KR100800324B1 - Method of transferring sample using multi air gap - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for transferring sample by using a multi-air gap is provided to prevent the contamination of sample due to the evaporation of liquid sample or the remnants of liquid sample located at the inner wall of a second tube. A method for transferring sample comprises the steps of lowering a first tube by a stage part to dip the terminal part of the first tube into a liquid sample container containing a liquid sample; moving a piston to one side to allow the liquid sample to be absorbed to the first tube, thereby allowing a cylinder and a fluid pipe to be filled with the liquid sample; moving the piston to one side to a first external air to be inhaled into a second tube through the terminal part, thereby forming a first air gap comprising the first external air at the inside of the second tube terminal part; forming a sample gap comprising a first sample at the inside of the second tube terminal part by the same process; forming a second air gap comprising a second external air at the inside of the second tube terminal part; forming a transfer sample part comprising a second sample at the inside of the second tube terminal part; locating the second tube at the upper part of a third sample container through the stage part; and moving the piston the other side to allow the transfer sample part of the second tube to be transferred to the third sample container.

Description

Method of Transferring Sample Using Multi Air Gap}

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional sample transfer device.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a syringe pump of the conventional sample transfer device.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a syringe pump according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a sample is transferred by a syringe pump according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: syringe pump 20: cylinder

25: piston 30: fluid pipe

32: first tube 34: second tube

40: liquid reagent container 42: liquid reagent

50: first air gap 52: second air gap

60: first sample container 62: first sample

64: sample gap 65: second sample container

67: second sample 69: transfer sample

70: third sample container

The present invention relates to a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap, and more particularly, to transfer a sample using a sample transfer device, to the evaporation of the residue or liquid reagent of the liquid reagent located on the inner wall of the second tube The present invention relates to a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap which can prevent the sample from being contaminated.

In general, a sample transfer device is a device that enhances production and work efficiency by automatically quantifying and dispensing a sample with high accuracy by automating the addition or reaction of a sample or a solution, and processing a large amount of sample in a short time through multi-channel operation. As an example, such a sample transfer device is shown in FIG.

Referring to Figure 1, the sample transfer device 100 is a syringe pump 110 (Syringe Pump) for sucking or dispensing the sample, the syringe pump 110 under the control of a control means (not shown) X, Y and The stage unit 103 to move in the Z direction and the lower portion of the stage unit 103, and comprises a well plate 104 (Well Plate) containing the sample to be transferred.

Looking at the operation of the sample transfer device 100 configured as described above, first, in order to transfer the sample, the syringe pump 110 is a specific position or well by the stage unit 103 under the control of the control means programmed in advance It is moved to the plate 104, the sample contained in one particular position or the well plate 104 by the pressure of the syringe pump 110 mounted on the stage 103 is sucked. Thereafter, the stage 103 is moved to another specific position, and the sample sucked into the syringe pump 110 is configured to be dispensed.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a syringe pump 110 provided in the sample transfer device 100 to suck or dispense a sample. Referring to FIG. 2, the syringe pump 110 may include a cylinder through which fluid flows in and out. 120), a piston (125) for adjusting the internal pressure of the cylinder (120) and the fluid tube 130.

One side of the fluid tube 130 is connected to the cylinder 120, the other side is divided into two branches of the first tube 132 and the second tube 134, the end of the first tube 132 is a liquid It is contained in the liquid reagent container 140 composed of a reagent (142). In addition, a sample at a specific position or well plate 104 is sucked or dispensed from the end of the second tube 134 by the vertical movement of the piston 125 by a motor (not shown). In addition, a needle may be mounted at an end of the second tube 134.

When the sample is transferred using the syringe pump 110 configured as described above, first, the cylinder 120 and the inside of the first tube 132 and the second tube 134 are filled with the liquid reagent 142. When the sample is sucked into the second tube 134 of the syringe pump 110 without filling the liquid reagent 142, the sample is sucked and the inside of the second tube 134 is empty. Compressed air located in the space will not be able to inhale the desired amount of sample, resulting in inaccurate reagent transfer.

Therefore, in order to prevent this, the empty space inside the second tube 134 as well as the cylinder 120 and the first tube 132 is filled with the liquid reagent 142.

Thereafter, in order to transport the sample, the piston 125 is moved to allow air to enter from the end of the second tube 134 to form the air gap 150, and then suction the end of the second tube 134. Dip the sample into the sample container 150 to be sucked.

