JP3185625U - Tube stirring device and tube holder used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A tube stirring device capable of effectively stirring contents in various types of tubes is provided.
A tube agitating device (1) includes a main body (10) in which an excitation mechanism is accommodated and a tube holder (20) attached to the excitation mechanism above the main body (10). A multiple insertion hole into which the tube 152 can be inserted and a single insertion hole into which the single tube 51 can be inserted are formed, and at least some of the insertion holes other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion hole are single insertions. It is configured to be a hole. When agitating the contents in a multiple tube, the contents in all the tubes can be agitated simply by fixing the tubes at both ends. Tube holders corresponding to each of the multiple / single tubes It is not necessary to use while replacing.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube agitating device for agitating a tube in medical, pharmaceutical, bio, food industry, university laboratories and the like, and a tube holder used therein, for example, a single tube containing a buffer or an enzyme in the field of genetic engineering, The present invention relates to a tube agitating device for agitating contents in a multiple tube or the like as a reaction vessel at the same time.

  In the field of genetic engineering, specimens such as blood and urine collected from patients are analyzed, and the specimen is housed in a tube (see FIG. 3). Such a tube 51 is a transparent glass or plastic container 51a, for example, a 2.0 ml tube having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom having a diameter of 13 mm and a height of 40 mm, a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 40 mm. A 1.5 ml tube having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface, a 0.5 ml tube having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface having a diameter of 8 mm and a height of 30 mm, and a cylindrical side wall having a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 20 mm; There is a 0.2 ml tube with a bottom surface. Also, the bottom surface has a pointed tip or a cylinder provided so as to be self-supporting to cover the pointed bottom. A rubber or plastic lid 51b is fitted on the top of the container 51a.

  The tube 51 is vibrated in order to mix the contents such as the specimen and the reagent / sample injected into the tube 51, to promote various reactions, to form an emulsion, and to emulsify. A vortex mixer (tube agitator) is used. In particular, in an enzymatic reaction in the field of genetic engineering (for example, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, ligation, etc.), it is necessary to mix a plurality of reagents such as buffers, enzymes, salts, etc., so a vortex mixer is necessary. It is a device.

Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a conventional vortex mixer. The vortex mixer 101 includes a main body 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped housing and a disk-shaped head 120 made of urethane foam. A vibration mechanism (not shown) is housed inside the main body 10, and the head 120 is attached to the vibration mechanism above the main body 10.
In such a vortex mixer 101, the measurer or the like uses the switch 11 of the vibration mechanism to deflect and rotate the head 120, and then holds the single tube 51 in his hand and moves the single tube 51 to the upper surface of the head 120. The contents in the single tube 51 are agitated by pressing the bottom surface of.

  In addition, a small tube such as a 0.2 ml tube is difficult to handle, and it becomes easy to mix up when many tubes are handled at the same time. Therefore, multiple tubes such as an eight-tube tube 152 in which eight tubes shown in FIG. 4 are connected in the horizontal direction and a 12-tube tube in which a large number of 12 tubes are connected in the horizontal direction are used. .

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view when an analysis is performed using an 8-unit tube. The 8-series tube 152 has eight tubes 52. Each tube 52 is a transparent glass or plastic container 52a. For example, a 0.2 ml tube having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface having a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 20 mm is used. In addition, a rubber or plastic lid 52b is fitted on the top of each container 52a. And the upper end part of each container 52a is connected by the connection part 52c so that the eight tubes 52 may be located in a line with a horizontal direction. By holding such an eight-tube 152 in the hand and deflecting and rotating the head 120 using the switch 11, the bottom surface of each tube 52 in the eight-tube 152 is pressed against the upper surface of the head 120, whereby each tube 52. The contents inside are being stirred.

However, in the vortex mixer 101 as described above, since there are individual differences and errors in the contact angle of each tube 52 and the stirring time, there is a variation in mixing and dissolution levels, and stable stirring cannot be expected. was there.
On the other hand, a test tube agitating device or the like for vibrating a large number of test tubes and the like by inserting a large number of test tubes and the like into the holes has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Here, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vortex mixer that can stir the contents in various types of tubes. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when a single tube is used, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view when an 8-unit tube is used.
The vortex mixer 201 includes a main body 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped housing, a disk-shaped first tube holder 220 made of urethane foam, and a disk-shaped second tube holder 230 made of urethane foam. .

