KR102544494B1 - Reagent supply devuce - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a reagent quantitative discharge device including a loading module providing a loading space for beads, which are reagents frozen by liquid nitrogen.

Description

Reagent quantitative dispensing device {REAGENT SUPPLY DEVUCE}

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fixed amount of a reagent.

Various methods for analyzing samples in various application fields such as environmental monitoring, food inspection, and medical diagnosis have been developed, but existing inspection methods require a lot of manual work and various equipment. In order to perform the test according to the prescribed protocol, a skilled experimenter must manually perform various steps such as several times of reagent injection, mixing, separation and transfer, reaction, and centrifugation. cause an error.

There is a divider, which is one of the most popular devices among medical devices, and such a divider is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1375120 or 10-1292658. This prior art is a device for dispensing a certain amount of a solution such as a reagent or medium through a dispenser in a sample test tube accommodating a patient's sample, enabling a large number of tests to be performed through a cartridge containing a plurality of sample test tubes .

On the other hand, there was a problem that the reagent is difficult to preserve in a liquid state. US5,776,563 proposes a method of storing various types of reagents in the form of lyophilized beads and inserting them into a reaction chamber in a disk-type microfluidic device when blood analysis is required.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a reagent quantitative dispensing device configured to dispense a certain amount of reagent and recover the reagent rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen at once.

Another aspect of the present invention discloses a reagent constant-quantity ejection device in which beads are prevented from being dropped or lost during bead transport by forming a bead transport and discharge tray in a rectangular shape.

Another aspect of the present invention discloses an apparatus for dispensing a fixed quantity of reagents including a direct connection structure between a pump and a discharge tubing and a jig capable of forming an appropriate angle at the end of the discharge tubing.

The technical problem of the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The apparatus for dispensing a constant quantity of reagent according to the present invention includes a loading module providing a loading space for beads, which are reagents frozen by liquid nitrogen.

On the other hand, a dispensing module for dispensing reagents into the loading module; further comprising,

The dispensing module is formed in a form in which a plurality of dispensing tips discharging reagents flowing downward are disposed at equal intervals in the left and right directions, and a nozzle unit dispensing reagents at a predetermined dispensing cycle through the plurality of dispensing tips; a z-axis transfer robot that moves the nozzle unit in a vertical direction at the same cycle as the dispensing cycle; a first y-axis transfer robot that moves the nozzle unit forward and backward whenever reagent dispensing according to the dispensing cycle from the nozzle unit is finished; a dispensing jig disposed below the nozzle unit and guiding reagents dispensed from a plurality of dispensing tips included in the nozzle unit to be separated from each other; a supply tank for storing reagents and supplying reagents to the nozzle unit including a reagent pump for pumping reagents; a discharge tube connecting the supply tank and the nozzle unit and supplying a reagent from the supply tank to the nozzle unit; And an angle adjustment jig formed to bend one end of the discharge tube; includes,

The dispensing jig is formed by arranging a plurality of jig holes in a matrix form, the same number of jig holes as the plurality of dispensing tips are arranged in the left and right directions so as to correspond to the plurality of dispensing tips, respectively, and a predetermined number of jig holes It is formed by being arranged in the front-back direction,

The loading module includes a guide wall formed in a rectangular shape having a left-right length and a front-back length corresponding to the left-right length and front-back length of the dispensing jig, respectively, and forming a circumferential surface excluding the front, and A loading tray in which a plurality of partition walls formed of are arranged at equal intervals in the left and right directions to partition a loading space for beads; a rotation motor for rotating the loading tray so that the loading tray is tilted forward to form an inclined surface; a second y-axis transfer robot that moves the loading tray forward when one set of the dispensing cycles ends; and disposed in front of the loading tray to block the front portion of the loading tray, and both ends are installed on the second y-axis transfer robot to move in the forward and backward directions together with the loading tray, and the loading tray rotates In the case of doing so, a fixed wall forming a drop space between the loading tray and the open front portion of the loading tray may be included.

On the other hand, a storage module for storing liquid nitrogen for reagent freezing and accommodating the loading tray and the dispensing jig during a dispensing period; And a collection module for collecting beads; further comprising,

The collecting module is formed in a form having an inner space gradually narrowing toward the lower side, and includes a shooter that discharges beads falling from the loading tray to the lower side; And a bottle holding portion formed below the shooter and providing a holding space for a bottle storing beads,

The shooter is disposed in front of the second y-axis transfer robot, is provided in plural numbers corresponding to the number of each area of the loading tray partitioned by a plurality of partition walls, and is arranged side by side in the left and right directions so that the loading tray Beads discharged from each region of are accommodated, respectively,

The bottle holder may be formed in a shape in which the bottle is arranged side by side in the left and right directions corresponding to the number of the plurality of shooters of the mounting groove corresponding to the lower shape.