Then, by the air gap 150 formed between the liquid reagent 142 and the sample, the liquid reagent 142 and the sample is configured not to be mixed in the second tube 134, and the experimenter accurately corrects the desired amount of sample. Can be transported

However, since the inside of the second tube 134 is already filled with the liquid reagent 142, even if the air gap 150 is formed in the second tube 134 and the sample is sucked, the second tube 134 Of course, the residue of the liquid reagent 142 remains on the inner wall of the), and the residue is mixed with the sample, causing contamination of the sample, as well as evaporation of the liquid reagent 142 of the air gap 150. There is a problem such as contaminating the sample located at the bottom.

In order to solve this problem, there has been a proposal to use the liquid reagent 142 and the sample as the same, but in general, the liquid reagent 142 is one, while the sample to be transported is different, the liquid reagent 142 and the sample There is a problem that is practically impossible to construct the same.

In order to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to contaminate a sample by evaporation of a liquid reagent or a residue of a liquid reagent located on an inner wall of a second tube when a sample is to be transferred through a sample transfer device. It is to provide a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap that can be avoided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cylinder into which a fluid flows in and out, a piston for adjusting an internal pressure of the cylinder, one side of which is connected to the cylinder, and the other side of which is divided into two parts of the first tube and the second tube. It comprises a divided fluid pipe, comprising a syringe pump for sucking or dispensing fluid through the fluid pipe and a stage portion located on one side of the syringe pump to move the syringe pump in the X, Y and Z directions A sample transfer method of a sample transfer device, the first tube being lowered by the stage portion, the end of the first tube is contained in a liquid reagent container containing a liquid reagent; Moving the piston to one side to fill the liquid reagent into the cylinder and the fluid tube while the liquid reagent is sucked into the first tube; The piston is moved to one side to allow the first external air to be sucked into the inside of the second tube through the end of the second tube, thereby forming a first air gap formed of the first external air inside the second tube end. Becoming; The second tube is lowered by the stage unit, and the end of the second tube is contained in a first sample container including a first sample to be sucked; The piston is moved to one side such that the first air gap is raised from the end of the second tube to the upper portion thereof, and the first sample of the first sample container is sucked into the second tube end. A sample gap formed of the first sample is formed inside the second tube end; Lifting the second tube through the stage so that the end of the second tube is positioned above the second sample vessel to be sucked; The piston is moved to one side to allow the second external air to be sucked into the inside of the second tube through the end of the second tube, so that a second air gap formed of the second external air is formed inside the second tube end. Becoming; Lowering the second tube through the stage, so that an end of the second tube is contained in the second sample container; The piston is moved to one side so that the second air gap is raised from the end of the second tube to the upper portion thereof, and the second sample contained in the second sample container is inside the second tube end. Suctioned into the second tube to form a transfer sample part including the second sample inside the second tube end; Positioning the second tube through the stage to an upper portion of a third sample container to which the second sample is to be dispensed; And the piston is moved to the other side, it provides a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap characterized in that it comprises a step of dispensing the transfer sample portion formed in the second tube to the third sample container.

In addition, in the present invention, the first sample is configured to be the same as the second sample, or provides a sample transport method using a multi-air gap, characterized in that composed of a solution that does not affect the second sample.

In addition, the control panel for controlling the movement of the piston and the stage in the present invention is mounted on one side of the sample transfer device, the control panel provides a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap, characterized in that pre-programmed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in more detail a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a syringe pump of a sample transfer device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cylinder 20 through which a fluid flows in and out according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a piston 25 for adjusting an internal pressure of the cylinder 20, and one side thereof is connected to the cylinder 20. The other side includes a fluid tube 30 divided into two parts, the first tube 32 and the second tube 34, and the syringe pump 10 for sucking or dispensing the fluid through the fluid tube 30. And a stage unit (not shown) positioned on one side of the syringe pump 10 to move the syringe pump 10 in the X, Y, and Z directions. The method is such that the liquid reagent 42 is filled in the fluid tube 30 of the syringe pump 10 by the vertical movement of the piston 25, and then the first air gap 50 is formed in the second tube 34. In order to form the sample gap 64, the second air gap 52, and the transfer sample 69 in order, the liquid sample 42 is filled into the fluid tube 30. The sample transfer unit 69 to prevent any cross-contamination.