A vibration mechanism (not shown) is housed inside the main body 10, and an attachment portion 12 to which the tube holders 220 and 230 can be attached is formed on the upper surface of the main body 10.
The first tube holder 220 includes an upper disk body (diameter R ₂ ) and a lower disk body (diameter R ₁ ) formed at the lower part of the upper disk body. A plurality of (for example, eight) insertion holes 221 for inserting the 5 ml tube 51 are formed. One insertion hole 221 has, for example, a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 10 mm and a depth of 20 mm, and the plurality of insertion holes 221 are formed to be circular and arranged at equal intervals.

The second tube holder 230 includes an upper disk body (diameter R ₂ ) and a lower disk body (diameter R ₁ ) formed at the lower part of the upper disk body, and the upper surface of the upper disk body. A plurality of (for example, 32) insertion holes 231 for inserting the respective tubes 52 in the 8-series tube 152 are formed. One insertion hole 231 has, for example, a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 6 mm and a depth of 10 mm, and the plurality of insertion holes 231 are formed to be arranged in 4 rows and 8 columns.

  According to such a vortex mixer 201, when the 1.5 ml tube 51 is used, the measurer or the like attaches the first tube holder 220 to the main body 10 as shown in FIG. After the 1.5 ml tube 51 is inserted into the insertion hole 221 formed on the upper surface of 220, the first tube holder 220 is deflected and rotated using the switch 11 to stir the contents in the 1.5 ml tube 51. ing. On the other hand, when the eight-tube 152 is used, as shown in FIG. 7, the measurer attaches the second tube holder 230 to the main body 10 and inserts the insertion hole formed on the upper surface of the second tube holder 230. After inserting each tube 52 in the 8-unit tube 152 into 231, the second tube holder 230 is deflected and rotated using the switch 11 to stir the contents in each tube 52.

JP 2012-132775 A

By the way, the types of tubes (containers) that are handled when PCR is performed are wide, and the 1.5 ml tube 51 containing a buffer or an enzyme or the 8-series 0.2 ml tube 152 serving as a reaction container may be handled simultaneously. .
However, when the vortex mixer 201 as described above is used while the tube holders 220 and 230 are replaced, the tube holders 220 and 230 need to be frequently replaced. Further, when a plurality of vortex mixers 201 are prepared, there is a problem that a space on the experimental table must be secured.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has studied a tube stirring device that can effectively stir the contents in various types of tubes. First, one multi-hole insertion hole for inserting each 0.2 ml tube 52 in the 8-series 0.2 ml tube 152 and a single insertion hole for inserting the 1.5 ml tube 51 are formed in different regions. A tube holder was produced. However, as the area of the tube holder (diameter R> R ₁ ) increased, the vibration during use increased, and the main body of the apparatus started to run out and the stirring force weakened, making it impossible to sufficiently stir. That is, it was found that the area (diameter) of the tube holder needs to be as compact as possible.

In addition, when stirring the contents in the 8-series 0.2 ml tube 152 or the 12-series 0.2 ml tube, if the tubes at both ends are fixed, the 8-series 0.2-ml tube or the 12-series 0.2-ml tube The contents in all the tubes could be stirred. That is, it has been found that it is not necessary to hold tubes other than both ends.
In view of the above situation, the present inventors have found that a single tube can be inserted into a part of the insertion hole other than the insertion holes for inserting the tubes at both ends of the multiple tube.

  That is, the tube agitating device of the present invention is a tube agitating device including a main body portion in which an excitation mechanism is accommodated, and a tube holder attached to the excitation mechanism above the main body portion. Is formed with a plurality of insertion holes made of a plurality of insertion holes into which a multiple tube can be inserted, and a single insertion hole into which a single tube can be inserted, and at least other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion hole Some of the insertion holes are the single insertion holes.

  According to the tube agitating device of the present invention, when an 8 tube is used, the 8 tube is inserted into the tube holder by inserting the tubes at both ends of the 8 tube into the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion hole. Fix it. When a single tube is used, the single tube is fixed to the tube holder by inserting the single tube into the single insertion hole. That is, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of vortex mixers having tube holders corresponding to the respective tubes, and it is not necessary to use the tube holders while replacing them.

  As described above, according to the tube agitating device of the present invention, it can be a compact device corresponding to the preparation and preparation of reagents from the reaction vessel, and without reducing the stirring force while realizing space saving. The contents in various types of tubes frequently used in experiments and inspections can be effectively stirred.