Meanwhile, the storage module may include a storage tank disposed below the loading tray and the dispensing jig to store liquid nitrogen for reagent freezing and to provide an accommodation space for the loading tray and the dispensing jig; During one set of dispensing cycles, the storage tank is moved upward so that the storage tank accommodates the loading tray and the dispensing jig, and when one set of dispensing cycles ends, the loading tray transfers the second y-axis an elevating unit for moving the storage tank downward so that it can be moved forward by a robot; And a control signal for measuring the level of liquefied nitrogen stored in the storage tank and supplying liquefied nitrogen to the storage tank when the level of liquefied nitrogen stored in the storage tank is measured below a predetermined level. A sensor that generates; may include.

According to one aspect of the present invention described above, a certain amount of reagent is dispensed, rapidly frozen by liquid nitrogen to be converted into a bead form, and a large amount of beads can be easily produced by recovering the beads at once, Furthermore, the shape of the bead transport tray is designed in a rectangular shape to prevent beads from falling or being lost during transport of beads, and to minimize coupling between the reagent discharge tube and the pump, thereby preventing leakage.

1 is a view showing an apparatus for dispensing a reagent according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are views for explaining a dispensing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 to 6 are views for explaining a loading module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram for explaining a storage module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram for explaining a collection module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various different forms, only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Terminology used herein is for describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in a phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, and operations to the stated components, steps, and operations.

1 is a view showing an apparatus for dispensing a reagent according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a reagent quantitative dispensing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a dispensing module for dispensing a certain amount of reagent, a loading module for loading rapidly frozen beads of the reagent, and a storage module for storing liquid nitrogen. And it may include a collection module for collecting beads, and the dispensing module, the loading module, the storage module, and the collection module may be arranged and assembled in an internal space isolated from the outside by a predetermined frame (F).

2 and 3 are views for explaining a dispensing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the dispensing module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle unit 110, a z-axis transfer robot 120, a first y-axis transfer robot 130, and a dispensing jig 140. can include

The nozzle unit 110 may dispense a certain amount of reagent, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of dispensing tips may be formed in a form in which a plurality of dispensing tips are arranged at equal intervals in the left and right directions (x-axis direction).

The dispensing tip may discharge the reagent introduced into the interior downward. For example, the dispensing tip may be formed in a form including a hollow extending vertically in the center and a discharge port communicating with the hollow.

The Z-axis transfer robot 120 may move the nozzle unit 110 in the vertical direction (z-axis direction).

The Z-axis transfer robot 120 moves the nozzle unit 110 in the z-axis direction to assist in dispensing reagents from the nozzle unit 110 in a circular shape.

The first Y-axis transfer robot 130 may move the nozzle unit 110 in the front-back direction (y-axis direction).

The first Y-axis transfer robot 130 assists the nozzle unit 110 to dispense reagents while moving forward.

For example, the nozzle unit 110 dispenses reagents at a predetermined dispensing cycle, and the Z-axis transfer robot 130 moves in the vertical direction at the same cycle as the dispensing cycle to assist reagent dispensing from the nozzle unit 110, The first Y-axis transfer robot 130 may move forward by a predetermined length whenever reagent dispensing according to the dispensing cycle from the nozzle unit 110 is finished.

The dispensing jig 140 may be disposed below the nozzle unit 110 and may guide reagents dispensed from a plurality of dispensing tips included in the nozzle unit 110 to be separated without clumping together.

The dispensing jig 140 may be formed by arranging a plurality of jig holes in a matrix form. For example, the left and right directions (x-axis direction) such that the same number of jig holes as the plurality of dispensing tips correspond to the plurality of dispensing tips, respectively. ), and a predetermined number of jig holes may be arranged in the front-back direction (y-axis direction).

Referring to FIG. 3 , the dispensing module 100 includes a supply tank 150 for storing reagents and supplying them to the nozzle unit 110, a discharge tube 160 connecting the supply tank 150 and the nozzle unit 110, and An angle adjustment jig 170 for adjusting the angle of the discharge tube 160 may be included.

The supply tank 150 may store reagents and may include a reagent pump for pumping reagents to supply reagents to the nozzle unit 110 .

For example, a syringe pump may be applied as the reagent pump, and other types of pumps may be applied.

The discharge tube 160 may connect the supply tank 150 and the nozzle unit 110 to supply reagents from the supply tank 150 to the nozzle unit 110 .