The liquid reagent 42 fills the inside with the cylinder 20, the first tube 32 and the second tube 34 before the sample is transferred using the syringe pump 10. When the syringe pump 10 is moved while the liquid reagent 42 is not filled and the sample is sucked using the second tube 34, the air located in the empty space inside the second tube 34 is compressed. While preventing the suction of the desired amount of sample, the exact reagent transfer is not made, the empty space inside the cylinder 20 and the first tube 32, as well as the second tube 34, the liquid reagent 42 It is filled with).

The first sample 62 (shown in FIG. 4C) is such that the sample gap 64 is formed in the second tube 34 and is configured to be the same as the second sample 67 (shown in FIG. 4E) or the second sample ( 67 may be composed of a third solution that does not affect.

The second sample 67 is intended to be dispensed to the third sample container 70 (FIG. 4F) to be quantified and described later using the sample transfer device, and the transfer sample part 69 in the second tube 34 To form.

The third sample container 70 is divided into a second sample 67 which is transferred using a sample transfer device, and the second sample 67 which is quantitatively and accurately collected by the sample transfer device has a third sample container 70. )

Multi-air gaps, such as the first air gap 50 and the second air gap 52, are formed by suctioning outside air into the second tube 34, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

On the other hand, one side of the sample transfer device may be equipped with a control panel (not shown) for controlling the movement of the piston 25 and the stage portion, the control panel is programmed in advance, the piston 25 and the stage portion is automatically moved Can be.

Hereinafter, a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the sample is transported by the syringe pump 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, first, Figure 4a is a liquid pipe 42 of the fluid pump 30 of the syringe pump 10 And a state in which the cylinder 20 is fully filled, and for this purpose, the first tube 32 of the syringe pump 10 is moved left and right through a stage portion (not shown) of a sample transfer device (not shown). To be positioned on the upper portion of the first sample container 60.

Thereafter, the first tube 32 is lowered through the stage and the end portion of the first tube 32 is contained in the liquid reagent container 40. Then, the liquid reagent 42 is moved while the piston 25 is moved to one side. The liquid reagent 42 is filled into the cylinder 20 and the first tube 32 and the second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 so as to be sucked into the first tube 32.

The movement of the piston is moved by the operation of a drive motor (not shown), the operation of the drive motor can be controlled by a pre-programmed control panel (not shown).

4B is a view illustrating a state in which the first air gap 50 is formed in the second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30. The piston 25 is moved to one side, and the vicinity of the second tube 34 is shown. The first external air to be positioned to be sucked into the inside through the end of the second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 filled with the liquid reagent 42.

Then, the liquid reagent 42 filled in the second tube 34 is raised by the first external air sucked into the second tube 34, and the first external air is inside the end of the second tube 34. The first air gap 50 constituted is formed.

However, the residue of the liquid reagent 42 that was positioned before the first air gap 50 may remain on the inner wall of the end portion of the second tube 34 where the first air gap 50 is formed. Residue of 42 is removed by a sample gap 64 (shown in Fig. 4C) described later.

4C is a view showing a state in which the sample gap 64 is formed in the second tube 34. The second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 is moved to the left and right by the stage part and lowered. The end of the second tube 34 is contained in the first sample container 60 including the first sample 62 to be sucked.

And the piston 25 is moved to one side, so that the first air gap 50 is raised from the end of the second tube 34 to the top thereof, and at the same time, the first sample of the first sample container 60 ( 62 is sucked into the end of the second tube 34.

That is, since the first sample 62 is sucked into the inside of the end of the second tube 34 by the volume generated by the rise of the first air gap 50, the first sample is inside the end of the second tube 34. The sample gap 64 which consists of 62 is comprised so that it may be formed.

As a result of the first sample 62 sucked into the second tube 34, the residue of the liquid reagent 42 existing on the inner wall of the second tube 34 in FIG. 4B is neatly removed.

4D is a view showing a state in which the second air gap 52 is formed in the second tube 34, in which the second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 contained in the first sample container 60 is staged. Raised by the portion, the end of the second tube 34 is positioned on the upper portion of the second sample container 65 to be sucked.

Thereafter, the piston 25 is moved to one side, so that the second external air located in the vicinity of the second tube 34 is sucked into it through the end of the second tube 34.

Then, the first air gap 50 and the sample gap 64 are raised in the inside of the end of the second tube 34, and the second external air is sucked by the volume generated due to the rise of the second air 34. The second air gap 52 composed of the second external air is formed inside the end portion of the second tube 34.

4E is a view showing a state in which the transfer sample part 69 is formed in the second tube 34, and the second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 is moved and lowered from side to side by the stage part. The end of the second tube 34 is contained in the second sample container 65 including the second sample 67 to be sucked.