(Means and effects for solving other problems)
In the tube agitating device of the present invention, the tube holder is formed with a plurality of multiple insertion holes into which a plurality of multiple tubes can be inserted, and each of the multiple insertion holes has at least one single insertion hole. It may be formed.
According to the tube agitating device of the present invention, the contents in a multiple tube and a single tube are stirred simultaneously, the contents in multiple multiple tubes are stirred, or the contents in multiple single tubes are stirred. You can do it.

In the tube stirring device of the present invention, the single tube is a 2.0 ml tube, a 1.5 ml tube, a 0.5 ml tube or a 0.2 ml tube, and the single insertion hole can be inserted into the single tube. It may be formed. The size of these tubes is, for example, a 2.0 ml tube having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface with a diameter of 13 mm and a height of 40 mm, a 1.5 ml tube with a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface of a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 40 mm. Tubes, 0.5 ml tubes with cylindrical side walls and bottom surfaces with a diameter of 8 mm and a height of 30 mm, and 0.2 ml tubes with cylindrical side walls and bottom surfaces with a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 20 mm. It is not limited.
In the tube agitating device of the present invention, the multiple tube is an 8-unit 0.2 ml tube or a 12-unit 0.2 ml tube, and the multiple insertion hole is formed so that the multiple tube can be inserted. You may make it. The size of these tubes includes, but is not limited to, 8 to 12 0.2 ml tubes having a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 20 mm and having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface connected in a straight line.

Furthermore, in the tube stirring device of the present invention, at least a part of the tube holder may be formed of a transparent material.
According to the tube stirring device of the present invention, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the contents in the multiple tube or the single tube are sufficiently stirred.

  The tube holder of the present invention is a tube holder used in a tube agitating device including a main body portion in which a vibration mechanism is housed, and is attached to the vibration mechanism above the main body portion, and the multiple tubes are A multiple insertion hole comprising a plurality of insertable insertion holes and a single insertion hole into which a single tube can be inserted are formed, and at least a part of the insertion holes other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion hole The single insertion hole is formed.

The figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the vortex mixer which is one Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the tube holder shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of schematic structure of the conventional vortex mixer. The perspective view at the time of using an 8-unit tube. The perspective view which shows an example of schematic structure of the vortex mixer which can stir the contents in various tubes. The perspective view at the time of using a single tube. The perspective view at the time of using an 8-unit tube.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a vortex mixer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tube holder shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same thing as the vortex mixer 201 mentioned above.
The vortex mixer (tube stirring device) 1 includes a main body 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped housing and a disk-shaped tube holder 20.

  A vibration mechanism (not shown) is accommodated in the main body 10, and an attachment portion (not shown) to which the tube holder 20 can be attached is formed on the upper surface of the main body 10. As the vibration mechanism, a known mechanism capable of vibrating the tube holder 20 can be used, and the mounting portion is also known as a mechanism capable of connecting the tube holder 20 and the vibration mechanism. Can be used.

The tube holder 20 is a disk body (diameter R ₁ ) made of urethane foam. And 32 center part insertion holes 21 are formed in the center part of the upper surface of the disk body so that it becomes 4 rows and 8 columns, and two upper insertion holes 22 are formed in the upper part of the upper surface of the disk body. Two lower insertion holes 23 are formed in the lower portion of the upper surface of the disk body. The tube holder may be made of rubber, resin, silicon, or may be formed of a wire.

Insertion holes in the first row and fourth column, insertion rows in second row and fifth column, insertion holes in third row and fourth column, and insertion holes in fourth row and fifth column (multiple insertion holes, The single insertion hole) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 8 mm and a depth of 15 mm, for example. Accordingly, four 0.5 ml single tubes 51 having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface having a diameter of 8 mm and a height of 30 mm can be inserted and fixed.
The insertion holes (multiple insertion holes) other than those described above have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 6 mm and a depth of 10 mm, for example, and have four cylindrical side walls and a bottom surface with a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 20 mm. A continuous 0.2 ml tube 152 can be inserted and fixed. At this time, the tube 52 inserted into the insertion hole of the first row and the fourth column, the insertion hole of the second row and the fifth column, the insertion hole of the third row and the fourth column, and the insertion hole of the fourth row and the fifth column is inserted into the holder 20. Although not firmly fixed, since the tubes 52 at both ends of the 8-row 0.2 ml tube 152 are firmly fixed, the contents in all the tubes 52 can be stirred.