For example, the discharge tube 160 may be formed in the form of a branch hose branching from the reagent pump in the same number as a plurality of dispensing tips, respectively, to supply reagents to the plurality of dispensing tips.

In the present embodiment, leakage of liquid may be prevented by adopting a direct coupling structure between the reagent pump and the discharge tube 160 .

The angle adjusting jig 170 may bend the discharge tube 160 .

The angle adjusting jig 170 forms an appropriate angle at one end of the discharge tube 160 so that the amount of reagent dispensing can be adjusted.

4 to 6 are views for explaining a loading module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the loading module 200 may include a loading tray 210 , a rotation motor 220 , a second y-axis transfer robot 230 and a fixed wall 240 .

The loading tray 210 may be disposed under the dispensing module 100 to provide a loading space for beads, which are frozen reagents dispensed from the dispensing module 100 .

The stacking tray 210 has a left-right direction (x-axis direction) length and a front-back direction (y-axis direction) length and a corresponding left-right direction (x-axis direction) length and front-back direction (y-axis direction) length of the dispensing jig 140 (y-axis direction). It may be formed in a rectangular shape, includes a guide wall 211 forming a circumferential surface excluding the front, and a plurality of partition walls 215 formed in the front-back direction (y-axis direction) are formed in the left-right direction (x-axis direction). It is arranged at equal intervals to partition the loading space of the beads.

In this embodiment, the stacking tray 210 is formed in a rectangular shape to prevent beads from falling or being lost when beads are transported.

The rotation motor 220 may rotate the loading tray 210 so that the loading tray 210 forms an inclined surface forward.

As the loading tray 210 rotates, the beads loaded on the loading tray 210 will be discharged forward. A detailed description in this regard will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

The second y-axis transfer robot 230 may move the loading tray 210 in the front-rear direction (y-axis direction).

For example, the second y-axis transfer robot 230 may move the loading tray 210 forward when one set of dispensing cycles ends.

The fixing wall 240 may be disposed in front of the loading tray 210 to block the front portion of the loading tray 210 .

Both ends of the fixed wall 240 are installed on the second y-axis transfer robot 230 and can move in the forward and backward direction (y-axis direction) together with the loading tray 210 .

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5 , the fixed wall 240 may be rotated so that the loading tray 210 is tilted forward by the rotation motor 220 while being fixed to the front of the loading tray 210. In this case, an inclined surface is formed on the loading tray 210 so that the beads loaded on the loading tray 210 fall forward.

At this time, referring to FIG. 6 , since the loading tray 210 rotates while the fixing wall 240 is fixed, the space s between the open front portion of the loading tray 210 and the fixing wall 240 Beads may fall.

That is, the loading tray 210 is closed by the fixed wall 240 while reagents are dispensed and frozen or moved in the forward and backward direction (y-axis direction) by the second y-axis transfer robot 230 so that the beads are fall can be prevented.

7 is a diagram for explaining a storage module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a storage module 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a storage tank 310 , an elevating unit 320 and a sensor 330 .

The storage tank 310 may store liquid nitrogen for reagent freezing.

에서 액체로 존재하여 시약이 급속 냉동되어 비드 형태로 변화시킬 수 있다.Liquid nitrogen is -196 at atmospheric pressure.

It exists as a liquid in the liquid so that the reagent can be rapidly frozen and changed to bead form.

The storage tank 310 may be disposed under the loading tray 210 and the dispensing jig 140 to provide an accommodation space for the loading tray 210 and the dispensing jig 140 .

The elevating unit 320 may move the storage tank 310 in a vertical direction (a z-axis direction).

For example, the elevating unit 320 moves the storage tank 310 upward during one set of dispensing cycles so that the storage tank 310 accommodates the loading tray 210 and the dispensing jig 140, thereby dispensing jig Reagents dispensed through 140 are cooled and loaded in the loading tray 210 in the form of beads, and when one set of dispensing cycles ends, the storage tank 310 is moved downward to move the loading tray 210 allows to move in the forward and backward direction (y-axis direction).

The sensor 330 may measure the level of liquid nitrogen stored in the storage tank 310 .

For example, when the level of liquefied nitrogen stored in the storage tank 310 is measured below a predetermined level, the sensor 330 transmits a control signal allowing liquefied nitrogen to be additionally supplied to the storage tank 310. can cause

8 is a diagram for explaining a collection module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the collection module 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a shooter 410 and a bottle holder 420 .

The shooter 410 may be formed in a shape having an inner space gradually narrowing toward the lower side, and may discharge beads falling from the loading module 300 to the lower side.