Then, the piston 25 is moved to one side so that the second air gap 52 is raised from the end of the second tube 34 to the upper portion thereof, and at the same time, the second sample 67 of the second sample container 65 is held. ) Is sucked into the second tube 34.

Then, the first air gap 50, the sample gap 64, and the second air gap 52 are raised inside the end of the second tube 34, and the second sample ( 67 is sucked, it is configured to form a transfer sample 69 consisting of a second sample (67) inside the end of the second tube (34).

As such, the second tube 34 includes the first sample 62 contaminated by the residue of the liquid reagent 42 by the multi-air gaps such as the first air gap 50 and the second air gap 52, and The second samples 67 do not mix with each other.

On the other hand, the first sample container 60 and the second sample container 65 may be composed of the same one container, in this case, the second tube 34 is configured not to be moved left and right by the stage portion. .

4F and 4G illustrate a state in which the transfer sample part 69 formed on the second tube 34 is dispensed into the third sample container 70. First, FIG. 4F illustrates the second sample container 65. The second tube 34 of the fluid tube 30 contained therein is moved up and down by the stage part so that the second tube 34 is positioned on the upper portion of the third sample container 70.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4G, the piston 25 is moved to the other side, and the transfer sample part 69 formed on the second tube 34 is dispensed into the third sample container 70, and the second tube 34 is disposed. The first air gap 50, the sample gap 64, and the second air gap 52 remain at the ends.

As described so far, the sample transfer method using the multi-airgap of the present invention, when the sample is to be transferred through the sample transfer device, due to the first sample sucked into the second tube, the second tube in Figure 4b Residue of the liquid reagent that was present on the inner wall is neatly removed, thereby no evaporation of the liquid reagent occurs, there is an advantage that can be quantitatively aliquoted and dispensed with high accuracy without contaminating the sample.

While the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit of the invention, and such modifications and variations belong to the appended claims.

As described above, in the present invention, when the sample is to be transferred through the sample transfer device, the multi-air may be prevented from contaminating the sample by the residue of the liquid reagent located on the inner wall of the second tube or the evaporation of the liquid reagent. It is effective to provide a sample transfer method using a gap.

Claims (3)

A cylinder into which the fluid flows in and out, a piston for adjusting an internal pressure of the cylinder, and one side thereof is connected to the cylinder, and the other side thereof includes a fluid tube divided into two branches; a first tube and a second tube. In the sample transfer method of the sample transfer device comprising a syringe pump for sucking or dispensing fluid through a fluid pipe and a stage portion located on one side of the syringe pump to move the syringe pump in the X, Y and Z directions. In The first tube is lowered by the stage unit, and the end of the first tube is contained in a liquid reagent container including a liquid reagent; Moving the piston to one side to fill the liquid reagent into the cylinder and the fluid tube while the liquid reagent is sucked into the first tube; The piston is moved to one side to allow the first external air to be sucked into the inside of the second tube through the end of the second tube, thereby forming a first air gap formed of the first external air inside the second tube end. Becoming; The second tube is lowered by the stage unit, and the end of the second tube is contained in a first sample container including a first sample to be sucked; The piston is moved to one side such that the first air gap is raised from the end of the second tube to the upper portion thereof, and the first sample of the first sample container is sucked into the second tube end. A sample gap formed of the first sample is formed inside the second tube end; Lifting the second tube through the stage so that the end of the second tube is positioned above the second sample vessel to be sucked; The piston is moved to one side to allow the second external air to be sucked into the inside of the second tube through the end of the second tube, so that a second air gap formed of the second external air is formed inside the second tube end. Becoming; Lowering the second tube through the stage, so that an end of the second tube is contained in the second sample container; The piston is moved to one side so that the second air gap is raised from the end of the second tube to the upper portion thereof, and the second sample contained in the second sample container is inside the second tube end. Suctioned into the second tube to form a transfer sample part including the second sample inside the second tube end; Positioning the second tube through the stage to an upper portion of a third sample container to which the second sample is to be dispensed; And The piston is moved to the other side, the transfer sample portion formed in the second tube is dispensed into the third sample container; Sample transfer method using a multi-air gap, characterized in that comprises a. The method of claim 1, The first sample is configured to be the same as the second sample, or a sample transfer method using a multi-air gap, characterized in that composed of a solution that does not affect the second sample. The method of claim 1, A control panel for controlling movement of the piston and the stage unit is mounted on one side of the sample transfer device, the control panel is pre-programmed.

Images