  The upper insertion hole (single insertion hole) 22 and the lower insertion hole (single insertion hole) 23 have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 10 mm and a depth of 20 mm, for example. Therefore, four 1.5 ml single tubes 51 having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom surface having a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 40 mm can be inserted and fixed.

  In such a vortex mixer 1, for example, a user or the like inserts and fixes two 0.2-ml tubes 152 into the center insertion hole 21 and fixes two 0.5 ml single tubes 51 in the center. The insertion hole 21 is inserted into the insertion hole in the first row and the fourth column and the insertion hole in the fourth row and the fifth column, and fixed to the four 1.5 ml single tubes 51 with the upper insertion hole 22 and the lower insertion hole 23. Insert into and fix. As a result, the tube holder 20 is deflected and rotated using the switch 11, and the contents in the two 8-series 0.2ml tubes 152, the two 0.5ml single tubes 51, and the four 1.5ml single tubes 51 are displayed. Things can be stirred at the same time. In addition, the user or the like inserts four 8-series 0.2 ml tubes 152 into the central insertion hole 21 and fixes them, and fixes the four 1.5 ml single tubes 51 to the upper insertion hole 22 and the lower insertion hole 23. Insert into and fix. As a result, the tube holder 20 can be deflected and rotated using the switch 11, and the contents in the four 8-series 0.2 ml tubes 152 and the four 1.5 ml single tubes 51 can be stirred simultaneously.

<Other embodiments>
(1) In the vortex mixer 1 described above, 32 central insertion holes 21 are formed in the central portion of the upper surface of the disc body so as to form 4 rows and 8 columns, and the upper portion of the upper surface of the disc body is Two upper insertion holes 22 are formed, and two lower insertion holes 23 are formed in the lower portion of the upper surface of the disk body. However, in the central portion of the upper surface of the disk body, 3 A total of 36 center insertion holes in 12 rows and 12 columns may be formed. In other words, at the center of the upper surface of the disc body, at least a part of the insertion holes other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion holes may serve as a single insertion hole, and the number of insertion holes is arbitrary. Can be a number.

(2) In the vortex mixer 1 described above, the tube holder 20 is configured to be a urethane foam disk (diameter R ₁ ). The lower half of the tube holder may be made of transparent vinyl (material). According to such a tube agitating device, at least a part becomes a window, and the user can easily confirm whether or not the contents in the multiple tube or the single tube are sufficiently agitated.

  The present invention can be used, for example, in a single tube containing a buffer or an enzyme in the field of genetic engineering, a tube stirring device for simultaneously stirring contents in a multiple tube serving as a reaction vessel, or the like.

1: Vortex mixer (tube agitator)
10: Main body 20: Tube holder

Claims (6)

A main body in which a vibration mechanism is stored;
A tube agitating device comprising a tube holder attached to the excitation mechanism above the main body,
The tube holder is formed with a multiple insertion hole composed of a plurality of insertion holes into which a multiple tube can be inserted, and a single insertion hole into which a single tube can be inserted,
The tube agitating device, wherein at least a part of the insertion holes other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion holes are the single insertion holes. The tube holder is formed with a plurality of multiple insertion holes into which a plurality of multiple tubes can be inserted,
The tube agitating device according to claim 1, wherein at least one single insertion hole is formed in each of the multiple insertion holes. The single tube is a 2.0 ml tube, a 1.5 ml tube, a 0.5 ml tube or a 0.2 ml tube,
The tube agitator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the single insertion hole is formed so that the single tube can be inserted. The multiple tubes are 8 0.2 ml tubes or 12 0.2 ml tubes,
The tube agitating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple insertion hole is formed so that the multiple tube can be inserted.   The tube agitating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the tube holder is made of a transparent material. A tube holder used in a tube stirring device including a main body portion in which a vibration mechanism is housed,
Attached to the excitation mechanism above the main body,
A multiple insertion hole composed of a plurality of insertion holes into which a multiple tube can be inserted and a single insertion hole into which a single tube can be inserted are formed.
The tube holder, wherein at least a part of the insertion holes other than the insertion holes at both ends of the multiple insertion holes are the single insertion holes.

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