The shooter 410 may be disposed in front of the second y-axis transfer robot 230, and receives beads falling from the loading tray 210 moved forward by the second y-axis transfer robot 230 to lower the can be emitted with

At this time, a plurality of shooters 410 may be provided corresponding to the number of each region of the loading tray 210 partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 215, and are arranged side by side in the left and right directions (x-axis direction), Beads discharged from each area of the loading tray 210 may be accommodated.

In FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8 , four partition walls 215 are provided, and an area of the loading tray 210 and five shooters 410 are provided as an example, but are not limited thereto.

The bottle holder 420 may be formed below the shooter 410 .

The bottle holder 420 may provide a bottle holder space for storing beads, and for example, a holder groove corresponding to the bottom shape of the bottle corresponds to the number of shooters 410 in the left and right directions (x axial direction) can be formed in a shape arranged side by side.

As such, the reagent quantitative dispensing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention dispenses a certain amount of reagent, rapidly freezes it with liquid nitrogen, converts it into a bead form, and collects the beads at once, thereby dispensing a large amount of beads. It can be easily manufactured, and furthermore, the shape of the bead transport tray is designed in a square shape to prevent beads from falling or being lost during transport, and has an effect of preventing leakage by minimizing the binding between the reagent discharge tube and the pump.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can realize that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. you will be able to understand Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting.

1000: reagent quantitative dispensing device
100: dispensing module
200: loading module
300: storage module
400: collection module

Claims (3)

A loading module providing a loading space for reagent beads frozen by liquid nitrogen; and
Including; dispensing module for dispensing a certain amount of reagents,
The dispensing module,
A nozzle unit having a plurality of dispensing tips disposed at equal intervals in the left and right directions for discharging reagents introduced into the interior downward, and dispensing reagents at a predetermined dispensing cycle through the plurality of dispensing tips;
a z-axis transfer robot that moves the nozzle unit in a vertical direction at the same cycle as the dispensing cycle;
a first y-axis transfer robot that moves the nozzle unit forward and backward whenever reagent dispensing according to the dispensing cycle from the nozzle unit is finished;
a dispensing jig disposed below the nozzle unit and guiding reagents dispensed from a plurality of dispensing tips included in the nozzle unit to be separated from each other;
a supply tank for storing reagents and supplying reagents to the nozzle unit including a reagent pump for pumping reagents;
a discharge tube connecting the supply tank and the nozzle unit and supplying a reagent from the supply tank to the nozzle unit; and
An angle adjusting jig formed to bend one end of the discharge tube; includes,
The dispensing jig,
A plurality of jig holes are arranged in a matrix form, the same number of jig holes as the plurality of dispensing tips are arranged in the left and right directions to correspond to the plurality of dispensing tips, and a predetermined number of jig holes are arranged in the forward and backward directions. is formed,
The loading module,
A plurality of guide walls formed in a rectangular shape having a left-right length and a front-back length corresponding to the left-right length and front-back length of the dispensing jig, and forming a circumferential surface excluding the front, and formed in the front-back direction. a loading tray in which partition walls are arranged at equal intervals in the left and right directions to partition a loading space for beads;
a rotation motor for rotating the loading tray so that the loading tray is tilted forward to form an inclined surface;
a second y-axis transfer robot that moves the loading tray forward when one set of the dispensing cycles ends; and
It is disposed in front of the loading tray and is formed to block the front portion of the loading tray, and both ends are respectively installed on the second y-axis transfer robot to move in the forward and backward directions together with the loading tray, and the loading tray rotates In this case, a fixed wall forming a drop space for beads between the open front portion of the stacking tray; and
A storage module for storing liquid nitrogen for reagent freezing and accommodating the loading tray and the dispensing jig during a dispensing period;
delete According to claim 1,
A collection module for collecting beads; further comprising,
The collection module,
A shooter formed in a shape having an inner space gradually narrowing toward the lower side and discharging beads falling from the loading tray to the lower side; and
Including; a bottle holder formed at the bottom of the shooter and providing a holder space for a bottle for storing beads,
The shooter,
It is disposed in front of the second y-axis transfer robot and is provided in plural numbers corresponding to the number of each area of the loading tray partitioned by a plurality of partition walls, and arranged side by side in the left and right directions from each area of the loading tray. Each discharged bead is accommodated,
The bottle holder,
Reagent quantitative dispensing device, wherein the bottle is formed in a shape arranged side by side in the left and right directions corresponding to the number of the plurality of shooters in the mounting groove corresponding to the lower shape.

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