result of a backflow of fluid. This also contributes to the accuracy of the dosage of the pipette 17 for liquid removal and discharge.

In addition, a first valve 15 can also be arranged on the second transfer line 18 between the second drive pump 14 and the pipette 17. The first valve 15 is, for example, a solenoid valve. The second transfer line 18 may also be provided with a third drive pump 16. A third drive pump 16 may be provided between the first valve 15 and the intermediate container 13. The third drive pump 16 is preferably a pump capable of precisely controlling the pumping amount, such as a plunger pump. When the first valve 15 is opened, the above-described operation of transferring the washing fluid from the intermediate container 13 to the pipette 17, i.e., the washing operation, may be performed by driving the pump 14 second. When the first valve 15 is closed, the operation of sucking and releasing the detection fluid of the pipette 17, that is, the pipetting operation, can be achieved by the third driving pump 16. Before the pipetting operation is performed, a further amount of washing fluid is pumped by means of the third drive pump 16 slightly further into the pipette 17 in order to further avoid the formation of gas in the pipette 17. In particular, when the third drive pump 16 is a plunger pump, the plunger pump can be operated to perform a suction operation (preferably, the second drive pump 14 is kept pumping at this time) when the first valve 15 is opened, and can be operated to perform a release operation after the first valve 15 is closed, thereby further ensuring that no gas is present in the pipette 17 due to reverse flow of fluid.

It will be appreciated that where a plurality of pipettes are provided (fig. 1 shows that 2 pipettes are provided), a plurality of different second transfer lines may be provided to connect from the intermediate container 13 to the respective pipettes. In this way, a plurality of different pipettes can be washed by means of one intermediate container. And no interference occurs between the washing of different pipettors.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the second transfer line 18 is configured as a branching structure comprising an upstream pipe segment 18A connected to the intermediate container 13, and downstream pipe segments 18B and 18C connected to different pipettes, respectively. The upstream segment 18A may be connected to the downstream segments 18B and 18C by a branching structure (e.g., a tee fitting) 18D such that the downstream segments 18B and 18C are in a parallel relationship with one another. This configuration may be more advantageous to increase the compactness of the pipette washing system 10.

The second drive pump 14, the first valve 15 and the third drive pump 16 described above may be provided on each of the downstream tubing sections 18B and 18C, respectively, to independently control the washing operation and the pipetting operation of each pipette.

The utility model also provides a sample analyzer. The sample analyzer includes the pipette washing system 10 described above. Additionally, the sample analyzer may include an analyzer body that is typically disposed on a table or counter top for operation by a worker during use. A pipette may be part of the analyzer body. The intermediate container 13 in the pipette washing system 10 may be integrated in the analyzer body, while the relatively bulky washing fluid container may be placed on the floor. In this case, the driving force required for transporting the fluid is greater and the pressure drop of the fluid is greater, so that it is particularly advantageous to provide the intermediate container 13 and to provide pumps for the first and second transport lines 19, 18, respectively.

A method of performing a washing operation using the above-described pipette washing system 10 is as follows.

At least part (part or all) of the washing fluid in the washing fluid container 11 may be pumped into the intermediate container 13 by the first driving pump 12 to temporarily store the washing fluid in the intermediate container 13. When the pipette 17 needs to be cleaned, the cleaning fluid in the intermediate container 13 can be pumped to the pipette 17 by the second driving pump 14 and/or the third driving pump 16, so that the pipeline in the pipette 17 can be flushed at a higher pressure, and the gas can be prevented from being trapped in the pipette 17. During the washing of the pipette 17 with the washing fluid in the intermediate container 13, the washing fluid container 11 may be relatively free for a longer period of time. The operator can maintain and replace it without interrupting the operation of the pipette 17 and without shutting down the sample analyzer. In an exemplary embodiment, the volume of the cleaning fluid container is, for example, 10L, and the volume of the intermediate container is, for example, 1L.

In embodiments of the present invention, the pipettor 17 may be or may include a steel needle and tip configuration in a pipette arm.

In embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of pipettes may include one or more of a reagent pipettor, a universal liquid pipettor, a sample pipettor.

While the utility model has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the utility model. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way as long as there is no structural conflict. It is intended that the utility model not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the utility model will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A pipette washing system, comprising:

an intermediate container configured to be connectable between a pipette and a washing fluid container;

a first transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the cleaning fluid container;

a second transfer line connected between the intermediate container and the pipette;

wherein the intermediate container is configured for receiving at least part of the wash fluid from the wash fluid container and providing wash fluid to the pipette.

2. The pipette washing system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate container comprises a maximum level sensor configured to detect whether a level of washing fluid in the intermediate container exceeds a maximum threshold.

3. The pipette washing system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate container comprises a minimum level sensor configured to detect whether a level of washing fluid in the intermediate container exceeds a minimum threshold.

4. The pipette washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first transfer line comprises a first drive pump configured for pumping wash fluid in the wash fluid container into the intermediate container;

the second transfer line comprises a second drive pump configured for pumping the wash fluid in the intermediate container to the pipettor.

5. The pipette washing system of claim 4, wherein the second transfer line includes a first valve, the second drive pump being disposed between the first valve and the intermediate container;

wherein the second drive pump pumps wash fluid from the intermediate container to the pipettor when the first valve is open.

6. The pipette washing system of claim 5, wherein the second transfer line further comprises a third drive pump disposed between the first valve and the pipette;

wherein the third drive pump operates as a pipetting operation for driving the pipette when the first valve is closed.

7. The pipette washing system of claim 5, wherein the second transfer line further comprises a third drive pump disposed between the first valve and the pipette, the third drive pump being a plunger pump;

wherein the plunger pump performs a pumping action when the first valve is open; the third drive pump is operable for pumping a wash fluid to the pipette when the first valve is closed to avoid trapping gas within the pipette.

8. A pipette washing system according to claim 1, characterised in that, where a plurality of pipettes are provided, the pipette washing system comprises a plurality of second delivery lines, each second delivery line being connected to a respective pipette.

9. The pipette washing system according to claim 1, wherein in a case where a plurality of pipettes are provided, the second transfer line includes an upstream pipe section and a plurality of downstream pipe sections that communicate in parallel with the upstream pipe section, the plurality of downstream pipe sections being respectively connected with the respective pipettes.

10. A sample analyzer, comprising:

an analyzer body, and

the pipette washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9;

wherein the intermediate container is integrated within the analyzer body and the cleaning fluid container is disposed outside the analyzer body.

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